Formulation Of Standard (Nutriagent Std) And High Protein (Nutriagent Protein Plus) Ready To Reconstitute Enteral Formula Feeds

The objective of this study was to formulate two ready to reconstitute (RTR) enteral formula feeds with whole some nutritional approach and ease of administration. A cohesive survey work was done to collect the information about commercially available enteral formulas as well as „home made‟ blenderized feeds preferred by some medical institutions. On the basis of the gathered information, few food ingredients from the basic food groups were selected and analyzed for their nutritional values by using standard analytical techniques. Various trials of the processing techniques were carried out in the laboratory to achieve the feasible digestibility as well as shelf life qualities in the developing feeds. The RDA of a reference man was taken as a basis to formulate the standard (Nutriagent Std) and High Protein (Nutriagent Protein Plus) Ready to Reconstitute Enteral Formula Feeds. The first standard feed (Nutriagent Std) was estimated to deliver about 2000 kcal energy and 75 g protein (15% of total energy content) from the total amount of the feed (490g). The percentages of major energy constituents i.e. total carbohydrates and fats were accounted as 278 g (53% of total energy content) and 65 g per (30 % of total energy content) from the total feed. The micro nutrient levels of the sample were detected to be sufficient in amount. The second high protein feed (Nutriagent Protein Plus) was intended to possess high protein along with the sufficient amount of energy for protein sparing. The 530 g sample of this feed was fabricated to supply 2004 kcal energy and 101 g protein (20% of total energy content). The carbohydrates and fat contents were found as 257 g (50 % of total energy) and 67 g (30% of total energy) from the total feed. The micro nutrient composition was also found to be sufficient in the feed sample. The developed feeds were checked for their reconstitution behavior, pH as well as their flow behavior through Ryle‟s tube. The shelf life quality of the developed formula feeds were also checked for the period of 90 days on the basis of the nutritional parameters like moisture and peroxide value and microbial parameters like total viable count, coliform count and fungal count. All the parameter were found in the favour of the developed products. Thus the present study speculates that both formulated RTR enteral formula feeds would render appreciably the whole some nutrients to the patients‟ dependent upon enteral nutrition system for long time. Additionally, it would minimize the chances of microbial contamination and reduce the efforts to prepare the feeds.