Page 27 - FoodFocusThailand No.236 November 2025

SPECIAL FOCUS

- Enzyme-assisted extraction combines other techniques - Enzyme inhibitory activities: Marine hydrolysates inhibit
to enhance peptide yield, specificity, and stability. enzymes linked to metabolic disorders. ACE inhibition helps
- Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) increases cell permeability regulate hypertension, while α-amylase and α-glucosidase
and facilitates protein release. inhibition aid blood glucose control and diabetes prevention,
- High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP) disrupts cell structures making them ideal for cardiovascular and metabolic health.
without thermally damaging proteins. - Skin-damaging enzyme inhibitory properties:
- Membrane techniques, such as ultrafiltration and Peptides derived from fish and jellyfish inhibit MMP-1, MMP-9,
nanofiltration, separate peptides based on molecular size. and elastase—key enzymes involved in skin aging and wrinkle
- Ultrasound treatment efficiently disrupts tissues and formation. They also suppress tyrosinase activity, thereby
improves protein extraction. reducing hyperpigmentation and supporting the development
These technologies offer reduced solvent use and processing of skin-whitening products.
time, improved environmental sustainability, higher yields, and - Nutritional contribution: Nutrient-rich marine
enhanced stability and bioavailability of peptides derived from hydrolysates contain peptides and small amino acids that
seafood processing by-products. However, challenges such as are easily absorbed. They support muscle growth as well as
high costs and limited scalability remain, and their impact varies the synthesis of hormones and enzymes. Additionally, they
depending on the technique (Figure 1). provide essential amino acids such as glycine and proline
for collagen synthesis, arginine for circulation, and taurine
Biomechanisms of Marine Peptides for cardiovascular and neural function.
Marine peptides (Figure 2) offer multiple biomedical benefits: they - Applications in food systems: Hydrolysates can be
bind to free radicals to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS), added to functional beverages, energy snack bars, and
stimulate intracellular antioxidants, and inhibit key metabolic powdered supplements to improve functional properties such
enzymes such as Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) as solubility, emulsification, foaming, and gelation, aligning
associated with hypertension; α-amylase and α-glucosidase with consumer trends favoring clean-label products and
linked to diabetes; and tyrosinase and elastase known to sustainable marine protein sources.
induce hyperpigmentation and skin aging. They also promote - Applications in cosmeceuticals: Marine protein
apoptosis—a tightly regulated and programmed cell death—in hydrolysates are increasingly applied in creams, lotions,
cancer cells, modulate cytokine release, and combat harmful serums, masks, and beauty supplements due to their
microbes. These properties position marine peptides as promising antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and collagen-
ingredients for functional foods and cosmeceuticals aligned with protective properties. Peptides derived from fish, jellyfish, and
future health and anti-aging trends.
sea cucumbers inhibit collagenase, elastase, and tyrosinase,
Potential Applications of Hydrolysates in reducing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. This aligns with
Health Foods and Cosmeceuticals green and sustainable beauty trends, making hydrolysate-
based ingredients highly sought after globally.
- Antioxidant properties: Marine hydrolysates derived from
fish, shellfish, jellyfish, sea cucumbers, tuna dark meat, and tuna
blood contain short-chain peptides capable of donating hydrogen Hydrolysates: A New Dimension of Environmental
or electrons, thereby scavenging intracellular oxidative stress and and Economic Sustainability
inhibiting lipid and protein oxidation in food systems. The production of marine hydrolysates exemplifies the “Waste
to Wealth” principle by converting seafood by-products—
such as fish heads, bones, skin, shrimp exoskeletons,
and trimmed fish meat—into value-added ingredients for
functional foods and cosmeceuticals. This process reduces
environmental impact, enhances the competitiveness of
Thailand’s seafood industry, and supports the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to food
security, resource efficiency, and waste reduction.
The future of protein hydrolysate development lies in
the marine biorefinery concept, a system that maximizes
the utilization of aquatic resources through food technology,
biotechnology, and the blue economy. This approach
enables multi-value utilization, converting hydrolysates into
functional food ingredients, cosmeceutical peptides, and
bioactive compounds for the pharmaceutical and biomaterials
industries. Marine hydrolysates demonstrate strong potential
as sustainable, value-added materials that advance the
seafood industry while supporting the circular economy and
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ภาพที่่� 2 กลไกและคุุณสมบััติิทางชีีวภาพหลักของเปปไทด์์จากทะเลมีบัทบัาท
ทั�งด์้านการส่งเสริมสุขภาพและการประยุุกติ์ในอาหารเพ่�อสุขภาพและเวชีสำาอาง
Figure 2 Major biological mechanisms and functional properties of
marine peptides in health foods and cosmeceuticals
More Information Service Info C002
ที่่�มา/Source: ดััดัแปลงจาก Shahidi et al. (2025)
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