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理大研究：逾七成半剖腹產母親遇到哺乳困難 剖腹產嬰兒益菌量近乎零 不同配方奶粉建立腸道益菌效果差異超過40倍

香港，2023年6月27日 - 香港大約每五個初生嬰兒便有兩個經剖腹分娩。香港理工大學（理大）就剖腹產嬰兒建立早期腸道益菌情況進行研究，發現逾七成半（77%）採用剖腹分娩的母親曾遇到哺乳困難，包括較遲上奶及乳汁不足，當中近七成（69%）對此感到壓力，而需要選擇配方奶粉餵哺嬰兒。然而，調查發現就補足剖腹產嬰兒腸道益菌效果方面，不同配方奶粉差異高達 40 倍。 理大去年就不同分娩方式對腸道微生物發展進行本地首項專門研究，發現剖腹產嬰兒腸道內雙歧桿菌水平近乎零；雙歧桿菌是一種可協助嬰幼兒建立良好免疫力以及保持腸道健康的關鍵益菌，可透過餵哺補足。因此，理大今年進行第二階段研究，冀了解剖腹產嬰兒建立腸道益菌的有效方法。 母乳是最好且最適合為嬰兒提供包括益生菌等所需營養的來源。然而，研究發現採用剖腹分娩的母親往往遇到哺乳困難，需要選擇配方奶粉補足嬰兒的營養需要。配方奶粉即使未能完全取代母乳中的分泌型免疫球蛋白A、益生元和益生菌，以及賀爾蒙等營養，但仍可提供嬰兒成長的元素。 理大研究人員收集了75個分別接受15款配方奶粉餵哺的本地剖腹產初生嬰兒的糞便樣本，比較當中雙歧桿菌的數量。研究發現，不同樣本在一周後腸道內雙歧桿菌的數量可出現高達 40 倍差異。當中為剖腹產嬰兒專研的益生致親組合配方可最快補足益菌數量，在首周後已追至貼近接受母乳餵哺的順產嬰兒腸道益菌之水平，並一直持續至四周後。在十二周後，雖然不同樣本中的雙歧桿菌水平已大致相若，不過剖腹產益生致親組別的短雙歧桿菌的數量仍然處於明顯較高水平。 第2頁 理大食品科學與營養學系副系主任、未來食品研究院副院長邱家琪博士表示：「香港是亞洲區內剖腹分娩率最高的地方之一。因此，我們希望透過科研，了解剖腹產嬰兒的特別營養需要。我們的研究發現腸道益菌數量與餵哺方式息息相關，不同配方產品的效用會有明顯差異。雖然母乳是初生嬰兒最好的營養來源，但如因不同理由而需要餵哺配方奶粉，父母應了解不同餵哺方式所提供的營養成分，幫助剖腹產嬰兒及早建立良好的腸道微生物組成。」 兒科專科徐梓筠醫生指出，剖腹產嬰兒及早提升腸道益菌，可以增強剖腹產嬰兒的免疫力。徐醫生認為：「剖腹產嬰兒在出生過程中未有接觸母親產道，較少接觸媽媽的產道益菌，尤其是雙歧桿菌。雙歧桿菌是母乳、母乳餵養的嬰兒腸道和產道中最常見的有益細菌，有助嬰兒建立免疫力。剖腹產嬰兒的腸道微生態容易出現失衡，害菌比例較高，而益菌比例較少，嬰兒較多機會出現敏感及腸道問題，如腹瀉﹑便秘等，所以剖腹產嬰兒有特定的營養需要，需要及早補足益生菌。雖然母乳能提供最好及最適合嬰兒的營養和益生菌，但若然母乳不足，父母可以考慮選用為剖腹產嬰兒專研的配方。這類專研配方含有產道同類益菌種及益生元，能為嬰兒補充益菌來源，及早打好免疫基礎，科研實證可減少將來出現過敏、腹瀉及上呼吸道感染的機會 。研究亦指出，即使是一歲以上的剖腹產嬰兒，補充益生菌及益生元也有助他們建立長遠的免疫保護。如要需要，最好詢問醫生的意見。 」

DoRiFood appointed Member of Advisory Council on Food and Environmental Hygiene

DoRiFood appointed Member of Advisory Council on Food and Environmental Hygiene Dr Wong Ka-hing, Director of the Research Institute for Future Food and Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, has been appointed as a serving member of the Advisory Council on Food and Environmental Hygiene by the HKSAR government for a term of two years from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025. Established on 1 April 2000, the Council is to advise the Government on food and environmental hygiene issues. Press release from the HKSAR government: https://lnkd.in/gKb7rXMJ

RiFood member appointed as a member of Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE)

✨👏🏼Congratulations to Prof. Dan Tsang, our RiFood member, on being appointed to the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE)! 👍🏼 The Government announced on 30th December 2022 that eleven new members are appointed to the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) for two years from 1st  January 2023, to 31st December 2024. Sending heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Dan Tsang again, and we are very much looking forward to witnessing his valuable contribution to our future development of environmental protection and conservation policies. 👍🏼 More information: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202212/30/P2022123000270.htm #PolyU #PolyURiFood #ProfDanTsang #ACE

RiFood Member Elected as Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry

Congratulations to Prof. Dan Tsang, our RiFood member, who has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. The Fellow will have demonstrated they hold senior responsibilities, have strategic influence within the sector or have made outstanding contributions to the chemical sciences or the profession's advancement. The Royal Society of Chemistry is the UK's professional body for chemical scientists, maintains standards of competence and professional practice and provides support and representation for its members bringing together chemical scientists from all over the world.

RiFood discovers the impact of fruit and vegetable intake on the nutritional value of breast milk

【Press Conference | Research Discovery】🧑‍🔬✨ Our research team  has revealed that the fruit and vegetable intake of lactating women in Hong Kong was below the recommended level, and there was a significant correlation between dietary intake and the nutrient levels of breast milk, especially the carotenoid and polyphenol contents.🥕 Moving forward, our research team is launching a new one-year research project - “Feeding mom feeding infants”- recruiting about 100 pairs of lactating women and infants for the further investigation of the relationship between the dietary habits of lactating women and the nutrients of breast milk, gut microbiota composition of infants and their growth.🤱 The press conference regarding the research was held on 12th December. Read more about the research at:  https://polyu.me/3FQn5jG 📝Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/3BwKcNM (English); https://polyu.me/3uPbFXa (Chinese) The Standard - https://polyu.me/3uNYcio Mirage News - https://polyu.me/3UPNJgV Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/3FQeTQC Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/3HwTi0Q am730 - https://polyu.me/3FiRzcQ Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3FmTbSZ HK01 - https://polyu.me/3iONPrR Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3Pw0SLi Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/3PlGs7H World Journal - https://polyu.me/3iOzA6n     #PolyU #PolyURiFood #PressConference #Research #Breastmilk #Breastfeeding #理工大學 #理大未來食品研究院 #記者招待會 #母乳 #母乳餵哺 #有營童行

Rifood expert shared healthy diet tips on RTHK

Prof. WONG Man-Sau, our Steering Committee member, was on a Radio Show of RTHK - Standbyme last Friday, sharing healthy diet tips. For those who missed out, check out the archive at: 25/11 2nd Part 17:30 – 18:00 https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio5/programme/standbyme_2011 (Cantonese Only)   #有你同行 #飲和食德健康版 #香港理工大學 #理大未來食品研究院 #理大 #香港電台 #Standbyme #PolyU #PolyURiFood #RTHK

Two Rifood Members recognized amongst the world’s most highly cited researchers

Congratulations to the member of Rifood, Prof. Dan Tsang and Dr Ka-ming YU, Iris on being recognized in the list of “Highly Cited Researchers 2022” by Clarivate Analytics for their significant research impact, reflected in their publications of multiple papers that have been frequently cited by fellow academics.   A total of 6,938 researchers from 69 countries and regions with a diverse range of research fields are named as Highly Cited Researchers in 2022. The list identifies the most influential scholars around the world, determined by the production of multiple highly cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in the Web of Science citation index over the last decade.   This year, PolyU has the third highest number in Hong Kong of the world’s most highly cited researchers, with 12 academics being recognized in the list. Within the long list of illustrious recipients of this honorable recognition, Dr Ka-ming YU, Iris has been listed in the cross-field category while Prof. Dan Tsang has remarkably been listed in two categories, including Environment and Ecology, and Engineering.    

RiFood members participated in F&B trade show and fisheries forum

RiFood members participated in the Fisheries Innovative and Technological Forum and the FoodSmart Conference and Expo for the Food and Beverage Trade 2022 Dr Kevin Kwok, Associate Director of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), and Prof. Dan Tsang, Member of RiFood, shared on the topic of new technologies for aquaculture and upcycling food waste respectively at the FoodSmart Conference and Expo for the Food and Beverage Trade 2022 held on 14 November 2022 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.  The Institute also participated in the exhibition.  The Conference consists of plenary and breakout seminar sessions, with topics ranging from food waste separation, collection, treatment and pre-treatment technologies, AL & new technologies for F&B Trade, and experience sharing from F&B Trade. Exhibitors at the event showcased their latest technologies on food waste collection, treatment, and turning waste to energy/resources, innovative catering service and food waste management systems, development in sustainable food, environment-friendly cutlery, AI & new technologies for the F&B Trade, and health and safe environment. The Environmental Protection Department also shared relevant policy initiatives such as MSW charging and regulation of disposable plastic tableware. On 15 November 2022, Dr Kwok spoke on the supplements to improve fish health at The Fisheries Innovative and Technological Forum held at the Hong Kong Science Park.    The Forum consists of keynote speeches about the evolving development of sustainable fisheries, including the application of semi-submersible truss cage farm technology, sustainable development on fisheries and aquatic ecosystems, promoting sustainable fisheries development in Hong Kong, and supplements to improve fish health. A panel discussion regarding the future transformation of sustainable aquaculture was held as well. Exhibitors also demonstrated their innovative technologies in fisheries. For more information about the show and forum: The Fisheries Innovative and Technological Forum: https://www.facebook.com/IVEHealthandLifeSciences/videos/654765042905832/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C The FoodSmart Conference and Expo for the Food and Beverage Trade: Food Smart Partnership Programme (fspphk.org)

Congratulations to Dr WONG Ka-hing for being admitted as a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) and received the IAAM Scientist Award

Congratulations to Dr WONG Ka-hing, our RiFood Director, for being admitted as a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) and received the IAAM Scientist Award for his contribution to Applications of Nanotechnology. Invited by IAAM, Dr Wong has delivered a lecture entitled “Selenium nanoparticles functionalized by mushroom polysaccharide-protein complex: A novel nano-mineral for managing postmenopausal osteoporosis” at the European Assembly of Advanced Materials Congress on 28 -31 August 2022. P.S. The IAAM is a non-profit international organisation established to promote scientific research in the field of advanced materials. Researchers around the globe are united to share their insights and advancements in material science - to find solutions to critical problems through applying advanced materials.

International Conference on Food Waste to Food Sustainability (FWFS 2022) successfully held

A two-day International Conference on Food Waste to Food Sustainability (FWFS 2022), hosted by the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), was held successfully on 24-25 August 2022. Thirty-nine world-renowned academics were invited as keynote speakers to present their recent research findings on a diverse range of topics related to the conference theme. The Conference attracted over 500 online participants from 25 countries and regions. At the Opening Ceremony, Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, shared how the COVID-19 has been driving the transformation in different aspects of the global food system, from food waste management, food security, nutrition, public health to food policy. Prof. Chao pointed out that need for an interdisciplinary research platform to fulfil the food demand of the entire population and highlighted some of the remarkable achievements of and contributions from RiFood. Prof. Qingyan Chen, Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), introduced the Academy and RiFood to the audience. He used the product development of traditional tonic food as an example, to elucidate how interdisciplinary research integrates chemical analysis, nutrition, Chinese medicine, and food processing to achieve our goal of accessible and highly nutritious food. Interdisciplinary research is critical to bring impact to the development of Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and the World. The Conference received very positive feedback. On the first day, eight speakers from the US and Canada shared their research findings on food waste upcycling. On the second day, twenty-one speakers from Australia, China, Germany, Greece, Japan, Korea, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Swiss, the US and the UK presented on topics such as sustainable food production, food security to respond to emerging climate and pandemic situation, bio-safety, and food policy and green finance. Dr Kahing Wong, Director of RiFood gave closing remarks and thanked all the online participants for their support in making the Conference a huge success.