Abstract
We measured the selenium content of Japanese enteral formulas using a fluorimetric procedure. The amount of selenium present in these formulas varied widely, the highest amounts (2.77-5.74μg/100kcal) were found in egg albumin-based diets. Casein-based formulas contained intermediate amounts (0.45-1.88μg/100kcal) whilst the chemically defined formulas contained the lowest amounts (0.04-0.58μg/100kcal). Based on an average caloric ingestion in adult women of 2, 000 kcal/day, or 2, 550 kcal/day, in adult men, we calculated that women would receive 3.2-114.8μg/day of selenium, and men 4.1-146.4μg/day, depending on the formula prescribed. Sixteen of the 22 formulas analyzed contained levels of selenium, which would fall below the USA recommended dietary allowances (RDA). Selenium supplementation should therefore be considered for these formulas.
