A Comparison of Changes in the Fatty Acid Profile of Human Milk of Spanish Lactating Women during the First Month of Lactation Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. A Comparison with Infant Formulas.

Breastfeeding is the ideal way to provide infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Milk composition changes throughout lactation, and fat is one of the most variable nutrients in human milk. The aim of this study was to determine the main differences between the fatty acid (FA) profile of human milk samples (colostrum, transitional, and mature milk group) and infant formulas. Human milk samples were provided by lactating women from Granada. Moreover, different commercial infant formulas were analyzed. FAs were determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. According to the results, oleic acid was the predominant monounsaturated fatty acid (41.93% in human milk and 43.53% in infant formulas), while palmitic acid was the most representative saturated fatty acid (20.88% in human milk and 23.09% in infant formulas). Significant differences were found between human milk groups and infant formulas, mainly in long-chain polyunsaturated FAs (LC-PUFAs). The content of araquidonic acid (AA) and docoxahexaenoic acid (DHA) was higher in human milk (0.51% and 0.39%, respectively) than in infant formulas (0.31% and 0.22%, respectively). Linoleic acid (LA) percentage (15.31%) in infant formulas was similar to that found in human milk (14.6%). However, α-linolenic acid (ALA) values were also much higher in infant formulas than in human milk (1.64% and 0.42%, respectively).

Study of the effect of different fermenting microorganisms on the Se, Cu, Cr, and Mn contents in fermented goat and cow milks.

The aim of this study was to determine the Se, Cu, Cr, and Mn concentrations of different types of goat- and cow-milk fermented products and evaluate the influence of fermenting bacteria (classical fermenting starters and a probiotic strain) on these concentrations. Atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation was used to measure Se and electrothermal atomization to measure Cu, Cr and Mn. Analytical parameters determined in the fermented milks demonstrated that the procedures used were adequate for Se, Cu, Cr, and Mn analyses. Se levels were significantly lower in fermented goat milk products than in fermented cow milk products (p<0.05). Se, Cu, Cr, and Mn levels did not differ as a function of the fermenting bacteria used in commercial fermented goat or cow milks or in the lab-produced goat yoghurt. Given the Se, and Cr intakes for healthy adults, goat and cow yogurts may be important dietary sources.