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Carotenoids and flavonoids in human milk: longitudinal patterns from China, Mexico, and the USA (623.25)
Author(s) -
Lipkie Tristan,
Song Brian,
Probst Matt,
Morrow Ardythe,
Peng Yongmei,
Guerrero Maria,
RuizPalacios Guillermo,
McMahon Robert,
Jouni Zeina,
Ferruzzi Mario
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.623.25
Subject(s) - carotenoid , lycopene , lutein , food science , lactation , flavonoid , composition (language) , chemistry , zoology , biology , pregnancy , antioxidant , biochemistry , linguistics , philosophy , genetics
Emerging evidence indicates that particular phytochemicals may have a role in infant nutrition and development, yet data on carotenoid and flavonoid content of human milk remains sparse. Milk was longitudinally collected at 2, 4, 13, and 26 weeks postpartum from twenty mothers each in China, Mexico, and the USA to determine the variation in composition by donor, lactation stage, and country. Maternal and neonatal plasma was analyzed for carotenoids from the USA cohort at 4 weeks postpartum. Donor strongly predicted (p<0.01) total carotenoid content (mean ± SEM = 17.1 ± 10.2 nmol/g lipid) and total flavonoid content (103.5 ± 96.1 nmol/L). With increasing weeks postpartum, the content of provitamin A carotenoids (nmol/g lipid) increased (p<0.05 except for alpha‐carotene), but other phytochemicals remained unchanged. Country of origin also influenced composition: Total carotenoids and lutein content were greatest, while lycopene was lowest, in milk from China; and the individual flavonoid aglycone epicatechin gallate had the highest concentration in milk from Mexico (p<0.05). Lutein, β‐cryptoxanthin, and β‐carotene were correlated (p<0.05) between maternal plasma, milk, and neonatal plasma, but lycopene levels of neonatal plasma did not depend on milk content. Anthocyanins were not detected in human milk samples. These results expand our knowledge of phytochemical composition of human milk globally. Grant Funding Source : Supported by Mead Johnson Nutrition, USDA National Needs Program and NICHD HD13021.