Functional and Potential Bioactive Health Benefits of Selected Microalgal Hydrolysates Assessed In Silico and In Vitro

BIOPEP-UWM, a peptide database, contains 5128 peptides from a myriad of resources. Five listed peptides are Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE-1; EC3.4.15.1) inhibitory peptides derived from a red alga, while two from Chlorella vulgaris have anti-cancer and antioxidative bioactivities. Microalgae are a future protein source and support several UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) including, 2, Zero Hunger and 3, Good Health and Well-being and 13, Climate Action. Herein, we describe a process combining hydrolysis and filtration to generate protein-rich, bioactive peptide-containing hydrolysates from mixed species of Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp. The potential of generated algal hydrolysates to act as food ingredients was determined by assessment of their techno-functional (foaming, emulsification, solubility, water holding and oil holding capacity) properties. Bioactive screening of hydrolysates in vitro combined with mass spectrometry (MS), and in silico, predictions identified bioactive and functional hydrolysates and six novel peptides. Peptides derived from Chlorella sp. have the sequences YDYIGNNPAKGGLF and YIGNNPAKGGLF with predicted anti-inflammatory (medium confidence) and umami potential. Peptides from Scenedesmus sp. have sequences IEWYGPDRPKFL, RSPTGEIIFGGETM, TVQIPGGERVPFLF and IEWYGPDRPKFLGPF with predicted anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and umami attributes. Such microalgal hydrolysates could provide essential amino acids to consumers as well as tertiary, health benefits to improve human global health.