Bioinformatics and peptidomics approaches to the discovery and analysis of food-derived bioactive peptides

There are emerging advancements in the strategies used for the discovery and development of food-derived bioactive peptides because of their multiple food and health applications. Bioinformatics and peptidomics are two computational and analytical techniques that have the potential to speed up the development of bioactive peptides from bench to market. Structure–activity relationships observed in peptides form the basis for bioinformatics and in silico prediction of bioactive sequences encrypted in food proteins. Peptidomics, on the other hand, relies on “hyphenated” (liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based) techniques for the detection, profiling, and quantitation of peptides. Together, bioinformatics and peptidomics approaches provide a low-cost and effective means of predicting, profiling, and screening bioactive protein hydrolysates and peptides from food. This article discuses the basis, strengths, and limitations of bioinformatics and peptidomics approaches currently used for the discovery and analysis of food-derived bioactive peptides

FIRST- AND SECOND-GENERATION VALORISATION OF WASTES AND RESIDUES OCCURRING IN THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN

Despite the high potential to increase sustainability of food systems, wastes and by-products occurring in the food supply chain are currently only partially valorised at different value-added levels. First-generation valorisation strategies that aim at utilisation of complete material streams for production of animal feed, energy, compost and/or specific consumer applications are already widely implemented and experience further dissemination and/or development (e.g. biohydrogen/biohythane production) – either in the form of single processes or as part of cascade utilisations. Second-generation valorisation strategies comprise various forms of fractionised utilisation of material streams. They rely on integration of adapted recovery and conversion procedures for specific components in order to obtain sequentially different classes of products, e.g. fine chemicals, commodity products and biofuels. Such advanced strategies are particularly suitable for wastes and by-products occurring during industrial food processing. Valorisation of food by-products for functional food is an emerging trend

Structural Characterization and Functional Properties of Proteins from Oat Milling Fractions

The aim of this work was to study the structure and functionalities of proteins from commercial oat milling fractions. Protein isolates obtained from fine (FB), medium (MB), and low (LB) oat brans, and whole oat groat flour (WF) contained 75.0-97.1% proteins. However, the protein content of the products of 15% (15% high glucan [15HG]) and 20% (20% high glucan [20HG]) HG flours were four fold less because of their high carbohydrate contents (~75%). There was no apparent difference in molecular weights of the polypeptides (20, 35, 60, and 150kDa) contained in these protein products. Protein profiling using mass spectrometry showed that avenin was not detected in FB and MB because of their relatively high concentrations of 11-12S globulins. Secondary structural features of the molecules and microstructure details of the gelled proteins were similar for proteins from FB, MB, LB, and WF, but different from those of 15HG and 20HG. Similarly, these differences in the structural features of proteins of the milling fractions were reflected in their water-holding capacity and the solubility properties of the protein products

Occurrence, properties and biological significance of pyroglutamyl peptides derived from different food sources

Pyroglutamyl (pGlu) peptides are formed from intramolecular cyclization of glutamine or glutamic acid residue at the N-terminal position of peptides. This process can occur endogenously or during processing of foods containing the peptides. Some factors such as heat, high pressure and enzymatic modifications contribute to pGlu formation. pGlu peptides are thought to have different characteristics, especially bitter and umani tastes, and thus can affect the sensory properties of foods that contain them. Moreover, some health-promoting properties have been reported for pGlu peptides, including hepatoprotective, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the role of pGlu residue in the peptide bioactivity is not completely established, although the hydrophobic γ-lactam ring is thought to enhance the peptide stability against degradation by gastrointestinal proteases. This review discusses the occurrence and formation of pGlu peptides in foods, their quantification, sensory and biological properties, and prospects in food applications

Inhibition of ADAM17/TACE activity by zinc-chelating rye secalin-derived tripeptides and analogues

"A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17" (ADAM17), or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α converting enzyme, is an upstream target for mitigating

Linseed essential oil - source of lipids as active ingredients for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals

Linseed - also known as flaxseed - is known for its beneficial effects on animal health attributed to its composition. Linseed comprises linoleic and ?-linolenic fatty acids, various dietary fibers and lignans, which are beneficial to health because they reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer, decreasing the levels of cholesterol and relaxing the smooth muscle cells in arteries increasing the blood flow. Essential fatty acids from flax participate in several metabolic processes of the cell, not only as structuring components of the cell membrane but also as storage lipids. Flax, being considered a functional food, can be consumed in a variety of ways, including seeds, oil or flour, contributing to basic nutrition. Several formulations containing flax are available on the market in the form of e.g. capsules and microencapsulated powders having potential as nutraceuticals. This paper revises the different lipid classes found in flaxseeds and their genomics. It also discusses the beneficial effects of flax and flaxseed oil and their biological advantages as ingredients in pharmaceuticals and in nutraceuticals products.The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support from the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation, Ministry of Science and Education (FCT/MEC) through national funds, and co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020 for the project M-ERA-NET/0004/2015-PAIRED.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio