Research, clearly explained
What do we know about freeze-drying breast milk?
We collect publications about freeze-drying, storage and the composition of breast milk. This lets you see what was studied, under which conditions and where the limits of that knowledge lie.
17 publicationscollected in one place
3 research themesfrom nutrients to application
Sources firstwith context for every publication
Start with context
Research provides direction, not a general guarantee
Each publication answers a defined question. We therefore state the process, conditions and what cannot simply be concluded.
Processes differ
Freeze-drying, pasteurisation, concentration and spray-drying are different processes. Results for one do not automatically apply to another.
Conditions matter
Findings belong to the studied samples, method, temperature and storage period. They are not automatically transferable to every situation.
Freeze-drying does not sterilise
The process removes a great deal of moisture and therefore strongly limits microbial growth, but it does not automatically eliminate every micro-organism present.
The library
Choose the subject you want to explore
Open a publication to read our summary and the available source reference.
Composition
Nutrients
What studies report about vitamins, fatty acids, proteins, oligosaccharides and antioxidant capacity.
8 publications01Freeze-drying breast milk retains more of its healthy propertiesOpen publication
Researchers at CEU Cardenal Herrera University and La Fe Hospital compared freeze-drying with freezing as methods of storing breast milk. The publication in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition examines microbiological characteristics and antibacterial activity under the conditions tested. This research context does not establish that freeze-drying sterilises milk or that Milksy is clinically validated for premature or medically vulnerable babies.
02Vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidant capacity stability during storage of freeze-dried breast milkOpen publication
Although freezing is the most common method of preserving human milk, nutritional and immunological components can be lost during storage. Freeze-drying can extend the shelf life of human milk while retaining its original characteristics. Seventy-two samples of freeze-dried breast milk were stored for various periods, up to a maximum of 3 months, at 4°C or 40°C. Vitamin C, tocopherols, antioxidant capacity and fatty acid composition were analyzed. A new HILIC–UHPLC method that improves the determination of vitamin C was also validated. Ascorbic acid and total vitamin C concentrations decreased significantly at both temperatures, while antioxidant capacity decreased only at 40°C. The composition of fatty acids and both γ-tocopherol and δ-tocopherol content remained unchanged. The post-storage stability of freeze-dried milk was higher than that reported for frozen or fresh milk, indicating that freeze-drying is a promising option to improve the preservation of human milk in banks.
03The effect of freeze-drying on the nutrients, polyphenols and oxidant levels of breast milkOpen publication
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of freeze-drying as a method to preserve the properties of human milk without causing further oxidative damage. The study involved 116 healthy women from Cordoba, Argentina, and measured various components in their fresh breast milk. The samples were then subjected to various treatments, including freezing at -80°C, freeze-drying at -70°C and ≤1.33 Pa, and combinations of these methods, followed by storage for six months. The results showed that freeze-drying effectively preserved the nutritional value, polyphenol-related functionality and oxidative integrity of breast milk. In contrast, only freezing led to a decrease in glucose levels. The combination of freeze-drying and freezing offered no additional benefits. In conclusion, freeze-drying was found to be a suitable method for preserving human milk, potentially improving the functionality of milk banks by preserving essential properties with a simple one-day treatment.
04Effects of pasteurization and freeze-drying on breast milk oligosaccharidesOpen publication
This study aimed to investigate the effect of pasteurization and freeze-drying on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), important for the neurological and immunological development of neonates. Fresh milk samples from three mothers were collected at different postpartum weeks and subjected to pasteurization and freeze-drying. HMO profiles were analyzed by mass spectrometry, revealing significant differences between mothers, but no impact of lactation period or treatment. Both pasteurization and freeze-drying had no influence on HMO profiles. The study supports the introduction of freeze-drying in human milk banks to preserve HMO composition, although further research into storage duration is needed.
05Breast milk oligosaccharides are not affected by pasteurization and freeze-dryingOpen publication
This study aimed to investigate the effect of pasteurization and freeze-drying on the profiles of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are crucial for the neurological and immunological development of neonates. Nine fresh breast milk samples from three different mothers were collected at different times postpartum and subjected to Holder pasteurization and freeze-drying. The HMO profiles were analyzed with advanced mass spectrometry techniques and compared between the samples collected before and after these treatments. The results indicated that although there were significant variations in HMO patterns between mothers, lactation within the first three weeks after delivery did not influence HMOs. Moreover, both pasteurization and freeze-drying had no substantial impact on HMO patterns. In conclusion, this study suggests that pasteurization and freeze-drying do not alter the composition of HMOs in donor milk. The findings support the potential use of freeze-drying in human milk banks, but further research is needed to determine the stability of HMOs over longer storage periods after freeze-drying.
06Bactericidal properties of breast milk: effect of lyophilization and relationship to maternal factors and milk componentsOpen publication
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of different storage methods for human milk, specifically lyophilization and freezing at -20°C and -80°C. The study focused on evaluating their impact on microbiological content, bactericidal activity and the possible relationship with maternal factors. The results showed that both lyophilization and storage at -80°C were effective in reducing microorganism content compared to storage at -20°C. Bactericidal activity was not significantly affected by lyophilization and was found to be related to the content of gangliosides, but not to fat, protein, or lactose levels. Bactericidal activity was also observed higher in mature milk and in milk from women with term deliveries compared to early lactation and milk from women with preterm deliveries. In conclusion, lyophilization and storage at -80°C were identified as viable and superior alternatives for human milk storage compared to storage at -20°C, both in terms of microbial and bactericidal capabilities. These findings suggest that lyophilization may be a viable method for human milk banks to ensure the safety and health benefits of stored breast milk.
07Evaluation of lipid quality of lyophilized pasteurized breast milk for six months by GC-FID and ESI-MSOpen publication
This study examined the quality of lipids in lyophilized and vacuum-packed breast milk, including colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk, during storage at -18°C for different durations (1, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days). The study aimed to assess any changes in lipid composition. The results, which included acidity (ºDornic), lipid content and fatty acid composition, showed no significant differences over the storage period. The relative percentages of the major triacylglycerols (TAG) in human milk remained unchanged. This suggests that lyophilization is a viable method of preserving human milk, making it a practical option for human milk banks by facilitating transportation and storage without compromising lipid quality.
08Freeze-drying does not affect the proteomic profiles of breast milkOpen publication
This study aimed to investigate the impact of freeze-drying on breast/human milk (HM) proteins, which are essential for the growth and development of neonates. Nine fresh HM samples were collected from three healthy mothers at 15 and 60 days of lactation. These samples were then subjected to freeze-drying, and proteomic analysis was performed by mass spectrometry. The results were compared between samples from different lactation periods and before and after freeze-drying. The study identified a total of 245 proteins in the HM samples. Interestingly, the expression of these proteins was unaffected by both the lactation periods (15 and 60 days) and the freeze-drying process. In addition, the functional analysis of the proteomic data showed no significant differences between the two groups. In conclusion, the study suggests that HM proteins are not significantly affected by the lactation periods or the freeze-drying process. This finding supports the potential introduction of freeze-drying in HM banks. However, the study acknowledges the limited sample size and suggests further research to evaluate safe storage duration with regard to infectious agents and compositional changes following freeze-drying.
Storage & use
Practical applications
Research into storage, concentration and use in a range of research and milk-bank settings.
6 publications01Breast milk enriched with breast milk lyophilisate for feeding premature infants with very low birth weight: a preclinical experimental study focusing on the fatty acid profileOpen publication
This study examined the feasibility of supplementing breast milk with freeze-dried human milk concentrate to meet the nutritional needs of very low birth weight infants. The study focused on assessing the lipid content and profile under different storage conditions. The findings showed that freeze-dried human milk containing the concentrate had a higher lipid concentration compared to basic breast milk. The study analyzed several fatty acids and observed minimal changes in their profiles during storage, with no evidence of peroxidation. The results suggest that freeze-dried human milk fortified with a concentrate can provide essential nutrients crucial for the development of very low birth weight infants, especially those present only in breast milk. However, further clinical studies are needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of this concentrate as a standard feeding option for these infants.
02EMBA-consensus over Europese moedermelkbanken (2019)Open publication
Deze consensusverklaring van de European Milk Bank Association (EMBA) verscheen in 2019. Ze behandelt de oprichting en werking van moedermelkbanken, waaronder donorselectie, verwerking, opslag en microbiologische controle. De passage over vriesdrogen betreft gepasteuriseerde, gevriesdroogde en vacuümverpakte melk, verwerkt in een melkbank volgens GMP en de relevante veiligheidsprocedures. Dit is een consensus over melkbankpraktijken, geen onderzoek naar het Milksy-proces.
03Project voor een gevriesdroogd moedermelkconcentraat (2013)Open publication
Grand Challenges beschrijft een project waarvoor op 6 december 2013 financiering werd toegekend aan José Simon Camelo van de Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Het projectvoorstel betreft een moedermelkconcentraat voor premature pasgeborenen met een zeer laag geboortegewicht. De projectpagina beschrijft voorgenomen onderzoek naar productie, stabiliteit, veiligheid en voedingssamenstelling; ze rapporteert geen uitkomsten van dat onderzoek.
04The breastfeeding products of the futureOpen publication
Researchers are exploring the possibility of developing breastfeeding products that take advantage of the beneficial components of breast milk for the health of both babies and adults. These products can serve as supplements for babies with specific needs and may provide benefits for sick adults. The Internet has facilitated the aggregation of small-scale breastfeeding suppliers, opening up a new world of breastfeeding products. Several companies are working on such products, including those that focus on human oligosaccharide-based products, traditional nonprofit milk banks, and those that adapt breastfeeding in innovative ways, such as creating shelf-stable liquid breast milk and freeze-dried breast milk. The challenge lies in ensuring that these products maintain the biological activity of the crucial components of breast milk, which is essential for their efficacy. While there remain questions about affordability and ethical concerns regarding the commercialization of breast milk, breastfeeding products hold the potential to improve the health of formula-reliant infants because they can provide the unique combination of nutrients found in breast milk. Continued research will be crucial to preserve the biological functions of these products in convenient and affordable formulations for hospitals, health care providers and parents.
05Preserving human milk by freeze-dryingOpen publication
Maintaining an adequate supply of fresh human milk is often a challenge, making it crucial to find preservation methods that maintain quality. Freeze drying has proven to be effective, yielding approximately 12.5 grams of powder from 100 grams of fresh milk. Bacteriological tests performed on the powder, stored at room temperature for four weeks in sealed containers, showed no significant increase in bacterial count. Electrophoresis tests on the redissolved milk showed that the migration rates of different fractions remained largely unchanged. Unlike cooking and pasteurization, which significantly alter the electrophoretic properties of individual fractions, this preservation method appears to avoid denaturation. Administration of this preserved milk to six premature infants over an extended observation period showed no significant differences compared to fresh human milk.
06KUT-reportage over sproeidrogen van moedermelk (2016)Open publication
Deze KUT-reportage van 28 november 2016 gaat over sproeidrogen van moedermelk, niet over vriesdrogen. De reportage beschrijft het werk van Blanca Aguilar-Uscanga in Guadalajara en de toenmalige testfase in enkele ziekenhuizen. Het is een journalistieke bron uit 2016, geen actuele voortgangsrapportage of onderzoek naar het Milksy-proces.
Bioactive components
Immune properties
Publications about immunoglobulins, antibacterial activity and other bioactive components.
3 publications01Freeze-drying breast milk preserves its antibacterial propertiesOpen publication
This publication by researchers at CEU Cardenal Herrera University and La Fe Hospital compares freeze-drying with freezing and discusses the antibacterial activity of breast milk. The findings concern the samples and conditions studied. They do not guarantee that the Milksy end product is free from microorganisms and are not a general recommendation for premature or medically vulnerable babies.
02Impact of pasteurization/freeze-drying on the available immunoglobulin content of mature human milk. Use in hospital human milk banksOpen publication
This study investigates the impact of post-pasteurization freeze-drying, using three different pasteurization methods, on the levels of immunoglobulins and C3 complement in mature human milk (MHM). The aim is to propose freeze-drying as an additional method to better preserve the therapeutic properties of MHM. The study involved obtaining MHM samples and subjecting them to pasteurization using varying temperature and time combinations, followed by rapid cooling. These pasteurized samples were then freeze-dried. The analysis involved measuring total protein and the concentrations of immunoglobulins A, G and M, as well as complement C3, using specific techniques. The results revealed that pasteurization at 72 degrees Celsius prior to freeze-drying was most effective in preserving immunoglobulins. In conclusion, the study suggests that freeze-drying of pasteurized MHM is a suitable approach for its preservation in human milk banks. This method preserves nutritional composition and extends the validity of MHM, which is beneficial for providing therapeutic benefits to vulnerable, restricted, or immunocompromised neonates.
03Spray and freeze drying of human milk on the retention of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM)Open publication
The study examined different freeze-drying and spray-drying methods to assess their impact on the retention of immunoglobulins (Ig) A, IgG and IgM in human milk. Spray drying resulted in human milk powders with 2% moisture and showed excellent retention of IgG (>88%) and IgM (approximately 70%). However, the retention of IgA was only 38% after spray drying. In contrast, in freeze-drying, the highest tested heating plate temperature (40°C) led to a reduction of IgA content up to 55% in a powder with 1.75% residual moisture. Lower temperatures during the freeze-drying process resulted in better preservation rates, with 75% retention for IgA and 80% for IgG and IgM, along with higher residual moisture levels. In summary, IgA was found as the most sensitive immunoglobulin affected during the drying process of human milk. The most effective method for generating human milk powders with minimal Ig losses was freeze-drying at a hot plate temperature of 30°C, which accelerated the process compared to lower temperatures while maintaining satisfactory overall Ig retention.
From research to practice
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