Multifunctional peptides, capable of acting on different body systems through multiple mechanisms of action, offer many advantages over monofunctional peptides, including lower adverse side effects and costs. Erythrina edulis (pajuro) is a legume with a large number of high-quality proteins, of which their potential as a source of antioxidant peptides has been recently reported. In this study, the behavior of these proteins under a sequential enzymatic hydrolysis with digestive and microbial enzymes was investigated by evaluating the multi-functionality of the hydrolyzates. The albumin hydrolyzates obtained after the action of pepsin, pancreatin, and Alcalase showed antioxidant, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-IV inhibitory activities. The radical scavenging properties of the hydrolyzate could be responsible for the potent protective effects observed in FeSO4-induced neuroblastoma cells. The findings support the role of pajuro protein as an ingredient of functional foods or nutraceuticals for health promotion and the prevention of oxidative stress, hypertension, and metabolic alteration-associated chronic diseases.

The ability of multifunctional food-derived peptides to act on different body targets make them promising alternatives in the prevention/management of chronic disorders. The potential of Erythrina edulis (pajuro) protein as a source of multifunctional peptides was proven. Fourteen selected synthetic peptides identified in an alcalase hydrolyzate from pajuro protein showed in vitro antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, and/or anti-obesity effects. The radical scavenging properties of the peptides could be responsible for the potent protective effects observed against the oxidative damage caused by FeSO4 in neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, their affinity towards the binding cavity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) were predicted by molecular modeling. The results demonstrated that some peptides such as YPSY exhibited promising binding at both enzymes, supporting the role of pajuro protein as a novel ingredient of functional foods or nutraceuticals for prevention/management of oxidative stress, hypertension, and metabolic-alteration-associated chronic diseases.