Milk proteins have nutritional value and extraordinary biological properties. Research over the last decades has provided new insight into the structure and the function of milk bioactive peptides. Some of these peptides are delivered directly into milk, and some are encrypted in major proteins such as caseins and lactoglobulins. These peptides have antimicrobial functions modulating the gut microflora. Even when milk is undisputedly the first food for mammals, milk proteins sometimes can be a health threat, either because of allergic reaction or because of toxicity. In this regard, in vitro studies showed donkey's casein and major whey proteins to be more digestible than cows' for human consumption. In this book, readers will find updated research on the major milk proteins' structure, bioactive peptides, milk protein allergy, therapeutic strategies, and chemical markers that can be used to detect cow milk intolerance in infants. This book provides the most current scientific information on milk proteins, from structure to biological properties. It will be of great benefit for those interested in milk production, milk chemistry, and human health.

Milk is nature’s most complete food, and dairy products are considered to be the most nutritious foods of all. The traditional view of the role of milk has been greatly expanded in recent years beyond the horizon of nutritional subsistence of infants: it is now recognized to be more than a source of nutrients for the healthy growth of children and nourishment of adult humans. Alongside its major proteins (casein and whey), milk contains biologically active compounds, which have important physiological and biochemical functions and significant impacts upon human metabolism, nutrition and health. Many of these compounds have been proven to have beneficial effects on human nutrition and health. This comprehensive reference is the first to address such a wide range of topics related to milk production and human health, including: mammary secretion, production, sanitation, quality standards and chemistry, as well as nutrition, milk allergies, lactose intolerance, and the bioactive and therapeutic compounds found in milk. In addition to cow’s milk, the book also covers the milk of non-bovine dairy species which is of economic importance around the world. The Editors have assembled a team of internationally renowned experts to contribute to this exhaustive volume which will be essential reading for dairy scientists, nutritionists, food scientists, allergy specialists and health professionals.

Food proteins are of great interest, not only because of their nutritional importance and their functionality in foods, but also for their detrimental effects. Although proteins from milk, meats (including fish and poultry), eggs, cereals, legumes, and oilseeds have been the traditional sources of protein in the human diet, potentially any proteins from a biological source could serve as a food protein. The primary role of protein in the diet is to provide the building materials for the synthesis of muscle and other tissues, and they play a critical role in many biological processes. They are also responsible for food texture, color, and flavor. Today, food proteins are extracted, modified, and incorporated into processed foods to impart specific functional properties. They can also have adverse effects in the diet: proteins, such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, and cashews, soybean, wheat, milk, egg, crustacean, and fish proteins can be powerful allergens for some people. Applied Food Protein Chemistry is an applied reference which reviews the properties of food proteins and provides in-depth information on important plant and animal proteins consumed around the world. The book is grouped into three sections: (1) overview of food proteins, (2) plant proteins, and (3) animal proteins. Each chapter discusses world production, distribution, utilization, physicochemical properties, and the functional properties of each protein, as well as its food applications. The authors for each of the chapters are carefully selected experts in the field. This book will be a valuable reference tool for those who work on food proteins. It will also be an important text on applied food protein chemistry for upper-level students and graduate students of food science programs.

Whey Proteins: From Milk to Medicine addresses the basic properties of whey proteins including chemistry, analysis, heat sensitivity, interactions with other proteins and carbohydrates, modifications (hydrolysis, aggregation, conjugation), their industrial preparation, processing and applications, quality aspects including flavour and effects of storage, as well as their role in nutrition, sports and exercise, and health and wellness. Readers of Whey Proteins will gain a better understanding of the chemical nature of the various whey proteins in cow's milk and the milk of other species. This includes their unique physical and functional properties; the industrial processes used to extract them from milk, to process them into various forms, and to modify them to enhance their functionality; and their nutritive value and application in the fields of sports and exercise science, infant nutrition and medicine. This book is an essential resource for food and nutrition researchers, dairy and food companies, pharmaceutical organizations, and graduate students. - Presents up-to-date coverage of whey proteins from milk to medicine - Contains a description of the production and properties of whey protein products - Offers an overview of the effects of thermal and non-thermal processes on whey protein characteristics - Describes the rationale for, and benefits of, using whey proteins in health and wellness preparations

This book is the most comprehensive introductory text on the chemistry and biochemistry of milk. It provides a comprehensive description of the principal constituents of milk (water, lipids, proteins, lactose, salts, vitamins, indigenous enzymes) and of the chemical aspects of cheese and fermented milks and of various dairy processing operations. It also covers heat-induced changes in milk, the use of exogenous enzymes in dairy processing, principal physical properties of milk, bioactive compounds in milk and comparison of milk of different species. This book is designed to meet the needs of senior students and dairy scientists in general.

Dairy foods have huge potential concerning functional foods. Therefore, there is a tremendous amount of interest in value-added milk products and the identification of components in food which have health benefits. This book provides an overview of these derived components and their diverse activities including: the stimulation of beneficial microflora, alerting the immune system to the presence of potential pathogens and allergens, binding and eliminating toxins, etc.