Bioactive Proteins in Human Milk-Potential Benefits for Preterm Infants

Abstract

Human milk contains many bioactive proteins that are likely to be involved in the better outcomes of breast-fed infants compared with those fed infant formula. Bovine milk proteins or protein fractions may be able to provide some of these benefits and may, therefore, be used for preterm infants. Recombinant human milk proteins are likely to exert bioactivities similar to those of the native human milk proteins, but considerable research is needed before they can be used in routine care of preterm infants.

Keywords: Bioactive proteins; Human milk; Preterm infants; Protein digestibility.