Microalga <i>Nannochloropsis gaditana</i> as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides: A Proteomic and In Silico Approach
The impact of the world’s growing population on food systems and the role of dietary patterns in the management of non-communicable diseases underscore the need to explore sustainable and dietary protein sources. Although microalgae have stood out as alternative sources of proteins and bioactive pep...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Samuel Paterson Laura Alonso-Pintre Esperanza Morato-López Sandra González de la Fuente Pilar Gómez-Cortés Blanca Hernández-Ledesma |
| author_facet | Samuel Paterson Laura Alonso-Pintre Esperanza Morato-López Sandra González de la Fuente Pilar Gómez-Cortés Blanca Hernández-Ledesma |
| author_sort | Samuel Paterson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The impact of the world’s growing population on food systems and the role of dietary patterns in the management of non-communicable diseases underscore the need to explore sustainable and dietary protein sources. Although microalgae have stood out as alternative sources of proteins and bioactive peptides, some species such as <i>Nannochloropsis gaditana</i> remain unexplored. This study aimed to characterize <i>N. gaditana</i>’s proteome and evaluate its potential as a source of bioactive peptides by using an in silico approach. A total of 1955 proteins were identified and classified into functional groups of cellular components, molecular functions, and biological processes. In silico gastrointestinal digestion of identified proteins demonstrated that 202 hydrophobic and low-molecular-size peptides with potential bioactivity were released. Among them, 27 exhibited theorical antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and/or antimicrobial activities. Seven of twenty-seven peptides showed ≥20% intestinal absorption, suggesting potential systemic effects, while the rest could act at local level. Molecular docking demonstrated strong affinities with key enzymes such as MPO, ACE, and DPPIV. Resistance to the digestion, capacity to be absorbed, and multifunctionality were demonstrated for peptide FIPGL. This study highlights <i>N. gaditana</i>’s potential as a sustainable source of novel potential bioactive peptides with promising local and systemic biological effects. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-dfa3e2bea6a64f3a859cad4c4d0713a82025-01-24T13:33:02ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-01-0114225210.3390/foods14020252Microalga <i>Nannochloropsis gaditana</i> as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides: A Proteomic and In Silico ApproachSamuel Paterson0Laura Alonso-Pintre1Esperanza Morato-López2Sandra González de la Fuente3Pilar Gómez-Cortés4Blanca Hernández-Ledesma5Department of Bioactivity and Food Analysis, Institute of Food Science Research (CIAL, CSIC-UAM, CEI UAM+CSIC), Nicolás Cabrera 9, 28049 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Bioactivity and Food Analysis, Institute of Food Science Research (CIAL, CSIC-UAM, CEI UAM+CSIC), Nicolás Cabrera 9, 28049 Madrid, SpainProteomics Core Facility, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM), CSIC-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, SpainBiocomputational Core Facility, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM), CSIC-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Bioactivity and Food Analysis, Institute of Food Science Research (CIAL, CSIC-UAM, CEI UAM+CSIC), Nicolás Cabrera 9, 28049 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Bioactivity and Food Analysis, Institute of Food Science Research (CIAL, CSIC-UAM, CEI UAM+CSIC), Nicolás Cabrera 9, 28049 Madrid, SpainThe impact of the world’s growing population on food systems and the role of dietary patterns in the management of non-communicable diseases underscore the need to explore sustainable and dietary protein sources. Although microalgae have stood out as alternative sources of proteins and bioactive peptides, some species such as <i>Nannochloropsis gaditana</i> remain unexplored. This study aimed to characterize <i>N. gaditana</i>’s proteome and evaluate its potential as a source of bioactive peptides by using an in silico approach. A total of 1955 proteins were identified and classified into functional groups of cellular components, molecular functions, and biological processes. In silico gastrointestinal digestion of identified proteins demonstrated that 202 hydrophobic and low-molecular-size peptides with potential bioactivity were released. Among them, 27 exhibited theorical antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and/or antimicrobial activities. Seven of twenty-seven peptides showed ≥20% intestinal absorption, suggesting potential systemic effects, while the rest could act at local level. Molecular docking demonstrated strong affinities with key enzymes such as MPO, ACE, and DPPIV. Resistance to the digestion, capacity to be absorbed, and multifunctionality were demonstrated for peptide FIPGL. This study highlights <i>N. gaditana</i>’s potential as a sustainable source of novel potential bioactive peptides with promising local and systemic biological effects.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/2/252microalgaeproteomicsfunctional analysisin silico digestion<i>Nannochloropsis</i> sp. |
| spellingShingle | Samuel Paterson Laura Alonso-Pintre Esperanza Morato-López Sandra González de la Fuente Pilar Gómez-Cortés Blanca Hernández-Ledesma Microalga <i>Nannochloropsis gaditana</i> as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides: A Proteomic and In Silico Approach Foods microalgae proteomics functional analysis in silico digestion <i>Nannochloropsis</i> sp. |
| title | Microalga <i>Nannochloropsis gaditana</i> as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides: A Proteomic and In Silico Approach |
| title_full | Microalga <i>Nannochloropsis gaditana</i> as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides: A Proteomic and In Silico Approach |
| title_fullStr | Microalga <i>Nannochloropsis gaditana</i> as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides: A Proteomic and In Silico Approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microalga <i>Nannochloropsis gaditana</i> as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides: A Proteomic and In Silico Approach |
| title_short | Microalga <i>Nannochloropsis gaditana</i> as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides: A Proteomic and In Silico Approach |
| title_sort | microalga i nannochloropsis gaditana i as a sustainable source of bioactive peptides a proteomic and in silico approach |
| topic | microalgae proteomics functional analysis in silico digestion <i>Nannochloropsis</i> sp. |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/2/252 |
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