A metabolomic study of preterm human and formula milk by high resolution NMR and GC/MS analysis: preliminary results

CESARE MARINCOLA, FLAMINIA;NOTO, ANTONIO;CABONI, PIERLUIGI;Reali A;BARBERINI, LUIGI;Lussu M;Murgia F;Santoru ML;ATZORI, LUIGI;FANOS, VASSILIOS

2012-01-01

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the metabolic profile of preterm human breast milk (HBM) by using a metabolomic approach. METHODS: NMR spectroscopy and GC/MS were used to analyze the water-soluble and lipid fractions extracted from milk samples obtained from mothers giving birth at 26-36 weeks of gestation. For the sake of comparison, preterm formula milk was also studied. RESULTS: The multivariate statistical analysis of the data evidenced biochemical variability both between preterm HBM and commercial milk and within the group of HBM samples. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results of this study suggest that metabolomics may provide a promising tool to study aspects related to the nutrition and health of preterm infant.