The recent question someone recently raised about the effect of bili lights
on milk piqued my curiosity and sent me to do a google search. Here is what I
found:
Basically, the info is concerned with cow's milk and I make no claim that it
can be applied to human milk (however, it makes sense, doesn't it?).
The first thing to note is that phototherapy is not (contrary to most public
and professional beliefs) ultraviolet light, but rather blue light. The
difference is in the wave length of the light waves. According to a variety of
sources, UV is listed in the range of 400nm to 10nm; blue light is in the range
of 400-490 nm (with visible light of all colors - remember ROYGBIV- ranging
750-400). Phototherapy is generally blue or blue-green light in the range of
425-490nm.
That being said, according to a dairy reference I found, "The nutrients in
[cow's] milk are most sensitive to light in the blue-violet area of the visible
spectrum. This is in the range of 400 to 500 nanometers in wavelength.
Contrary to popular belief, ultraviolet light in the area below
about 380 nanometers, and visible light above 500 nanometers in wavelength
have relatively little effect on the vitamins and other nutrients in milk. The
amount of photooxidation that can occur is a function of the amount of
radiant energy reaching the milk and the length of exposure to the light."
(_http://www.bpsolvaype.com/na/upload/techpub_n3.pdf_
(http://www.bpsolvaype.com/na/upload/techpub_n3.pdf) )
According to that source, it would seem that phototherapy lights are exactly
the range that would have the maximum effect on (cow's) milk.
Further, it is apparently quite well known in the dairy industry about the
"photooxidative destruction of labile vitamins. The most sensitive labeled
vitamins affected in milk are riboflavin (B2) and added vitamin A. The second
problem is oxidation of lipids, amino acids, and proteins with a possible
result of developing off-flavor. This occurs mainly through a breakdown of
unsaturated fatty acids. Photooxidation of vitamins such as riboflavin can trigger
in turn the oxidation of some compounds, including the amino acid methionine,
which contains sulfur. Raw milk is more prone to photooxidation than
processed milk." (same reference as above paragraph).
Another article incorporated several studies which demonstrated the “Light
Oxidized effect” on milk due to the use of fluorescent lighting in food
displays. "Milk loses not only flavour in this process, but also experiences
nutrient losses with degradation of riboflavin, Vitamin A and D".
(_http://www.safespectrum.com/temp/applications-dairy.php_
(http://www.safespectrum.com/temp/applications-dairy.php) )
Based on this strictly non-scientific research info, I would caution anyone
from keeping bottles of breast milk or formula under phototherapy (bili)
lights until further info is available. Interesting stuff!
Kathy Rubin in NJ
RN, C (Maternal/Infant), APN, C (Family Nurse Practitioner), LC
PhD Candidate at Rutgers, NJ College of Nursing
(causing me to spend way too much time on the internet looking things up!)
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