[The microecological effect of human milk].

With mother's milk, in the colon a buffer system round pH 5 is dominating which consists of short chain organic acids and the corresponding anions. Thus, the activity of the microbial metabolism is retarded. The degradation of lactose remains maintained down to the faeces. With cow's milk, a neutral buffer system on the basis of phosphate, bicarbonate, and protein degradation products causes a rapid lactose degradation already in the upper colon. Putrefactive metabolites thereby released and absorbed burden the infant's still immature detoxifying capacity.