TurtleTree’s “world first” animal-free lactoferrin targets US market after safety validation

29 Nov 2023 --- TurtleTree’s LF+ — the world’s first precision fermentation-derived lactoferrin — obtains access to the US market by achieving self-affirmed Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status. The ingredient can be used in plant-based milk, food and beverage products. The GRAS status lays the foundation for the brand’s commercialization in the US, aiming to fill gaps in the lactoferrin market.

“Having secured self-GRAS validation from a panel of experts, LF+ is now available for sale in the US. LF+ is offered as a versatile food ingredient, suitable for incorporation into dairy and non-dairy products, sports and functional foods, beverages and confectionery,” Dr. Vanessa Castagna, TurtleTree director of clinical and scientific affairs, tells Nutrition Insight.

“In early 2024, LF+ will be available as a supplement ingredient. LF+, a formulation featuring fermentation-derived lactoferrin and beneficial yeast prebiotics, serves as a direct alternative to cow’s milk-derived lactoferrin. It also excels as a functional ingredient for innovative formulations.” 

The company’s novel lactoferrin is a complex functional protein derived from precision fermentation, which aims to address the current lactoferrin shortage.

Dr. Vanessa Castagna, Turtle Tree director of clinical and scientific affairs (Image Credit: Turtle Tree).Leveraging market potential 
TurtleTree states that its current focus is on fortifying the US$35 billion plant-based milk market, addressing nutritional gaps and enhancing functional aspects.

According to the company LF+ caters to the demand for functional food and beverages, targeting athletes, women, the elderly and the general consumer in a market predicted to be worth US$533 billion by 2030. It anticipated sales of US$500 million worth of LF+ over the next five years, which are said to indicate strong market interest and potential for partnerships.

TurtleTree sees the commercialization of the company’s animal-free lactoferrin as a stepping stone. The ingredient aims to enhance access to milk’s most powerful ingredients. Fortifying products with bioactive ingredients like LF+ aligns with TurtleTree’s goal to make sustainable and health-conscious choices accessible to a broader audience.

Economic benefits
Castagna underscores that the supply of traditional lactoferrin is limited due to high manufacturing costs and low concentration of lactoferrin that can be harvested from pre-processed whey or milk.

“The scarce supply available today is funneled to just a few essential foods and beverages such as infant formula, leaving little left for children, adolescents, adults or the elderly,” the company says.

Most other precision fermentation companies are focused on making commodity products like milk or whey, which trade under US$5 per gallon or US$14 per kilogram, according to TrutleTree data, which means it would take them a long time to sell at a positive gross margin given these costs. 

Given that lactoferrin presently trades at around US$750 to US$1,500 per kilogram, the company asserts that the cost advantages of its approach are clear and will enable the company to reach profitability much faster.

Increasing efficacy and sustainability 
Meanwhile, Castagna explains that milk contains proteins that bring tremendous benefits to human health. “However, the way milk is processed for dairy and dairy foods greatly reduces the bioactivity and bioavailability of these proteins,” she adds.

“Fermentation-derived lactoferrin closely matches the structure, function and bioavailability of lactoferrin from cow’s milk. Making lactoferrin with microbes rather than cow’s milk ensures a consistent supply of this powerful functional protein.”

She highlights: “This offers a significant advantage over lactoferrin from cow’s milk, which can vary in bioactivity and efficacy due to factors like cow type, feed and processing conditions. LF+ stands out for its minimal bioactivity variation, thanks to a tightly regulated and reproducible production process.” 

LF+’s bioactivity is in three key functional areas: gut health, iron regulation and immunity.Addressing the environmental sustainability benefits of animal-free lactoferrin, TurtleTree states that its precision fermentation technology replaces traditional methods, which rely on high methane-emitting cows, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 91%.

“Additionally, people who opt for a vegan diet have had no access to these high-value ingredients until now,” adds Castagna. “Fermentation-derived lactoferrin enables a reliable supply of lactoferrin for everyone, addressing the limitations of traditional sources. This includes providing an animal-free option for people who opt for a vegan diet and who have had no access to these high-value ingredients until now.” 

Multifunctional protein for gut and immunity 
Castagna explains that lactoferrin is a multifunctional protein active inside and outside the body. “As a food company, TurtleTree has focused on validating the bioactivity of LF+ in three key functional areas: gut health, iron regulation and immunity,” she says.

She asserts that lactoferrin can bind essential minerals, facilitating their uptake at the gut lining. It enhances gut barrier formation and regulates the gut environment, reducing harmful bacterial growth while promoting prebiotic activity for beneficial organisms. 

Regarding iron regulation, she says the nutrient regulates key cytokines, ensuring its distribution from the gut into the blood and then throughout the body — “crucial for blood production, enzymatic reactions and as a potent antioxidant, iron underscores lactoferrin’s significance.”

Castagna adds that lactoferrin binds to and regulates many immune cells, including those involved as master regulators of the immune system. “Lactoferrin boosts a natural immune response and mitigates aberrant or inflammatory reactions for a balanced and effective immune system.”

By Milana Nikolova