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Comparative Study
. 2014 Jul;10(3):373-82.
doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2012.00431.x. Epub 2012 Jul 12.

Comparison of mid-infrared transmission spectroscopy with biochemical methods for the determination of macronutrients in human milk

Dolores Silvestre  1 , Miriam Fraga, María Gormaz, Ester Torres, Máximo Vento
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Comparison of mid-infrared transmission spectroscopy with biochemical methods for the determination of macronutrients in human milk

Dolores Silvestre et al. Matern Child Nutr. 2014 Jul.

Abstract

The variability of human milk (HM) composition renders analysis of its components essential for optimal nutrition of preterm fed either with donor's or own mother's milk. To fulfil this requirement, various analytical instruments have been subjected to scientific and clinical evaluation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of a rapid method for the analysis of macronutrients in HM as compared with the analytical methods applied by cow's milk industry. Mature milk from 39 donors was analysed using an infrared human milk analyser (HMA) and compared with biochemical reference laboratory methods. The statistical analysis was based on the use of paired data tests. The use of an infrared HMA for the analysis of lipids, proteins and lactose in HM proved satisfactory as regards the rapidity, simplicity and the required sample volume. The instrument afforded good linearity and precision in application to all three nutrients. However, accuracy was not acceptable when compared with the reference methods, with overestimation of the lipid content and underestimation of the amount of proteins and lactose contents. The use of mid-infrared HMA might become the standard for rapid analysis of HM once standardisation and rigorous and systematic calibration is provided.

Keywords: fortification; human milk; macronutrients; milk analysers; milk banking; quantitative methods.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Bland–Altman plot for fat analysis. Difference between the values obtained with laboratory (Gerber; Kleyn et al. 2001) and HMA methods is represented in the Y‐axis. The results obtained using the Gerber method are represented in the X‐ axis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Bland–Altman plot for protein analysis. Difference between the values obtained with laboratory (Bio‐Rad; Bradford 1976) and HMA methods is represented in the Y‐axis. Bio‐Rad method results are represented in the X‐axis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Bland–Altman plot for lactose analysis. Difference between the values obtained with laboratory (Chloramine‐T; Hinton & Macara 1927) and HMA methods is represented in the Y‐axis. Chloramine‐T method results are represented in the X‐axis.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Scatter plot representing results obtained for lipid concentration using both methods (biochemical: Gerber technique and autoanalyser: HMA autoanalyser).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Scatter plot representing results obtained for protein concentration using both methods (biochemical: Bradford technique and autoanalyser: HMA autoanalyser).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Scatter plot representing results obtained for lactose concentration using both methods (biochemical: Chloramine‐T technique and autoanalyser: HMA autoanalyser).
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