OVERVIEW ON MILK PROTEIN-DERIVED PEPTIDES

Milk protein-derived bioactive peptides include a variety of substance s which are potential modulators of various regulatory processes in th e body; many peptides reveal multifunctional bioactivities. Opioid pep tides are opioid receptor ligands with agonistic or antagonistic activ ities. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides can exe rt an antihypertensive effect. Immunomodulating casein peptides stimul ate proliferation of human lymphocytes and phagocytic activities of ma crophages. Antimicrobial peptides kill sensitive microorganisms. Antit hrombotic peptides inhibit frbrinogen binding to a specific receptor r egion on the platelet surface and also inhibit aggregation of platelet s. Caseinophosphopeptides can form soluble organophosphate salts and m ay function as carriers for different minerals, especially calcium. In relation to their mode of action, bioactive peptides may reach target sites (e.g., receptors and enzymes) at the luminal side of the intest inal tract or, after absorption, in peripheral organs. Milk-derived pe ptides can be produced on an industrial scale and as a consequence the se peptides have already been considered for application both as dieta ry supplements in 'functional foods' and as drugs. Hence, these peptid es are claimed to be health enhancing nutraceuticals for food and phar maceutical preparations. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res erved.