Changes in human milk lipid composition and conformational state during a single breastfeed

Johanna R. de Wolf*, Anki Lenferink, Aufried T.M. Lenferink, Cees Otto, Nienke Bosschaart

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
116 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Fat in human milk forms the main energy source for infants and is the most variable component in terms of concentration and composition. Knowledge on changes in human milk lipid composition and conformational state during a single breastfeed contributes to an in-depth understanding of lipid synthesis in the mammary gland. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in fatty acid length, degree of unsaturation (lipid composition) and lipid phase (lipid conformational state) of milk released at different stages during a breastfeed (fore-, bulk- and hindmilk). A total of 30 samples from 10 lactating subjects were investigated using confocal Raman spectroscopy. No significant differences in lipid composition were observed between fore-, bulk- and hindmilk samples, which is consistent with literature. A new finding from this study is that the lipid conformational state in human fore-, bulk- and hindmilk was significantly different at room temperature. The lipid phase of foremilk was almost crystalline and the lipid phase of hindmilk was almost liquid. Based on this observation, we hypothesize that lipid synthesis in the mammary gland changes during a single breastfeed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEuropean Conferences on Biomedical Optics, ECBO 2021
Subtitle of host publicationAdvances in Microscopic Imaging III
EditorsEmmanuel Beaurepaire, Adela Ben-Yakar, YongKeun Park
PublisherThe Optical Society
ISBN (Electronic)9781557528209
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
EventEuropean Conferences on Biomedical Optics, ECBO 2021 - Virtual, Online, Germany
Duration: 20 Jun 202124 Jun 2021

Publication series

NameSPIE Conference Proceedings
PublisherSPIE
Volume11922

Conference

ConferenceEuropean Conferences on Biomedical Optics, ECBO 2021
Abbreviated titleECBO 2021
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityVirtual, Online
Period20/06/2124/06/21

Keywords

  • 2022 OA procedure

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