Lactoferrin (LF): a natural antimicrobial protein

Abstract

Improved awareness regarding diet and health linkages has motivated researchers to give more attention to the health perspectives of individual foods. During the previous two decades, the global dairy industry diverted its interest from simple processing of commodities to the value addition. A significant income is being earned in the dairy industry from specialty proteins. Pakistan ranked 3 rd in milk production worldwide and different milking animals e.g. cow, buffalo, goat and camel should be studied for their potential for generating new health-promoting diets and nutraceuticals foods. Bioactive proteins and peptides from having abundant applications including an antimicrobial food additive, dietary supplements, functional foods and nutraceuticals. Proteins from milk have a balanced composition of amino acids promising novel functional products. These also enhance the consistency and sensorial characteristics of various dairy products. Amongst, lactoferrin reveal bacteriostatic as well as bactericidal bustle against a variety of microorganisms. It binds iron thus depriving it required for growth like L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp, Escherichia coli, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Shigella dysenteriae and Bacillus subtilis. Lactoferrin executes as an alternative to antibiotics. It acts as a natural antimicrobial for bio preservation ranging from dairy, meat, seafood, beverages, bakery products, acne care, infant formulas, extending shelf life, ensuring safety and improving health by acting against life-threatening diseases like cancer, hepatitis, respiratory infections, and foodborne diseases in infants, children and adults etc. In the nutshell, the current review discusses the importance and safety perspectives of lactoferrin in the food industry as well as the health sector. ARTICLE HISTORY

Synergistic Therapies as a Promising Option for the Treatment of Antibiotic-Resistant Helicobacter pylori

“…Lactoferrin is an 80 KDa glycoprotein belonging to the transferrin family ( Table 1 ) [ 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 ]. Lactoferrin is one of the most important proteins being present in all endocrine secretions of mammals.…”

The role of iron in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and possible treatment with lactoferrin and other iron chelators

“…Its potential is further evident in Lf’s ability to repress viral replication after entry of the virus (as in HIV) and its capability of producing an indirect antiviral effect upon immune cells. This makes Lf a paramount line of defense at the initial stages of an infection [ 115 ]. Fig.…”

Camel milk as an alternative treatment regimen for diabetes therapy

“…Camel milk has high concentrations of antimicrobial agents. The concentration of lactoferrins in camel milk is about twofold to sixfold higher as compared to that in cow milk (Niaz et al., 2019). Comparing human and camel milk, both compositions are almost the same as they are free of β‐lactoglobulin, while α‐lactalbumin is the major protein in both (Merin et al., 2001).…”