Gaschromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of fatty acids in human milk from forty puerperae living in southern Italy.

Fatty acid (FA) composition of breast milk, an important factor in newborn nutrition, may change in relation to maternal diet and individual metabolic characteristics. This study was carried out on a group of 40 puerperae who lived in Southern Italy, delivered at term and feeded with common mediterranean diet. End-milk samples were collected between the 15th and 40th day (in mean at 27th day) after delivery. Analysis of fatty acids was performed using high resolution gaschromatography and mass spectrometry. It has been reported 37 different fatty acids including 6 branched chain fatty acids (BCFA).