FOOD SCIENCE ›› 2013, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (9): 375-391.doi: 10.7506/spkx1002-6630-201309074

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Bioactive peptides: their absorption, utilization and functionality

PANG Guang-chang,CHEN Qing-sen,HU Zhi-he,XIE Jun-bo   

  1. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology and Food Science,
    Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin 300134, China
  • Received:2013-03-11 Revised:2013-04-15 Online:2013-05-15 Published:2013-05-07
  • Contact: Pang Guangchang E-mail:pgc@tjcu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Dietary proteins and their enzymolytic products exert a wide range of nutritional, functional and biological
activities for human health. A large number of data showed that protein hydrolytic products are absorbed and transited more
effectively than intact protein or free amino acids alone, supporting the notion that digestion is important for its uptake
and circulation even if the amino acid compositions are exactly balanced. Furthermore, when the protein was administered
orally as a hydrolysate instead of in an intact form or free amino acid, the healthy functions can be observed, suggesting
that bioactive peptides can be liberated by proteolytic enzymes. However, the body is a self-regulatory, self-renew, and selfstabilization
system, so the immune defense system never allows any dissident biomacromolecules, especially diet proteins
and peptides to be taken in, for that maybe some invaders. Even if a small amount of intact proteins are occasionally taken
up, which is due to the molecule structure recognition of substances around by sampling from intestinal tract. The major
functions are to establish as the adaptive immunity defense system for specific antigens. After absorbed, these peptides will
be rapidly hydrolyzed and processed by antigen presenting cells (APC) to present the antigenic determinants to Th cells.
The membranous microfold (M) cells can bring intact protein to B cells as antigen epitopes for antibody class switching and
secreting. Base on these investigations, diet proteins and corresponding enzymolytic peptides mainly offer their functions by
the interaction with gastrointestinal mucosal systems and intestinal microorganisms. On the other hand, the accumulated data
have demonstrated that transport of di- and tripeptides is a faster and effective route of uptake per unit of time than their free
AA or intact protein by intestinal peptide transporter, PepT1. Furthermore, the di- and tripeptides are more efficiently than
free AA or intact protein with the same respective AA compositions, and these peptides may be transported by circulation to
different tissues or organs and used for different purpose more efficiently. This review will also provide a theoretical basis
for the research and exploitation of bioactive peptides for special foods.

Key words: enzymolytic peptide, peptide absorption, peptide transporter (PepT1), bioactive peptides, functional food, special food

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