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Lactoferrin is a bioactive, iron-binding whey protein found naturally in the human body and in relatively high concentrations in mother's breast milk.
It helps the body's internal systems repair, restore, and maintain equilibrium, supporting iron regulation, gut health, and endurance performance.
Vivitein™ LF is a high-purity lactoferrin, over 90% pure as a share of protein, produced through precision fermentation, which makes this traditionally scarce ingredient available at scale to drive product innovation.
Traditional lactoferrin is extracted from cow's milk, where it is present in very low concentrations, which makes it difficult to source, expensive, and supply-constrained.
It is therefore often called "pink gold." Vivitein™ LF is lactoferrin produced by precision fermentation, which ensures supply stability, predictable pricing, and consistent quality. Vivitein™ LF is bio-equivalent to milk-derived bovine lactoferrin, so it delivers the same functional benefits.
Lactoferrin has been studied across a broad range of health benefits, and Vivitein™ LF focuses on three. It supports sustained vitality through gentle and effective iron regulation.
It supports gut health by balancing and modulating the microbiome and strengthening the gut barrier, and it actively dampens gut inflammation. It supports endurance performance recovery through antimicrobial and antiviral activity and by modulating the inflammatory response.
Lactoferrin gently mobilizes iron from the gut to where the body needs it, improving how efficiently the body uses both dietary iron and iron supplements. It works through receptor-mediated iron uptake and by modulating inflammation. Inflammation drives hepcidin, which keeps iron locked inside cells rather than released into the bloodstream.
By dampening inflammation, lactoferrin helps lower hepcidin so that stored iron is released and made available to the body, which in turn improves iron-related markers such as hemoglobin and serum iron. In clinical studies, oral bovine lactoferrin matched ferrous sulfate for improving hemoglobin and iron stores while causing far fewer digestive side effects such as abdominal pain and constipation.
Source: Nappi et al. (2009), Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica; Hashim et al. (2017), meta-analysis of randomized trials, Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol.
Lactoferrin offers a gentler route to better iron status. Conventional iron salts such as ferrous sulfate and ferrous bisglycinate leave much of their iron unabsorbed in the gut, which can cause discomfort.
Lactoferrin instead guides iron to where the body needs it, helping prevent free iron from causing digestive distress. In a meta-analysis of randomized trials, lactoferrin matched ferrous sulfate for improving iron markers while causing significantly fewer digestive side effects.
Source: Hashim et al. (2017), meta-analysis, Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol.; Zhao et al. (2022), systematic review and meta-analysis, Nutrients.
Vivitein™ LF is an ingredient for agile innovators building premium health and wellness products across three areas. For sustained vitality it suits products for women who are low in iron and experiencing associated fatigue, whether as a stand-alone hero ingredient or combined with iron.
For gut health it works as a hero ingredient or alongside probiotics, synbiotics, or fibers. For immunity and performance recovery it pairs well with ingredients such as vitamin C and zinc, or supports endurance athletes at risk of sports anemia. Its fermentation-derived supply gives brands the stability and predictable pricing needed to build with confidence.
health?
Lactoferrin balances and modulates the microbiome. It restricts iron to starve out harmful bacteria while helping beneficial strains flourish, including some Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species. It also strengthens the epithelial cells of the gut wall, supports gut barrier integrity, and actively dampens gut inflammation. Together these actions make lactoferrin a powerful hero ingredient for premium gut health products.
In addition, lactoferrin can reduce inflammation and protect barrier cells from stressors such as microbial compounds and NSAIDs, helping to maintain gut barrier integrity. By supporting a healthier and less inflamed gut environment, lactoferrin may also improve immune function, as the gut plays a central role in immune defense.
Source: Griffiths et al. (2003); Chen et al. (2017); Vega-Bautista et al. (2019); Reznikov et al. (2014); Liu et al. (2019, 2021).
Lactoferrin is a strong fit for endurance and performance recovery products. Endurance athletes place their bodies under continued strain and are a group at risk of sports anemia.
Lactoferrin supports iron balance and can improve iron-related markers such as hemoglobin and serum iron through receptor-mediated uptake and hepcidin regulation, which supports oxygen transport. It also exhibits antimicrobial and antiviral activity and modulates the inflammatory response, including cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha, supporting recovery after intense training.
Source: Koikawa et al. (2008); Carlmark et al. (1980); Ali et al. (2021); Yami et al. (2023).
is it used in formulation?
The recommended dose is 100 to 300 mg. Vivitein™ LF is highly soluble, contributes minimal flavor, and is easy to work with. It suits formats including capsules, tablets, powders, shots and liquids, gummies, and functional foods.
Source: Koikawa et al. (2008); Carlmark et al. (1980); Ali et al. (2021); Yami et al. (2023).
be labeled?
Vivitein™ LF: Labeling and Regulatory Information
- Vivitein™ LF is bio-equivalent to milk-derived bovine lactoferrin.
- It can be labeled as “lactoferrin (from fermentation)” and requires allergen labeling as “Milk.”
- Vivici has obtained self-affirmed GRAS status in 2026 and is awaiting a No Questions Letter from the FDA.
- Vivitein™ LF carries Halal and Kosher certifications.
- Country labeling regulations vary, so brands should confirm local requirements.
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Production and Allergen Labeling
- Vivitein™ LF is made by precision fermentation and no animals are involved in its production, which is what makes it a vegan-friendly ingredient.
- Allergen labeling works differently. Because the protein is bio-equivalent to the bovine lactoferrin found in milk, anyone with a milk allergy could react to it in the same way.
- Allergen labeling as “Milk” is therefore required to protect those consumers, even though the ingredient itself is not derived from an animal.
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Source: Artym et al. (2021), Biomedicines; Vivitein™ LF Product Specification.
Vivitein™ BLG is a superior protein ingredient, over 90% pure in beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), made by precision fermentation. It gives brands a previously impossible mix of high protein concentration in applications, superior sensorials, and a strong fit with modern consumer lifestyles. Vivici positions it as the New Standard of Protein.
Vivitein™ BLG is produced through precision fermentation rather than extracted from dairy. The result is a beta-lactoglobulin protein ingredient that is bio-equivalent to milk-derived beta-lactoglobulin. It delivers unique nutritional and functional benefits, while also offering a more stable and reliable supply chain, providing the protein performance consumers expect, with clear advantages for finished products.
It enables high protein concentration in applications, is high in BCAAs and leucine, and is rapidly absorbed to fuel and build muscle. Because it is fermentation-derived rather than extracted from dairy, it is lactose-free, vegan-friendly, and cholesterol-free. It also unlocks superior sensorials that conventional dairy proteins struggle to match, including a lighter mouthfeel and no chalky aftertaste.
Nutritionally, Vivitein™ BLG is a complete protein. It enables high protein concentration in applications, is high in BCAAs and leucine, is rapidly absorbed to support muscle protein synthesis and recovery, while being lactose-free and cholesterol-free. Functionally, it is a formulator's protein.
It is highly soluble, which enables crystal-clear, high-protein beverages, delivers low astringency for a lighter and more refreshing taste, and offers strong heat stability for reliable performance across processing and formats. Together these properties let brands create products that were previously out of reach.
Vivitein™ BLG delivers superior sensorials. Its high solubility and low astringency unlock crystal-clear protein drinks with a light, refreshing mouthfeel, an exciting range of water-based flavors, and no chalky aftertaste with a low viscosity contribution and strong heat stability for reliable performance across processing and formats.
This makes it ideal for premium, refreshment-led formats where taste and clarity set products apart.
Vivitein™ BLG is built for premium active-nutrition formats. Its clarity, light mouthfeel, and high protein concentration across formats are best leveraged in formats such as protein shots delivering 25g of protein in a 100 ml format, protein sodas, and clear protein beverages.
It also performs in ready-to-mix protein powders that deliver rapid absorption and the BCAAs and leucine needed to fuel muscles.
Vivitein™ BLG enables high protein concentrations across formats. In a compact protein shot, for example, it can deliver 25g of premium protein in a 100 ml serving, with clean nutrition, a light mouthfeel, and no shaking required before use.
Yes. Vivitein™ BLG is made by precision fermentation and no animals are involved in its production, which is what makes it a vegan-friendly ingredient and flexitarian-friendly. It is also lactose-free and cholesterol-free, which aligns with the values of consumers reducing their consumption of animal products while still delivering the protein performance of dairy protein.
It requires allergen labeling as “Milk”. Because the protein is bio-equivalent to milk-derived beta-lactoglobulin, anyone with a milk allergy could react to it in the same way. Allergen labeling as “Milk” is therefore required to protect those consumers, even though the ingredient itself is not derived from an animal.
Precision fermentation ensures supply stability, predictable pricing, and consistent quality, which helps brands plan with confidence amid the volatility of conventional dairy supply chains. It also unlocks product innovation and supports a smooth path to market, so brands can move quickly on new formats and ideas.
Vivitein™ BLG is for agile innovators creating premium active-nutrition products for consumers who want it all: protein performance, superior sensorials, and products that suit their lifestyles and values. It is well suited to brands developing beverages, powders, and shots that set a new standard in their category.
