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Xanthophyll esters are found in human colostrum.
José J Ríos1, Ana Augusta Odorissi Xavier2, Elena Díaz-Salido3
1Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Instituto de la Grasa (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
|June 7, 2017
Summary
Xanthophyll esters are key carotenoids in human colostrum but absent in mature milk. This suggests fatty acid acylation is active during early lactation, with rapid turnover of these lipids.
Area of Science:
- Human milk composition
- Lipid metabolism
- Carotenoid biochemistry
Background:
- Carotenoids in human milk are linked to lipid metabolism.
- The presence and role of xanthophyll esters in human milk remain largely uncharacterized.
- Understanding milk lipid profiles is crucial for infant nutrition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the occurrence and identity of xanthophyll esters in human milk.
- To assess the contribution of xanthophyll esters to the overall carotenoid profile.
- To investigate the association of xanthophyll esters with lactation stage.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of colostrum and mature milk samples from mothers delivering preterm and term infants.
- Extraction of carotenoids followed by a clean-up procedure to remove triacylglycerols.
- High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MSn) for identification.
Main Results:
- Xanthophyll esters were identified as significant contributors to the carotenoid profile in colostrum.
- These compounds were notably absent in mature milk samples.
- HPLC-MSn analysis confirmed the identity based on chromatographic, UV-visible, and mass spectrometry features.
Conclusions:
- Fatty acid acylation of xanthophylls is active during carotenoid accumulation in the mammary gland.
- The disappearance of xanthophyll esters in mature milk suggests recent incorporation and rapid turnover of lipophilic components.
- This highlights dynamic changes in milk lipid composition during lactation.
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