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Oxidative stress is one of the most critical factors implicated in many disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, such as inflammatory bowel diseases and colon cancer. Lunasin is a seed peptide known by its properties against cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The present study investigated the in vitro antioxidant activity of this peptide that demonstrated to be a potent scavenger of peroxyl and superoxide radicals. In addition, the protective role of lunasin on cell viability and antioxidant defenses of human Caco-2 cells challenged by hydrogen peroxide and tert-butylhydroperoxide was evaluated. This peptide remained partially intact during incubation time with cells, preventing of the oxidative damage induced by both chemical agents. The direct antioxidant action of lunasin (within the physiological range of concentrations) on enterocytes exposed to oxidizing species makes this peptide a promising agent to preserve the integrity of intestinal mucosa against oxidative damage related diseases.

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Iron and zinc bioaccessibility was estimated in the in vitro gastrointestinal digests of six different fortified fruit beverages (Fb) containing iron and ⁄ or zinc and ⁄ or skimmed milk (M). Solubility values can be used to establish trends in relative bioavailability of iron and zinc, as the first stage towards mineral bioavailability comprises solubility in the intestinal tract. FbFe, FbFeM and FbFeZnM samples showed iron bioaccessibility above 88%, differing (P < 0.05) from those of FbFeZn (53%). In turn, FbZn, FbFeZn and FbZnM samples presented higher zinc bioaccessibility (above 68%), differing (P < 0.05) from those of FbFeZnM (48%). The presence of milk-derived caseinophosphopeptides (CPPs) formed during gastrointestinal digestion in dairy samples does not increase iron or zinc bioaccessibility in FbFeM or FbZnM vs. FbFe or FbZn, but it is hypothesised that the negative interacting effect of zinc upon iron bioaccessibility when cosupplemented in these fruit beverages is overcome in the presence of CPPs, which favour iron solubility more than in the case of zinc.