What is it about?
This study looked at how proteins from black soldier fly larvae (an insect already used in animal feed and studied as a sustainable protein source) can be broken down by food-grade enzymes to release bioactive peptides — small protein fragments that can have health benefits. By carefully combining different enzymes and controlling reaction time, we produced protein hydrolysates with high antioxidant activity. We also separated the peptides by size and identified specific sequences that are likely responsible for the antioxidant effects using mass spectrometry and computer-based predictions.
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Why is it important?
Global demand for protein is increasing, and sustainable alternatives are needed. Insects require fewer natural resources than traditional livestock and produce lower environmental impacts. Our results show that insect proteins are not only sustainable but can also be upgraded into functional ingredients with added health value. The antioxidant peptides identified may be useful in future food, nutrition, or nutraceutical applications. This helps move insect protein from a “novel food” concept toward a scientifically supported functional ingredient.
Perspectives
This work opens opportunities for: • Developing sustainable functional foods • Valorizing alternative protein sources • Designing targeted enzymatic processes to obtain specific bioactive peptides • Exploring insect proteins beyond basic nutrition Future research can investigate stability in real food systems, sensory aspects, and potential health effects in biological models.
Dr Ruann de Castro
Unicamp
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Protein hydrolysates from black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens): Experimental design, ultrafiltration fractionation, and kinetics of bioactive peptide production, Process Biochemistry, April 2026, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2026.02.005.
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