Lysozyme sources for disease prevention and health promotion – Donkey milk in alternative tohen egg-white lysozyme.

ABSTRACT

Lysozyme has been known for over a hundred years, and its functional properties have been studied since its

discovery. It could be an important agent for health promotion, and disease prevention, and could be a game-

changer in the fight against antibiotic resistance. Although it is widely used in the feed industry, lysozyme is

not extensively promoted as a functional food for human nutrition. Lysozyme is usually extracted from hen egg

white but can also be found in significant quantities in donkey milk. The use of donkey milk is not yet widespread,

partially due to high production costs, limited availability, and a niche market. Additionally, its benefits

are not well-studied. While egg-white lysozyme is cheaper to produce, its biological activity diminishes through

the extraction process. In contrast, donkey milk is likely to trigger fewer allergies and, most importantly, contains

several other compounds that enhance its functional benefits compared to extracted lysozyme.