Does freeze-drying preserve the nutrients in my breast milk?
At Milkify, we believe in evidence-based scientific research.
Researchers around the world have been researching this topic for decades and they agree that freeze-drying is a safe and effective way to preserve the nutritional, immunological, and probiotic properties of breast milk that make it the gold standard of nutrition.
Below is a summary of some of the research highlights regarding how freeze-drying affects the important components of breast milk, and you see can the more at the link below!
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Nutrients
Human milk is the ideal food to nourish infants. It contains vital macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, & fats) that are needed for healthy development.
The overall caloric density of breast milk is not altered by freeze-drying, and in addition, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates (including human milk oligosaccharides) were found to be protected by freeze-drying.
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Antioxidants / Vitamins
Antioxidants in breast milk help prevent damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species. Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients that are also important for development and functioning of various organ systems.
Freeze-drying has been shown to have no significant effect on the ability of antioxidants in breast milk to function properly. -
Immune Factors
Breast milk contains a complex mix of immune factors that help provide protection from infection. Antibodies, cytokines, growth factors, and other bioactive factors in breast milk are important forms of protection while the infant's own immune system is maturing.
Freeze-drying resulted in retention of 75% of IgA antibodies, and 80% of IgG and IgM antibodies
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Probiotics and Prebiotics
Human breast milk is a living food! Probiotic bacteria in your breast milk (such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) are important for establishing your infant's initial gut microbiota. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are important prebiotics for these bacteria, as they provide the food that these bacteria use to grow and multiply.
Freeze-drying is a common method of preservation for probiotic bacteria, and is used routinely in research and industrial applications. In addition, the HMOs in breast milk are not affected by freeze-drying.
Nutritional analysis by Milkify supports research findings
All available studies have found that lyophilization (freeze-drying) preserves many vital molecules present in breast milk (see Table 1).
However, breast milk is comprised of thousands of unique compounds, and detailed studies of molecular changes to each class of molecule have not yet been performed.
Both our own in-house testing and published research studies support the nutritional quality and safety of freeze-dried breast milk.
Freeze-drying is an effective way of preserving macronutrients, micronutrients, and other unique bioactive components of breast milk
(see Tables 1 and 2).
Table 1. Macronutrient composition of rehydrated breast milk powder samples
Nutrient | Measured value (g/100mL) | Reference value (1) (g/100mL)** |
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Fat | 3.2 +/- 0.9 | 3.2 +/- 1 |
Carbohydrate | 7.6 +/- 0.6 | 7.8 +/- 0.9 |
Crude protein | 1.0 +/- 0.3 | 1.2 +/- .5 |
Measured value (kCal/100mL) | Reference value (kCal/100mL) | |
Calories | 63.9 +/- 7.4 | 65 +/- 9 |
*Average +/- SD. N=45 samples of powdered breast milk rehydrated according to package instructions.
Samples were analyzed at Milkify using a Miris Human Milk Analyzer.
**Reference values are reported as average +/- SD from donor milk samples
(1) K. Wojcik, D. Rechtman, M. Lee, A. Montoya, and E. Medo. "Macronutrient analysis of a nationwide sample of donor breast milk". J. Am Diet Assoc. vol 109, pp 137-140, 2009.
Table 2. Effect of lyophilization on breast milk properties: a summary of published research
Breast milk component | Biological significance | Effect of lyophilization | Refs |
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Nutrients | |||
Total fat content and fatty acid profiles | Major source of calories | No significant change | 1, 2 |
Arachidonic acid (AA), Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) | Fatty acids important for immune function and neuronal development | No significant change | 2 |
Protein | Source of amino acids, digestive and immune functions | No significant change | 3 |
Bioactive components | |||
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and HMO profiles | Prebiotics, stimulate infant immune system, block pathogen binding/entry | No significant change | 4 |
Vitamin C | Antioxidant | Mild reduction (~31%) | 5 |
Catalase | Antioxidant | No significant change | 5 |
Leptin, Adiponectin | Hormones involved in appetite and metabolic regulation | No significant change | 6 |
Hepatocyte Growth Factor | Growth factor involved in intestinal development | No significant change | 6 |
Lipase | Enzyme involved in fat metabolism | No significant change | 6 |
Glycoproteins | Involved in immune function; block pathogen binding/entry | No significant change | 7 |
Antibodies: IgA, IgG and IgM | Involved in immune function, IgA blocks pathogen binding and entry | Slight reduction (25% IgA, and 20% IgG and IgM) |
8 |
Lysozyme | Enzyme with bactericidal properties | No significant change | 5 |
1. Cavazos-Garduño, A. , Serrano-Niño, J. , Solís-Pacheco, J., Gutierrez-Padilla, J., González-Reynoso, O. , García, H. , & Aguilar-Uscanga, B. (2016). Effect of Pasteurization, Freeze-drying and Spray Drying on the Fat Globule and Lipid Profile of Human Milk. Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 4(5), 296-302.
2. Manin, L.P., Rydlewski, A.A., Galuch M.B., Pizzo, J.S., Zappielo, C.D., Senes, C.E.R., Santos, O.O., Visentainer, J.V. (2019) Evaluation of the Lipid Quality of Lyophilized Pasteurized Human Milk for Six Months by GC-FID and ESI-MS. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society. 30 (8)
3. Cortez, Mariela Valentina and Soria, Elio Andrés.(2016). The Effect of Freeze-Drying on the Nutrient, Polyphenol, and Oxidant Levels of Breast Milk. Breastfeeding Medicine. 11(10). 551-554.
4. Hahn, W., Kim, J., Song, S., Park S., and Kang, N.M. (2019). The human milk oligosaccharides are not affected by pasteurization and freeze-drying. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 32:6, 985-991.
5. Martysiak-Źurowska D, Puta M, Rodzik A, Malinowska-Panczyk E. (2017). The effect of lyophilization on selected biologically active components (Vitamin C, Catalase, Lysozyme), total antioxidant capacity, and lipid oxidation in human milk. Food Sci Technol Qual. 24, 3 (112), 121 – 128.
6. Jarzynka S, Strom K, Barbarska O, Pawlikowska E, Minkiewicz-Zochniak A , Rosiak E, Oledzka G and Wesolowska A. (2021). Combination of High-Pressure Processing and Freeze-Drying as the Most Effective Techniques in Maintaining Biological Values and Microbiological Safety of Donor Milk. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 2147.
7. Hahn, W.-H., Bae, S.-P., Lee, H., Park, J.-M., Park, S., Lee, J., & Kang, N. M. (2020). The impact of freeze-drying on the glycoproteomic profiles of human milk. Analytical Science and Technology, 33(4), 177–185.
8. Castro-Albarrán, J., Aguilar-Uscanga, B.R., Calon, F., St-Amour, I., Solís-Pacheco, J., Saucier, L., and Ratti, C. (2016). Spray and Freeze Drying of Human Milk on the Retention of Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM). Drying Technology. 34.
Freeze-drying breast milk has many other benefits
Freezer Space
Freeze-dried breast milk requires no refrigeration or freezer storage
Shelf-Life
Breast milk powder (vacuum sealed in high barrier mylar bags) is shelf-stable for 3+ years.
High Lipase
Freeze-drying prevents the bad taste caused by lipase activity during freezer storage.
Fortification
Your freeze-dried breast milk powder can be added to your expressed breast milk to increase the caloric content.
Nutrition
It’s a better way to preserve the nutritional, immunological, and probiotic components of breast milk.
Protection
Freeze-drying breast milk protects it from loss during a power outage or natural disaster.
Transportation
Transporting breast milk during travel is easier and more convenient. Breast milk powder is TSA-safe!
Convenience
Stockpile in preparation for transitioning back to the workplace. Breast milk powder is easy for caretakers to use when mom is away.