Milk is composed of water, protein (casein, whey protein, and minor proteins), and solids (fat, lactose, ash). Bovine milk comprises of two major proteins, casein and whey protein.
One of the main proteins included in dairy products is whey protein. It is considered as a complete protein because it contains all 9 essential amino acids. It is low in lactose content.
Whey protein refers to a group of eight proteins found in milk.
- Beta- lactoglobulin (β-LG)
- Alpha- lactalbumic (α-LA)
- Blood Serum Albumin (BSA)
- Immunoglobulin (Ig)
- Glycomacropeptide
- Lactoferrin
- Lactoperoxidase
- Lysozyme
Whey protein can be added to liquids or soft meals like applesauce or blended with ice and fresh fruit to make smoothies. It typically comes in the form of a powder. Whey protein is commonly used by people to boost athletic performance and treat nutritional deficiencies.
Types of whey protein
Whey protein then undergoes another process to make one of three main types: isolate, concentrate, and hydrolysate. Each one is processed differently, and they all have varied nutritional values. Concentrate and isolate tend to be the most popular on the market.
Concentrate: Products with whey protein concentrate vary widely in their protein, lactose and fat content. Many protein drinks, bars, and nutritional products contain whey protein concentrate. It’s also used in infant formula.
Isolate: this type consistently has high protein content and a low fat or lactose content. On the labels of protein supplements, such as bars and drinks, you might find it mentioned. For those who are lactose intolerant, whey protein isolate might be a good option; however, if you have a milk allergy, you shouldn’t try any of these.
Hydrolysate: Whey hydrolysate, also referred to as hydrolyzed whey protein, is the most easily digested type. Because its long protein chains, known as peptides, have been broken down into shorter ones, it is easy to digest. Hydrolyzed whey protein is frequently used in specialized infant formulas. It could also be found in nutritional supplements prescribed by doctors.
Non-dairy whey protein alternatives
Alternatives to dairy-based whey protein Microbes have been modified to create proteins that are “bioidentical” to whey or even similar to it. The companies Perfect Day, California Performance, New Culture, and Motif Ingredients are pioneering microbe-produced whey and cheese. Although none of these companies specify the amount of proteins in their products, they do have some of the genes required to produce whey proteins. These products are allegedly comparable to contemporary food products developed from GMOs.
