Application of a whey protein ingredient for simultaneous co-enrichment of infant formula with α-lactalbumin and milk fat globule membrane

Abstract

α-Lactalbumin (α-lac) and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) are bioactive components of human milk beneficial for infant health and development. The strategic design of high-quality dairy ingredients, to include bioactive components such as α-lac and MFGM can contribute to the continued scientific advancement of infant formula (IF). It was demonstrated in this study that a unique whey protein ingredient could be used to achieve co-enrichment of IF with α-lac and MFGM. Model IF containing alternative whey ingredients specifically enriched in either α-lac or MFGM were also designed for comparison. A further finding was that the magnitude of IF MFGM enrichment could not be confirmed using microscopy alone and so, quantitative compositional analysis was required. This research demonstrated that the bioactive profile of an IF could be enhanced by selecting a unique whey protein ingredient co-enriched in α-lac and MFGM during formulation.