Abstract: Lactoferrin is one of the research hotspots in the field of food nutrition and biotechnology. It has a variety of physiological activities, such as regulating the immune system, improving the neurodevelopmental system, promoting cell regeneration, regulating lipid metabolism pathway and enzyme activity. In this paper, the structure of lactoferrin is introduced, and the role of lactoferrin in antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral and intestinal health promotion is systematically summarized. In addition, the recent research progress of lactoferrin in neural development, regulation of lipid metabolism, regeneration properties and enzyme activity are summarized in detail.At last, the application of lactoferrin in food industry is summarized, and the future research focus and direction of lactoferrin are put forward.