Application of in silico approaches for the generation of milk protein-derived bioactive peptides

Milk protein derived peptides have numerous well-documented bioactive properties. The conventional approach for the generation, identification and validation of bioactive peptides (BAPs) has involved (i) protein hydrolysis, (ii) bioactivity screening and (iii) validation in vivo. The low potency (in comparison to conventional drugs), susceptibility to breakdown during gastrointestinal transit and low intestinal permeability are key challenges in the development of highly bioactive food protein hydrolysates/peptides. However, the generation of potent and effective health enhancing hydrolysates/peptides can benefit from a range of in silico techniques including the application of structure bioactivity relationship modelling (e.g., quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) modelling), molecular docking and design of experiments (DOE) approaches to optimise BAP production and identification. Some examples of how these approaches have been employed in BAP discovery and generation will be outlined.