Food-Derived Peptides: Neuropeptides and the Diet-Microbiome-Brain Axis

Area of Science:

• Food science
• Neuroscience
• Microbiology

Background:

• Food-derived peptides, also known as bioactive peptides (BPs), are short amino acid chains found in plant proteins.
• While BPs have established roles in antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antiobesity, and antimicrobial functions, recent focus has shifted to their neurological benefits.
• Increased global stress, aging populations, and pandemics have spurred interest in BPs for mitigating anxiety, cognitive impairment, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the emerging roles of bioactive peptides (BPs) in addressing neurological and cognitive health challenges.
• To investigate the mechanisms through which BPs interact with the diet-gut-brain axis.
• To identify novel sources and methods for obtaining BPs with neuroprotective potential.

Main Methods:

• Enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, probiotic use, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion are classical methods for releasing BPs.
• Novel methods include thermal processing, high-pressure treatment, and in silico peptide design.
• The role of gut microbiota in metabolizing dietary proteins and influencing the diet-gut-brain axis is examined.

Main Results:

• Bioactive peptides (BPs) are increasingly recognized for their potential to impact anxiety, cognitive function, and neurodegenerative disease progression.
• The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the metabolism of dietary proteins, influencing the health of the diet-gut-brain axis.
• Small, noncoding peptides found in food are emerging as key modulators of the diet-gut-brain axis.

Conclusions:

• Bioactive peptides (BPs) represent a promising area for developing interventions against neurological and cognitive disorders.
• Understanding the complex interactions within the diet-gut-brain axis is fundamental for maintaining overall health.
• Further research into novel peptide sources and their mechanisms of action is warranted to harness their full therapeutic potential.