Color-based breast milk analyses using test strips

A method for quantifying macronutrient content, comprising:

• splitting an image of a protein reagent pad comprising sodium bicinchoninate and cupric sulfate that is located on a color-based strip into a first plurality of color channels, wherein the protein reagent pad has contacted a sample and has undergone a green-to-purple color change proportional to a protein concentration of the sample;
• generating a first spectrum value from at least one first color channel from the first plurality of color channels;
• and
• calculating a protein concentration value of the sample by comparing the first spectrum value to a linear protein calibration curve generated from protein concentration standards comprising concentrations of about 1.0 g/dl to about 1.6 g/dl protein;
• splitting an image of a fat reagent pad comprising a pink dye indicator and one or more of lipoprotein lipase, glycerol phosphate oxidase, horseradish peroxidase, and galactose kinase that is located on the color-based strip into a second plurality of color channels, wherein the fat reagent pad has contacted the sample and has undergone an off white-to-pink color change proportional to a fat concentration of the sample;
• generating a second spectrum value from at least one second color channel from the second plurality of color channels;
• calculating a fat concentration value of the sample by comparing the second spectrum value to a linear fat calibration curve generated from fat concentration standards comprising concentrations of about 1.5 g/dl to about 5.0 g/dl fat;
• splitting an image of a lactose reagent pad comprising one or more of beta-galactosidase, peroxidase and galactose oxidase that is located on the color-based strip into a third plurality of color channels, wherein the lactose reagent pad has contacted the sample and has undergone a light green to blue then yellow color change proportional to a lactose concentration of the sample;
• generating a third spectrum value from at least one third color channel from the third plurality of color channels;
• and
• calculating a lactose concentration value of the sample by comparing the third spectrum value to a linear lactose calibration curve generated from lactose concentration standards comprising concentrations of about 7.0 g/dl to about 9.0 g/dl lactose;
• thereby calculating the macronutrient content of the sample.