Composition and Oxidative Stability of a Structured Lipid from Amaranth Oil in a Milk-Based Infant Formula

Amaranth oil can be enzymatically modified to match breast milk fat analog requirements. We have developed a structured lipid (SL) from amaranth oil that, in combination with milk fat, delivers recommended amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with palmitic acid specifically esterified at the sn-2 position of the triacylglycerol (TAG) backbone. The aim of this study was to study the final fatty acid (FA) contribution and oxidation stability of an infant formula prepared using the structured lipid DCAO(DHA-containing customized amaranth oil). DCAO was included as complementary fat in a prototype infant formula, and prepared in parallel with a control infant formula under the same processing conditions. The same ingredients but different complementary fat sources were used. A blend of the most commonly used vegetable oils (palm olein, soybean, coconut, and high-oleic sunflower oils) for infant formula was used instead of DCAO in the control formula. Additionally, prototype and control infant formulas were compared to a commercial product in terms of FA composition. The oxidative stability index (OSI) of the extracted fats from prototype, control, and commercial infant formulas were evaluated and compared to the OSI of the substrate fat replacers used. DCAO was the least stable compared to other fat analogs. The use of commercial antioxidants in DCAO containing products should prevent oxidation and therefore increase their stability.