ABSTRACT
Peptides can be utilized as additives for developing various functional foods and nutraceuticals. Processing of food by different methods such as fermentation, cooking and enzyme hydrolysis yields peptide fragments that can exert therapeutic benefits, when used in food applications. The whey derivatives like whey protein concentrates, whey protein isolates, these are the peptide sources that can be successfully developed by using membrane techniques, which can adopt molecular size separation for separating valuable components like proteins, peptides, from the whey solution. They can be used as a food ingredient that can exert several functional properties to the applied foods. Whey peptides possess properties of mineral-binding action; it regulates microorganisms in the intestine and further supports absorption of minerals by digestive system. It can regulate food intake and enhance satiety and significantly helps in weight management therapy.
There are various antimicrobial peptides that had been identified and discovered; among them, only very few are being approved for its use by Federal Agencies like U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They were being used for treating various types of bacterial-based infections after injecting them into the body. It's a potent antibiotic molecule that can provide immunity to the biological system. The microalgae can also be successfully added to the food products during processing, which is a good source of peptides. The peptides obtained from algal sources were prone to exhibit functional benefits like antioxidative, hepatoprotective, anticarcinogenic, antihypertensive and immunomodulatory effects. Therefore, in this chapter, the source of obtaining peptides and its application in developing food products were discussed with highlighted therapeutic benefits.
