Advancing Infant Nutrition: Strategies for Humanizing Infant Formula through Milk Fat Globule Membrane Enrichment

Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), as a key structural component of milk fat globules (MFG) in breast milk, plays a vital role in infant growth and development. Increasing evidence indicates that MFGM supports this process by supplying essential nutrients and regulating metabolic pathways. Its preparation and incorporation into infant formula have become prominent research topics. This article reviews the secretory pathways, structural organization and physiological functions of MFGM, and summarizes in detail the effects of MFGM on lipid metabolism, brain neurodevelopment, immune system and intestinal health. In addition, the major preparation methods of MFGM at the present stage, and their progress in the application of infant formula are presented in this paper. The development of additional new processes and clinical studies are emphasized as key to constructing and evaluating infant formulas with MFG-mimicking structures, providing new insights into the breastfeeding of infant formulas.