The impact of thermal processing on the simulated infant gastrointestinal digestion, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory activity of bovine lactoferrin – An in vitro study

•LF and aggregates thereof resisted infant gastric, but not intestinal, digestion.•The efficacy of LF bactericidal effects was diminished by thermal processing.•LF inhibition of LPS-induced NF-κB activation was diminished by thermal processing.•Increased intensity of thermal processing resulted in decreased LF bioactivity.