Milk fat globule membrane in early-life nutrition: composition, production, and biological effects on infant immune maturation, intestinal development, neurocognitive function, and growth.

The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a trilayered structure encasing fat globules in mammalian milk, primarily composed of phospholipids, glycoproteins, and bioactive molecules. Recent research indicates that MFGM plays a fundamental role in early-life health, particularly through its effects on gut microbiota development and immune system maturation. In the initial months of life, the infant's gut microbiome undergoes rapid colonization, essential for immunological tolerance, metabolic programming, and pathogen defense. Numerous studies have shown that MFGM components, including sphingomyelin, gangliosides, and glycoproteins, exhibit prebiotic-like effects by facilitating the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species. Furthermore, MFGM supplementation in infant formulas has been linked to microbiota profiles that more closely resemble those of breastfed infants, enhanced gastrointestinal function, cognitive development, and a decreased incidence of diseases. This review clarifies how MFGM influences gut microbiota regulation, including increased barrier function, anti-inflammatory properties, and pathogen defense. Moreover, it highlights the possibility of MFGM-enriched dietary approaches to enhance proper gut colonization and promote long-term infant health, particularly in formula-fed populations. Although the results are encouraging, more longitudinal and mechanistic investigations are necessary to comprehensively clarify the influence of MFGM on the gut microbiome and the microbiota-mediated health benefits for growth and development.