Peptides from Chia Present Antibacterial Activity and Inhibit Cholesterol Synthesis

Abstract

In previous studies, it has not been reported that protein isolated from chia interferes favorably with antibacterial activity, and reduces cholesterol synthesis. The objective of this study was to determine whether commonly used commercial microbial proteases can be utilized to generate chia protein-based antibacterial and hypocholesterolemic hydrolysates/peptides, considering the effects of protein extraction method. Alcalase, Flavourzyme and sequential Alcalase-Flavourzyme were used to produce hydrolysates from chia protein (CF), protein-rich fraction (PRF) and chia protein concentrates (CPC1 and CPC2). These hydrolysates were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (G) and Gram-negative (G) microorganisms. The protein hydrolysates were purified by ultrafiltration through a membrane with 3 kDa nominal molecular weight, for evaluation of hypocholesterolemic activity. An inhibition zone was observed when the hydrolysate was tested against S. aureus, and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were obtained. Peptides from chia protein with molecular mass lower than 3 kDa reduced up to 80.7% of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) enzymatic reaction velocity. It was also observed that, independent of the method used to obtain chia proteins, the fractions showed relevant bioactivity. Moreover, the intensity of the bioactivity varied with the method for obtaining the protein and with the enzyme used in the hydrolysis process. This is the first report to demonstrate that chia peptides are able to inhibit cholesterol homeostasis.

Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica L.) as a Source of Proteins and Bioactive Peptides with Health Benefits: A Review

“…The consumption of chia seed has shown promise for reducing the levels of serum cholesterol, since it has high concentrations of dietary fiber and unsaturated omega‐3 fatty acids (da Silva et al., ). Most recently, it has been demonstrated that chia proteins and chia bioactive peptides can block key markers of cholesterol synthesis, such as 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG‐CoA reductase) (Coelho et al., ).…”

“…The number of studies using isolated peptides from chia are limited but show beneficial promising health effects. A protein hydrolysate from chia seed, produced by enzymatic hydrolysis, with alcalase and/or Flavourzyme, demonstrated antibacterial activity, reducing the velocity of enzymatic reaction of and 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG‐CoA reductase) (Coelho et al., ). The chia protein hydrolysate has also shown ACE‐inhibitory and antioxidant activities (Chim‐Chi, Gallegos‐Tintoré, Jiménez‐Martínez, Dávila‐Ortiz, & Chel‐Guerrero, ; Segura Campos et al., ; Segura‐Campos et al., ).…”

“…The consumption of chia seed has shown promise for reducing the levels of serum cholesterol, since it has high concentrations of dietary fiber and unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (da Silva et al, 2017). Most recently, it has been demonstrated that chia proteins and chia bioactive peptides can block key markers of cholesterol synthesis, such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) (Coelho et al, 2018). In a clinical study, 10 postmenopausal women who ingested 25 g/day of milled chia seed over a 7-week period showed increased plasma levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA) by 138% and 30%, compared to baseline levels, respectively .…”

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Seed Total Protein and Protein Fractions Digests Reduce Biomarkers of Inflammation and Atherosclerosis in Macrophages In Vitro

“…The effects of peptides derived from chia protein have been demonstrated by biochemical indicators. They include inhibition of ACE (angiotensin‐converting enzyme), antioxidant capacity, antibacterial properties, and anti‐cholesterolemic effects, but there are not studies of the effects of chia peptides at the cellular level.…”

A Review on Health-Promoting, Biological, and Functional Aspects of Bioactive Peptides in Food Applications

“…It is possible that the hypocholesterolemic activity of peptides is owing to direct bile acid and neutral sterol binding in the intestine. Bioactive peptides extracted from chia seeds have been shown to have hypocholesterolemic function by inhibiting cholesterol homeostasis [ 143 ]. Furthermore, it has been documented that hydrophobic bioactive peptides containing leucine, tryptophan, and tyrosine have better hypocholesterolemic activity [ 144 ].…”