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A Comparative Study on the Composition and Structure of Human Milk Phospholipids and its Natural Resources: Based on

Huiquan Zhu1, Marie-Laure Fauconnier2, Hong Zhang3

  • 1Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Molecules, Gembloux Agro-bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux, 5030, Belgium; National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy, Hohhot 010100, China.

Food Chemistry
|August 1, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Camel milk shows the highest similarity to human milk phospholipids (HMPLs), offering valuable insights for infant formula development. This study evaluated natural HMPL substitutes based on their composition and structure.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Nutritional Science
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Human milk phospholipids (HMPLs) are crucial for infant neurodevelopment and growth.
  • Understanding HMPL composition is vital for developing optimal infant nutrition.
  • Existing infant formulas may not fully replicate HMPL structures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze and compare phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and molecular species in HMPLs and other natural sources.
  • To develop a similarity evaluation model for assessing natural HMPL substitutes.
  • To identify optimal natural substitutes for HMPLs in infant formula.

Main Methods:

  • Detection and quantification of 37 PLFA species and 139 phospholipid molecular species.
  • Establishment of a similarity model evaluating phospholipid classes, PLFAs, and molecular species.
  • Comparative analysis of HMPLs against animal (5 species) and plant (2 species) derived phospholipids.

Main Results:

  • Camel milk demonstrated the highest comprehensive similarity score (0.75) to HMPLs.
  • Mare milk (0.89), goat milk (0.72), and camel milk (0.77) showed high similarity in specific dimensions.
  • Soybean phospholipid exhibited the lowest similarity score (0.22).

Conclusions:

  • Camel milk is a promising substitute for HMPLs in infant formula due to its high compositional similarity.
  • The developed model effectively evaluates the stereochemical structure of HMPL substitutes.
  • Findings provide critical data for enhancing the nutritional quality of infant formulas.

Keywords:
Evaluation modelHuman milkPhospholipidSimilarity index

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