High-Temperature Short-Time and Holder Pasteurization of Donor Milk: Impact on Milk Composition

Abstract

Holder pasteurization (HoP; 62.5 °C, 30 min) is commonly used to ensure the microbiological safety of donor human milk (DHM) but diminishes its nutritional properties. A high-temperature short-time (HTST) system was designed as an alternative for human milk banks. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of this HTST system on different nutrients and the bile salt stimulated lipase (BSSL) activity of DHM. DHM was processed in the HTST system and by standard HoP. Macronutrients were measured with a mid-infrared analyzer. Lactose, glucose, myo-inositol, vitamins and lipids were assayed using chromatographic techniques. BSSL activity was determined using a kit. The duration of HTST treatment had a greater influence on the nutrient composition of DHM than did the tested temperature. The lactose concentration and the percentage of phospholipids and PUFAs were higher in HTST-treated than in raw DHM, while the fat concentration and the percentage of monoacylglycerides and SFAs were lower. Other nutrients did not change after HTST processing. The retained BSSL activity was higher after short HTST treatment than that following HoP. Overall, HTST treatment resulted in better preservation of the nutritional quality of DHM than HoP because relevant thermosensitive components (phospholipids, PUFAs, and BSSL) were less affected.

This research was funded by grants from the Spanish Research Projects in Health funded by ISCIII-the state plan for scientific and technical research and innovation and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (ref. PI12/02128 and PI15/00995) and by ALG2016-75476-R project from the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Spain). Moreover, this work has received a grant from the Hero Institute for Infant Nutrition (Alcantarilla, Murcia, España; 2012). Additionally, this study was supported by RETICS “Maternal and Child Health and Development Network” (SAMID Network), funded by the PN I+D+i 2008-2011 (Spain), ISCIII-Sub-Directorate General for Research Assessment and Promotion and the ERDF (ref. RD12/0026).