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Review
. 2018 Jan;62(1):10.1002/mnfr.201700231.
doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201700231. Epub 2017 Oct 17.

Protein Digestion of Baby Foods: Study Approaches and Implications for Infant Health

Junai Gan  1 , Gail M Bornhorst  1   2 , Bethany M Henrick  1   3 , J Bruce German  1   3
Affiliations
Review

Protein Digestion of Baby Foods: Study Approaches and Implications for Infant Health

Junai Gan et al. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2018 Jan.

Abstract

Protein digestion is critical for infants. Dissimilarities between infants and adults in food intake and digestive physiology lead to distinct patterns of proteolysis between individuals. However, such differences are not well represented in many studies on protein digestion of baby foods. The complex biological structures of baby foods and the physiology of the infant digestive system are key factors affecting proteolysis during the first two years of life. Well-controlled in vitro studies have demonstrated that varying digestion conditions alter the specificity, rate, and extent of proteolysis of baby foods. Nonetheless, these models do not completely replicate in vivo proteolysis or the complex biogeography of the gastrointestinal tract. Animal and clinical studies have revealed the fate of dietary proteins along the digestive tract and the overall health impact on subjects. Building comprehensive and annotated datasets from human infants will require innovative and standardized measurement. Now, more systematic evaluations of digestion are emerging to advance the knowledge and its translation as food design for effective diet and health management in infants.

Keywords: digestion model; food breakdown; infants; nutrition; proteolysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Development of oral behaviors in response to foods.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Postprandial gastric pH of healthy infants and adults.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Postprandial gastric pH of preterm infants after formula and clear liquid feeding.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Comparison of in vitro and in vivo approaches of studies on infant protein digestion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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