Genetic variation in bovine milk proteins: Implications for functional and nutritional properties

The six major bovine milk proteins are encoded by highly polymorphic chromosomes. Genetic variation has become a topic of interest and controversy in recent years due to supposed adverse health effects, beginning with the A2 variant of β-casein. The functional implications of genetic variants have been well characterised, specifically heat stability and coagulation (i.e. rennet and acid) properties of milk, which have found that the B variant of β-casein, κ-casein and β-lactoglobulin are the most beneficial. Genetic variants of milk proteins provide considerable potential to create new dairy products to add value to milk.