Lactoferrin (LF), also known as lactotransferrin (LTF), for transferrin in a multifunctional glycoprotein. Lactoferrin is a globular glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 80 kDa, in a wide variety secretion of fluid, such as milk, saliva, tears and snot. Lactoferrin is also present in the medium term in neutrophils secreted by some acinar cells. Lactoferrin may be extracted or obtained using recombinant DNA technology from milk. Lactoferrin highest concentration in human colostrum, followed by human milk, milk lowest concentration (150 mg / l

Lactoferrin is one of the components of the immune system, which has an antibacterial activity (antibacterial agents, antifungal agents), is part of the innate defense, mainly present in the mucosa. Lactoferrin protect infants from bacteria and other pathogens against it. Lactoferrin also mutual interaction between DNA and RNA, polysaccharides and heparin, and in these these receptors - show some physiological function of the ligand complex. Lactoferrin is a whey protein in the presence of glycoproteins, due to iron-binding properties, it has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, the FDA officially announced in 2003, the water spray lactoferrin in the market chilled beef, meat surface can inhibit the growth of microorganisms, lactoferrin has also been shown to promote the activity of immune T cells, phagocytic cells, killer cells, tumor destruction factor (THF-alpha) and medium white matter (Interleukin-6), and lactoferrin has also proven to have a protective effect of enterovirus infection.
Antioxidant effect of lactoferrin is another turn strengthen the immune system of the machine, the elimination of free radicals in the body too much, so that lactoferrin also has anti-inflammatory effect.
Colostrum immunoglobulin often because adults can escape if stomach acid environment, while being questioned its increase immunity effect, but lactoferrin can indeed be absorbed by the human gastrointestinal tract and to improve immunity.