Our Technique
What is Freeze Drying?
Freeze drying (also known as lyophilization) is a gentle water removal process. It is typically used to preserve perishable materials, with the goal of extending their shelf life and/or preparing them for transport. Freeze drying works by freezing the materials, then reducing the pressure and adding heat to allow the frozen water in the materials to change directly to a vapor (sublimate).
Freeze Drying Process
Freeze drying occurs in three phases:
Freezing Phase
Cooling the material below its triple point ensures that sublimation, rather than melting, will occur. This preserves its physical form.
Primary Drying (Sublimation) Phase
Primary drying is where the pressure is lowered and heat is added to the material in order for the water to sublimate. The vacuum speeds sublimation. The cold condenser provides a surface for the water vapor to adhere and solidify. The condenser also protects the vacuum pump from the water vapor.
Secondary Drying (Adsorption) Phase
Freeze drying’s final phase is secondary drying (adsorption), during which the ionically-bound water molecules are removed. By raising the temperature higher than in the primary drying phase, the bonds are broken between the material and the water molecules.
Breastmilk Freeze Drying
Freeze drying can remove up to 90% of water, thus 2L will give about 200g of breastmilk powder. However, the final weight depends on the milk content. If the milk contains high lipase/fat, the final weight will be more than 200g. Gentle water removal process allows extending the shelf life of breastmilk to 3 years while preserving the breastmilk’s nutrients. In addition, freeze-dried breastmilk powder can be stored in ambient temperature and it will bring convenience to all the parents while travelling. At LyoBB, the breastmilk is freeze-dried by using BioA trademark process.
BioA Trademark Process
A High Quality Process
Using BioA trademark process to freeze dry your breastmilk ensures a safe and high quality breastmilk powder. We use a specialized and customized tray to ensure the quality of your breastmilk powder to be maintained.
Sterility
Most of the tools are one-time use. Our equipment is disinfected and sanitized between each cycle of use and these procedure adhere to the stringent processing protocols, thus preventing cross-contamination.
Traceability
As an ISO certified laboratory, the tracking system is in well place.
High Moisture Barrier Mylar Bag
The freeze-dried breastmilk powder is sealed in its own individual high moisture barrier mylar bag. Each barrier bag is properly sealed to protect it from oxygen, moisture, UV and contamination during storage.
No Mixing/Individually
We strictly follow our protocol in which processing one mummy at a time. No pooling or mixture of breastmilk.