Researchers tested a new method to remove dangerous bacteria from stored breast milk used in hospitals. They combined a natural antibacterial liquid with special X-rays to kill harmful germs like those that cause food poisoning. The good news is that this treatment worked well at killing bacteria without damaging the milk itself. The milk kept its important nutrients and didn’t change color or thickness. This discovery could help hospitals keep donated breast milk safer for babies who need it.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether combining a natural antibacterial liquid with low-energy X-rays could safely kill harmful bacteria in frozen breast milk without damaging the milk’s quality.
  • Who participated: This was a laboratory study testing the treatment on breast milk samples contaminated with three types of harmful bacteria commonly found in food. No human participants were involved.
  • Key finding: The combination of natural antibacterial liquid plus low-energy X-rays killed bacteria more effectively than X-rays alone, with the bacteria becoming 1.3 to 1.5 times more sensitive to the treatment. The milk’s nutritional quality remained stable.
  • What it means for you: If approved for use, this method could make donated breast milk safer for babies in hospitals. However, this is still early-stage research and more testing is needed before hospitals can use it.

The Research Details

Scientists conducted laboratory experiments to test how well a combination treatment could eliminate dangerous bacteria from frozen breast milk. They used three common harmful bacteria: Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Cronobacter sakazakii—all known to contaminate milk and cause serious infections in babies.

The researchers tested two types of X-ray equipment with different energy levels and combined them with a natural antibacterial formulation (a liquid made from natural ingredients). They exposed contaminated milk samples to X-rays at various doses (up to 2 kGy, which is a measure of radiation energy) and measured how many bacteria survived.

They also tested whether the treatment changed the milk’s important properties like sugar content, fat breakdown, thickness, and color to make sure the milk stayed nutritious and safe to use.

Breast milk banks are crucial for premature babies and sick newborns who can’t breastfeed. However, milk can become contaminated during collection, handling, or storage. Current methods to clean the milk sometimes damage its beneficial properties. This research explores a gentler approach that might kill bacteria without harming the milk’s nutrition.

This was a controlled laboratory study with specific measurements of bacterial survival rates. The researchers tested multiple bacteria types and two different X-ray methods, which strengthens the findings. However, this is preliminary research conducted in test tubes and freezers, not in real hospital settings with actual patients. More research is needed to confirm safety and effectiveness in real-world use.

What the Results Show

The combination of natural antibacterial liquid plus X-rays killed bacteria significantly better than X-rays alone. For the low-energy X-rays combined with the antibacterial liquid, the bacteria became 1.47 times more sensitive to treatment for one type of bacteria and 1.37 times more sensitive for another type. This means the bacteria died faster and at lower radiation doses.

The low-energy X-rays worked slightly better than high-energy X-rays when combined with the antibacterial liquid, especially at higher treatment doses. This is important because lower-energy X-rays are generally safer and easier to use than high-energy versions.

Most importantly, the combined treatment didn’t significantly damage the milk’s quality. The milk kept its lactose (natural sugar), fat content, thickness, and color stable throughout the process. The low-energy X-ray treatment preserved these qualities even better than the high-energy version.

The study found that the natural antibacterial formulation alone made the bacteria more vulnerable to X-ray treatment, suggesting the two methods work together synergistically. The low-energy X-ray treatment showed better stability of milk properties at higher doses, indicating it might be the safer option for future use. Different bacteria responded differently to the treatment, with some being killed more easily than others.

Previous research has shown that X-rays can kill bacteria in milk, but they can sometimes damage the milk’s nutritional value at high doses. This study builds on that work by showing that combining X-rays with a natural antibacterial substance allows lower radiation doses to be effective, potentially reducing any risk of damage to the milk. This approach is newer and hasn’t been widely tested before.

This research was conducted only in laboratory conditions with milk samples, not in actual hospital milk banks or with real patients. The study didn’t test how long the milk stays safe after treatment or whether babies actually benefit from drinking treated milk. The sample size and specific details about the natural antibacterial formulation weren’t fully described in the available information. More research in real-world settings is needed before this method can be used in hospitals.

The Bottom Line

This research suggests that combining low-energy X-rays with a natural antibacterial liquid is a promising method for making breast milk safer. However, this is early-stage research (moderate confidence level). Healthcare providers should wait for additional studies in real hospital settings before considering this treatment. If future research confirms safety and effectiveness, this could become a valuable tool for protecting vulnerable babies.

This research is most relevant to: hospital milk banks that store donated breast milk, parents of premature or sick babies who receive donated milk, and healthcare providers who work with newborns. People who donate breast milk may eventually benefit if this method becomes available. This doesn’t apply to people using formula or breastfeeding directly from mothers.

This is fundamental research, so it will take several years before this method could potentially be used in hospitals. Researchers need to conduct additional studies to confirm safety, test it in real milk banks, and get approval from health authorities. If all goes well, this could be available in 3-5 years, but that timeline is uncertain.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • For parents of babies receiving donated breast milk: track any signs of infection or illness in your baby’s health app, noting dates and symptoms. This helps identify any patterns and provides important information for your pediatrician.
  • If you donate breast milk: follow all collection and storage guidelines carefully to minimize contamination risk. Use the app to log donation dates and storage times. If this treatment becomes available, your healthcare provider can note when your milk has been treated.
  • Parents should monitor their baby’s health regularly through routine check-ups and note any unusual symptoms in a health tracking app. Healthcare providers can use the app to record which milk samples have received safety treatments and track outcomes over time.

This research is preliminary laboratory work and has not been tested in hospitals or on human patients. The natural antibacterial formulation and X-ray treatment method described are not currently approved for use in human milk banks. Parents should continue following their healthcare provider’s guidance on breast milk handling and storage. Do not attempt to apply any radiation or chemical treatments to breast milk at home. Always consult with your pediatrician about the safety of any milk your baby receives. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.