Production of Bioactive Peptides in Milk Using Two Native Strains of Levilactobacillus brevis

Milk proteins are precursors of several biologically active peptides. One of the methods of producing these peptides is fermentation using lactic acid bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate production of antioxidant and angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitory bioactive peptides in cow milk fermented by two strains of Levilactobacillus brevis.

Two strains of Levilactobacillus brevis KX572376 (M2) and Levilactobacillus brevis KX572382 (M8) were used in fermentation of low-fat cow milk. Moreover, pH changes, proteolytic activity, water-soluble extract biological activity (antioxidant activity and angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibition) of the samples and peptide fraction less than 3 kDa were investigated at 24 and 48 h of fermentation (30 °C). Peptide profile of the superior sample was analyzed as well. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way of variance, Tukey test and SPSS software v.25.

The two strains decreased milk pH to a similar level in the first 24 h. Quantities of free amine groups in the samples treated with M2 and M8 strains within 24 and 48 h of fermentation were significantly different (p≤0.05), compared to the control sample. In the first 24 h of fermentation, no difference was observed in the quantity of free amines of M2 and M8 samples. In the second 24 h, further free amine groups were produced due to the activity of M8 strain in milk. Antioxidant activity of the water-soluble extracts of M2 and M8 samples was significantly (p≤0.05) higher than that of the control sample during fermentation. Antioxidant activity in fractions less than 3 kDa did not show significant differences in M2 and M8 samples at 24 and 48 h of fermentation. In the control sample, no antioxidant activity was observed in fractions less than 3 kDa. The highest ACE inhibitory activity in fractions less than 3 kDa of M8 was observed after 48 h. No angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibition was seen in fractions less than 3 kDa of M2 and control sample. The RP-HPLC peptide patterns of the fraction less than 3 kDa of M8 and control sample were different, which was a justification for the biological activity in this sample.