Foodborne Functional Proteins and Bioactive Peptides: Structure, Functionality and Processing

Food-derived proteins and peptides, as fundamental and essential nutrients, show certain bioactivity and play significant biological roles throughout the lifespan. Recently, some novel proteins and peptides derived from plant, marine foods, fungi and microorganisms have demonstrated substantial biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. Some multifunctional proteins, such as ACE inhibitory and hypoglycemic peptides, have garnered significant attention from both researchers and consumers. Moreover, some bioactive peptides have flavor characteristics such as umami and enhanced saltiness. However, processing and subsequent storage might lead to their denaturation, resulting in a loss of biological activity and therefore, exploring novel processing methods for functional proteins and peptides in food is of great importance.

This research topic seeks to deeply explore novel bioactive peptides from plants, animals, and microorganisms, focusing on their structures, biological activities, and applications. Advanced methodologies include multi-omics, molecular dynamics simulations, cryo-electron microscopy, to assess comprehensive structural and functional prediction of bioactive proteins and peptides and the intricate relationship between their molecular architecture and biological activity. The development and application of these food-derived bioactive proteins and peptides, especially multifunctional ones, hold considerable promise for various fields including emulsion, hydrogel, food packaging, and other biomaterials. Moreover, food processing and storage, particularly innovative technologies such as ohmic heating, may affect the structure and functionality of these biomolecules.

To gather further insights into the foodborne functional proteins and peptides, we welcome contributions, including but not limited to, the following aspects:
● Exploring novel food-derived functional proteins and peptides with biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial properties and flavor characteristics
● The emerging methodology, such as multi-omics, molecular dynamics simulations, cryo-electron microscopy, to investigate functional proteins and bioactive peptides
● Mechanisms of functional proteins and bioactive peptides regulation in life activities
● Structural elucidation and structural modification of functional proteins and bioactive peptides to elucidate the structure-activity relationships
● The effects of processing (such as ohmic heating, ultrasonication, pulsed electric fields and high pressure) on functional proteins and bioactive peptides

Keywords: Functional proteins, Bioactive peptides, Health benefits, Processing, Mechanisms

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.