In silico analysis of Gracilaria changii proteins for potential bioactive peptides

Abstract

Gracilaria changii is a red seaweed species in Malaysia with high protein content (12.57% (dry basis)). Thus, G. changii proteins are potential precursors for producing bioactive peptides. To date, no study has been reported on the potential of G. changii proteins as potential precursors for bioactive peptides. In this study, fourteen G. changii proteins were selected as potential precursors of bioactive peptides using in silico approach. It was found that the most potential bioactivity was dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP IV) inhibitory and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities. Papain, ficin and stem bromelain were used for in-silico proteolysis. Stem bromelain was found to be more effective in terms of the release of fragments with a given activity. Furthermore, two tripeptides (ACF and YCL) were screened as novel and promising bioactive peptides. The characteristics of both peptides were also analyzed using PeptideRanker, PepCalc, Peptide Cutter, ToxinPred, AllerTop and AHTpin bioinformatic tools. The bioinformatic tools predicted that both peptides were non-toxic, non-allergen and highly potential. The present work suggests that G. changii can serve as a potential source of bioactive peptides and these findings can provide a basis for future in-vitro and in-vivo study of bioactive peptides from G. changii proteins.