Insect Protein Broken Down Into Peptides Shows Antioxidant and Blood Pressure-Lowering Activity | Research

The takeaway

Enzymatic hydrolysis of edible insect protein produces bioactive peptides with antioxidant and ACE-inhibitory (blood pressure-lowering) properties, suggesting potential as functional food ingredients.

IC50: 55.5 μg/mL
ACE inhibition potency of the best insect hydrolysate — comparable to peptides from traditional food protein sources like milk and fish

What the researchers found

Insect protein hydrolysates showed strong antioxidant activity (up to 944.8 μmol Trolox equivalent/g by ORAC) and ACE inhibition (IC50 as low as 55.5 μg protein/mL), but no antimicrobial or antidiabetic activity.

Why it matters

As the world searches for sustainable protein sources, demonstrating that insect proteins can yield health-promoting bioactive peptides adds nutritional value beyond basic protein content, making insect-based foods more attractive to consumers and the food industry.

The numbers in context

ABTS: ~95 µmol TE/g; ORAC: 826-945 µmol TE/g; ACE IC50: 55.5 µg/mL (Alcalase), 107.4 µg/mL (Corolase); no antimicrobial/antidiabetic activity

How the study worked

Enzymatic hydrolysis of Alphitobius diaperinus protein using Alcalase 2.5L and Corolase PP at optimized conditions, followed by ABTS and ORAC antioxidant assays, ACE inhibition testing, and antimicrobial and antidiabetic screening.

Who was studied

In vitro bioactivity testing of insect protein hydrolysates

What this study cannot tell us

All bioactivity was measured in test tubes, not in animals or humans. ACE inhibition in vitro does not guarantee blood pressure reduction in vivo. Individual bioactive peptide sequences were not identified. Consumer acceptance of insect-derived ingredients remains a barrier.

How to read the evidence

Rated preliminary because bioactivity is demonstrated only in test tube assays. No animal or human studies confirm that these peptides have health effects when consumed as food.

When this study was published

Published in 2020, this study reflects growing research interest in insect-derived bioactive peptides as sustainable functional food ingredients.

The bigger picture

Insect farming produces protein with a fraction of the environmental impact of livestock. If insect-derived peptides can double as functional health ingredients, it strengthens the economic and nutritional case for incorporating insects into the global food system.

Questions still open

Which specific peptide sequences in the hydrolysates are responsible for the ACE-inhibitory and antioxidant effects?
Do these bioactive effects persist after gastrointestinal digestion and absorption?
Can insect protein hydrolysates lower blood pressure in animal models or human clinical trials?

Common questions

What insect was used and is it safe to eat?

The lesser mealworm beetle (Alphitobius diaperinus) is an edible insect already approved for food use in several countries. It is high in protein and can be farmed with minimal environmental impact compared to traditional livestock.

Could these insect peptides actually lower blood pressure?

The peptides inhibit ACE in lab tests — the same mechanism used by blood pressure medications. However, whether they survive digestion and reach the bloodstream in active form needs to be confirmed through animal and human studies before health claims can be made.

Read the original research

Enzymatic hydrolysis of insect Alphitobius diaperinus towards the development of bioactive peptide hydrolysates.

Food & function, 11(4), 3539-3548

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Sousa, Pedro; Borges, Sandra; Pintado, Manuela. (2020). Enzymatic hydrolysis of insect Alphitobius diaperinus towards the development of bioactive peptide hydrolysates.. Food & function, 11(4), 3539-3548. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0fo00188k