Phospholipid species and minor sterols in French human milks

The purpose of the study was to characterise the phospholipid and sterol composition in four French breast milk samples, with an aim to highlight molecular lipid species of possible nutritional significance for infants. Main PL species were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE, 21.3 ± 4.7%), phosphatidylcholine (19.0 ± 2.2%) and sphingomyelin (43.3 ± 2.6%). PE contained more arachidonic acid (4.8%) than did other PL species (P < 0.001). PE and PS + PI contained the highest proportion of DHA among PL species (0.94% and 1.13%, respectively, P < 0.05). Several minor bioactive sterols were detected in the polar lipids of human milks, e.g., desmosterol, lathosterol, lanosterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol. The metabolic significance and health impact of this lipid consumption by the infant should thus be explored.