ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF LIPIDS ADDED TO HUMAN-MILK, INFANT FORMULA,AND BOVINE-MILK

Lipids previously shown to have antiviral and antibacterial activity i n buffers were added to human milk, bovine milk, and infant formulas t o determine whether increased protection from infection could be provi ded to infants as part of their diet. Fatty acids and monoglycerides w ith chain lengths varying from 8 to 12 carbons were found to be more s trongly antiviral and antibacterial when added to milk and formula tha n long chain monoglycerides. Lipids added to milk and formula inactiva ted a number of pathogens including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), Haemophilus influenzae, and Grou p B streptococcus. The results presented in this study suggest that in creased protection from infection may be provided to infants at mucosa l surfaces, prior to the digestion of milk and formula triglycerides, by the addition of antimicrobial medium chain monoglycerides to an inf ant's diet.