Mammalian Milk Research Articles

Dietary sialylated oligosaccharides in early-life may promote cognitive flexibility during development in context of obesogenic dietary intake

ABSTRACT Introduction: Oligosaccharides found in mammalian milk have shown the potential to alter brain development across multiple species. The diversity and concentration of these oligosaccharides is species-specific and varies greatly between individuals, thus understanding their role in cognitive development is warranted. We investigated the impact of early life dietary fucosylated/neutral or sialylated human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) on behaviours in tasks assessing anxiety, motivation, appetite, learning, and memory. Methods: Sixty-four female Göttingen minipigs were artificially reared from 2 weeks postnatal and provided milk replacers. The study used four groups: no additional oligosaccharides (Con), fucosylated and neutral oligosaccharides (FN, 4 g/L), sialylated oligosaccharides (SL, 0.68 g/L), or both FN and SL (FN + SL, 4 g/L) from 2 to 11 weeks postnatal. One reference group was sow-reared. Weaning occurred between 10 and 11 weeks postnatal, and thereafter an obesogenic diet was provided. Behavioral tasks were conducted over three periods: 1) 0–11 weeks; 2) 16–29 weeks; 3) 39–45 weeks. Tasks included a spatial holeboard task, open field task, exposure to a novel object, runway task, single-feed task, and home pen behaviour observation. Results: In the holeboard, the SL group demonstrated improved reference memory during reversal trials between 16-29 weeks. All groups demonstrated equivalent behavior in open field, novel object, runway, and single-feed tasks, as well as in their home pens (Ps > 0.05). Discussion: These results suggest that early life dietary intake of sialylated oligosaccharides may provide an improvement to cognition during the equivalent developmental stage of adolescence.

Tracing the Distribution of European Lactase Persistence Genotypes Along the Americas.

In adulthood, the ability to digest lactose, the main sugar present in milk of mammals, is a phenotype (lactase persistence) observed in historically herder populations, mainly Northern Europeans, Eastern Africans, and Middle Eastern nomads. As the –13910∗T allele in the MCM6 gene is the most well-characterized allele responsible for the lactase persistence phenotype, the –13910C > T (rs4988235) polymorphism is commonly evaluated in lactase persistence studies. Lactase non-persistent adults may develop symptoms of lactose intolerance when consuming dairy products. In the Americas, there is no evidence of the consumption of these products until the arrival of Europeans. However, several American countries’ dietary guidelines recommend consuming dairy for adequate human nutrition and health promotion. Considering the extensive use of dairy and the complex ancestry of Pan-American admixed populations, we studied the distribution of –13910C > T lactase persistence genotypes and its flanking haplotypes of European origin in 7,428 individuals from several Pan-American admixed populations. We found that the –13910∗T allele frequency in Pan-American admixed populations is directly correlated with allele frequency of the European sources. Moreover, we did not observe any overrepresentation of European haplotypes in the –13910C > T flanking region, suggesting no selective pressure after admixture in the Americas. Finally, considering the dominant effect of the –13910∗T allele, our results indicate that Pan-American admixed populations are likely to have higher frequency of lactose intolerance, suggesting that general dietary guidelines deserve further evaluation across the continent.

Morphological cell profiling of SARS-CoV-2 infection identifies drug repurposing candidates for COVID-19

The global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the associated disease COVID-19, requires therapeutic interventions that can be rapidly identified and translated to clinical care. Traditional drug discovery methods have a >90% failure rate and can take 10 to 15 y from target identification to clinical use. In contrast, drug repurposing can significantly accelerate translation. We developed a quantitative high-throughput screen to identify efficacious agents against SARS-CoV-2. From a library of 1,425 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved compounds and clinical candidates, we identified 17 hits that inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection and analyzed their antiviral activity across multiple cell lines, including lymph node carcinoma of the prostate (LNCaP) cells and a physiologically relevant model of alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (iAEC2s). Additionally, we found that inhibitors of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway exacerbate SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Notably, we discovered that lactoferrin, a glycoprotein found in secretory fluids including mammalian milk, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in the nanomolar range in all cell models with multiple modes of action, including blockage of virus attachment to cellular heparan sulfate and enhancement of interferon responses. Given its safety profile, lactoferrin is a readily translatable therapeutic option for the management of COVID-19.

Cow's milk may be delivering potentially harmful undetected cargoes to humans. Is it time to reconsider dairy recommendations?

Mammalian evolution has shaped milk into a species-specific vehicle for post-natal development, continuing what began within the mother's womb. Increased consumption of the mother's breast milk is associated with the most adequate metabolic programming and lowers the incidence of the diseases of civilization during adulthood. An abundance of short sequences of RNA, known as microRNA, exists in mammalian breast milk, enclosed within robust small extracellular vesicles known as exosomes. These microRNAs can epigenetically regulate over 60% of human genes. When cow's milk is consumed by humans, the bovine exosomes are transported through the gastrointestinal tract, detected intact in the blood stream, and taken up by target cells, where they alter protein expression. The aim of this review was to highlight the role of dairy exosomes and microRNA, and of the type of dairy product consumed, in human diseases. Given that microRNAs are involved in a vast array of physiological processes and associated with several diseases, perhaps caution should be practiced with regard to human consumption of dairy, particularly for individuals within developmentally critical time frames, such as pregnant and lactating mothers, and young children.

Camel milk: a possible alternative for children with cow's milk allergy?

BACKGROUND Cow's milk protein allergy (CwMPA) is the most common food allergy during early childhood and its therapy consists in the elimination of cow's milk proteins (CwMP) from the diet and the introduction of alternative formulas. Evidence about clinical use of camel's milk (CM) in CwMPA in children is scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the entity of cross-sensitization between CM and CwM in children with CwMPA. METHODS This prospective study was performed in children affected by CwMPA. We evaluated skin prick tests (SPT) for CwM, CwMP (alpha-lactalbumin [ALA], beta-lactoglobulin [BLG] and casein [CAS]) and CM and serum levels of CwM, ALA, BLG, CAS-sIgE. RESULTS Sixty-seven children with CwMPA were included in this study: twenty-one resulted SPT+ to CM. Mean wheal diameters towards raw CwM, ALA, BLG and CAS resulted significantly larger in the CM SPT+ group than in the CM SPT- group (P<0.02). Likewise, mean IgE titers against CwM, ALA and CAS were significantly higher in the CM SPT+ group than in the CM SPT-group (P<0.01). The mean wheal diameter towards raw CwM was significantly larger than that towards CM (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the presence of cross-sensitization between CwM and CM that remains lower if compared to other mammalian milks. Small wheals at the SPT towards CwM antigens together with low IgE titers against them could work as predictors in selecting patients that are expected to have negative CM SPT and then could be fed with CM with lower risks of allergic reactions.

How do nutritional intake targets and requirements change during development of a generalist invertebrate herbivore?

Matching nutritional requirements throughout development is critical for maximizing adult performance and fitness. Mammalian maternal milk is the ultimate example of a diet well-matched to meet all requirements of developing infants. Its macronutrient content, specifically, protein:non-protein (p:np) ratio, changes to match shifting requirements during infant development. Indeed, the developmental requirements of humans, rodents and livestock are well-described, during juvenile development. However, despite their importance as research models and in ecosystems, the dynamics of nutritional requirements in developing invertebrates is still poorly understood. Here we studied the nutritional requirements and performance from hatching to adulthood of a generalist herbivore, the South American locust, Schistocerca cancellata. In order to do so, we measured protein and carbohydrate consumption from two artificial diets differing strongly in protein:carbohydrate content for the six juvenile instars and adults of the S. cancellata. In addition, we measured growth and survival of locusts reared on single artificial diets varying in protein:carbohydrate ratio for their entire developmental period. When given a choice, demand for protein decreased throughout development, demonstrated by a change in self-selected intake targets from protein-biased in early life, to highly carbohydrate-biased in young adults. Probably because early instars must prioritize growth, while the last instar and adults must prioritize preparation for dispersal and reproduction. On no-choice diets, lifetime animal performance, including developmental rate and mass gain, was highest on protein-biased foods, especially during early development. Regardless of late-juvenile diet, if individuals were not able to obtain sufficient protein in the early juvenile period, they were unable to catch up in size or developmental speed.

Comparative analysis of dietary exosome-derived microRNAs from human, bovine and caprine colostrum and mature milk.

Mammalian milk including microRNAs (miRNAs) as a novel class of noncoding RNAs, that can be transferred to infants and it plays on a critical role in biological functions such as immune regulation and development. However, the origin and functional importance of milk-derived miRNAs are still undetermined. This study applied RNA sequencing to explore the featured profiles of miRNA expression in colostrum and mature milk-originated exosomes from human, bovine, and caprine milk. These dietary exosome-derived miRNAs are highly conserved in human, bovine and caprine milk. Interestingly, abundant miRNAs expressed in human milk are similarly conserved across species. In addition, we confirmed that immune-related miRNAs (miR-30a-5p, miR-22-3p, and miR-26a) are commonly observed in the colostrum and mature milk of cows and caprines as well as humans. Our results provide new insights and resources for investigating the functionality of immune-associated miRNAs and evaluating physiological and biological condition in human, bovine and caprine milk as biomarkers.

Identification and Quantification of Triacylglycerols Using Ultraperformance Supercritical Fluid Chromatography and Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry: Comparison of Human Milk, Infant Formula, Other Mammalian Milk, and Plant Oil.

Triacylglycerol (TAG) components in human milk during different lactation periods, infant formulas with different fat sources, other mammalian milk (cow, goat, donkey, and yak milk), and plant oil (sunflower, rapeseed, corn, soybean, palm, palm kernel, and coconut oil) were analyzed and compared using ultraperformance supercritical fluid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPSFC-Q-TOF-MS). We identified 191 TAGs (86, 102, 101, and 54 TAGs in human milk, infant formula, mammalian milk, and plant oil, respectively). TAGs esterified with palmitic acid (16:0) were major TAG structures in human milk (59.08% of total TAGs) and contained 30 TAG types. The sn-O/P/O regioisomer constituted more than 80% of the O/P/O content of human milk, whereas the sn-O/O/P levels were higher in other samples. The carbon number (CN) 52 content was higher than the CN 54 content in human milk, with the opposite observed in infant formula. TAGs with CN < 40 content were abundant in cow, goat, and yak milk; donkey milk was rich in CN 52 content. TAGs composed of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) were rich in human milk, while TAGs with three MCFAs were rich in infant formula. The TAG characteristics of infant formula were directly related to its fat resource. TAGs with fewer double bonds were abundant in the plant oil formula; however, highly unsaturated TAGs were prominent in the cow and goat milk formulas, similar to plant oil and mammalian milk. Significant differences in the TAG distribution were observed among the different species.

Current Perspective of Sialylated Milk Oligosaccharides in Mammalian Milk: Implications for Brain and Gut Health of Newborns.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant solid component after lactose and lipids of breast milk. All mammal milk contains soluble oligosaccharides, including neutral milk oligosaccharides (NMOs) without sialic acid (Sia) moieties and acidic oligosaccharides or sialylated milk oligosaccharides (SMOs) with Sia residues at the end of sugar chains. The structural, biological diversity, and concentration of milk oligosaccharides in mammalian milk are significantly different among species. HMOs have multiple health benefits for newborns, including development of immune system, modification of the intestinal microbiota, anti-adhesive effect against pathogens, and brain development. Most infant formulas lack oligosaccharides which resemble HMOs. Formula-fed infants perform poorly across physical and psychological wellbeing measures and suffer health disadvantages compared to breast-fed infants due to the differences in the nutritional composition of breast milk and infant formula. Of these milk oligosaccharides, SMOs are coming to the forefront of research due to the beneficial nature of Sia. This review aims to critically discuss the current state of knowledge of the biology and role of SMOs in human milk, infant formula milks, and milk from several other species on gut and brain health of human and animal offspring.

Evidence from Neonatal Piglets Shows How Infant Formula and Other Mammalian Milk Shape Lipid Metabolism

We tested the hypothesis that the consumption of different milk lipids is one of the factors affecting metabolic response to lipid in the early life of infants. Neonatal piglets, as animal models, were stratified by the feeding mode (formula-fed, bovine-, caprine-, and human milk-fed). Lipidomic profiles of plasma and liver samples were detected using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The results indicate that 31, 54, and 28 differential lipid species could be used as potential biomarkers for bovine milk, caprine milk, and infant formula-fed samples, respectively, and the main lipid classes screened in plasma were SM, PC, and PE, including PC(14:1/P-20:0) as the isoform of PC(34:1), which regulates the lipid metabolism gene peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, PPAR-α. SM(d15:1/22:0) was the common potential biomarker screened from all of the groups. The amounts of biomarkers screened from the caprine milk-fed liver samples were the highest, which had a significant effect on the distribution of SM, PI, and PA. Infant formula, bovine-, and caprine milk-fed samples had an obvious effect on the metabolism of glycerophospholipid and glycerol ester, especially TG (16:0/18:0/18:2).

Characterization of rat and mouse acidic milk oligosaccharides based on hydrophilic interaction chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Oligosaccharides are one of the most important components in mammalian milk. Milk oligosaccharides can promote colonization of gut microbiota and protect newborns from infections. The diversity and structures of MOs differ among mammalian species. MOs in human and farm animals have been well-documented. However, the knowledge on MOs in rat and mouse have been very limited even though they are the most-widely used models for studies of human physiology and disease. Herein, we use a high-sensitivity online solid-phase extraction and HILIC coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry to analyze the acidic MOs in rat and mouse. Among the fifteen MOs identified, twelve were reported for the first time in rat and mouse together with two novel sulphated oligosaccharides. The complete list of acidic oligosaccharides present in rat and mouse milk is the baseline information of these animals and should contribute to biological/biomedical studies using rats and mice as models.

Milk fat globule membrane in infant nutrition: a dairy industry perspective.

This review provides an overview of the composition, structure, and biological activities of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) compounds with focus on the future application of this compound as a food ingredient. MFGM is a particular component of mammalian milks and is comprised of a tri-layer of polar lipids, glycolipids and proteins. In recent years, MFGM has been extensively studied for the purpose of enhancing the efficacy of infant nutrition formula. For example, infant formulas supplemented with bovine MFGM have shown promising results with regard to neurodevelopment and defense against infections. Components of MFGM have been shown to present several health benefits as the proteins of the membrane have shown antiviral activity and a reduction in the incidence of diarrhea. Moreover, the presence of sphingomyelin, a phospholipid, implies beneficial effects on human health such as enhanced neuronal development in infants and the protection of neonates from bacterial infections. The development of a lipid that is similar to human milk fat would represent a significant advance for the infant formula industry and would offer high technology formulas for those infants that depend on infant formula. The complexity of the structure of MFGM and its nutritional and technological properties is critically examined in this review with a focus on issues relevant to the dairy industry.

Evaluation of a novel animal milk oligosaccharide biosimilar: macronutrient digestibility and gastrointestinal tolerance, fecal metabolites, and fecal microbiota of healthy adult dogs and in vitro genotoxicity assays.

Milk oligosaccharides (MO) are bioactive compounds in mammalian milk that provide health benefits to neonates beyond essential nutrients. GNU100, a novel animal MO biosimilar, was recently tested in vitro, with results showing beneficial shifts in microbiota and increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, but other effects of GNU100 were unknown. Three studies were conducted to evaluate the safety, palatability, and gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance of GNU100. In study 1, the mutagenic potential of GNU100 was tested using a bacterial reverse mutation assay and a mammalian cell micronucleus test. In study 2, palatability was assessed by comparing diets containing 0% vs. 1% GNU100 in 20 adult dogs. In study 3, 32 adult dogs were used in a completely randomized design to assess the safety and GI tolerance of GNU100 and explore utility. Following a 2-wk baseline, dogs were assigned to one of four treatments and fed for 26 wk: 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% GNU100. On weeks 2, 4, and 26, fresh fecal samples were collected to measure stool quality, immunoglobulin A, and calprotectin, and blood samples were collected to measure serum chemistry, inflammatory markers, and hematology. On weeks 2 and 4, fresh fecal samples were collected to measure metabolites and microbiota. On week 4, total feces were collected to assess apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility. Although revertant numbers were greater compared with the solvent control in tester strain WP2uvrA(pKM101) in the presence of metabolic activation (S9) in the initial experiment, they remained below the threshold for a positive mutagenic response in follow-up confirmatory tests, supporting that GNU100 is not mutagenic. Similarly, no cytotoxicity or chromosome damage was observed in the cell micronucleus test. The palatability test showed that 1% GNU100 was strongly preferred (P < 0.05; 3.6:1 consumption ratio) over the control. In study 3, all dogs were healthy and had no signs of GI intolerance or illness. All diets were well accepted, and food intake, fecal characteristics, metabolite concentrations, and macronutrient digestibilities were not altered. GNU100 modulated fecal microbiota, increasing evenness and Catenibacterium, Megamonas, and Prevotella (SCFA producers) and reducing Collinsella. Overall, the results suggest that GNU100 is palatable and well-tolerated, causes no genotoxicity or adverse effects on health, and beneficially shifts the fecal microbiota, supporting the safety of GNU100 for the inclusion in canine diets.

Synthetic amorphous calcium phosphates (ACPs): preparation, structure, properties, and biomedical applications.

Amorphous calcium phosphates (ACPs) represent a metastable amorphous state of other calcium orthophosphates (abbreviated as CaPO4) possessing variable compositional but rather identical glass-like physical properties, in which there are neither translational nor orientational long-range orders of the atomic positions. In nature, ACPs of a biological origin are found in the calcified tissues of mammals, some parts of primitive organisms, as well as in the mammalian milk. Manmade ACPs can be synthesized in a laboratory by various methods including wet-chemical precipitation, in which they are the first solid phases, precipitated after a rapid mixing of aqueous solutions containing dissolved ions of Ca2+ and PO43- in sufficient amounts. Due to the amorphous nature, all types of synthetic ACPs appear to be thermodynamically unstable and, unless stored in dry conditions or doped by stabilizers, they tend to transform spontaneously to crystalline CaPO4, mainly to ones with an apatitic structure. This intrinsic metastability of the ACPs is of a great biological relevance. In particular, the initiating role that metastable ACPs play in matrix vesicle biomineralization raises their importance from a mere laboratory curiosity to that of a reasonable key intermediate in skeletal calcifications. In addition, synthetic ACPs appear to be very promising biomaterials both for manufacturing artificial bone grafts and for dental applications. In this review, the current knowledge on the occurrence, structural design, chemical composition, preparation, properties, and biomedical applications of the synthetic ACPs have been summarized.

ГІПЕРЧУТЛИВІСТЬ ДО АЛЕРГЕНІВ СОБАКИ (КЛІНІЧНІ ВИПАДКИ)

HYPERSENSITIVITY TO DOG ALLERGENS (CLINICAL CASES) M. A. Lykova Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, KIA «Forpost», Kyiv, Ukraine Abstract. The aim of the study: to analyze the clinical cases of sensitization to dog allergens and tactics of management of patients in accordance with the results of component allergodiagnostics. Materials and methods of research. Analysis of these case histories of three patients, the results of their clinical, laboratory and functional studies. Research results. In all clinical cases included in this study, patients had complaints of animal allergy symptoms, confirmed by skin prick tests. However, the results of component allergodiagnostics revealed differences in the profile of sensitization to the respective allergens. For example, patient №1 was sensitized to the canine allergen Can f5, a urinary kallikrein found only in male dogs, as well as the minor component Can f3, which may cross-react with serum albumin from mammalian meat and milk. Patient №2 showed primary sensitization to dog allergens and cross-hypersensitivity to cat allergens due to lipocalins. Treatment tactics were chosen for both patients — allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) with dog allergens. In patient №3, primary sensitization to the main allergen of the dog was confirmed, which makes it possible to predict the high efficiency of ASIT. Conclusions. Component (molecular) allergodiagnostics is an important method of determining the sensitization profile of patients with hypersensitivity to dog allergens, which allows to establish a correct diagnosis, choose treatment tactics and predict the effectiveness of ASIT in each case. Key words: component allergodiagnostics, dog allergens, hypersensitivity, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma.

Clinical Relevance of Cross-Reactivity in Food Allergy

The diagnosis and management of food allergy is complicated by an abundance of homologous, cross-reactive proteins in edible foods and aeroallergens. This results in patients having allergic sensitization (positive tests) to many biologically related foods. However, many are sensitized to foods without exhibiting clinical reactivity. Although molecular diagnostics have improved our ability to identify clinically relevant cross-reactivity, the optimal approach to patients requires an understanding of the epidemiology of clinically relevant cross-reactivity, as well as the food-specific (degree of homology, protein stability, abundance) and patient-specific factors (immune response, augmentation factors) that determine clinical relevance. Examples of food families with high rates of cross-reactivity include mammalian milks, eggs, fish, and shellfish. Low rates are noted for grains (wheat, barley, rye), and rates of cross-reactivity are variable for most other foods. This review discusses clinically relevant cross-reactivity related to the aforementioned food groups as well as seeds, legumes (including peanut, soy, chickpea, lentil, and others), tree nuts, meats, fruits and vegetables (including the lipid transfer protein syndrome), and latex. The complicating factor of addressing co-allergy, for example, the risks of allergy to both peanut and tree nuts among atopic patients, is also discussed. Considerations for an approach to individual patient care are highlighted.

Impact of gastric coagulation on the kinetics of release of fat globules from milk of different species.

The behavior of fat globules during the gastric digestion of raw and pasteurized cow, goat, and sheep whole milks was studied using a human gastric simulator. Microstructural and physicochemical analysis revealed that, initially, the coagulation of the milks in the human gastric simulator resulted in the majority of the milk fat globules being entrapped within the curd. As the digestion progressed, the proportion of fat globules entrapped within the aggregated protein matrix (curd) decreased; there was also some flocculation as well as coalescence of the fat globules within the curd. The liberation of the entrapped fat globules from the curd to the liquid phase of the chyme was strongly dependent on the disintegration and hydrolysis of the structured casein network. Surprisingly, the fat globules released (or already present) into the liquid phase of the chyme were not as extensively coalesced as those remaining within the curd. These phenomena were observed to be similar for the raw and pasteurized whole milk of all species. The pasteurized whole milks from all species formed relatively less structured coagula compared with their raw milk counterparts, leading to a greater extent of protein breakdown and, thus, higher proportions of fat release from the pasteurized milk curds. This study provides a deeper understanding of how the curd-forming properties of different mammalian milks in the gastric environment provide controlled delivery of nutrients (such as protein and fat).

Native disulphide-linked dimers facilitate amyloid fibril formation by bovine milk αS2-casein

Bovine milk αS2-casein, an intrinsically disordered protein, readily forms amyloid fibrils in vitro and is implicated in the formation of amyloid fibril deposits in mammary tissue. Its two cysteine residues participate in the formation of either intra- or intermolecular disulphide bonds, generating monomer and dimer species. X-ray solution scattering measurements indicated that both forms of the protein adopt large, spherical oligomers at 20 °C. Upon incubation at 37 °C, the disulphide-linked dimer showed a significantly greater propensity to form amyloid fibrils than its monomeric counterpart. Thioflavin T fluorescence, circular dichroism and infrared spectra were consistent with one or both of the dimer isomers (in a parallel or antiparallel arrangement) being predisposed toward an ordered, amyloid-like structure. Limited proteolysis experiments indicated that the region from Ala81 to Lys113 is incorporated into the fibril core, implying that this region, which is predicted by several algorithms to be amyloidogenic, initiates fibril formation of αS2-casein. The partial conservation of the cysteine motif and the frequent occurrence of disulphide-linked dimers in mammalian milks despite the associated risk of mammary amyloidosis, suggest that the dimeric conformation of αS2-casein is a functional, yet amyloidogenic, structure.

Milk consumption in childhood and adulthood and its effect on body composition

Throughout their life, people are exposed to many different types of milk. First, it is breast milk if infants are breastfed or special formula based on cow milk with modified composition if they are not breastfed. Later in life, it is recommended that humans consume the milk of other mammals as a source of highly valuable protein, calcium, and phosphorus. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of methods and duration of feeding in infancy and consumption of milk or milk alternatives in adulthood on body composition. We used a questionnaire of 21 specific questions to obtain information on breastfeeding and milk consumption. All 84 participants (18 men, 66 women; age 23.26 ±1.36) underwent measurement of body composition, using BIA methods (InBody 720). A comparison of the information from the questionnaire with the information from the body composition measurement was made. Significant differences were observed in visceral fat area (p = 0.048) and waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.022) according to duration of breastfeeding. Participants who were fed formula for a shorter time than 1 year (until 12 months of age) showed a higher percentage of body fat (p = 0.047). The fat percentage of milk was a significant factor for the waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.026). Participants consuming plant-based milk alternatives showed significant differences in waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.031) and body mass index (p = 0.015) and highly significant differences in weight (p &lt;0.001) and fat-free mass (p &lt;0.001). In conclusion, results show that the duration of breastfeeding may prevent the development of overweight and eventually obesity. Usage of infant formulas as an alternative to breast milk should be limited to those who are unable to breastfeed. The current consumption of milk indicates the benefits of whole milk in the diet but also shows increasing interest in the advantages of plant-based milk.

Soft gels from bovine colostrum

Colostrum puddings are widely popular in India as well as in some European countries. To prepare these desserts fresh colostrum from the first or second day of lactation is heated and flavoured by adding spices and sugar. Depending on the day of lactation the colostrum is mixed with normal milk in order to achieve a thinner consistency. However, no thickening agents like starch or different polysaccharides need to be added since, in contrast to drinking milk, the early milk of cows and other mammals, called colostrum, forms gels without adding gelling agents when heated.The aim of this study is to understand the mechanisms involved in colostrum gel formation. In order to learn about the fat distribution in colostrum and the melting of the fat, initially, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and optical microscopy were performed. Furthermore, the colostrum gel formation was investigated by carrying out rheological measurements. Temperature and time sweep were used to characterize the gel formation of colostrum under heating and an amplitude sweep was performed to understand the forces and molecular interactions involved in the formation of the gel network. Taking into account the different composition of milk and colostrum and comparing their distinct behavior under heating, conclusions could be drawn about which mechanisms cause the formation of a colostrum gel.The gel formation of colostrum is caused by its significantly higher concentration of different proteins, especially β-lactoglobulin. During the heat treatment these proteins denature and subsequently rearrange themselves. Consequently, soft elastic gels are formed by β-lactoglobulin in combination with other proteins, such as IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), IGF-2 (insulin-like growth factor 2), N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 1 (GALNT1) and lactoferrin.