Explore Protein Peptides: MtoZ Biolabs' Solution

Food protein bioactive peptides are small molecular peptides composed of short-chain amino acids. They not only exist naturally in food but can also be derived from protein degradation in food. These peptides have multiple biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, and immune-regulating properties, making them of significant value in the development of healthy and functional foods.

 

The Importance of Bioactive Peptides

Bioactive peptides are organic, isolated fragments formed by amino acids connected through amide or peptide bonds, primarily derived from food proteins, such as hydrolyzed products, mollusks, fungi, and fermented dairy products. They are considered the next-generation bioactive regulators, not only because they have high tissue affinity, specificity, stability, and low toxicity, but also because they have positive effects on the human body. They can act as intrinsic signal molecules, closely mimicking natural pathways when released through enzymatic hydrolysis.

 

In recent years, the role of bioactive peptides as antioxidants, anti-aging agents, antihypertensives, cholesterol-lowering agents, anti-inflammatory agents, immune-regulating molecules, and drug chelators has received widespread attention. For instance, some peptides have blood pressure-regulating effects, which are crucial for preventing cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, antioxidant peptides can neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress, thereby decreasing the risk of chronic diseases. These characteristics make bioactive peptides an essential component in the food industry and the development of health products.

 

Services at Mtoz Biolabs

MtoZ Biolabs has extensive technical accumulation and practical experience in peptide research and application. Using advanced molecular biology technologies such as mass spectrometry, amino acid sequence analysis, and bioinformatics tools, the company can provide comprehensive solutions for bioactive peptides in the food sector, biopharmaceuticals, and the cosmetics industry:

 

1. Mass Spectrometry Identification of Bioactive Peptides

The aim of peptide identification is to achieve "Peptide-Spectrum Matches," in simpler terms, to detect peptide sequence information to obtain peptide sequence or post-translational modification information. Tandem mass spectrometry is widely used in peptide identification. Tandem mass spectrometry combined with bioinformatics analysis is the mainstream technology for peptide sequencing in shotgun proteomics experiments.

 

With the Orbitrap Fusion Lumos mass spectrometry platform from Thermo Fisher combined with nanoLC-MS/MS nanoscale chromatography, precise identification of bioactive peptides can be achieved:

(1) Extract peptides from the sample.

(2) Separate peptide samples using chromatography.

(3) Detect the mass-to-charge ratio of ionized peptides with first-level mass spectrometry.

(4) Second-level mass spectrometry. Similar to first-level mass spectrometry, second-level mass spectrometry detects the fragments of peptide ions, while first-level mass spectrometry detects intact peptide ions.

(5) Bioinformatics analysis.

 

2. Analysis of Bioactive Peptide Purity

Committed to providing high-quality bioactive peptide purity analysis services based on reversed-phase HPLC and mass spectrometry:

(1) Reversed-Phase HPLC : Chromatograms produced by reversed-phase HPLC can be used to determine peptide purity. Peptide purity is quantified by the peak area of the final purified peptide, which corresponds to the peak area of the related main peak relative to the total area of all peaks detected in the chromatogram. By calculating peak areas, the quantity and relative quantity of by-products can be obtained.

(2) Mass Spectrometry：Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) can be used to determine peptide molecular weights. They provide higher accuracy and sensitivity for peptide purity analysis.

 

3. Comprehensive Modification of Bioactive Peptides

The hydrophilic nature of bioactive peptides limits their ability to cross physiological barriers and face hydrolytic clearance by the liver and kidneys. Even if they enter systemic circulation, peptides usually have a relatively short half-life due to intense degradation by various digestive proteases. These aspects lead to difficulties in the administration route, such as repeated direct injections, resulting in low patient compliance. Bioactive peptides can undergo various modifications to extend their half-life:

(1) PEGylation

(2) N-terminal and side chain modifications:

(3) PEGylation

(4) Acetylation (lipopeptide)

(5) Methylation

(6) Peptide cyclization

 

4. Bioactive Peptide Synthesis Service

A variety of therapeutic peptides/proteins can be synthesized in the following ways:

(1) Conventional solid-phase peptide synthesis/liquid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS/LPPS)

(2) Combinatorial methods

(3) Fermentation

(4) Recombinant DNA methods

 

5. Immuno-peptide Analysis

Immunopeptides are a subclass of bioactive peptides, specifically responsible for immune system-related functions. Immunopeptides are all peptides submitted by nucleated cells on type I and II proteins of the HLA or MHC antigen presentation pathway. They are indispensable in defining immunogenic epitopes in cell-mediated and humoral responses. Our one-stop immuno-peptide solution based on high-precision mass spectrometry includes our proprietary, highly sensitive immunopeptide enrichment and identification scheme. We can help you achieve the identification and recognition of over 10,000 type I peptides and over 10,000 type II peptides. Immuno-peptidome analysis using our optimized high-throughput immuno-peptidome analysis platform allows for repeatable identification and quantification from the smallest sample materials. This service can be applied to large-scale research, aiming to help researchers find solutions for cancer, immune diseases, and infectious diseases, and dig deeper into unknown targets.

 

With the growing demand for health foods among consumers and the urgent need for innovative drugs in the medical industry, research on bioactive peptides will play an increasingly important role in fields such as food science and biopharmaceuticals. MtoZ Biolabs's one-stop peptide solution can not only promote a deeper understanding of these peptide functionalities but also provide innovative solutions to meet the market demand for high-quality, functional peptide products.