Milk Bioactive Peptides: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anti-Diabetic Activities

Abstract

The main milk proteins are caseins and whey proteins, some other minor proteins and peptides, are also found in milk. Proteins are vital ingredients for human because they provide all the essential amino acids needed for body and human health. Milk proteins are very important sources of bioactive peptides. The bioactive peptides are inactive within the sequence of the parent protein and can be released by proteolytic enzymes, during gastrointestinal digestion or during milk processing, for example the adding coagulation enzymes and starter culture. Once bioactive peptides are present in the body, these peptides may act as regulatory compounds with hormone-like activity. Furthermore, Bioactive peptides from milk proteins have many biological activities such as antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antithrombotic, antioxidant, mineral binding, and anti-diabetic. Bioactive peptides have potential health and have pharmaceutical applications. Antimicrobial peptides are recognized as an important component of innate immunity, particularly at mucosal surfaces such as the lungs and small intestine that are constantly exposed to a range of potential pathogens. The ability of protein hydrolysates to inhibit deleterious changes caused by lipid oxidation appears to be related to the nature and composition of the different peptide fractions. Milk protein hydrolysate possesses free-radical-scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities have many beneficial effects on the increase of the glucose-induced insulin secretion and reduction in postprandial glycemia. This article is tried through exposure in some detail to review characteristics of some milk protein peptides and its positive effects on human health.