Aim: Breast-feeding is generally accepted as the optimal method of feeding infants. The purpose of the present study was to investigate and compare the antifungal effect of human milk with infant formula and cow´s milk. Materials and Methods: Eighty Sabouraud agar petri dishes were separated into eight groups. All petri dish lids were closed and incubated, after 15 minutes uncovered. The first group was used to detect the fungal flora of the environmental air. The second group was rubbed with human milk. The third group was rubbed with 0.9% NaCl solution. Fourth group was rubbed with cow´s milk. Fifth, 6, 7 and 8. groups were rubbed with probiotic formula, prebiotic formula, pro-prebiotic formula and standard infant formula respectively. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS. Results: The number of fungal colonies grown in human milk-rubbed dishes was significantly less than the other groups except group 7 (groups 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.05, P > 0.05, P < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: In vitro antifungal effect of human milk is significantly superior than cow´s milk and formulas tested. Human milk is not only the best food for infants but also it protects infants from fungal infections and fungal allergies by means of antifungal effect. Prebiotic and pre-probiotic formula also have antifungal effect.

Aim: Breast-feeding is generally accepted as the optimal method of feeding infants. The purpose of the present study was to investigate and compare the antifungal effect of human milk with infant formula and cow´s milk. Materials and Methods: Eighty Sabouraud agar petri dishes were separated into eight groups. All petri dish lids were closed and incubated, after 15 minutes uncovered. The first group was used to detect the fungal flora of the environmental air. The second group was rubbed with human milk. The third group was rubbed with 0.9% NaCl solution. Fourth group was rubbed with cow´s milk. Fifth, 6, 7 and 8. groups were rubbed with probiotic formula, prebiotic formula, pro-prebiotic formula and standard infant formula respectively. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS. Results: The number of fungal colonies grown in human milk-rubbed dishes was significantly less than the other groups except group 7 (groups 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.05, P > 0.05, P < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: In vitro antifungal effect of human milk is significantly superior than cow´s milk and formulas tested. Human milk is not only the best food for infants but also it protects infants from fungal infections and fungal allergies by means of antifungal effect. Prebiotic and pre-probiotic formula also have antifungal effect.