Alpha-lactalbumin and early life nutrition
Rich in essential amino acids, alpha-lactalbumin is the most abundant whey protein in human milk, comprising around 25% of the total protein content1,2. Alpha-lactalbumin is a valuable ingredient in low-protein early life nutrition products, as it brings the protein content and composition closer to that of human milk.
Several clinical and pre-clinical studies have investigated the role of alpha-lactalbumin in early nutrition. Based on clinical investigations, it is believed that alpha-lactalbumin-enriched infant formulas may support age-appropriate growth2-8 and increase the energetic efficiency (growth per energy intake)4,9. Due to the high content of essential amino acids, alpha-lactalbumin can play a role in low-protein formulas, and the use of low-protein formulas has been suggested as a preventive strategy to reduce the risk of child overweight and obesity10-12.
Three clinical studies found that feeding infants alpha-lactalbumin supplemented formulas reduced feeding-related gastrointestinal events such as incidences of abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting and regurgitation, giving those formula-fed infants a similar gastrointestinal tolerance to breastfed infants enrolled in the studies2,3,13. In an infant rhesus monkey trial, alpha-lactalbumin was found to prevent E. coli-induced diarrhoea14. This enhanced protection against diarrhoea in rhesus monkeys is speculated to be linked to the presence of beneficial peptides15,16 or to alpha-lactalbumin’s suggested effect on reduction of growth of pathogens17-19.
With our Lacprodan® ALPHA range, we offer a broad portfolio of alpha-lactalbumin-rich products.
Alpha-lactalbumin essentials
Video02:06Our video is meant to provide you with essential knowledge on what alpha-lactalbumin is and can do for early life nutrition.
Premium quality for dry-blend infant formula
Lacprodan® Premium ALPHA-10 is specially designed for dry-blend early life nutrition products, enabling manufacturers to reduce production costs without compromising food safety or quality. Manufacturers also gain the flexibility to produce more recipes from one base powder.
Read more about our ingredients for dry-blending
Formulation strategies with alpha-lactalbumin
Video03:38Alpha-lactalbumin is mainly used in low-protein infant formulas. See our video and get inspired on how to formulate with alpha-lactalbumin.
References:
1. Lönnerdal & Lien 2003. Nutr. Rev. 61, 295–305
2. Lien et al. 2004. J. Pediatr. Gastr. Nutr. 38, 170–176
3. Davis et al. 2008. Eur. J. Clin. 62, 1294–1301
4. Fleddermann et al. 2014. Clin. Nutr. 33, 588–595
5. Trabulsi et al. 2011. Eur. J. Clin. 65, 167–74
6. Sandström et al. 2008. Am. J. Clin. 87, 921–928
7. Oropeza-Ceja et al. 2018, Nutrients. 10, 886
8. Petersen et al. 2020, Nutrition 74 (2020) 110728
9. Fleddermann et al. 2014. Ann. Nutr. 64, 276–83
10. Michaelsen & Greer, 2014. Am. J. Clin. 99, 718S–722S
11. Patro-Golab et al. 2016. J. Nutr. 146, 551–564
12. Tinghäll Nilsson, U., et al. 2024. Nutrients. 16(7):1026.
13. Dupont et al. 2010. Eur. J. Clin. 64, 765–767
14. Brück et al. 2003. J. Pediatr. Nutr. 37, 273–80
15. Wada & Lönnerdal. 2014. J. Nutr. Biochem. 25, 503–14
16. Lönnerdal, 2014. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 99, 712S–717S
17. Brück et al. 2006. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 259, 158–62
18. Brück et al. 2002. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 41, 231–237
19. Brück et al. 2003. J. Appl. Microbiol. 95, 44-53
