Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026
09:19
Patterning Bioactive Proteins or Peptides on Hydrogel Using Photochemistry for Biological Applications
Published on: September 15, 2017
7.7K
Unlocking the Functional Potential of Pecan Nut Cake: A Study on Bioactive Peptide Production
Tianjing Long1, Yingjie Xu1,2, Ziang Li1
1Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210097, China.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 28, 2026
Summary
Co-fermentation of pecan nut cake peptides with specific lactobacillus strains significantly boosted antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. This enhanced peptide hydrolysate protected against alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.
Area of Science:
- Food Science and Technology
- Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Pecan nut cake (PNC) is a byproduct with potential for high-value utilization.
- Bioactive peptides can be derived from protein sources to confer health benefits.
- Fermentation is a known method to enhance the bioactivity of food components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of co-fermentation with *Lactobacillus casei* and *Lactobacillus delbrueckii* on the bioactivity of pecan nut cake (PNC) peptides.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the enhanced bioactivity of the fermented PNC hydrolysate (PNCH).
- To evaluate the efficacy of PNCH in a mouse model of acute alcohol-induced liver injury.
Main Methods:
- Co-fermentation of PNC with *Lactobacillus casei* CGMCC 15956 and *Lactobacillus delbrueckii* CGMCC 21287.
- Assays for total antioxidant capacity, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and α-glucosidase inhibition.
- Evaluation of PNCH in a mouse model of alcohol-induced liver injury.
- Peptidomic analysis, in vitro oxidative stress assays in Caco-2 cells, and molecular docking.
Main Results:
- PNCH exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity (4.81 mM Trolox vs. 3.17 mM) and DPPH scavenging activity (84.12% vs. 62.69%) compared to the control.
- PNCH showed improved α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50: 4.509 mg/mL vs. 7.549 mg/mL).
- PNCH alleviated alcohol-induced liver injury in mice, demonstrating synergistic antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. Two bioactive peptides, FAGDDAPR and LAGNPDDEFRPQ, were identified and showed protective effects against oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells.
Conclusions:
- Co-fermentation with *Lactobacillus casei* and *Lactobacillus delbrueckii* effectively enhances the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of PNC peptides.
- The enhanced PNCH possesses therapeutic potential for mitigating alcohol-induced liver injury.
- This study supports the valorization of PNC into functional ingredients through microbial fermentation.
Related Concept Videos
02:43Peptide Bonds
82.8K
A peptide bond covalently attaches amino acids through a dehydration reaction. One amino acid's carboxyl group and another amino acid's amino group combine, releasing a water molecule. The resulting bond is the peptide bond. The products that such linkages form are peptides. As more amino acids join this growing chain, the resulting chain is a polypeptide. Each polypeptide has a free amino group at one end. This end has the N-terminal, or the amino-terminal, and the other end has a free...
82.8K
02:58Cell Potential and Free Energy
46.4K
Thermodynamics of a Redox Reaction
Thermodynamics is the branch of physics dealing with the relationship between heat and other forms of energy. In an electrochemical cell, chemical energy is converted into electrical energy.
Thus, a link can be predicted between cell potential, free energy change, and the equilibrium constant for the reaction. Cell potential can also be measured as the oxidant or the reducing strength, and similar acid-base strength measures are reflected in equilibrium...
Thermodynamics is the branch of physics dealing with the relationship between heat and other forms of energy. In an electrochemical cell, chemical energy is converted into electrical energy.
Thus, a link can be predicted between cell potential, free energy change, and the equilibrium constant for the reaction. Cell potential can also be measured as the oxidant or the reducing strength, and similar acid-base strength measures are reflected in equilibrium...
46.4K
03:02Standard Electrode Potentials
50.1K
On comparing the reactivity of silver and lead, it is observed that the two ionic species, Ag+ (aq) and Pb2+ (aq), show a difference in their redox reactivity towards copper: the silver ion undergoes spontaneous reduction, while the lead ion does not. This relative redox activity can be easily quantified in electrochemical cells by a property called cell potential. This property is commonly known as cell voltage in electrochemistry, and it is a measure of the energy which accompanies the charge...
50.1K
00:52Potential Energy
42.7K
The energy stored by a structure and location of matter in space is called potential energy. For instance, raising a kettlebell changes its spatial location and increases its potential energy. Similarly, a stretched rubber band contains potential energy which, under certain conditions, can be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy.
Chemical bonds that form attractive forces between atoms also contain potential energy, called chemical energy. When a chemical reaction...
Chemical bonds that form attractive forces between atoms also contain potential energy, called chemical energy. When a chemical reaction...
42.7K
01:24Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
429
Renal function tests are crucial for assessing kidney health, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating the kidneys' efficiency in waste elimination, fluid balance, and electrolyte regulation. These tests offer critical insights into kidney function, even though routine measurements may appear normal until there is a significant decline in the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. Typically, signs of kidney impairment only become evident when the GFR falls to about 50% of its normal level.
429
01:21The Resting Membrane Potential
142.2K
Overview
142.2K