Bioactive Peptides: A More Efficient Animal Nutrition

Among the various components of animal nutrition, bioactive peptides stand out as a key player in enhancing the value of functional foods and formulations. These peptides hold immense potential to revolutionize how we approach animal care and feeding practices.

1. What Are Peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds, which makes them easily digestible and highly effective in supporting gut health. A dipeptide consists of two amino acids bonded together, while a tripeptide contains three. When there are four or more linked amino acids, it’s referred to as a polypeptide. Only through specific protein processing can these peptide bonds form.

According to Scott Gilbert in *Developmental Biology*, small peptides derived from the breakdown of proteins are directly absorbed and utilized by the intestines. This makes peptides a powerful tool in boosting animal nutrition and accelerating growth when included in their diets.

2. The Role of Bioactive Peptides in Animal Nutrition

Bioactive peptides are particularly significant due to their ability to enhance the nutritional value of feeds and optimize the entire digestive process. These peptides must be released through hydrolysis since they don’t exhibit activity on native proteins. Industrial-scale production of bioactive peptides from microorganisms supports both the supply chain and animal nutrition improvements.

3. How Bioactive Peptides Function in the Bloodstream

Short-chain peptides like bioactive peptides are exceptionally stable compared to long-chain molecules, ensuring they remain intact during digestion. They swiftly reach the bloodstream and target cells, performing their nutritional tasks efficiently. Some bioactive peptides also carry out their functions en route to the cells.

When incorporated into animal diets, bioactive peptides offer several advantages:

• Enhance feed efficiency and boost animal growth rates;
• Improve overall animal physiology;
• Stimulate the immune and nervous systems, reducing stress and minimizing the risk of disease.

Increased Food Consumption

Thanks to their rapid absorption and ease of digestion, bioactive peptides encourage animals to eat more within a shorter period, leading to quicker weight gain. Improved palatability and regulation of hunger hormones further contribute to increased consumption.

Higher Nutritional Value

The functionality of bioactive peptides ensures they surpass other dietary inputs. These short-chain, free, and balanced protein molecules boast high digestibility and excellent bioavailability. From a nutritional standpoint, they provide essential proteins, vitamins, and amino acids, while their functionality lies in their swift delivery to the bloodstream and cells without causing digestive issues.

Immune System Stimulation

Beyond their biological and physiological roles, bioactive peptides are potent immune system stimulators. They act as antioxidants and antimicrobials, protecting against free radicals and serving as barriers against harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.

4. Benefits of Bioactive Peptides

Digestibility: As a fast-digesting functional food, bioactive peptides ensure minimal retention in the stomach, speeding up waste evacuation. Animals prone to reflux conditions benefit significantly.

Immunity: Unlike conventional foods, bioactive peptides eliminate the need for antibody production, as they naturally bolster the immune system with their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Food Conversion: With improved efficiency and nutrition, there’s a notable enhancement in food conversion ratios. Formulations containing bioactive peptides are gaining popularity in the market, prompting industries to adapt accordingly.

5. Sources of Bioactive Peptides

Research into improving animal nutrition via protein hydrolysis began in the 1970s. Bioactive peptides are primarily sourced from plant and animal proteins, including muscle and blood. Common sources include dairy, eggs, fish, poultry, nuts, soybeans, peas, and more.

While peptides naturally occur in native proteins, bioactive peptides are exclusively formed through hydrolysis. Both chemical and enzymatic methods are employed, with the enzymatic approach favored for its superior efficiency in creating the highest possible bioactivity.

6. Impact of Hydrolyzed Proteins on Animal Feed

Hydrolyzed proteins play a crucial role in animal development by enriching diets with complete nutritional and functional value. Catalyzed into small, bioactive peptides, they are absorbed more easily by enterocytes than free amino acids, maintaining a balanced level of amino acids in the bloodstream.

7. Why Chicken Protein Hydrolysate Stands Out

Although all peptides contribute to animal nutrition, meat-based hydrolysates offer a higher concentration of bioactive peptides compared to vegetable or dairy hydrolysates. This dual benefit—nutritional and functional—makes chicken protein hydrolysate an ideal choice.

Chicken protein hydrolysate is extensively studied for its enzymatic hydrolysis applications in pet food, pig feed, and aquaculture. Its advantages include:

• High pure protein content;
• Excellent digestibility;
• Increase in good cholesterol (HDL) and reduction in bad cholesterol (VLDL);
• Lowered triglyceride levels;
• Hypoallergenic properties;
• Low mineral content.

In summary, bioactive peptides are no longer experimental—they’re integral to modern animal nutrition. Their numerous benefits underscore the advantages of protein hydrolysis in creating functional foods that improve animal welfare and productivity.

Obstetrics And Gynecology

Wuxi BioHermes Bio & Medical Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.biohermesglobal.com