Compared with macromolecular proteins, small molecule active peptides with lower molecular weight are easier to be absorbed and digested by the human body. Small molecule peptides are used as a means of transporting nutrients in the human body, adsorbing various nutrients required by the human body on the body, and then transporting them to various cells, organs, and tissues of the human body, and being absorbed by the human body together with the body, and having the dual responsibilities of carrying tools and materials [1].
Small molecule active peptides can be divided into animal-derived bioactive peptides and plant-derived bioactive peptides, and nutrients rich in these small-molecule active peptides have certain benefits for the body.
Plant-derived bioactive peptides
Plant peptides are biologically active small molecule peptides prepared from soybean, peanut, corn, wheat and other plants, and their advantages include higher safety, rich nutrition and wide application. The raw materials of plant peptides are closely related to human life, and they are usually produced as industrial by-products of oil extraction and sugar refining to avoid environmental pollution and waste of resources.
01
Preparation method:
The preparation methods of plant peptides mainly include acid hydrolysis, chemical method, enzymatic hydrolysis method, biological fermentation method, recombinant DNA technology synthesis, etc.
➤ Enzymatic hydrolysis method: the process is simple and the cost is low, but it is rarely used because the amino acids are seriously damaged and the hydrolysis is difficult to control.
➤ Chemical method: It can be made into any required active peptide, but the high cost, side reactants and residual compounds and many other factors restrict the development of chemical method.
➤DNA recombinant technology: The production of active peptides by this technology is still in the laboratory research stage.
➤ Enzymatic hydrolysis and biological fermentation: high safety, mild production conditions, can be positioned to produce specific peptides, low cost, has become the most important method of peptide production.
02
Physiological function
➤ Promote the synthesis and absorption of proteins and amino acids
Peptides are composed of amino acids, small molecular weight, small peptides can be completely absorbed in animals, they can directly participate in the synthesis of proteins, and also promote the transport of amino acids or peptides, thereby improving the utilization rate of proteins in animals; small peptides also help the absorption and operation of amino acids.
➤ Promote the absorption and utilization of nutrients
In the process of enzymatic or fermentation of plant proteins to prepare peptides, soluble low-molecular substances can be removed, thereby reducing the content of anti-nutritional factors such as phytic acid, oxalic acid, tannins and polyphenols. At the same time, peptide molecules can form integrates with ions of minerals such as Ca, Zn, Cu, Mg, Fe and so on to ensure their soluble state, which is conducive to the absorption of the body.
➤ Growth-promoting effect
Plant peptides (especially small peptides) can be directly absorbed in the digestive tract of animals and participate in the physiological and metabolic activities of the body, thereby improving their production performance and promoting animal growth. Chu Hanping (2011) showed that the addition of plant peptides to the diet could enhance the growth and immune performance of New Zealand rabbits from weaning to 2 months of age, and the dosage was 0.06%. Li Shaozhang (2004) showed that plant peptides made from plant protein through biological fermentation and special processing can be used as a source of protein nutrition for early weaned piglets, which can maintain a good growth rate and health level of weaned pigs [2].
03
Small molecule soy peptides
Soybean active peptide is a kind of peptide mixture obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis or microbial fermentation method using soybean substances as raw materials. It is usually composed of 2-9 amino acids and has an average molecular weight of less than 1000 Da. Soybean peptides can not only be used as a source of dietary nitrogen, but also have a variety of functional activities, such as antioxidant, anti-fatigue, hypolipidemic and immunomodulatory physiological functions [3].
Soybean peptide can improve the cardiac function and hemodynamics of exhausted exercise rats, and down-regulate the gene expression level in myocardial tissue of exhausted exercise rats by improving the pathological changes of myocardial tissue of exhausted exercise rats, so as to play a protective effect. Liu et al. also confirmed the therapeutic effect of soybean peptides on liver disease, and found that soybean oligopeptides can inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cells and induce apoptosis[4].
As an easily digestible and fast-absorbing protein nutrient source, soybean peptide has broad application potential and huge market value in a society where the aging population will reach more than 30% in mainland China.
Bibliography:
[1] Zhang Chuanhao, Guo Jiefu, Li Haitao, Zheng Zhanchao, Zhou Yan, Zhan Jiarong.Research progress and application of small molecule peptides[J].Chemical Reagents.2015(8):701-710.
[2] Lu Hao, Ying Chaoyang, Zheng Bin, Lin Zhongning, Yang Youquan.Research progress on physiological function of plant peptides and their application in feed[J].2015(12):30-32,34.
[3] Wang Nali, Meng Qingjie, Ma Zhijian.Preparation method of soybean peptide and its application progress in animal husbandry[J].China Pig Industry.2023(2):51-54.
[4] Liu Xinqi.Xia Shaoqi.Zhang Chi.Research progress on biological activity and processing characteristics of soybean protein and soybean peptide[J].Journal of Food Science and Technology,2020,38(3):1-10.
Platform Statement
Foodborne peptide is not a drug, peptide is a highly active, highly nutritious cell food, patients with diseases should not stop taking the drug without permission when eating peptides, follow the doctor's instructions, and regularly go to the hospital for regular reexamination and formal treatment. We are committed to protecting copyright, the content and pictures of the article are from the Internet, and the real source cannot be verified, for reference only. The content described in this article has nothing to do with individuals and any organization, if it involves infringement, please contact us directly to delete.