Nutrition

Does freeze-drying preserve the nutrients in my breast milk?

At Nourishy, we stand by evidence-based scientific research.

Extensive studies conducted over decades by researchers worldwide have consistently affirmed that freeze-drying is a reliable and secure method for preserving the vital nutritional, immunological, and probiotic elements of breast milk, which render it the optimal source of nourishment.

Below, we've outlined key research findings regarding the impact of freeze-drying on the crucial constituents of breast milk. For more detailed information, please refer to the link provided.

See Research Safety Info

Nutrients
Breast milk stands as the optimal nourishment for infants, delivering essential macronutrients - including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats - crucial for their wholesome growth and development.

The freeze-drying process does not change the overall caloric density of breast milk. Furthermore, it effectively preserves proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, including human milk oligosaccharides.

Effect of Pasteurization, Freeze-drying and Spray Drying on the Fat Globule and Lipid Profile of Human Milk
Evaluation of the Lipid Quality of Lyophilized Pasteurized Human Milk for Six Months by GC-FID and ESI-MS
Freeze-drying does not influence the proteomic profiles of human milk
Antioxidants / Vitamins
The presence of antioxidants in breast milk safeguards crucial cellular components from harm caused by reactive oxygen species. Meanwhile, vitamins and minerals, classified as micronutrients, play a pivotal role in the growth and proper operation of diverse organ systems.

The process of freeze-drying has been demonstrated not to impair the efficacy of antioxidants found in breast milk.

The Effect of Lyophilization on Selected Biologically Active Components (Vitamin C, Catalase, Lysozyme), Total Antioxidant Capacity and Lipid Oxidation in Human Milk
Immune Factors
Human milk comprises a sophisticated blend of immune elements that contribute to shielding against infections. These include antibodies, cytokines, growth factors, and various bioactive compounds, all of which play a crucial role in safeguarding the infant while their own immune system is developing.

Freeze-drying results in a retention of up to 75% of IgA antibodies, and 80% of IgG and IgM antibodies

Impact of pasteurization/freeze-drying on available immunoglobulin content of the mature human milk. Use in human milk banking of hospitals
Spray and Freeze Drying of Human Milk on the Retention of Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM)
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Breast milk is a dynamic nourishment! Essential probiotic bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, play a crucial role in kickstarting your baby's early gut microbiome. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) serve as vital prebiotics for these bacteria, offering the necessary sustenance for their growth and proliferation.

Freeze Drying (Cryopreservation) is a widely employed technique for preserving probiotic bacteria, extensively utilized in both research and industrial settings. Moreover, freeze-drying does not impact the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) found in breast milk.

Factors influencing the stability of freeze-dried stress-resilient and stress-sensitive strains of bifidobacteria
The human milk oligosaccharides are not affected by pasteurization and freeze-drying

A Nutritional Boost, Whenever Required

Freeze-dried breast milk powder can be incorporated into solid foods to provide an added nutritional boost, ensuring your child continues to benefit from the goodness of breast milk as they grow.

You can also use it to fortify freshly expressed breast milk to a desired caloric density. (under doctor supervision).

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Nutritional Analysis Supports Research Findings

Studies have determined that the process of lyophilisation, commonly known as freeze-drying, successfully preserves numerous vital molecules present in breast milk (see Table 1).

However, breast milk is composed of a wide array of unique compounds, and thorough examinations of the molecular changes within each category of molecule have not been undertaken thus far.

Internal evaluations performed by Milkify, alongside publicly available research, affirm the nutritional excellence and safety of freeze-dried breast milk.

Freeze-drying is a reliable method for safeguarding the macronutrients, micronutrients, and other distinctive bioactive elements present in breast milk (refer to Tables 1 and 2).

Table 1. Macronutrient composition of rehydrated breast milk powder samples

Nutrient	Measured value (g/100mL)	Reference value (1) (g/100mL)**
Fat	3.2 +/- 0.9	3.2 +/- 1
Carbohydrate	7.6 +/- 0.6	7.8 +/- 0.9
Crude protein	1.0 +/- 0.3	1.2 +/- .5
	Measured value (kCal/100mL)	Reference value (kCal/100mL)
Calories	63.9 +/- 7.4	65 +/- 9

*Average +/- SD. N=45 samples of powdered breast milk rehydrated according to package instructions.
Samples were analyzed at Milkify using a Miris Human Milk Analyzer.
**Reference values are reported as average +/- SD from donor milk samples
(1) K. Wojcik, D. Rechtman, M. Lee, A. Montoya, and E. Medo. "Macronutrient analysis of a nationwide sample of donor breast milk". J. Am Diet Assoc. vol 109, pp 137-140, 2009.

Table 2. Effect of lyophilization on breast milk properties: a summary of published research

Breast milk component	Biological significance	Effect of lyophilization	Refs
Nutrients
Total fat content and fatty acid profiles	Major source of calories	No significant change	1, 2
Arachidonic acid (AA), Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)	Fatty acids important for immune function and neuronal development	No significant change	2
Protein	Source of amino acids, digestive and immune functions	No significant change	3
Bioactive components
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and HMO profiles	Prebiotics, stimulate infant immune system, block pathogen binding/entry	No significant change	4
Vitamin C	Antioxidant	Mild reduction (~31%)	5
Catalase	Antioxidant	No significant change	5
Leptin, Adiponectin	Hormones involved in appetite and metabolic regulation	No significant change	6
Hepatocyte Growth Factor	Growth factor involved in intestinal development	No significant change	6
Lipase	Enzyme involved in fat metabolism	No significant change	6
Glycoproteins	Involved in immune function; block pathogen binding/entry	No significant change	7
Antibodies: IgA, IgG and IgM	Involved in immune function, IgA blocks pathogen binding and entry	Slight reduction (25% IgA, and 20% IgG and IgM)	8
Lysozyme	Enzyme with bactericidal properties	No significant change	5

1. Cavazos-Garduño, A. , Serrano-Niño, J. , Solís-Pacheco, J., Gutierrez-Padilla, J., González-Reynoso, O. , García, H. , & Aguilar-Uscanga, B. (2016). Effect of Pasteurization, Freeze-drying and Spray Drying on the Fat Globule and Lipid Profile of Human Milk. Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 4(5), 296-302.
2. Manin, L.P., Rydlewski, A.A., Galuch M.B., Pizzo, J.S., Zappielo, C.D., Senes, C.E.R., Santos, O.O., Visentainer, J.V. (2019) Evaluation of the Lipid Quality of Lyophilized Pasteurized Human Milk for Six Months by GC-FID and ESI-MS. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society. 30 (8)
3. Cortez, Mariela Valentina and Soria, Elio Andrés.(2016). The Effect of Freeze-Drying on the Nutrient, Polyphenol, and Oxidant Levels of Breast Milk. Breastfeeding Medicine. 11(10). 551-554.
4. Hahn, W., Kim, J., Song, S., Park S., and Kang, N.M. (2019). The human milk oligosaccharides are not affected by pasteurization and freeze-drying. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 32:6, 985-991.
5. Martysiak-Źurowska D, Puta M, Rodzik A, Malinowska-Panczyk E. (2017). The effect of lyophilization on selected biologically active components (Vitamin C, Catalase, Lysozyme), total antioxidant capacity, and lipid oxidation in human milk. Food Sci Technol Qual. 24, 3 (112), 121 – 128.
6. Jarzynka S, Strom K, Barbarska O, Pawlikowska E, Minkiewicz-Zochniak A , Rosiak E, Oledzka G and Wesolowska A. (2021). Combination of High-Pressure Processing and Freeze-Drying as the Most Effective Techniques in Maintaining Biological Values and Microbiological Safety of Donor Milk. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 2147.
7. Hahn, W.-H., Bae, S.-P., Lee, H., Park, J.-M., Park, S., Lee, J., & Kang, N. M. (2020). The impact of freeze-drying on the glycoproteomic profiles of human milk. Analytical Science and Technology, 33(4), 177–185.
8. Castro-Albarrán, J., Aguilar-Uscanga, B.R., Calon, F., St-Amour, I., Solís-Pacheco, J., Saucier, L., and Ratti, C. (2016). Spray and Freeze Drying of Human Milk on the Retention of Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM). Drying Technology. 34.

Not convinced?

Since the 1950s, human milk donor banks have been utilising freeze-dried breast milk. Nourishy's research and process have undergone rigorous evaluation by experts, including medical professionals.

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Does freeze-drying preserve the nutrients in my breast milk?

Nutrients

Antioxidants / Vitamins

Immune Factors

Probiotics and Prebiotics

A Nutritional Boost, Whenever Required

Nutritional Analysis Supports Research Findings

Not convinced?