Abstract
Seeds from Cucurbitaceae plants (squashes, pumpkins, melons, etc.) have been used both as protein-rich food ingredients and nutraceutical agents by many indigenous cultures for millennia. However, relatively little is known about the bioactive components (e.g., peptides) of the Cucurbitaceae seed proteins (CSP) and their specific effects on human health. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of latest research on bioactive and functional properties of CSP isolates and hydrolysates. Enzymatic hydrolysis can introduce a series of changes to the CSP structure and improve its bioactive and functional properties, including the enhanced protein solubility over a wide range of pH values. Small-sized peptides in CSP hydrolysates seem to enhance their bioactive properties but adversely affect their functional properties. Therefore, medium degrees of hydrolysis seem to benefit the overall improvement of bioactive and functional properties of CSP hydrolysates. Among the reported bioactive properties of CSP isolates and hydrolysates, their antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antihyperglycaemic activities stand out. Therefore, they could potentially substitute synthetic antioxidants and drugs which might have adverse secondary effects on human health. CSP isolates and hydrolysates could also be implemented as functional food ingredients, thanks to their favorable amino acid composition and good emulsifying and foaming properties.
Highlights
The Cucurbitaceae family is formed by about 130 genera and 800 species, including squashes, pumpkins, melons, and gourds [1, 2]
Relatively little is known about the bioactive components of the Cucurbitaceae seed proteins (CSP) and their specific effects on human health
This section describes the processes involved in the generation of Cucurbitaceae seed protein extracts and their enzymatic hydrolysates, starting with the extraction of the protein from the seeds themselves, studying the main factors involved in the enzymatic hydrolysis of the Cucurbitaceae seed protein extracts and, describing the steps involved in the obtainment of Cucurbitaceae seed protein hydrolysates (Figure 2)
Summary
The Cucurbitaceae family is formed by about 130 genera and 800 species, including squashes, pumpkins, melons, and gourds [1, 2]. Cucurbitaceae seed protein hydrolysates could be an interesting alternative to known food supplements and a potential source of new bioactive peptides. Cucurbitaceae seed proteins and their hydrolysates have gained considerable attention from researchers and the body of evidence for their bioactive and functional properties is quickly growing. The main objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of latest research conducted in the field of Cucurbitaceae seed protein isolation and its subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis in order to obtain bioactive peptides with enhanced functional. This review aims to put into perspective the lack of knowledge about bioactive peptides recoverable from Cucurbitaceae seed protein hydrolysates and it aims to point out the many opportunities this area may provide for future research
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