The content of selected omega-3 free fatty acids in breast milk samples and their interactions with macronutrients as well as personal characteristics of mothers

Human milk contains many nutritional and non-nutritional components, including free fatty acids (FFAs) such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These acids were determined in 67 breast milk samples collected from Polish women. The average content of FFAs was 0.3 ± 0.2 mg g−1 of fat for EPA, 1.4 ± 0.6 mg g−1 of fat for ALA, and 0.4 ± 0.3 mg g−1 of fat for DHA. In each milk sample energy, fat, carbohydrate, crude and true protein, and total solids were also determined. The correlations between the content of FFAs and/or macronutrients and other parameters characteristic of nursing milk donors were found using statistical analysis. Among the most important connections with EPA, DHA, ALA contents are an effect of dietary and lactation supplements, eating habits, or breastfeeding complications.