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Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Rapid Isolation of Human Breast Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: November 14, 2025
Fermentation Results in Quantitative Changes in Milk-Derived Exosomes and Different Effects on Cell Growth and
Siran Yu1, Zhehao Zhao1, Liming Sun2
1Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University , Shanghai 200092, PR China.
Abstract:
The discovery of microRNAs encapsulated in milk-derived exosomes has revealed stability under extreme conditions reflecting the protection of membranes. We attempted to determine the variations in nanoparticles derived from milk after fermentation, and provide evidence to determine the effects of these exosomes on cells with potential bioactivity. Using scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, we compared the morphology and particle size distribution of exosomes from yogurt fermented with three different combinations of strains with those from raw milk. The protein content of the exosome was significantly reduced in fermented milk. The cycle threshold showed that the expression of miR-29b and miR-21 was relatively high in raw milk, indicating a loss of microRNA after fermentation. Milk-derived exosomes could promote cell growth and activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. These findings demonstrated biological functions in milk exosomes and provided new insight into the nutrient composition of dairy products.
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