Human milk oligosaccharides as prebiotics

Based on its richness in immune-related components such as human milk, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), milk proteins, and lipids, breast milk can be considered the first functional food that humans encounter in their lifetime. According to WHO recommendations breast milk has to be the only food in an infant's diet in the first six months of age which is then continued up to two years of age with the suitable complementary foods. Regarding breast milk balanced composition, it is considered as the best food of infants thus many studies have been carried out to determine the benefits of breast milk. Based on numerous studies breast milk have a tendency to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, allergies, celiac disease, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), gastrointestinal tract infections and some type of cancers. The benefits of breast milk can be explained by its special combination which includes; macronutrients, micronutrients and bioactive components such as immunoglobulins, hormones, growth factors and oligosaccharides. One of the essential bioactive compounds of breast milk is known as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). HMOs are unique, bioactive carbohydrates which are identified as the most significant components of breast milk. Since they have structural complexity and multifunctional properties, they are one of the most wondered components of breast milk. HMOs promote the development of the neonatal intestinal immune, and nervous systems. This article briefly describes the history, complex structure and different functions of HMOs and highlight the importance of maternal diet for HMO biosynthesis

Investigation of Cronobacter sakazakii (Enterobacter sakazakii) Presence in Cereal Infant Foods

C. sakazakii is an opportunistic pathogen that may cause serious infections. Infant formulas are frequently reported as the source of infections caused by C. sakazakii. In spite of all of the taken precautions, there are recently published studies related to the isolation of C. sakazakii in formula and small children foods. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of C. sakazakii in cereal based infant formulas and complementary foods sold in the markets of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). We also aimed to determine the infection risk in these products. This research was carried out between May - December 2017 with the cereal-based continuing formulas and small child complementary foods of the brands offered for sale at T. R. N. C. In a total of 265 samples, including 36 varieties of cereal-based infant formula and 17 varieties of cereal-based infants and small children foods were analysed. Analysis of samples were carried out according to; ISO / TS 22964: 2006 method. C. sakazakii was not detected in any of the study samples. In conclusion, C. sakazakii was not detected in any of the cereal-based foods despite the reported detection of C. sakazakii in most of the microbiological analysis of baby foods in both the world and Turkey