Control of Vitamin E Content of Infant Formulas in Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Developing a simple and fast method for quantification of vitamins in complex matrixes is one of the important issues in quality control of foods such as milk. Objective: In this study, after introducing a new method for quantification of vitamin E in infant formula, its content was compared to the label claims. The infants’ daily vitamin E intake was also estimated and compared to Adequate Intake (AI). Methods: In this study, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) procedure was used for isolation and cleanup of vitamin E from infant formula samples without the need for saponification. Then, reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography using a standard addition method was employed for quantification of vitamin E (α-tocopheryl acetate) with UV detection. Results: After method validation under the optimum conditions, the method provided a linear range with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.99 and acceptable accuracy and precision. Results showed that the developed method is an appropriate method for quality control of infant formulas. The advantage of DLLME compared with saponification processes and liquid-liquid extraction is the decrease of organic solvent consumption and proposing of a simple and fast method for analysis of vitamin E in infant formula. Application of the developed method for analysis of vitamin E in infant formulas on the market showed in the most cases, there was a significant difference between labeled and obtained content. Intake of vitamin E was more than adequate intake (AI), however, the vitamin E content of formulas was in the recommended range, except for one low-birth-weight (LBW) infant formula. Conclusion: An efficient and fast method with good accuracy and precision was developed to measure vitamin E in infant formula. The method can be used for quality control of infant formula.