FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF HUMAN-MILK IN SPAIN

The fatty acid composition of mature human milk obtained from 40 Spani sh women was analyzed by capillary gas chromatography. The women were from two regions in Spain, Navarre and Catalonia. Milk samples were co llected between 20 and 30 days postpartum The fatty acid composition w as expressed as weight percentage (% wt/wt of all fatty acids detected with a Cg to C22 chain length). Monounsaturated fatty acids represent 41.97%, mostly 18:1 n-9/n-7 (38.39%). The second major fraction was f ormed by saturated fatty acids, 41.09%. Polyunsaturated fatty acid fra ction (15.23%), included seven long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs; 2.21%). Among LCPs, 1.6% accounted for the n-6 series and 0.64% for the n-3 series. LCPn-6/LCPn-3 ratio was 2.51. Mothers reporting a high fish consumption showed higher (p < 0.05) 22:6 n-3 and 20:5 n-3 content. The use of olive oil as the preferential fat source showed hi gher 18:1 n-9/n-7 and lower 18:2 n-6 content (p < 0.0001), while the u se of sunflower oil instead of olive oil significantly (p < 0.0001) in creased 18:2 n-6 and decreased 18:1 n-9/n-7. Regional differences (p < 0.05) were detected only for the n-6 LCP and the total LCP content. T he higher n-6 LCP and total LCP content was found in Navarre. This cou ld have been due to different diet habits, like higher egg consumption .