Abstract: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides are a category of peptides derived from food proteins which can reduce blood pressure. ACE inhibitory peptides have gained extensive concerns because they can reduce blood pressure without side effects as antihypertensive drugs. In recent years, the structure-activity relationship of ACE inhibitory peptides has become one of the research focuses. Structural bioinformatics showed that the activity of ACE inhibitory peptides is related to not only their molecular masses, but also their amino acid sequences and spatial conformation. It is also found that the type of inhibit of ACE inhibitory peptides is related to their activity and structure-activity relationship. Intensive studies on ACE inhibitory peptide structure-activity relationship will be helpful to guide the development of new functional foods and antihypertensive drugs.

Key words: ACE inhibitory peptide, structure-activity relationship, amino acid sequences