Screening for Human Milk Amino Acids by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS

Abstract

Amino acids have a determining effect on the nutritional status of the newborn, and their appropriate levels in breast milk are vital for this first stage of life. The amino acids tryptophan, arginine, glutamate, and taurine, for example, are suggested to have a positive effect on immune functions. The purpose of the present study was to develop a new method for the assay of amino acids in human milk by high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) after hydrolysis. Breast milk samples were collected from 77 healthy mothers living in the community of Extremadura (Spain) with less than 2 months of lactation. The samples were then stored at −80 °C. The HPLC-ESI-MS/MS technique proved to be a sensitive and efficient tool for the assay of amino acids in breast milk. The method could be used for the qualitative screening of 40 underivatized amino acids, and for the assay of 20. The resulting data will serve to improve commercial infant formula milks and bring them closer to the reference standard represented by human milk.