Bioactive peptides derived from human milk proteins mechanisms of action

Human milk contains a multitude of bioactive proteins with very diverse functions, which are beneficial for the rapidly growing neonate. The large variety of bioactivities is accomplished by the combination of bioactive proteins per se and gastrointestinal release of bioactive peptides derived from them. The bioactivities exerted by these peptides include enhancement of mineral absorption, immunomodulation, opioid, antihypertensive, and antimicrobial activities. Notably, several of the activities are not attributed to the parental proteins, but exclusively to released bioactive peptides. This article reviews studies on bioactive peptides derived from major human milk proteins, such as caseins, -lactalbumin, and lactoferrin, during gastrointestinal digestion. Studies of bovine milk counterparts will also be cited as a comparison.

Biological activities and potential health benefits of bioactive peptides derived from marine organisms
Marine organisms have been recognized as rich sources of bioactive compounds with valuable nutraceutical and pharmaceutical potentials. Recently, marine bioactive peptides have gained much attention because of their numerous health beneficial effects. Notably, these peptides exhibit various biological activities asuch as antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, anti-human immunodeficiency virus, antiproliferative, anticoagulant, calcium-binding, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic activities. This review mainly presents biological activities of peptides from marine organisms and emphasizing their potential applications in foods as well as pharmaceutical areas. Antioxidant activity of bioactive peptides from marine organisms. Anti-HIV activity of bioactive peptides from marine organisms. Anti-hypertensive activity of bioactive peptides from marine organisms. Bioactive peptides could be used in the functional foods.

Bioactive proteins from mushrooms

Mushrooms have been used as food or medicine for thousands of years. Due to low-fat content and absence of cholesterol, many mushrooms are excellent sources of protein. There are various mushroom proteins with interesting biological activities, such as: lectins fungal immunomodulatory proteins (FIP) ribosome inactivating proteins (RIP) ribonucleases laccases, and other proteins, which have become popular sources of natural antitumor, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidative, and immunomodulatory agents. The aim of this review is to update the present status of bioactive proteins in mushrooms, and to discuss their biomedical potential and future prospectives.

Physiological properties of bioactive peptides obtained from whey proteins

Processing of whey proteins yields several bioactive peptides that can trigger physiological effects in the human body: on the nervous system via their opiate and ileum-contracting activities; on the cardiovascular system via their antithrombotic and antihypertensive activities; on the immune system via their antimicrobial and antiviral activities; on the nutrition system via their digestibility and hypocholesterolemic effects. The specific physiological effects, as well the mechanisms by which they are achieved and the stabilities of the peptides obtained from various whey fractions during their gastrointestinal route, are specifically discussed in this review.