Title:Prediction of Bioactive Peptides from Chicken Feather and Pig Hair Keratins
using In Silico Analysis Based on Fragmentomic Approach
Volume: 28
Issue: 10
Author(s): Antoni Taraszkiewicz, Izabela Sinkiewicz, Agata Sommer, Małgorzata Dąbrowska and Hanna Staroszczyk*
Affiliation:
- Department of Food Chemistry, Technology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza
11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
Keywords:
Bioactive peptides, bioinformatics, chicken feather, in silico analysis, keratin, pig hair.
Abstract:
Background: Keratin is among the most abundant structural proteins of animal origin, however it remains
broadly underutilized.
Objective: Bioinformatic investigation was performed to evaluate selected keratins originating from mass-produced
waste products, i.e., chicken feathers and pig hair, as potential sources of bioactive peptides.
Methods: Pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, papain, and subtilisin were used for in silico keratinolysis with the use
of “Enzyme(s) action” and fragmentomic analysis of theoretical products was performed using “Profiles of potential
biological activity” in BIOPEP-UWM database of bioactive peptides. Bioactivity probability calculation
and toxicity prediction of the peptides obtained were estimated using PeptideRanker and ToxinPred tools, respectively.
Results: Our results showed that the keratins are a potential source of a variety of biopeptides, including dipeptidyl
peptidase IV, angiotensin converting enzyme, prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory and antioxidative. Papain
and subtilisin were found to be the most appropriate enzymes for keratin hydrolysis. This study presents possible
structures of keratin-derived bioactive peptides that have not been previously described.
Conclusion: Our data suggest additional in vitro and in vivo studies to verify theoretical predictions and further
investigate the possibility of using keratin-rich waste as a source of peptide nutraceuticals.