O presente trabalho de Mestrado teve como objetivo produzir géis carregados de emulsão contendo nutrientes incorporados, visando a complementação da alimentação de leitões neonatos. Para alcançar tal objetivo, foram produzidas emulsões utilizando-se diferentes lipídios e tensoativos para definição preliminar sobre quais destes ingredientes seriam mais eficientes na formação de emulsões estáveis. As emulsões produzidas foram avaliadas em relação à distribuição de tamanho de gota e aspecto visual dentro de 24 h após a produção. A partir de tais resultados, algumas amostras foram escolhidas e foi estudado o aumento da concentração de lipídios, bem como a razão óleo:tensoativo e intensidade de agitação. Para cada emulsão estudada, esta era incorporada ao gel polissacarídico, e então realizava-se um estudo da estabilidade térmica a 40 e 50 °C. Após a definição da melhor concentração de lipídios, ocorreu o estudo da incorporação de nutrientes em diversas concentrações na emulsão. Novamente, as emulsões foram avaliadas por meio da distribuição de tamanho de gota, bem como pelo aspecto visual. Foi avaliada a estabilidade da emulsão ao longo de 28 dias, que indicou um sistema estável para o período indicado. Os géis carregados foram analisados quanto à quantidade de energia e à atividade de água, apresentando um baixo valor energético e atividade de água alta. Foram também caracterizados por análises reológicas, que indicaram que a presença da emulsão fortaleceu a estrutura do gel, indicando adesão das gotas à matriz biopolimérica. O gel carregado de emulsão apresentou estabilidade microbiológica, não tendo havido crescimento de fungos filamentosos e não-filamentosos, bem como a manutenção do pH. No entanto, houve alteração da cor ao longo da estocagem. Assim, foi possível produzir um gel carregado de emulsão contendo nutrientes, possibilitando a formação de um sistema estável. / The aim this work was to produce emulsion filled gels with the incorporation of nutrients for the complementation of nutrition of neonates piglets. For this, the emulsions were produced from a variety of lipids and surfactants to define, preliminarily, which of these ingredients would be efficient to form stable emulsions. The emulsions produced were evaluated by droplet size distribution and visual appearance within 24 hours after production. From these results, some samples were selected and the increase of lipid concentration was studied as well as the ratio oil:surfactant and the stirring intensity. For each emulsion studied, this was incorporated into the polysaccharide gel and then the thermal stability study at 40 and 50 °C was made. After setting the optimal concentration of lipids and a stirring intensity, there was the study of nutrientse incorporation at different concentrations in the emulsion. Again, the emulsions were evaluated by droplet size distribution, as well as by visual appearance. The emulsion stability was evaluated over 28 days, which indicated a stable system for this time. The emulsion filled gels were characterized for the amount of energy and water activity and presented as results low amount of energy and high water activity. In the rheological characterization, the results showed that the presence of emulsion strengthened the gel structure, indicating adhesion of the droplets to the biopolymer matrix. The emulsion filled gel showed microbiological stability has not been growing of filamentous and non-filamentous fungi, as well as pH stability. However, there was a change in color over the storage. Thus, it was possible to produce an emulsion-filled gel with nutrients, on which occurred the formation of a stable system.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Background: The high prevalence of iron deficiency and anaemia among South African children highlights the need for iron fortification, especially with a highly bioavailable iron compound. Fortification of staple foods is an adequate strategy to provide additional iron to populations at risk. In South Africa it is mandatory to fortify maize meal and wheat flour with iron, as well as other micronutrients. Elemental iron, specifically electrolytic iron, is currently the preferred choice but other compounds that might be more effective in alleviating iron deficiency are under consideration. Objectives: The objective of this study was to provide information about the bioavailability of ferrous fumarate and NaFeEDTA from maize meal porridge in young children, which would assist in selecting a bioavailable alternative to electrolytic iron in the South African National Food Fortification Programme, Methods: A randomized parallel study design was used, with each of the 2 groups further randomised to receive either one of two test regimens in a crossover design in which each child acted as his/her own control. Iron bioavailability was measured with a stable-isotope technique based on erythrocyte incorporation 15 days after intake. Results: The mean absorption of iron from NaFeEDTA and ferrous fumarate from the maize porridge meal was 11.5% and 9.29% respectively. NaFeEDTA and ferrous fumarate are both sufficiently bioavailable from a maize based meal rich in phytates. Conclusion: Both NaFeEDTA and ferrous fumarate would provide a physiologically important amount of iron should they replace electrolytic iron as fortificant in maize flour fortification. The final choice between ferrous fumarate and NaFeEDTA as when it comes to finding the alternative iron fortificant will depend on factors such as technical compatibility, bioavailability, relative cost and organoleptic characteristics. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Background: The high prevalence of iron deficiency and anaemia among South African children highlights the need for iron fortification, especially with a highly bioavailable iron compound. Fortification of staple foods is an adequate strategy to provide additional iron to populations at risk. In South Africa it is mandatory to fortify maize meal and wheat flour with iron, as well as other micronutrients. Elemental iron, specifically electrolytic iron, is currently the preferred choice but other compounds that might be more effective in alleviating iron deficiency are under consideration. Objectives: The objective of this study was to provide information about the bioavailability of ferrous fumarate and NaFeEDTA from maize meal porridge in young children, which would assist in selecting a bioavailable alternative to electrolytic iron in the South African National Food Fortification Programme, Methods: A randomized parallel study design was used, with each of the 2 groups further randomised to receive either one of two test regimens in a crossover design in which each child acted as his/her own control. Iron bioavailability was measured with a stable-isotope technique based on erythrocyte incorporation 15 days after intake. Results: The mean absorption of iron from NaFeEDTA and ferrous fumarate from the maize porridge meal was 11.5% and 9.29% respectively. NaFeEDTA and ferrous fumarate are both sufficiently bioavailable from a maize based meal rich in phytates. Conclusion: Both NaFeEDTA and ferrous fumarate would provide a physiologically important amount of iron should they replace electrolytic iron as fortificant in maize flour fortification. The final choice between ferrous fumarate and NaFeEDTA as when it comes to finding the alternative iron fortificant will depend on factors such as technical compatibility, bioavailability, relative cost and organoleptic characteristics. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007