Better ways to preserve donor breast milk for babies

Can high pressure processing (HPP) and ultraviolet-C irradiation (UV-C) treatment preserve donor milk bioactive protein structure and function better than holder pasteurization?

['FUNDING_R01'] · OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11134522

This work explores new methods to process donated breast milk, aiming to keep more of its natural benefits for premature babies.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorOREGON STATE UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CORVALLIS, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11134522 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Current methods for preparing donated breast milk often reduce the helpful proteins it contains, which is especially a concern for vulnerable premature infants. This project looks at two alternative processing techniques, high pressure processing (HPP) and ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light, to see if they can make donor milk safe while keeping more of its important proteins intact. The goal is to find the best settings for these new methods to ensure the milk is both safe and highly nutritious. If successful, this could lead to healthier outcomes for premature babies who rely on donor milk.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Premature infants who receive donor breast milk are the primary beneficiaries of this research.

Not a fit: Patients who do not consume donor breast milk would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to donor breast milk that retains more of its beneficial components, potentially improving the health and development of premature infants.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior work suggests that HPP and UV-C treatments can preserve certain bioactive proteins, but a comprehensive understanding of their effects on all milk proteins is still needed.

Where this research is happening

CORVALLIS, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.