Immunonutrient constituents of human colostrum

Abstract

The immunonutrient (Cu, Zn, Fe, vitamin E, C, A) constituents of colostrum from
twentyseven post-partum mothers were analysed and examined in relation to maternal age,
parity and BMI. HPLC was employed to analyse the colostral vitamin E and A, and
spectrophotometric method was used for estimation of ascorbic acid level. The Cu, Zn and Fe
contents of colostrum were determined by atomic absorption flamme spectrophometry. The
colostrum concentrations of vitamin E, C and A were 25.51 ± 11.21p.mol/L, 216.96 ± 87.72
Umol/L, 0.65 ± 0.29 ^imoi/L respectively. The Cu, Zn and Fe contents of colostrum were
10.94 ± 5.94 ^irnol/L, 65.82 ± 20.63nmol/L, 21.54 ± 7.30|amol/L respectively. No significant
relationship was found between maternal age, parity, BMI and the elemental content of
colostrum. Significant correlation was found between ascorbic acid and parity (P>0.05).