Research progress on the digestion, absorption and function of milk fat

Abstract

Milk fat globule （MFG） is secreted by mammalian glands and composed of a triacylglycerol core enclosed by a complex triple membrane structure, referred as the milk fat globule membrane （MFGM）. MFGM contains complex lipids and proteins, with nutritional, immunological, neurological and digestive functions. However, the relationship between functions and gastrointestinal digestion and the factors that influence the gastrointestinal digestion of milk fat have not been fully studied. In this paper, the structure composition, functional characteristics, gastrointestinal digestion and the factors affecting the digestion and absorption of milk fat were reviewed in order to provide an insight for the research on the digestion of infant formula.

Keywords

• milk fat
• digestion
• functional properties
• milk fat globule membrane