Milk from cows of different β-casein genotypes as a source of β-casomorphin-7

Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2012 Jun;63(4):426-30. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2011.634785. Epub 2011 Nov 14.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to quantify β-casomorphin-7 in raw, hydrolyzed and processed milk in different stages of the cow lactation. The obtained results lead to the following conclusion: the highest amount of β-casomorphin-7 released from the hydrolyzed and processed milk is related to the β-casein A1 allele, irrespective of a lactation period. Some traces of β-casomorphin-7 in milk from cows with the β-casein A2 variant are probably a result of the acid hydrolysis of β-casein during its digestion with pepsin. It has been shown that processing of raw milk at high temperatures affects, in a slight degree, the differences between β-casomorphins-7 originating from different β-casein genotypes. The obtained results suggest a possibility to provide a new nutritional factor for milk quality based on the content of β-casomorphin-7 liberated in vivo from milk digested by a mixture of the gastrointestinal enzymes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles*
  • Animals
  • Caseins / genetics*
  • Caseins / metabolism
  • Cattle / genetics
  • Digestion
  • Endorphins / analysis
  • Endorphins / genetics*
  • Endorphins / metabolism
  • Food Handling*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / enzymology
  • Genotype*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Hydrolysis
  • Lactation / genetics*
  • Lactation / metabolism
  • Milk / chemistry*
  • Milk / metabolism
  • Pepsin A / metabolism
  • Peptide Fragments / analysis
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics*
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism

Substances

  • Caseins
  • Endorphins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • beta-casomorphin 7
  • Pepsin A