Search Results (128)

This study evaluated the impact of heat treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis using Viscozyme^® L (a carbohydrase blend) on the proteolytic profile, total phenolic content, and the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive properties of tepejilote (Chamaedorea tepejilote Liebm) inflorescence powders. Heat treatment increased free amino groups relative to the untreated sample, with the greatest increase observed when combined with enzymatic hydrolysis, particularly under boiling and steam-pressure conditions, due to the release of intracellular compounds. This pattern was confirmed by electrophoretic analyses using Tris–Glycine and Tris–Tricine buffers. The phenolic content also showed a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) following thermal processing, reaching approximately 1.3- to 1.8-fold higher values than the untreated control. The addition of Viscozyme^® L further enhanced this effect, indicating improved bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds, which was reflected in increased antioxidant activity, as measured by DPPH• and FRAP assays. In assays for DPP-IV enzyme inhibition, heat treatments, particularly steam pressure, enhanced inhibitory activity compared to the control. Likewise, the combination of heat and Viscozyme^® L resulted in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition exceeding 50%. These findings suggest that integrating thermal processing and enzymatic hydrolysis significantly enhances the biofunctional properties of tepejilote, highlighting its potential as a value-added ingredient in food and nutraceutical formulations. Full article

Bioactive peptides derived from whey proteins have attracted increasing interest as natural dietary modulators of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and potential contributors to cardiovascular health. In this study, bioactive whey hydrolysate (BWH) was obtained by controlled enzymatic hydrolysis with plant-derived proteases and characterized in terms of physicochemical properties, peptide profile, ACE-inhibitory activity, stability, and performance in food matrices. RP-HPLC and LC–MS/MS analysis revealed a complex, reproducible peptidome across production batches, including a conserved set of antihypertensive peptide sequences. BWH exhibited high ACE-inhibitory activity (>90%) with low intra-batch variability, and dose–response analysis yielded an estimated IC₅₀ of 3.20% BWH under the assay conditions. Its bioactivity and peptide profile remained stable during storage at room temperature and under refrigeration, as well as after mild thermal treatment (pasteurization), although partial activity loss was observed after baking at high temperatures. Incorporation trials showed that BWH retained strong ACE-inhibitory functionality when incorporated at 7% into yogurt and orange juice, with minimal effects of pasteurization in the beverage matrix. These findings support the potential use of BWH as a functional ingredient for developing antihypertensive foods and beverages. Full article

Six lactic acid bacteria isolated from São Jorge PDO cheese were characterised for technological, safety, antimicrobial, and probiotic properties. All isolates fermented a broad range of carbohydrates and lacked lipolytic activity, while SJC115 and SJC119 showed proteolysis. Safety profiling (γ-haemolysis, no DNase or gelatinase activity, and generally favourable antibiotic susceptibility) is promising, but tetracycline resistance warrants caution and genomic confirmation. L. paracasei and L. brevis isolates inhibited a wide range of foodborne pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Bacillus spp.) and spoilage fungi (Penicillium and Aspergillus spp.). Notably, two isolates (SJC117 and SJC120) exhibited antibacterial activity in neutralized cell-free supernatants, indicating putative bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS). The isolates survived intestinal conditions above the probiotic threshold, yet only SJC117 and SJC120 tolerated gastric acidity (pH 2.5, 1 h) with >5 log CFU/mL. Despite low hydrophobicity, strains showed good autoaggregation and pathogen coaggregation. All isolates produced exopolysaccharides (EPS) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides, whereas some exhibited moderate conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) production and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity. L. paracasei SJC117 stood out by combining BLIS/antifungal activity, superior gastric tolerance, and an exceptional bioactive profile, making it a promising candidate for biopreservation and functional food applications that warrants further in vivo validation to confirm its efficacy and safety. Full article

Plant-based symbiotic systems are often limited by poor storage stability and inconsistent biofunctional performance. This study evaluated the stability and functionality of a fermented blend based on sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) oil press cake (SIC) and yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) flour (YF) as sources of protein and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), respectively, using two processing strategies: fermentation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus (T1) and combined enzymatic hydrolysis with Alcalase and fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum (T2). Both treatments maintained viable cell counts (VCC) above probiotic thresholds (>10⁶ CFU mL⁻¹) during 28 days of storage at 4 °C, confirming their suitability as probiotic carriers. Notably, T2 significantly enhanced metabolic activity, as evidenced by higher organic acid production and increased soluble protein content due to Alcalase-mediated hydrolysis, which promoted the generation of bioactive peptides associated with improved antioxidant and antihypertensive activities. Biofunctional properties, including total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity (AC), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, remained stable throughout storage, while FOS degradation was minimal, confirming preservation of prebiotic functionality. LC–MS/MS Q-TOF analysis revealed a complex phenolic profile that was differentially modulated by lactic acid fermentation, with L. plantarum (T2) promoting extensive phenolic biotransformation and increased metabolite diversity, whereas L. rhamnosus (T1) largely preserved the original phenolic profile. These findings demonstrate that the synergistic interaction between enzymatic hydrolysis and L. plantarum fermentation promoted peptide release, intensified microbial metabolism, and enhanced phenolic biotransformation, thereby contributing to the superior functional properties observed in T2, while maintaining stable biofunctional characteristics throughout refrigerated storage in both treatments. Full article

Hypertension remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) represents a central therapeutic target within the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. Marine microalgae, particularly Phaeodactylum tricornutum, provide an underexplored reservoir of structurally diverse metabolites with potential cardiovascular relevance. In this in silico study, we characterized metabolites putatively annotated by UPLC-ESI-HRMS and evaluated their predicted ACE inhibitory potential. We performed molecular docking with AutoDock 4 and assessed pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties using the SwissADME, PASS, and ProTox platforms. Several metabolites showed favorable binding orientations within the ACE catalytic pocket, including interactions with key residues and proximity to the zinc-binding motif. Lehualide G, Val–Asn–Pro, tanariflavanone B, hydroxyterbinafine, and anhydro-vitamin A exhibited the most favorable docking profiles. PASS predictions indicated vascular-related bioactivity signals for selected compounds, whereas ADMET modeling revealed heterogeneous but classifiable pharmacokinetic and safety characteristics. The convergence of predicted binding compatibility, bioactivity signals, and stratified safety margins supports P. tricornutum as a promising source of candidate molecules for further experimental validation in antihypertensive research. Full article

This study evaluated the impact of lactic acid fermentation on microbiological and nutritional quality, bioactive compound profile, and bioactive properties of mashed navy beans (MNB). Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) viability and microbiological quality of fermented mashed navy beans (FMNBs) were maintained for up to 28 days at 4 °C. Fermentation improved protein quality while reducing trypsin inhibitor activity. Additionally, fermentation enhanced the extractability of phenolic compounds, especially of bound forms. Proteolytic activity during fermentation generated low-molecular-weight peptides enriched in hydrophobic residues. Although antioxidant capacity remained comparable between samples, fermented samples exhibited higher angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory (ACE-I) activity (IC₅₀ ACE-I = 0.635 ± 0.043 and 0.413 ± 0.002 mg solids mL⁻¹ for MNBs and FMNBs, respectively). Simulated gastrointestinal digestion enhanced both antioxidant (ABTS•+) and antihypertensive potential. ECA-I inhibition was higher in the fermented sample dialysates (D), with IC₅₀ values of 0.160 ± 0.005 and 0.117 ± 0.003 mg solids mL⁻¹ for MNB-D and FMNB-D, respectively, due to the increased dialyzability of phenolic compounds and the presence of hydrophobic low-molecular-weight peptides in FMNB-D. Furthermore, FMNB-D exhibited competitive ACE-I inhibition. These findings demonstrate that lactic fermentation is an effective strategy to enhance the nutritional and health-promoting properties of legume-based foods. Full article

Hypertension is a globally prevalent chronic cardiovascular disease, with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) serving as a key target for therapeutic intervention. Synthetic ACE inhibitors have side effects, making natural food-derived ACE-inhibitory peptides a research hotspot owing to safety advantages. Softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) bone collagen (STBC) has potential bioactivity, but its ACE-inhibitory peptides have not been systematically investigated. This study used computer-aided screening: STBC α1(I) (K7FHL1) and α2(I) (K7G8R1) sequences from UniProt were processed via SignalP 5.0. BIOPEP-UWM analysis showed ACE-inhibitory peptide frequencies of 0.8947 and 0.9261 in the two chains, confirming STBC as a high-quality precursor. Papain-ficin was selected as the optimal enzymatic system via simulation; 105 potential novel peptides were obtained after toxicity/allergenicity prediction. Twenty-seven highly active peptide fragments were screened out via pLM4ACE, and four peptide fragments with relatively high binding energy (QICVCDS, DVWK, IIEY, APMDVG) were identified through molecular docking. These peptides (molecular weight: 536.6–766.9 Da) possessed excellent physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetic characteristics, while bioinformatics analysis revealed that they could target and regulate SRC/HSP90AA1 to modulate the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). This study provides an efficient strategy for the high-value utilization of softshell turtle resources and the development of food-derived ACE-inhibitory peptides. Full article

This study investigated the effects of adding Lactobacillus helveticus H11 on the fermentation characteristics, storage performance, and probiotic functionality of brown fermented milk. The results were obtained by analyzing the microrheological properties during the fermentation process, as well as changes in titratable acidity, viable cell count, texture, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibition rate, and metabolite profiles during storage. The findings indicated that the addition of H11 significantly shortened the fermentation time of brown fermented milk and improved its gel structure. Simultaneously, it delayed the post-acidification phenomenon during storage, enhancing storage stability. Moreover, it enhanced the ACE inhibitory activity of the product, demonstrating potential antihypertensive health benefits. Metabolomic analysis further revealed that H11 promoted the production of flavor compounds, such as phenylacetaldehyde and phenyllactic acid, enriching the flavor diversity. Additionally, it concurrently regulated the metabolism of tyrosine and vitamin B6. These discoveries provide a scientific basis for the commercial development of brown probiotic products. Full article

The bioactive potential of dairy-derived peptides has attracted increasing interest due to their capacity to exert antioxidant and antihypertensive effects. This study investigated three artisanal cheeses manufactured with animal rennet (CTRL), Onopordum platylepis extract (OP), or a mixture of both coagulants (AR/OP) to compare their peptide profiles and associated bioactivities. Water-soluble extracts were analyzed to identify precursors and released bioactive peptides, and in vitro assays were performed to assess antioxidant activity and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. The analysis of precursors suggested a predominance of antioxidant sequences in CTRL and ACE-inhibitory precursors in OP, with AR/OP showing intermediate values. However, direct peptide identification confirmed that the AR/OP mixture produced a wider range of peptides with antioxidant activity, while OP and AR/OP exhibited similarly high levels of ACE-inhibiting peptides. These results were consistent with in vitro assays, which confirmed AR/OP as the most active sample for antioxidant potential and OP, closely followed by AR/OP, as the strongest for ACE inhibitory activity. Overall, the integration of precursor analysis, peptide identification, and experimental validation highlights the influence of the coagulant on the generation of bioactive peptides, suggesting that the use of Onopordum platylepis Murb. (O. platylepis) alone or in combination with animal rennet may enhance the functional properties of cheese. Full article

Cells generate free radicals as part of their normal physiological process. However, the production of excessive amounts of free radicals is a key contributor to various pathological conditions as an imbalance between oxidants (reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, ROS) and antioxidants leads to oxidative stress. Blueberries have bioactive properties that could reduce oxidative stress, blood pressure, and lipids in people at risk of chronic diseases associated with metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study, therefore, is to identify the bioactive phytochemicals in blueberries and determine the in vitro antioxidant and anti-hypertensive properties. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, radical scavenging, and angiotensin-1 converting enzyme inhibitory activity of freeze-dried blueberry powder were determined using standard methods. The results showed that the identified polyphenolic compounds include quercetin, gallic acid, cyanidin chloride, vitamin C, trans caffeic acid, procyanidin B1, and procyanidin B2. Blueberry samples exhibited significantly higher ACE-inhibitory activity (p < 0.05) of 32.7 ± 0.6%, 34.5 ± 4.7%, and 56.2 ± 2.0% at different concentrations of 0.1 mg/mL, 0.5 mg/mL and 2.0 mg/mL and also an increasing radical scavenging activities of 66.4 ± 2.9%, 72.3 ± 2.0%, and 83.4 ± 0.5% with increased concentrations at 1.0 mg/mL, 2.0 mg/mL, and 4.0 mg/mL, respectively. It had a high total phenolic and flavonoid content of 741.11 ± 5.0 mg gallic acid equivalents [GAE]/g) and 679.2 ± 5.0 mg catechin equivalents/g), respectively, at a concentration of 15 mg/mL. The results showed that blueberries are rich sources of bioactive compounds with significant antioxidants and antihypertensive properties that could benefit health, suggesting that they could be an important source of functional ingredients for potential nutraceutical development. Full article

This study examines the effects of extrusion cooking on the biofunctional, rheological, thermal, and structural properties of corn starch (CS)/whey protein isolate (WPI) blends (100/0, 50/50, 0/100 w/w, both raw and extruded) during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Extrusion and in vitro digestion increased antioxidant activity (2,2′-Azino-Bis (3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid) Diammonium Salt and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl). Extrusion improved the bioaccessibility of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-1) inhibitory peptides, leading to high inhibition (>90%) in the intestinal phase across all samples, with this effect consistent between raw and extruded samples during digestion. The in vitro digestion process changes the rheological behavior of the samples, from a non-Newtonian fluid (dilatant) to a Newtonian fluid. Notably, extruded CS maintained pseudoplastic behavior across all phases. Thermally, extrusion resulted in complete gelatinization of CS and denaturation of WPI, as evidenced by the absence of endotherms. Structurally, extrusion induced unfolding of WPI α-helix and β-sheet regions, leading to the formation of β-turns and random coils, which could enhance enzyme accessibility. For CS, a decrease in the degree of double helix and order was observed, indicating an alteration of its ordered molecular structure. Additionally, the extrusion process slightly increased the amount of resistant starch. This work shows that extrusion generates antioxidant compounds by bioactive peptide release. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench) is a globally cultivated cereal and an increasingly important crop in Europe due to its exceptional adaptability to climate change and low input requirements. It represents a rich source of bioactive compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, and 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, which exhibit strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory properties. Methods: This review, as a bibliometric analysis, summarizes and discusses current evidence on the health-promoting effects of sorghum, with particular emphasis on its antioxidant, metabolic, and cardiovascular benefits. Results: The antioxidant potential of sorghum is mainly attributed to its phenolic profile, which varies considerably depending on genotype, environmental factors, and processing methods. Human and animal studies demonstrate that sorghum-derived polyphenols enhance endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity, decrease oxidative stress biomarkers, and beneficially modulate gut microbiota composition. Sorghum-based foods are characterized by low to medium glycemic indices, promoting improved postprandial glucose regulation, insulin sensitivity, and prolonged satiety. Furthermore, sorghum bioactive peptides and phenolic acids contribute to cardiovascular health by lowering serum cholesterol levels, reducing inflammatory markers, and exhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Conclusions: Overall, sorghum constitutes a gluten-free, antioxidant-rich grain with significant potential for mitigating oxidative stress, supporting metabolic balance, and preventing chronic non-communicable diseases. Full article

This study presents a strategy to develop crayfish shell peptides with enhanced antioxidant and angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties. Crayfish shell protein hydrolysates (CSPH1–3) with different molecular weights were analyzed. CSPH2 (3–5 kDa) exhibited the strongest antioxidant activities, which could scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the 2,2′-azobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) sodium salt (ABTS) radical by (77.40 ± 4.54)% and (91.59 ± 0.30)%, respectively, and ACE inhibition activity of (64.74 ± 0.64)%. CSPH2 was further separated into three fractions, and CSPHF2 showed the maximum biological activity. The sequences of the purified antioxidant peptide (APAPLPPPAP) and ACE inhibitory peptide (QGPDDPLIPIM) were identified by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in CSPHF2. These peptides increased the nitric oxide (NO) concentration and decreased the endothelin-1 (ET-1) content in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a dose-dependent manner, while also inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, CSPH showed protective effects in terms of oxidative damage to HepG2 cells induced by H₂O₂. These findings suggest that crayfish shell peptides have potential applications as ingredients in antihypertensive agents and antioxidants, offering significant health benefits when consumed. Full article

Akebia trifoliata is an emerging fruit crop in China, valued for its medicinal and nutritional properties. To elucidate the developmental dynamics of its bioactive compounds, we performed widely targeted metabolomics using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) across four fruit developmental stages (S1–S4). A total of 1595 metabolites were identified, of which 988 were differentially accumulated and categorized into three distinct accumulation patterns. Flavonoids and phenolic acids exhibited a marked decline during fruit maturation, corresponding with decreasing antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Conversely, functional oligopeptides and specific terpenoids accumulated significantly at later stages. K-means clustering revealed dynamic shifts in metabolic profiles, and 23 functional oligopeptides with antioxidative, antidiabetic, and ACE-inhibitory activities (angiotensin-converting enzyme, ACE) were predicted. KEGG enrichment highlighted stage-specific pathway transitions from flavonoid biosynthesis during early development to sugar metabolism at ripening. Correlation analysis identified key flavonoids, phenolic acids, and amino acid derivatives associated with antioxidant capacity and α-glucosidase inhibition. This study provides comprehensive metabolomic landscape of A. trifoliata fruit development and offers valuable insights for its functional exploitation in food and medicinal applications. Full article

Chicken feathers constitute a major by-product from the poultry industry, with a potential environmental impact and significant difficulties in their management. This study aimed to develop a sustainable method to hydrolyse chicken feathers and evaluate the effects of microwave (MW) irradiation pre-treatment in the generation of bioactive hydrolysates by simple or sequential hydrolysis with Alcalase. The hydrolysate with MW irradiation pre-treatment and Alcalase (2%, 2 h) (MWA) showed the highest overall antioxidant activity and neprilysin-inhibitory activity (55%), whereas samples without MW irradiation pre-treatment exerted the highest inhibitory activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-I), with values close to 50 and 70%, respectively. Mass spectrometry in tandem of bioactive hydrolysates was performed, and an in silico approach was used to characterise the obtained sequences. These results confirmed that MW irradiation pre-treatment improved Alcalase hydrolysis, leading to the generation of bioactive peptides with potential multifunctional properties, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive activities. Moreover, this study highlights the potential of combining MW irradiation and enzymatic hydrolysis as a sustainable strategy for the revalorisation of chicken feathers. Full article