#USA #Prolacta Bioscience #Duarte #Human Milk #Infant Nutrition

Understanding the Superiority of Vat Pasteurization for Human Milk

Recent research published in the journal Foods has showcased that vat pasteurization outperforms various alternative methods in safeguarding the invaluable bioactive properties of human milk. This finding is particularly significant for Prolacta Bioscience, a prominent provider of human milk-based nutritional products dedicated to supporting critically ill and premature infants.

The Study in Brief

Conducted by a team of researchers led by Dr. Gulustan Ozturk at the University of California, Davis, the study examined three different processing methods for donor human milk: vat pasteurization (Vat-PT), retort sterilization (RTR), and ultra-high-temperature (UHT) processing. Each method was tested to determine its effectiveness in maintaining the integrity of the milk fat globules (MFG), crucial for infant nutrition.

MFG constitutes approximately 98% of the fat found in human milk and plays a vital role in providing energy necessary for growth and development in infants. These globules also serve to offer antimicrobial protection and support the development of infants' immune systems through their influence on gut microbiomes.

Key Findings

The study yielded insightful results:

• - MFG Size Comparison: Vat-PT and RTR managed to preserve MFG sizes comparable to unprocessed human milk. In contrast, UHT processing produced significantly smaller MFGs.
• - Bioactivity Preservation: A critical bioactivity marker, xanthine oxidase, was found to be completely inactivated by RTR, while UHT reduced it significantly by 93%. Conversely, Vat-PT methods retained an impressive 28% of xanthine oxidase activity.

These findings not only highlight the importance of choice in processing methods but also support Prolacta's approach to producing human milk-based products that prioritize bioactivity retention.

Why Bioactivity Matters

Bioactivity in human milk is linked to enhancing infant health outcomes, including immunity, growth, and overall development. With a focus on optimizing processing conditions, Prolacta's vat pasteurization aligns with FDA safety specifications to ensure pathogen inactivation while safeguarding the milk's natural benefits.

Prolacta's chief medical officer, Dr. Melinda Elliott, emphasized the positive implications of these findings, citing prior research showing that their products exhibit higher bioactivity levels compared to competitors' formulations processed differently. This characteristic is crucial for minimizing serious health threats, such as necrotizing enterocolitis, particularly in vulnerable premature infants.

The Unique Composition of Human Milk

Human milk distinguishes itself from cow's milk primarily due to its unique bioactive components, including immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and prebiotics, such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). The proprietary vat pasteurization method by Prolacta ensures that these elements remain intact, emphasizing the significance of their research in offering premium nutrition for infants in need.

Conclusion

The study sheds light on the remarkable capabilities of vat pasteurization in maintaining the vital characteristics of human milk. As Prolacta continues its mission to advance the science of human milk, more research is anticipated to refine methods that enhance health outcomes for critically ill and premature infants, benefiting an ever-growing population dependent on their innovative nutritional solutions. With over 100,000 premature infants already receiving care through Prolacta’s products, the future of infant nutrition continues to look promising.