www.pelagiaresearchlibrary.com t Available online a Pelagia Research Library European Journal of Experimental Biology, 2013, 3(3):605-608 ISSN: 2248 –9215 CODEN (USA): EJEBAU 605 Pelagia Research Library Protein and amino acid composition of breast milk of mothers in Umuahia, Urban Nigeria * Ukegbu Patricia Ogechi 1 and Ijeh Ifeoma Irene 2 1 Dept of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State, Nigeria 2 Dept of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State, Nigeria _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and as such are important in breast milk for infant’s growth and development. This study was aimed at evaluating the protein and amino acid composition of breast milk of lactating mothers in Umuahia, Abia State. Breast milk samples were collected from 27 lactating mothers during 2-4 weeks of lactation. Dietary intake was determined using weighed inventory method and 24 hour dietary recall. Proximate analysis was carried out using standard methods. Amino acid was by the use of amino acid analyser. Data was analysed using means (SD) and t-test. Results showed that mothers had a mean age of 26.0±0.44yrs, weighed 72.60±11.20kg and had height of 1.61±0.08cm. Protein, fat, carbohydrate and energy intake were 57.08±11.86kg, 45.76±31.65g, 459.88±104.59g and 2479.64±223.40kcal, respectively. Cereals and legumes were the main sources of protein. Protein content of breast milk was 1.09±0.38m/100ml. The main amino acids in the breast milk of the mothers were leucine and aspartic acid, while cysteine was the least. Correlation analysis between protein in diet and that in breast milk showed no significant association (P>0.05). Amino acid levels were similar to that reported from other developing countries. Keywords: Amino acids, breast milk, infants, protein, composition. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, as such, they are important in breast milk for infant growth and development. Amino acids perform other functions, such as facilitating digestion by increasing uptake of other nutrients and enhancing the infant’s immune function against pathogenic bacteria, viruses and yeasts [1]. The protein content of breast milk has been shown to range from 1.4-1.6g/100ml during early lactation, 0.8-1.0g/100ml by 3-4 months of lactation and 0.7-0.8g/100ml after 6 months of lactation [2 and 3]. Studies on the amino acid composition of breast milk have been carried out in different parts of the world. However, very few studies have been carried out in Nigeria [4]. This study will therefore examine the amino acid composition of breast milk with a view of finding the abundant and limiting amino acids in breast milk of mothers in Umuahia, Nigeria.