Thai researchers identified egg-white-derived peptides with simulated ACE binding and found that 14-day administration of the hydrolysate to male rats altered gut microbial diversity and composition. This is preclinical evidence and does not establish blood-pressure or metabolic benefits in humans.
Key findings
- Six putative peptides were identified. MANKGPAYGM and NVLQPSSVDSQ had predicted ACE-binding free energies of -14.4 and -13.8 kcal/mol and predicted Kd values of 2.7×10^-11 and 8×10^-11 M. The 100-nanosecond simulations supported complex stability. In rats, EWH increased alpha diversity and enriched Prevotella, Paraprevotella, Sutterella, Butyricimonas, and Barnesiella.
Why this matters globally
Multifunctional food-derived peptides are of interest for functional-food development. This study provides molecular candidates and microbiome signals for subsequent biochemical validation, blood-pressure studies, and safety assessment.
Thai researcher contribution
Researchers from Khon Kaen University, Kalasin University, and Prince of Songkla University integrated food science, proteomics, bioinformatics, and biomedical research, with multiple Khon Kaen University units contributing.
Limitations to consider
ACE binding was predicted in silico rather than confirmed with purified-peptide biochemical assays. The microbiome experiment used only six male rats per group for 14 days, and the abstract reports no direct blood-pressure outcome. The findings must not be interpreted as a treatment for human hypertension.