Colostrum is collected from dairy farms within a few days of a cow giving birth. After the newborn calf consumes milk, the surplus colostrum is collected. Colostrum comprises nutrients like growth factors and immunoglobins that can help enhance immunity while promoting growth. Here are six steps involved in bovine colostrum collection and supplementation:
1. Using a Simple Process
You can research to verify the production process is simple and mild to preserve nutrients, antibodies, and bioactive factors found in bovine colostrum. An intact milk matrix includes the fat necessary to increase the potential to experience the advantages of colostrum. Experienced colostrum suppliers make minor adjustments, like adding water during the spray drying process. Restricting the addition or removal of any components of colostrum makes sure the milk matrix stays intact when processed into colostrum powder.
2. Collecting at the Dairy Farm
The producer collects extra colostrum from dairy cows and places it into sterile 10-liter buckets. Dairy farmers can conduct a visual quality check to confirm the overall quality of the colostrum, potentially catching and removing any visible foreign objects in the milk. Further steps might be putting the buckets carrying checked colostrum in deep freezers.
3. Gathering and Distributing Colostrum
Frozen colostrum taken out of the deep freezers may undergo a secondary check to assess cleanliness and quality, and is then moved to a specialized van to be taken for processing. These specialized vehicles frequently have resources to regulate temperatures to help keep the colostrum in optimum condition during transportation. It is possible to store colostrum in a frozen state in refrigerated facilities close to the dairy farms.
4. Inspecting Quality
Quality tests can also happen in the freezing storage centers to focus on making sure the colostrum is free of any foreign objects. Inspections can help trace and take out materials like hay straws, dirt, or grass that compromise the quality of the colostrum. Testing allows the detection of bacteria and antibiotic residue to make sure the colostrum is clean.
Some providers can conduct tests for concentrations of antibodies such as Immunoglobulin G (IgG) that serve to measure the capacity of bioactivity in the colostrum. Recording a high IgG concentration suggests a higher quality of colostrum. After the tests, you may continue to store the remaining quality colostrum in a frozen environment while awaiting processing.
5. Producing Colostrum Supplements
To begin producing colostrum supplements, mixed frozen milk lumped together creates a homogenous final product. Processing continues by crushing the frozen colostrum to turn it into liquid and then having it pasteurized before spray drying it at low temperatures. Experienced colostrum suppliers can make efforts to perform the process gently to maintain the intact milk matrix that influences the quality of colostrum.
The procedure of making colostrum powder occurs at consistently low temperatures within a short timeframe. Before the powdered colostrum is packaged into 250g tubes or sachets, another test confirms the quality. Tests could include an organoleptic test assessing flavor, smell, and color. You can also test for aspects like the microbial load and IgG content before packaging.
6. Incorporating in Recipes
Colostrum supplements can be added to a diet by adopting creative recipes. A smoothie bowl blending colostrum with preferred yogurt, honey, and fruits can be an enjoyable breakfast or treat. You could add nuts and granola to make a nourishing meal.
A colostrum latte is an option for coffee enthusiasts. It combines the creaminess of colostrum with the bitter flavors of coffee to make a unique and healthy beverage. Other alternatives you could implement include colostrum-infused pancakes made by adding colostrum to the pancake batter. If baking with colostrum recipes, make sure to use minimal heat to help preserve the colostrum’s beneficial nutrients.
Get Bovine Colostrum Supplements Today
Using safe production processes that include tests helps enhance the quality and impact of colostrum on overall well-being. Colostrum products with a high microbial load, high IgG concentration, and healthy fats offer consumers a range of health benefits. Experienced colostrum providers apply strategies such as maintaining low temperatures during colostrum production to enhance its benefits. Contact providers of bovine colostrum supplements today to learn more about the steps in bovine colostrum collection and supplementation.
