Antioxidant capacity of human milk and its association with vitamins A and E and fatty acid composition

Abstract

Aim:The antioxidant capacity of human milk reflects the presence and activity of multiple components, which prevent oxidative rancidity. The aim of this study was to use the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity assay to assess human milk antioxidant capacity and find correlations with milk components.Methods:Milk samples collected from 60 breastfeeding women at 1 month postpartum were assayed for antioxidant capacity, vitamins E and A, and fatty acids. Potential statistical relationships of concentrations of vitamins A and E and polyunsaturated fatty acids on the antioxidant capacity of human milk were determined.Results:Human milk antioxidant capacity was positively attributed to α-tocopherol concentration (ρ < 0.05). The vitamin A concentration did not significantly contribute to milk antioxidant capacity, but was correlated to milk α-tocopherol concentration (r=0.587; ρ < 0.001). There was no evidence of an inverse relationship between polyunsaturated fatty acids concentration and the antioxidant capacity value of milk.Conclusion:This study shows that α-tocopherol is an important contributor to the oxidative stability of human milk. Moreover, there was no evidence obtained to show that women who have high levels of milk polyunsaturated fatty acids are predisposed to lower milk antioxidant capacity.

Vitamin E concentration in human milk and associated factors: a literature review

“…10 However, a study in Canada observed a positive correlation between vitamin E found in milk and multivitamin supplementation, as reported by survey participants. 36 Dimenstein et al, 29 when analyzing tocopherol in the milk of 30 adult women in Northeastern Brazil, observed that supplementation with a capsule containing synthetic vitamin E (49.4 mg dl-alpha-tocopherol) did not lead to an increase in the concentration of the vitamin in colostrum 24 hours after supplementation. According to the authors, this indicates that the passage of this vitamin is limited and raises the question of the validity of offering supplements containing vitamin E with racemic mixtures.…”

Scientific Opinion on the essential composition of infant and follow-on formulae

“…Pre-formed vitamin A concentrations in human milk in Western countries were traditionally considered to be between 450 and 600 µg RE/L (69-92 µg RE/100 kcal), whereas considerably lower values were reported in two recent studies in Europe: 80 µg RE/L (12 µg RE/100 kcal) (Tijerina-Saenz et al, 2009) and 85 µg RE/L (13 µg RE/100 kcal) (Szlagatys-Sidorkiewicz et al, 2012).…”

Selenium and Vitamin A and E in the Nutrition of Very Low-Birth Weight Preterm Infants

“…This antioxidant capacity is attributed mostly to alpha-tocopherol concentration [47]. Vitamin-E concentration in colostrum and preterm human milk is two times higher than in mature term milk, with a mean concentration of 1.9 IU/100 kcal, and an E/PUFA ratio of 2.0 in the first week.…”