The Effect of Pasteurization on the Antioxidant Properties of Human Milk: A Literature Review
Hannah G. Juncker,
Eliza J. M. Ruhé,
George L. Burchell,
Chris H. P. van den Akker,
Aniko Korosi,
Johannes B. van Goudoever,
Britt J. van Keulen
Affiliations
Hannah G. Juncker
Amsterdam UMC, Emma Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Eliza J. M. Ruhé
Amsterdam UMC, Emma Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
George L. Burchell
Medical Library, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Chris H. P. van den Akker
Amsterdam UMC, Emma Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics–Neonatology, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Aniko Korosi
Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences—Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Johannes B. van Goudoever
Amsterdam UMC, Emma Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Britt J. van Keulen
Amsterdam UMC, Emma Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
High rates of oxidative stress are common in preterm born infants and have short- and long-term consequences. The antioxidant properties of human milk limits the consequences of excessive oxidative damage. However, as the mother’s own milk it is not always available, donor milk may be provided as the best alternative. Donor milk needs to be pasteurized before use to ensure safety. Although pasteurization is necessary for safety reasons, it may affect the activity and concentration of several biological factors, including antioxidants. This literature review describes the effect of different pasteurization methods on antioxidant properties of human milk and aims to provide evidence to guide donor milk banks in choosing the best pasteurization method from an antioxidant perspective. The current literature suggests that Holder pasteurization reduces the antioxidant properties of human milk. Alternative pasteurization methods seem promising as less reduction is observed in several studies.