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Digestion and absorption of health beneficial milk proteins

Digestion and absorption of health beneficial milk proteins

  • Project Title: Digestion and absorption of health beneficial milk proteins
  • Head of project: Esben Skipper Sørensen, Aarhus University
  • Participants:
  • ·         Jan Johannes Enghild, Aarhus University
  • ·         Annete Müllertz, Copenhagen University
  • ·         Bart Buitenhuis, Aarhus University
  • ·         Marie Stampe Ostenfeld, Arla Foods Ingredients
  • Funded by:
  • ·         Mælkeafgiftsfonden (https://maelkeafgiftsfonden.dk/)
  • ·         Arla Foods Ingredients (https://www.arlafoodsingredients.com/)
  • ·         Aarhus University (www.au.dk)
  • ·         Copenhagen University (http://www.ku.dk/)
  • Project period: 2018-2019

Project description:​

Dairy production of cheese and casein results in the formation of by-products containing high concentrations of proteins with health-promoting properties. For example, several clinical studies have shown positive health effects of intake of the milk proteins alpha-lactalbumin, caseinoglycomacropeptide (CGMP) and osteopontin. The underlying mechanism for the health beneficial effects of the components is unknown. In this project we will use advanced digestion models, state-of-the-art gene expression analysis and highly sensitive mass spectrometry to investigate how osteopontin, CGMP and alpha-lactalbumin are digested and how the resulting peptides affect the gut cells, penetrate the intestinal wall and distributes in the tissues and organs of an animal model.