SHELF-LIFE of SPRAY-DRIED INFANT FORMULA SUPPLEMENTED WITH LACTULOSE

Storage studies were carried out to assess the stability of a lactulose-containing infant food formula (II) in comparison with a control formula (I) at, 5, 27 and 38C up to 20 weeks. Products were packed in tinned containers and sealed in nitrogen. No changes were observed in moisture and solubility of formulas I or II at any temperature-time combination. Lactulose levels increased during storage, while available lysine decreased to a similar extent in both formulas. Hydroxymethyl furfural content increased during storage, while the whiteness of both formulas remained unaffected. Addition of lactulose did not influence the acceptability of the product, but there was a correlation between the increase in free fatty acid levels and the decrease in acceptability scores. the study indicated that addition of lactulose did not alter any storage characteristic of the product and that the product with added lactulose was acceptable up to 16 weeks of storage at all temperatures.