The Production of Bioactive Peptides from Milk Proteins

Peptides derived from milk proteins are associated with a range of different bioactivities, e.g., antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, opioid properties. Peptides can be released following in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation and in vivo digestion approaches, alone or in combination. The release of bioactive peptides (BAPs) from milk proteins by these processes is reviewed herein. Furthermore, the contribution of in silico approaches in the targeted release and identification of BAPs is outlined. Details of bioactive milk protein derived peptide sequences obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, and in vivo digestion, as well as by using in silico approaches are presented. Examples of the application of membrane processing and chromatographic techniques for milk BAP fractionation and enrichment are described. Research on the production and identification of milk-derived BAPs can contribute to a better understanding of the nutritional benefits of dairy product consumption.