Molecular Weight Affected Antioxidant,Hypoglycemic and Hypotensive Activities of Cold Water Extract from Pleurotus citrinopileatus

Cold water extract of P. citrinopileatus (CWEPC) was fractioned into 4 fractions, PC‐I (<1 kDa), PC‐II (1‐3.5 kDa), PC‐III (3.5‐10 kDa), and PC‐IV (>10 kDa), by ultrafiltration. The antioxidant activities, the inhibition of pancreatic α‐amylase, intestinal α‐glucosidase, and hypertension‐linked angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), as well as the contents of polysaccharides, protein, and phenolic compounds of 4 fractions were determined. The results showed that lower MW fractions exerted a higher antioxidant activity, which was correlated to phenolic contents. The high molecular fraction (PC‐IV) exhibited significantly higher inhibitory activity on α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase, and ACE compared to CWEPC and the other 3 lower MW fractions (<10 kDa), which was more related to protein contents. The inhibition capability of CWEPC and PC‐IV on α‐amylase activity was 1/13.4 to 1/2.7 relative to that of acarbose, respectively. Kinetic data revealed that PC‐IV fraction followed a noncompetitive inhibition pattern on α‐glucosidase activity. The study demonstrated that various MW fractions and types of components contribute to different biological functions of P. citrinopileatus and it is protein constituents but not peptides responsible for the hypoglycemic potential of CWEPC.     

Antioxidant activities of Rapana venosa meat and visceral mass during simulated gastrointestinal digestion and their membrane ultrafiltration fractions

Rapana venosa (Rv) is an abundant marine snail resource with high content of protein. The antioxidant activities of Rv meat and visceral mass during simulated gastrointestinal (GI) digestion and their membrane ultrafiltration fractions were evaluated. Results indicated that visceral mass possessed stronger antioxidant activities than meat. The simulated GI digestion increased the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity while decreased the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and reducing power. After membrane ultrafiltration, there were three fractions, that is molecular weight (MW) > 10 kDa, MW 3.5–10 kDa and MW < 3.5 kDa. Fractions with MW > 10 kDa and MW < 3.5 kDa showed the highest hydroxyl, DPPH radical scavenging activity, respectively. Fractions with MW 3.5–10 kDa and MW > 10 kDa showed the highest reducing power for meat and visceral mass, respectively. Rv hydrolysates exhibited significantly higher hydroxyl radical scavenging activity than the positive control vitamin C (Vc) and may serve as useful ingredients for application in food industry nutritional products.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities of Zein Protein Fractions

Zein protein was extracted from the by‐product corn gluten meal. The obtained zein protein was 1st hydrolyzed by 4 different proteases. The antioxidant activities of the hydrolysates or peptides were evaluated by free radical scavenging activity, metal ion chelating activity, and lipid peroxidation inhibitory capacity. Among hydrolysates produced, alkaline protease hydrolysates exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. A regression model was established by uniform design to optimize the alkaline protease hydrolysis conditions. The hydrolysates with molecular weight < 3 kDa obtained from ultrafiltration showed the highest antioxidant activities in all relevant assays. The hydrolysates with molecular weight <3 kDa were subsequently purified by gel filtration chromatography, and fraction F3 exhibited the highest antioxidant activities. Two peptides were identified from fraction F3 using LC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF MS/MS as Pro‐Phe (263.13 Da) and Leu‐Pro‐Phe (375.46 Da). These peptides exhibited good free radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect. The results clearly indicated that zein protein fractions are good sources for the development of natural antioxidants for the food industry.     

Preparation and antioxidant activity of enzymatic hydrolysates from purple sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus nudus) gonad

Purple sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus nudus) gonad was treated separately with neutral protease, papain, pepsin and trypsin. The resultant hydrolysates were fractionated using a series of ultrafiltration membranes (molecular weight cut-offs of 10, 5, 3 and 1 kDa). Five fractions were prepared from each hydrolysate and the corresponding molecular weight ranges were below 10 kDa, 5-10 kDa, 3-5 kDa, 1-3 kDa and below 1 kDa. The peptide fractions were evaluated for antioxidant activity by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and reducing power assay. Results indicated that all peptide fractions possessed DPPH radical scavenging capacity and reducing power in a dose-dependent manner. For all four hydrolysates, the below 1 kDa fractions exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging capacity. The below 1 kDa fractions prepared with neutral protease, papain and pepsin, and the 1-3 kDa fraction prepared with trypsin showed the highest reducing capacity among corresponding hydrolysates.     

Sweet potato protein hydrolysates: antioxidant activity and protective effects on oxidative DNA damage

In this study, sweet potato protein (SPP) hydrolysates were prepared by six enzymes (alcalase, proleather FG‐F, AS1.398, neutrase, papain and pepsin). The antioxidant activities and protective effect against oxidative DNA damage of SPP hydrolysates were investigated. Alcalase hydrolysates exhibited the highest hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 1.74 mg mL^?1) and Fe²⁺‐chelating ability (IC₅₀ 1.54 mg mL^?1) (P < 0.05). Compared with other five hydrolysates, the hydrolysates obtained by alcalase had the most abundant <3‐kDa fractions. In addition, below 3‐kDa fractions of alcalase hydrolysates showed the highest antioxidant activities and protective effects against DNA damage through both scavenging hydroxyl radicals and chelating Fe²⁺, which was probably because of the increase in several antioxidant amino acids, such as His, Met, Cys, Tyr and Phe, as well as the hydrophobic amino acids. The results suggested that enzymatic hydrolysis could be used as an effective technique to produce high value‐added peptides products from SPP.     

Purification and identification of antioxidant peptides from corn gluten meal

Corn gluten meal was hydrolyzed by alkaline protease and Flavourzyme to obtain the antioxidant peptides. The antioxidant activities of the hydrolysates or peptides were evaluated by free radical scavenging capacity (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl/2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt/hydroxyl radical/superoxide radical anion), metal ion (Fe²⁺/Cu²⁺) chelating activity and lipid peroxidation inhibitory capacity. The hydrolysates were separated by ultrafiltration, and those with molecular weight <10 kDa exhibited highest antioxidant activity in all relevant assays. The hydrolysates were subsequently purified by gel filtration chromatography, and fraction F3 showed the highest antioxidant activity. Three peptides were identified from fraction F3 using LC–ESI–Q–TOF MS/MS as Leu-Pro-Phe (375.46 Da), Leu-Leu-Pro-Phe (488.64 Da) and Phe-Leu-Pro-Phe (522.64 Da). These peptides exhibited good free radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect. Thus, corn gluten meal may be used as a potential source of antioxidant peptides for food and nutraceutical applications.     

Antioxidant activity in HepG2 cells,immunomodulatory effects in RAW 264.7 cells and absorption characteristics in Caco‐2 cells of the peptide fraction isolated from Dendrobium aphyllum

DA‐P, fraction of peptides with a molecular weight <1 kDa isolated from Dendrobium aphyllum, was analysed in three types of cell lines to verify its bioactivity and absorptivity. The cellular antioxidant activity of DA‐P in HepG2 cells was used and results revealed an EC50 of 2.88 ± 0.143 mg mL^?1 and a CAA unit of 63.46 ± 2.11 μm QE/100 g peptides. DA‐P treatment enhanced the secretion of cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells. After demonstrating the presence of tight junctions in Caco‐2 monolayers, the absorption was 25.57% ± 0.016% and 19.7% ± 0.012% from different sides. The relatively high absorption indicated that the antioxidant‐relevant immune functions of DA‐P had a greater possibility to be absorbed by Caco‐2 cells. Free amino acids and LC‐MS/MS analysis indicated the degradation and expulsion of components after the absorption of DA‐P, and Ser‐Ser‐Arg was able to come across the monolayers.     

Improvement of thermal,microwave and ultrasonication pretreatment on the production of antioxidant peptides from sweet potato protein via in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

Effects of thermal (boiling, steaming and autoclaving), microwave and ultrasonication pretreatments on the production of sweet potato protein hydrolysates (SPPH) through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GID) were investigated. All pretreatments significantly increased the degree of hydrolysis (DH), antioxidant activities and molecular weight (MW) <3 kDa peptide fractions contents of SPPH in the order of autoclaving > microwave, steaming > boiling > ultrasonication (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis between peptides content and antioxidant activity suggested that antioxidant activity of SPPH mainly attributed to MW <3 kDa peptides. Diverse peptides ranged from 487.24 to 1477.74 Da with 7–13 amino acids were identified in the MW <3 kDa peptides fraction with autoclaving pretreatment and matched sporamins A, A precursor and B sequences from LC–QTOF–MS/MS analysis. Conformational structures of nine peptides were predicted with well-known antioxidant amino acids. There is a high potential for SPPH used as a functional supplement in food system.     

Structural characteristics of peptides extracted from Cantonese sausage during drying and their antioxidant activities

Two peptide fractions (P1 and P2) were isolated from Cantonese sausages at different drying periods by ultrafiltration. P1 possessed a stronger 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity in the first 18 h of drying and a weaker activity during the rest period, comparing with P2. The analysis of amino acid composition indicated that histidine was the major amino acid in both peptide fractions, which content was changed during the process. In addition, Glu, Gly, Arg were important constituent amino acids in both peptide fractions. A significant (P < 0.05) decrease of >10 kDa peptide fraction and increases of 2–3 and <2 kDa peptide fractions were detected when comparing with peptides at 0 h. However, no significant difference was found for all the peptide fractions at different drying periods, except for 2–3 kDa peptides. A significant (P < 0.05) correlationship was found between lipid oxidation and antioxidant activities.

Industrial relevance

Cantonese sausage has gained much popularity and acceptance in China and many other countries. In this work, two peptide fractions were isolated from Cantonese sausage. A good antioxidant activity was observed for each peptide fraction. Endogenous peptides resulting from proteolysis offer a promising approach to improve lipid stability for meat industry. It is helpful to retard lipid oxidation in order to improve its quality.     

Quantitative UPLC‐MS/MS analysis of chlorogenic acid derivatives in antioxidant fractionates from dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root

While qualitative studies have identified chlorogenic acids in antioxidant extracts, particularly ethyl acetate‐derived extracts, of Taraxacum officinale, quantitative analysis of these phenolic compounds remains largely unreported for this species. In this study, bioactivity‐guided fractionation of an antioxidant crude ethyl acetate extract (DPPH = 295.481 ± 0.955 mg TE g^?1 extract) from T. officinale root resulted in a number of reverse‐phase fractions that demonstrated high antioxidant activity (DPPH = 1058.733–1312.136 mg TE g^?1 extract), stronger than that of the synthetic antioxidant Trolox^®. UPLC‐MS/MS screening of these fractions for the presence of selected mono‐ and di‐caffeoylquinic acids revealed large quantities of 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid present in several fractions (853.052–907.324 μg mg^?1), respectively. Due to the antioxidant potency and high levels of 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid observed in these fractions, it was concluded that specifically this chlorogenic acid derivative is a major contributor to the antioxidant efficacy of dandelion root.