Mineral and vitamin content of mature breast milk of Saudi lactating mothers

The vitamin and mineral content of mature breast milk from 54 Saudi mothers was examined. All measurements of vitamins A, E, B, and B₂ in milk were determined by HPLC. Minerals were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The mean vitamin A concentration in milk was 82.01 ± 35.9 μg/100 ml. Milk vitamin E, B₁ and B₂ concentrations were 0.84 ± 0.70, 0.027 ± 0.005 and 0.02 ± 0.003 mg/100 ml respectively. Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu and Zn contents (Mean ± SD) were 487.5 + 62.43, 44.80 ± 5.43, 145.2 ± 53.54, 391.5 ± 83.81, 0.82 + 0.38, 1.32 ± 0.60 and 1.25 ± 0.46 μg/ml respectively. Maternal age had no effect on Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn contents of breast milk. Calcium level in breast milk increased as parity increased. Potassium was reduced significantly (P < 0.05) in breast milk of mothers with more than 8 children. On the other hand, parity had no significant influence on Mg, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn.

Key words:

• Human milk
• breast feeding
• mineral content
• vitamin content
• maternal age and parity