Edible insect species are attracting the attention of the food industry and consumers in Western societies due to their high content and quality of protein, which is starting to be evaluated as source of peptides with immunomodulatory properties.

The incorporation of novel, functional, and sustainable foods in human diets is increasing because of their beneficial effects and environmental-friendly nature. Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) has proved to be a suitable source of bioactive peptides via enzymatic hydrolysis. These peptides could be responsible for modulating several physiological processes if able to reach the target organ. The bioavailable peptides contained in a hydrolysate obtained with Alcalase, as functional foods, were identified using a transwell system with Caco-2 cell culture as the absorption model. Furthermore, 20 unique peptides with a molecular weight lower than 1000 Da and the higher statistical significance of the peptide-precursor spectrum match (-10 log P) were assessed by in silico tools to suggest which peptides could be those exerting the demonstrated bioactivity. From the characterized peptides, considering the molecular features and the results obtained, the peptides AGDAHWTY, VDAHPIKAM, PNYHPNPR, and ALPPGAVHW are anticipated to be contributing to the antioxidant and/or ACE inhibitor activity of the chia protein hydrolysates.

Hemp protein hydrolysate is capable of alleviating neuroinflammation by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which could have promising effects in Parkinson's disease.

Olive (Olea europaea) leaves, a by-product of olive oil production, represent a promising source of bioactive peptides. In this study, the peptidome of an olive leaf protein hydrolysate (OLPH) obtained via enzymatic hydrolysis with Alcalase was identified and analyzed for the first time. Liquid Chromatography coupled to Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry and Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-TIMS-MS/MS) analysis revealed over 7000 peptide sequences. Peptides with PeptideRanker scores above 0.79 were selected for in silico evaluation of antimicrobial potential, including physicochemical characterization and molecular docking. Several peptides—such as NYPAWGY, SSKGSLGGGF, QWDQGYF, and SGPAFNAGR—exhibited strong predicted antimicrobial potential, supported by favorable interactions with bacterial, viral, and fungal targets in docking simulations. Correlation analysis revealed that physicochemical features, such as net hydrogen, amphipathicity, and isoelectric point, were positively associated with predicted antimicrobial activity. These findings highlight the potential of olive leaf-derived peptides as natural antimicrobial agents and support the valorization of olive by-products as a sustainable source of functional ingredients for applications in food safety and health. Further experimental validation is needed to confirm the efficacy and mechanism of action of the identified peptides.

Plant protein is considered a sustainable health-promoting strategy to prevent metabolic syndrome. Lifestyle changes (including dietary patterns and exercise) have been demonstrated to exert an effect on human health by modulating the biochemical status in humans. The objective of this study was to assess whether supplementation with hemp protein within a Mediterranean diet context together with exercise could help to ameliorate the metabolic statuses of patients prone to developing metabolic syndrome. For this study, 23 patients followed with Mediterranean diet and engaged in aerobic exercise according to the WHO’s recommendations, while also being supplemented with hemp protein, for 12 weeks. A comparison of anthropometric, biochemical, and mineral data as well as amino acid values was made between the start and the end of the study, with the subjects acting as their own control group. Statistical analyses included a paired t-test, Wilcoxon paired test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Sparse Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis to evaluate significant differences and correlations among parameters. There were statistically significant changes in total cholesterol, HDL-C (+52.3%), LDL-C (−54.0%), and TAG levels (−49.8%), but not in glucose plasma levels. Following the intervention, plasma concentrations of some amino acids, including α-aminoadipic acid, phosphoethanolamine, and 1-metylhistidine, increased, whereas those of asparagine and alanine declined. Different correlations between amino acids and the other parameters evaluated were reported and discussed. A Mediterranean diet combined with regular aerobic exercise, together with protein supplementation, can highly improve the metabolic parameters and anthropometric parameters of subjects with obesity and impaired glucose levels, ameliorating their health status and likely delaying the development of metabolic syndrome.

The larva of Tenebrio molitor , better known as mealworm, is one of the most studied insects today, since it was recently classified as safe for human consumption. Specifically, its high protein content makes it a splendid candidate for the search for bioactive peptides, with properties ranging from anti-inflammatory to neuroprotective. In this study, the effect of a digested hydrolysate on microglia cells (which previously demonstrated high anti-inflammatory activity in intestinal CACO-2 cells) was analysed, specifically on their levels of gene expression of various cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-10, or IL-1β, among others. In addition, four chemically synthesised peptides, selected from this digested hydrolysate based on in silico analysis, including the estimation of the bioactive properties of these peptides, their physicochemical properties and their toxicokinetic, were evaluated in the microglia cells as well. In addition, molecular docking assays of the peptides were performed with two receptors relevant to inflammation. Relevant changes in the expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and BDNF were observed due to the action of the peptides, especially in the case of IYVDAVIN and SLPSLPEPV. These results provide an insight on how specific peptides found in Tenebrio molitor could be used as therapeutics agent in the immunomodulation of brain cells.