Purpose: To describe the fatty acid composition of human colostrum in three different regions of China.
Methods: Women were recruited from river/lake, coastal and inland regions of China during late pregnancy. Their diet frequency was assessed during the 34th week of pregnancy. Colostrum samples were collected between postpartum days 3 and 5. Thirty-one different fatty acids were separated and identified in colostrum.
Results: There were significant differences among the women in the three regions with respect to food and culinary oil consumption patterns. The mean±SD fat content (g/100 g) of colostrum from river/lake, coastal and inland regions was 2.17±1.26, 2.50±1.39 and 2.68±1.26, respectively (p=0.265, adjusted by pregnant women's age). The main saturated, monounsaturated, n-6 polyunsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in colostrum were 16:0, 18:1n9, 18:2n6 and 18:3n3, respectively. Colostrum from river/lake region had the lowest composition of total SFA and of total n-6 PUFA and the highest composition of total MUFA and of total n-3 PUFA. The amount of DHA (22:6n3) in colostrum (mean±SD, % wt/wt) was 0.51±0.18, 0.52±0.20 and 0.35±0.13 in the river/lake, coastal and inland regions, respectively (p=0.0002, adjusted by pregnant women's age). Frequency of maternal marine fish intake during the late pregnancy was positively correlated with DHA in colostrum (r=0.203, p=0.040).
Conclusions: The fatty acid composition of colostrum differs across geographical regions in China, which may be related to differences in maternal dietary pattern.