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A new bioactive compound, Mn3+-saturated bovine lactoferrin (Mn2-bLf) was obtained. It was stable under physiological conditions (pH ≈ 7.5) although gradually releases Mn2+ ions under the simulated intestinal conditions (pH ≈ 6.5). This feature might be utilized for controlled delivery of Mn2+ ions to biological targets, among others to the probiotic strains of lactic acid bacteria whose growth is manganese-dependent. The Mn3+ modified bLf stimulates the growth of standard Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, as well as the strains isolated from commercially available probiotic preparations, while the naturally occurring Fe-free and Fe-saturated forms of this protein are inactive. The uptake of manganese by Lactobacilli from Mn2-bLf added to culture supernatant was confirmed. Mn2-bLf was non-cytotoxic for Caco-2, CT-26 and HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells even up to 10 mg/ml concentration. Mn2-bLf due to stimulation of the growth of Lactobacilli and lack of toxicity, can be considered as an innovative ingredient of the prebiotic composition.

For many years vitamin K has been considered to be associated only with blood clotting processes. Thanks to the research of last thirty years its other equally important role has been discovered. Vitamin K acts as a cofactor for the posttranslational γ-carboxylation of glutamate residues in proteins such as osteocalcin or matrix Gla protein (MGP). Thus the diet reach in vitamin K or supplementation of this vitamin on early stages of development may decrease risk of diseases such as rickets, osteoporosis or cardiovascular diseases.