Negative effect of heat sterilization on the free amino acid concentrations in infant formula
Abstract
Infant formulas are often heat sterilized in hospitals where water contamination or nosocomial infection is a concern, but there are few studies of the effect of high heat on the nutritional value of infant formula. In particular, the effect of heat sterilization on free amino acid (FAA) concentrations is seldom discussed. In view of the importance of these nutrients for infant growth, we investigated the FAA concentrations of infant formula after heat sterilization. Powdered infant formulas were reconstituted with hot water (80 degrees C) in glass bottles and placed in an autoclave for 5 min at 105 degrees C and 5600 kg/m2 of pressure. Additional samples of formula were prepared by conventional methods to serve as controls. After autoclaving, we measured the FAA concentrations with ion exchange chromatography. The results were compared with those obtained after conventional preparation. We found a 19.5% lower amount of total protein after autoclaving compared with conventional preparation. Concentrations of total FAA were significantly lower after autoclaving (696.5 +/- 101.4 vs 899.4 +/- 152.2 micromol/l, P = 0.01). The concentrations of individual amino acids were also lower in autoclaved infant formulas, with differences ranging from -4.1 to 71.5% (mean 22.6%). Concentrations of certain amino acids were more than 30% lower, such as valine (71.5%), citrulline (61.1%), glutamine (60.6%), ethanolamine (54%), and lysine (39.2%). Both essential and nonessential amino acids wer…
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Various workers have reported good correlations between some of the in vitro methods proposed and in vivo digestibility.
“Various workers have reported good correlations between some of the in vitro methods proposed and in vivo digestibility (30,59 -62) .”
From Protein quality evaluation twenty years after the introduction of the protein digestibility corrected amino acid score method (2012) · cites this paper as [30]
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Boye, J., Wijesinha-Bettoni, R., & Burlingame, B. (2012) · British Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s0007114512002309 · Cited by 421 · see citing works
“…reconstituted pow-dered infant formulas were sterilized by autoclaving for 5min at 105 8 C, a 20% reduction in total protein was found after auto-claving compared with the conventional preparation, where samples were reconstituted with warm water (37 8 C) in glass bottles but not autoclaved (29) .”
MethodTaurine: a critical nutrient for future fish feeds
Salze, G. P., & Davis, D. (2015) · Aquaculture · doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2014.12.006 · Cited by 352 · see citing works
Liu, C., Ji, W.-Z., Jiang, H., Shi, Y.-H., He, L., Gu, Z.-F., & Zhu, S. (2020) · Food Chemistry · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128632 · Cited by 109
O’Connell, C. D., Onofrillo, C., Duchi, S., Li, X., Zhang, Y., Tian, P., Lu, L., Trengove, A., Quigley, A. F., Gambhir, S., et al. (2019) · Biofabrication · doi:10.1088/1758-5090/ab0b7c · Cited by 92 · see citing works
“52 Pa respectively.”
Akintola, S., Brown, A., Bakare, A., Osowo, O. D., & Bello, B. (2013) · doi:10.2478/v10222-012-0093-1 · Cited by 61
“Autoclaving of powdered infant formula at 105°C after being reconstituted in hot water (80°) produced reduced methionine compared to those prepared by conventional methods [Yeung et al., 2006].”
MethodMesías, M., Wagner, M., Georgé, S., & Morales, F. (2016) · doi:10.1016/j.ifset.2015.12.031 · Cited by 56
“Losses of 27–28% have been observed in both essential and nonessential amino acids in infant formulas subjected to autoclave and conventional preparations (Yeung et al., 2006) and between 48 and 67% and 9 and 34% in essential and non-essential amino acids, respectively, in samples of broccoli after sterilization (Murc…”
BackgroundApplication of next-generation sequencing for the identification of herbal products
Lo, Y. T., & Shaw, P. C. (2019) · Biotechnology Advances · doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.107450 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Free amino acid content in infant formulas
Ventura, A. K., Gabriel, A., Hirota, M., & Mennella, J. (2012) · Nutrition & Food Science · doi:10.1108/00346651211248638 · Cited by 42
“…exact levels of FAAs present in infant formulas are not typically provided on manufacturers' web sites and research documenting the FAA content of CMF and SPF is limited (Agostoni et al., 2000; Caja et al., 2006; Chuang et al., 2005; Ferreira, 2003; Yeung et al., 2006; Zunin and Evangelisti, 1999).”
BackgroundTedesco, D., Castrica, M., Tava, A., Panseri, S., & Balzaretti, C. (2020) · Insects · doi:10.3390/insects11050293 · Cited by 40
“On the one hand, in the specific case of steam autoclave sterilization (121 ◦C for 20 min), it should be considered that this type of treatment could decrease the bioavailability of some amino acids due to protein denaturation [47], and this issue needs further investigation in future work, but the importance and the…”
BackgroundGlutamine Supplementation in Sick Children: Is It Beneficial?
Mok, E., & Hankard, R. (2011) · Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism · doi:10.1155/2011/617597 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“Moreover, heat sterilization of infant formulas can further lower the concentrations of Gln by more than 60% [94].”
BackgroundA Review of Enteral Strategies in Infant Short Bowel Syndrome: Evidence-based or NICU Culture?
Miller, M., & Burjonrappa, S. C. (2013) · Journal of Pediatric Surgery · doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2013.01.023 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Pillai, M. M., Akshaya, T., Elakkiya, V., Gopinathan, J., Sahanand, K., Rai, B. K. D., Bhattacharyya, A., & Selvakumar, R. (2015) · doi:10.1039/c5ra09959e · Cited by 33
Hassan, A. B., Pawelzik, E., & von Hoersten, D. (2021) · doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110703 · Cited by 30
Velásquez, A., Pohlenz, C., Barrows, F., Gaylord, T., & Gatlin, D. (2015) · Aquaculture · doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2015.03.034 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Calevo, J., Copetta, A., Marchioni, I., Bazzicalupo, M., Pianta, M., Shirmohammadi, N., Cornara, L., & Giovannini, A. (2020) · Plant Biosystems · doi:10.1080/11263504.2020.1840454 · Cited by 20
“All the above-mentioned compounds are not, or only slightly affected by autoclave heating (Yeung et al. 2006; Sabliov et al. 2009; Barriuso et al. 2012); it is therefore tempting to speculate that at least some of these components could have played a role in enhancing seedlings development.”
Kaewtapee, C., Eklund, M., Wiltafsky, M., Piepho, H., Mosenthin, R., & Rosenfelder, P. (2017) · Journal of Animal Science · doi:10.2527/jas.2016.0932 · Cited by 20
Onay, Ö. S., Korkmaz, A., Yiğit, Ş., & Yurdakök, M. (2013) · European Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.1007/s00431-012-1922-2 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“However, the nutritional consequences of thermal degradation products in infant formulas are largely unknown [21, 27].”
BackgroundProcessed milk waste recycling via thermal pretreatment and lactic acid bacteria fermentation
Kasmi, M., Hamdi, M., & Trabelsi, I. (2017) · Environmental science and pollution research international · doi:10.1007/s11356-017-8932-6 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Čaloudová, J., Křištofová, K., Pospiech, M., Klempová, T., Slaný, O., Čertík, M., Marcinčák, S., Makiš, A., Javůrková, Z., Pečová, M., et al. (2023) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su15129709 · Cited by 13
Urinary citrulline in very low birth weight preterm infants receiving intravenous nutrition
Bourdon, A., Rougé, C., Legrand, A., Robert, C. D., Piloquet, H., Vodovar, M., Voyer, M., Rozé, J., & Darmaun, D. (2011) · British Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s0007114511006660 · Cited by 10
“In our sample, urinary citrulline correlated with overall protein intake, even though PN admixtures were devoid of citrulline, and enteral feeding supplies were very little (0·5mmol/l in the case of human milk) or there was no citrulline at all in the case of formulas((20)).”
BackgroundMedical Foods from Natural Sources
Kaur, M. (2008) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79378-8 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Dasalkar, A. H., Kumar, M. R., Vaishnav, S. R., Singh, S. A., & Yannam, S. (2024) · International Dairy Journal · doi:10.1016/j.idairyj.2024.105979 · Cited by 9
Karnachoriti, M., Chatzipetrou, M., Touloupakis, E., Kontos, A., & Zergioti, I. (2025) · Journal of Raman Spectroscopy · doi:10.1002/jrs.6841 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Valorisation of cheese whey for ectoine production by Halomonas neptunia
Orhan, F., & Ceyran, E. (2023) · International Journal of Dairy Technology · doi:10.1111/1471-0307.13008 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Khoonin, W., Shantavasinkul, P. C., Santivarangkna, C., & Trachootham, D. (2022) · Foods · doi:10.3390/foods11142023 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“The authors speculated that the Maillard reaction was likely the main cause of BCAA degradation [31].”
Zheng, L., Crippen, T. L., Dabney, A., Gordy, A., & Tomberlin, J. (2017) · Journal of medical entomology · doi:10.1093/jme/tjx091 · Cited by 7
“%) free amino acids in powdered infant formula (McCollum and Davis 1915, Cohen 2003, Yeung et al. 2006), and such nutrient loss may have led to the survivorship difference in our study.”
ResultKeitel, L., Schick, B., Pohen, G., Yordanov, S., & Büchs, J. (2024) · Biotechnology progress (Print) · doi:10.1002/btpr.3526 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Nishimura, J., Makino, S., Kimura, K., Isogai, E., & Saito, T. (2015) · Advances in Microbiology · doi:10.4236/aim.2015.511080 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“A previous report indicated that autoclaving of infant formula leads to decreased concentrations of total protein, free amino acid, and amino acids, and the accumulation of ammonia [20].”
BackgroundItou, M., Kawaguchi, T., Taniguchi, E., Shiraishi, S., Ibi, R., Mutou, M., Okada, T., Uchida, Y., Otsuka, M., Oriishi, T., et al. (2009) · Molecular Medicine Reports · doi:10.3892/mmr_00000202 · Cited by 5
“…in the concentra - tion of val, leu or ile was observed, indicating that the Bcaa-rich supplement remained stable under heat loading. in contrast, yeung et al examined the effect of autoclaving on the stability of Bcaas and found that it decreased the concentration of Bcaa in an infant formula (9).”
InfluentialSuwannarong, S., Boonarsa, P., Ratseewo, J., & Siriamornpun, S. (2026) · Applied Food Research · doi:10.1016/j.afres.2026.101875 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Color Development in Complex Model System on Various TIME and Temperature
Agustini, S. (2017) · doi:10.28959/jdpi.v28i1.1638 · Cited by 3
Kurup, A. H., Patras, A., Bansode, R., Pendyala, B., Ravi, R., & Vergne, M. (2022) · Food Bioscience · doi:10.1016/j.fbio.2022.102029 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Kubasik, I., Michalczuk, A., Jandoo, J. K., Skalski, T., Góra, A., & Papaj, K. (2025) · European Journal of Entomology · doi:10.14411/eje.2025.044
Farklı Muhafaza Yöntemlerinin Çiriş Otu (Asphodelus aestivus L.) Aminoasit Miktarına Etkileri
Karataş, F., Özer, D., & Saydam, S. (2023) · Karadeniz Fen Bilimleri Dergisi · doi:10.31466/kfbd.1271823
Patel, H. (2019) · Indian journal of dairy science · doi:10.33785/ijds.2019.v72i04.006
El-Loly, M. M., Zaghloul, A., & El-Sheikh, M. (2020) · doi:10.21608/jfds.2009.112451
10. Powdered and liquid infant formulas: clinical and nutritional aspects
Korkmaz, A., & Onay, Ö. S. (2014) · Wageningen Academic Publishers eBooks · doi:10.3920/978-90-8686-223-8_10
- Authors
- Yeung, C.-Y., Lee, H.-C., Lin, S.-P., Yang, Y.-C., Huang, F.-Y., & Chuang, C.-K.
- Affiliations
- Mackay Memorial Hospital (TW)
- National Taiwan University (TW)
- Fu Jen Catholic University (TW)
- Corresponding author
- Chuang, C-K
- Venue
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Published
- 2005-10-12
- Volume
- 60
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 136-141
- ISSN
- 0954-3007 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5640
- OpenAlex
- W1969536569
- Cited by
- 34
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Infant Nutrition and Health
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Food and Agricultural Sciences
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology
- Keywords
- infant formula, heat sterilization, autoclaving, free amino acids, amino acid catabolism, protein degradation, ammonia, urea, nutritional value, nosocomial infections, powdered infant formula, essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids, valine, lysine, glutamine, citrulline, monoethanolamine, protein denaturation, infant nutrition, reconstitution
- MeSH terms
- Amino Acids, Ammonia, Chromatography, Ion Exchange, Food Handling, Hot Temperature, Humans, Infant, Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Infant, Newborn, Nutritive Value, Infant Formula
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review