In the master's thesis, the fatty acid and amino acid composition of 35 milk formulas of different brands available on the Slovenian market was determined and their compliance with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) labelling and recommendations was determined. The solubility of the formulas was also determined. They were divided into four groups, namely premature, infant, starter, follow-on and special milk formulas. The results of the fatty acid composition showed that most of the formulas were consistent with the label. However, variations in saturated fatty acid (lauric, caprylic, capric acid) and arachidonic acid content were observed between the different groups, especially in the case of special formulas, as they are formulated for infants with health problems. Milk formulas were also compared with each other according to brand and differences were observed mainly in the content of docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid, which were slightly lower in the cheaper formulas compared to the more expensive formulas. In the latter, a lower content of saturated fatty acids was determined. A similar trend was observed in the amino acid composition, with the more expensive formulas containing more essential amino acids. Differences in amino acid composition were also observed between the different groups of formulas. The hydrolysed formulas had more free amino acids compared to the non-hydrolysed formulas, due to the degraded proteins. The fatty acid and amino acid composition of the samples was in line with EFSA recommendations, ensuring adequate nutritional value and supporting optimal growth and development of infants. Solubility results showed that formulas without thickeners and prebiotics were more soluble, with less sediment. Again, the formulas for special medical purposes stood out as they had a significantly lower solubility compared to the other groups of formulas due to their specific composition.
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