SwissDeCode launches DNA-based test for rapid purity testing of A2 milk

25 Sep 2020 --- Biotech company SwissDeCode is launching a “simple, fast, on-site solution” that helps dairy companies to identify A1 beta-casein in milk in 50 minutes. This is applicable for testing the purity of A2 milk.

The expanding market of A2 milk is one that more dairy manufacturers worldwide are trying to enter, the company notes. A2 milk, containing A2 beta-casein, may help reduce flatulence, bloating and abdominal pain.

The milk variety may further help to maintain a range of functions in the growth and development of infants. 

As with any premium commodity, increased demand and market growth create the risk of fraud. Until now, a rapid and reliable way to test the purity of A2 milk was not available, which could be delaying their entry into this market.

“Consumer knowledge about A2 milk and the difference between A1 and A2 is more present in developed markets, such as New Zealand, Australia and China,” Joana Gomes, marketing and communications manager at SwissDeCode, tells NutritionInsight.

A2 milk is currently delivered in different formats, such as liquid, powder and infant formula. “This is due to previous efforts from producers of A2 milk in creating awareness for this product and its benefits. As the market grows and expands to other geographies, more efforts to educate consumers are needed.”

A2 milk producers usually make sure they clearly communicate the science behind the different beta-casein types, notes Gomes.

“They tend to focus on communicating the fact that the structure of A2 milk is more similar to human milk,” she comments. “They also focus on sharing the gastrointestinal benefits for adults and infants, which are commonly felt by consumers and have also been suggested by some studies.”

A2 milk is as versatile as regular milk, Gomes highlights. “This means that all milk and nutritional supplement products can be made A2, as long as there is a demand from consumers.”

“Current formats that are already being marketed include liquid UHT milk, powdered milk, cheese, butter and infant formula, the latter holding the largest market share,” she explains.

Differences between A1 and A2 milk
Cow’s milk consists of two types of protein, whey and casein. Beta-casein is the most abundant casein type. Originally, all cows produce A2 beta-casein. 

Through evolution, a natural genetic mutation resulted in cows producing A1 type beta-casein. 

The migration and domestication of cattle contributed to a mixed population that produces A1, A2 or both types of beta-casein. Nowadays, most milk contains both A1 and A2 beta-casein.

The structure of A2 beta-casein is more comparable to human milk beta-casein. The impact of A1 or A2 milk consumption in human health is under scientific, medical and epidemiological evaluation. 

The effects of A1 and A2 milk consumption on chronic diseases are also under analysis. Growing medical research in the field will shed more clarity on the benefits for consumers in the coming years.

The dairy industry is taking a step forward in offering consumers the choice to buy verified A2 milk, the company notes. It is currently delivered in different forms, such as liquid, powder and infant formula, highlights Gomes.

“The solution we are launching shows that rapid, DNA-based tests can be used to detect adulteration and contamination, but also to perform quality control of products in premium segments” says Brij Sahi, CEO & co-founder of SwissDeCode.

“Three easy steps” from sample to result SwissDeCode’s DNAFoil A1 milk kit detects specifically the A1 allele of the beta-casein gene.
SwissDeCode’s DNAFoil A1 milk kit detects specifically the A1 allele of the beta-casein gene and includes all material necessary to prepare DNA from a milk sample, to amplify the specific DNA sequence and to detect the amplification product.

The solution has already been tested by SwissDeCode’s industry partners and is now available on the market.

This means that all players along the dairy supply chain ( such as farmers, cooperatives and processors) need a quick tool to verify if the milk they are producing, receiving or processing is pure A2.

“Ultimately, our technology also benefits consumers, who can better trust the purity of the products they consume and enjoy the benefits that pure A2 milk offers,” says Gomes.

Among other projects in the dairy industry, the company has recently participated in the joint development of an automated platform to detect dairy fraud. Such fraud includes the undeclared milk of other cow species mixed in samples tested.

Within other areas of the nutrition sector, SwissDeCode is also working on novel uses for probiotics. Examples of this include solutions to demonstrate probiotic product authenticity or to demonstrate the efficacy of a probiotic treatment on humans and livestock.

By Benjamin Ferrer