VIABILITY OF HUMAN MILK COLOSTRUM POWDER AS A STRATEGY FOR OPTIMIZED CONSERVATION AND DISTRIBUTION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev7n12-230Keywords:
Human Colostrum, Freeze-Drying, Human Milk Banks, PreservationAbstract
Human milk is recognized as the ideal food for newborns, especially premature and low birth weight infants, due to its nutritional composition and the presence of essential immunological and bioactive components. Colostrum, produced in the first days of lactation, stands out for its high concentration of proteins, immunoglobulins, cytokines, growth factors, and antimicrobial compounds, playing a fundamental role in the maturation of the immune system and protection against infections. However, the availability of human milk can be limited by maternal or logistical factors, and traditional preservation methods, such as pasteurization and freezing, can partially compromise its bioactivity. In this context, the present study evaluated the viability of lyophilizing human colostrum as a strategy to optimize its preservation and distribution in human milk banks. Colostrum samples were subjected to lyophilization under controlled conditions, and the yield and moisture content of the final product were evaluated. Freeze-dried human colostrum showed an average yield of 14.12%, with a moisture content of 4.72%, a value compatible with the standards established by current legislation. These results demonstrate efficiency in water removal, favoring greater product stability and reducing the risks of oxidative, enzymatic, and microbiological degradation. It is concluded that the freeze-drying of human colostrum is a promising strategy for preserving its nutritional and functional characteristics, as well as facilitating storage, transport, and distribution, especially in regions with limited infrastructure, expanding safe access to human milk.
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References
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