Investigation into the potential of commercially available lesser mealworm (A. diaperinus) protein to serve as sources of peptides with DPP‐IV inhibitory activity

Isabelle M E Lacroix,Irene Dávalos Terán,Vincenzo Fogliano,Harry J Wichers

doi:10.1111/ijfs.13982

Isabelle M E Lacroix, Irene Dávalos Terán + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.13982

Copy DOI

Abstract

SummaryFood‐derived peptides are known to possess inhibitory activity against the dipeptidyl‐peptidase IV (DPP‐IV) enzyme, a target in the management of type 2 diabetes. While proteins from commonly consumed food commodities have been investigated as precursors of DPP‐IV‐inhibiting peptides, studies on novel protein sources, such as those from insects, are sparse. This research aimed to determine if DPP‐IV inhibitors can be generated upon in vitro digestion or enzymatic hydrolysis of lesser mealworm protein isolate and concentrate. Treatment of the proteins with digestive enzymes and proteases generated hydrolysates with varying potency, thermolysin being the most effective at releasing active peptides (IC50 = 0.63 and 0.60 mg mL−1 for the isolate and concentrate). Ultrafiltration of the thermolysin‐treated hydrolysates did not significantly improve the potency. This study shows that DPP‐IV inhibitors can be generated from lesser mealworm protein and provides insight on the potential of insects to serve as functional food ingredients.

Highlights

Insects have generated much interest in recent years as alternative sources of nutrients for both human and animal nutrition (van Huis, 2015)
Results from the present study showed that peptides with in vitro dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activity can be generated from two commercially available protein extracts from lesser mealworm
Products obtained by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and hydrolysis with thermolysin of both protein ingredients were found to be more effective at inhibiting the dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPPIV) enzyme than those generated using Alcalase, Flavourzyme and papain

Summary

Introduction

Insects have generated much interest in recent years as alternative sources of nutrients for both human and animal nutrition (van Huis, 2015). Dietary proteins have been found to be precursors of peptides able to inhibit the activity of dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPP-IV) in vitro and in animal models (Jao et al, 2015; Lacroix & Li-Chan, 2016). This enzyme is involved in the inactivation of the incretins, which are gut-derived hormones recognized to play a pivotal role in glycemic regulation (Filippatos et al, 2014). The inhibition of the DPP-IV enzyme is one of the strategies used in the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients and to date, more than ten DPP-IV inhibitors, often referred to as doi:10.1111/ijfs.13982

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion