Postprandial changes in the content and composition of nonprotein nitrogen in human milk.
The effect of a meal on human milk (HM) total nitrogen (TN) and nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) content and composition was examined. Two studies were performed in which milk and blood samples were collected 2-3 h after subjects consumed either a test breakfast or lunch. To monitor the rate of transfer of plasma urea into milk, two women were given [15N]2-urea with the meal. Milk TN concentrations were not significantly different from premeal values. However, concentrations of milk NPN, urea nitrogen, and alanine were increased by greater than or equal to 20% over premeal values. [15N]2-Urea appeared in plasma and milk within 15 min and reached maximum enrichments of 10% and 5.5% in plasma and milk, respectively. Several HM NPN components increase in concentration postprandially; however, these concentrations were not always correlated with changes in plasma concentrations, suggesting that milk NPN may also reflect metabolic activities within the mammary gland.
Isolation of the nonprotein nitrogen fraction from human milk by gel-filtration chromatography and its separation by fast protein liquid chromatography.
Human milk (HM) is unique compared with the milk of other species in that nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) constitutes 20-25% of the total N. The NPN fraction consists of a diverse group of compounds with molecular masses less than 10,000 Da (in the picogram to microgram per milliliter range), which have only been partially characterized. We developed a methodology to separate and concentrate the NPN fraction for further analysis. NPN was initially separated from other milk components by Sephadex G-25 gel filtration. Further isolation and separation was carried out by fast protein liquid chromatography gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Molecular masses of unknown peaks were determined by using known molecular mass markers and standards. The methodologies developed lead to the discrete separation of NPN from other milk compounds and can be particularly valuable for isolating peptides in HM.
Chemical Metallurgy: Principles and Practice
Foreword. Preface. Acknowledgements. Appreciation. 1. Acquaintance. 2. Mineral Processing. 3. Thermodynamics and Kinetics. 4. Pyrometallurgy. 5. Hydrometallurgy. 6. Electrometallurgy. 7. Energy and Environment. Subject Index.