antioxidant activity of proteins and peptides Bioactive peptides are substances that are considered antioxidants - Proteinantioxidant Proteins and peptides have excellent potential as food antioxidants Unveiling the Antioxidant Activity of Proteins and Peptides

Antioxidant peptidesexamples The quest for effective antioxidants has increasingly turned towards natural sources, with proteins and peptides emerging as significant players. These biomolecules possess remarkable potential for combating oxidative stress, a process implicated in aging and numerous diseases. Research consistently highlights the significant antioxidant activity of proteins and peptides, making them valuable in various applications, particularly in food systems and potentially in health-promoting applications.

Proteins, complex macromolecules made of amino acid chains, and their smaller counterparts, peptides, which are essentially short chains of amino acids, exhibit a diverse range of biological functions. Among these, their capacity to neutralize harmful reactive oxygen species and scavenge free radicals is a key area of scientific investigation. The antioxidant activity of protein-derived peptides has been recognized as one of the earliest identified bioactivities of peptides, demonstrating their inherent protective capabilities作者：A Zaky·2022·被引用次数：414—Antioxidant proteins and peptides can replace artificial antioxidantssince they have an equivalent or higher ability to suppress lipid ....

Mechanisms Behind Protein and Peptide Antioxidant Power

The mechanisms by which proteins and peptides exert their antioxidant effects are multifaceted. A primary mode of action involves direct scavenging of free radicals. Specific amino acid residues within the peptide sequence, particularly those with sulfur-containing groups like cysteine or those with aromatic rings, are adept at donating electrons and stabilizing these highly reactive species. Furthermore, hydrophobic and aromatic amino acids within a peptide sequence have been observed to impart strong antioxidant capacity, enhancing their ability to interact with lipid environments and thus prevent lipid peroxidation problems in meat and other fatty foods.Production and processing of antioxidant bioactive peptides

Another critical mechanism is the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. This process, a chain reaction that damages cell membranes and contributes to oxidative damage, can be effectively mitigated by antioxidant peptides. Studies have shown that antioxidant peptides derived from food protein can effectively prevent oil oxidation. They can also contribute to preventing oxidative smash-up to membranesChicken Egg Proteins and Derived Peptides with ....

Beyond direct scavenging, these molecules can also play a role in modulating cellular defense systems. Food-derived antioxidant peptides reduce the production of reactive oxygen species and can also activate endogenous antioxidant defense systems within cells, providing a dual protective strategy at both the cellular and sub-cellular levels. This activation involves both non-enzymatic and enzymatic defense pathwaysAntioxidant Function and Application of Plant-Derived Peptides - MDPI. Moreover, antioxidant activity of bioactive peptides can be attributed to their metal ion chelation properties, where they bind to metal ions, preventing them from catalyzing oxidative reactions.

The Peptide Advantage: Size Matters

While intact proteins possess inherent antioxidant activity, it is often the smaller peptides derived from them that exhibit superior efficacyAntioxidant Function and Application of Plant-Derived Peptides - MDPI. This is largely due to increased bioavailability and better accessibility of reactive amino acid residues.作者：M Sohaib·2017·被引用次数：128—Antioxidants peptideshave ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation problems in meatbesides offering defensive action against oxidative smash up to the membrane ... In almost all cases, low-molecular-weight peptides exhibit higher antioxidant activity than their parent proteins.作者：E Varona·2022·被引用次数：19—Theantioxidant activitywas evaluated in 5% oil-in-water emulsions (pH4) and best-performingpeptideswere tested in mayonnaise and compared ... This is because the tertiary structure of intact proteins can sometimes shield critical amino acid residues, limiting their interaction with free radicals.

Disrupting the tertiary structure of a protein can lead to increased solvent accessibility of these amino acid residues, thereby enhancing its overall antioxidant activity. This is where enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of proteins becomes a crucial technique for producing highly potent antioxidant peptides. Protein digests and hydrolysates often display different and improved antioxidant properties compared to the original protein source.

Sources and Applications of Antioxidant Proteins and Peptides

The sources of these valuable compounds are diverse, spanning various food matrices and alternative origins. Research has explored antioxidant activity of protein extracts from heat-treated or thermally processed foods. Cereal peptides and hydrolyzed proteins have been particularly studied for their ability to reduce oxidative stress. For instance, soybean peptides have demonstrated significant antioxidant capabilitiesChicken Egg Proteins and Derived Peptides with .... Studies have identified two peptides screened from the saffron protein possessing good antioxidant activity and stability, highlighting the potential of less conventional sources.

Chicken egg proteins and their derived peptides have also been a focus of research, showcasing their antioxidant activity. Furthermore, antioxidant peptides from alternative sources are being investigated for their efficacy in various applications. Saffron protein is one such example that has yielded potent antioxidant peptides.

The applications of antioxidant proteins and peptides are extensive. In the food industry, they are increasingly being explored as natural alternatives to synthetic antioxidants, offering improved shelf-life and potential health benefits.作者：TB Zou·2016·被引用次数：934—Peptides derived from dietary proteins,have been reported to display significant antioxidant activity, which may exert notably beneficial effects in ... They can replace artificial antioxidants since they have an equivalent or higher ability to suppress lipid peroxidation. Their role in processing meats and meat products is significant, where they exert an important antioxidant action by scavenging free radicals. In the realm of functional foods and nutraceuticals, bioactive peptides are substances that are considered antioxidants, offering consumers health-promoting benefits. The development of antioxidant peptides for health-promoting foods is an active area of research.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite their promising antioxidant activity, challenges remain in the widespread application of proteins and peptides as antioxidants. Issues such as allergenicity and bitter off-flavors associated with some protein hydrolysates need to be addressed to ensure consumer acceptance. The efficiency and cost-effectiveness of production methods for high-purity peptides also require further optimization.

However, the scientific understanding of the structure-activity relationship of the antioxidant activity of peptides is continuously evolvingIdentification and Functional Validation of Two Novel .... Research into designed peptides and optimizing extraction and purification techniques is paving the way for more targeted and effective antioxidant solutions. The ability of antioxidant proteins and peptides to offer therapeutic effects in managing oxidative stress-related conditions presents a compelling avenue for future research and development. As our knowledge deepens, proteins and peptides are poised to play an even more significant role in safeguarding health and enhancing the quality of our food supply.