Bioactive peptides from brown rice protein hydrolyzed by bromelain: Relationship between biofunctional activities and...

This study evaluated the biological properties of peptides from brown rice protein hydrolyzed by bromelain (eb-RPH) in relation to flavor characteristic. The fractionation into peptides < 1 kDa was observed to improve the DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activities (0.19, 2.28, and 24.64 mM Trolox, respectively), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ value of 0.20 ± 0.011 mg protein/mL), as well as bitter and umami tastes. The < 1 kDa fraction was further analyzed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry to identify amino acid sequence associated with biological activities and flavor characteristics. Eight peptides were identified. Most of the identified peptides contained features of previously reported ACE inhibitory and antioxidant peptides, especially peptide FGGSGGPGG and FGGGGAGAGG. Evaluation of flavor characteristics using BIOPEP database demonstrated that they had high occurrence frequencies of umami peptides (ESDVVSDL, GSGVGGAK, and SSVGGGSAG) and low Q-value (938.75 to 282.22), suggesting that these peptides may be used as a fortifying health ingredient with good taste. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The fractionated brown rice protein hydrolysate (< 1 kDa) has the potential to serve as a functional food ingredient in nutraceutical food and beverage products that can provide health benefits with good taste. Information on amino acid composition and spatial conformation of peptide may aid us to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in bioactivities and flavor of brown rice peptide for industrial applications.