Bioactive peptides are short chains of amino acids that have biological activity within the body. They act as signaling molecules and often perform important physiological functions. Some bioactive peptides have been shown to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and opioid-like properties. Recent research has focused on isolating and characterizing bioactive peptides derived from food proteins through digestive processes or fermentation. This has opened up opportunities for developing functional foods and nutraceuticals.
What are Bioactive Peptides?
Bioactive peptides are inactive sequences located within the primary structure of parent protein molecules. They are released during gastrointestinal digestion or food processing. The gastrointestinal digestive enzymes like pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin break down dietary proteins into smaller peptide fragments. Some of these protein fragments have biological activity and are called bioactive peptides. Bioactive peptides usually contain 2-20 amino acid residues and must be released from parent protein to be bioactive. They influence various physiological functions through interactions with receptors, enzymes or other protein targets.
Sources of Bioactive Peptides
Many foods contain protein precursors that can potentially release bioactive peptides. Common sources of bioactive peptides include milk proteins like casein and whey, plant proteins like gluten and soy, and seafood proteins. During digestion, gastrointestinal enzymes breaks down the proteins into smaller peptides. Some examples of bioactive peptides derived from common food sources include:
- Caseinophosphopeptides (CPPs) released from casein in milk known to increase calcium absorption.
- Opioid agonists (casomorphins) in milk that may influence food intake regulation.
- Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibiting peptides from milk, soy, wheat and fish that lower blood pressure.
- Antioxidative peptides derived from various sources that help prevent chronic diseases.
Physiological Effects of Bioactive Peptides
Bioactive peptides have been associated with several beneficial physiological effects due to their interaction with metabolic systems in the body:
- Cardiovascular health: ACE inhibiting bioactive peptides from food help control blood pressure by preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to vasoconstrictor angiotensin II. This reduces risk of hypertension, heart disease and stroke.
- Gastrointestinal health: CPPs bind to calcium in the gut and facilitates absorption in the intestine. They help prevent osteoporosis and hip fractures. Certain bioactive peptides may also promote growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
- Immune function: Antimicrobial bioactive peptides display protective effect against pathogens and foodbornemicrobes through their interaction with microbial cell membranes.
- Cancer prevention: Antioxidative bioactive peptides scavenge free radicals and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species involved in DNA damage and cancer development. They protect cells from oxidative stress.
- Regulation of appetite: Opioid like casomorphins may influence appetite control and food intake via interaction with opioid receptors in the central nervous system.
Benefits of Functional Foods with Bioactive Peptides
The isolation and addition of potent bioactive peptides to functional foods provides an opportunity to develop nutraceuticals with specific health benefits. Due to their small size, bioactive peptides are stable against digestive enzymes and gastrointestinal conditions. They can be added to various foods and beverages without affecting sensory attributes. Foods fortified with bioactive peptides may offer several advantages:
- Reduction in risk of chronic diseases through specific physiological effects of peptides when consumed as part of the normal diet.
- Providing concentrated doses of bioactive components without use of supplements in pill form for easy intake.
- Developing clinical trial evidence for health claims about disease risk reduction to market products to health-conscious consumers.
- Addressing preventive healthcare through functional foods to promote wellness rather than reliance only on treatment of illness.
Bioactive peptides derived from food proteins are gaining prominence due to their diverse physiological activities and potential health benefits. Further research exploring new peptide sources as well as mechanisms of actions will help develop innovative functional foods and nutraceuticals. Characterizing specific bioactive peptides responsible for reported effects will enable production of standardized peptide ingredients. Functional foods fortified with characterized bioactive peptides may contribute to preventive healthcare through diet in reducing chronic diseases burden on populations.
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