Casein (// or //, from Latin caseus, "cheese") is the name for a family of related phosphoproteins (αS1, αS2, β, κ). These proteins are commonly found in mammalian milk, making up 80% of the proteins in cow milk and between 20% and 45% of the proteins in human milk.[1] Casein has a wide variety of uses, from being a major component of cheese, to use as a food additive, to a binder for safety matches.[2] As a food source, casein supplies amino acids; carbohydrates; and two inorganic elements, calcium and phosphorus.[3]
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Contents
- 1 Composition
- 2 Beta-casein
- 3 Uses
- 3.1 Paint
- 3.2 Glue
- 3.3 Cheesemaking
- 3.4 Plastics and fiber
- 3.5 Protein supplements
- 3.6 Medical and dental uses
- 4 Controversies
- 4.1 Autism
- 4.2 A1/A2 beta caseins in milk
- 4.3 Cancer
- 4.4 Casein-free diet
- 4.5 Altering the effects of polyphenols
- 4.6 Drug-casein interaction
- 5 See also
- 6 References
- 7 Further reading
- 8 External links
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Composition[edit]
Casein contains a fairly high number of proline residues, which do not interact. There are also no disulfide bridges. As a result, it has relatively little tertiary structure. It is relatively hydrophobic, making it poorly soluble in water. It is found in milk as a suspension of particles called "casein micelles" which show only limited resemblance with surfactant-type micellae in a sense that the hydrophilic parts reside at the surface and they are spherical. However, in sharp contrast to surfactant micelles, the interior of a casein micelle is highly hydrated. The caseins in the micelles are held together by calcium ions and hydrophobic interactions. Several models account for the special conformation of casein in the micelles.[4] One of them proposes the micellar nucleus is formed by several submicelles, the periphery consisting of microvellosities of κ-casein.[5][6] Another model suggests the nucleus is formed by casein-interlinked fibrils.[7] Finally, the most recent model[8] proposes a double link among the caseins for gelling to take place. All three models consider micelles as colloidal particles formed by casein aggregates wrapped up in soluble κ-casein molecules.
The isoelectric point of casein is 4.6. Since milk's pH is 6.6, casein has a negative charge in milk. The purified protein is water insoluble. While it is also insoluble in neutral salt solutions, it is readily dispersible in dilute alkalis and in salt solutions such as sodium oxalate and sodium acetate.
The enzyme trypsin can hydrolyze off a phosphate-containing peptone. It is used to form a type of organic adhesive.[9]
Beta-casein[edit]
Human beta-casein is the major protein found in human milk. The protein binds to calcium at its phosphorylated regions, which in turn are highly conserved. The calcium then binds the caseins together and forms micelles, which better enable it to be ingested by infants. It also has opioid type effects on newborn sleeping patterns. The protein, as a whole, is disordered and is characterized as a random coil protein. This structure can be modified to some extent with an increase of temperature.[10]
Uses[edit]
Paint[edit]
Casein preparation in an old etching operation in Müllheim
Casein paint is a fast-drying, water-soluble medium used by artists. Casein paint has been used since ancient Egyptian times as a form of tempera paint, and was widely used by commercial illustrators as the material of choice until the late 1960s when, with the advent of acrylic paint, casein became less popular.[11][12] It is still widely used by scene painters, although acrylic has made inroads in that field as well.[13]
Glue[edit]
Casein-based glues were popular for woodworking, including for aircraft, as late as the de Havilland Mosquito.[14] Casein glue is also used in transformer manufacturing (specifically transformer board) due to its oil permeability.[15] While largely replaced by synthetic resins, casein-based glues still have a use in certain niche applications, such as laminating fireproof doors and the labeling of bottles.[16][17][18]
Cheesemaking[edit]
Cheese consists of proteins and fat from milk, usually the milk of cows, buffalo, goats, or sheep. It is produced by coagulation of casein. Typically, the milk is acidified and then coagulated by the addition of rennet, containing a proteolytic enzyme, typically obtained from the stomachs of calves. The solids are separated and pressed into final form.[19]
Unlike many proteins, casein is not coagulated by heat. During the process of clotting, milk-clotting proteases act on the soluble portion of the caseins, κ-casein, thus originating an unstable micellar state that results in clot formation. When coagulated with chymosin, casein is sometimes called paracasein. Chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) is an aspartic protease that specifically hydrolyzes the peptide bond in Phe105-Met106 of κ-casein, and is considered to be the most efficient protease for the cheese-making industry (Rao et al., 1998). British terminology, on the other hand, uses the term caseinogen for the uncoagulated protein and casein for the coagulated protein. As it exists in milk, it is a salt of calcium.
Plastics and fiber[edit]
Some of the earliest plastics were based on casein. In particular, galalith was well known for use in buttons. Fiber can be made from extruded casein. Lanital, a fabric made from casein fiber (known as Aralac in the United States), was particularly popular in Italy during the 1930s. Recent innovations such as QMilch are offering a more refined use of the fiber for modern fabrics.
Protein supplements[edit]
An attractive property of the casein molecule is its ability to form a gel or clot in the stomach, which makes it very efficient in nutrient supply. The clot is able to provide a sustained slow release of amino acids into the blood stream, sometimes lasting for several hours.[20]
Medical and dental uses[edit]
Casein-derived compounds are used in tooth remineralization products to stabilize amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and release the ACP onto tooth surfaces, where it can facilitate remineralization.[21][22]
Controversies[edit]
Autism[edit]
Although research has shown high rates of use of complementary and alternative therapies for children with autism, including gluten and/or casein exclusion diets, as of 2008[update] there is a lack of evidence for the efficacy of these diets.[23] A 2006 review of seven studies indicated that, although all reported benefits of exclusion diets in reducing autism symptoms, all suffered design flaws, and there was not enough evidence overall to justify recommending exclusion diets to patients.[24]
A1/A2 beta caseins in milk[edit]
According to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), "Milk contains many types of proteins. The proportion of various proteins can be quite different in the milk from different breeds of cows and in the milk from other animals.
Of the six major protein types in cow's milk, four are casein proteins and the other two are whey proteins. The caseins usually make up about 80% of the protein in cow's milk. One of the major caseins is beta -casein. There are different beta casein types, but the most common are beta casein A1 (milk high in this type is known as A1 milk) and beta casein A2 (milk high in this type is known as A2 milk).
Certain breeds of cows, such as Friesians, produce mostly A1 milk, whereas other breeds, such as Guernseys, as well as sheep and goats, produce mostly A2 milk. Milk produced in Australia and New Zealand is normally a mix of A1 and A2 milks."[25]
The European Food Safety Authority carried out a literature review in 2009 concluding "a cause and effect relationship is not established between the dietary intake of BCM7, related peptides or their possible protein precursors and non-communicable diseases" (see A2 milk). Studies supporting these claims have had significant flaws, and the data are inadequate to guide autism treatment recommendations.[26]
"A2 Milk" is a trademark of the A2 Corporation Ltd. of New Zealand.[27]
Cancer[edit]
T. Colin Campbell's The China Study (2005), a book, describes a direct correlation between casein administered to rats and the promotion of cancer cell growth when exposed to carcinogens. Aflatoxin (a potent carcinogen) was administered to these rats over a 2 week dosing period. The rats were given a 1 week post-dosing period before beginning the test (promotion period). During the promotion period, one group of rats was put on a 5% casein protein diet and another group on a 20% casein protein diet. None of the rats on 5% casein protein developed foci, precursors to cancerous cell growth, and every rat on 20% casein protein developed the pre-cancer foci. It should be noted that all test groups were fed a 20% casein diet for a total of 5 weeks (2-wk acclimation, 2-wk dosing, 1-wk post-dosing) prior to the 12 week promotion period in order to survive the initial aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) dosing, regardless of whether they were in the 5% or 20% test groups. Campbell has performed additional studies using a range of different carcinogens and other experimental animals, and claims to have found a consistent correlation between cancer growth and the amount of casein protein in diet.[28] A 2001 study suggests another milk protein, whey protein, may play a protective role against colon tumors in rats.[29] According to a study from the Australian Dairy Council, casein has antimutagenic effects.[30]
Casein-free diet[edit]
Main article: Gluten-free, casein-free diet
A small fraction of the population is allergic to casein[31] and must avoid it in the same way as any other food allergen. There is also a belief that some people have non-allergy sensitivities to casein. Casein has a molecular structure quite similar to that of gluten. Thus, some gluten-free diets are combined with casein-free diets and referred to as a gluten-free, casein-free diet.[citation needed]
Altering the effects of polyphenols[edit]
A study of Charité Hospital in Berlin by Lorenzo et al., published in The European Heart Journal, showed adding milk to tea causes the casein to bind to the molecules in tea that cause the arteries to relax, especially a catechin molecule called EGCG, although a more recent study by Reddy et al. (2005) suggests the addition of milk to tea does not alter the antioxidant activity in vivo,[32] and the cardiovascular effect remains controversial.[33][34] A study published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine found that consuming 200 mL of whole milk (vs. water control beverage) abolished the 6.1% increase in plasma reducing and chain-breaking antioxidant potential that resulted from consuming 200 g of blueberries, and reduced the peak plasma concentrations of caffeic and ferulic acids, "as well as the overall absorption (AUC) of caffeic acid."[35] The authors did not specifically associate this with the milk's casein content, however. Reviewing previous studies on the impact of milk on absorption of polyphenols, the authors say, "It is a matter of fact that the discrepancy of the results in humans is remarkable, with half the reports suggesting a lack of effect and the other half suggesting an inhibitory effect of milk."[35]
Drug-casein interaction[edit]
Caseinate salts have been shown to reduce the bioavailability of some drugs, including phenytoin. A patient on this drug should consult their doctor about altering their diet so that the efficacy of the drug is not diminished.[36]
See also[edit]
- A2 milk - high in β-casein
- Casomorphin
- Cheese
- Dairy
- Galalith - a casein-derived plastic
- K-Casein
- Milk skin
References[edit]
- ^ Kunz, C; Lonnerdal, B (1990). "Human-milk proteins: analysis of casein and casein subunits...". American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (The American Society for Clinical Nutrition) 51 (1): 37–46. PMID 1688683. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
- ^ "Industrial Casein", National Casein Company
- ^ "The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia". casein. Sixth Edition. Columbia University. 2011
- ^ Dalgleish DG (1 November 1998). "Casein micelles as colloids. Surface structures and stabilities". Journal of Dairy Science 81 (11): 3013–8. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(98)75865-5.
- ^ Walstra, Pieter (1979). "The voluminosity of bovine casein micelles and some of its implications". Journal of Dairy Research 46: 317–323. doi:10.1017/S0022029900017234. ISSN 1469-7629.
- ^ Lucey JA (1 February 2002). "Formation and Physical Properties of Milk Protein Gels". Journal of Dairy Science 85 (2): 281–94. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(02)74078-2. PMID 11913691.
- ^ Holt C (1992). "Structure and stability of bovine casein micelles". Adv Protein Chem. 43: 63–151. doi:10.1016/S0065-3233(08)60554-9. PMID 1442324.
- ^ Horne DS (March 1998). "Casein interactions: Casting light on the black boxes, the structure in dairy products". Int Dairy J. 8 (3): 171–7. doi:10.1016/S0958-6946(98)00040-5.
- ^ "CCMR - Ask A Scientist!". Ccmr.cornell.edu. 1998-09-24. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
- ^ "DP00199: Beta-casein". Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ Reader's Digest Crafts & Hobbies edited by Daniel Weiss, Susan Chace. 1979, page 223
- ^ The Grove Encyclopedia of Materials and Techniques in Art By Gerald W. R. Ward. Oxford University Press, 2008. page 2
- ^ Scenic Design And Lighting Techniques: A Basic Guide for Theatre By Chuck B. Gloman, Rob Napoli. Focal Press. 2006. pages 281-282
- ^ "History of the de Havilland Mosquito", RAAF Museum
- ^ http://www.weidmann-electrical.com/en/markets-a-products/board/cellulose-based/laminated-board
- ^ Arthur A. Tracto. Coatings Materials And Surface Coatings. CRC Press. 2006. pages 19-7 to 19-11
- ^ Robert S. Forsyth Waterborne Adhesives for Bottle Labeling
- ^ Label Glues
- ^ Fankhauser, David B. (2007). "Fankhauser's Cheese Page". Retrieved 2007-09-23.
- ^ Boirie Y, et al. Slow and fast dietary proteins differently modulate postprandial protein accretion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 23;94(26):14930-5.
- ^ Louis Malcmacher. "Enamel Remineralization: The Medical Model of Practicing Dentistry". Dentistry Today.
- ^ Glenn Walker, Fan Cai, Peiyan Shen, Coralie Reynolds, Brent Ward, Christopher Fone, Shuji Honda, Megumi Koganei, Munehiro Oda and Eric Reynolds (2006). "Increased remineralization of tooth enamel by milk containing added casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate". Journal of Dairy Research 73 (1): 74–78. doi:10.1017/S0022029905001482. PMID 16433964.
- ^ Millward C, Ferriter M, Calver S, Connell-Jones G. Gluten- and casein-free diets for autistic spectrum disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD003498. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003498.pub3.
- ^ Christison GW, Ivany K (2006). "Elimination diets in autism spectrum disorders: any wheat amidst the chaff?". J Dev Behav Pediatr 27 (2 Suppl 2): S162–71. doi:10.1097/00004703-200604002-00015. PMID 16685183. "Owing to significant methodological flaws, the currently available data are inadequate to guide treatment recommendations."
- ^ A1 and A2 Milk (14 September 2007)
- ^ Christison GW, Ivany K (2006). "Elimination diets in autism spectrum disorders: any wheat amidst the chaff?". J Dev Behav Pediatr 27 (2 Suppl 2): S162. doi:10.1097/00004703-200604002-00015. PMID 16685183.
- ^ A2 Milk Legal (June 2012)
- ^ Campbell, T. Colin and Campbell, Thomas M. The China Study. Benbella Books, 2006, pp. 60, 65.
- ^ Hakkak, et al. "Dietary Whey Protein Protects against Azoxymethane-induced Colon Tumors in Male Rats," Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, Vol. 10, May 2001, pp. 555–558.
- ^ Parodi, P.W. "A Role for Milk Proteins and their Peptides in Cancer Prevention," Current Pharmaceutical Design, Vol. 13, No. 8, March 2007, pp. 813–828.
- ^ "Identification of casein as the major allergenic and antigenic protein of cow's milk - Docena - 2007 - Allergy - Wiley Online Library". .interscience.wiley.com. 1996-03-04. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
- ^ Reddy VC, Vidya Sagar GV, Sreeramulu D, Venu L, Raghunath M (2005). "Addition of milk does not alter the antioxidant activity of black tea". Ann Nutr Metab. 49 (3): 189–95. doi:10.1159/000087071. PMID 16020939.
- ^ Prabhakar VR, Venkatesan N (June 2007). "Milk casein and its benefits on cardiovascular risk". Eur Heart J. 28 (11): 1397; author reply 1397–8. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehm106. PMID 17483526.
- ^ Lorenz M, Jochmann N, von Krosigk A, et al. (January 2007). "Addition of milk prevents vascular protective effects of tea". Eur. Heart J. 28 (2): 219–23. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehl442. PMID 17213230.
- ^ a b Serafini, Mauro; Testa, Maria F; Villaño, Donna; Pecorari, Monia; van Wieren, Karin; Azzini, Elena; Brambilla, Ada; Maiani, Giuseppe. (2009 Mar 15). "Antioxidant activity of blueberry fruit is impaired by association with milk". Free Radical Biology & Medicine 46 (6): 769–74. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2008.11.023. PMID 19135520.
- ^ Smith OB, Longe RL, Altman RE, Price JC. (February 1988). "Recovery of phenytoin from solutions of caseinate salts and calcium chloride.". Am J Hosp Pharm 45 (2): 365–8. PMID 3129937.
Further reading[edit]
- Campbell, T. Colin and Campbell, Thomas M. The China Study. Benbella Books, 2006.
- Green VA, Pituch KA, Itchon J, Choi A, O'Reilly M, Sigafoos J (2006). "Internet survey of treatments used by parents of children with autism". Res Dev Disabil 27 (1): 70–84. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2004.12.002. PMID 15919178.
- Lucarelli S, Frediani T, Zingoni AM, et al. (September 1995). "Food allergy and infantile autism". Panminerva Med 37 (3): 137–41. PMID 8869369.
- Rao MB, Tanksale AM, Ghatge MS, Deshpande VV (1 September 1998). "Molecular and biotechnological aspects of microbial proteases". Microbiol Mol Biol Rev. 62 (3): 597–635. PMC 98927. PMID 9729602.
- Engel RW, Copeland DH (1 December 1952). "The influence of dietary casein level on tumor induction with 2-acetylaminofluorene". Cancer Res. 12 (12): 905–8. PMID 13009679.
- Manninen, A.H. (2002). Protein metabolism in exercising humans with special reference to protein supplementation. Master thesis. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kuopio, Finland.
- Robert H. Demling, Leslie DeSanti (2000). "Effect of a Hypocaloric Diet, Increased Protein Intake and Resistance Training on Lean Mass Gains and Fat Mass Loss in Overweight Police Officers". Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism 44 (44): 21–29. doi:10.1159/000012817.
External links[edit]
- Healing Thresholds - summarizes scientific evidence on casein-free diets and other therapies for autism
- Eating without Casein a practical guide to eating and living without casein
- Caseins at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
- Time Magazine, Monday, December 6, 1936 Lanital
- Time Magazine, Monday, August 29, 1938 Wool from Cows
