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Bioactive Peptides
5.1.1 Definition
Bioactive peptides are short sequences of amino acids that exhibit a specific biological activity beyond basic nutritional or structural functions. They can influence metabolic pathways, immune responses, cardiovascular health, or neurological processes. Bioactive peptides are often released from precursor proteins during digestion, fermentation, or enzymatic hydrolysis.
5.1.2 Mechanisms of Action
Enzyme Inhibition: Some peptides inhibit enzymes such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), reducing blood pressure.
Antioxidant Activity: Certain peptides scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
Immunomodulation: Peptides can stimulate or regulate immune cell activity.
Cell Signaling: Bioactive peptides may interact with receptors to influence metabolic or neurological pathways.
5.1.3 Examples
ACE-inhibitory peptides: derived from milk, soy, or fish proteins, used to support cardiovascular health.
Antioxidant peptides: found in eggs, milk, and plant proteins, reducing cellular oxidative damage.
Immunomodulatory peptides: lactoferricin, a peptide from lactoferrin, enhances immune responses.
Opioid peptides: like β-casomorphins from milk, interact with opioid receptors affecting gut or nervous system function.
5.1.4 Advantages
Target specific physiological pathways with high selectivity.
Derived from natural proteins, reducing toxicity concerns.
Can be used in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and supplements.
Support preventive health applications beyond conventional therapy.
5.1.5 Challenges
Stability: susceptible to enzymatic degradation in the digestive tract.
Bioavailability: may require encapsulation or chemical modification for effective absorption.
Variability: activity depends on sequence, length, and source protein.
Production: scaling enzymatic or microbial hydrolysis can be costly.
5.1.6 Applications
Functional foods: peptides included in milk, yogurt, or protein powders to support cardiovascular or metabolic health.
Nutraceuticals: supplements targeting blood pressure, oxidative stress, or immune function.
Pharmaceutical research: bioactive peptides investigated as therapeutic agents or drug leads.
5.1.7 Conclusion
Bioactive peptides are highly versatile molecules that influence metabolic, cardiovascular, immune, and neurological functions. Their specificity and natural origin make them ideal for functional foods, nutraceuticals, and therapeutic development, although challenges such as stability and bioavailability must be carefully addressed for effective use.
5.1.1 Definition
Bioactive peptides are short sequences of amino acids that exhibit a specific biological activity beyond basic nutritional or structural functions. They can influence metabolic pathways, immune responses, cardiovascular health, or neurological processes. Bioactive peptides are often released from precursor proteins during digestion, fermentation, or enzymatic hydrolysis.
5.1.2 Mechanisms of Action
Enzyme Inhibition: Some peptides inhibit enzymes such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), reducing blood pressure.
Antioxidant Activity: Certain peptides scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
Immunomodulation: Peptides can stimulate or regulate immune cell activity.
Cell Signaling: Bioactive peptides may interact with receptors to influence metabolic or neurological pathways.
5.1.3 Examples
ACE-inhibitory peptides: derived from milk, soy, or fish proteins, used to support cardiovascular health.
Antioxidant peptides: found in eggs, milk, and plant proteins, reducing cellular oxidative damage.
Immunomodulatory peptides: lactoferricin, a peptide from lactoferrin, enhances immune responses.
Opioid peptides: like β-casomorphins from milk, interact with opioid receptors affecting gut or nervous system function.
5.1.4 Advantages
Target specific physiological pathways with high selectivity.
Derived from natural proteins, reducing toxicity concerns.
Can be used in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and supplements.
Support preventive health applications beyond conventional therapy.
5.1.5 Challenges
Stability: susceptible to enzymatic degradation in the digestive tract.
Bioavailability: may require encapsulation or chemical modification for effective absorption.
Variability: activity depends on sequence, length, and source protein.
Production: scaling enzymatic or microbial hydrolysis can be costly.
5.1.6 Applications
Functional foods: peptides included in milk, yogurt, or protein powders to support cardiovascular or metabolic health.
Nutraceuticals: supplements targeting blood pressure, oxidative stress, or immune function.
Pharmaceutical research: bioactive peptides investigated as therapeutic agents or drug leads.
5.1.7 Conclusion
Bioactive peptides are highly versatile molecules that influence metabolic, cardiovascular, immune, and neurological functions. Their specificity and natural origin make them ideal for functional foods, nutraceuticals, and therapeutic development, although challenges such as stability and bioavailability must be carefully addressed for effective use.