Three peptides from tilapia bone collagen increased calcium transport across intestinal cells by up to 202% within 30 minutes by chelating calcium for easier absorption.
+202% calcium transportFDHIVY peptide tripled calcium absorption across intestinal cells within 30 minutes
What the researchers found
FDHIVY peptide from tilapia bone collagen enhanced intestinal calcium transport by 202% in Caco-2 cells within 30 minutes via calcium chelation.
Why it matters
Calcium deficiency affects billions worldwide. Peptides that enhance calcium absorption from food could improve bone health without requiring high-dose calcium supplements.
The numbers in context
GPAGPHGPVG 89%, FDHIVY 202%, YQEPVIAPKL 130% calcium transport enhancement; Ca-chelating: 18.80, 35.73, 28.4 mg/g
How the study worked
Peptide isolation by RP-HPLC from tilapia bone collagen hydrolysate; sequence determination by LC-MS/MS; synthetic peptide calcium-chelating assays; Caco-2 cell monolayer calcium transport assays.
Who was studied
Caco-2 intestinal cell monolayers
What this study cannot tell us
In vitro Caco-2 model only — may not reflect in vivo absorption; peptide stability during digestion not tested; effective oral dose for humans unknown.
How to read the evidence
Preliminary — in vitro cell model with synthetic peptide validation, but no in vivo or clinical data.
When this study was published
Published in 2020; fish-derived calcium-binding peptides remain an active research area.
The bigger picture
Collagen peptides from fish processing waste could become functional food ingredients that improve mineral absorption — turning industry byproducts into health solutions.
Questions still open
- Do these peptides survive stomach acid and digestive enzymes intact?
- Would adding these peptides to calcium supplements improve bioavailability in humans?
- Could these peptides help prevent osteoporosis in calcium-deficient populations?
Common questions
How do peptides help with calcium absorption?
Is this better than taking calcium pills?
Read the original research
Three Newly Isolated Calcium-Chelating Peptides from Tilapia Bone Collagen Hydrolysate Enhance Calcium Absorption Activity in Intestinal Caco-2 Cells.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 68(7), 2091-2098
Citation
Liao, Wanwen; Chen, Hui; Jin, Wengang; Yang, Zhennai; Cao, Yong; Miao, Jianyin. (2020). Three Newly Isolated Calcium-Chelating Peptides from Tilapia Bone Collagen Hydrolysate Enhance Calcium Absorption Activity in Intestinal Caco-2 Cells.. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 68(7), 2091-2098. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.9b07602