Changes to breast milk fatty acid composition during storage, handling and processing: A systematic review

Chang Gao; Jacqueline Miller; Philippa F Middleton; Yi-Chao Huang; Andrew J McPhee; Robert A Gibson

doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2019.04.008

Changes to breast milk fatty acid composition during storage, handling and processing: A systematic review

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2019 Jul:146:1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2019.04.008. Epub 2019 May 1.

Authors

Chang Gao¹, Jacqueline Miller², Philippa F Middleton³, Yi-Chao Huang⁴, Andrew J McPhee⁵, Robert A Gibson⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Urrbrae, SA 5065, Australia; Women and Kids theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia.
² Women and Kids theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia; Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
³ Women and Kids theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, Discipline of Paediatrics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia.
⁴ School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Urrbrae, SA 5065, Australia; Women and Kids theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia; School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
⁵ Women and Kids theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia; Neonatal Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia.
⁶ School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Urrbrae, SA 5065, Australia; Women and Kids theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia. Electronic address: robert.gibson@adelaide.edu.au.

PMID: 31186148
DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2019.04.008

Abstract

This review evaluated the effect of various storage and handling conditions on the fat composition of expressed breast milk (EBM). Three databases PubMed, Embase and Scopus were searched in April 2019 with words from the three key components: human milk, handling process (i.e. storage and/or pasteurization), and fatty acid composition. The comparisons were EBM subjected to handling processes versus fresh EBM or versus EBM subjected to another handling processes. Both intervention and observational studies were included, and the outcomes measured included total fat and lipid classes of the EBM. We included 42 studies (43 reports), 41 of which were assessed to be of good quality. Relative changes to the fat composition of EBM subjected to handling processes were calculated based on the data provided in the included studies, and the results were synthesized narratively. The total fat content and total fatty acid composition of EBM was not generally influenced by storage and handling process, with most changes less than 10%, which is likely a result of methodological variation. A reduction in EBM triglyceride concentration and concomitant increase in free fatty acid concentration were seen after exposing to various conditions, probably due to endogenous lipase.

Keywords: Cold storage; Donor milk; Expressed breast milk; Fatty acid composition; Holder pasteurization; Lipid classes; Milk bank; Repeated freeze and thaw.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Fatty Acids / analysis*
Food Handling / methods*
Food Storage / methods*
Humans
Lipids / analysis
Milk / chemistry*
Milk, Human / chemistry*
Pasteurization / methods*
Triglycerides / analysis

Substances

Fatty Acids
Lipids
Triglycerides