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Laser-based mid-IR spectroscopy as a rapid analytical technique for the quantification of human milk proteins

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Autores de IIS La Fe

Participantes ajenos a IIS La Fe

  • Vijayakumar S.
  • Schwaighofer A.
  • Ramer G.
  • Van den Oever S.P.
  • Vaya M.J.
  • Mayer H.K.
  • Quintás G.
  • Lendl B.

Grupos

Abstract

Human milk (HM) provides essential nutrients for infant growth and development. When own mother's milk is unavailable, donor human milk (DHM) is used and typically pasteurized, which may alter protein integrity. This study presents the use of external cavity-quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL) mid-infrared spectroscopy, as a rapid, non-destructive technique, to quantify both individual and total proteins in 276 HM and DHM samples. The method showed high accuracy (=84% explained variance) and strong correlation with reference techniques. Pasteurization significantly reduced a-lactalbumin (24%) and lactoferrin (14%), while casein and total protein declined slightly (3%). Protein levels decreased notably during early lactation, then stabilized. In the cohort of the present study, no statistically significant differences in protein content were observed between preterm and term milk. EC-QCL spectroscopy also differentiated raw and pasteurized DHM. These results support EC-QCL as a reliable tool for clinical use and quality control, with implications for improving processing methods to preserve the nutritional and immunological integrity of DHM. © 2026 Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

© 2026 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Datos de la publicación

ISSN/ISSNe:
2665-9271, 2665-9271

Current Research in Food Science  ELSEVIER

Tipo:
Article
Páginas:
101492-101492
PubMed:
42472244
Enlace a otro recurso:
www.scopus.com
Factor de Impacto:
0,832 SCImago ℠
Cuartil:
Q1 SCImago ℠

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Keywords

  • alpha lactalbumin; casein; lactoferrin; milk protein; adult; Article; breast milk; cohort analysis; concentration (parameter); controlled study; correlation analysis; external cavity quantum cascade laser mid-infrared spectroscopy; female; human; infant; infrared spectroscopy; lactation; male; measurement accuracy; pasteurization; prematurity; protein analysis; protein content; protein denaturation; reference value; water absorption

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