title: Analysis of breast milk fatty acid composition using dried milk samples.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of breast milk fatty acid (FA) composition, particularly levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on infant health outcomes is unclear. Part of the reason for this is difficulties in collecting, storing and shipping milk samples to the laboratory. Here we report the validation of a dried milk spot (DMS) system to measure FA composition to help overcome these obstacles. Milk FA were measured by gas chromatography and reported as percent of total FA; the FA of primary interest in this study were DHA and industrially produced trans FA (iTFA). Experiments were carried out using pooled milk samples from US (n = 5) and Malawian women (n = 50). Experiments compared liquid vs. DMS samples (n = 55), assessed stability of FA composition under different storage conditions (n = 5), and compared the results from two different labs using the same methods (n = 5).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both % DHA and % iTFA levels in liquid and DMS samples were strongly correlated (R(2) = 0.99 and 0.99, respectively, P < 0.0001). The % DHA in DMS samples was stable for up to four weeks at room temperature and up to three years at -80 °C; only slight deviations from the acceptable range of variability (±15 %) occurred in the 4 °C and -20 °C conditions for % DHA. The % iTFA was stable under all conditions. All % DHA and % iTFA were within 15 % of the referent when analyzed in two laboratories.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Valid FA composition values can be obtained from DMS samples using this robust collection and transport system which should facilitate studies of the role of milk FA composition in infant development.
authors.affiliation: OmegaQuant Analytics LLC, Sioux Falls, SD USA.
authors.forename: Kristina Harris
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: OmegaQuant Analytics LLC, Sioux Falls, SD USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Polreis
authors.affiliation: OmegaQuant Analytics LLC, Sioux Falls, SD USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanborn
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Malawi, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chaima
authors.affiliation: OmegaQuant Analytics LLC, Sioux Falls, SD USA ; Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD USA.
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Harris
keywords: Assessment of nutritional status; Breast milk; Docosahexaenoic acid; Infant and child nutrition; Lactation; Maternal nutrition
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