Casein micelle (CM) (CM)

Casein micelles are supramolecular aggregates of alpha-s1, alpha-s2, beta, and kappa-casein proteins primarily found in mammalian milk (Holt et al., 2013). Their primary biological function is the efficient transport of calcium, phosphate, and essential amino acids to the neonate while maintaining the milk in a liquid state (Dalgleish, 2011). These micelles are stabilized by colloidal calcium phosphate clusters and a surface layer of kappa-casein that provides steric and electrostatic repulsion (de Kruif et al., 2012). In the pharmaceutical and food industries, casein micelles are not typically classified as therapeutic targets but are instead utilized as natural, biocompatible nanocarriers for drug delivery (Livney, 2010). Their unique structure allows for the encapsulation of hydrophobic compounds, protecting them from environmental degradation and improving their bioavailability in the gastrointestinal tract (Huppertz et al., 2017). While beneficial for nutrition, they are also recognized as major allergens in bovine milk, capable of inducing IgE-mediated allergic reactions in sensitive individuals (Wal, 2004).

Other names

Casein aggregateMilk protein micelleCasein phosphoprotein complex

Casein micelles function as a natural delivery system for nutrients and can be engineered as nanocarriers for hydrophobic drugs, rather than serving as a site of drug action (Livney, 2010).