Calcium, Iron and Protein Levels in Human Breast Milk, Cow Milk and Baby Formula
Ikpe Vitalis,PhD
Department of Biochemistry
Caritas University, Emene Enugu, Nigeria
Email: ikpeforsuccess@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This research work investigated quantitatively the calcium, iron and protein levels in human breast milk, cow milk and baby formula (cowbell) to find the extent to which cow milk and/or infant formula can be used as replacement or supplement to human breast milk. Thirty samples comprising human breast milk from ten nursing mothers, cow milk from ten lactating cows and ten commercially purchased infant formulas were analyzed for protein, iron and calcium concentrations with Chemwell chemistry Autoanalyser. The study revealed a mean protein concentration of 1.48±0.46g/100ml in human breast milk, 3.57 ± 0.23g/100ml in cow milk and 1.40 ± 0.14g/100ml in infant formula. Mean iron concentrations were 0.38 ± 0.17mg/100ml in human breast milk, 0.64 ± 0.15mg/100ml in cow milk and 1.38 ± 0.39mg/100ml in infant formula. Calcium concentration was higher in human breast milk than in cow milk and infant formula.
Keywords: Human breast milk, cow milk, infant formula, comparison.
