Bioactive Peptides

The broad spectrum of health benefits associated with protein hydrolysates and bioactive peptides derived from food has increased the interest in more recent times. These biologically active compounds can be commonly referred to as functional food ingredients or nutraceuticals and possess such properties as antihypertensive, antioxidant, mineral-binding, preserving intestinal barrier integrity, and antibacterial activity. To some extent interesting enough, these are viewed as possible candidates to functionally replace conventional pharmaceutical therapies against similar maladies such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)—oxidative stress. This plant is well-known to generate bioactive peptides from both plant and animal proteins for interfering pathways related to diabetes. The inhibition mechanisms applied by these peptides are summarized in this chapter together with the structure–activity relationship that determines their potential. The chapter underscores the necessity of evaluation of the bioavailability and potency of these peptides in in vivo as well as in vitro studies, particularly when health claims are involved. By bringing out these aspects, this chapter will be instrumental in adding to the ever-increasing literature repository in the domain of functional foods and nutraceuticals besides giving a bird's-eye view on possible therapeutic applications that bioactive peptides may have to offer as far as T2DM disorder is concerned.