Chicken collagen hydrolysates differentially mediate anti-inflammatory activity and type I collagen synthesis on human dermal fibroblasts

The evidence from in vitro primary fibroblasts and a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of tuna collagen peptides intake on skin health

BACKGROUND

Collagen peptides from various sources demonstrate benefits in health and well-being both in vitro and in clinical trials. However, there is a scarce study of collagen peptides from Tuna on skin health.

AIMS

To investigate the impact of collagen peptides derived from Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis and Thunnus albacares) on skin health, utilizing in vitro biological studies and a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

In vitro biological studies on human dermal primary fibroblasts were evaluated in terms of collagen and elastin synthesis and senescent cell inhibition. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 72 women who were randomly assigned to receive either tuna collagen peptides (n = 36) or a placebo (n = 36) orally for 8 weeks and 2 weeks post-ingestion by measuring skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin elasticity, and skin density.

RESULTS

In vitro biological effects demonstrated dose-dependent positive results in increasing collagen and elastin synthesis and reducing senescent cells. The effects on collagen and senescent cells plateaued at high concentrations. A clinical trial showed that the test group experienced a significant increase in skin hydration, elasticity, and density, along with a decrease in TEWL compared to the baseline. The test and placebo groups showed statistically significant differences at 8 weeks for all parameters except for the TEWL at the face. All positive effects were substantially retained even after 2 weeks of discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate the significant potential of tuna collagen peptides to promote human skin health, warranting further investigation as a potential nutraceutical.

Ovotransferrin, an alternative and potential protein for diverse food and nutritional applications

Ovotransferrin(OVT)is a protein found in many types of egg white and has a wide range of functional properties. It has 50% homology with human/bovine lactoferrin, and is expected to be one of the most important alternative proteins for use in food and nutritional applications. This paper mainly reviews the structural characteristics and chemical properties of OVT, as well as its extraction and purification methods. It also systematically describes the various biological activities of OVT and its applications in food and medical industries. The challenges and limitations in the research of OVT were suggested. This review recommends some possible methods such as nanoparticle carriers and microencapsulation to improve the bioavailability and stability of OVT. In addition, this review highlights several strategies to overcome the limitations of OVT in terms of preparation and purification. This review systematically summarizes the recent advances in OVT and will provide guidance for the its development for food and nutritional applications.

Enriched characteristics of poultry collagen over other sources of collagen and its extraction methods: A review

Collagen is the most abundant protein in animals and is extensively studied for its structural and thermal stability, biocompatibility, and healing properties which enables them to be widely applied in various fields. Collagen extracted from poultry sources have shown improved structural stability and reduced risk of triggering allergic responses and transmitting animal diseases onto humans. Furthermore, poultry collagen is widely accepted by consumers of diverse beliefs in comparison to collagen extracted from bovine and porcine sources. The review aims to compare different sources of collagen, focusing on the various beneficial characteristics of poultry collagen over the other sources. Moreover, the review explains various pre-treatment and extraction methods of poultry collagen and its versatile applications in different industrial sectors.

Technological aspects and health effects of hydrolyzed collagen and application in dairy products

With the rise of a consumer market increasingly concerned with food and healthy lifestyle habits, the search for functional products has increased in the last years. In this context, dairy products are relevant since they are already included in the consumer's diet. Furthermore, hydrolyzed collagen stands out among products with bioactive action, as it promotes the reduction of the incidence of arthritis, osteoporosis, hypertension, obesity, and premature aging and contains healing, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In addition to health benefits, the addition of these ingredients to dairy products can influence physical, chemical, rheological, microbiological, and sensory characteristics, such as: decreased syneresis and improved texture of fermented milks; viscosity increase in dairy beverage; increased proteolytic activity in cheeses; and increasing the viability of probiotics, without significantly altering the quality standards of the legislation. Despite the benefits described, more studies are needed to evaluate these effects in different dairy products.

Impact of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides on Joint Discomforts in the Lower Extremity during Daily Activities: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The intake of specific collagen peptides (SCPs) has been shown to decrease activity-related knee pain in young, physically active adults. This trial investigated the effect of a 12-week SCP supplementation in a wider age range of healthy men and women over 18 years with functional knee and hip pain during daily activities. A total of 182 participants were randomly assigned to receive either 5 g of specific collagen peptides (CP-G) or a placebo (P-G). Pain at rest and during various daily activities were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks by a physician and participants using a 10-point numeric rating scale (NRS). The intake of 5 g SCP over 12 weeks significantly reduced pain at rest (p = 0.018) and during walking (p = 0.032) according to the physician's evaluation. Participants in the CP-G also reported significantly less pain when climbing stairs (p = 0.040) and when kneeling down (p < 0.001) compared to the P-G. Additionally, after 12 weeks, restrictions when squatting were significantly lower in the CP-G compared with the P-G (p = 0.014). The daily intake of 5 g of SCP seems to benefit healthy adults with hip and knee joint discomforts by reducing pain during daily activities.

Effects of Hydrolyzed Collagen as a Dietary Supplement on Fibroblast Activation: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on the proliferation and activation of fibroblasts.

METHODS

The search was conducted for journals that published articles in the English language, peer-reviewed, meeting the following criteria: (a) randomized clinical trials, (b) randomized studies in animals or humans, (c) in vitro studies, (d) studies using hydrolyzed collagens or collagen peptides, and (e) studies assessing alterations on fibroblasts as the primary or secondary outcome. We utilized the main journal databases PubMed/Web of Science and ongoing reviews by PROSPERO. For bias risk and methodological quality, we used an adaptation of the Downs and Black checklist. Our review followed the PRISMA checklist, conducted from February 2024 to the first week of March 2024, by two independent researchers (P.A.Q.I. and R.P.V.).

RESULTS

Eleven studies were included in this review, where our findings reinforce the notion that hydrolyzed collagens or collagen peptides at concentrations of 50-500 μg/mL are sufficient to stimulate fibroblasts in human and animal tissues without inducing toxicity. Different enzymatic processes may confer distinct biological properties to collagens, allowing for scenarios favoring fibroblast promotion or antioxidant effects. Lastly, collagens with lower molecular weights exhibit greater bioavailability to adjacent tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Hydrolyzed collagens or collagen peptides with molecular sizes ranging from <3 to 3000 KDa promote the stimulation of fibroblasts in human tissues.

Collagen peptides affect collagen synthesis and the expression of collagen, elastin, and versican genes in cultured human dermal fibroblasts

Background

Collagen is one of the major proteins of the skin and it is particularly important for its strength and resilience. Skin aging is a natural process that is characterized by the decrease and fragmentation of collagen in the dermis. Oral supplementation with collagen peptides has been clinically shown to have a positive effect on the skin condition. However, the mechanisms of aging-related changes synthesized by cells exposed to collagen are currently not well understood. Therefore, in this in vitro study, the mechanisms associated with collagen, elastin, and versican in human dermal fibroblasts were investigated after exposure to collagen peptides.

Methods

The effects of different concentrations of collagen peptides on cell viability and metabolism were analyzed. For gene expression analysis, human dermal fibroblasts were treated with collagen peptides. This was then followed by RNA extraction and DNA synthesis. Gene expressions of collagen type 1 (COL1A1), elastin (ELN), and versican (VCAN) were quantified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). In addition, collagen levels were analyzed by confocal scanning laser microscopy using immunostaining.

Results

Collagen peptides tested in the study increased the expression of the relevant COL1A1, ELN, and VCAN genes in human dermal fibroblasts (p < 0.005). Furthermore, confocal microscopy showed increased collagen expression in the dermal fibroblast culture after treatment with the collagen peptides (p < 0.005).

Conclusion

These data provide cell-based evidence for the beneficial effects of exposure to collagen peptides on the skin's collagen content and on the molecules that provide firmness and elasticity. This may support the hypothesis that collagen peptides are important for maintaining extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and skin regeneration.

Food Peptides for the Nutricosmetic Industry

In recent years, numerous reports have described bioactive peptides (biopeptides)/hydrolysates produced from various food sources. Biopeptides are considered interesting for industrial application since they show numerous functional properties (e.g., anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties) and technological properties (e.g., solubility, emulsifying, and foaming). Moreover, they have fewer side effects than synthetic drugs. Nevertheless, some challenges must be overcome before their administration via the oral route. The gastric, pancreatic, and small intestinal enzymes and acidic stomach conditions can affect their bioavailability and the levels that can reach the site of action. Some delivery systems have been studied to avoid these problems (e.g., microemulsions, liposomes, solid lipid particles). This paper summarizes the results of studies conducted on biopeptides isolated from plants, marine organisms, animals, and biowaste by-products, discusses their potential application in the nutricosmetic industry, and considers potential delivery systems that could maintain their bioactivity. Our results show that food peptides are environmentally sustainable products that can be used as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory agents in nutricosmetic formulations. Biopeptide production from biowaste requires expertise in analytical procedures and good manufacturing practice. It is hoped that new analytical procedures can be developed to simplify large-scale production and that the authorities adopt and regulate use of appropriate testing standards to guarantee the population's safety.

Poultry farmers' knowledge, attitude, and practices toward poultry waste management in Bangladesh

Background and Aim

The improper handling of poultry litter and waste poses risks to humans and environment by introducing certain compounds, elements, and pathogenic microorganisms into the surrounding environment and food chain. However, understanding the farmers' knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) could provide insights into the constraints that hinder the appropriate adoption of waste management. Therefore, this study aimed to assess poultry farmers' KAP regarding waste management issues.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional KAP study was conducted with native poultry keepers and small-scale commercial poultry farmers in seven districts of Bangladesh. In the survey, 385 poultry producers were interviewed using validated structured questionnaires through face-to-face interviews to collect the quantitative data in their domiciles.

Results

The overall KAP of farmers regarding poultry waste management issues demonstrated a low level of KAP (p = 0.001). The analysis shows that roughly 5% of farmers have a high level of knowledge of poultry waste management issues, followed by around one-third of respondents having a moderate level of knowledge. Considering the attitude domain, more than one-fifth of native poultry keepers and nearly two-thirds of commercial producers demonstrated a low level of attitude toward poultry waste management. Considering the overall analysis, roughly half of the respondents found a high level of attitude, and over half of the farmers showed a moderate level of attitude toward poultry waste management issues. The analysis showed that the level of good practices for native and commercial poultry production systems is estimated at 77.3% versus 45.9%, respectively, despite the farmers' lesser knowledge and attitudes toward poultry waste management systems. Overall, analysis showed that nearly 60% and 40% of poultry producers had high and moderate levels, respectively, of good practices in poultry waste management issues.

Conclusion

Analysis of the KAP data shows that farmers had a low level of KAP toward poultry waste management. The result of this study will assist in formulating appropriate strategies and to adopt poultry waste management solutions by poultry farmers to reduce environmental degradation.

Spent Yeast Waste Streams as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides for Skin Applications

Spent yeast waste streams are a byproduct obtained from fermentation process and have been shown to be a rich secondary source of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds and peptides. The latter are of particular interest for skin care and cosmetics as they have been shown to be safe and hypoallergenic while simultaneously being able to exert various effects upon the epidermis modulating immune response and targeting skin metabolites, such as collagen production. As the potential of spent yeast's peptides has been mainly explored for food-related applications, this work sought to understand if peptide fractions previously extracted from fermentation engineered spent yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) waste streams possess biological potential for skin-related applications. To that end, cytotoxic effects on HaCat and HDFa cells and whether they were capable of exerting a positive effect upon the production of skin metabolites relevant for skin health, such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, fibronectin and elastin, were evaluated. The results showed that the peptide fractions assayed were not cytotoxic up to the highest concentration tested (500 µg/mL) for both cell lines tested. Furthermore, all peptide fractions showed a capacity to modulate the various target metabolites production with an overall positive effect being observed for the four fractions over the six selected targets (pro-collagen IαI, hyaluronic acid, fibronectin, cytokeratin-14, elastin, and aquaporin-9). Concerning the evaluated fractions, the overall best performance (Gpep > 1 kDa) was of an average promotion of 41.25% over the six metabolites and two cell lines assessed at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. These results showed that the peptide fractions assayed in this work have potential for future applications in skin-related products at relatively low concentrations, thus providing an alternative solution for one of the fermentation industry's waste streams and creating a novel and highly valuable bioactive ingredient with encompassing activity to be applied in future skin care formulations.

Mechanistic Insight Into the Production of Collagen Oligopeptides by the S8 Family Protease A4095

Collagen oligopeptides have wide applications in foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and others due to their high bioactivities and bioavailability. The S8 family is the second-largest family of serine proteases. Several collagenolytic proteases from this family have been reported to have good potential in the preparation of collagen oligopeptides, however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. A4095 was the most abundant S8 protease secreted by the protease-producing bacterium Anoxybacillus caldiproteolyticus 1A02591. Here, we characterized A4095 as an S8 collagenolytic protease and illustrated its structural basis to produce collagen oligopeptides. Protease A4095 preferentially hydrolyzed the Y-Gly peptide bonds in denatured bovine bone collagen, leading to high production (62.48% <1000 Da) of collagen oligopeptides. Structural and mutational analyses indicated that A4095 has a unique S1' substrate-binding pocket to preferentially bind Gly, which is the structural determinant for the high production of collagen oligopeptides. This study provides mechanistic insight into the advantage of the S8 collagenolytic proteases in preparing collagen oligopeptides.

Nutricosmetics: A new frontier in bioactive peptides' research toward skin aging

Food derived bioactive peptides are small protein fragments (2-20 amino acids long) that can exhibit health benefits, beyond basic nutrition. For example, food bioactive peptides can act as physiological modulators with hormone or drug-like activities including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and the ability to inhibit enzymes related to chronic disease metabolism. Recently, bioactive peptides have been studied for their potential role as nutricosmetics. For example, bioactive peptides can impart skin-aging protection toward extrinsic (i.e., environmental and sun UV-ray damage) and intrinsic (i.e., natural cell or chronological aging) factors. Specifically, bioactive peptides have demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial activates toward reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pathogenic bacteria associated with skin diseases, respectively. The anti-inflammatory properties of bioactive peptides using in vivo models has also been reported, where peptides have shown to decreased the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, interferon-γ (INF-γ), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in mice models. This chapter will discuss the main factors that trigger skin-aging processes, as well as provide examples of in vitro, in vivo, and in silico applications of bioactive peptides in relation to nutricosmetic applications.

Food Protein-Derived Antioxidant Peptides: Molecular Mechanism, Stability and Bioavailability

The antioxidant activity of protein-derived peptides was one of the first to be revealed among the more than 50 known peptide bioactivities to date. The exploitation value associated with food-derived antioxidant peptides is mainly attributed to their natural properties and effectiveness as food preservatives and in disease prevention, management, and treatment. An increasing number of antioxidant active peptides have been identified from a variety of renewable sources, including terrestrial and aquatic organisms and their processing by-products. This has important implications for alleviating population pressure, avoiding environmental problems, and promoting a sustainable shift in consumption. To identify such opportunities, we conducted a systematic literature review of recent research advances in food-derived antioxidant peptides, with particular reference to their biological effects, mechanisms, digestive stability, and bioaccessibility. In this review, 515 potentially relevant papers were identified from a preliminary search of the academic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. After removing non-thematic articles, articles without full text, and other quality-related factors, 52 review articles and 122 full research papers remained for analysis and reference. The findings highlighted chemical and biological evidence for a wide range of edible species as a source of precursor proteins for antioxidant-active peptides. Food-derived antioxidant peptides reduce the production of reactive oxygen species, besides activating endogenous antioxidant defense systems in cellular and animal models. The intestinal absorption and metabolism of such peptides were elucidated by using cellular models. Protein hydrolysates (peptides) are promising ingredients with enhanced nutritional, functional, and organoleptic properties of foods, not only as a natural alternative to synthetic antioxidants.

Effect of Reducing Pigmentation by Collagen Peptide Intake: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Introduction

We examined the effect of 5.0 g/day of collagen peptide (CP) or collagen peptide fermented with Aspergillus sojae (FCP) on skin pigmentation in healthy participants.

Methods

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 44 men and women aged 25–63 years were placed into three groups by stratified random allocation and treated with CP, FCP, or placebo (PL) at 5.0 g/day for 3 months. Their skin condition was measured monthly from baseline to 3 months of intake.

Results

No adverse events were identified in any group. The CP group showed a significant reduction in pigmented patches and redness after 1 and 3 months of intake, respectively. In the FCP group, pigmented macules were significantly reduced after 1 month, and pigmented patches after 2 months. Both the all-ages analysis and the hierarchical analysis below 55 years old yielded similar results.

Conclusion

Intake of 5.0 g/day of FCP for 3 months is safe. CP and FCP intake is useful for suppressing pigmentation. In addition, CP intake may be useful for reducing redness. These results suggest a new beneficial effect on the skin of CP supplementation.

Trial Registration

UMIN clinical trials registry system, UMIN000040736.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13555-022-00748-4.

Conventional use and sustainable valorization of spent egg-laying hens as functional foods and biomaterials: A review

Spent hen are egg-laying hens reaching the end of their laying cycles; billions of spent hens are produced globally each year. Differences in people's attitudes towards spent hen as foods lead to their different fates among countries. While spent hens are consumed as raw or processed meat products in Asian countries such as China, India, Korea, and Thailand, they are treated as a byproduct or waste, not a food product, in the western society; they are instead disposed by burial, incineration, composting (as fertilizers), or rendering into animal feed and pet food, which either create little market value or cause animal welfare and environmental concerns. Despite being a waste, spent hen is a rich source of animal proteins and lipids, which are suitable starting materials for developing valorized products. This review discussed the conventional uses of spent hens, including food, animal feed, pet food, and compost, and the emerging uses, including biomaterials and functional food ingredients. These recent advances enable more sustainable utilization of spent hen, contributing to alternative solutions to its disposal while yielding residual value to the egg industry. Future research will continue to focus on the conversion of spent hen biomass into value-added products.

Graphical abstract

The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Bovine Bone-Gelatin-Derived Peptides in LPS-Induced RAW264.7 Macrophages Cells and Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced C57BL/6 Mice

The bioactive peptides hydrolyzed from bone collagen have been found to possess health-promoting effects by regulating chronic diseases such as arthritis and hypertension. In the current study, the anti-inflammatory effect of bovine bone gelatin peptides (GP) was evaluated in 264.7 macrophages cells and followed by animal trials to investigate their interference on inflammatory cytokines and gut microbiota compositions in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced C57BL/6 mice. The GP was demonstrated to alleviate the extra secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. In DSS-induced colitis mice, the gavage of GP was demonstrated to ameliorate the IBD symptoms of weight loss, hematochezia and inflammatory infiltration in intestinal tissues. In serum, the proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α,IL-6, MCP-1, IL-1β) were suppressed along with the decreasing effect on toll-like receptor 4 and cyclooxygenase-2 by GP treatment. In the analysis of gut microbiota, the GP was checked to modulate the abundance of Akkermansia, Parasutterella, Peptococcus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharibacteria. The above results imply that GP could attenuate DSS-induced colitis by suppressing the inflammatory cytokines and regulating the gut microbiota.

Exploring Effects of Protease Choice and Protease Combinations in Enzymatic Protein Hydrolysis of Poultry By-Products

A study of the effects of single and combined protease hydrolysis on myofibrillar versus collagenous proteins of poultry by-products has been conducted. The aim was to contribute with knowledge for increased value creation of all constituents of these complex by-products. A rational approach was implemented for selecting proteases exhibiting the most different activity towards the major protein-rich constituents of mechanically deboned chicken residue (MDCR). An initial activity screening of 18 proteases on chicken meat, turkey tendons and MDCR was conducted. Based on weight yield, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and SDS-PAGE, stem Bromelain and Endocut-02 were selected. Studies on hydrolysis of four different poultry by-products at 40 °C, evaluated by protein yield, SEC, and SDS-PAGE, indicate that the proteases’ selectivity difference can be utilized in tailor-making hydrolysates, enriched in either meat- and collagen-derived peptides or gelatin. Three modes of stem Bromelain and Endocut-02 combinations during hydrolysis of MDCR were performed and compared with single protease hydrolysis. All modes of the protease combinations resulted in a similar approximately 15% increase in product yield, with products exhibiting similar SEC and SDS-PAGE profiles. This shows that irrespective of the modes of combination, the use of more than one enzyme in hydrolysis of collagen-rich material can provide means to increase the total protein yield and ultimately contribute to increased value creation of poultry by-products.

Hydroxyproline in animal metabolism, nutrition, and cell signaling

trans-4-Hydroxy-L-proline is highly abundant in collagen (accounting for about one-third of body proteins in humans and other animals). This imino acid (loosely called amino acid) and its minor analogue trans-3-hydroxy-L-proline in their ratio of approximately 100:1 are formed from the post-translational hydroxylation of proteins (primarily collagen and, to a much lesser extent, non-collagen proteins). Besides their structural and physiological significance in the connective tissue, both trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline and trans-3-hydroxy-L-proline can scavenge reactive oxygen species and have both structural and physiological significance in animals. The formation of trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline residues in protein kinases B and DYRK1A, eukaryotic elongation factor 2 activity, and hypoxia-inducible transcription factor plays an important role in regulating their phosphorylation and catalytic activation as well as cell signaling in animal cells. These biochemical events contribute to the modulation of cell metabolism, growth, development, responses to nutritional and physiological changes (e.g., dietary protein intake and hypoxia), and survival. Milk, meat, skin hydrolysates, and blood, as well as whole-body collagen degradation provide a large amount of trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline. In animals, most (nearly 90%) of the collagen-derived trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline is catabolized to glycine via the trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline oxidase pathway, and trans-3-hydroxy-L-proline is degraded via the trans-3-hydroxy-L-proline dehydratase pathway to ornithine and glutamate, thereby conserving dietary and endogenously synthesized proline and arginine. Supplementing trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline or its small peptides to plant-based diets can alleviate oxidative stress, while increasing collagen synthesis and accretion in the body. New knowledge of hydroxyproline biochemistry and nutrition aids in improving the growth, health and well-being of humans and other animals.

Amylase enhances production of low molecular weight collagen peptides from the skin of spent hen, bovine, porcine, and tilapia

Low molecular weight (LMW) collagen peptides show skin and bone health benefits for human. However, the production of LMW collagen peptides from land vertebrate sources remains challenging due to the presence of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) cross-links. In this study, the effect of α-amylase pre-treatment on proteolytic production of LMW collagen peptides by papain was investigated; spent hen, bovine, porcine, and tilapia skin collagens (HSC, BSC, PSC, and TSC, respectively) were chosen. Results showed that pre-treatment with α-amylase considerably improved the production of LMW peptides (<2 kDa) from HSC (33.79-67.66%), PSC (86.03-90.85%), BSC (6.60-28.78%), and TSC (89.92-90.27%). The HSC presented the highest carbohydrate content and was increased the most in LMW peptides after amylase pretreatment. These results suggested that α-amylase could cleave glycosidic bonds of AGEs between collagen and thus enhance the production of LMW collagen peptides.

Cryptic Host Defense Peptides: Multifaceted Activity and Prospects for Medicinal Chemistry

Host defense peptides (HDPs) comprise a heterogeneous group of evolutionarily conserved and biologically active small molecules that are produced by different organisms. HDPs are widely researched because they often have multiple biological activities, for example antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and anticancer activity. In this context, in this review we focus on cryptic HDPs, molecules derived specifically from proteolytic processing of endogenous precursor proteins. Here, we explore the biological activity of such molecules and we further discuss the development of optimized sequences based on these natural cryptic HDPs. In addition, we present clinical-phase studies of cryptic HDPs (natural or optimized), and point out the possible applicability of these molecules in medicinal chemistry.

Spent Hen Protein Hydrolysate with Good Gastrointestinal Stability and Permeability in Caco-2 Cells Shows Antihypertensive Activity in SHR

Spent hens are a major byproduct of the egg industry but are rich in muscle proteins that can be enzymatically transformed into bioactive peptides. The present study aimed to develop a spent hen muscle protein hydrolysate (SPH) with antihypertensive activity. Spent hen muscle proteins were hydrolyzed by nine enzymes, either individually or in combination; 18 SPHs were assessed initially for their in vitro angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, and three SPHs, prepared by Protex 26L (SPH-26L), pepsin (SPH-P), and thermoase (SPH-T), showed promising activity and peptide yield. These three hydrolysates were further assessed for their angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) upregulating, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities; only SPH-T upregulated ACE2 expression, while all three SPHs showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. During simulated gastrointestinal digestion, ACE2 upregulating, ACE inhibitory and antioxidant activities of SPH-T were not affected, but those of SPH-26L and SPH-P were reduced. ACE inhibitory activity of gastrointestinal-digested SPH-T was not affected after the permeability study in Caco-2 cells, while ACE2 upregulating, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were improved; nine novel peptides with five–eight amino acid residues were identified from the Caco-2 permeate. Among these three hydrolysates, only SPH-T reduced blood pressure significantly when given orally at a daily dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight to spontaneously hypertensive rats. SPH-T can be developed into a promising functional food ingredient against hypertension, contributing to a more sustainable utilization for spent hens while generating extra revenue for the egg industry.

Characteristics of Biopeptides Released In Silico from Collagens Using Quantitative Parameters

The potential of collagens to release biopeptides was evaluated using the BIOPEP-UWM-implemented quantitative criteria including the frequency of the release of fragments with a given activity by selected enzyme(s) (AE), relative frequency of release of fragments with a given activity by selected enzyme(s) (W), and the theoretical degree of hydrolysis (DHt). Cow, pig, sheep, chicken, duck, horse, salmon, rainbow trout, goat, rabbit, and turkey collagens were theoretically hydrolyzed using: stem bromelain, ficin, papain, pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin+trypsin, and pepsin+trypsin+chymotrypsin. Peptides released from the collagens having comparable AE and W were estimated for their likelihood to be bioactive using PeptideRanker Score. The collagens tested were the best sources of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors. AE and W values revealed that pepsin and/or trypsin were effective producers of such peptides from the majority of the collagens examined. Then, the SwissTargetPrediction program was used to estimate the possible interactions of such peptides with enzymes and proteins, whereas ADMETlab was applied to evaluate their safety and drug-likeness properties. Target prediction revealed that the collagen-derived peptides might interact with several human proteins, especially proteinases, but with relatively low probability. In turn, their bioactivity may be limited by their short half-life in the body.

Bone Regeneration Using Duck's Feet-Derived Collagen Scaffold as an Alternative Collagen Source

Collagen is an important component that makes 25-35% of our body proteins. Over the past decades, tissue engineers have been designing collagen-based biocompatible materials and studying their applications in different fields. Collagen obtained from cattle and pigs has been mainly used until now, but collagen derived from fish and other livestock has attracted more attention since the outbreak of mad cow disease, and they are also used as a raw material for cosmetics and foods. Due to the zoonotic infection using collagen derived from pigs and cattle, their application in developing biomaterials is limited; hence, the development of new animal-derived collagen is required. In addition, there is a religion (Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism) limited to export raw materials and products derived from cattle and pig. Hence, high-value collagen that is universally accessible in the world market is required. Therefore, in this review, we have dealt with the use of duck's feet-derived collagen (DC) as an emerging alternative to solve this problem and also presenting few original investigated bone regeneration results performed using DC.

Diet and Skin Aging-From the Perspective of Food Nutrition

We regularly face primary challenges in deciding what to eat to maintain young and healthy skin, defining a healthy diet and the role of diet in aging. The topic that currently attracts maximum attention is ways to maintain healthy skin and delay skin aging. Skin is the primary barrier that protects the body from external aggressions. Skin aging is a complex biological process, categorized as chronological aging and photo-aging, and is affected by internal factors and external factors. With the rapid breakthrough of medicine in prolonging human life and the rapid deterioration of environmental conditions, it has become urgent to find safe and effective methods to treat skin aging. For diet, as the main way for the body to obtain energy and nutrients, people have gradually realized its importance to the skin. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the skin structure, aging manifestations, and possible mechanisms, summarize the research progress, challenges, possible directions of diet management, and effects of foodborne antioxidants on skin aging from the perspective of food and nutrition.

Important roles of dietary taurine, creatine, carnosine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline in human nutrition and health

Taurine (a sulfur-containing β-amino acid), creatine (a metabolite of arginine, glycine and methionine), carnosine (a dipeptide; β-alanyl-L-histidine), and 4-hydroxyproline (an imino acid; also often referred to as an amino acid) were discovered in cattle, and the discovery of anserine (a methylated product of carnosine; β-alanyl-1-methyl-L-histidine) also originated with cattle. These five nutrients are highly abundant in beef, and have important physiological roles in anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory reactions, as well as neurological, muscular, retinal, immunological and cardiovascular function. Of particular note, taurine, carnosine, anserine, and creatine are absent from plants, and hydroxyproline is negligible in many plant-source foods. Consumption of 30 g dry beef can fully meet daily physiological needs of the healthy 70-kg adult human for taurine and carnosine, and can also provide large amounts of creatine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline to improve human nutrition and health, including metabolic, retinal, immunological, muscular, cartilage, neurological, and cardiovascular health. The present review provides the public with the much-needed knowledge of nutritionally and physiologically significant amino acids, dipeptides and creatine in animal-source foods (including beef). Dietary taurine, creatine, carnosine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline are beneficial for preventing and treating obesity, cardiovascular dysfunction, and ageing-related disorders, as well as inhibiting tumorigenesis, improving skin and bone health, ameliorating neurological abnormalities, and promoting well being in infants, children and adults. Furthermore, these nutrients may promote the immunological defense of humans against infections by bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses (including coronavirus) through enhancing the metabolism and functions of monocytes, macrophages, and other cells of the immune system. Red meat (including beef) is a functional food for optimizing human growth, development and health.

Potential role of natural bioactive peptides for development of cosmeceutical skin products

In recent years, consumers' demand for cosmeceutical products with protective and therapeutic functions derived from natural sources have caused this industry to search for alternative active ingredients. Bioactive peptides have a wide spectrum of bioactivities, which make them ideal candidates for development of these cosmeceutical products. In vitro studies have demonstrated that bioactive peptides (obtained as extracts, hydrolysates, and/or individual peptides) exhibit biological properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities, in addition to their properties of inhibiting aging-related enzymes such as elastase, collagenase, tyrosinase and hyaluronidase. Some studies report multifunctional bioactive peptides that can simultaneously affect, beneficially, multiple physiological pathways in the skin. Moreover, in vivo studies have revealed that topical application or consumption of bioactive peptides possess remarkable skin protection. These properties suggest that bioactive peptides may contribute in the improvement of skin health by providing specific physiological functions, even though the mechanisms underlying the protective effect have not been completely elucidated. This review provides an overview of in vitro, in silico and in vivo properties of bioactive peptides with potential use as functional ingredients in the cosmeceutical field. It also describes the possible mechanisms involved as well as opportunities and challenges associated with their application.

Hydrolyzed Collagen-Sources and Applications

Hydrolyzed collagen (HC) is a group of peptides with low molecular weight (3-6 KDa) that can be obtained by enzymatic action in acid or alkaline media at a specific incubation temperature. HC can be extracted from different sources such as bovine or porcine. These sources have presented health limitations in the last years. Recently research has shown good properties of the HC found in skin, scale, and bones from marine sources. Type and source of extraction are the main factors that affect HC properties, such as molecular weight of the peptide chain, solubility, and functional activity. HC is widely used in several industries including food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, biomedical, and leather industries. The present review presents the different types of HC, sources of extraction, and their applications as a biomaterial.

Hydrolysed Collagen from Sheepskins as a Source of Functional Peptides with Antioxidant Activity

The extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen from sheepskins at different times of hydrolysis (0, 10, 15, 20, 30 min, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h) were investigated in terms of amino acid content (hydroxyproline), isoelectric point, molecular weight (Mw) by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method, viscosity, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, antioxidant capacity by 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays, thermal properties (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) and morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. The kinetics of hydrolysis showed an increase in the protein and hydroxyproline concentration as the hydrolysis time increased to 4 h. FTIR spectra allowed us to identify the functional groups of hydrolysed collagen (HC) in the amide I region for collagen. The isoelectric point shifted to lower values compared to the native collagen precursor. The change in molecular weight and viscosity from time 0 min to 4 h promoted important antioxidant activity in the resulting HC. The lower the Mw, the greater the ability to donate an electron or hydrogen to stabilize radicals. From the SEM images it was evident that HC after 2 h had a porous and spongy structure. These results suggest that HC could be a good alternative to replace HC from typical sources like pigs, cows and fish.

Food-Derived Bioactive Peptides in Human Health: Challenges and Opportunities

Recent scientific evidence suggests that food proteins not only serve as nutrients, but can also modulate the body's physiological functions. These physiological functions are primarily regulated by some peptides that are encrypted in the native protein sequences. These bioactive peptides can exert health beneficial properties and thus are considered as a lead compound for the development of nutraceuticals or functional foods. In the past few decades, a wide range of food-derived bioactive peptide sequences have been identified, with multiple health beneficial activities. However, the commercial application of these bioactive peptides has been delayed because of the absence of appropriate and scalable production methods, proper exploration of the mechanisms of action, high gastro-intestinal digestibility, variable absorption rate, and the lack of well-designed clinical trials to provide the substantial evidence for potential health claims. This review article discusses the current techniques, challenges of the current bioactive peptide production techniques, the oral use and gastrointestinal bioavailability of these food-derived bioactive peptides, and the overall regulatory environment.