Purification and Identification of Acidic Proteins in Bovine Colostrum

Colostrum contains higher concentrations of immune-enhancing nutrients and components than mature milk and its bioactivity has received widespread attention. In the present study, the protein fractions of bovine colostrum whey were isolated and purified by membrane filtration, series of chromatography on DEAE52 ion exchange column, gel filtration column and Econo-pac Q column. Four kinds of dominant peptides in BCAP, lactoferrin, osteopontin, insulin-like growth factor-2 and epidermal growth factor, were purified and identified. These functional components are devoted for the beneficial bioactivities of colostrum whey on preventing or delaying osteoporosis.