Bioactive peptides derived from human milk proteins: an update

Area of Science:

• Human milk proteomics
• Infant nutrition
• Bioactive peptides

Background:

• Human milk contains diverse bioactive proteins with functions activated post-digestion.
• Peptides derived from milk proteins possess various bioactivities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent research on bioactive peptides in human milk.
• To examine bioactive peptides present in the gastric digesta of breast-fed infants.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on human milk peptides.
• Analysis of identified peptides in infant gastric aspirates.

Main Results:

• Human milk contains endogenous bioactive peptides like caseinophosphopeptide and antimicrobial peptides.
• A greater variety of bioactive peptides, including ACE-inhibitory, antioxidant, and opioid agonist peptides, are found in infant gastric digesta.
• Casein is identified as the primary source of these released bioactive peptides.

Conclusions:

• Technological advancements facilitate peptide identification and characterization.
• The physiological roles of these bioactive peptides in infant growth and development require further investigation.
• In vivo experiments and clinical trials are necessary to elucidate their significance.