Determination of nutritional and bioactive properties of peptides in enzymatic pea, chickpea, and mung bean protein hydrolysates.

Within the primary structure of many pea and mung bean proteins are peptide sequences that can potentially be used in the formulation of therapeutic products for the treatment and prevention of human diseases. However, these peptide sequences need protease treatments before they can be released free of the parent proteins. Unlike chemical hydrolysis, enzymatic treatment enables more efficient tailoring of peptide products without formation of toxic by-products or destruction of amino acids. This review provides information on current methods that have been used to convert inactive pea and mung bean proteins into bioactive peptides. It focuses on 3 main bioactive properties, such as inhibitions of (1) angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity; (2) calmodulin (CaM)-dependent enzymes; and (3) copper-chelating activity. ACE is an established marker for hypertension, high levels of some CaM-dependent enzymes are risk factors for various human diseases including cancer and Alzheimer's disease, and high vascular copper concentrations may potentiate atherosclerosis. Also reviewed are the production and evaluation of activity of hypoallergenic peptides that may offer protection against anaphylactic reactions. The 3 main proteins discussed are chickpea, mung bean, and field pea.