Immunological Components And Antioxidant Activity In Human Milk Processed By Different High Pressure-Thermal Treatments At Low Initial Temperature And Flash Holding Times

The effect of high pressure thermal (HPT) processing on the immunoglobulin (IgM, IgA and IgG), and cytokine content (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha), and antioxidant activity of human milk was analyzed after the application of different treatments between 200, and 800 MPa at low initial temperatures (between-15, and 50 degrees C) and for 1 s (flash treatments). Low pressures intensities did not induce changes in Igs while at 800 MPa, all combinations reduced the control levels. IL-6 and IL-10 were not affected by any of the treatments applied while IL-8 and TNF alpha were reduced at treatments which combined temperatures at 50 degrees C. In general antioxidant activity was not affected at the processing conditions chosen. The flash HPT treatment applied at 600 MPa and at 0 degrees C could be the best choice to preserve immunological parameters and the antioxidant activity of human milk.