Executive Summary

Casein micelles (CM) have potential to serve as nano-vehicles for added nutraceuticals, according to an article published online Nov. 3 by Food Hydrocolloids. From their study of fat-soluble vitamin D2, Efrat Semo, et al., say, "We have demonstrated for the first time, the possibility to load a nutraceutical compound in CM, utilizing the natural self-assembly tendency of bovine caseins. The vitamin was about 5.5 times more concentrated within the micelles than in the serum where it was only present bound to residual soluble caseins." The authors go on to say "milk fortified with such vitamin D2-enriched rCM [re-assembled micelles] accounting for only 0.6% of the total milk casein would contain about one third of the vitamin D2 recommended daily allowance for adults in a single glass of milk"...