Based on their composition, marine algae, and namely red seaweeds, are good potential functional foods. Intestinal mucosal barrier function refers to the capacity of the intestine to provide adequate containment of luminal microorganisms and molecules. Here, we will first outline the component of seaweeds and will summarize the effects of these on the regulation of mucosal barrier function. Special attention will be paid to unique components of red seaweeds: proteins and derived peptides (e.g., phycobiliproteins, glycoproteins that contain “cellulose binding domains”, phycolectins and the related mycosporine-like amino acids) together with polysaccharides (e.g., floridean starch and sulfated galactans, such as carrageenans, agarans and “dl-hybrid”) and minerals. These compounds have been shown to exert prebiotic effects, to regulate intestinal epithelial cell, macrophage and lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation and to modulate the immune response. Molecular mechanisms of action of peptides and polysaccharides are starting to be elucidated, and evidence indicating the involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR), Toll-like receptors (TLR) and signal transduction pathways mediated by protein kinase B (PKB or AKT), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) will also be summarized. The need for further research is clear, but in vivo experiments point to an overall antiinflammatory effect of these algae, indicating that they can reinforce membrane barrier function.

The isolation and identification of cholesterol esterase (CE) and pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibitory peptides obtained from the protein hydrolysate of brewer's spent grain (BSG) was performed. BSG peptides were fractionated and purified sequentially by anion exchange, gel filtration (FPLC), and reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The fractions obtained from each chromatographic step were collected and the in vitro enzyme inhibitory activity was evaluated. The chromatographic purification process increased the in vitro activities. The most active fractions were evaluated using MALDI-TOF tandem mass spectrometry, which identified three peptides: a peptide with the highest CE inhibition capacity (WNIHMEHQDLTTME) and two peptides with PL inhibition capacity (DFGIASF and LAAVEALSTNG). These three peptides showed hydrophobic and acidic amino acid residues (Asp and Glu) and/or their amines (Asn and Gln), which could be a common feature among lipid-lowering peptides related to CE and PL enzyme inhibition. The in silico studies showed that the three peptides had high hydrophobicity and were susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis performed by trypsin, pepsin, and pancreatin. The BSG byproduct was a good source of CE and PL inhibitory peptides, thus adding value to this byproduct of the beer industry. This is the first report to demonstrate that BSG peptides can inhibit CE and PL enzymes.

Hydrolysates of food protein sources have immunomodulatory effects, which are of interest for use as functional foods. In this study, we have characterized the immune regulatory effect on rat splenocytes, macrophages and T lymphocytes of Ulva spp. hydrolysates and their peptide fractions with or without in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and/or ultrafiltration. IL-10 was induced in almost all conditions and cell types obtained from wild type animals. The induction was in general increased by ultrafiltration and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. TNF was also induced in basal conditions. In turn, TNF and IFN-γ production was attenuated by the hydrolysate products in lipopolysaccharide or concanavalin A immune stimulated cells. Inhibitors for the activation of NFκB, MAPK p38 and JNK inhibited IL-10 induction in rat splenocytes. The response was dramatically attenuated in TLR4^−/− cells, and only modestly in TLR2^−/− cells. Food peptides from Ulva spp. genus exert anti-inflammatory effects in immune cells mediated by TLR4 and NFκB. Similarity with the immunomodulatory profile of protein hydrolysates from other sources suggests a common mechanism.