Use of Plant Peptidases for the Production of Therapeutic Peptides

Peptidases play crucial roles in numerous physiological processes within living organisms. Therefore, they have been employed in various pharmaceutical applications. Plant peptidases have attracted considerable attention in various areas due to their specificity, stability across a diverse range of pH and temperatures, and safety profile. Here, we have focused on the use of plant peptidases, mostly papain and bromelain, to produce biologically active peptides, which confer various health advantages, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, analgesic, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects. We have also discussed the importance of the action mechanism of peptidases for generating bioactive peptides with specific sequences and functions, the ecological and sustainability benefits of plant-derived peptidases compared to animal alternatives, digestive stability and bioavailability of peptides, as well as some obstacles to the commercialization of bioactive peptides and key challenges in peptidase-based industrial applications. Finally, we have examined enzyme immobilization as a viable method to enhance the production of bioactive peptides, offering numerous advantages in both research and industry contexts.