Specialty Proteins
Leprino Nutrition offers specialty protein ingredients designed to help manufacturers increase protein while protecting the taste, texture, appearance, and stability of the finished product. The portfolio includes Micellar Casein Isolate (MCI), CLEAR PRO 90™, Native Whey Protein Isolate, MP PRO C80™, BarLife™, and L-PRO™ MFGM 70 – Adult.
Across food, beverage, sports nutrition, and adult nutrition applications, these proteins can support specific functionality needs such as clean and neutral flavor, creamy mouthfeel, heat and acid stability, clarity, bar softness, or targeted nutrition. Our application experts work with customers to choose the ingredient that fits the product and processing needs.
Why Choose Leprino Nutrition for Specialty Protein Ingredients?
High-protein product development involves more than meeting a protein target. Taste, texture, stability, processing, and scale must work together. Leprino Nutrition’s specialty ingredient portfolio is designed to address formulation challenges such as undesirable flavor, chalkiness, unwanted viscosity, shelf-life or texture instability, and scale-up difficulties.
Leprino Nutrition’s Application and Customer Engagement team works directly with food manufacturers to troubleshoot formulations, support scale-up, and co-develop solutions. The Innovation Studio brings together food scientists, ingredient experts, consumer researchers, and market analysts, supported by a $15 million pilot plant with membrane filtration, evaporation, drying, and blending systems as well as several product application capabilities
Backed by 75 years of dairy innovation and global operations, Leprino provides the scale, reliability, and technical expertise manufacturers need from concept through commercialization.
Learn more about how Leprino is redefining performance protein.
Available Products
Explore the specialty proteins below to compare flavor, texture, heat and acid stability, processing performance, and application fit.
Micellar Casein Isolate
Micellar Casein Isolate (MCI) is a pure dairy protein filtered directly from fresh Grade A milk with minimal processing. It offers a clean flavor profile and exceptional functional properties due to its optimized casein to native whey protein ratio (95:5). MCI provides superior emulsification, high water binding capacity, and excellent heat stability.. As a slow-digesting protein, MCI offers an extended release of amino acids and provides satiety, making it perfect for sports and adult nutrition products.
Benefits
- High-purity, intact casein provides versatile functionality to product developers and offers consumers an inherently slow-digesting protein that provides satiety
benefits and prevents muscle breakdown. - Excellent emulsification capacity and stability is ideal for providing emulsification solutions and for replacing traditional casein derivatives.
- Heat stability at neutral pH is ideal for food systems requiring high-heat processing conditions.
- Clean and neutral flavor, color, and aroma provide a blank canvas that creates optimum formulation flexibility for product developers.
- High levels of essential, branched-chain amino acids are ideal for sports nutrition products and consumers looking for muscle development and recovery.
Applications
- Coffee creamer
- Spoonable yogurt
- Whipped topping
- Ready-to-drink beverages
- Processed and analogue cheese
- Ready-to-mix powders
- Baked goods
Packaging
- 44.1 lb. (20 kg) multi-wall, kraft paper bag with polyethylene inner liner or bulk tote.
Shelf Life
- 730 days from the date of manufacture if stored under recommended conditions.
Available Certifications
Applicable Segments for Ingredient
CLEAR PRO 90TM
CLEAR PRO 90™ is a functional high-quality whey protein isolate designed specifically for low pH applications. It is created through a proprietary filtration process, giving it excellent heat stability and low turbidity for a wide variety of applications.
Functional Benefits
- Whey protein isolate delivers the amino acid composition and health benefits desired by consumers looking for high-quality protein and low-calorie product
offerings. - Heat and acid stability at low pH provide unique functionality for the development of versatile and innovative high-protein products.
- Soluble and functional across a wide range of acidic applications, making it ideal for boosting protein levels in low pH foods and beverages without the
grainy or milky/chalky mouthfeel typically associated with traditional whey. - High-heat processing stability and low turbidity in acidic conditions lead to superior visual performance where clarity is desired.
- Clean taste and low astringency contribute to a superior flavor and pleasant consumption experience.
Applications
- Sports Nutrition products
- Protein waters and carbonated
beverages - Clear ready-to-mix powders
- Fruit juices and puree pouches
- Popsicles and frozen treats
- Gelatin desserts
- Sauces, soups and dressings
- Fillings, jellies, and jams
- Confections and gummies
Packaging
- 44.1 lb. (20 kg) multi-wall, kraft paper bag with polyethylene inner line.
Shelf Life
- 730 days from the date of manufacture if stored under recommended conditions.
Available Certifications
Applicable Segments for Ingredient
Native Whey Protein Isolate
Microfiltered directly from milk and very low in fat and lactose, our high-quality Native WPI is a pure, minimally processed whey protein that has an amino acid profile with 20% higher leucine levels than traditional cheese whey.
Available in Regular & Instant*.
Benefits
- Ideal for premium sports nutrition applications where consumers are expecting a superior quality, minimally processed, rapidly digesting, nutrient-dense protein source.
- Delivers higher levels of branched chain amino acids and a greater leucine content than traditional cheese whey, therefore athletes can maximize muscle repair.
- Minimal processing, leading to a clean, consistent flavor profile every time.
- Premium protein source with low fat and lactose and a low glycemic index.
- *Instantized with lecithin to minimize allergens, giving your customers peace of mind.
Applications
- *Sports Nutrition (both regular and instant)
- *Protein-Fortified Foods and Mixes (both regular and instant)
- Bars (regular only)
- Protein-Fortified Coatings (regular only)
- Protein-Fortified Waters, Juices, and Teas (regular only)
Packaging
- 44.1 lb. (20 kg) multi-wall kraft paper bag with polyethylene inner liner.
Shelf Life
- 730 days from the date of manufacture if stored under recommended conditions.
Available Certifications
Applicable Segments for Ingredient
MP PRO C80TM
MP PRO C80™ is a microparticulated whey protein concentrate designed to support high-protein fortification without unwanted thickening or gelling. Its uniform particle size helps improve stability and deliver a creamy, fat-like texture, making it well-suited for supporting fat reduction efforts.
Benefits
- Excellent stability during high-temperature heating (such as retort or UHT processing) provides unique performance.
- Low gel strength significantly boosts protein content in high-moisture food where heat is applied without noticeably impacting texture or viscosity.
- Particle size similar to milk fat globules (~5µm) delivers fat perception and can be used as a fat replacement in some food systems and guarantees a rich, creamy mouthfeel and texture.
- Uniform and consistent particle size provides good suspendability in applications where that is desired.
- Low to no foaming is ideal for manufacturing processes where foaming can become an issue; it can reduce the need for antifoamers.
Applications
- Pudding
- Drinkable Yogurt
- Spoonable Yogurt
- Ready-to-Drink Beverages
- Dressings and Sauces
- Baked Goods
Packaging
- 55.1 lb. (25.0 kg) multi-wall, kraft paper bag with polyethylene inner liner or 1,000 lb. bulk tote.
Shelf Life
- 730 days from the date of manufacture if stored under recommended conditions.
Available Certifications
Applicable Segments for Ingredient
BarLifeTM
We offer deep expertise in formulating custom blends of Leprino specialty ingredients tailored for protein bar applications. By combining our concentrated dairy proteins in the right ratios, we help customers achieve improved flavor, softer textures, and better shelf‑life performance compared to many products currently on the market.
Benefits
- Protein bars become hard over time resulting in consumer dissatisfaction. This hardness is typically due to protein aggregation. Our blend is engineered to minimize this protein aggregation by optimizing the blend in the following areas:
- Protein ratio and type that limits moisture migration
- Controlling mineral content that reduces protein interactions
- Lower sugar level that minimizes Maillard reactions
Applications
- High Protein Bars
- Baked goods and desserts
Packaging
- 44.1 lb. (20 kg) multi-wall kraft paper bag with polyethylene inner liner.
Shelf Life
- 730 days from the date of manufacture if stored under recommended conditions.
Available Certifications
Applicable Segments for Ingredient
L-PROTM MFGM 70 – Adult
L-PRO™ MFGM 70 is a unique whey protein extracted from Leprino Nutrition’s high-quality protein stream for adult nutrition applications. MFGM is rich in phospholipids and other bioactive ingredients that support cognitive function, immune health, and muscle health in active aging adults.
Benefits
- Gangliosides in milk fat globule membrane support healthy aging by
maintaining neurocognitive health and promoting intestinal immunity. - Contains phospholipids, sphingolipids, and glycoproteins that are crucial in healthy brain functioning and help improve cognitive performance and memory.
- Immunoglobulins and other immune-supporting compounds, such as glycosphingolipids, found in MFGM have been found to support a healthy immune system.
- With a neutral dairy flavor, MFGM is well-suited to be used for fortification in a wide variety of food applications.
- *Contact us for the latest clinical research into the efficacy of MFGM.
Applications
- Nutritional beverages –
shakes, RTDs, RTMs,
drinkable yogurts - Nutritional foods –
bars, baked goods - Dairy-based applications –
yogurts, ice cream, puddings,
processed cheese
Packaging
- 37.4 lb. (17 kg) multi-wall, kraft paper bag with polyethylene inner liner
Shelf Life
365 days from the date of manufacture if stored at recommended conditions.
Available Certifications
Applicable Segments for Ingredient
Specialty Protein Solutions for High-Protein Product Development
Taste, Texture, and Mouthfeel
Increasing protein levels in many applications can introduce challenges like chalkiness, grittiness, off‑notes, or unwanted viscosity. Leprino Nutrition provides expertise and ingredient solutions designed to help address these formulation issues. For example, proteins in our portfolio—such as micellar casein isolates for cleaner flavor, MP PRO C80™ for enhanced creaminess and improved mouthfeel, and CLEAR PRO 90™ for a clean, non‑dairy taste in low‑pH systems—can help support improved sensory and functional performance.
Clean-Label and Minimally Processed Options
Brands aiming for simpler, more recognizable labels can leverage Leprino Nutrition’s specialty proteins, which appear on ingredient statements as the familiar dairy proteins—whey and casein—widely understood by consumers in high‑protein products. Our specialty proteins also offer versatile and superior functionality that can often reduce or replace the need for additional components like flavor maskers, gums, hydrocolloids, or other stabilizing systems.
Process Tolerance Advantages
Many applications require proteins that can tolerate demanding processing conditions without compromising manufacturing efficiency or the final product’s texture, stability, or appearance. Leprino Nutrition’s specialty proteins each offer a distinct tolerance advantage that supports reliable performance across a range of manufacturing environments.
Micellar Casein Isolate provides strong stability during high‑heat processing at neutral pH, making it well‑suited for applications that undergo intensive thermal treatment. MP PRO C80™ shows reduced aggregation and gelling under heat, enabling higher protein inclusion in high‑moisture systems while maintaining desirable texture and viscosity. CLEAR PRO 90™ maintains stability under heat and acid conditions in low‑pH applications, offering a clean flavor profile and low turbidity to support products where clarity and sensory quality matter most.
Adult Nutrition and Healthy Aging
Formulating for adult nutrition and healthy aging requires ingredients that deliver meaningful functional benefits—supporting cognition, mobility, immunity, and overall wellness—while also performing reliably across diverse food and beverage formats. Leprino Nutrition’s specialty proteins offer a range of tools that help developers meet these needs through targeted bioactivity, strong process tolerance, and clean sensory performance.
L‑PRO™ MFGM 70 – Adult delivers phospholipids and bioactive components that support cognition, immunity, and muscle health in aging adults, and its unique composition and flexible functionality make it suitable for a broad range of applications designed for aging populations.
Beyond MFGM, Micellar Casein Isolate, Native Whey Protein Isolate, MP PRO C80™, and CLEAR PRO 90™ each offer complementary advantages—such as sustained amino acid release, rapid digestion, creamy texture enhancement, heat and acid stability, and clean flavor profiles—that can help developers build adult‑nutrition products with the right balance of performance, sensory quality, and processing reliability.
Explore our Adult Nutrition solutions.
Protein Fortification Across Snack and Dessert Applications
Protein fortification is no longer limited to the categories consumers traditionally associate with high‑protein products. Today’s developers are incorporating meaningful protein levels into a wide range of snacks, desserts, baked goods, high-fat formats, and low‑moisture food systems—each requiring ingredients that deliver both nutritional value and dependable functionality.
Micellar Casein Isolate provides robust heat stability for baked, puffed, extruded, or ready‑to‑eat snacks that undergo thermal processing or more extreme conditions such as retort. Its performance enables protein fortification without compromising structure or texture and offers formulation options where other proteins may fall short. MCI is also an effective water binder which can also help manage moisture in ambient products when tighter control is needed and water activity is critical.
MP PRO C80™ serves as an excellent fat mimicker, contributing creamy texture and smooth mouthfeel that allow developers to reduce fat in high‑fat products or pursue fat and sugar reduction without sacrificing sensory quality. Its strong texturizing properties make it well‑suited for protein‑enhanced snacks, baked goods, desserts, and other applications where richness and sensory quality are essential.
BarLife™ technology supports the development of high‑protein bars, snacks, and baked goods by helping maintain softness and desirable sensorial properties throughout shelf life
Sports Nutrition and Protein RTD Beverages & RTM Foods
Protein fortification in modern sports nutrition goes far beyond shakes and powders—developers now need ingredients that deliver reliable processing performance, clean flavor, and the right digestion profile across ready‑to‑mix, ready‑to‑drink, carbonated, and low‑pH formats. Leprino Nutrition’s specialty proteins each offer a distinct combination of process tolerance, sensory benefits, and functional performance tailored to these evolving applications.
Micellar Casein Isolate delivers a naturally slow‑digesting protein profile with high levels of calcium and an extended amino acid release, supporting functional‑nutrition product development in RTD shakes, recovery beverages, and hybrid snack‑drink formats. Its exceptional heat stability, clean flavor, and inherent emulsification behavior help maintain consistent texture and reliable performance through demanding thermal processing—making it one of the few proteins capable of delivering both process tolerance and strong sensory quality in these applications.
CLEAR PRO 90™ Engineered for low‑pH systems, CLEAR PRO 90™ delivers exceptional heat and acid stability with low turbidity—supporting clear protein waters, carbonated beverages, and ready‑to‑mix powders that desire brightness, clarity, and a clean, non‑dairy taste. Its high-heat process tolerance enables protein fortification in beverage formats where traditional proteins would precipitate or become cloudy.
Native Whey Protein Isolate is a minimally processed, rapidly digesting protein with naturally higher leucine levels than traditional cheese whey. With its inherently low sugar and fat content, clean flavor, fast solubility, and light mouthfeel, it excels in low‑calorie ready‑to‑mix powders, nutrition bars, and applications where quick absorption and a clean sensory profile are essential.
Explore our Sports Nutrition solutions.
Meet Our Application Specialist
Meet Our Application Specialist
Guorong Wang – Senior Technical Sales Support Manager
Guorong has a PhD degree in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Vermont. He has 20 years of experience in dairy science research and development with in-depth knowledge in dairy chemistry, processing, and various food applications.
Our Innovation Studio – What Sets Us Apart
Commitment – Willing to invest significant time and resources to achieve shared innovation success
Collaboration – Passionate about problem-solving tough innovation challenges side-by-side with your team
Dairy and protein application knowledge – Able to provide specific, science-backed, hands-on guidance to smoothly transition our ingredients into your end products
Urgency – Able to leverage our pilot plant to test new ingredients, applications, and processes efficiently, giving you key insights to accelerate product development
Frequently Asked Questions About Specialty Protein Ingredients
What specialty protein ingredients does Leprino Nutrition offer?
What are the functional benefits of specialty protein ingredients?
Which Leprino Nutrition specialty proteins are suitable for high-protein beverages?
Does Leprino Nutrition offer specialty proteins for high-protein bars?