BOVINE CASEINOMACROPEPTIDE .1. PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND BIOLOGICAL-ACTIVITY - REVIEW

This review describes the most recent studies concerning bovine milk caseinomacropeptide, i.e. the soluble C-terminal fragment resulting from the proteolytic activity of clotting enzymes on k-casein. Methods of obtention, purification and biological activity are described. The knowledge of its properties now enables us to use it as raw material for the technology of new products of extraordinary value. The new trends for its use mainly concern its physiological and cosmetic roles. Research focused primarily on its protective effect against gastrointestinal disease and on its cardiovascular activity based upon sequence homologies existing in fibrinogen gamma-chain and k-casein.