Composition of Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Breast Milk

Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are physiologically important to newborn brain and retina development. This study was designed to analyze the LCPUFA composition of human milk in samples of 30 mothers at day 3, as well as the 4th and 8th weeks of lactation. The results of gas-liquid chromatographic fatty acid analysis are expressed as percentage of all fatty acids detected with chain lengths between 14 and 22 carbon atoms. The results showed C18:1 was the highest concentration in all fatty acid profiles, while C18:2ω-6 was the highest concentration in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids constitute 30.99% of long chain fatty acids in clostrum, 34.29% and 34.70% at the 4th and 8th week of lactation respectively. Monounsaturated fatty acids range from 35.40% in colostrum, to 35.69% and 36.02% of long chain fatty acids at the 4th and 8th weeks of lactation. In addition, polyunsaturated fatty acids contribute 32.17%, 28.36% and 27.31% of long chain fatty acids in colostrum, the 4th and 8th weeks of lactation. In comparison with mature milk, human colostrum was characterized by higher percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially for docosahexaenoic acid. It is concluded that in view of their levels in breast milk, the polyenoic derivatives may play an important role in the newborn development.