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Purpose: Human milk (HM) composition is influenced by factors, like maternal diet and body stores, among other factors. For evaluating the influence of maternal fatty acid (FA) status on milk FA composition, the correlation between FA content in HM and in maternal plasma, erythrocytes, and adipose tissue was investigated. Methods: 223 European women who delivered at term, provided HM samples over first four months of lactation. Venous blood and adipose tissue (only from mothers who consented and underwent a C-section delivery) were sampled at delivery. FAs were assessed in plasma, erythrocytes, adipose tissue, and HM. Evolution of HM FAs over lactation and correlations between FA content in milk and tissues and between mother's blood and cord blood were established. Results: During lactation, arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) significantly decreased, while linoleic acid (LA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) remained stable. Positive correlations were observed between HM and adipose tissue for palmitic, stearic, oleic, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Correlations were found between milk and plasma for oleic, LA, ARA, ALA, DHA, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and PUFAs. No correlation was observed between erythrocytes and HM FAs. LA and ALA were more concentrated in maternal blood than in infant blood, contrary to ARA and DHA, supporting that biomagnification of LCPUFAs may have occurred during pregnancy. Conclusions: These data show that maternal adipose tissue rather than erythrocytes may serve as reservoir of PUFAs and LCPUFAs for human milk. Plasma also supplies PUFAs and LCPUFAs to maternal milk. If both, adipose tissue and plasma PUFAs, are reflection of dietary intake, it is necessary to provide PUFAs and LCPUFAs during pregnancy or even before conception and lactation to ensure availability for mothers and enough supply for the infant via HM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to verify the nutritional value of the fatty acid (FA) profile of three fruits claimed to confer health benefits (goji berry, white mulberry, and cranberry), often referred to as "superfruits", over three common fruits (banana, apple, and strawberry). Nineteen different FAs, ranging in concentrations between 0.018 and 9.4 mg/g dry sample were detected. Levels of very long-chained FAs were highest in cranberries, oleic acid was most abundant in goji berries, alpha-linolenic acid showed high levels in strawberries and linoleic acid showed high levels in goji berries and white mulberries. The ratio of unsaturated to saturated FAs was highest in strawberries and goji berries, and the ratio of odd-carbon to even carbon saturated FAs was high in all common fruits, whereas among the superfruits both goji- and white mulberries showed very low ratios. Finally, the ratio of very long-chain to long-chain FAs showed the highest levels in cranberries and apples. A composite measure of the FA profile suggests apples and cranberries to show the most beneficial lipid profile. However, a common and beneficial lipid profile was not found in the superfruits as compared to more common fruits. • Superfruits do not differ from common fruits in Europe regarding fatty acid levels. • Superfruits lack a health promoting fatty acid profile. • Among six fruits, apples and cranberries are closest to being a superfruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]