ABSTRACT
The metabolome describes the group of small molecule chemical entities that are involved in or modulate metabolism and represents some of the most downstream stages of cellular metabolism. Metabolomics is a vital tool that is playing a leading role in the discovery of biomarkers and mechanistic pathways that are associated with pathophysiological processes. Interests in metabolomics as a novel technology is rapidly growing and its application in diverse fields of science is also receiving attention. Despite the importance of metabolomics, its application in food protein-derived bioactive peptides studies is relatively new with very limited research works reported. Here, we discuss the application of metabolomics profiling in the study of bioactive peptides and protein hydrolysates from different food sources. Food protein-derived bioactive peptides have beneficial nutritional and health effects and are also reported to have low cost, high biological activities, less side effects or low toxicity and ease of metabolism or breakdown in the human body. This review provides critical information about the principles and technologies involved in the science of metabolomics. It also offers a glimpse into the various sources of food protein-derived bioactive peptides as well as their beneficial health effects in the human body as regulators of numerous biological processes.
