Fatty acid composition of human milk in different regions of Slovenia.
BACKGROUND
The fatty acid composition of human colostrum lipids is influenced by maternal diet. We measured the fatty acid composition of colostrum lipids in Slovenia.


METHODS
Milk samples were collected on the 3rd day postpartum from 41 women recruited in three Slovenian regions (Celje, Ljubljana and Koper). Dietary habits were examined by a food-frequency questionnaire. In situ transesterification and capillary gas chromatography were performed to determine the fatty acid composition.


RESULTS
The coefficients of variation of the determinations of individual fatty acids accounting for >0.09 wt% were 1.87-5.91%. Between regional areas there were differences in the contents of linoleic (12.62-17.35 wt%; p < 0.001) and alpha-linolenic acid (0.70-1.07 wt%; p < 0.01), whereas the linoleic/alpha-linolenic acid ratios were similar (15.8 in Celje, 16.3 in Ljubljana and 17.9 in Koper). The highest proportion of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3) was in Celje (0.49 wt%), the lowest in Ljubljana (0.35 wt%; p < 0.05). The long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCP) content did not correlate with linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid, but there was a correlation between the sum of n-3 and n-6 LCPs. The colostrum linoleic/alpha-linolenic acid ratio was positively correlated with the body mass index during pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
The fatty acid composition of colostrum lipids in Slovenia shows some variation according to geographical regions.
Fidler
N
N
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Zootechnical Department, Institute of Nutrition, Domzale, Slovenia. Natasa.Fidler@guest.arnes.si
Salobir
K
K
Stibilj
V
V
D000328:Adult; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry*; D003710:Demography; D004032:Diet; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D017524:Slovenia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D005227:Fatty Acids