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Updated: Dec 19, 2025

Milk Collection in the Rat Using Capillary Tubes and Estimation of Milk Fat Content by Creamatocrit
Published on: December 16, 2015
Milk protein complexation enhances post prandial vitamin D3 absorption in rats
Ida Emilie I Lindahl1, Marianne Danielsen1, Trine K Dalsgaard1
1Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. hannec.bertram@food.au.dk and iFOOD, Centre for Innovative Food Research, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Abstract:
This study investigated the effect of complexation with whey and casein protein, respectively, on post prandial absorption of vitamin D3. For this purpose, Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 78) were administered 840 IU vitamin D3 dissolved in ethanol and either (i) complexed with whey protein isolate (protein : vitamin ration 2 : 1), (ii) complexed with caseinate (protein : vitamin ration 2 : 1), or (iii) provided in a water solution. Serum concentrations of vitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were measured before and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 hours after administration of vitamin D3. Significant effects of complexation on serum concentrations of vitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were demonstrated. Complexation with whey protein isolate resulted in the fastest and highest absorption of vitamin D3 while an effect of complexation with caseinate was evident but more modest and non-significant. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that complexation with milk proteins is an efficient strategy to enhance bioaccessibility of vitamin D3.
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