Bega Bionutrients is part of the Bega Cheese Group. Started in 1899, Bega Cheese Group is now one of Australia’s leading food companies, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Bega Bionutrients produces milk-based ingredients that have functional health, nutrition and wellbeing properties. These ingredients have applications in multiple categories such as early life nutrition, sports and performance nutrition, lifestyle nutrition, personal care and cosmetics and clinical nutrition...
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Bega Bionutrients is part of the Bega Cheese Group. Started in 1899, Bega Cheese Group is now one of Australia’s leading food companies, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Bega Bionutrients produces milk-based ingredients that have functional health, nutrition and wellbeing properties. These ingredients have applications in multiple categories such as early life nutrition, sports and performance nutrition, lifestyle nutrition, personal care and cosmetics and clinical nutrition.
Bega is one of Australia’s major milk processors and has access to a continuous supply of Australian milk, that is collected daily from farms around Victoria and New South Wales. This high-quality milk is the natural source for the Bega Bionutrients ingredients portfolio. The most well-known of which is lactoferrin. Bega’s Tatura facilities began producing lactoferrin in 2002. Bega is currently building a new manufacturing facility at their Koroit dairy plant in Victoria’s south-west. This new facility will make Bega one of the world’s largest lactoferrin suppliers for early life nutrition and lifestyle nutrition applications.
Lactoferrin is an important natural immune protein
As an important protein found naturally in human and cow’s milk and other “protective” fluids produced by the body, such as tears and saliva. It is a natural component of every person’s “immune defences” system. It is abundant in mother’s breast milk, where quantities are at their peak in early milk.
Lactoferrin extracted from cows milk has been extensively researched, with the evaluation of its efficacy in over 80 clinical studies. These trials have established its efficacy and lack of significant adverse reactions in adults, children, and infants. Its popularity as an ingredient has been global, with worldwide consumption in over 50 countries, mainly in infant formula and in supplements suitable for all ages.
Why is lactoferrin important for infants?
An infant’s natural source of lactoferrin is from breast milk. In breast milk, it is referred to as a “first line defence” protein. It is at this early stage where it plays its most important role for infant nutrition and providing immune protection for a baby.
70% of the cells that make up the immune system are found in the gut. At birth, these cells act as a physical barrier between the immature infant’s immune system and potentially harmful foreign bodies. This barrier is at all stages of life unless it is compromised.
When consumed, lactoferrin interacts with these intestinal immune cells residing in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and helps naturally regulate immune function.
Lactoferrin’s iron-binding properties and supporting iron status in pregnancy
Iron is a nutrient required by many bacteria and fungi to grow. Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein. When it binds to free iron, it deprives these potential pathogens of this essential nutrient and reduces their ability to grow. It is also shown to facilitate regulation of blood iron levels, iron absorption as well as providing iron to the cells.
Adequate intake and absorption of iron is essential for supporting the development of a healthy brain. Efficient iron transport and absorption are pivotal during pregnancy to help support the developing fetus. Offering an exciting new approach to correct iron deficiency early in pregnancy and supports adequate iron status at all stages of pregnancy.
Lactoferrin’s use is expanded into adult and lifestyle nutrition with Inferrin
Bega has expanded the potential uses for lactoferrin under its Begabio range with Inferrin®. Inferrin utilises patented microencapsulation technology, to protect it from chemical attack by the acids and digestive enzymes in the adult stomach. It is then released in the small intestine where it can be more biologically available and effective. Inferrin expands the potential applications and dosage efficacy of lactoferrin in adult populations.
Milk protein fraction contains lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase
Milk Protein Fraction (MPF Co-isolate) contains different bioactive milk proteins including lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, growth factors and immunoglobulins. This combination brings new formulation benefit possibilities, ideal for use in lifestyle nutrition, sports and performance nutrition.
Sentin – harnessing the power of milk for better skin
Bega has developed a novel ingredient, Sentin Complex, for use in skincare products. Milk as a beneficial ingredient in skincare is not new. Stories date back thousands of years of people using milk as a form of beauty based skin treatment. What is new is Bega’s extraction and purification of a specific combination of milk proteins, skin nourishing enzymes, specialty growth factors and cell signalling peptides that show consistent skin improvement in research results. The bioactive ingredients in Sentin Complex work synergistically to even tone, reduce the visible signs of aging and improve the overall appearance of skin.
Further information on the Bega Bio range of ingredients can be found at begabio.com.au
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