Branched Chain Fatty Acids (BCFA) concentrations in US foods and estimated BCFA intake in the US population

Abstract

IntroductionBranched chain fatty acids (BCFA) are a class of primarily saturated fatty acids (FA) with a methyl branch on the carbon chain. We recently showed that BCFA are constituents of the term newborn infant's gut, and feeding neonatal rats with a rat formula with BCFA of the type found in US food altered gut microbiota and reduced the incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Thus, BCFA may have beneficial effects on proper gut development and function.Our aim was to analyze the levels and distribution of BCFA in common foods consumed in the US, and to estimate the amount of BCFA intake from these foods. Because BCFA have been reported in cow's milk and are a major component of bacterial membranes, we were specifically interested in BCFA from dairy‐based and fermented foods.MethodsFood samples were purchased from local stores. FA analysis was carried out using routine methods.ResultsBCFA concentration in ruminant foods ranged from 1.4–2.7%w/w. Intake of BCFA per capita/d from foods was about 400mg/d. If Americans consumed the recommended amount of servings from the dairy food group, daily BCFA intake would increase.ConclusionsThis is the first report of BCFA concentrations in American foods. The consumption of BCFA per capita per day is higher than the consumption of bioactive n‐3 FA. The prominence of BCFA in the US food supply and their bioactivity strongly suggest that BCFA health effects should be studied.