rethinkPeptides Search
Menu
Study breakdown

Chicken By-Product Protein Yields Potent Blood Pressure-Lowering Peptides After Separation

In VitroPreliminary evidence
The takeaway

Fractionated chicken by-product protein hydrolysates showed enhanced antihypertensive activity, with separated peptide fractions more potent than the original mixture for ACE inhibition.

Waste to medicine

Chicken processing by-products yielded potent ACE-inhibitory peptides after enzymatic digestion and fractionation

What the researchers found

Fractionated chicken by-product hydrolysates showed enhanced ACE-inhibitory activity compared to the unfractionated mixture, identifying specific peptide fractions with potent antihypertensive properties.

Why it matters

Converting food waste into health-promoting peptides addresses both sustainability and health goals. Chicken processing by-products could become a source of affordable blood pressure-lowering supplements.

The numbers in context

Peptide separation was based on charge and molecular weight using EDUF. Specific ACE-inhibitory activity measurements were compared across fractions.

How the study worked

Enzymatic hydrolysis of chicken by-product proteins. Separation of hydrolysate into fractions. Assessment of ACE-inhibitory activity and antihypertensive peptide characterization.

Who was studied

N/A — in vitro peptide separation and characterization study

What this study cannot tell us

In vitro ACE inhibition study. In vivo blood pressure effects in animals or humans not tested. Peptide stability through human digestion needs evaluation.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary evidence: in vitro ACE inhibition study with peptide fractionation. No in vivo blood pressure data.

When this study was published

Published in 2025. Advances food waste upcycling into bioactive peptide products.

The bigger picture

Upcycling food industry waste into bioactive peptides is a growing field that addresses both environmental sustainability and public health. Chicken by-products join dairy, fish, and plant proteins as sources of heart-healthy peptides.

Questions still open

  • Would consuming these peptide fractions lower blood pressure in human studies?
  • Can the separation process be scaled for commercial production?
  • How do chicken-derived antihypertensive peptides compare to dairy-derived alternatives?

Common questions

Can chicken by-products lower blood pressure?
When chicken processing by-product proteins are enzymatically digested and separated, specific peptide fractions show potent ACE-inhibitory activity — the same mechanism as blood pressure medications like lisinopril. Human studies are needed to confirm the effect.
How is food waste turned into health products?
Enzymes break down waste proteins into small peptides, some of which have biological activity. Separation techniques then isolate the most active peptide fractions. This upcycling approach creates value from materials that would otherwise be discarded.

Read the original research

Enhanced antihypertensive chicken by-product hydrolysate fraction after its separation by electrodialysis with ultrafiltration membrane (EDUF).

Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.), 202, 115595

Citation

Adaile-Pérez, Vianey Monsserrat; Thibodeau, Jacinthe; Ortiz-Basurto, Rosa Isela; de Lourdes García-Magaña, María; Bazinet, Laurent. (2025). Enhanced antihypertensive chicken by-product hydrolysate fraction after its separation by electrodialysis with ultrafiltration membrane (EDUF).. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.), 202, 115595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2024.115595