Abstract
Donor human milk (DHM) is submitted to Holder pasteurization (HoP) to ensure its microbiological safety in human milk banks but this treatment affects some of its bioactive compounds. The objective of this work was to compare the effects of HoP and high temperature short time (HTST) treatments on some bioactive compounds found in DHM. A total of 24 DHM batches were processed in a continuous HTST system (70, 72, and 75°C for 5–25 s) and by HoP (62.5°C for 30 min). The concentrations of immunoglobulins (Igs) A, G, and M, transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2), adiponectine, ghrelin, and leptin were measured using a multiplex system, whereas the concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) was determined by ELISA. In relation to Igs, IgG showed the highest preservation rates (87–101%) after HTST treatments, followed by IgA (54–88%) and IgM (25–73%). Ig retention after any of the HTST treatments was higher than after HoP (p < 0.001). Treatment times required to reduce the concentration of IgM by 90% (D-value) were 130, 88, and 49 s at 70, 72, and 75°C, while the number of degrees Celsius required to change the D-value by one factor of 10 (z-value) was 11.79°C. None of the heat treatments had a significant effect on the concentrations of TGF-β2, EGF, adiponectin, and ghrelin. In contrast, leptin was detected only in 4 of the samples submitted to HoP, whereas it was present in all samples after the different HTST treatments, with retention rates ranging between 34 and 68%. Globally, the concentration of IgA, IgG, IgM, and leptin in DHM was significantly higher after HTST pasteurization performed in a continuous system designed to be used in human milk banks than after the HoP procedure that is routinely applied at present.
Highlights
Mother’s own milk (MOM) is the gold standard for infant feeding in early life
The objective of this work was to compare the effects exerted by the routine Holder pasteurization (HoP) treatment or high temperature short time (HTST) treatments performed in the cited system on the concentration of some of the main Igs, Growth factor (GF) and hormones present in donor milk
Igs were the most abundant ones while GFs and adiponectin were present at relatively moderate concentrations and, ghrelin and leptin displayed the lowest levels
Summary
Mother’s own milk (MOM) is the gold standard for infant feeding in early life. It provides the macronutrients and micronutrients that fulfill the nutritional requirements of the newborn and, a myriad of bioactive compounds, such as immunoglobulins (Igs), cytokines, growth factors (GFs), and hormones [1,2,3,4]. Human colostrum and milk are often regarded as the most important sources of natural bioactive compounds, which are associated to a wide variety of physiological functions in the breastfeeding infant Such functions include protection against infections, establishment of an efficient gut barrier and training of the infant immune system, favoring the development of intestinal and systemic homeostasis [5]. The protection that breastfeeding confers against faster weight gain and, against later obesity appears to be associated to the presence in milk of hormones involved in food intake regulation and energy balance [8]. All these bioactive compounds present in human milk are absent in infant formulas. When MOM is unavailable, or is in short supply to meet the nutritional requirements of the preterm infant, the best alternative is donor human milk (DHM) [9, 10]
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