The caseins are a family of calcium binding phosphoproteins
that comprise about 80% of the protein present in milk with overall
concentration of approximately 25 g L1and the majority (Fox,
2003) exist as particles of colloidal dimensions generally referred
to as casein micelles. The remainder of the milk protein is whey
proteins, which are composed mostly of b-lactoglobulin, a-lactalbumin
and bovine serum albumin (Fox, 2003). The casein micelles
are of great interest for colloid chemists as they represent the
response of nature to the need to deliver a high level of calcium to
the neonate. These micelles are highly hydrated colloids (>4 g of
water per g of protein), composed of a core of highly phosphorylated
caseins (as and b caseins) interacting with calcium phosphate,
with a stabilizing layer of k-casein on the surface