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Bovine milk protein fractions that enable modification of the protein composition and amino acid profile of infant formulas to mimic those of human milk have recently become available. To determine the effects on protein quality and mineral bioavailability of replacing casein by [beta]-casein and of whey protein isolate by [alpha]-lactalbumin, 4 groups of growing rats were fed for 3 wk diets containing 10% protein as 1) casein (control); 2) [beta]-casein; 3) casein:whey (40:60); or 4) [beta]-casein: [alpha]-lactalbumin (40:60). Protein quality, determined as protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein utilization (NPU), biological value (BV) and protein digestibility (PD), as well as body weight gain, were higher (P < 0.05) with consumption of the whey-adapted diets [casein:whey (40:60); [beta]-casein: [alpha]-lactalbumin (40:60)] compared with the casein diets (casein; [beta]-casein); however, there were no differences between the 2 casein diets or between the 2 whey-adapted diets. Apparent absorption of minerals (Ca, P, Fe, Zn) from the whey-adapted diets was higher than that from the casein diets (P < 0.05); but again, no differences were observed when casein or whey protein isolate were replaced by [beta]-casein or [alpha]-lactalbumin, respectively. Thus, substitution of casein by [beta]-casein or of whey protein isolate by [alpha]-lactalbumin does not affect protein quality or mineral bioavailability as determined in growing rats. KEY WORDS: * protein quality * mineral balance * [beta]-casein * [alpha]-lactalbumin

An in vitro method for estimating the bioavailability of selenium (Se) from human, cow's goat and sheep milk is described. The effect of Se availability to protein digestion was also determined. Se in the various milk samples was determined by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy. The Se availability of human milk was the highest at 11.1%, while that of cow, goat and sheep was 6.8%, 6.2% and less than 2%, respectively. Tests showed that samples with high Se availability showed high gastric digestibility of human milk protein.

Utilization of expert recommendations in the development of food and beverage nutritional profiles represents an opportunity to merge science and food manufacturing to deliver nutritionally optimized products into the marketplace. This report details expert panel guidelines for the design of a nutritional product for children one to six years of age. This interaction demonstrates the essential synergy between academia and food manufacturers in translating nutrient recommendations to food for their delivery to a population. Important factors for such translation are the identification of applicable nutrient recommendations and selection of an appropriate delivery matrix. This report demonstrates the translation of expert nutritional recommendations to a milk-based product for children—one to six years of age. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]