Bioactive Peptides from Fish Protein By-Products

The interest in fish processing by-products and underutilized catch for the production of biofunctional food ingredients has increased in the last number of decades. These marine-derived components contain a significant quantity of protein, which is normally processed into low-value products such as animal feed, fishmeal, and fertilizer. However, due to the global demand for high-quality protein and the need for sustainable production and processing of landed material, the valorization of proteins and other nutrients from fish processing by-products has significantly increased. Fish processing by-products contain significant quantities of high-quality protein, which can be exploited as sources of essential nitrogenous nutrients and biologically active peptides. Bioactive peptides, including those from fish processing by-products, have been reported to possess the ability to beneficially modulate physiological processes associated with noncommunicable diseases. These short peptides, which are encrypted within the primary sequence of the parent protein and are released during food processing or gastrointestinal digestion, could have a role in the prevention and management of these diseases. This chapter reviews the recent literature on the processing and utilization of proteins and protein hydrolysates from fish processing by-products and underutilized fish species with a particular focus on their bioactive properties and peptide sequences.