Milk research projects announced

NEW ZEALAND/SWEDEN – A Fonterra joint venture has received funding to research biomedical components in milk while a Scandinavian co-op has announced research into lactobacillus F19 bacteria this week.

Under the name LactoPharma, a joint venture between Fonterra and the University of Auckland will concentrate on the use of milk to enhance bone growth and in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases.

New Zealand’s Foundation for Research Science and Technology will match funding from Fonterra over the next seven years. Total funding for the project will be around NZ$28 million (14.2 million euro).

The study will involve researchers from the Fonterra Research Centre, the University of Auckland and the University of Otago.

Commenting on the announcement, Tony McKenna of the Fonterra Research Centre said: “It is an important step in what could be potentially a very rewarding journey from both the commercial and medical perspectives.” The programme will include research and clinical trials, aimed at developing food ingredients, nutraceuticals and drug leads. According to Fonterra the global market for functional foods is worth around 40 billion euro.

Arla has announced that it is to conduct research to prove that Lactobacillus F19 can lower the development of resistance towards antibiotics. Arla holds the world patent for the use of Lactobacillus F19 in food. It is currently used in Arla’s Gaio Yoghurtdryck yogurt drink.