Abstract
Lysozyme, its related compounds and bacteria flora in feces were studied on 13 breast-feeding infants, 2 to 10 months old, in comparison with the previously reported results on infants fed on lysozymefortified milk powder (Px).
1) Lysozyme content in the feces of breast-feeding infants was about 5mg per 100g solid, while that of bottle-feeding infants was about 2mg. The content of bottle-feeding infants became comparable to or more than that of breast-feeding infants, when they were fed on the Px.
2) Glucosamine content in the feces of breast-feeding infants varied from 1 to 27.5mg per gram of solid. On the other hand, that of bottle-feeding infants was only 0.5mg per gram of solid. This could be raised to 1mg per gram by the Px feeding, but the content was always lower compared with the breast-feeding.
3) The ammonium nitrogen content in the feces of breast feeding infants was about 2mg per gram of solid, which was almost the same as, or slightly higher, than that of bottle-feeding infants. Histamine content was almost the same as bottle-feeding, 1mg per gram of solid. No hydrogen sulfide was detected.
4) Water-soluble nitrogen compounds was about 80 percent of total nitrogen in the feces of breastfeeding infants. The ratio was much higher compared with that of bottle-feeding infants. The nitrogen distribution, determined by the use of Dowex-50 W ion exchange resin, demonstrated higher protein nitrogen content in the feces of breast-feeding infants compared with bottle-feeding infants.
5) The pH of the feces of breast-feeding infants was lower than that of bottle-feeding infants. The great majority of intestinal bacteria flora was Lactobacillus bifidus. No coliform bacteria was observed except for a few cases.
