Characterization of d-amino acids in colostral, transitional, and mature preterm human milk

Sol Maiam Rivera Velez, Melanie Newkirk, Aurelie Roux, Greg Ellis, Robert Harlan, Mitzi Donabel Ang Go, Prabhu Satya Parimi, David Graham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

D-Amino acids are regulatory molecules that affect biological processes. Therefore, being able to accurately detect and quantify these compounds is important for understanding their impact on nutrition and health. There is a paucity of information regarding d-amino acids in human milk. We developed a fast method for simultaneous analysis of amino acid enantiomers in human milk using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The method enables the separation of 41 amino acids without chemical derivatization. Our results revealed that human milk from mothers of preterm infants contains concentrations of d-amino acids that range from 0.5 to 45% that of their l-counterparts and that levels of most d-amino acids decrease as the milk production matures. Moreover, we found that Holder pasteurization of milk does not cause racemization of l-amino acids. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe percentages of d-amino acid levels in human milk; changes in d-amino acid concentration as the milk matures; and the effect of Holder pasteurization on d- and l-amino acid concentrations in human milk.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)51-59
Number of pages9
JournalAmino Acids
Volume55
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2023

Keywords

  • Chiral amino acids
  • Lactation stage
  • Pasteurization
  • Preterm human milk
  • d-Amino acids

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

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