Lactoferrin powder

Lactoferrin Powder — Bovine Lactoferrin for Nutraceutical & Functional Food Applications

The bioactive glycoprotein lactoferrin powder is taken from cow's milk using cation exchange chromatography and ultrafiltration. It is 95% pure by HPLC. It is made by Shaanxi Bolin Biotechnology and stays bioactive for over 90% of the time by low-temperature spray drying. It comes out as a distinctive pale pink powder.

It can be used to make baby formula, clinical nutrition, and high-quality supplements because it has a molecular weight of about 80 kDa and two high-affinity iron-binding sites.

What Is Lactoferrin Powder?

Lactoferrin powder is a naturally occurring protein in both cow's milk and human breast milk. It is in the transferrin protein family. Its main feature is that it binds iron very well and moves Feⱱ⁺ ions around efficiently without the oxidative stress or stomach problems that are common with inorganic iron salts like ferrous sulphate.

This makes it relevant for two distinct formulation goals. First, it supports controlled iron delivery in sensitive populations, including infants and clinical patients. Second, its antimicrobial and prebiotic properties — derived from the same iron-chelation mechanism — offer a naturally derived alternative to antibiotic-based preservation in functional foods.

Product Specifications

Technical Characteristics

Bioactivity Retention

Spray drying at low temperatures keeps the bioactivity above 90% of the native protein. This handling choice is especially important when the ingredient is going to be used in products that can't handle heat, like ready-to-mix baby feeding mixes.

Dual Iron-Binding Sites

The two Fe³⁺ binding sites allow specific iron transport. This process helps the body absorb iron more efficiently while avoiding the harmful effects of free metal iron, which is important for formulators of baby formula and clinical nutrition.

Gastrointestinal Resilience

The protein is not broken down by pepsin or trypsin, which helps it get to receptors in the small intestine, where absorption takes place.

Two Functional Forms

• Apo-Lactoferrin (iron saturation <20%) — iron-free form suited for antimicrobial and immune-support applications
• Holo-Lactoferrin (iron saturation >70%) — iron-saturated form intended for iron deficiency supplementation products

Application Areas

• Infant Formula — Complements the protein profile of bovine milk-based formulas with a functional glycoprotein also present in human breast milk
• Sports and Clinical Nutrition — Supports iron metabolism in recovery and clinical contexts
• Functional Beverages — Stable across pH 4.0–7.0, allowing inclusion in a range of beverage formats
• Dietary Supplements — Compatible with capsule, tablet, and powder blend formats for immune health positioning

About Bolin Biotechnology

Shaanxi Bolin Biotechnology has been developing natural raw material ingredients since 2012. The Lactoferrin powder company employs over 80 professionals across R&D, production, and quality assurance. Facilities operate under ISO, HACCP, KOSHER, and HALAL certifications.

Quality control covers the full production chain, from raw material sourcing through to third-party batch verification, with heavy metal testing aligned to EU food safety standards.

OEM services are available, including custom formulation support, flexible packaging configurations, and private label options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Does pasteurisation change the bioactivity of things?

A:High-heat pasteurisation can change the structure of the protein and make it less able to bind iron. When bioactivity is important, low-temperature spray-dried forms are best, and it's best to do dry mixing after any step that involves heat.

Q:When should I pick freeze-dried over spray-dried?

A:Freeze-dried product keeps more of its bioactivity and dissolves better, so it can be used in high-end vitamin products. Spray-drying is easier to get, costs less, and works well in most food applications as long as the temperature at the outlet stays below 80°C.

Q:What's the difference between Apo and Holo forms in real life?

A:Apo-lactoferrin has very little iron and is chosen for antimicrobial or immune-supportive formulations. Holo-lactoferrin is iron-saturated and is used in goods that are made to help people who don't have enough iron.

Q:What does this ingredient do in drinks that are acidic?

A:It works the same whether the pH is 4.0 or 7.0. Precipitation can happen when the pH is less than 3.0 or when certain flavonoids are present. Before committing to clear, highly acidic beverage formats, it is best to do bench-scale feasibility testing.

Q:What conditions for storage keep caking from happening?

A:Keep in multilayer aluminium foil bags that are sealed and filled with desiccant. Keep the bags below 25°C and the relative humidity below 60%. If you don't seal it properly, moisture and oxygen can get in faster, lowering the shelf life.

Contact Us

To request a sample or discuss bulk supply of lactoferrin powder, Contact Us at sales1@bovlin.com. We will respond to your inquiry promptly.