VITAMIN-A AND CAROTENOIDS IN HUMAN-MILK

The relationship of dietary carotenoid consumption and the concentration of retinol and several carotenoids in mature human milk was investigated. Forty-two lactating mothers of infants from 0.5 to 7months participated in this study. All measurements of milk retinol and carotenoids were determined by HPLC. Mean retinol concentration in milk was 57 ± 25 µg/100 g. Milk retinol concentration of mothers who took vitamin supplements, 60 µg/100 g, was not significantly different from those who did not, 49 µg/100 g (p < 0.05). Duration of lactation produced no significant differences in retinol and β-carotene concentrations of milk. Correlation coefficients between milk and estimated dietary intake of retinol, α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, and lutein were 0.15, 0.52, 0.42, 0.03, and 0.25, respectively. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.