Plant Protein Formulations for Infant Nutrition
Creating plant-based infant formulas that match the nutritional profile of human breast milk presents significant technical hurdles. Current formulations struggle to achieve protein digestibility scores above 0.8 PDCAAS while maintaining essential amino acid ratios. Clinical studies show that conventional plant proteins can cause digestive issues and may lack critical micronutrients found naturally in breast milk.
The fundamental challenge lies in developing protein matrices that combine optimal nutrition, digestibility, and stability without introducing anti-nutritional factors or allergen risks.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including specialized protease treatments for enhanced protein digestion, hybrid formulations using potato and pea proteins, novel processing techniques for removing anti-nutritional compounds, and stabilized protein matrices using fava bean isolates. These and other approaches focus on creating infant formulas that meet strict nutritional guidelines while remaining gentle on developing digestive systems.
1. Spray-Dried Powdered Beverage with Pea, Oat, and Rice Protein Hydrolysate and Optional Sunflower Oil Stabilization
Nestlé Products Company SA, 2024
Spray-dried powdered beverage comprising a high protein mixture of pea, oat, and rice proteins, hydrolyzed for 10 min to 1 hour, and optionally stabilized with a blend of sunflower oil and stabilizing salts. The mixture achieves a nutritional profile of 2 grams of protein per 100 ml reconstituted beverage, with excellent stability in both hot and ambient water. The powder has a pH of 6-9 and contains no dairy proteins but provides a clean label alternative.
2. Nutritional Composition with Specific Dairy and Soy Protein Fractions for Enhanced Flowability
NUTRICIA NV, 2024
A nutritional composition comprising plant-based protein that provides the organoleptic properties of dairy protein while offering improved flowability. The composition combines dairy protein fraction and soy protein fraction in a specific weight ratio, with the dairy protein fraction comprising 55-90% dairy protein and the soy protein fraction comprising 10-45%. The composition is formulated to achieve a flowability index of 0.8 or higher, making it suitable for infant formula and other milk-like products.
3. Shelf-Stable Plant-Based Protein Dough with Legume and Grain-Derived Complete Amino Acid Profile
SOLTANZADEH REZA, 2024
A plant-based protein product that combines legumes and grains to create a complete protein source. The product achieves a Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) of 1.0, making it a fully functional protein source. The combination of legumes like peas and grains like wheat provides all nine essential amino acids, while maintaining a low glycemic index. The product is a shelf-stable dough that can be formed into various shapes and cooked for consumption, with dehydrated vegetables and spices included for convenience.
4. Plant-Based Nutrient Composition with Specified Protein, Extract, Fiber, and Functional Ingredient Ratios
NANJING NNB BIOTECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2024
Plant-based composition for supplementing nutrients and improving health. The composition contains 45-75% plant protein, 10-25% extracts/concentrates from fruits, vegetables, and herbs, 2-10% dietary fiber, and 2-20% functional ingredients. The fruit/vegetable extracts are selected from apple, green tea, rhodiola rosea, collard, broccoli, tomato, pineapple, hawthorn, bayberry, spinach, psyllium husk, and barley grass. The composition can be used as a dietary supplement to provide balanced nutrition and prevent nutrient deficiencies.
5. Food Compositions with Aspergillus luchuensis Protease for Enhanced Plant Protein Digestion
KIM JIN HYUN, 2023
Food compositions containing plant-derived proteins that are easily digestible, safe for the body, and have high protein absorption rates. The compositions contain a protease enzyme from Aspergillus luchuensis with the sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 1. This enzyme helps break down plant proteins more efficiently compared to other proteases. The use of this specific protease improves digestion of plant proteins, making them more bioavailable and reducing issues like indigestion and gas associated with plant protein consumption.
6. Herbal Milk Substitute Comprising Rice, Lotus Seeds, Gorgon Fruit, and Iron Stick Yam in Equal Proportions
FOSHAN SHUNDE FUTAITANG PHARMACEUTICAL CO LTD, 2022
High-vegetable protein infant herbal milk substitute made from rice, lotus seeds, Gorgon fruit, and iron stick yam. The ingredients are processed into a cooked cereal supplementary food for infants and young children. The herbal milk substitute aims to provide a vegetable protein-rich alternative to cow's milk-based formulas, especially for infants with protein allergies. The herbal ingredients are chosen for their traditional health benefits and nutritional value. The composition is 1:1:1:1 by weight of rice, lotus seeds, Gorgon fruit, and iron stick yam.
7. Plant-Based Nutritional Compositions with Pea and Fava Bean Protein Isolates and Stabilized Protein Matrix
ABBOTT LAB, 2022
Plant-based nutritional compositions that are high in protein, fiber, and low in calories, with improved taste and storage stability. The compositions contain a blend of pea protein and fava bean protein isolate, with the fava bean isolate comprising greater than 90% protein and the pea protein comprising less than 20%. The compositions achieve this balance through specialized purification and processing steps that remove anti-nutritional factors and stabilize the protein matrix during heat treatment. The compositions have a pH range of 7.0-7.5, containing natural sweeteners, flavorings, and other nutrients. They are free from carrageenan and other common allergens, making them suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets.
8. Nutritional Compositions with Non-Soy Plant Proteins for Infant Formulas
GAMBLE MARDELLE HELEN, 2022
Nutritional compositions that contain non-soy-based plant proteins, including chia proteins, hemp proteins, or combinations thereof, as a protein source in infant formulas. These compositions provide a complete protein profile, including essential amino acids, while avoiding allergenic soy proteins and high electrolyte levels found in traditional cow's milk-based formulas. The compositions contain non-soy plant proteins that support infant gut health through their unique protein structures and bioactive properties.
9. Infant Formula with Potato Protein as Primary Protein Source and Optional Plant Proteins
NESTLE SA, 2022
A hypoallergenic infant formula that is suitable for infants with cow's milk protein allergy. The formula contains potato protein as the major protein source. The potato protein is naturally absent in the major allergens found in milk and soy. This provides a naturally hypoallergenic infant formula that does not require extensive processing or hydrolysis. The potato protein is intact or partially hydrolyzed. The formula may also contain other plant proteins like pea, rice, quinoa, oat, sunflower, or coconut proteins.
10. Infant Formula Powder Comprising Organic Bean-Derived Ingredients and Free of Milk Protein and Lactose
NORTHEAST AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, 2021
Organic bean-based infant formula powder that is free of milk protein and lactose, making it suitable for infants with allergies or intolerances to dairy. The formula contains soybean protein isolate, organic soybean powder, carbohydrates, vegetable oil, vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients. The soybean components provide protein and nutrients similar to breast milk. The powder can be made by mixing and processing the ingredients in specific proportions.
11. Edible Infant Formula Composition with Low Chlorate Non-Dairy Protein
NV NUTRICIA, 2021
Edible composition for infant formula that contains non-dairy protein with low chlorate levels. The composition contains at least 1 wt.% of non-dairy protein selected from vegetable protein, algal protein and combinations thereof, with chlorate levels below 700 microgram per kg of the non-dairy protein. The non-dairy protein is obtained by membrane filtration using low chlorate water. The composition can be in powder form for reconstitution with water.
12. Method for Producing Hypoallergenic Plant-Based Milk Powder via Enzymolysis and Spray Drying of Soybeans, Pea Protein, and Rice
UNIV NORTHEAST AGRICULTURAL, 2020
A method for preparing hypoallergenic infant formula plant milk powder that is suitable for infants and young children with milk allergies. The method involves soaking, refining, pulping, enzymolysis, inactivation, degassing, blending, homogenization, sterilization, concentration, and spray drying of soybeans, pea protein, and rice to create a hypoallergenic plant-based milk powder for infant formula. This process aims to remove or minimize milk allergenic proteins like casein and whey from the source ingredients to make a safe alternative for infants with milk allergies.
13. Nutritional Composition with Organic Hydrolyzed Pea Protein and Phytochemical Extracts
KATE FARMS INC, 2020
A non-allergic nutritional composition for enteral and oral feeding that is free of common allergens and synthetic ingredients. The composition contains organic hydrolyzed pea protein, phytochemical extracts, fatty acids, non-allergic organic ingredients, and prebiotic fibers. The hydrolyzed pea protein is enzymatically digested to provide easily digestible peptides. The composition is suitable for patients with impaired gastrointestinal absorption and digestion.
14. Plant-Based Nutritional Powder with Rice and Pea Protein Blend and Mineral Fortification
WUXI JINNONG BIO TECH CO LTD, 2020
Hypoallergenic plant-based high-protein nutritional meal replacement powder that provides a safe and effective alternative to traditional protein sources for individuals with severe food allergies. The powder contains a unique blend of plant-based protein sources, including rice protein, pea protein, and other hypoallergenic ingredients, along with essential minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc. This formulation enables individuals with severe food allergies to achieve the nutritional benefits of protein-rich meals without the risk of adverse reactions.
15. Hydrolyzed Leguminous Plant Protein with High Purity and Low Sodium Content
LABORATOIRES GILBERT, 2019
A low-allergenic, high-nutritional value protein alternative for infant formulas and other foods. The protein is derived from hydrolyzed leguminous plant proteins, specifically broad bean and small broad bean proteins. The hydrolyzed protein has low sodium and high purity, and can be used as a milk protein substitute in infant formulas. The hydrolyzed protein has a protein content of 85% or more, low sodium content, and low ash content.
16. Infant Formula Powder with Plant-Based Protein Blend and Essential Nutrient Composition
SHANGHAI ALKMAAR DAIRY IND CO LTD, 2018
A nutritionally balanced infant formula powder for 13-36 months old children that combines plant-based protein sources with essential nutrients. The formula contains a blend of rice, corn, soybeans, and other plant-based ingredients, along with vitamins and minerals, to provide a complete and balanced nutrition profile. The formula is specifically designed to support the unique nutritional needs of infants and young children, particularly in the early stages of development, where their digestive systems and immune systems are still maturing.
17. Granulated Vegetable Milk Powder with Pea Protein and Starch Hydrolyzate
ROQUETTE FRERES, 2017
Granulated vegetable milk powder that can replace cow's milk and is particularly suitable for infant nutrition, containing pea protein and starch hydrolyzate. The powder has a mean particle diameter of 70-250 microns, with a dry matter content greater than 80%. It is formulated with a pea protein composition and at least one starch hydrolyzate, with a total protein content of 50-100% of the powder's dry matter. The powder can be used as a direct replacement for cow's milk in infant formulas, with its unique combination of pea protein and starch hydrolyzate providing a complete protein profile while maintaining nutritional adequacy.
18. Powdered Nutritional Formulations with Dryblended and Spray-Dried Plant Protein
ABBOTT LAB, 2015
Powdered nutritional formulations comprising a dryblended plant protein, wherein at least a portion of the dryblended plant protein is spray-dried plant protein.
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