# Effects of Holder Pasteurization on 15-F2t-Isoprostane and Total Antioxidant Power in Donor Human Milk

## TL;DR

This study examines how Holder pasteurization affects antioxidant levels and oxidative stress markers in donor human milk.

## Contribution

The study introduces cost-effective methods to assess the impact of Holder pasteurization on oxidative stress biomarkers in donor milk.

## Key findings

- Holder pasteurization significantly reduces 15-F2t-isoprostane levels in donor milk.
- Total antioxidant power remains unchanged after Holder pasteurization.
- The reduction in oxidative stress markers is consistent regardless of sampling day.

## Abstract

Human milk is the optimal standard for neonatal nutrition, particularly for preterm infants. Several conditions associated with oxidative stress (OS) may be transmitted from mother to infant through milk, making the preservation of milk quality essential. When maternal milk is unavailable, donor human milk (DM) is commonly used and treated with Holder pasteurization (HoP) to ensure microbiological safety, although this process may affect bioactive components. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of HoP on OS biomarkers, specifically total antioxidant power (TAP) and 15-F2t-isoprostane, using colorimetric and ELISA methods as cost-effective alternatives to analytical gold standards. Twenty paired DM and HoP samples from the Human Milk Bank of Sant’Anna Hospital (Turin, Italy) were analyzed. No significant differences were observed in TAP levels between DM and HoP samples. In contrast, 15-F2t-isoprostane concentrations were significantly lower in DM compared to pasteurized milk (3.16 (1.59–5.27) vs. 0.76 (0.62–1.54), p-value < 0.001). This reduction remained consistent after stratification by sampling day. These findings suggest that HoP may reduce oxidative stress markers in donor milk, potentially limiting neonatal exposure to maternal oxidative imbalance. Although this effect could offer protective benefits for vulnerable preterm infants, further studies are needed to clarify the clinical implications of HoP on redox status and neonatal outcomes.