Effectiveness of esterified whey proteins fractions against Egyptian Lethal Avian Influenza A (H5N1)

Background: Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus is one of the most important public health concerns worldwide. The antiviral activity of native and esterified whey proteins fractions (alpha- lactalbumin, beta- lactoglobulin, and lactoferrin) was evaluated against A/chicken/Egypt/086Q-NLQP/2008 HPAI (H5N1) strain of clade 2.2.1 (for multiplicity of infection (1 MOI) after 72 h of incubation at 37 degrees C in the presence of 5\% CO(2)) using MDCK cell lines. Result: Both the native and esterified lactoferrin seem to be the most active antiviral protein among the tested samples, followed by beta- lactoglobulin. alpha-Lactalbumin had less antiviral activity even after esterification. Conclusion: Esterification of whey proteins fractions especially lactoferrin and beta-lactoglobulin enhanced their antiviral activity against H5N1 in a concentration dependent manner.