title: Retinol, α-tocopherol, and selected minerals in breast milk of lactating women with full-term infants in South Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to measure fat-soluble vitamins and minerals in breast milk of Korean lactating mothers who exclusively breastfed their babies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Breast milk samples were collected from 334 mothers. Concentrations of retinol and α-tocopherol were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography ultraviolet spectrometry while concentrations of minerals were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Retinol and α-tocopherol contents of breast milk were 39.58 ± 19.64 µg/dL and 0.23 ± 0.13 mg/dL, respectively. Average sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels in breast milk were 11.11 ± 5.16, 38.56 ± 9.01, 27.87 ± 6.10, 13.56 ± 3.30, and 3.05 ± 0.65 mg/dL, respectively. Contents of trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper, and manganese were 40.26 ± 46.21, 98.40 ± 62.47, 24.09 ± 9.03, and 0.90 ± 1.63 µg/dL, respectively. Fat-soluble vitamin concentration was positively correlated with total fat in milk samples, but no significant differences were observed in levels of retinol, α-tocopherol, or minerals based on whether or not lactating women were taking dietary supplements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Micronutrient contents of breast milk samples from Korean lactating women were comparable to those of other nations. Retinol and α-tocopherol levels were correlated and also with total fat in breast milk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyesook
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Maeil Asia Human Milk Research Center, Maeil Dairies Co., Ltd, 50, Jongno-1-gil, Jongno-Gu, Seoul 03142, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung-Mun
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Maeil Asia Human Milk Research Center, Maeil Dairies Co., Ltd, 50, Jongno-1-gil, Jongno-Gu, Seoul 03142, Korea.
authors.forename: Bum-Noh
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Maeil Asia Human Milk Research Center, Maeil Dairies Co., Ltd, 50, Jongno-1-gil, Jongno-Gu, Seoul 03142, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Je
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Maeil Asia Human Milk Research Center, Maeil Dairies Co., Ltd, 50, Jongno-1-gil, Jongno-Gu, Seoul 03142, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Korea.
authors.forename: Namsoo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chang
keywords: Korea; Vitamins; breast milk; fats; minerals