SELENIUM IN INFANT FORMULAS COMMERCIALIZED IN BELGIUM AND BRAZIL: TOTAL CONTENT AND ESTIMATED INTAKE

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  • Presentation type: Pôster
  • Track: Chemical and Physico-chemical Food Characterization (FQ)
  • Keywords: baby foods; Labeling; Food composition;
  • 1 Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Universidade Estadual de Campinas
  • 2 Sciensano - Belgium
  • 3 Ghent University
  • 4 Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos
  • 5 Universidade Estadual de Campinas

SELENIUM IN INFANT FORMULAS COMMERCIALIZED IN BELGIUM AND BRAZIL: TOTAL CONTENT AND ESTIMATED INTAKE

Adriana P. Arisseto Bragotto

Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is an essential component for human health, associated with the reduction of certain types of cancer and other diseases. Moreover, some authors highlighted the possible benefits of Se by improving biochemical functions and chelating the toxic effects produced by the accumulation of aluminum in the brain. Nevertheless, in several regions of the world, the content of Se in the diet is estimated to be insufficient and its deficiency may adversely affect health. Therefore, due to the importance of maintaining an adequate Se intake, in particular for infants, the current study aimed to evaluate the total Se concentration in infant formula samples commercialized in Belgium and Brazil and compare the obtained results with information declared on the labels. Further, the daily intake (DI) of Se via infant formula consumption was calculated and compared with the reference values. Total Se content was determined in 50 infant formula samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), after microwave digestion. Infant formulae categories were starter, follow-up, specialized and plant-based (soy and rice). Total Se values in the reconstituted product varied from 10.6 to 30.2 µg L-1 and <10 to 27.8 µg L-1 for Belgian and Brazilian samples, respectively. A suitable agreement between the label information and the measured Se concentration was observed (mean relative agreement of 103%). Se DI estimation showed that the consumption of 0.8 L day-1 of infant formulae may contribute up to 400% of the Dietary Reference Intake in Brazil and 202% of the Adequate Intake in Belgium, considering the respective samples with the highest Se concentrations. In conclusion, this study suggests infant formula as an important source of Se supply; however, it is important to note that both deficiency and excess of Se can lead to adverse health outcomes.

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Author

Adriana P. Arisseto Bragotto

Obrigada!

Author

Adriana P. Arisseto Bragotto

Obrigada!