Lactoperoxidase binds a covalently linked heme prosthetic group, a derivative of protoporphyrin IX in its catalytic center. It belongs to the family of mammalian heme-containing peroxidase (XPO) enzymes.
It is activated by H2O2, has been used to inhibit microbial outgrowth in raw milk in areas where refrigeration is not viable.
The lactoperoxidase system plays an important role in the innate immune system by killing bacteria in milk and mucosal secretions hence augmentation of the lactoperoxidase system may have therapeutic applications.
The lactoperoxidase system elicits antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of milk spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms including bacteria, HIV-1 virus, moulds, yeasts, mycoplasma and protozoa. Furthermore, the lactoperoxidase system does not promote the growth of pathogenic microorganisms after completion of the bacteriostatic effect.
Lactoperoxidase system
