Daily variations in oligosaccharides of human milk determined by microfluidic chips and mass spectrometry

J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Jan 23;56(2):618-26. doi: 10.1021/jf071972u. Epub 2007 Dec 19.

Abstract

Human milk is a complex biological fluid that provides not only primary nourishment for infants but also protection against pathogens and influences their metabolic, immunologic, and even cognitive development. The presence of oligosaccharides in remarkable abundance in human milk has been associated to provide diverse biological functions including directing the development of an infant's intestinal microflora and immune system. Recent advances in analytical tools offer invaluable insights in understanding the specific functions and health benefits these biomolecules impart to infants. Oligosaccharides in human milk samples obtained from five different individual donors over the course of a 3 month lactation period were isolated and analyzed using HPLC-Chip/TOF-MS technology. The levels and compositions of oligosaccharides in human milk were investigated from five individual donors. Comparison of HPLC-Chip/TOF-MS oligosaccharides profiles revealed heterogeneity among multiple individuals with no significant variations at different stages of lactation within individual donors.

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Female
  • Fucose / analysis
  • Humans
  • Lactation
  • Mass Spectrometry*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques*
  • Milk, Human / chemistry*
  • N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / analysis
  • Oligosaccharides / analysis*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Oligosaccharides
  • Fucose
  • N-Acetylneuraminic Acid