Analysis for different flavor compounds in mature milk from human and livestock animals by GC × GC-TOFMS

Breast milk plays a crucial role in the taste development of infants, which cannot be replicated by other mammalian milk or formulas. This study aimed to identify and characterize the flavor substances in 15 different types of milk and analyze the differences among them. The results showed that human milk contained high levels of esters, particularly fatty acid ethyl esters, which contribute to its unique flavor. The four substances that had the highest flavor contribution in all species were identified as 2,3-butanedione, trimethylamine, isophorone, and acetaldehyde. Furthermore, the analysis of differences revealed that thermal-oxidation of lipids could explain the variation between human milk and other species in terms of flavor compounds. The key differential flavor compounds identified in milk from all species were trimethylamine, propanal, 1-pentanol, pyridine 2-methyl, and 2-butanone. These findings can potentially aid in developing formulas that better meet the taste needs of infants.