Paper: Protein source and composition influences protein digestion in infants

To determine protein digestion kinetics of formulas with 60:40 whey to casein ratio (Kabrita versus a cow’s milk-based infant formula [CMF]) and 60:40 to 20:80 (Kabrita versus another goat milk-based infant formula [GMF]) and to evaluate the impact of adding goat milk fat to formula on protein digestion kinetics.

We used the Tiny-TIM digestion model to evaluate the protein digestion kinetics.

– Kabrita 60:40 demonstrated faster and more efficient protein digestion than cow’s milk-based infant formula with 60:40 whey to casein ratio.  
– Kabrita’s whey-dominant 60:40 composition demonstrated faster and more efficient digestion in the stomach and duodenum than the GMF with a casein-dominant (20:80) composition.
– Adding goat milk fat did not alter protein digestion kinetics.

–Protein source matters – Protein digestion is influenced not only by nutrient levels, but also the source (i.e., goat vs cow) and structure of the protein (whey vs casein).
–Protein composition matters – Whey:casein ratio is an important design factor in infant formula and can influence protein digestion behavior.
–Kabrita’s protein design is inspired by human milk – The composition of human milk naturally evolves throughout lactation. Our Kabrita range aims to follow this compositional evolution.