Evaluation of Functional Characteristics and Reconstitution Behavior of Formulated Ready to Reconstitute Enteral Formula for Nutrition Therapy

Aims: The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the functional properties and reconstitution behavior of enteral formulae i.e. Balanced Enteral Formula, High Protein Enteral Formula and High Energy Enteral Formula formulated using locally available natural ingredients.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University during the period of August 2017 to January 2018.

Methodology: Three enteral formulae namely Balanced Enteral Formula, High Protein Enteral Formula and High Energy Enteral Formula were formulated using naturally available low cost ingredients. Standard protocols were followed to evaluate the quality of ingredients used and formulated enteral formulae.

Results: Both ingredients and enteral formulae had good functional properties with bulk density, tapped density, particle density, porosity, cohesiveness, flowability, water absorption index and water solubility index ranging from 0.33 to 0.50 g/ml, 0.38 to 0.56 g/ml, 0.59 to 1.25 g/ml, 35.00 to 60.00per cent, 0.33 to 1.18, 0.00 to 17.77 per cent, 1.23 to 7.59 g/g and 23.66 to 87.62 per cent soluble solids respectively for the ingredients used and 0.44 to 0.47 g/ml; 0.50 to 0.53 g/ml; 0.89 to 0.90 g/ml; 41.00 to 44.44 per cent; 1.12 to 1.14; 11.30 to 12.00 per cent; 3.39 to 4.59 g/g and 42.66 to 51.00 per cent respectively for the formulated enteral formulae. Color analysis of the developed formulae using Hunter Lab showed desirable results with L*, a* and b* value in the range of 82.43 to 87.10; 1.35 to 2.38 and 13.75 to 13.95 respectively. The reconstitution of formulated enteral formulae with warm water revealed a reconstitution time varying from 5 to 6 minutes. Further the reconstituted formula feed on passage through Ryles tube showed superior flow rate in formulae prepared with 20 per cent solid concentration (W/V).

Conclusion: The developed enteral formulae had excellent functional characteristics and reconstitution behavior indicating quality product suitable for enteral feeding.