Effect of ultra-high pressure homogenization on the antirotaviral activity of bovine milk whey

Abstract

In the present study, ultra-high pressure homogenization (UHPH, 100-250 MPa) was applied on bovine whey. The ability of UHPH-treated whey to neutralize the bovine rotavirus strain WC3 was evaluated in vitro using a model of human intestinal epithelium. Results showed that whey homogenized at 100 and 200 MPa inhibited the rotavirus infection in a dose-response way, exhibiting >95\% neutralization at 1.5 mg mL(-1) protein concentration. However, after homogenization of whey at 250 MPa, a clear neutralization pattern could not be observed. This could be attributed to aggregation and/or denaturation of some bioactive proteins, as it has been evidenced in the electrophoretic profile of that sample. Interestingly, the fat fraction obtained from all UHPH-treated wheys, showed almost complete neutralization at 1 mg mL(-1) protein concentration. Therefore, whey fractions could be used as functional ingredients in novel non-thermal processed products for the control of viral infections. Industrial relevance This study provides useful information to increase the commercial value of sweet, skimmed whey as a functional ingredient and its recognition as a natural source of antivirals. The use of emerging processing technologies, such as UHPH, could favor the preservation of certain bioactivity within the dairy by-product.