The widespread application of soybean‐derived peptides is currently limited due to the challenges in the identification of peptides. In the present work, in silico and in vitro analysis were applied to identify ACE inhibitory tri‐peptides from soybean protein. The soybean protein was cleaved by PeptideCutter. Then, unknown tri‐peptides were selected to solubility estimation and ADME prediction. Subsequently, Discovery Studio was applied to evaluate the interaction mechanism between ACE and tri‐peptides. Finally, in vitro activity of theoretical ACE inhibitory tri‐peptides was verified by RP‐HPLC method. As a result, DMG was selected as a potent ACE inhibitory peptide. Cell experiment showed that DMG had no cytotoxic effects on HEK‐293 cells. And molecular docking results indicated that DMG contacted well with ACE’s active sites (Gln281, His353, Ala354, Glu384, Lys511, His513, and Tyr520). Furthermore, DMG could exert potent activity against ACE, with IC50 value of 3.95 ± 0.11 mM. Practical applications Present research showed soybean is a potential protein resource to obtain ACE inhibitory peptides. Simultaneously, virtual screening method is a feasible way to substitute for classical method in emerging nutritional fields. What's more, present study provides a theoretical basis for industrial research on foodstuff for ACE inhibitory peptides without side effects.

Herein, the ability of ginger glycoproteins to inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is characterized. The activity is monitored via HPLC, and then the crude glycoproteins are enriched with lectin microarrays and magnetic microspheres. The N-linked glycans released from the enriched glycoproteins by PNGase F are identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. The results suggest that the crude ginger glycoproteins are active against ACE with an IC50 value of 0.83 ± 0.09 mg mL-1. The ginger glycoproteins are enriched by concanavalin A (Con A) and solanum tuberosum (Potato) lectin (STL), and the structures of the N-glycans released from the ginger glycoproteins include high-mannose type glycans, fucosylated-type glycans, and hybrid-type glycans, as analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS. The results of this study are expected to provide a reference for the glycan structure of ginger glycoproteins with ACE-inhibitory activity.