Bioactive Peptide Discovery from Edible Insects for Potential Applications in Human Health and Agriculture

authored by: Yixian Quah, Shi-Ruo Tong, Joanna Bojarska, Katrin Giller, Sheri-Ann Tan, Zyta Maria Ziora, Tuba Esatbeyoglu, Tsun-Thai Chai
Abstract: In the past decade, there has been fast-growing interest among researchers to discover bioactive peptides from edible insects and to evaluate their potential applications in the management of human, livestock, and plant health. This review summarizes current knowledge of insect-derived peptides and their potential role in tackling human health issues and solving agriculture problems by protecting crops and livestock against their pathogens. Numerous bioactive peptides have been identified from edible insect species, including peptides that were enzymatically liberated from insect proteins and endogenous peptides that occur naturally in insects. The peptides exhibited diverse bioactivities, encompassing antioxidant, anti-angiotensin-converting enzyme, anti-dipeptidyl peptidase-IV, anti-glucosidase, anti-lipase, anti-lipoxygenase, anti-cyclooxygenase, anti-obesity, and hepatoprotective activities. Such findings point to their potential contribution to solving human health problems related to inflammation, free radical damage, diabetes, hypertension, and liver damage, among others. Although most of the experiments were performed in vitro, evidence for the in vivo efficacy of some peptides is emerging. Evidence of the protective effects of insect-derived endogenous antimicrobial peptides in combating farm animal and plant pathogens is available. The ability of insect-derived endogenous neuropeptides to protect plants against herbivorous insects has been demonstrated as well. Nevertheless, the potency of peptides identified from insect protein hydrolysates in modulating livestock and plant health remains a knowledge gap to be filled.
Organisation(s): Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Molecular Food Chemistry and Food Development
External Organisation(s): ETH Zurich
University of Queensland
Korea Institute of Toxicology
Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology
University of Lodz
Jalan University
Type: Article
Journal: Molecules
Volume: 28
ISSN: 1420-3049
Publication date: 27.01.2023
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Drug Discovery, Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry (miscellaneous), Molecular Medicine, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, Organic Chemistry
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28031233 (Access: Open)