Human Milk: Fast Determination of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)

Human milk provides all the nutrients required by babies during first six months of their life. lipids represent main source energy, contributing almost 50% total energy content. Additionally, fatty acids ensure correct development children in prenatal, postnatal, and infant phases. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is essential for visual cognitive development, its presence childhood can affect long-term health. This study aimed to optimize validate a methodology direct determination DHA human milk. We used 20 samples from lactating women living city Itu, São Paulo, who attended Basic Health Units September 2019 2020, sample certified reference material National Institute Standards Technology. The proposed consists validated mixed transesterification process without prior lipid extraction, optimized factorial design. be successfully as it both precise accurate. values sampled milks were similar those European countries lower than Asian due diet.