Arla Foods Ingredients’ whey protein hydrolysate avoids taste challenges in digestive solutions

24 Jun 2021 --- Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI) has introduced a whey protein hydrolysate ingredient, WPH Lacprodan DI-3091. The ingredient helps overcome taste issues in medical and nutritional supplements for patients with maldigestion or malabsorption.

The extensively hydrolyzed whey protein has minimal off-taste and provides essential amino acids, which include dipeptides and tripeptides.

Whey protein hydrolysates are used for consumers with conditions that hinder their ability to absorb or digest protein well. However, these hydrolysates generally have a bitter taste, which increases the risk of malnutrition as nutritional compliance may be compromised.The whey protein hydrolysate has low bitterness and off-flavors, making it favorable for patients to boost their protein consumption.

“WPH Lacprodan DI-3091 offers all the advantages of whey protein hydrolysate, including rapid absorption of nutrients. What distinguishes it is that it combines these benefits with a far better taste than similar ingredients,” says Kasper Faarkrog Høyer, sales development manager at AFI.

“This means a more pleasurable experience for patients, which is particularly important considering the profound consequences of poor nutritional compliance during recovery,” he adds.

Lacprodan’s potential
WPH Lacprodan DI-3091 has a 21 to 27 percent degree of hydrolysis and is made using a unique enzymatic method.

The solution is made entirely of whey protein. It complies with the FSMP (Food for Special Medical Purposes) and can be used in RTDs and tube feed solutions.

Whey protein is an all-rounded protein source for muscle synthesis because of its increased leucine concentration and rapid absorption rate.

Malabsorption concerns have been previously highlighted as Envara Health launched medical food to address fat malabsorption last year.

Among other recent launches, AFI has released Lacprodan HYDRO.Rebuild to meet the growing need for muscle health solutions among the world’s aging population.Lacprodan DI - 3091 has a low viscosity and is heat stable, making it suitable for ready-to-drink beverages and tube feeding applications.

Tackling malnutrition
Malnutrition is a severe concern for health services worldwide, and taste is a central aspect of patients’ compliance with nutritional regimes.

Malnutrition affects up to a quarter of patients admitted to hospitals, with a cost of up to €170 billion (US$203 billion) each year in European countries.

It is connected to a higher risk of complications, mortality, poor quality of life and higher expenses due to longer hospital stays and readmission rates.

Arla Foods Ingredients previously created a nutritious snack made of whey and papaya to combat malnutrition.

Additionally, Arla Foods Ingredients released a meal replacement product concept that contained whey protein and micellar casein.

By Nicole Kerr