Protein Hydrolysis Research Articles

A comprehensive study of the instability of direct-steam-infusion UHT milk: Insights from metabolomics and proteomics

Direct-steam-infusion UHT (dUHT) milk retains more nutrients compared to traditional UHT milk but challenged by age gelation, impacting shelf life. To understand this instability, raw milk, dUHT milk, and age gelation milk were comprehensively studied using metabolomics and proteomics. 2496 metabolites were detected, including amino acids and derivatives, nucleotides and nucleotide derivatives, lipids and fatty acids, and organic acids and derivatives. The most significant change after age gelation was in amino acids, particularly L-lysine, which emerged as the most important indicator related to protein hydrolysis. Proteomics revealed increased calcium-binding proteins, protein fragments, and various proteases in age gelation milk. Ribonuclease A family, cathepsin D, carboxypeptidases, serine/threonine-protein kinase, PLK serine protease 23 contributed to metabolite changes and protein hydrolysis during age gelation. These findings suggested that the hydrolysis of various enzymes altered the overall composition of milk, leading to age gelation, which provided new insights into the instability of dUHT milk.

Advancing protein hydrolysis and phytosterol encapsulation: Emerging trends and innovations in protein-based microencapsulation techniques – A comprehensive review

Phytosterols represent a diverse and complex category of lipophilic bioactive compounds, exhibiting excellent pro-healthy properties. However, their consumption in daily diets is insufficient, and their application in food production is hindered by challenges such as low water solubility, high reactivity, and rapid degradation. The adoption of different protein or their structural modification as hydrolysates as wall material into microencapsulation techniques can be associated with improved solubility, enhanced bioaccessibility, increased bioavailability, and an extension of shelf life.This contribution provides an overview of advancements in modifying functional properties through various protein isolation methods and structural changes resulting from enzymatic hydrolysis. Additionally, the paper considers the state of the art in the utilization of various techniques and the composition of wall material in the encapsulation of phytosterols and other common lipophilic phytochemicals incorporated into delivery systems.Protein isolates obtained through novel methods of extraction may be characterized by an enhancement of their functional properties, which is crucial for the microencapsulation process. It entails not only recognizing their role as protective barriers for core materials against environmental conditions but also acknowledging their potential health-promoting attributes. These attributes encompass antioxidant properties and enhanced functional characteristics compared to native proteins. Moreover, the exploration of protein hydrolysates as versatile wall materials holds significant promise. These hydrolysates offer exceptional protective features for core materials, extending beyond mere environmental shielding. The envisioned impact extends beyond conventional delivery systems, offering transformative potential for the future of drug delivery and nutraceutical formulations.

Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide in Presence of DimethylglyoximatoNickel Complexes as Catalysts: Catalase-Like Activity

The development in coordination chemistry in recent years raise hopes that synthetically produced metal complexes could mimic many biochemical systems widely found in nature. There is a certain analogy between nature and organometallic systems. A large number of biological metal complexes are known, including oxygen carriers like hemoglobin in the blood, which contains a ferrous ion; respiratory enzymes; those involved in protein hydrolysis; and vitamin B12, which is only active in the presence of cobalt in the trivalent state. The Nickel (III), in addition to Fe-S clusters, was an essential component in hydrogenases. Since then, nickel (III) complexes have been used as models for studying the catalytic function of certain enzymes (hydrogenases). In this context, a study on the catalytic ability of dimethylglyoximato-nickel complexes as peroxiredoxases in the dismutation or oxidation of hydrogen peroxide was conducted. The results were discussed, commented upon, and a reaction mechanism was proposed. The results seem encouraging, regarding the effect of the complexation on catalase- like activity.

Bovine liver hydrolysates based on six proteases: Physicochemical properties, emulsification characteristics, antioxidant capacity assessment, and peptide identification

This study aimed to study the physicochemical, antioxidant, and emulsifying properties of bovine liver hydrolysates based on pepsin, alkaline protease, neutral protease, trypsin, papain, and flavor proteinase, and to identify proteins and peptides in bovine liver hydrolysates. The physicochemical properties of bovine liver hydrolysate were evaluated using gel permeation chromatography, surface hydrophobicity, fourier transforms infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy, and the antioxidant and emulsifying capacity of six bovine liver hydrolysates were characterized. The results showed that enzymatic hydrolysis by the six proteases decreased the molecular weight of the hydrolysate while increasing the content of hydrophobic amino acids and negatively charged amino acids. Among all proteases tested, alkaline protease exhibited the highest DH (13.3%) and protein recovery (37.3%). The concentration levels (1–5 mg/mL) positively correlated with antioxidant properties in alkaline protease hydrolysate, the hydrolysis ability of pepsin is relatively weak, and there is a significant difference between pepsin and other proteases, which was also reflected in its antioxidant capacity. Thus, alkaline protease hydrolysates were chosen for identification, and information on 3894 peptides was obtained, these findings provide a basis for expanding the application potential of bovine liver hydrolysate as a bioactive component in the food or pharmaceutical industry.

The development of silk glands and transcriptome aberration induced by cyantraniliprole in Bombyx mori

Bombyx mori is an insect species of great economic importance, and its silk gland is a vital organ for the synthesis and secretion of silk protein. However, long-term artificial domestication of B. mori has resulted in high sensitivity to chemical toxins, especially insecticides. Cyantraniliprole (Cya), a second-generation ryanodine receptor modulator insecticide, is widely utilized in agriculture for pest control. In this study, the impact of Cya toxicity on the development of silk glands in the 5th instar larvae of B. mori was assessed using Cya LC5, LC10 and LC20, as well as a starvation treatment group for comparison. Short-term exposure (24 h) to different concentrations of Cya resulted in delayed development of silk glands in B. mori. Meanwhile, the body weight, silk gland weight, silk gland index and cocoon quality were significantly reduced in a concentration-dependent manner, except for the Cya LC5 treatment. Histopathological and ultrastructural analysis revealed that Cya LC10 induced disruption of the nuclear membrane and endoplasmic reticulum in the posterior silk gland (PSG) cells, leading to the formation of intracellular vacuoles. Transcriptome sequencing of PSGs identified 2152 genes that were differentially expressed after exposure to Cya LC10, with 1153 down-regulated genes and 999 up-regulated genes. All differentially expressed genes were subjected to functional annotation using gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes database, and it was found that protein synthesis-related pathways were significantly enriched, with the majority of genes being down-regulated. Furthermore, the transcription levels of genes involved in “protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum”, “protein export”, “proteasome” and “DNA replication” were quantified using qRT-PCR. Our findings suggested that short-term exposure to Cya LC10 resulted in disruption of DNA replication, as well as protein transport, processing and hydrolysis in the PSG cells of B. mori. The results of this study provide a theoretical foundation for the safe utilization of Cya in sericulture production.

Incorporation of coenzyme Q10-loaded nanoemulsions in soy protein gels and assessment of the effects in their microstructure and bioaccessibility of the bioactive

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a potent antioxidant that provides multiple health benefits, but its incorporation into foods is challenging due to its high hydrophobicity. This study aimed to develop soy protein isolate (SPI) gels filled with CoQ10-loaded nanoemulsion. Minimum gelation concentration tests were performed at pH 5, 6 and 7, as well as 11, 13 and 15 (SPI% w/w), to determine the best conditions for gel production. Gels with 15% SPI at pH 7 and various aqueous phase replacements by YNano Q10 (25%–85%) were produced. Uniaxial compression tests indicated that oil droplets were active particles interacting with the microgels of SPI, which structured the protein network. According to the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) micrographs, the gel structure was formed by microgels, common for SPI gels, and nanodroplets occupied the gels’ pores, possibly interacting with each other and with the protein matrix, forming a type of “emulsion network”; the scanning electron microscopy data corroborated the CLSM results. The stability of CoQ10 was evaluated using instrumental colorimetry and showed that the bioactive was highly stable after 45 days of storage according to instrumental color measurements. Regarding the release of CoQ10 during in vitro static digestion, the bioactive was present in the final digesta of gastric phase (GP) and intestinal phase (IP), indicating that EFGs protected the active against the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Notably, the higher the amount of nanoemulsion, the higher the concentration of CoQ10 present in the digesta, and the presence of nanoemulsion droplets did not influence on protein hydrolysis.

Impact of Alcalase Hydrolysis and Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion on the Release of Bioactive Peptides from Erythrina edulis (Chachafruto) Proteins.

Amidst increasing awareness of diet-health relationships, plant-derived bioactive peptides are recognized for their dual nutritional and health benefits. This study investigates bioactive peptides released after Alcalase hydrolysis of protein from chachafruto (Erythrina edulis), a nutrient-rich South American leguminous plant, focusing on their behavior during simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Evaluating their ability to scavenge radicals, mitigate oxidative stress, and influence immune response biomarkers, this study underscores the importance of understanding peptide interactions in digestion. The greatest contribution to the antioxidant activity was exerted by the low molecular weight peptides with ORAC values for the <3 kDa fraction of HES, GD-HES, and GID-HES of 0.74 ± 0.03, 0.72 ± 0.004, and 0.56 ± 0.01 (μmol TE/mg protein, respectively). GD-HES and GID-HES exhibited immunomodulatory effects, promoting the release of NO up to 18.52 and 8.58 µM, respectively. The findings of this study highlighted the potential of chachafruto bioactive peptides in functional foods and nutraceuticals, supporting human health through dietary interventions.

Non-human peptides revealed in blood reflect the composition of intestinal microbiota

BackgroundThe previously underestimated effects of commensal gut microbiota on the human body are increasingly being investigated using omics. The discovery of active molecules of interaction between the microbiota and the host may be an important step towards elucidating the mechanisms of symbiosis.ResultsHere, we show that in the bloodstream of healthy people, there are over 900 peptides that are fragments of proteins from microorganisms which naturally inhabit human biotopes, including the intestinal microbiota. Absolute quantitation by multiple reaction monitoring has confirmed the presence of bacterial peptides in the blood plasma and serum in the range of approximately 0.1 nM to 1 μM. The abundance of microbiota peptides reaches its maximum about 5 h after a meal. Most of the peptides correlate with the bacterial composition of the small intestine and are likely obtained by hydrolysis of membrane proteins with trypsin, chymotrypsin and pepsin – the main proteases of the gastrointestinal tract. The peptides have physicochemical properties that likely allow them to selectively pass the intestinal mucosal barrier and resist fibrinolysis.ConclusionsThe proposed approach to the identification of microbiota peptides in the blood, after additional validation, may be useful for determining the microbiota composition of hard-to-reach intestinal areas and monitoring the permeability of the intestinal mucosal barrier.

Non-Targeted Metabolomics Analysis of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Enrichment in Germinated Maize Induced by Pulsed Light.

Pulsed light is an emerging technique in plant physiology recognized for its ability to enhance germination and accumulate γ-aminobutyric acid in maize. Pulsed light involves exposing plants to brief, high-intensity bursts of light, which can enhance photosynthesis, improve growth, and increase resistance to environmental stresses. Despite its promising potential, the specific metabolic changes leading to γ-aminobutyric acid enrichment in maize induced by pulsed light are not fully understood. This study addresses this gap by quantifying key nutrients and γ-aminobutyric acid-related compounds during maize germination and investigating the underlying mechanisms using non-targeted metabolomics. Our findings indicate that pulsed light significantly promotes maize germination and accelerates the hydrolysis of proteins, sugars, and lipids. This acceleration is likely due to the activation of enzymes involved in these metabolic pathways. Additionally, pulsed light markedly increases the content of glutamic acid and the activity of glutamate decarboxylase, which are crucial for γ-aminobutyric acid synthesis. Moreover, pulsed light significantly reduces the activity of γ-aminobutyric transaminase, thereby inhibiting γ-aminobutyric acid decomposition and resulting in a substantial increase in γ-aminobutyric acid content, with a 27.20% increase observed in germinated maize following pulsed light treatment. Metabolomic analysis further revealed enrichment of metabolic pathways associated with γ-aminobutyric acid, including amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, energy metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and ABC transporters. In conclusion, pulsed light is a robust and efficient method for producing sprouted maize with a high γ-aminobutyric acid content. This technique provides a novel approach for developing sprouted cereal foods with enhanced nutritional profiles, leveraging the physiological benefits of γ-aminobutyric acid, which include stress alleviation and potential health benefits for humans.

Revolutionizing protein hydrolysis in wastewater: Innovative immobilization of metagenome-derived protease in periodic mesoporous organosilica with imidazolium framework

This research focused on utilizing periodic mesoporous organosilica with imidazolium framework (PMO-IL), to immobilize a metagenome-sourced protease (PersiProtease1), thereby enhancing its functional efficiency and catalytic effectiveness in processing primary proteins found in tannery wastewater. The successful immobilization of enzyme was confirmed through the use of N2 adsorption-desorption experiment, XRD, FTIR, TEM, FESEM, EDS and elemental analytical techniques. The immobilized enzyme exhibited greater stability in the presence of various metal ions and inhibitors compared to its free form. Furthermore, enzyme binding to PMO-IL nanoparticles (NPs) reduced leaching, evidenced by only 11.41 % of enzyme leakage following a 120-min incubation at 80 °C and 6.99 % after 240 min at 25 °C. Additionally, PersiPro@PMO-IL maintained impressive operational consistency, preserving 62.24 % of its activity over 20 cycles. It also demonstrated notable stability under saline conditions, with an increase of 1.5 times compared to the free enzyme in the presence of 5 M NaCl. The rate of collagen hydrolysis by the immobilized protease was 46.82 % after a 15-minute incubation at 60 °C and marginally decreased to 39.02 % after 20 cycles indicative of sustained efficacy without significant leaching throughout the cycles. These findings underscore the effectiveness of PMO-IL NPs as a viable candidate for treating wastewater containing protein.

Aging time improves adhesive performance of handmade starch paste for restoration of ancient Chinese books and its mechanism of action

In the restoration of ancient Chinese books, handmade starch paste serves as a paper adhesive, distinguished from traditional starch paste preparation methods. It involves special processes such as starch washing and aging, relying entirely on the artisanal expertise throughout the entire process. The study recreates the process of making handmade starch paste for the restoration of traditional ancient books and investigates the effects of aging time on the apparent viscosity, rheological properties, and adhesive performance of the paste. The results indicate that during aging, the pH of the starch paste decreases significantly, but it has a minimal impact on its apparent viscosity, rheological properties, and paper softness. However, it notably enhances the adhesive performance, with the optimal results observed after 3 days of aging. This is attributed to the decrease in residual protein content in the starch, as well as the significant improvement in swelling power and solubility of the starch. The results of infrared spectroscopy and XRD testing reveal that there are no significant changes in the molecular and crystalline structures of starch during the aging process. The acidic environment produced by starch fermentation promotes protein hydrolysis, emerging as the primary reason for the improved adhesive performance of the paste.

Effect of lactic acid bacteria fermentation on spray-dried egg yolk powder: Powder characteristics, structural properties and gastrointestinal digestibility

Preparation of egg yolk powder with high solubility and high gastrointestinal digestibility is important for its effective utilization in the food industry. This study discovered that fermentation of egg yolks by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) resulted in a 54.3% increase in solubility, 110.6% increase in water dispersibility, and improved the stability of the dispersion to sedimentation. Fermentation resulted in smaller average particle size, enhanced hydrolysis of proteins and fats, and a more expansive protein structure in the egg yolk powder. Laser confocal microscopy showed increased hydrolysis of protein and fat in fermented egg yolk powder during simulated digestion, highlighting enhanced digestive properties due to LAB fermentation. This study validated the feasibility of LAB fermentation technology for modifying egg yolk powder, offering valuable insights for its processing and application in the food industry.

Improving natto quality through Co-fermentation of functionally complementary Bacillus and Lactiplantibacillus species

Natto, a nutritious fermented soybean product, is known for its health benefits. Modern production methods use Bacillus subtilis as the starter culture to ensure consistent quality. However, this method overlooks the potential positive effects of other microbial species present in traditionally, naturally fermented natto. This study explored the effects of ARTP-induced mutants of B. subtilis var. natto and several strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on natto quality. The results showed that these two types of bacteria have complementary roles in fermentation. B. subtilis var. natto, with enhanced extracellular protease activity, promotes the hydrolysis of soy protein and enhances the product's ACE inhibitory and fibrinolytic activities. Meanwhile, two strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum reduced the content of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) while increasing the content of folic acid in the final product. In addition, B. subtilis var. natto and LAB produce different profiles of volatile compounds (VOCs). Subsequently, B. subtilis var. natto and Lpb. plantarum were used to co-ferment natto in different ratios. The results showed that the two types of bacteria could co-colonize and enhance fermentation quality through their respective strengths. Specifically, Lpb. plantarum strains co-metabolized with B. subtilis var. natto to elevate the content of pyrazines, characteristic VOCs in natto. The optimal quality of natto was achieved when Lpb. plantarum HIS6, Lpb. plantarum LP3 and B. subtilis var. natto Y15-11 were combined in a 2:1:2 ratio. This study not only identified effective combinations of starter cultures with complementary benefits but also elucidated the metabolic pathways of key volatile compounds. Our findings also provide technical insights for improving natto quality, enhancing consumer acceptance, and supporting industrial production.

Antiviral Effect of Microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum Protein Hydrolysates against Dengue Virus Serotype 2.

Dengue, caused by the dengue virus (DENV), is a global health threat transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, resulting in 400 million cases annually. The disease ranges from mild to severe, with potential progression to hemorrhagic dengue. Current research is focused on natural antivirals due to challenges in vector control. This study evaluates the antiviral potential of peptides derived from the microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum, known for its bioactive compounds. Microalgae were cultivated under controlled conditions, followed by protein extraction and hydrolysis to produce four peptide fractions. These fractions were assessed for cytotoxicity via the MTT assay and antiviral activity against DENV serotype 2 using flow cytometry and plaque formation assays. The 10-30 kDa peptide fraction, at 150 and 300 μg/mL concentrations, demonstrated no cytotoxicity and significantly reduced the percentage of infected cells and viral titers. These findings suggest that peptides derived from Phaeodactylum tricornutum exhibit promising antiviral activity against dengue virus serotype 2, potentially contributing to developing new therapeutic approaches for dengue.

Production of Bioactive Peptides from Microalgae and Their Biological Properties Related to Cardiovascular Disease

Microalgae are a substantial group of unicellular prokaryotic and eukaryotic marine organisms. Due to their high protein content of 50–70%, microalgae have the potential to become a sustainable alternative protein source, as well as aiding in the development of bioactive peptide-based nutraceuticals. A series of major steps are involved in the production of peptides from microalgae, which include the disruption of the microalgal cell wall, the hydrolysis of proteins, and the extraction or isolation of peptides derived from hydrolysis. Physical methods of cell wall disruptions are favored due to the ability to obtain high-quality protein fractions for peptide production. Bioactive peptides are protein fragments of two to twenty amino acid residues that have a beneficial impact on the physiological functions or conditions of human health. Strong scientific evidence exists for the in vitro antioxidant, antihypertensive, and anti-atherosclerotic properties of microalgal peptides. This review is aimed at summarizing the methods of producing microalgal peptides, and their role and mechanisms in improving cardiovascular health. The review reveals that the validation of the physiological benefits of the microalgal peptides in relation to cardiovascular disease, using human clinical trials, is required.

Accelerated Development and Optimization of Adiponitrile Production via Kolbe Electrolysis of Biomass-Derived Precursors

Environmental and societal pressures are demanding a transition from fossil-based resources to renewable and sustainable feedstocks for the production of materials. In this context, biomass streams emerge as scalable candidates for creating sustainable chemicals. Electrocatalytic transformation of biomass can facilitate the production of chemicals under mild conditions and can be easily integrated with renewable energy sources. These transformations could lead to the production of sustainable monomers and polymers from biomass, significantly enhancing the sustainability of plastics production. Amongst a large number of plastics manufactured by the chemical industry, Nylon 6,6 is one of the most important fossil-derived polymers for the production of high-performance textiles and structural materials. Central to Nylon 6,6 production is adiponitrile (ADN), predominantly synthesized via energy-intensive thermochemical processes. An alternative route, electrochemical hydrodimerization of acrylonitrile (AN), although successful, still depends on fossil feedstocks. A promising sustainable source for ADN is renewable glutamic acid, derived from hydrolysis of waste proteins.1,2 This process involves transforming glutamic acid to 3-cyanopropanoic acid (CPA) and then to ADN through Kolbe electrolysis, a reaction with a historical background and multiple pathways. Our study utilizes an electrochemical reaction engineering approach to examine the Kolbe electrolysis of CPA to ADN and AN, focusing on a hierarchical research methodology. This approach allowed us to simultaneously accelerate the exploration of numerous reaction parameters while also conducting detailed studies under optimal conditions. This method has enabled us to gain deeper insights into the factors controlling reaction selectivity. We discovered that platinum electrodes favor ADN formation, with selectivity increasing at higher current densities. Optimal CPA concentrations, the presence of larger alkali cations, solvent composition, and controlled pH levels significantly influence ADN production, reducing side reactions such as the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). When using graphite electrodes, an increase in AN production was observed, with the solvent composition playing a crucial role in determining the rate of ADN formation. Our investigation has led to a deeper understanding of the electrochemical conversion of CPA to ADN, revealing key parameters that influence reaction selectivity and rate. The insights obtained from this study are not only pivotal for the specific case of ADN production but also have broader implications for a range of electrochemical decarboxylation reactions. The hierarchical research approach employed here demonstrates its potential for speeding the development of sustainable electrochemical processes. Our insights and methodology used for the electrosynthesis of ADN from biomass-derived feedstocks can be deployed to the deployed to the development of other biomass transformations advancing our ability to produce essential chemicals sustainably.

Mixed culture fermentation using Lactobacillus delbrueckii and novel Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains isolated from traditional chhurpi from Sikkim Himalayan region for potential probiotic and improved functional properties

The aim of the study was to isolate potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains from the traditional fermented milk products, Chhurpi of the Sikkim Himalayan region and to prepare curd using mixed culture fermentation. A preliminary probiotic assessment of 110 LAB isolates including antimicrobial activity, bile and acid tolerance, surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation and co-aggregation, and adhesion to Caco-2 cells, was performed. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains N4, CHDE2, CHDE4, and SS22 demonstrated better viability in bile (0.3%) and acid (pH 2.5), adherence with hydrophobicity (13.93–92.85%), auto-aggregation (72.44–89.74%), adhesion to Caco-2 cells (45–73.61%) and antimicrobial activity against food borne pathogens. These strains were used for mixed culture fermentation with a previously screened curd forming strain Lactobacillus delbrueckii WS4. Curd produced using mixed culture fermentation of Lb. delbrueckii WS4 and the selected Lp. plantarum strains had a relatively higher acid production (pH 3.97–4.01), protein hydrolysis, and antioxidant activity. Further, mixed culture fermentation also resulted in the increase of HOCl scavenging activity (12.22–32.96%), myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibition activity (22.38–42.94%) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition (15.61–33.03%) as compared to that of WS4 fermentation (P < 0.05). This is the first report on identification of potential probiotic strains from the traditional fermented milk products of Sikkim and application in mixed culture fermentation with enhanced multifunctional potential.

Effect of ultrasound and marination on functional and sensory properties, protein profiles and bioaccessibility of amino acids in turkey meat

SummaryThis study investigates the impact of ultrasound treatment and marination on turkey meat proteins, focusing on functional and sensory properties and protein hydrolysis. Three different treatments, marination (M), ultrasound (US) and a combination of ultrasound and marination (USM), were applied to turkey meat. The USM caused the highest water‐holding capacity, increased tenderness and improved the general acceptability of turkey meat. SEM images of raw samples showed that US and M changed the structure of muscle fibres, exhibiting more cavities and irregular, broken and separated fibres. Cooking changed the muscle fibres of the sample, forming several cavities and separate fibres. SDS‐PAGE profiles showed that different treatments affected protein solubility during gastric digestion. Ultrasound treatment caused the loss of some essential amino acids in the supernatant of intestinal digests, including lysine, leucine and tyrosine. In vitro bioaccessibility of leucine, threonine, lysine, valine and isoleucine was the highest in the untreated sample.

A Novel Workflow for In Silico Prediction of Bioactive Peptides: An Exploration of Solanum lycopersicum By-Products.

Resource-intensive processes currently hamper the discovery of bioactive peptides (BAPs) from food by-products. To streamline this process, in silico approaches present a promising alternative. This study presents a novel computational workflow to predict peptide release, bioactivity, and bioavailability, significantly accelerating BAP discovery. The computational flowchart has been designed to identify and optimize critical enzymes involved in protein hydrolysis but also incorporates multi-enzyme screening. This feature is crucial for identifying the most effective enzyme combinations that yield the highest abundance of BAPs across different bioactive classes (anticancer, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial). Our process can be modulated to extract diverse BAP types efficiently from the same source. Here, we show the potentiality of our method for the identification of diverse types of BAPs from by-products generated from Solanum lycopersicum, the widely cultivated tomato plant, whose industrial processing generates a huge amount of waste, especially tomato peel. In particular, we optimized tomato by-products for bioactive peptide production by selecting cultivars like Line27859 and integrating large-scale gene expression. By integrating these advanced methods, we can maximize the value of by-products, contributing to a more circular and eco-friendly production process while advancing the development of valuable bioactive compounds.

Production of an Ice Cream Base with Added Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and Aguamiel Syrup: Probiotic Viability and Antihypertensive Capacity

Given the rising interest in functional foods for health benefits, this study aims to evaluate the antihypertensive activity of an ice cream base incorporating Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and aguamiel syrup. We assessed the probiotic viability and ACE inhibitory activity in ice cream enriched with aguamiel syrup compared to inulin. Several reports have highlighted the importance of consuming symbiotic dairy foods to modulate the intestinal microbiota and multiple pathophysiologies. Ice cream has a high worldwide consumption rate, so it is an alternative to incorporating probiotics and prebiotics. The probiotic was inoculated (109 CFU/mL) into an ice cream base enriched with aguamiel syrup and a control base with added inulin. The carbohydrate profiles in the aguamiel (used to produce the syrup) and the aguamiel syrup were obtained through HPLC. TNBS and SDS-PAGE analysis were used to determine the proteolytic action of the probiotic. Sucrose was the carbohydrate with the highest concentration in fresh aguamiel and aguamiel syrup. The probiotic remained viable for 14 days under refrigerated storage conditions, with the aguamiel syrup base showing superior protein hydrolysis (free amino groups 302.67 ± 2.29 µg/mL) and 65% ACE inhibition. Likewise, the pH remained unchanged throughout the refrigerated days. These results underscore the potential of aguamiel syrup as a prebiotic in functional dairy products.