Volatile compounds and fatty acid profiles in commercial milk-based infant formulae by static headspace gas chromatography: Evolution after opening the packet

The evolution of the volatile compounds propanal, pentanal and hexanal, and fatty acid profiles were examined in 20 infant formula (IF) milk powders during storage at 25 °C for 70 days after their packaging was opened. Few changes were observed in the fatty acid content during storage, but significant losses were found in C18:2 n − 6 and C18:3 n − 3 for some formulae. All three volatiles increased during storage in all formulae, confirming oxidative stability decreases once packets were opened. Significant correlation (p < 0.05) was detected between hexanal content and oxidation of n − 6 PUFA, specifically C18:2 n − 6 losses, and between propanal content and oxidation of n − 3 PUFA, specifically from C18:3 n − 3 losses.