Investigation of the neurotrophic effect of dairy phospholipids on cortical neuron outgrowth and stimulation

A novel purified dairy phospholipid (PL) extract was generated from a buttermilk powder (BMP) substrate combining techniques of enzymatic hydrolysis, ultrafiltration (UF) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). This combined process yielded a purified lipid extract with 56.34 ± 0.15% total PL in dry matter, depleted of protein and lactose. Application of this PL enriched extract in vitro demonstrated a neurotrophic effect of dairy PLs on cortical neurite outgrowth. At a concentration of 150 µg mL−1, a 43% stimulated increase in neurite outgrowth was observed compared with the control (0% stimulation). % stimulation decreased to 12% upon increasing the PL dose to 300 µg mL−1. The results of this study demonstrate that a dairy PL extract from buttermilk promotes the development and outgrowth of cortical neurons and complements the outcomes of new research (Matsuo, 2016) demonstrating that PLs are further stimulated in this role by omega PUFAs present.