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Microbiota composition of human milk based on storage and processing methods in Korea
Changin Oh1, Insoo Kang2, Ben Kang3
1Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
Nutrition Research and Practice
|February 16, 2026
Summary
Storing human milk (HM) at -20°C for one week and thawing with a bottle warmer best preserves its beneficial microbiota. Other methods significantly alter microbial composition, impacting infant health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infant Nutrition
- Human Milk Research
Background:
- Human milk (HM) microbiota is crucial for infant development.
- Preserving HM microbiota during storage and thawing is vital but not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of storage duration, temperature, and thawing methods on HM microbiota.
- To determine optimal HM storage and thawing protocols for microbiota preservation.
Main Methods:
- Collected HM samples from lactating mothers.
- Stored samples at room temperature, refrigeration, and -20°C for 1-4 weeks.
- Thawed samples using room temperature, bottle warmer, and microwave methods.
- Analyzed microbiota composition and diversity.
Main Results:
- Storage at room temperature for 1 week and -20°C for 4 weeks significantly reduced microbiota diversity.
- Storage at -20°C for 1 week showed highest microbial similarity to initial HM.
- Microwave thawing caused the greatest alteration in microbiota composition.
Conclusions:
- Storing HM at -20°C for up to one week is recommended.
- Thawing HM using a bottle warmer is the preferred method.
- These methods best preserve the beneficial HM microbiota for infant health.
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