Use of an infant food formula based on groundnut protein isolate and skim milk powder in feeding infants

Abstract

1. A feeding experiment extending over a period of 41/2 months was conducted on infants aged 3 to 12 months to assess the value of an infant food formula containing about 26 per cent. protein and 18 per cent. fat and based on groundnut protein isolate, skim milk powder, hydrogenated groundnut oil and dextrimaltose. 2. Forty male and fifty-two female infants were divided into two groups (control and experimental groups) on the basis of age, initial weight, haemoglobin content of blood and nutritional status. The infants in the control group received the milk food while those in the experimental group received the infant food formula. Each infant received daily about 90 calories per kilogram body weight from the reconstituted milk food or the infant food formula. In addition to this, the infants were fed on the breast two or three times a day by the mother. They did not receive any other food supplement. At the end of the experiment, weight, haemoglobin content of blood and nutritional status were assessed. No significant difference was observed in the above criteria between the two groups of infants.