Whey protein is a mixture of isolated from whey, the liquid material created as a by-product of cheese production. The proteins consist of α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, serum albumin and Antibody.
Production of whey
Whey is left over when milk is coagulated during the process of cheese production. Coagulation can happen by adding
acid or
rennet. It is a 5% solution of
lactose in water and contains the water-soluble proteins of milk as well as some
lipid content.
["Whey." The Encyclopædia Britannica. 15th ed. 1994] Processing can be done by simple drying, or the relative protein content can be increased by removing the lactose, lipids and other non-protein materials.
The main method to extract protein from whey is membrane filtration. A variety of membrane pore sizes can be used to selectively let different components of whey go through or be retained. Whey can be passed through "microfiltration" which blocks bacteria, casein , and fat, then passed through "ultrafiltration" (UF) which blocks proteins. The part that does not go through UF is Spray drying into a concentrated whey protein.
Ion exchange chromatography is another major method for whey protein extraction. Methods in development include aqueous two-phase extraction and magnetic fishing.
Microbial production
Microbes have been engineered to produce proteins similar or even "bioidentical" to whey.
Various companies offer microbe-produced whey and cheese; however, none of these companies stipulate the protein composition of their products, but they do contain some of the
genes needed to make whey proteins.
Composition
The protein in cow's milk is approximately 20% whey and 80%
casein.
The protein in
human milk is approximately 60% whey and 40% casein.
The protein fraction in whey constitutes approximately 10% of the total dry solids in whey. This protein is typically a mixture of beta-lactoglobulin (~65%), alpha-lactalbumin (~25%), bovine serum albumin (~8%) (see also
serum albumin), and
immunoglobulins.
The third largest fragment of whey protein isolate derived from sweet whey is glycomacropeptide or GMP. However, GMP lacks the secondary structure necessary for it to be classified as a protein and is considered a long amino acid chain. These peptides are all soluble in water in their native forms.
Major forms and uses
Four major types of whey protein are produced commercially:
-
Whey protein concentrates (WPC) have typically low - though not absent - levels of fat and cholesterol. They also contain carbohydrates in the form of lactose. Powders are typically between 29%–89% protein by dry weight.
-
Whey protein isolates (WPI) are processed to remove fat and lactose, and as a result, WPI powders are typically over 90% protein by dry weight. Like WPC, WPI are mild and slightly milky in taste.
-
Whey protein (WPH) are whey proteins that are predigested and partially hydrolysis for the purpose of easier metabolizing. Their cost is generally higher than WPC and WPI.
[ Highly hydrolysed whey may be less than other forms of whey, due to its smaller peptide chains. For this reason it is a common constituent in hypoallergenic baby milk formulas and medical foods.]
-
Native whey protein is extracted from skimmed milk, rather than being collected as a byproduct of cheese production. This type of whey does not contain glycomacropeptide, which is formed only after the addition of rennet.
There is evidence that whey protein is more bio-available than casein or soy protein.[Morifuji, Masashi (2010). "Comparison of Different Sources and Degrees of Hydrolysis of Dietary Protein: Effect on Plasma Amino Acids, Dipeptides, and Insulin Responses in Human Subjects". J. Agric. Food Chem. 58 (15): 8788–8797.][Calbet, JA (2002). "Plasma glucagon and insulin responses depend on the rate of appearance of amino acids after ingestion of different protein solutions in humans".. J Nutr. 132 (8): 2174–82.]
Whey protein is commonly marketed as a dietary supplement, typically sold in powdered form for mixing into beverages.
Use for strength training and muscle building
The primary usage of whey protein supplements is for muscle growth and development. Eating whey protein supplements before exercise will not assist athletic performance, but it will enhance the body's protein recovery and synthesis after exercise because it increases the free
in the body's free amino acid pool.
In 2010, a panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel examined the effects of whey protein on weight loss (via both fat loss and increased satiety) and strength and muscle building. The panel concluded that there's no evidence supporting any weight loss claims and that whey protein is roughly as effective for building strength, muscle and lean body mass as other protein sources.
Although whey proteins are responsible for some milk allergy, the major allergens in milk are the .
Whey cheese
Whey cheese, such as
ricotta, is produced from whey and is rich in whey protein (except for
brunost). The whey protein accounts for about 40–45% of the solids content of ricotta.
External links
