Selenium Content of Infant Formulas and Estimated Intake of Infants in Japan and Korea

Selenium contents of infant formulas that were commerically available in Japan and Korean were determined by the method of atomic absorption spectrometry with hydrode generation. Total means of selenium contents were 45.2$\pm$22.1ng/g(n=34) in all the Japaneses formulas and 58.3$\pm$18.9ng/g(n=22) in all the Korean formulas. selecnium contents of milk-based formulas (54.7$\pm$23.2ng/g in Japan, n=20 and 64.8$\pm$12.6ng/g in Korean , n=18) were significantly higher than those of soy-based formulas (36.8$\pm$11.0ng/g in Japanes brands, n=11 and 36.4ng/g in Korean one , N=1). Based on selenium data of these formulas the selenium intakes of infants have been estimated to be about 6.6$\mu\textrm{g}$/day and 8.1$\mu\textrm{g}$/day in Korean by milk-based formula feeding.