2. Material and methods
2.1. Sample collection
Mature human milk from 10 breastfeeding women was collected in sterile polypropylene bottles, by mechanical expression
of both breasts, using an Ameda breast pump (Ameda, Zug, Switzerland). Informed consent was obtained from the participating
mothers. Milk was transported to the laboratory in iceboxes in less
than 3 h. Milk from each participant was immediately divided into
five groups, depending on the treatment to be performed: untreated, pasteurised, HPP 1, HPP 2, HPP 3. For each of these treatment groups, three aliquots were taken: one for the analysis of
fatty acids, one for that of vitamin C, and one for that of vitamin
E. Aliquots were stored at -80C until the moment of the analyses,
and all analyses were performed in duplicate. All sample manipulation was performed in a dimly lit room to protect photosensitive
components from degradation.