Define Bioactive Substances from Protein Foods?
Bioactive substances are derived from living organisms that can be used by humans for a variety of applications. They are constituents in foods or dietary supplements, 'other than those needed to meet basic human nutritional needs and are responsible for changes in health status. Let us in this section learn about these as present in protein foods and their possible health effects. The main function of dietary protein, as we know, is to supply the body with essential amino acids and organic nitrogen. However, proteins also supply bioactive peptides that are released by proteolysis in vivo (within the living body) and in vitro (in an artificial environment outside the living). Casein-derived peptides have found applications as dietary supplements and pharmaceutical preparations. Peptides originating from food proteins should be considered as potential modulators of various regulatory processes in the body. A number of in vitro studies have shown anti-carcinogenic and anti-tumor activity for many of these in addition to the antimicrobial activity of the whey proteins.