Stability of Thiamine and Vitamins E and A during Storage of Enteral Feeding Formula

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Abstract
The content of thiamine (vitamin B1), vitamin E (α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol) and vitamin A (all-trans-retinol and 13-cis-retinol) in five commercial enteral feeding formulas was studied. These formulas provide a large amount of vitamins: 2.5−3, 3.1, and 1.6-fold above the U.S. daily recommendations (U.S. RDA) for thiamine, vitamin E, and vitamin A, respectively. The stability of thiamine and vitamins E and A of two of the enteral feeding formulas was followed throughout 9 months of storage in the dark at 4°, 20°, and 30 °C. According to our results in all of the storage conditions studied, the enteral formula covered the U.S. RDA levels for thiamine and vitamin E, but in the case of vitamin A the U.S. RDA requirements are met only when the enteral sample has been kept in storage less than 3 months. After 6 months of storage, the decrease in vitamin A was so drastic that the level of vitamin covered only 0.9−0.3-fold of the U.S. RDA and after 9 months it covered only 0.2−0.0-fold of U.S. RDA. The manufacturer shelf life of the formula studied was 1 year; and, because enteral feeding solutions are often placed in storage conditions of uncontrolled temperature and humidity, these results should be taken into consideration with regard to the shelf life. Keywords: Enteral feeding formula; enteral nutrition; thiamin; vitamin E; tocopherol; vitamin A; retinol; vitamins; storage