Acetylated distarch phosphate (A DiSP) is a stabilizer and thickener that provides destrable consistency, texture and storage stability for high-acid strained and junior baby foods. A DiSP and other modified food starches can supply 10% to 32% of the total energy in these foods. The bioavailability of A DiSP has never been studied in the human infant. The effect of A DiSP made with waxy maize starch on absorption was compared to that of the unmodified native waxy maize starch (NWMS). The additive effect of sorbitol and fructose on absorption was also studied. We performed breath hydrogen analyses in 20 healthy infants between 6 and 10 months of age who received 20gm/kg of each experimental formula in the following compositions:Table

Table 1
Full size table

Of the 20 infants receiving Formula #3 (8%A DiSP, 7% G, 3%Su), 2 had breath H2 greater than 20 ppm, 4 had reducing substances in the stool and 1 had loose stools. None of the 20 infants receiving the control Formula #2 (8% NWMS, 7% G, 3% SU) had breath H2 greater than 20 ppm, reducing substances in the stool or loose stools. Of the 20 infants receiving Formula #4 (8% A DiSP, 2% So, 5% G, 3% Su), 3 had breath H2 greater than 20 ppm, 8 had reducing substances in the stool and 4 had loose stools. None of the infants receiving the control Formula #1 (8% NWMS, 2% So, 5%G, 3% Su) had breath H2 greater than 20 ppm or loose stools, but 3 had reducing substances in the stool. Of the 20 infants receiving Formula #5(8% A DiSP, 2% So, 5% F, 3% Su), 5 had breath H2 greater than 20 ppm, 8 had reducing substanoes in the stool and 4 had loose stools or diarrhea.

In conclusion, consuming A DiSP, a form of modified food starch, can lead to an abnormal breath hydrogen test, stool reducing substances and loose stools. Sorbitol and fructose two simple sugars normally present in fruits such as apples, pears and plums, aggravate this malabsorption caused by A DiSP. (Funded by Beechnut Co.)