Enhanced absorption of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids following consumption of functional milk formula, pre-digested with immobilized lipase ex vivo, in an exocrine pancreatic insufficient (EPI) pig model

•The EPI pigs were fed either a regular or ex vivo pre-digested/functional formula.•Changes in the absorption and tissue accretion of LCPUFA were examined.•Functional formula consumption improved LCPUFA absorption and accretion.•A negative correlation between faecal fat and plasma LCPUFA level was observed.•The functional milk formula consumption ensures an increased fat absorption. An exocrine pancreatic insufficient (EPI) pig model was used in the study. The effects of milk formula pre-digestion with immobilized microbial lipase, on the absorption and tissue accretion of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) were assessed. Thirteen male EPI pigs, 10weeks of age, were used in the study. Six healthy pigs, 6weeks of age, were used as controls. The pigs were fed either a regular or a pre-digested milk formula. The formula pre-digestion resulted in the decreased faecal total fat and LCPUFA excretion (by 43% and 38% respectively), increased plasma and tissue LCPUFA content (up to 38%). In conclusion, we postulate that feeding a pre-digested milk formula, is an efficient method to develop a functional milk formula, the consumption of which will ensure an increase in total fat absorption (in particular LCPUFA) in human infants as was indicated in the present study in the EPI pig model.