Nowadays, bioactive peptides are used for therapeutic applications and the selection of a carrier to deliver them is very important to increase the efficiency, absorption, release, bioavailability and consumer acceptance. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize chitosan-based films loaded with chitosan microparticles containing a bioactive peptide (sequence: KGYGGVSLPEW) with antihypertensive properties. Films were prepared by the solvent casting method, while the microparticles were prepared by ionic gelation. The final optimized chitosan microparticles exhibited a mean diameter of 2.5 µm, a polydispersity index of 0.46, a zeta potential of +61 mV and a peptide association efficiency of 76%. Chitosan films were optimized achieving the final formulation of 0.79% (w/v) of chitosan, 6.74% (w/v) of sorbitol and 0.82% (w/v) of citric acid. These thin (±0.100 mm) and transparent films demonstrated good performance in terms of mechanical and biological properties. The oral films developed were flexible, elastic, easy to handle and exhibited rapid disintegration (30 s) and an erosion behavior of 20% when they came into contact with saliva solution. The cell viability (75–99%) was proved by methylthiazolydiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay with TR146 cells. The chitosan mucoadhesive films loaded with peptide–chitosan microparticles resulted in an innovative approach to perform administration across the buccal mucosa, because these films present a larger surface area, leading to the rapid disintegration and release of the antihypertensive peptide under controlled conditions in the buccal cavity, thus promoting bioavailability.

Background: Kombucha is an increasingly consumed product classified as a nutraceutical. Legislative efforts about these products remain confusing and without global harmonization. This natural product has been developed to improve or promote physical and mental health. However, it needs regulatory guidelines to control the production and guarantee the product’s efficacy and safety. Aim: The study intends to draw attention to the need for regulatory guidelines and the potential of this product in the market and peoples’ health. Key findings and conclusions: The lack of regulation and the low level of literacy about this product can limit its development, marketing, and impact on health. Thus, it is essential to highlight the potential value of this product and invest in its development and marketing. Likewise, it is important to spread awareness among the population of these products and their impacts on people’s health. Thus, this study focuses on a pertinent theme and alerts to the need for legislation for these products, to draw attention to the inexistent legislative control and the consequent need for regulatory guidelines for better and safer production and consumption.

Food-derived bioactive peptides are of great interest to science and industry due to evolving drivers of food product innovation, including health and wellness. This study aims to draw attention through a critical study on how bioinformatics analysis is employed in the identification of bioactive peptides in the laboratory. An in silico analysis (PeptideRanker, BIOPEP, AHTpin, and mAHTPred) of a list of peptides from goat casein hydrolysate was performed to predict which sequences could potentially be bioactive. To validate the predictions, the in vitro antihypertensive potential of the five peptides with the highest potential was first measured. Then, for three of these, gastrointestinal digestion was simulated in vitro, followed by the analysis of the resulting ACE inhibitory activity as well as antioxidant capacity. We thus observed that the use of new computational biology technologies to predict peptide sequences is an important research tool, but they should not be used alone and complementarity with various in vitro and in vivo assays is essential.

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by a progressive deterioration of brain function, with a significantly consequent decrease in the quality of life of patients and their families. Due to increasing life expectancy, the incidence of these diseases has increased over the years, and has been under research. Objective: The aim of this paper is to systematically review the scientific literature about the evaluation of life’ quality in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Methods:Reflective systematic literature review on Pubmed, MedLine and Scopus database with the keywords "quality of life of Patients" and "neurodegenerative diseases" was analyzed. It was analyzed in the period between 2000 and 2015. PRISMA criteria reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses were applied. The inclusion criteria were: usage of instrument to measure life’ quality, presenting quantitative or qualitative results, and psychometric studies. It was excluded articles reviews outside the scope of the subject, theoretical articles and new therapies, diagnostic and palliative care. Results: After applying the methodology, five scientific articles were included in the study. The measuring instruments were used the dimensions (physical, mental, social and environmental) were analyzed. It was analyzed the results obtained in the studies. Conclusions: This literature review indicated that more research is needed to assess the impact of quality of life in patients with degenerative pathologies. The implications of these findings and potential directions for future research are discussed.