How colostrum is collected and processed matters—which is why we’re explaining it on this week’s blog. The utmost care is taken at TBR Labs to preserve the bioavailability of the components of colostrum in order for it to be effective. Each step is covered below, following TBR Labs’ Bovine Colostrum Flow Chart.
Step 1: Liquid colostrum is collected from certified dairy herds and immediately frozen. Colostrum is transported to processing facilities, thawed and co-mingled.
The United States is ideal for colostrum production as cows give birth year round, rather than just in the spring as occurs in many other locales. Grass used for feed is grown in DDT-free soil and, of course, the cows are not given hormones or antibiotics.
First milking colostrum is the richest in immunoglobulins, growth factors and peptides. We collect our colostrum only after the calves have had their fill to ensure their survival and health. After collection, the colostrum is cooled to temperatures below 40°F to maintain freshness, and then kept frozen until it reaches the processing plant. At the plant, the frozen colostrum is thawed and then homogenized to restore the casein micelles that protect the proteins. Processing is also done daily to ensure freshness and maximum quality.
Step 2: Co-mingled liquid is sampled and assayed for overall quality.
TBR Labs in particular checks quality, purity, bioactivity and potency standards multiple times throughout the entire production process, including testing for GMOs, antibiotics, heavy metals, pesticides or anything unnatural or dangerous.
Step 3: Liquid colostrum is heat treated in accordance with the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance to ensure microbial purity.
As with any dairy product, colostrum is pasteurized to guarantee safety. A preferable technique called high temperature short time (HTST) pasteurization, or flash pasteurization, preserves the bioactivity of the proteins while still ensuring that any pathogens are killed.
Step 4: Colostrum is cooled and maintained at 45°F
Step 5: Cooled colostrum is homogenized and spray dried.
It is important to note that we follow Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), including microbiological analysis on each batch to ensure safety and the highest quality.
Step 6: Free-flowing powder is sifted directly into double-lined polyethylene bags and sealed in a corrugated box
Step 7: Product is sampled and analyzed for compositional and biological purity.
Immunoglobulins are quantified using lon Exchange HPLC-IX (lon Exchange, not by lon Exchange HPLC Protein G alone), or by Radial Immunodiffusion (RID). Calibrations of these columns are also done using Bovine IgG standards.
Step 8: Product is released after Quality Assurance review.
Should you have any questions about the processing and collecting of the colostrum sourced by TBR Labs, reach out to us!
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