Browsing by Author "Ramos, Ana Luísa Costa"
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- Studies on the biochemical and microbiological quality of infant formula post exposure to novel processing technologiesPublication . Ramos, Ana Luísa Costa; Power, DeborahInfant milk formula (IMF) is produced by adding all individual components to dehydrated milk, creating a non-sterile produce. Even though IMF undergoes a pasteurisation step during its manufacturing process, recontamination may occur during handling and reconstitution. Therefore, such produce carries microbiological load to an extent that may cause enteric disease in newborns and infants. However, public acceptance of irradiated food varies depending on access to information. Far East markets, as China and the Republic of Korea, are critical IMF markets. A joint FAO/IAEA work showed that Asian consumers would accept irradiated foods and trade benefits would ensue from the application of the technology. Also, commercial food irradiation is increasing significantly in Asia, but decreasing in EU. This multidisciplinary project investigates the microbiological quality of two brands of powdered IMF commercially available in Ireland (Cow&Gate and SMA), and different sterilisation methods (pulsed UV light, e-beam and gamma irradiation) with potential to be applied to industrial manufacturing of IMF and other infant and enteral feeds, without compromising their nutritional value. It was found that both brands are contaminated with unacceptable levels of microorganisms, and those contaminating bacteria are reduced when the powder is irradiated. These intrinsic microorganisms belong to the genus Bacillus. It was not possible to demonstrate if these were enterotoxin producers because BCET-RPLA’s test kits are not available in Ireland at the time. PBS buffer and rehydrated IMF were supplemented with four Bacillus strains, Cronobacter sakazakii and Listeria monocytogenes, and individually irradiated with PUV, e-beam and gamma rays. PUV treatment was ineffective in killing all bacteria; however both e-beam and gamma irradiation successfully decontaminated samples to acceptable levels of microorganisms. Further studies must be conducted to assess the effectiveness of gamma irradiation in IMF, since these samples could not be treated due to spoilage risk. After e-beam irradiation, IMF powder was subjected to nutritional testing to assess potential nutritional losses. Tests to both treated and untreated samples revealed none of the samples were altered during irradiation, and European Commission standards regarding IMF composition were respected.