What is Casein Protein?

Maybe some of you who do not know what is casein protein? In this health article, we will share information about what is casein protein. Milk consists of three main components: water, fats, and proteins. The proteins contained in milk have two types, namely casein and whey. As we learned in high school, characteristics of proteins is the presence of N element in its chain, unlike fats and carbohydrates which consist only of the elements C, H, and O. The protein is a highly complex compound, consisting of 80% casein and 20% whey. Casein protein is a Phospoprotein type, consisting of several units of amino acids bound by peptide.
Proteins are substances in foods that are very important in preparing the components of cells, especially in the process of growth and development of living things. Levels of protein found in milk ranged from 2.8 percent to 4.0 percent. The protein contained in milk is comprised mostly of casein, to reach about 80 percent. Therefore, casein is often referred to as milk protein.
Lehninger (1982) explained that classical fractionation technique on milk protein in sedimentation process would produce milk protein consists of casein, laktoglobulin, and lactalbumin. But after the discovery of new techniques, it turns out each of these components still consist of the other factions. According to Adnan (1984), casein in milk is a large particle. In it not only consists of organic substances, but also contains inorganic substances such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Casein particles which are large and complex compounds are also called casein micelles (casein micelles). The size of casein micelles is not uniform, ranging between 30-300 mμ. Casein also contains sulfur (S) contained in methionine (0.69%) and cystine (0.09%). Casein is a special protein found in milk. In a pure form, casein has white color like snow, no smell and does not have a distinctive taste. In the other research, Buda and Friends (1980) explained that the casein can be precipitated by acid, enzyme rennet and alcohol. Therefore, casein in milk can be coagulated by the acid formed in the milk as microbial activity.
Hopefully with this health article, you are becoming clear about what it is casein protein and can consume it for your health.