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Arla Foods Ingredients has launched an alpha-lactalbumin (alpha)-rich infant formula ingredient – called Lacprodan Alpha-50 – to help meet the growing need for low-protein formulations. According to Arla, numerous studies have shown that high protein intake during infancy accelerates weight gain, increasing the risk of obesity in adulthood. As a result, the protein content of infant formula has gradually declined in many countries. The company stated that one of the most effective ways to create formulas that are lower in protein but high in nutritional quality is to formulate with alpha, as it is rich in essential amino acids and high in other amino acids, such as cysteine. Alpha is said to be the most abundant whey protein in human milk. However, the standard formula contains lower levels. Lacprodan Alpha-50 presents a new approach to this challenge as it accounts for a minimum of 90% of its protein content, meaning that smaller dosages can be used to reach a level similar to that of human milk. With its high level of alpha, the new product allows for a high degree of formulation freedom. It can be combined with other functional ingredients, such as Arla's Lacprodan MFGM-10, which is a milk fat globule membrane ingredient that contains compounds such as phospholipids, sphingomyelin and gangliosides. Lone Strøm, head of paediatric sales development at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “Lacprodan Alpha-50 offers solutions to two big challenges facing formula manufacturers. Its high alpha-lactalbumin content allows the creation of products that are lower in protein, demand for which is growing because of concerns about obesity. And because it delivers considerable amounts of essential amino acids, even at a low dosage, it is easily combined with other ingredients that are sought after in formula.”