The Impact of the Block Freeze Concentration Process on Human Milk Properties Intended for Feeding Newborns

Ana Claudia Berenhauser,Jane Mara Block,J Vladimir Oliveira,Isabella De Bona Muñoz,Elane Schwinden Prudencio,Maria Helena Machado Canella

doi:10.4236/fns.2017.84028

Abstract

Human milk is the ideal nutritional support for premature neonates. Considering the need for aggregating nutritional value to human milk provided to such vulnerable group of infants, human milk was concentrated by the block freeze concentration technique. The effects of freeze concentration on the physicochemical properties, the efficiency of the process, color parameters, and the density and dynamic viscosity of human milk were assessed. The freeze concentration technology was used to successfully concentrate human milk to a factor equal to 180.48% and 72% of total solid retention in the second stage of freeze concentration. The values observed in the concentrates for the biochemical properties showed that the fraction of concentrated fluid human milk of the second stage (C2) presented elevated amounts of carbohydrates, protein and energy. The elevated caloric value observed in the ice fraction of the first stage (I1) refers to the retention of lipids in it. When added to human milk, C2 and I1 may satisfy the special requisites of nutrients and energy to guarantee the growth and development of preterm neonates.

Highlights

Human milk is the ideal nutritional support for premature neonates and its use is encouraged at the neonatal intensive care units and after the premature baby goes home [1]
All results were in accordance with the National Health Surveillance Agency of Brazil which classifies the range of 1.0 8.0 ̊D (0.01 g/100g and 0.08 g/100g, respectively) as an adequate acidity [22]
These results show that it was possible to concentrate the total solids of human milk, and the concentration factor (CF) and process efficiency (PE) values obtained were higher (P < 0.05) in the second than in the first freeze concentration stage

Summary

Introduction

Human milk is the ideal nutritional support for premature neonates and its use is encouraged at the neonatal intensive care units and after the premature baby goes home [1]. It is recommended that milk from human milk banks is used to provide an exclusive and appropriate diet during the first weeks of life of the baby [2]. Premature neonates need higher caloric intake as compared to full-term newborns [3]. Halleux et al [2] and Oliveira et al [4] reported that preterm newborns are even more vulnerable and immature than full-term newborns of the same postnatal age, presenting higher gastric pH, lower enzymatic activities, faster gastric emptying, and lower concentrations of electrolytes in their digestive fluids, among other limitations. Sullivan et al [10], and Schanler [9], report that making use of a diet based on quality human milk can reduce, or even eliminate, the development of enterocolitis

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