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Vitamin E as an IgE inhibitor: stability during cold storage of human milk

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2008

G. García-Llatas ,
R. Lacomba ,
F. Ortega ,
A. Alegría ,
R. Barberá  and
D. Silvestre
G. García-Llatas
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Food Chemistry, University of Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
R. Lacomba
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Food Chemistry, University of Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
F. Ortega
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Food Chemistry, University of Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
A. Alegría
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Food Chemistry, University of Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
R. Barberá
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Food Chemistry, University of Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
D. Silvestre
Affiliation:
Food Science, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, Avda. Seminario s/n, 46113 Moncada, Valencia, Spain
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Abstract

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Type
1st International Immunonutrition Workshop, Valencia, 3–5 October 2007, Valencia, Spain
Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 67 , Issue OCE1: 1st International Immunonutrition Workshop, Valencia, 3–5 October 2007, Valencia, Spain , May 2008 , E41
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2008

Human breast milk is recommended as the unique food for neonates based on its known properties. When the production of milk by the mother is not sufficient or the mother is not able to feed her child for professional reasons, milk banks or the mothers' practice of collecting their own milk are the existing alternatives for breast-feeding. In both situations cold storage (refrigeration or freezing) can be used in neonatal units, at home and in human milk banks(1, Reference Lindemann, Foshaugen and Lindemann2).

Many micronutrients with immunological properties are found in breast milk. In addition to its antioxidant activity, vitamin E has been shown to be associated with a decrease in the frequency of allergen sensitisation by the inhibition of IgE responses to allergic stimuli; asthma, rhinitis and hayfever are atopic disorders characterised by raised serum IgE and skin sensitisation to common environmental allergens(Reference Fogarty, Lewis, Weiss and Britton3).

The stability of vitamin E contents can be influenced by temperature and time of storage. Thus, the aim of the present study was the evaluation of vitamin E contents during cold storage of human milk. Fourteen samples of mature human milk from healthy and well-nourished women were collected from a breast-feeding workshop. Each sample was divided in three aliquots, one of which was analysed just after collection (F) and the others were stored under the conditions used at home (refrigerating at 2–4°C for 48 h; R) and at milk banks (freezing at −18°C for 15 d; Fz).

α-, β-, γ- and δ-Tocopherols were quantified simultaneously in the milk samples by a normal-phase HPLC method with fluorescence detection(Reference Rodrigo, Alegría, Barberá and Farré4) (four determinations per sample). The results (ranges) are shown in the Table.

One-way (storage temperature) ANOVA applied to the results showed no significant differences (P<0.05) between the treatments studied. Thus, the inhibition of IgE responses provided by vitamin E from human milk is maintained after it is refrigerated or stored frozen.

This study is part of the project PRUCH 03/36 (2003–2004) supported financially by Cardenal Herrera-CEU University.

References

1. Human Milk Banking Association of North America (2006) Best Practice for Expressing, Storing and Handling Human Milk in Hospitals, Homes and Child Care Settings, 2nd ed. [F Jones and MR Tully, editors]. Raleigh, NC: HMBANA.Google Scholar
2. Lindemann, PC, Foshaugen, I & Lindemann, R (2004) Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 89, F440–F441.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Fogarty, A, Lewis, DS, Weiss, S & Britton, J (2000) Lancet 356, 1573–1574.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Rodrigo, N, Alegría, A, Barberá, R & Farré, R (2002) J Chromatogr 947A, 97–102.CrossRefGoogle Scholar