Stability of fatty acids and tocopherols during cold storage of human milk

The stability of fatty acids and tocopherols from human milk from 8 healthy lactating mothers was determined in fresh milk and after cold storage. Refrigeration at 4 °C for 48 h or freezing at −20 °C for 30 days did not significantly decrease fatty acid contents (mg per 100 g human milk), or concentrations of α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherol isomers, compared with fresh milk. Results obtained in the present study showed that cold storage under the usual storage conditions in neonatal units, at home or in milk banks did not have a detrimental effect upon fatty acids and tocopherols contents in human milk. Thus, infants can receive stored human milk without losses in the nutritional value of these components.