The Effect of Microwave Heating on Vitamins B₁ and E, and Linoleic and Linolenic Acids, and Immunoglobulins in Human Milk

Abstract

Breast milk was treated with: (1) conventional heating (in water bath) vs microwave heating; (2) microwave heating at two power levels (30% and 100%); (3) increasing final temperatures; and (4) microwave thawing vs refrigerator thawing and examined for changes in specific immunoglobulins to a pool of E. coli and poliovirus type 1 antigens, vitamins E and B₁, and the polyunsaturated fatty acids linoleic and linolenic acid. Immunoglobulin activities were stable until final milk temperatures of around 60-65°C were reached, and total inactivation occurred at 77°C. Heating even to high final temperatures did not change contents of vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids. No differences in immunoglobulins and nutrients were demonstrated between microwave heating and conventional heating, and between power levels or thawing methods. The study shows that microwave heating of human milk can be performed without significant losses of examined immunoglobulins and nutrients, provided that final temperatures are below 60°C.