Abstract: There is provided a means for sterilizing lactoferrin at a high temperature in a short time while maintaining the activity of the lactoferrin. The present technology provides a method for producing a lactoferrin-containing aqueous solution, including a sterilization step of heat-sterilizing a lactoferrin-containing aqueous solution, in which the total mass content of proteins other than lactoferrin is 1/12 or less of the mass content of lactoferrin, at a temperature of 100° C. or more. The present technology also provides a lactoferrin-containing aqueous solution in which the total mass content of proteins other than lactoferrin is 1/12 or less of the mass content of lactoferrin, and which does not contain living bacteria.

Abstract: A biologically active complex comprising either a polypeptide having the sequence of a variant of a naturally occurring protein, wherein said polypeptide is at least partially unfolded as compared to the said naturally occurring protein; or a peptide of up to 50 amino acids, for instance a fragment of the naturally occurring protein or a variant thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a fatty acid or lipid. The complexes of the invention demonstrate a novel mode of action, that gives rise to opportunities for the development of further active agents and screening methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolation of whey proteins and the preparation of a whey product and a whey isolate. In particular the present invention relates to the isolation of a ?-lactoglobulin product and the isolation of an ?-enriched whey protein isolate from whey obtained from an animal. The ?-enriched whey protein isolate provided by the present invention is besides from being low in ?-lactoglobulin also high in ?-lactalbumin and immunoglobulin G.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to milk protein nanoparticles produced according to a polymerization method in which at least one protein, which is obtained from milk and which can be thermally plasticized, is plasticized using a plasticizing agent, such as for example, water or glycerol at temperatures between room temperature and 140° C., subjected to mechanical stress and subsequently retreated, for example, in the top down or bottom up method to form nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of isolating milk proteins. Methods of the invention include charged ultrafiltration processes that use variations in pH to further separate protein species.

Abstract: Methods of making protein hydrolysates are described. The methods may include the steps of providing a solution comprising protein, and adjusting a pH of the solution to about 10.4 or more to form a basic protein solution. Additional steps may include adding a protease enzyme to the basic protein solution that converts at least a portion of the protein to protein hydrolysates. Protein hydrolysate compositions and water-soluble food additives are also described. The additives may include a mixture of protein hydrolysates formed by protein hydrolysis of a protein substrate. The protein hydrolysates may have an average molecular weight of about 2000 to about 10,000 Daltons.

Abstract: Provided are methods of making carrier polypeptide that include incorporating a first unnatural amino acid into a carrier polypeptide variant, incorporating a second unnatural amino acid into a target polypeptide variant, and reacting the first and second unnatural amino acids to produce the conjugate. Conjugates produced using the provided methods are also provided. In addition, orthogonal translation systems in methylotrophic yeast and methods of using these systems to produce carrier and target polypeptide variants comprising unnatural amino acids are provided.

Abstract: A composition comprising an albumin-based colloid and its use in treating hypovolemic conditions such as capillary leak syndrome and shock are disclosed.

Abstract: Processes and apparati are provided for separating molecules of interest from a mixture by depth filtration (DF). The DF of the invention is useful in the clarification and processing of various feedstreams for the removal of a molecule of interest. According to a preferred embodiment, a transgenic milk feedstream is stabilized and particulate matter such as fat, casein miscelles and bacteria are removed. An aseptic filtration step was also developed to remove any bacteria remaining in a clarified transgenic milk feedstream.

Abstract: A method for producing an oligomeric form of ?-lactalbumin which is in the molten globule-like state is described. The method suitably comprises exposing a source of ?-lactalbumin in which the ?-lactalbumin is preferably in the molten globule-like state, to an ion exchange medium which has been pre-treated with casein or an active component thereof, such as oleic acid, and recovering ?-lactalbumin in an oligomeric form therefrom. Pre-treatment of the ion exchange medium, particularly with casein derived from human milk, has been found to significantly improve yields of the oligomeric form of ?-lactalbumin and mean that it can readily isolated from readily available sources such as bovine ?-lactalbumin. This form of ?-lactalbumin is useful therapeutically, in particular as an antibacterial agent and also as an anti-cancer therapeutic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to whey protein micelles, particularly to whey protein micelle concentrates or powders thereof and to a method for producing them. The present invention also pertains to the use of these micelles concentrates or powders thereof in nutrition and/or cosmetics and/or pharmaceutics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of alpha-lactalbumin in the preparation of preparations to be used in therapeutic or prophylactic treatment and/or for diagnostic use for infections, preferably of the respiratory tract, caused by bacteria, in particular S. pneumoniae and/or H. influenzae. The present invention further relates to essentially pure protein complexes comprising alpha-lactalbumin and the use of these protein complexes for therapeutically or prophylactically treating a bacterial infection, especially infections of the respiratory tract caused by S. pneumoniae and/or H. influenzae.

Abstract: A method for producing an oligomeric form of ?-lactalbumin which is in the molten globule-like state is described. The method suitably comprises exposing a source of ?-lactalbumin in which the ?-lactalbumin is preferably in the molten globule-like state, to an ion exchange medium which has been pre-treated with casein or an active component thereof, such as oleic acid, and recovering ?-lactalbumin in an oligomeric form therefrom. Pre-treatment of the ion exchange medium, particularly with casein derived from human milk, has been found to significantly improve yields of the oligomeric form of ?-lactalbumin and means that it can be readily isolated from readily available sources such as bovine ?-lactalbumin. This form of ?-lactalbumin is useful therapeutically, in particular as an antibacterial agent and also as an anti-cancer therapeutic.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fractionating ?-lactalbumin from ?-lactoglobulin in whey or whey protein concentrate. The method includes the steps of contacting whey or whey protein concentrate with a complexing agent so that the complexing agent forms insoluble complexes with ?-lactoglobulin present in the whey or whey protein concentrate. The insoluble complexes are then separated from the whey or whey protein concentrate, thus yielding a precipitate that is predominately ?-lactoglobulin and is substantially devoid of ?-lactalbumin, and a supernatant that predominately ?-lactalbumin and is substantially devoid of ?-lactoglobulin.

Abstract: Pepetides having bifidogenic properties are obtainable by the process of adding proteases to cow'milk or human milk, followed by incubation, centrifugation, acidification, purification by reverse phase HPLC and cation-exchange HPLC, culturing Bifidobacterium bifidum and E. coli in the presence of collected bifidogenic fractions, and isolation of the peptides having bifidogenic properties, and the isolated peptides can be amidated, acetylated, sulfated, phosphorylated, glycosylated, oxidized, or fragmented and still maintain their bifidogenic properties, and combination peptides having bifidogenic properties are obtainable by chemically bonding the peptides having bifidogenic properties, the amidated, acetylated, sulfated, phosphorylated, glycosylated, oxidized, or fragmented peptides having bifidogenic properties, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An agent comprising a protein complex comprising an oligomeric form of &agr;-lactalbumin (MAL) and a further reagent which is combined with MAL such that it is carried into the nucleoplasm of cells which are susceptible to MAL. Agents of the type, where the further reagent is a therapeutic or labelling reagent, can be used in diagnosis and therapy in particular of cancer.

Abstract: A method for modification and isolation of a protein is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a protein selected from the group consisting of whey and soy proteins; providing a reagent that forms sulfite ions; mixing the protein with the reagent under a condition to sulfonate the protein without using an oxidizing agent and to obtain a mixture containing a sulfonated protein; precipitating the sulfonated protein out of the mixture at an acid pH to form a precipitated sulfonated protein and a soluble sulfonated protein; and recovering the precipitated sulfonated protein or soluble sulfonated protein.

Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of a mixture of peptides having a cysteine content between 7-20 w/w % from a protein source, comprising cysteine containing proteins, comprising the steps of: a) cleaving the proteins of the protein source into peptides; b) digesting the peptides obtained in step a) by an exopeptidase, the action of which is at least attenuated at the position of a cysteine in the peptide, therewith forming digested peptides having a terminal cysteine; c) purifying the digested peptides, and the use of the preparation as active component in a medicament, especially for the treatment of conditions mediated by oxidative damage and for the elevation of cellular glutathion levels in the human or animal body.

Abstract: A method of making an &agr;-lactalbumin enriched whey protein product is described. The method involves the treatment of a whey protein product with an acid to lower the pH of the whey protein product to 4.0 or below. This pH-lowering step allows the &agr;-lactalbumin molecules to be concentrated more efficiently.

Abstract: Antibacterial protein complexes designated as Anti-adhesive Lactalbumin Like Protein (ALLP) are obtained by ion-exchange chromatography of casein and alpha-lactalbumin. Casein isolated from human milk by acid precipitation is subjected to ion-exchange chromatography using an NaCl gradient to obtain six fractions. Fraction six contains the antibacterial protein complex and is recovered. Ion-exchange chromatography of human or bovine alpha-lactalbumin using an NaCl gradient resulted in a fraction that was retained and eluted that contained an antibacterial multimeric protein complex. The protein complexes inhibit attachment of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae to human respiratory tract epithelial cells when tested in vitro, and the protein complexes can be used to treat a bacterial infection in the respiratory tract. The protein complexes are administered in a pharmaceutical composition or in a food or feed-stuff.

Abstract: A method for isolating casein and calcium phosphate as separate products from a milk source, comprising the steps of: a) contacting the milk source with carbon dioxide under pressure in order to precipitate the casein; b) separating the casein from the milk source while maintaining the pressure to obtain a casein fraction and a whey fraction; and c) releasing the pressure from the whey fraction to allow calcium phosphate to precipitate therefrom.

Abstract: A preparative method of isolating a preselected whey protein or group of whey proteins from a solution is provided. The method comprises the following steps: (a) contacting a whey protein solution with the preselected ion exchanger for a time and at a temperature sufficient to enable the preselected whey protein to be adsorbed; wherein the whey protein solution has (1) a protein content in the range of about 5% to about 20% by weight, (2) a pH of a preselected level, which is the level at which the preselected whey protein or group of whey proteins selectively binds to the preselected ion exchanger, and (3) a reduced ionic strength; and (b) recovering either or both of the following: (1) the whey protein component adsorbed in step (a), and (2) the breakthrough whey protein component not adsorbed in step (a).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of shock heat treatment of polypeptides, to a stable polypeptide in a fluid medium, to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a stable polypeptide, to use of shock heat treatment for stabilizing a polypeptide, and to an industrial or large scale method of manufacturing a polypeptide comprising applying shock heat treatment during the manufacturing of the polypeptide.

Abstract: A method of making an &agr;-lactalbumin enriched whey protein product is described. The method involves the treatment of a whey protein product with an acid to lower the pH of the whey protein product to 4.0 or below. This pH-lowering step allows the &agr;-lactalbumin molecules to be concentrated more efficiently.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the separation of whey proteins, particularly the sequential separation of whey proteins into separate fractions through the use of chromatography. The present invention further provides methods and compositions for the sequential separation of whey proteins, as well as their use in various products. The present invention also provides methods and compositions for the cleaning of chromatography resins used in the separation of whey proteins.

Abstract: A method is provided for isolating the proteins, .beta.-lactoglobulin and .alpha.-lactalbumin, from whey with a single cation exchanger, and using different pH values for eluting the proteins as separate fractions without using salt elution. A whey protein solution is adjusted to a pH of less than about 4.5. The solution is contacted with a cation exchanger to obtain a bound fraction containing .alpha.-lactalbumin and .beta.-lactoglobulin. The bound fraction is adjusted to a pH of about 4.0 to 6.0 and a .beta.-lactoglobulin fraction is eluted at this pH in the absence of sodium chloride. The pH of an remaining bound fraction is adjusted to about 6.5 or greater and an .alpha.-lactalbumin fraction is eluted. The method is advantageously conducted at elevated temperatures ranging from 35.degree. C. to 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is provided wherein human relaxin is formulated at an acidic pH of about 4 to less than about 7. The composition, useful for effecting parturition and inhibiting premature delivery, includes a buffer capable of maintaining the pH of the composition within a desired range, and may also include an agent to make the composition isotonic, and a stabilizing agent, if necessary. A specific example is human relaxin formulated in a citrate buffer, pH about 5.0, in the presence of sodium chloride, at an ionic strength of about 0.15 .mu..

Abstract: A process for the fractionation of proteins from an aqueous solution of whey is described. The process includes mixing the solution with carbon dioxide under pressure, heating the mixture to increase the pressure, releasing the pressure and lowering the temperature of the mixture, then separating a supernatant liquor from a precipitate which results from the process.

Abstract: There is provided a bodily fluid simulant made from red blood cells in an amount between about 10 and about 60 weight percent, egg white in an amount between 20 and 50 weight percent, and plasma.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolating proteins from whey, wherein the whey or a concentrate thereof, a reagent which forms sulfite ions, and an oxidative compound are contacted in order to sulfitolyze and oxidize the whey protein, the sulfitolyzed and oxidized whey protein is precipitated out from the whey or concentrate thereof at an acid pH, and the precipitated sulfitolyzed and oxidized whey protein is recovered from the product mixture, and an after-treatment is possibly performed on it. When a food-grade oxidative compound is used as the oxidant and a temperature within the range 25.degree.-55.degree. C. is used, the oxidative compound can be caused to react directly with the sulfitolyzed whey protein, and thus the disadvantages associated with the use of a catalyst are eliminated.

Abstract: A method of isolating a biomolecule from a medium containing biomolecules by ion exchange wherein the ion exchange material consists of a material having ion exchanging groups which can be transformed from a charged form to an uncharged form; the eluant comprises a charge neutralizing acid or base transforming the ion exchanging groups from the charged form to the uncharged form; and the charge neutralizing acid or base has a concentration in the eluant which is twice, preferably equal to or less than the concentration of the ion exchanging groups of the ion exchange material; the ion exchange material being in a packed, hydrated state. Preferably the method is for the isolation of phosphopeptides from a medium containing casein hydrolysates and the use of such isolated biomolecules is for the production of a food, a feed, a health care product, a cosmetic, or a pharmaceutical.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the sequential separation of whey proteins using radial-flow chromatography. Different buffer systems adjusted to suitable pH and ionic strength are utilized in the separation process. The method separates at least five different proteins from whey. Infant feeding formulas, and other food formulations are also disclosed incorporating therein in different proportions various proteins separated from the whey.

Abstract: A process for fractionation of dairy whey is described which enables various whey constituents, in particular, alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin, to be recovered in substantially pure form. Lactose may also be recovered. The mineral content of raw whey is reduced so that the calcium content is less than 120 parts per million. Thereafter, the whey is treated to allow the lactose to crystallize out for removal and selectively to flocculate the alpha-lactalbumin, leaving a liquor containing substantially pure beta-lactoglobulin.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of colostral milk or colostral milk preparations from the cow, or fractions containing immunoglobulin prepared therefrom, as a liver protective preparation for the prevention and treatment of liver function disturbances in liver diseases, especially for the prevention of the sequelae of these diseases, such as portal encephalopathy.

Abstract: A process for isolating the metalloprotein lactoferrin and the enzyme lactoperoxidase from milk and milk products on an industrial scale is disclosed. The process includes the steps of adsorbing these proteins to a cation exchanger by passing milk or the milk derivatives over the cation exchanger at a high superficial velocity (more than 500 cm per hour) and at a high liquid load (100-600 bed volumes per hour); eluting these proteins, separately or simultaneously, by elution with one or more salt solutions, so as to form one or more eluates; and optionally followed by drying of the eluates.

Abstract: This invention is related to an adhesive composition which may be used to bond or seal tissue in vivo. The adhesive composition is readily formed from a two component mixture which includes a first part of a protein, preferably a serum albumin protein, in an aqueous buffer having a pH in the range of about 8.0-11.0 and a second part of a water-compatible or water-soluble bifunctional crosslinking agent. When the two parts of the mixture are combined, the mixture is initially a liquid which cures in vivo on the surface of tissue in less than about one minute to give a strong, flexible, pliant substantive composition which bonds to the tissue and is absorbed in about four to sixty days. The adhesive composition may be used either to bond tissue, to seal tissue or to prevent tissue adhesions caused by surgery.

Abstract: A protein which inhibits milk secretion by lactating cows and which is present in the eighth (6B, Figure) significant peak when a nominally 10-30 KDa fraction of the whey proteins of the milk is resolved on a "Mono Q" anion exchange column using 10 mM imidazole buffer, pH 7.0 and a sodium chloride elution gradient.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a process for the membrane filtration of a protein solution. The improvement consists of applying a high shear force at the surface of the membrane. In embodiments of such process, the liquid is subjected to membrane filtration utilizing a rotating membrane disc mounted in close proximity e.g., about 1/8" to about 1/4" to a stationary solid disc, or a rotating solid disc mounted in close proximity e.g., about 1/8" to about 1/4" to a stationary membrane surface with the relative rotation being between bout 1,000 and about 3,450 RPM. This results in permeation characteristics of the selected membrane which essentially represents its theoretical molecular weight cut-off.

Abstract: Whey protein fractions, especially alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin, are produced by a process which comprises the steps of: (a) treating the whey to achieve a reduction in the specific gravity and ionic strength of the whey to levels which should not be less than 25% of their original values; (b) adjusting the pH of the whey to a value in the range 3.80 to 5.50 by the addition of acid; the above steps being carried out in any order; (c) heating the pH-adjusted whey to a temperature in the range 55.degree.-70.degree. C., and maintaining the whey at that temperature for a period greater than 30 seconds and sufficient to permit aggregation of a portion of the protein content of the whey; (d) cooling the whey to a temperature less than 55.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a composition highly containing .alpha.-lactalbmin. This process comprises adjusting, to pH of 2-4 or 5 or higher, cheese whey, acid casein whey or rennet casein whey; contacting the whey with an ion exchanger, to produce an exchanger-passed solution; and then, concentrating and/or desalting the exchanger-passed solution, if necessary after the exchanger-passed solution is adjusted to a pH of 4 or lower. According to the present process, it is possible to efficiently produce a high .alpha.-lactalumin content composition at low cost and in a simple and easy manner on an industrial scale. The resultant high .alpha.-lactalumin content composition can be used for food materials and medical materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the recovery of .alpha.-lactalbumin and/or .beta.-lactoglobulin enriched whey protein concentrate from a whey protein product. The process comprises the following steps:a) incubating a solution comprising whey protein product with a calcium-binding ionic exchange resin in its acid form to initiate the instabilization of .alpha.-lactalbumin,b) adjusting the pH of the treated protein product solution to a value between 4.3 and 4.8, after separation of the resin,c) incubating the protein product solution at a temperature between 10 and 50.degree. C. to promote the flocculation of .alpha.-lactalbumin,d) fractionating the proteins in the protein product solution at pH 4.3-4.8, providing an .alpha.-lactalbumin enriched fraction and a .beta.-lactoglobulin enriched fraction,e) raising the pH of the .alpha.-lactalbumin enriched fraction sufficiently to solubilize the .alpha.-lactalbumin fraction, andf) optionally raising the pH of the .beta.

Abstract: A transparent adjusted milk whey protein is prepared by a method in which milk whey protein is purified and then the pH of a solution containing the milk whey protein is adjusted to not higher than 4 or not lower than 6. The solution may be heated to a temperature not lower than 55.degree. C. before or after adjusting the pH. Further, an adjusted milk whey product is prepared by a method in which the pH of a solution containing milk whey protein is adjusted to not higher than 4 or not lower than 6 and the solution is heated at a temperature not lower than 55.degree. C. and cooled to a temperature not higher than 10.degree. C., or a method in which the pH of a solution containing purified milk whey protein is adjusted to not higher than 4 or not lower than 6 under such a condition as salt content of the solution is 0 or not higher than 50 mM, and the solution is heated at a temperature not lower than 55.degree. C. and cooled to a temperature not higher than 10.degree. C.

Abstract: Bioactive agents, having growth-promoting activity upon Bifidobacteria, consisting of one or more lactoferrin-compounds selected from the group consisting of bovine lactoferrin, bovine apolactoferrin and bovine Fe-lactoferrin, which can be used as it is as agents to promote proliferation of Bifidobacteria both in vivo and in vitro, and as additives to prepare compositions, materials and products to afford growth-promoting activity thereto, and to improve survivability of Bifidobacteria, if contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a composition containing sialic acids. The process of the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) adjusting cheese whey or rennet whey to a pH of 2-5; (b) contacting the whey with a cation exchanger, to produce an exchanger-passed solution; (c) adjusting the pH of the exchanger-passed solution to a pH of 4 or lower; and then (d) concentrating and/or desalting the exchanger-passed solution. According to the present invention, it is possible to produce a composition having a high sialic acids content at a low cost and in a simple and easy manner on an industrial scale. The high sialic acids content composition thus produced can be utilized as food materials or medical materials and therefore is very useful, industrially.

Abstract: A secretory component-containing composition which is obtainable by contacting a milk or a whey with a cation exchange resin to allow the resin to absorb a secretory component contained in the milk or the whey and then eluting the secretory component and which has the following properties:(a) contains a secretory component with the purity of at least 20% by weight,(b) contains, besides the secretory component, at least an immunoglobulin and/or a serum albumin, and(c) has anti-infectious effects.

Abstract: A process for extracting pure fractions of lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin from milk serum is described. The milk serum is microfiltered and passed through a strong cation exchanger at a high rate of flow for selective adsorption of lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin, and then the lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin are eluted successively and selectively with saline solutions having different concentrations.

Abstract: A method for the selective extraction of beta-lactoglobulin and other proteins from whey or milk by means of subunit exchange chromatography and for the deproteinization of whey by subsequent chromatography on an ion exchange resin.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for producing an .alpha.-lactalbumin-enhanced fraction from a liquid containing whey protein including .alpha.-lactalbumin and .beta.-lactoglobulin which comprises subjecting said liquid to ultrafiltration using a membrane having a molecular weight cut off of essentially 100,000 to form a permeate having a protein content in which the proportion of .alpha.-lactalbumin is enhanced relative to the proportion obtaining in the protein content of said liquid.

Abstract: This invention is related to an adhesive composition which may be used to bond or seal tissue in vivo. The adhesive composition is readily formed from a two component mixture which includes a first part of a protein, preferably a serum albumin protein, in an aqueous buffer having a pH in the range of about 8.0-11.0 and a second part of a water-compatible or water-soluble bifunctional crosslinking agent. When the two parts of the mixture are combined, the mixture is initially a liquid which cures in vivo on the surface of tissue in less than about one minute to give a strong, flexible, pliant substantive composition which bonds to the tissue and is absorbed in about four to sixty days. The adhesive composition may be used either to bond tissue, to seal tissue or to prevent tissue adhesions caused by surgery.

Abstract: This invention is related to an adhesive composition which may be used to bond or seal tissue in vivo. The adhesive composition is readily formed from a two component mixture which includes a first part of a protein, preferably a serum albumin protein, in an aqueous buffer having a pH in the range of about 8.0-11.0 and a second part of a water-compatible or water-soluble bifunctional crosslinking agent. When the two parts of the mixture are combined, the mixture is initially a liquid which cures in vivo on the surface of tissue in less than about one minute to give a strong, flexible, pliant substantive composition which bonds to the tissue and is absorbed in about four to sixty days. The adhesive composition may be used either to bond tissue, to seal tissue or to prevent tissue adhesions caused by surgery.