Odor-active volatile compounds in preterm breastmilk

Abstract

Background Volatile compounds in breastmilk (BM) likely influence flavor learning and, through the cephalic phase response, metabolism, and digestion. Little is known about the volatile compounds present in preterm BM. We investigated whether maternal or infant characteristics are associated with the profile of volatile compounds in preterm BM. Methods Using solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, we analyzed volatile compounds in 400 BM samples collected from 170 mothers of preterm infants. Results Forty volatile compounds were detected, mostly fatty acids and their esters (FA and FAe), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, terpenoids, alcohols, and ketones. The relative concentration of most FA and FAe increased with advancing lactation and were lower in BM of most socially deprived mothers and those with gestational diabetes (p < 0.05), but medium-chain FAs were higher in colostrum compared to transitional BM (p < 0.001). Infant sex, gestational age, and size at birth were not associated with the profile of volatile compounds in preterm BM. Conclusions Sensory-active volatile FA and FAe are the major contributors to the smell of preterm BM. The associations between lactation stage, maternal characteristics, and volatile compounds, and whether differences in volatile compounds may affect feeding behavior or metabolism, requires further research. Impact Sensory-active volatile FAs are major contributors to the smell of preterm BM and are influenced by the lactation stage and maternal characteristics. Longitudinal analysis of volatile compounds in preterm BM found that FAs increased with advancing lactation. Colostrum had a higher concentration of medium-chain FAs compared to transitional BM and the concentration of these is associated with socioeconomic status, gestational diabetes, and ethnicity.

Glucocorticoids in preterm human milk

“…The concentrations we report are, however, similar to one study involving extremely and very preterm infants ( 13 ). We previously have demonstrated that medium chain fatty acids and metabolic hormones in preterm HM differed by maternal ethnicity ( 54 , 55 ) but it is unclear if ethnicity influences the concentration of GCs in HM. Despite the multi-ethnic population, our study is not fully representative of the general population of woman giving birth in New Zealand ( 56 ), with Māori and Caucasian mothers being under-represented and Asian and Pacific mothers over-represented compared to the national birthing population.…”

Gas and Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry as a Tool for Elucidating Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Metabolites in Maternal Milk: A Perspective on Infants’ Health Risk Assessment

“…In the same context, breast milk samples were collected from 170 mothers (breastfeeding premature infants) and analyzed by Muelbert and colleagues [71], with SPME-GC-MS revealing the presence of VOCs such as toluene, styrene, benzene and ethyl benzene, which were also detected in the present work (with the exception of ethylbenzene as a parent). Nevertheless, quantitative data were not provided (only relative quantitation) to compare them with the findings of this work.…”

QSAR analysis of the partitioning of terpenes and terpenoids into human milk

“…Results of this study predict that many volatile terpenes from the essential oils are transferred into breast milk selectively. Our model helps to explain and expand on the current knowledge of volatile compounds in breast milk by predicting that a variety of volatile terpenoids can be found in breast milk 6,62 …”