Milk basic protein (MBP) is a fraction of

whey protein Whey protein is a mixture of proteins isolated from whey, the liquid material created as a by-product of cheese production. The proteins consist of α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, serum albumin and immunoglobulins. Glycomacropeptide also ma ...

found in milk.Möller, N.P., Scholz-Ahrens, K.E., Roos, N., & Schrezenmeir, J. (2008). Bioactive peptides and proteins from foods: indication for health effects. ''European Journal of Nutrition, 47''(4), 176. Separated from milk through the process of

fractionation Fractionation is a separation process in which a certain quantity of a mixture (of gases, solids, liquids, enzymes, or isotopes, or a suspension) is divided during a phase transition, into a number of smaller quantities (fractions) in whic ...

, it is a functional compound and consists of several milk proteins which are biologically active. The composition is approximately 54%

lactoferrin Lactoferrin (LF), also known as lactotransferrin (LTF), is a multifunctional protein of the transferrin family. Lactoferrin is a globular glycoprotein with a molecular mass of about 80 kDa that is widely represented in various secretory fluids, ...

and 41%

lactoperoxidase Lactoperoxidase is a peroxidase enzyme secreted from mammary, salivary and other mucosal glands including the lungs, bronchii and nose that functions as a natural and the first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. Lactoperoxidase is a m ...

,Kruger, C.L., Marano, K.M., Morita, Y., Takada, Y., Kawakami, H., Kobayashi, T., Sunaga, M., Furukawa, M., & Kawamura, K. (2007). Safety evaluation of a milk basic protein fraction. ''

Food and Chemical Toxicology ''Food and Chemical Toxicology'' is a peer-reviewed scientific journal covering aspects of food safety, chemical safety, and other aspects of consumer product safety. It is published by Elsevier and was established in 1963. The editor-in-chief is ...

, 45'', 1301. with other active proteins, such as Cyastin C and high mobility group-like proteins, making up the remainder of the fraction.Goodman, R., Taylor, S., Yamamura, J., Kobayashi, T., Kawakami, H., Kruger, C., & Thompson, G. (2007). Assessment of the potential allergenicity of a Milk Basic Protein fraction. ''Food and Chemical Toxicology, 45'', 1788. MBP has been evaluated for safety and is intended for use as a dietary ingredient. It is approved in Japan as a

functional food A functional food is a food claimed to have an additional (often one related to health promotion or disease prevention) by adding new ingredients or more of existing ingredients. The term may also apply to traits purposely bred into existing ed ...

ingredient in

tofu Tofu (), also known as bean curd in English, is a food prepared by coagulating soy milk and then pressing the resulting curds into solid white blocks of varying softness; it can be ''silken'', ''soft'', ''firm'', ''extra firm'' or ''super fi ...

and

nattō , spelled as natto in standard English language use, is a traditional Japanese food made from whole soybeans that have been fermented with ''Bacillus subtilis'' var. ''natto''. It is often served as a breakfast food with rice. It is served wi ...

Biological function

Active substances in the milk basic protein fraction promote bone formation and suppress bone resorption. It has been found to decrease the formation of

osteoclast An osteoclast () is a type of bone cell that breaks down bone tissue. This function is critical in the maintenance, repair, and remodeling of bones of the vertebral skeleton. The osteoclast disassembles and digests the composite of hydrated ...

pits, which act to break down bone and release minerals for

resorption Resorption is the absorption of cells or tissue into the circulatory system The blood circulatory system is a system of organs that includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood which is circulated throughout the entire body of a human or oth ...

into plasma, MBP helps to reduce this process. It also increases bone mineralization by stimulating proliferation of

osteoblasts Osteoblasts (from the Greek combining forms for "bone", ὀστέο-, ''osteo-'' and βλαστάνω, ''blastanō'' "germinate") are cells with a single nucleus that synthesize bone. However, in the process of bone formation, osteoblasts function ...

which are involved in collagen production and bone formation.Kawakami, H. (2005). Biological significance of Milk Basic Protein (MBP) for bone health. ''FSTR, 11'', 1. Daily supplementation with 40 mg of MBP over 6 months has been shown to result in increased bone mineral density and lower urinary markers of bone resorption.

Clinical relevance

It has been found to have a role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.Itabashi, A. (2006). Prevention of osteoporosis by foods and dietary supplements. Milk basic protein (MBP) increases bone mineral density in young adult women and perimenopausal women. ''Clinical Calcium, 16''(10), 1632. Direct effects have been identified between MBP and strengthening of bones, through its influences on bone remodelling (formation and resorption) and enhancement bone mineral density. These actions may be beneficial for pre-menopausal and menopausal women in particular, as increased bone mineral density decreases the risk of fractures associated with osteoporosis.

Allergen Labeling

Previous studies have concluded that "the protein components in MBP are unlikely to present any increased risk of allergy for milk allergic subjects or of cross-reactivity for other allergic subjects" (Goodman et al. 2007, p. 1787). However, the United States of America and the European Union have not deemed it to be free of milk allergens. Therefore, any products containing milk basic protein fractions as ingredients are identified as containing milk under the food labelling guidelines set forth by the United States of America and European Union to alert consumers.

References

{{reflist Food additives Milk Skeletal system