Short answer: Lactoferrin can be digested in the gastrointestinal tract, but the amount that remains intact varies with formulation and gastric conditions. A delayed-release capsule may be relevant when the formulation goal is to reduce immediate gastric exposure, but it is not automatically required for every lactoferrin product.
Does lactoferrin survive the stomach?
Human and laboratory studies show a mixed picture. One study in healthy adults found that substantial amounts of bovine lactoferrin survived gastric transit, while other work has shown that lactoferrin can be broken down relatively quickly under simulated gastric conditions. Systematic reviews therefore treat oral lactoferrin stability as a formulation question rather than a simple yes-or-no issue.
Why formulation matters
Research has investigated multiple strategies for protecting lactoferrin during gastrointestinal transit, including encapsulation and protein-polysaccharide systems. These approaches show that changing the surrounding delivery system can alter how much intact lactoferrin remains during digestion.
Where can delayed-release capsules fit?
If you are filling compatible dry lactoferrin powder and want to delay capsule opening during gastric transit, DRcaps® delayed-release HPMC capsules may be considered as one formulation option.
However, DRcaps® should not be presented as proof that lactoferrin will remain fully intact or become more effective. Lactoferrin stability depends on the ingredient, formulation and gastrointestinal conditions.
Is delayed release always better for lactoferrin?
No. Some orally consumed lactoferrin survives gastric transit without a delayed-release shell, and digestion products may also differ from intact lactoferrin. The best format depends on what the formulation is intended to achieve.
Choosing a capsule size
Use the powder volume and bulk density to choose a shell size. See our capsule size guide for sizes 000 to 5.
