Loss of antioxidant function in donor human milk after holder pasteurization: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Nutritional Science
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Donor human milk (DHM) is crucial for vulnerable infants when mother's milk is unavailable.
• Human milk banks manage DHM processing, including Holder pasteurization (HoP), for safety.
• HoP ensures microbiological safety but may affect milk's nutritional and biological properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of HoP on the antioxidant properties of human milk (HM).
• To assess HoP's effects on free radical scavenging and metal ion chelation in HM in vitro.

Main Methods:

• Standard biochemical assays were used to evaluate antioxidant properties.
• Eight individual HM samples were analyzed before and after HoP treatment.
• Assays included DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, and iron chelation.

Main Results:

• HoP significantly reduced DPPH radical scavenging (↓18.4%) and superoxide radical scavenging (↓9.1%).
• Potassium ferricyanide reducing capacity was also significantly decreased (↓17.4%) post-HoP.
• Hydroxyl radical scavenging and iron chelation properties remained largely unaffected.

Conclusions:

• HoP significantly alters key antioxidant properties of HM, impacting its biological value.
• Significant variability in HoP's effects was observed across individual HM samples.
• Development of improved HM processing protocols is essential to maintain nutritional integrity and safety.