Search Results (3)

Honeybee brood biopeptides (HBb-Bps) are a novel source of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. In this study, HBb-Bps were conjugated with honey via a Maillard reaction and their physicochemical properties, digestive stability, antioxidant capacity, and anti-obesogenic effects were evaluated. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion revealed significantly enhanced resistance after conjugation, with the residual content increasing from 46.99% for native HBb-Bps to 86.12% for the honey-conjugated forms; furthermore, antioxidant activity was largely preserved according to the DPPH and ABTS assays. In the in vivo experiments, 30 male BrlHan: WIST@Jcl (GALAS) (Wistar) rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity and orally administered honey-conjugated HBb-Bps at doses of 200, 500, or 1000 mg/kg body weight for 16 weeks. The highest dose led to significant reductions in body weight gain, the Lee index, and body mass index. The serum lipid profiles markedly improved, with decreases in the total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels, as well as cardiovascular risk indices. Furthermore, fecal analysis showed increased levels of short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate. These changes suggest enhanced gut microbial activity; however, the prebiotic effects were inferred from the SCFA profiles, as the gut microbiota composition was not directly analyzed. In conclusion, honey-conjugated HBb-Bps improve gastrointestinal stability and exhibit antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and gut-modulating effects, supporting their potential use as functional ingredients for managing diet-induced metabolic disorders. Full article

Edible insect honeybee brood and natural honey are rich in proteins and saccharides, with inherent bioactive properties such as antioxidant activity. To enhance their antioxidative potential under simple thermal conditions, this research employed spontaneous aging via a moist-dried heating process, primarily driven by the Maillard reaction. Honeybee brood bio-peptides (HBb-BPs), produced through Rhizopus oligosporus fermentation, were mixed with honey in varying ratios of 70:30, 50:50, and 30:70 (%w/w). The mixtures underwent interaction under controlled conditions (60 °C for 20 days at ~75% relative humidity). A comparative analysis was performed on the mixtures before and after the thermal interaction, focusing on chemical characterization and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays). Results revealed that the post-process mixtures exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant activity, with higher honey concentrations correlating to greater antioxidative effects. Furthermore, allulose and mannose were detected after processing, while levels of fructose, glucose, and free amino acids decreased. These changes likely indicate the formation of complex compounds, molecular rearrangements, and the production of phenolic compounds that contributed to the increased antioxidative capacity. This study highlights the pivotal role of the Maillard reaction in augmenting antioxidant activity, elucidates changes in sugar–amino acid interactions, and validates the effectiveness of the moist-dried heating process. These findings provide valuable insights for potential future applications of this simple and scalable method. Full article

This study addresses the growing interest in natural functional ingredients by evaluating the prebiotic and health-promoting functions of honeybee brood biopeptides (HBb-Bps) and their conjugates. The purpose was to investigate their antioxidant activities, enzyme inhibition properties, and effects on probiotic growth and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. The HBb-Bps were conjugated with honey, glucose, and fructose via the Maillard reaction. Antioxidant activities were assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays. The inhibitory effects on amylase, pancreatic lipase, and the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) were measured. Probiotic growth and SCFA production were evaluated using L. plantarum TISTR846, and L. lactis TISTR1464. The HBb-Bps and their conjugates exhibited enhanced antioxidant activities post-Maillard reaction. They showed moderate enzyme inhibition, which decreased after conjugation. However, ACE inhibition increased with conjugation. The HBb-Bps significantly promoted probiotic growth and SCFA production, with further enhancement by the Maillard reaction. Overall, the HBb-Bps and their conjugates demonstrate significant prebiotic and health-promoting functions, suggesting their potential as natural ingredients in functional foods and nutraceuticals. Further research should focus on the in vivo effects and, given their solubility and stability these biopeptides could be incorporated into functional food formulations, such as health beverages, protein bars, and other fortified foods designed to deliver specific health benefits. Full article