Fungsi biologi asam sialat, produksi dan peranannya dalam industri makanan bayi

Abstract

The term sialic acid (sia) refers to the different natural derivatives of neuraminic acid. This amino sugar, with pyranose structure and nine C-atoms, possesses a negative charge due to the carboxyl group at C-atom 1. They have mostly been found as the terminal sugar, linked to oligosaccharides, glycoproteins or glycolipids. Because of their negative charge and terminal position on carbohydrate chains, they have unique physicochemical properties. High content of sia in mother milk, especially in colostrums and they are found in milk ganglioside constantly, show that sia are important as infant nutrient. They play an important role in immune system and developing of brain cells, this makes food industries now using substance-containing sia as additives in infant formula to improve its nutrition. Bird nest and cow’s milk is potential source for substance-containing sia. Substance- containing sia of about 4 mg could be achieved from 1 liter of cow’s milk.