Development of Calcium Supplements Inspired by Fertilized Egg Hatching: Calcium-Binding Peptides and Peptide-Calcium...

Fertilized eggs efficiently utilized endogenous mineral elements, providing a novel material for the development of calcium supplements. Therefore, based on the model of fertilized eggs, the yolk and day 12 were identified as the key sites and critical stages for calcium transport, from which egg yolk peptides (EYP) were prepared. Three peptides (EELCEAFKKD, IDTIEIITDR, SFDEKLC) with strong calcium-binding ability were further identified from EYP through mass spectrometry and molecular docking techniques. The three peptides had relative higher concentrations of Asp, Glu, and Ser, and demonstrated strong binding affinity for TRPV6 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 6). In the stability tests, the peptide-calcium chelate exhibited a calcium retention rate (RC) consistently higher than 85% in the temperature range from 30 to 70°C, and a hydroxyl radical scavenging of 45.77%. Meanwhile, the calcium RC in simulated digestion was 97.16%, which was more stable than CaCl₂. In terms of composition, binding capacity, and stability, EYP showed comprehensive potential as a calcium supplement, proposing a novel strategy for the development of novel dietary calcium supplements. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Inspired by the efficient utilization of calcium during the incubation of chick embryos, this work investigated the content changes of calcium during incubation, identified egg yolk as an important site for calcium transport, and prepared yolk peptide-calcium from egg yolk, contributing a new angle for the development of dietary calcium supplements.