Evaluation of powdered infant formula milk as chelating agent for copper under simulated gastric conditions of a baby's stomach

The objective of this study was to determine the complexing capacity of four types of powdered commercial milks with copper(II) using square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry. Two were types of cow milk adapted for babies under one year (A and B), one was soymilk (C) and the other was normal milk (D). Milk solutions were prepared following the instructions shown on the milk container, and they were mixed with a pepsin solution simulating a baby's stomach conditions (pepsin and salts concentration, pH and temperature). Complexing capacity was determined by titrating milk samples with aliquots of a standard copper solution until the peak current due to solvated or free copper ions was increasing. Assuming a 1:1 copper-milk complex, the apparent stability constant was found using the pseudopolarogram method. The log K'(Cu-milk) values were 4.9, 5.0, 3.0 and 5.1 for A, B, C and D types of milk, respectively. Voltammograms of the milk solution as a function of copper added show that the binding properties of the four types of powdered milk studied were different and that saturation of the four types, occurs at different copper concentrations. Concentrations obtained were: 4.9, 5.8, 1.1 and 10.1 mM for A, B, C and D types, respectively. The best complexing agent was the solution prepared with powdered milk D and the worst was that of C. This is important for the bioavailability of this element as a micronutrient.