Waré Larissa Yacine^{1, 2,}, Compaoré Hamidou¹, Dao Aboubacar Sidiki¹, Durand Noël^{3, 4}, Hagrétou Sawadogo-Lingani¹, Montet Didier^{3, 4}

The infant formula produced aim to cover the nutritional needs of children under 5 years old. Thus, these flours are rich in macronutrients and micronutrients, mainly in carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, iron-zinc and vitamin A. Over the months, contaminants can degrade the macronutrients and micronutrients contained in infant formula. These contaminants can lead to a change in taste, odor and also alter the quality of these foods by the presence of insects and toxins. The aim of this study was to determine the microbiological, physicochemical and nutritional parameters of infant formula at an initial time T1 and at a time T2 6 months later. Then, to make a comparison of the data. Thus, 24 samples of infant formula were collected throughout the city of Ouagadougou. In order to follow the evolution of the parameters over time, 12 samples of infant formula were analyzed at time T1. The other 12 samples were stored at room temperature (35°C-40°C) for 6 months before being analyzed. ISO methods were used for the enumeration of total mesophilic flora, faecal coliforms, yeasts and moulds. The official AOAC methods were used for the determination of energy values of each sample. The determination of Beta-carotene and mycotoxins [(aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and fumonisins (B1+B2)] in infant formula was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In terms of results, the microbiological analysis showed that the bacterial load of the samples remains satisfactory for the germs searched. After 6 months of storage, an increase in the bacterial load of the samples for the desired germs was observed but remains acceptable. The determination of the energy value of the analysed infant formula varied between 390.4±22.8 and 437.2±1.0. After 6 months of storage, the caloric value of the infant formula varied from 328.2±7.6 to 417.4±3.3 which is lower than the Fasonorm recommendation which must be > 420 kcal. Similarly, the Beta-carotene content of infant formula varied between 0 to 596.9±6.1 at time T1. After storage, the contents decrease and are lower than the Fasonorm recommendation which must be > 420 µg. However, mycotoxin levels increase after storage especially for aflatoxin B1 (EU regulation for infant formula: 0.1µg/kg for aflatoxin B1). In conclusion, this study showed statistically there is no significant difference between the studied parameters and the storage time. However, significant differences were observed according to the origin of production of the infant formula (artisanal or semi-industrial). Also, in a global way, we can say that the sanitary quality of the infant formula was unfit for consumption due to the presence of aflatoxin B1 contents.

infant formula, mycotoxins, storage time, nutritional value, contamination, Burkina Faso