With 52% of consumers expressing interest in sleep aid benefits in functional beverages, the demand for innovative ingredients that support sleep quality is on the rise1. Alpha-lactalbumin, a whey protein fraction, offers a unique opportunity to enhance product offerings by meeting this growing consumer need. As a concentrated source of the amino acid tryptophan, alpha-lactalbumin has direct neurobehavioral benefits and can enhance sleep quality.
Sleep-wake rhythm
Serotonin and melatonin, both synthesized from tryptophan, play a demonstrated role in modulating the sleeping-waking rhythm2.
Sleep parameters
As a concentrated source of tryptophan, alpha-lactalbumin supplementation can improve parameters of sleep such as sleep onset latency. Competitive athletes, who experience inadequate sleep at a higher incidence than the general population, may especially benefit from these improvements3,4.
Morning wakefulness
Due to its role in improving sleep quality, evening alpha-supplementation has also been demonstrated to successfully improve morning wakefulness5.
Power your products with the purest
Agropur manufactures BiPRO® Alpha 9000, a highly purified fraction of whey protein - alpha-lactalbumin. This exceptional protein is derived through Agropur’s advanced ion-exchange technology, ensuring the highest purity and quality. More than 90% of the ingredient’s total protein content is alpha-lactalbumin, compared to an average of 20% in a traditional whey protein isolate.
Like its whey protein counterparts, BiPRO Alpha 9000 is a high-quality protein source, contributing more than 90g per 100g of highly digestible and bioavailable protein. As a complete protein, it supplies all nine essential amino acids. Additionally, it serves as an excellent source of branched-chain amino acids. Given its high purity, BiPRO Alpha 9000 is naturally lactose and fat free, which can lend to product claims and address specific nutritional requests.
Versatile applications for sleep-focused products
As a result of its excellent nutritional value, BiPRO Alpha 9000 enriches a wide variety of applications. It maintains the solubility of whey protein, including high solubility across a broad pH spectrum. The high purity of the ingredient imparts exceptional clarity, making it suitable for clear protein beverages. BiPRO Alpha 9000 also has high heat stability, which lends well to
As a result of its excellent nutritional value, BiPRO Alpha 9000 enriches a wide variety of applications. It maintains the solubility of whey protein, including high solubility across a broad pH spectrum. The high purity of the ingredient imparts exceptional clarity, making it suitable for clear protein beverages. BiPRO Alpha 9000 also has high heat stability, which lends well to applications requiring more rigorous processing conditions, such as shelf-stable, ready-to-drink
beverages. With its clean, neutral sensory profile, it serves as a versatile flavor base that easily formulates into various applications. Alpha-lactalbumin is frequently formulated in medical foods and supplements, though its functional attributes make it applicable to a wide array of formats.
Agropur's Innovation Center has developed many prototypes featuring alpha-lactalbumin and can work with you to achieve your formulation goals.
applications requiring more rigorous processing conditions, such as shelf-stable, ready-to-drink beverages. With its clean, neutral sensory profile, it serves as a versatile flavor base that easily formulates into various applications. Alpha-lactalbumin is frequently formulated in medical foods and supplements, though its functional attributes make it applicable to a wide array of formats.
Agropur's Innovation Center has developed many prototypes featuring alpha-lactalbumin and can work with you to achieve your formulation goals.
- Goodnight Gummies: Fruity, chewy and packed with alpha-lactalbumin, these are a delicious way to support restful sleep.
- Nighttime Tea: A ready-to-mix, milky chamomile blend enriched with alpha-lactalbumin for a soothing nighttime ritual.
- Sleep Shot: A calming, ready-to-drink shot featuring alpha-lactalbumin, crafted to enhance sleep duration and morning alertness.
If you’re interested in seeing what alpha-lactalbumin can do for your products, contact our team to discover how BiPRO Alpha 9000 can transform your formulations.
Ready to formulate for sleep? Contact us!
References
- Mintel. (2024). Functional Drinks – US.
- Portas, C.M., Bjorvatn, B., Ursin, R. (2000). Serotonin and the sleep/wake cycle: Special emphasis on microdialysis studies. Progress in Neurobiology, 60: 13-35.
- Miles, K.H., Clark, B., Fowler, P.M., Gratwicke, M.J., Martin, K., Welvaert, M., Miller, J., Pumpa, K.L. (2021). Alpha-lactalbumin improves sleep and recovery after simulated evening competition in female athletes. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 53(12): 2618-2627.
- Gratwicke, M., Miles, K.H., Clark, B., Pumpa, K.L. (2023). The effect of alpha-lactalbumin consumption on sleep quality and quantity in female rugby union athletes: A field-based study. Biology of Sport, 40(2): 449-455.
- Markus, C.R., Jonkman, L.M., Lammers, J., Deutz, N., Messer, M., Rigtering, N. (2005). Evening intake of alpha-lactalbumin increases plasma tryptophan availability and improves morning alertness and brain measures of attention. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 81(5): 1026-33.
