Potential Health Benefits of Biologically Active Peptides Derived from Underutilized Grains: Recent Advances in their Isolation, Identification, Bioactivity and Molecular Analysis

Author(s): Lucia Guerrero-Becerra and Erik G. Tovar-Pérez * .

DOI: 10.2174/9789815123340123040006

Biologically Active Peptides from Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) Grain

Pp: 40-53 (14)

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Abstract

SHS investigation development is considered from the geographical and historical viewpoint. 3 stages are described. Within Stage 1 the work was carried out in the Department of the Institute of Chemical Physics in Chernogolovka where the scientific discovery had been made. At Stage 2 the interest to SHS arose in different cities and towns of the former USSR. Within Stage 3 SHS entered the international scene. Now SHS processes and products are being studied in more than 50 countries.

Abstract

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is one of the few plant species where both leaves and grains can be consumed. Among the main species used as producers of edible grains are Amaranthus hypochondriacus, A. cruentus, A. caudatus, and A. mantegazzianus. The grains of these species are characterized by their protein content (13-18%), which has high nutritional value. Additionally, the different protein fractions of the amaranth grain have been shown to contain sequences of biologically active peptides (BAPs) with multiple beneficial bio-functionalities for health. Among these, we can highlight antihypertensive, antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabetic, antithrombotic, anticholesterolemic and immunomodulatory activities. The aim of this chapter is to describe the different biological functionalities of BAPs obtained from the proteins of the amaranth grain, which can be considered a promising natural source of therapeutic agents with potential use in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases. 

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