Effect of Storage on Lactase-Treated β-Casein and β-Lactoglobulin with Respect to Bitter Peptide Formation and Subsequent in Vitro Digestibility

Supramolecular self-assembly strategies of natural-based β-lactoglobulin modulating bitter perception of goat milk-derived bioactive peptides

Complete self-assembly and reassembly behavior of bitter peptide-protein necessitates multilevel theories that encompass phenomena ranging from the self-assembly of recombinant complex to atomic trajectories. An extension to the level of mechanism method was put forth, involves limited enzymatic digestion and bottom-up proteomics to dissect inherent heterogeneity within β-lactoglobulin and β-lactoglobulin-PPGLPDKY complex and uncover conformational and dynamic alterations occurring in specific local regions of the model protein. Bitter peptide PPGLPDKY spontaneously bound to IIAEKTK, IDALNENK, and YLLFCMENSAEPEQSLACQCLVR regions of β-lactoglobulin in 1:1 stoichiometric ratio to mask bitterness perception. Molecular dynamic simulation and free energy calculation provided time-varying atomic trajectories of the recombinant complex, and found that peptide was stabilized in the upper region of the hydrophobic cavity with the binding free energy of -30.56 kJ mol-1 through 4 hydrogen bonds (Glu74, Glu55, Lys69, and Ser116) and hydrophobic interactions (Asn88, Asn90 and Glu112). Current research endeavors to provide valuable physical insights into the macroscopic self-assembly behavior between protein and bitter peptide, and the meticulous design of highly acceptable taste characteristics in goat milk products.

Identification and prediction of milk-derived bitter taste peptides based on peptidomics technology and machine learning method

Bitter taste peptides (BPs) are vital for drug and nutrition research, but large-scale screening of them is still time-consuming and costly. This study developed a complete workflow for screening BPs based on peptidomics technology and machine learning method. Using an expanded dataset and a new combination of BPs' characteristic factors, a novel classification prediction model (CPM-BP) based on the Light Gradient Boosting Machine algorithm was constructed with an accuracy of 90.3 % for predicting BPs. Among 724 significantly different peptides between spoiled and fresh UHT milk, 180 potential BPs were predicted using CPM-BP and eleven of them were previously reported. One known BP (FALPQYLK) and three predicted potential BPs (FALPQYL, FFVAPFPEVFGKE, EMPFPKYP) were verified by determination of calcium mobilization of HEK293T cells expressing human bitter taste receptor T2R4 (hT2R4). Three potential BPs could activate the hT2R4 and are demonstrated to be BPs, which proved the effectiveness of CPM-BP.

Synthesize of the chitosan-TPP coated betanin-quaternary ammonium-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles and mechanism for inhibition of advanced glycation end products formation

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are harmful by-products of thermal-processing of food. Betanin is an antioxidant with the potential to inhibit AGEs formation. In this work, we encapsulated betanin in chitosan-sodium tripolyphosphate coated quaternary ammonium-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CS@QAMSNPs) to enhance the ability of betanin to inhibit AGEs formation. The inhibition rate of betanin-CS@QAMSNPs was 70.29%, which was higher than that of betanin (39.48%). Compared with betanin (2.16%), betanin-CS@QAMSNPs can trap more methylglyoxal (18.7%), absorb formed AGEs, and retain the antioxidant capacity of betanin under high-temperatures. Betanin-CS@QAMSNPs can reduce the average degree of substitution per peptide molecule value (DSP) of some glycation sites in bovine serum albumin. The cell viability was over 80% in the presence of betanin-CS@QAMSNPs, indicating their good biocompatibility. In the biscuit model, the highest inhibition rate of AGEs formation by betanin-CS@QAMSNPs was 12.5%, and CS@QAMSNPs can further adsorb the AGEs generated during digestion.

Immunomodulatory Role of BLG-Derived Peptides Based on Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion and DC-T Cell from Mice Allergic to Cow's Milk

Peptides, but not whole protein, elicit an allergic reaction since food allergens should be consumed by digestion. In this study, we explored the remaining peptides after simulated digestion of cow’s milk in order to search for β-lactoglobulin (BLG)-derived peptides that could play an immunomodulatory role. As a major allergen in milk, BLG-derived peptides, 109 in total, were identified both from simulated infant and adult digestion in vitro. These peptides were mainly located in four regions, and they were synthesized as five peptides, namely, BLG_1–14, BLG_24–35, BLG_40–60, BLG_82–101, and BLG_123–139. Then, the effect of peptides on the Caco-2 cell’s transport absorption, the co-stimulatory molecules of DC, and the T-cell phenotype was explored. The results suggested all peptides showed better transport absorption capacity with the apparent permeability coefficient higher than 2 × 10⁻⁶ cm·s⁻¹. The ability of BLG_40–60 for promoting lamina propria-derived DC cell (LPDC) maturation was observed by the increase in MHC II. Moreover, BLG_1–14 and BLG_40–60 directed activation of T lymphocytes towards a Th1 phenotype. This is the first report of the immunomodulatory potential of peptides in the sensitization of allergic reaction, and one peptide, BLG_40–60, was regarded as an immunomodulatory peptide, one that should be further explored in an animal model in depth.

Taste and stability characteristics of two key umami peptides from pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus)

Takifugu obscurus (T. obscurus) is known for its umami taste. Two taste-active peptides, Pro-Val-Ala-Arg-Met-Cys-Arg (PR-7) and Tyr-Gly-Gly-Thr-Pro-Pro-Phe-Val (YV-8), were proved as key compounds that contributed to the typical taste of T. obscurus. However, whether these peptides have the potential as umami supplements is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the taste characteristics of PR-7 and YV-8, as well as stability at different pH values by sensory evaluation, instrumental analysis and quantum chemical calculation. The results indicated that PR-7 and YV-8 presented umami taste at near neutral pH (6.5-8.0) and had umami-enhancing effects. PR-7 also exhibited significant kokumi activity. Additionally, two peptides showed remarkable stability after different pH treatments, especially YV-8; this may be related to its stable structural property. All the results suggest that both peptides have great potential to be applied in complex foods to provide desirable taste, and act as a feasible alternative to monosodium l-glutamate.

Activity, stability, and binding capacity of β-galactosidase immobilized on electrospun nylon-6 fiber membrane

In this research, we explored various immobilized enzyme support materials, including the novel nylon-6 fiber membrane (NFM), and evaluated the increase in surface area and its effect on enzyme binding potential. We also manipulated incubation and reaction conditions and assessed the subsequent effects on activity and stability of β-galactosidase, with comparisons between various solid support materials and free (dissolved) enzyme. Nylon-6 fiber membranes were created by electrospinning and were compared with other materials as solid supports for enzyme binding. The other materials included polyvinylidene fluoride 5-kDa nanofiltration dairy membranes, nylon-6 pellets, and silica glass beads. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the large surface area of NFM, which correlated with greater enzyme activity compared with the relatively flatter surfaces of the other solid support materials. Enzyme activity was measured spectrophotometrically with the color-changing substrate o-nitrophenyl-β-d-galactopyranoside. Compared with the other solid supports, NFM had greater maximum enzyme binding potential. Across pH conditions ranging from 3.5 to 6.0 (including the optimal pH of 4.0-5.0), enzyme activity was maintained on the membrane-immobilized samples, whereas free enzyme did not maintain activity. Altering the storage temperature (4, 22, and 50°C) affected enzyme stability (i.e., the ability of the enzyme to maintain activity over time) of free and polyvinylidene fluoride membrane samples. However, NFM samples maintained stability across the varying storage temperatures. Increasing the immobilization solution enzyme concentration above the maximum enzyme binding capacity had no significant effect on enzyme stability for membrane-immobilized samples; however, both had lower mean stability than free enzyme by approximately 74%. With further development, β-galactosidase immobilized on NFM or other membranes could be used in continuous processing in the dairy industry for a combination of filtration and lactose hydrolysis-creating products that are reduced in lactose and increased in sweetness, with no requirement for "added sugars" on the nutrition label and no enzyme listed as final product ingredient.

Influence of proteolytic enzyme treatment on the changes in volatile compounds and odors of beef longissimus dorsi

Enzymatic tenderization is extensively applied in the meat industry, whereas its influence on meat flavor has seldom been evaluated. Proteinase K, papain, bromelain and Flavourzyme® were used to treat beef muscle, and the changes in volatile compounds and odors were subsequently analyzed. Proteolysis by proteinase K was found to elevate the average bitterness of the identified peptides by generating peptides with high Q values, whereas proteolysis by papain generated the highest level of amino acids. Enzymatic treatment by Flavourzyme and bromelain significantly elevated the levels of ketones and odors, whereas excessive proteolysis by papain and proteinase K largely reduced the levels of esters and aldehydes. The level of amino acids and degree of hydrolysis were found to be predominant factors that regulated the level of volatiles and odors. These results highlighted the huge influence of enzymatic tenderization on meat flavor, depending on degree of hydrolysis and cleavage pattern of applied proteases.

Interplay between Residual Protease Activity in Commercial Lactases and the Subsequent Digestibility of β-Casein in a Model System

One of the conventional ways to produce lactose-hydrolyzed (LH) milk is via the addition of commercial lactases into heat-treated milk in which lactose is hydrolyzed throughout storage. This post-hydrolysis method can induce proteolysis in milk proteins due to protease impurities remaining in commercial lactase preparations. In this work, the interplay between lactose hydrolysis, proteolysis, and glycation was studied in a model system of purified β-casein (β-CN), lactose, and lactases using peptidomic methods. With a lactase presence, the proteolysis of β-CN was found to be increased during storage. The protease side-activities mainly acted on the hydrophobic C-terminus of β-CN at Ala, Pro, Ile, Phe, Leu, Lys, Gln, and Tyr positions, resulting in the formation of peptides, some of which were N-terminal glycated or potentially bitter. The proteolysis in β-CN incubated with a lactase was shown to act as a kind of “pre-digestion”, thus increasing the subsequent in vitro digestibility of β-CN and drastically changing the peptide profiles of the in vitro digests. This model study provides a better understanding of how the residual proteases in commercial lactase preparations affect the quality and nutritional aspects of β-CN itself and could be related to its behavior in LH milk.

Enhancement of Tryptic Digestibility of Milk β-Lactoglobulin Through Treatment with Recombinant Rice Glutathione/Thioredoxin and NADPH Thioredoxin Reductase/Thioredoxin Systems

β-Lactoglobulin (BLG), a member of lipocalin family, is one of the major bovine milk allergens. This protein exists as a dimer of two identical subunits and contains two intramolecular disulfide bonds that are responsible for its resistance to trypsin digestion and allergenicity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reduction of disulfide bonds of BLG with different rice thioredoxins (Trxs) on its digestibility and allergenicity. Therefore, the active recombinant forms of three rice Trx isoforms (OsTrx1, OsTrx20, and OsTrx23) and one rice NADPH-dependent Trx reductase isoform (OsNTRB) were expressed in Escherichia coli. Based on SDS-PAGE, HPLC analysis, and competitive ELISA, the reduction of disulfide bonds of BLG with OsNTRB/OsTrx23, OsNTRB/OsTrx1, GSH/OsTrx1, or GSH/OsTrx20 increased its trypsin digestibility and reduced its immunoreactivity. The finding of this study opens new insights for application of plant Trxs in the improvement of food protein digestibility. Especially, the use of OsTrx20 and OsTrx1 are more cost-effective than E. coli and animal Trxs due to their reduction by GSH and no need to NADPH and Trx reductase as mediator enzyme.