Regioisomeric and enantiomeric analysis of primary triglycerides in human milk by silver ion and chiral HPLC atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-MS.

This study focuses on regioisomeric and enantiomeric analysis of primary triglycerides in human milk by silver ion and chiral hplc atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-ms.. The research employs high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques to address analytical challenges in the environmental field. Triglycerides (TG) not only provide energy for infants but have important physiological functions. Understanding the composition and structure of TG in human milk is conducive to the development of infant formulas. In this study, TG species in human milk from 3 provincial capitals (Zhengzhou, Wuhan, and Harbin) in different regions... Research Background and Significance The composition and structural characterization of triglycerides (TGs) in human milk hold tremendous importance due to their essential physiological roles in infant nutrition and metabolism. TGs not only serve as a critical energy source but also influence lipid metabolism, immune development, and neurocognitive function in infants. The regioisomeric and enantiomeric forms of TGs affect their biological activity and digestibility, making detailed analysis vital for advancing infant formula design that closely mimics human milk. Despite their importance, resolving these complex isomeric forms poses significant analytical challenges because of their structural similarity and low abundance. This study by Chen et al. addresses these challenges by implementing advanced chromatographic strategies—specifically silver ion and chiral high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS)—to achieve precise regioisomeric and enantiomeric separation of primary TGs in human milk samples collected from diverse geographic regions in C