Oligosaccharides in human milk, achievements in analysis: a review

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) comprise about 20% of the total carbohydrates of human milk. There is currently a growing interest in HMOs as many researchers have recognized the importance of their benefits to infant health. Accumulated evidence suggests that HMOs are anti-adhesive antimicrobials that serve as soluble bait receptors, prevent pathogens from attaching to infant mucous membranes, and reduce the risk of viral, bacterial, and protozoan parasites. It also provides functionality including anti-adhesion and immunomodulators. Even though the composition of human milk in Latvia has been studied in detail, there are no studies on oligosaccharides in human milk. The aim of the study is to find out recent advances in the analysis of HMOs. Semi-systematic method was used to analyze the latest information about the recent advances in the analysis of HMOs by liquid phase separation methods, to investigate any known associations between HMOs composition and maternal nutrition and nutritional factors during lactation and the effect of HMOs on the infant’s development and health. The analysis of HMOs is considered very complex because of heterogeneity and different isomeric/anomeric structures of compounds. The proposed methods for analysing HMOs are largely based on liquid chromatography.