Development and Acceptability of Shelf-Stable Microbiota Directed Complementary Food Formulations.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A randomized controlled trial in Bangladeshi children aged 12 to 18 months with moderate acute malnutrition found that dietary supplementation with the microbiota-directed complementary food (MDCF-2) significantly improved weight gain and repaired gut microbiota compared to the ready-to-use supplementary food. However, the MDCF-2 formulation was made daily from locally available ingredients and the need for a packaged, nutritionally compliant, and organoleptically acceptable MDCF-2 prototype was essential for future large-scale clinical studies. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to develop and assess the acceptability of 3 alternative foil-packaged formulations of MDCF-2 in comparison to current MDCF-2. METHODS: Of the 3 packaged formulations, the Jumpstart version was provided in 2 sachets, the other 2 formulations were provided in a retort-stable foil pouch extended by sterilization, and microbiological growth was monitored over 10 months. The acceptability study included 40 children aged 8 to 12 months living in an urban slum in Dhaka, and the organoleptic properties were assessed using a 7-point hedonic scale. RESULTS: In the 100 g distributed over the 2 sessions, children consumed 82.5 ± 7.84 g (mean ± SD) of kitchen-prepared MDCF-2, 85.4 ± 7.15 g of the "Jumpstart" MDCF-2 formulation, 85.4 ± 8.70 g of the MDCF-2 with green banana powder, and 86.2 ± 4.26 g of the MDCF-2 with sweet potato formulation. The "Jumpstart" MDCF-2 and MDCF-2 with sweet potato achieved the highest overall acceptability scores on the hedonic scale; although none of the shelf-stable formulations were significantly different from the kitchen-prepared MDCF-2. CONCLUSIONS: Packaged, shelf-stable prototypes of MDCF-2 exhibited comparable acceptability among Bangladeshi children aged 8 to 12 months to the original freshly prepared formulation.

Plain language titleDevelopment and Acceptability of Shelf-Stable Microbiota-Directed Complementary FoodsPlain language summaryCountries around the world are making progress in fighting malnutrition, but it may be challenging to achieve the global nutrition targets for undernourished children by 2025 at the current rate. To address this problem, we need special types of food that can help children grow, develop properly, and sustain their growth. Children with moderate acute malnutrition have imbalanced gut bacteria. By providing them with the right nutrition, we can restore the healthy bacteria in their gut using a special food called microbiota-directed complementary food (MDCF). Currently, this food is made daily in the icddr, b established field kitchen, which follows standard production measures to control the quality of MDCF preparation, but we need to create stable prototypes that can be stored and used in different settings. This study was designed to develop shelf-stable new formulations in industrial settings and check their acceptability among children with moderate acute malnutrition. The shelf life of the food was extended using a sterilization method, and its microbiological safety was monitored for a year. The actual consumption and acceptability of these foods were evaluated and all these formulations were acceptable by the children and their mother. The children consumed all 4 food formulations in substantial quantities, with consumption rates exceeding 80% for each formulation. This study showed positive results in Bangladesh, but more research is needed to see if these formulations work well in other geographies and over longer periods.