Possible Influence of Vitamin B₁₂-Binding Protein in Milk on the Intestinal Flora in Breast-Fed Infants

Abstract

Gullberg, Ragnhild. Possible influence of vitamin B₁₂-binding protein in milk on the intestinal flora in breast-fed infants. I. B₁₂-binding protein in human and bovine milk. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1973, 8, 497-503.

Breast milk was found to contain relatively large amounts of an unsaturated vitamin B₁₂-binding protein characterized by large molecular size. In contrast, no unsaturated B₁₂-binding protein was demonstrable in dairy milk or in commercial cow milk products for infant feeding. It is suggested that the Bi2-binding protein in milk and gastrointestinal secretions has the important function of competing for vitamin B₁₂ with B₁₂-removing bacteria. Thus, the Bi2-binding protein would be one factor of importance in the complex mechanisms that are regulating the intestinal flora. It would contribute to the protective effect of breast milk against gastrointestinal infections in infants.

Key-words::

• Breast feeding
• enterobacteriaceae
• food, dairy products
• milk, human
• vitamin B₁₂