Characterization of the different volatile organic compounds in human and ruminant milk using electronic nose analysis and headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

To explore variations in the volatile components of milk originating from various species and to explain the material basis of their odor differences, electronic nose analysis coupled with headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) was employed to analyze the characteristics of human, sheep, goat, and cow milk. It was found that human milk exhibited larger response values to the broadrange and sulfur-chlor sensors, while sheep milk exhibited a large response value to the broad-methane sensor. The concentrations of dodecanoic acid, n-decanoic acid, and octanoic acid were significantly higher in human milk than in the sheep, cow, and goat milk. Moreover, it was deduced that a range of the detected volatile organic compounds were involved in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway. These results allow identification of the different odor components related to human milk and other ruminant milk, providing a scientific basis for development of the dairy industry.