Comparative analysis of oligosaccharides in Guanzhong and Saanen goat milk by using LC–MS/MS

Human milk oligosaccharides play an important role in promoting healthy growth of infants. Goat milk was one of the alternative sources for producing oligosaccharides. An in-depth understanding the composition and the quantity of oligosaccharides in goat milk was needed for its better utilization. In the present study, oligosaccharides were identified and quantified by using UPLC-MS/MS. The elution condition of UPLC was optimized leading to successful identification of 64 oligosaccharides in goat milk. Furthermore, the method to absolutely quantify 6 oligosaccharides in goat milk had been developed. The oligosaccharides in Guanzhong, local breed in China and Saanen goat milk, were compared by using this method. Five oligosaccharides were significantly different between two breeds. The amount of 6'-sialyllactose was 3.3 times higher in Guanzhong goat milk than that in Saanen goat milk. Guanzhong goat milk could be a potential good source for producing sialylated oligosaccharides, especially 6'-sialyllactose.