Albumin from Erythrina edulis (Pajuro) as a Promising Source of Multifunctional Peptides

Abstract

Multifunctional peptides, capable of acting on different body systems through multiple mechanisms of action, offer many advantages over monofunctional peptides, including lower adverse side effects and costs. Erythrina edulis (pajuro) is a legume with a large number of high-quality proteins, of which their potential as a source of antioxidant peptides has been recently reported. In this study, the behavior of these proteins under a sequential enzymatic hydrolysis with digestive and microbial enzymes was investigated by evaluating the multi-functionality of the hydrolyzates. The albumin hydrolyzates obtained after the action of pepsin, pancreatin, and Alcalase showed antioxidant, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-IV inhibitory activities. The radical scavenging properties of the hydrolyzate could be responsible for the potent protective effects observed in FeSO4-induced neuroblastoma cells. The findings support the role of pajuro protein as an ingredient of functional foods or nutraceuticals for health promotion and the prevention of oxidative stress, hypertension, and metabolic alteration-associated chronic diseases.

Protection against Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Alterations by Synthetic Peptides Derived from Erythrina edulis Seed Protein

“…Since the use of current therapies against neurodegenerative disorders has been associated with multiple adverse side effects, the interest has focused on naturally derived compounds with antioxidant activity that could exert neuroprotective effects [ 68 ]. In our previous study, a pajuro protein hydrolyzate, after sequential action of pepsin, trypsin, and alcalase, showed protective effects on neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells challenged by FeSO 4 [ 28 ]. Thus, this model was used to evaluate the contribution of isolated peptides on the neuroprotective activity demonstrated for pajuro hydrolyzate.…”

“…The effects of pajuro-derived peptides on cell viability were determined using the MTT assay, following the protocol previously described by Palma-Albino et al [ 28 ]. SH-SY5Y cells were seeded (2 × 10 4 cells/well) onto 96-well plates in complete medium with 1% FBS and incubated at 37 °C for 16 h. After discarding the culture medium, the peptide sample was added (at concentration of 10, 25, and 100 µM), and the plate was incubated for 24 h. Upon removing the supernatant, a MTT solution (2 mg/mL) was added, and the plate was incubated for 60 min at 37 °C.…”

Release of Bioactive Peptides from Erythrina edulis (Chachafruto) Proteins under Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion

“…However, although the protein content is high, the data available on the potential of these proteins as a source of bioactive peptides are still scarce. Preliminary studies performed in our laboratory have described the in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive activity of chachafruto protein-derived hydrolysates by microbial or gastric enzymes [6,7]. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no data on the potential of gastrointestinal digestion simulating physiological conditions to hydrolyze E. edulis proteins and release multifunctional peptides.…”