Apparatus and associated methods relate to lyophilizing a solid phase composition (SPC). In an illustrative example, the SPC is received in a frozen state in a first packaging. The SPC may be, for example, transferred into a second packaging having a thermally conductive layer, mechanically distributed to a predetermined maximum thickness to form a block having at least one homogenous dimension, and provided with a heat source configured to communicate substantially all thermal energy to the SPC via the thermally conductive second layer. In some embodiments, the SPC may be maintained in the frozen state. For example, the lyophilized SPC may be transferred to a third packaging. Various embodiments may limit physical contacts with the SPC to the first packaging, the second packaging, and the third packaging. Various embodiments may advantageously maintain sanitation, retain nutrients of the SPC, and/or promote consistent results from the lyophilization process.

A method of producing a mammalian milk like product, for example a human milk like product comprising generating lactocytes derived from mammalian mammary epithelial cells, for example human mammary epithelial cells, and expressing the mammalian milk like product, for example the human milk like product from lactocytes.

Disclosed are nutritional compositions including human milk oligosaccharides that can be administered to preterm infants, term infants, toddlers, and children for improving airway defense mechanisms.

Provided herein are cell constructs for producing a cultured milk product from mammary epithelial cells (MECs). In some embodiments, the cell constructs comprise a scaffold, a culture medium in fluidic contact with the scaffold, and mammary cells coupled to the scaffold. In some embodiments, one or more features and/or properties of the scaffold are specified so as to mimic a basement membrane to help to induce the secretory phenotype of mammary epithelial cells in vitro.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to lyophilizing a solid phase composition (SPC). In an illustrative example, the SPC is received in a frozen state in a first packaging. The SPC may be, for example, transferred into a second packaging having a thermally conductive layer, mechanically distributed to a predetermined maximum thickness to form a block having at least one homogenous dimension, and provided with a heat source configured to communicate substantially all thermal energy to the SPC via the thermally conductive second layer. In some embodiments, the SPC may be maintained in the frozen state. For example, the lyophilized SPC may be transferred to a third packaging. Various embodiments may limit physical contacts with the SPC to the first packaging, the second packaging, and the third packaging. Various embodiments may advantageously maintain sanitation, retain nutrients of the SPC, and/or promote consistent results from the lyophilization process.

Described herein, are compositions and methods for preserving human milk, preventing rancidity of human milk, extending shelf life of human milk, and maintaining the nutritional properties of human milk. Specifically, the present disclosure provides, among other things, devices for storing preserved human milk and methods and compositions for preserving the same.

Disclosed are thickener compositions composed of xanthan gum and a chelating agent, such as ascorbic acid. The chelating agent is present in an amount with respect to said xanthan such that, when said thickener composition is used to thicken a food product, at least one mineral selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, and calcium present in said food product is relatively more bioavailable than the mineral would be in the absence of said chelating agent. The thickener composition finds particular applicability for use with baby formulas and breast milk intended for dysphagic infants. Also disclosed are baby formulas and thickened breast milk formulations, methods for preparing same, and methods for providing nutrition.

A method performed by an electronic device assessing a first nutritional composition, obtaining (201, 301, 401) first visual information of the first nutritional composition; determining (202) whether there is a phase separation of the first nutritional composition based on the first visual information; if it is determined that there is a phase separation, determining (203) properties of at least one layer of the phase separation of the first nutritional composition based on the first visual information.

The present disclosure provides a human milk fortifier product composition with, a protein component in the milk fortifier in an amount ranging from 6 wt/wt % to 35 wt/wt % on solids basis; a fat component in the in the milk fortifier in an amount ranging from 0.1 wt/wt % to 36 wt/wt % on solids basis; a carbohydrate in the milk fortifier selected from the group of Lactose and Oligosaccharides present in the in an amount from 25 wt/wt % to 75 wt/wt % on solids basis; small molecules consisting of Oligosaccharides in the human milk fortified by the said fortifier is at least 25% more than the human milk alone. The majority of small molecules consisting of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, LCPUFA, Epidermal growth factor and many others are retained in the fortifier product.