Role and significance of enzymes in human milk
1980
Shahani, K.M. | Kwan, A.J. | Friend, Beverly A.
Human milk contains much higher enzyme levels than bovine milk and most enzymes are present in highest concentrations in the colostrum soon after birth. Enzyme activities vary between individuals and depend on the duration of milk sampling, the stage of lactation, and the nutritional status of the mother. Lipoprotein lipase and ribonuclease may originate in the pancreas; lysozyme spills into the milk from secretory epithelium. Lactate and malate dehydrogenases, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactose synthetase are synthesized in the mammary gland in response to hormonal stimuli. Bile salt-stimulated lipase, diastase, protease and lysozyme in breast milk may play a role in infant growth and nutrition. However, the significance of each enzyme in terms of its nutritive value to the infant is not yet clear.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library