Evaluation of Tenebrio molitor protein as a source of peptides for modulating physiological processes

The increasing world population has led to the need to search for new protein sources, such as insects, the harvesting of which can be economical and environmentally sustainable. This study explores the biological activities (angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, antioxidant capacity, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibition) of Tenebrio molitor hydrolysates produced by a set of food-grade pro- teases, namely subtilisin, trypsin, ficin and flavourzyme, and the degree of hydrolysis (DH), ranging from 5% to 20%. Trypsin hydrolysates exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory activity at a DH of 10% (IC50 0.27 mg mL−1) in the experimental series, which was attributed to the release of short peptides containing Arg or Lys residues in the C terminus, and described as the ACE-inhibition feature. The levels of in vitro anti- oxidant activities were comparable to those reported for insect species. Subtilisin and trypsin hydrolysates at a DH of 10% displayed optimal DPPH scavenging and ferric reducing activities, which was attributed to the presence of 5–10-residue active peptides, as reported in the literature. Iron chelating activity was significantly favoured by increasing the DH, attaining a minimal IC50 of 0.8 mg mL−1 at a DH of 20% regardless of the enzymatic treatment. Similarly, in vitro antidiabetic activity was significantly improved by extensive hydrolysis, and, more specifically, the presence of di- and tripeptides. In this regard, the combined treatment of subtilisin–flavourzyme at a DH of 20% showed maximal DPP-IV inhibition (IC50 2.62 mg mL−1). To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the DPP-IV activity of Tenebrio molitor hydrolysates obtained from these commercial proteases. We conclude that Tenebrio molitor hydrolysates produced with food-grade proteases are a valuable source of active peptides that can be used as functional ingredients in food and nutraceutical preparations.FEDER CTQ2017-87076-RMinisterio de Economía, Industria y Competitivida

Evaluation of Tenebrio molitor protein as a source of peptides for modulating physiological processes

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness and by FEDER (project CTQ2017-87076-R). The authors would like to thank MealFoodEurope (Salamanca, Spain) for kindly providing Tenebrio molitor meal.The increasing world population has led to the need to search for new protein sources, such as insects, the harvesting of which can be economical and environmentally sustainable. This study explores the biological activities (angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, antioxidant capacity, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibition) of Tenebrio molitor hydrolysates produced by a set of food-grade proteases, namely subtilisin, trypsin, ficin and flavourzyme, and the degree of hydrolysis (DH), ranging from 5% to 20%. Trypsin hydrolysates exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory activity at a DH of 10% (IC50 0.27 mg mL(-1)) in the experimental series, which was attributed to the release of short peptides containing Arg or Lys residues in the C terminus, and described as the ACE-inhibition feature. The levels of in vitro antioxidant activities were comparable to those reported for insect species. Subtilisin and trypsin hydrolysates at a DH of 10% displayed optimal DPPH scavenging and ferric reducing activities, which was attributed to the presence of 5-10-residue active peptides, as reported in the literature. Iron chelating activity was significantly favoured by increasing the DH, attaining a minimal IC50 of 0.8 mg mL(-1) at a DH of 20% regardless of the enzymatic treatment. Similarly, in vitro antidiabetic activity was significantly improved by extensive hydrolysis, and, more specifically, the presence of di- and tripeptides. In this regard, the combined treatment of subtilisin-flavourzyme at a DH of 20% showed maximal DPP-IV inhibition (IC50 2.62 mg mL(-1)). To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the DPP-IV activity of Tenebrio molitor hydrolysates obtained from these commercial proteases. We conclude that Tenebrio molitor hydrolysates produced with food-grade proteases are a valuable source of active peptides that can be used as functional ingredients in food and nutraceutical preparations.Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and CompetitivenessEuropean Commission CTQ2017-87076-

Nutritional composition, ultrastructural characterization, and peptidome profile of antioxidant hemp protein hydrolysates

Hemp is the term commonly used to refer to the variety of Cannabis sativa L. cultivated for industrial purposes. The seeds have gained interest in recent years as functional foods due to their nutritional composition and high content of protein and bioactive compounds. In this study, ten hemp protein hydrolysates (HPHs) were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis with Alcalase and Flavourzyme from hemp protein isolate (HPI) and their antioxidant properties (DPPH radical scavenging activity, beta-carotene activity and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)) were evaluated. Shorter peptide sequences, mainly obtained with Flavourzyme, were found to react with free radicals more easily. The peptidome of all the hydrolysates was characterized, identifying, and quantifying the peptides. Furthermore, 19 unique peptides were assessed by in silico tools to hypothesize those that could be responsible of the bioactivity reported for the hydrolysates. From the identified peptides, based on the molecular features and the predictions, the peptides KNAIYTPH, EERPGHF, and KNGMMAPH, among others, are proposed to be highly contributing to the antioxidant activity of the hydrolysates.Junta de Andalucía US-138149

Activity, structural features and in silico digestion of antidiabetic peptides

Funding This research was funded by the grant PID2020-114137RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033Food antidiabetic peptides inhibit the enzymes involved in the regulation of the glycemic index (e.g. a-amylase, a-glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV)). This work reviews the antidiabetic peptide sequences reported in the literature, with activity confirmed by using synthetic peptides, and critically discusses their structural features. Moreover, it provides an overview of the potency of in silico analysis tools to predict the in vitro antidiabetic activity of DPP-IV-inhibitory peptides. In addition, the potential degradation of the most active peptides during digestion was evaluated in silico. Therefore, this work advances our understanding on the structure-activity relationship of antidiabetic peptides and provides new insights on their stability during digestion.MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033: PID2020-114137RB-I0

Congreso Internacional de Responsabilidad Social Apuestas para el desarrollo regional.

Congreso Internacional de Responsabilidad Social: apuestas para el desarrollo regional [Edición 1 / Nov. 6 - 7: 2019 Bogotá D.C.]El Congreso Internacional de Responsabilidad Social “Apuestas para el Desarrollo Regional”, se llevó a cabo los días 6 y 7 de noviembre de 2019 en la ciudad de Bogotá D.C. como un evento académico e investigativo liderado por la Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios -UNIMINUTO – Rectoría Cundinamarca cuya pretensión fue el fomento de nuevos paradigmas, la divulgación de conocimiento renovado en torno a la Responsabilidad Social; finalidad adoptada institucionalmente como postura ética y política que impacta la docencia, la investigación y la proyección social, y cuyo propósito central es la promoción de una “sensibilización consciente y crítica ante las situaciones problemáticas, tanto de las comunidades como del país, al igual que la adquisición de unas competencias orientadas a la promoción y al compromiso con el desarrollo humano y social integral”. (UNIMINUTO, 2014). Dicha postura, de conciencia crítica y sensibilización social, sumada a la experiencia adquirida mediante el trabajo articulado con otras instituciones de índole académico y de forma directa con las comunidades, permitió establecer como objetivo central del evento la reflexión de los diferentes grupos de interés, la gestión de sus impactos como elementos puntuales que contribuyeron en la audiencia a la toma de conciencia frente al papel que se debe asumir a favor de la responsabilidad social como aporte seguro al desarrollo regional y a su vez al fortalecimiento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible

Congreso Internacional de Responsabilidad Social Apuestas para el desarrollo regional.

Congreso Internacional de Responsabilidad Social: apuestas para el desarrollo regional [Edición 1 / Nov. 6 - 7: 2019 Bogotá D.C.]El Congreso Internacional de Responsabilidad Social “Apuestas para el Desarrollo Regional”, se llevó a cabo los días 6 y 7 de noviembre de 2019 en la ciudad de Bogotá D.C. como un evento académico e investigativo liderado por la Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios -UNIMINUTO – Rectoría Cundinamarca cuya pretensión fue el fomento de nuevos paradigmas, la divulgación de conocimiento renovado en torno a la Responsabilidad Social; finalidad adoptada institucionalmente como postura ética y política que impacta la docencia, la investigación y la proyección social, y cuyo propósito central es la promoción de una “sensibilización consciente y crítica ante las situaciones problemáticas, tanto de las comunidades como del país, al igual que la adquisición de unas competencias orientadas a la promoción y al compromiso con el desarrollo humano y social integral”. (UNIMINUTO, 2014). Dicha postura, de conciencia crítica y sensibilización social, sumada a la experiencia adquirida mediante el trabajo articulado con otras instituciones de índole académico y de forma directa con las comunidades, permitió establecer como objetivo central del evento la reflexión de los diferentes grupos de interés, la gestión de sus impactos como elementos puntuales que contribuyeron en la audiencia a la toma de conciencia frente al papel que se debe asumir a favor de la responsabilidad social como aporte seguro al desarrollo regional y a su vez al fortalecimiento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible

Obtención de biopéptidos reguladores del índice glucémico para alimentación funcional

Esta tesis doctoral fue llevada a cabo en el Laboratorio del Grupo de Investigación “Biorreactores” (BIO-110) del Departamento de Ingeniería Química de la Universidad de Granada. El trabajo de investigación fue financiado por contratación al fondo europeo de Garantía Juvenil y por el propio grupo de investigación, con cargo a proyecto.El objetivo de esta tesis doctoral es la obtención de péptidos moduladores del índice glucémico mediante la inhibición de dos enzimas clave en la digestión, la dipeptidilpeptidasa IV (DPP-IV) y la α-glucosidasa, a partir de proteínas alimentarias procedentes de fuentes sostenibles, y especialmente en proteína de insecto dados sus beneficios y su novedad a día de hoy. En esta tesis doctoral se han estudiado 9 fuentes de proteínas para la producción de péptidos bioactivos. La elección de las fuentes está basada en un criterio de revalorización de recursos de manera sostenible. Las fuentes de proteína (porcentaje de proteína indicado entre paréntesis) empleadas fueron: músculo de sardina procedente de descartes de pesca (19,6 %), harinas vegetales comerciales: Patata (81 %), guisante (80 %), soja (85 %), altramuz (32,5 %), garbanzo (50,9 %), lenteja (46,2 %) y quinoa 59,4%), y harina de gusano de la harina, Tenebrio molitor (55 %). Las proteasas utilizadas fueron subtilisina (EC 3.4.21.62), serino-proteasa de alto espectro, es decir, no específica; tripsina pancreática (EC 3.4.21.4), serino-proteasa específica para los aminoácidos lisina y arginina mayoritariamente; ficina (EC 3.4.22.3), una cisteino-proteasa y Flavourzyme 1000L™ (3.4.11.1), un complejo enzimático de exo-proteasas (es decir, aminopeptidasas y dipeptidasas).Tesis Univ. Granada.Fondo europeo de Garantía Juvenil (Grupo de Investigación “Biorreactores” (BIO-110) del Departamento de Ingeniería Química de la Universidad de Granada

Current Research on Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Obesity Potential of Food Extracts

The immune-inflammatory, glucose homeostasis, and antioxidant response have a crucial role in the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) [...

Antidiabetic Food-Derived Peptides for Functional Feeding: Production, Functionality and In Vivo Evidences

Abstract: Bioactive peptides released from the enzymatic hydrolysis of food proteins are currently a trending topic in the scientific community. Their potential as antidiabetic agents, by regulating the glycemic index, and thus to be employed in food formulation, is one of the most important functions of these peptides. In this review, we aimed to summarize the whole process that must be considered when talking about including these molecules as a bioactive ingredient. In this regard, at first, the production, purification and identification of bioactive peptides is summed up. The detailed metabolic pathways described included carbohydrate hydrolases (glucosidase and amylase) and dipeptidyl-peptidase IV inhibition, due to their importance in the food-derived peptides research field. Then, their characterization, concerning bioavailability in vitro and in situ, stability and functionality in food matrices, and ultimately, the in vivo evidence (from invertebrate animals to humans), was described. The future applicability that these molecules have due to their biological potential as functional ingredients makes them an important field of research, which could help the world population avoid su ering from several diseases, such as diabetes.Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and UniversitiesResearch Group Bio-110 from University of Granada CTQ2017-87076-

Current research on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity potential of food extracts

The immune-inflammatory, glucose homeostasis, and antioxidant response have a crucial role in the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As people live longer in society, the lifestyle of human changes and the prevalence of age-related degenerative diseases and obesity is likewise rising quickly. One of the subfields of nutritional sciences, which covers the study of nutrients and other food ingredients with an emphasis on how they affect mammalian physiology, health, and behaviour, is nutritional biochemistry. Immunonutrition is a new and interdisciplinary field within Nutritional Biochemistry since it encompasses many elements of nutrition, immunity, inflammation, oxidation, and illnesses with an immunometabolic basis. One of the promising ingredients that are currently being assessed by scientists in terms of immunonutrition is food extracts