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.