Determination of the Biochemical Compositions of Stored Expressed Human Breast Milk of Healthy Lactating Mothers

Aims: This study is aimed at determining the biochemical compositions and immunological components of expressed human breast milk (HBM) gotten from healthy lactating mothers stored under varying low temperatures. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, University of Benin, Benin, Edo State; and Quick Diagnostic Centre, Umuahia, Abia State. It was a three (3) months study. Methodology: Sixty (60) samples of expressed HBM were collected from healthy lactating mothers (at varying ages) in Abia State, Nigeria. Employing basic biochemical analyses, the quantification of total protein, glucose, and triacylglycerol levels, in addition to the confirmation tests of vitamin, minerals, and immune cells etc, were carried out. Results: The findings of this study demonstrated that triacylglycerol levels were constantly higher than glucose and protein level and this clearly was manifested across the ages of the lactating mothers (15 - 25 years, 26 - 35 years, and 36 - 45 years). Under room temperature and varying refrigeration, the changes in the biochemical compositions in the expressed HBM were also evaluated. Conclusion: From our findings, expressed HBM shows good nutritive profile with various bioactive factors that are essential for supporting infant growth, and immunity. Although references demonstrated that storage conditions can impact the nutritional value of expressed HBM, the result of this study was suggestive of expressed HBM having the ability to retain good amount of its bioactive compounds when refrigerated to 24 hours, ensuring that microbial infestations were properly controlled.