Milk fat globule membrane: composition, production and its potential as encapsulant for bioactives and probiotics

Dan Yao, Chaminda Senaka Ranadheera, Cai Shen, Wei Wei, Ling Zhi Cheong

Research output: Journal PublicationReview articlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a complex trilayer structure present in mammalian milk and is mainly composed of phospholipids and proteins (>90%). Many studies revealed MFGM has positive effects on the immune system, brain development, and cognitive function of infants. Probiotics are live microorganisms that have been found to improve mental health and insulin sensitivity, regulate immunity, and prevent allergies. Probiotics are unstable and prone to degradation by environmental, processing, and storage conditions. In this review, the processes used for encapsulation of probiotics particularly the potential of MFGM and its constituents as encapsulating materials for probiotics are described. This study analyzes the importance of MFGM in encapsulating bioactive substances and emphasizes the interaction with probiotics and the gut as well as its resistance to adverse environmental factors in the digestive system when used as a probiotic embedding material. MFGM can enhance the gastric acid resistance and bile resistance of probiotics, mainly manifested in the survival rate of probiotics. Due to the role of digestion, MFGM-coated probiotics can be released in the intestine, and due to the biocompatibility of the membrane, it can promote the binding of probiotics to intestinal epithelial cells, and promote the colonization of some probiotics in the intestine.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-16
JournalCritical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Aug 2023

Keywords

  • Colonization
  • encapsulation
  • gastric acid and bile resistance
  • Milk fat globule membrane
  • probiotics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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