Abstract
Contents of individual tocopherols (Toc) in human milk were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC method is more simple and accurate as compared with other conventional methods for the determination of Toc in human milk. The mean contents of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-Toc in human milk shown from 12 mothers were as follows: In the colostra, 1,050.4, 19.1, 123.8, 16.7μg/100ml. In the transitional milk, 389.0, 8.3, 60.4, 9.5μg/100ml. In the mature milk, 317.7, 8.2, 73.0, 12.2μg/100ml; markedly high concentration of α-Toc was found in colostrum as compared with transitional and mature milk. The value of δ-Toc was about 2% of the total Toc in human milk. The contents of Toc were analysed daily from the 2nd day to the 8th day after parturition and the highest concentration of Toc was noted in the milk of the 2nd day.
