Comparative analysis of oligosaccharides in the milk of human and animals by using LC-QE-HF-MS

The complex oligosaccharides (OS) in different milk are more difficult to detect and complicated to analyze as their enormous structural complexity. UPLC-QE-HF-MS was supposed to be a highly effective method for OS identification. In present study, 70 human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), 14 bovine milk oligosaccharides (BMOs), 23 goat milk oligosaccharides (GMOs) and 24 rat milk oligosaccharides (RMOs) were detected by using UPLC-QE-HF-MS, respectively. There were highly differences in number and composition between the four milk OS. 14 neutral and 3 acidic OS were firstly found in rat milk. The composition and abundances of RMOs were might more similar to that of HMOs, comparing with BMOs and GMOs. The similarity between HMOs and RMOs might provide theoretical basis for better application of rats in biological/biomedical studies of HMOs as models. The BMOs and GMOs were expected to be suitable for applications in medical and functional foods as a promising bioactive molecular.

Automated summary

In this study, UPLC-QE-HF-MS was used to detect human milk oligosaccharides, bovine milk oligosaccharides, goat milk oligosaccharides, and rat milk oligosaccharides. The four milk oligosaccharides showed significant differences in number and composition. Rat milk oligosaccharides were found to contain 14 neutral and 3 acidic oligosaccharides for the first time. The composition and abundances of rat milk oligosaccharides were more similar to human milk oligosaccharides, suggesting their potential use as models in biological/biomedical studies. Bovine milk oligosaccharides and goat milk oligosaccharides could have applications in medical and functional foods as promising bioactive molecules.