Effect of pasteurization on long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and enzyme activities of human milk.

Milk fatty acids, including the polyunsaturated long chain fatty acids essential for retinal function and brain development, are not affected by pasteurization (62.5 degrees C for 30 min). Milk lipases are completely destroyed by pasteurization, whereas amylase lost only 15% of initial activity. Thus, certain bioactive components are stable to pasteurization of donor milk and can benefit the recipient infants.