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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings

Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings

Published on: February 7, 2025

Bioactive proteins in breast milk.

Bo Lönnerdal¹

¹Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA. bllonnerdal@ucdavis.edu

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health

|March 2, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Human milk proteins offer diverse bioactive functions, including immune support and pathogen defense, which may be active in infants. An in vitro digestion model helps predict these effects in the infant gut.

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Immunology
Pediatrics

Background:

Human milk proteins possess numerous bioactive properties, such as antimicrobial and immune-modulating effects.
The in vivo bioactivity of these proteins in breast-fed infants remains largely unconfirmed.
Understanding milk protein bioactivity is crucial for infant health and nutrition.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the bioactivities of human milk proteins and their potential effects in infants.
To explore the diverse antimicrobial mechanisms of human milk proteins.
To assess the resistance of milk proteins to gastrointestinal digestion.

Main Methods:

Utilized an in vitro digestion model to simulate infant gastrointestinal conditions.
Analyzed the resistance of various human milk proteins (e.g., lactoferrin, lysozyme, secretory IgA) to proteolysis.
Identified potential bioactive peptides resulting from partial protein digestion.

Main Results:

Human milk proteins exhibit a wide range of bioactivities, including enzyme functions, nutrient absorption enhancement, and immune system modulation.
Antimicrobial activities are diverse, encompassing prebiotic effects, pathogen inhibition, and prevention of microbial attachment.
Some bovine milk proteins, like lactoferrin, may retain bioactivity similar to human milk proteins after digestion.

Conclusions:

Human milk proteins can exert significant bioactivities in breast-fed infants, contributing to their health and development.
The in vitro digestion model provides valuable insights into the fate and function of milk proteins in the infant gut.
Further research into milk protein bioactivity can inform infant nutrition strategies and therapeutic applications.