This study assessed the impact of curing salts and maturation times on peptide production and bioactivity in dry-cured hams using in vitro and in silico methods. Ninety-six hams underwent six curing treatments and two maturation stages (38 % and 42 % weight loss). Mass spectrometry identified bioactive peptides, while in silico tools predicted their bioactivities. Reduced sodium nitrifying salts (treatment IX) and 42 % weight loss showed the most significant results, enhancing low-molecular-weight peptides generation (EE, VG, VD) linked to high functionality. Antioxidant and antihypertensive activities were prominent in samples with 42 % weight loss. Peptides under 1.5 kDa were more abundant at advanced maturation stages. In silico analyses predicted ACE and DPP-IV inhibition and antioxidant effects. Dipeptides like DG, ES, and DV showed similarities to FDA-approved molecules, suggesting potential therapeutic uses. The study highlights those specific treatments boost biopeptides formation, requiring further research on their potential as functional foods or therapeutic agents.

Ham (Jamón) is a product of great value in Spanish gastronomy, although experts have recommended reducing its consumption due to its high salt content and its relationship with cardio-vascular diseases due to the increase in blood pressure it may cause. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate how the reduction of salt content and the pig genetic line influence bioactivity in boneless hams. For this purpose, 54 hams were studied, 18 boneless Iberian hams (RIB), 18 boneless white hams from commercial cross-bred pigs (RWC), and 18 salted and traditionally processed Iberian hams (TIB) to check if the pig genetic line (RIB vs. RWC) or the processing (RIB vs. TIB) affect the peptide production and bioactivity of the hams. The pig genetic line significantly affected the activity of ACE-I and DPPH, with RWC having the highest ACE-I activity and RIB having the highest antioxidative activity. This coincides with the results obtained in the identification of the peptides and the bioactivity analysis performed. Salt reduction positively affected the different hams, influencing their proteolysis and increasing their bioactivity in traditionally cured hams.

Dry-cured ham is a traditional food in the Mediterranean diet, which, in addition to its sensory qualities, is a natural source of bioactive peptides generated during the curing process through the action of endogenous enzymes on muscle and sarcoplasmic proteins. These low-molecular-weight peptides have attracted growing interest due to their multiple bioactivities, including antihypertensive, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects described in vitro, in vivo, and in preliminary human studies. The identification of specific sequences, such as AAPLAP, KPVAAP, and KAAAAP (ACE inhibitors), SNAAC and GKFNV (antioxidants), RHGYM (antimicrobial), and AEEEYPDL and LGVGG (dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and α-glucosidase inhibitors), has been possible thanks to the use of peptidomics techniques, tandem mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics tools that allow their activity to be characterized, their digestive stability to be predicted, and their bioavailability to be evaluated. This review article summarizes current knowledge on the bioactivities of peptides derived from dry-cured ham, advances in their functional characterization, and challenges associated with their application in functional foods and nutraceuticals, with the aim of providing a comprehensive overview of their potential in health promotion and chronic disease prevention.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extended maturation and temperature increase on the physico-chemical, biochemical, instrumental color and texture, sensory, and acceptability parameters of cured and boneless Iberian hams. Given the limited knowledge in this area, our objective was to develop a ham with enhanced proteolysis, potentially leading to increased bioactive peptide generation and superior sensory characteristics compared to salt-reduced counterparts. To achieve this, a batch of hams cured up to 38% loss at 30 °C and two batches cured up to 42% loss at 30 °C and 36 °C were evaluated. Results showed that the increase in processing time and temperature significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) ham proteolysis and amino acid content without adversely affecting its texture. No significant differences were observed in instrumental texture parameters or sensory attributes as evaluated by consumers. These processing conditions also increased the content of free amino acids, improving the product quality. Overall, these processing modifications resulted in hams with excellent sensory acceptability and enhanced bioactive potential despite the salt reduction.

Spanish dry-cured pork ham, a highly valued traditional product, is well-recognized for its intense flavor and beneficial health properties. In this study, dry-cured ham peptides were obtained after simulated gastrointestinal digestion and their antioxidant capacity was analyzed, both in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring the capacity of the peptide to neutralize free radicals using ABTS, DPPH, and a cellular assay with Caco-2 cells. In addition, in vivo tests were performed using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as the biological model. The results showed that the ham peptides exhibited higher antioxidant activity (P < 0.05) than the unhydrolyzed protein (control). In C. elegans assays, an increase in the life expectancy of peptide-fed specimens was observed under both chronic and acute oxidative stress conditions. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in these nematodes were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in the control group when exposed to paraquat-induced oxidative stress. Additionally, PCR analyses suggested that this increased resistance to oxidative stress may be related to an increase in the expression of genes involved in the stress response, such as GST-4, GST-10, and SKN-1. Taken together, these findings support the potential of dry-cured ham peptides as functional ingredients or nutraceuticals useful to combat oxidative damage in the body.

The bioactive potential of dairy-derived peptides has attracted increasing interest due to their capacity to exert antioxidant and antihypertensive effects. This study investigated three artisanal cheeses manufactured with animal rennet (CTRL), Onopordum platylepis extract (OP), or a mixture of both coagulants (AR/OP) to compare their peptide profiles and associated bioactivities. Water-soluble extracts were analyzed to identify precursors and released bioactive peptides, and in vitro assays were performed to assess antioxidant activity and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. The analysis of precursors suggested a predominance of antioxidant sequences in CTRL and ACE-inhibitory precursors in OP, with AR/OP showing intermediate values. However, direct peptide identification confirmed that the AR/OP mixture produced a wider range of peptides with antioxidant activity, while OP and AR/OP exhibited similarly high levels of ACE-inhibiting peptides. These results were consistent with in vitro assays, which confirmed AR/OP as the most active sample for antioxidant potential and OP, closely followed by AR/OP, as the strongest for ACE inhibitory activity. Overall, the integration of precursor analysis, peptide identification, and experimental validation highlights the influence of the coagulant on the generation of bioactive peptides, suggesting that the use of Onopordum platylepis Murb. (O. platylepis) alone or in combination with animal rennet may enhance the functional properties of cheese.