Exploring Peptide Diversity from Krill, Fruits, and Scorpions

by Dr. James Ross

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1. Functional Protein Components from Fruits and Vegetables: A Review

Introduction

Recent advances in food science highlight that proteins do more than meet nutritional needs; they can also influence human physiology. Once released through enzymatic hydrolysis or digestion, fragments of these proteins exhibit various biological activities, which makes them promising candidates for the formulation of functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Global dietary trends increasingly emphasize the consumption of fruits and vegetables, not only as sources of vitamins and minerals but also as reservoirs of functional biomolecules. These plant-based foods are now under extensive investigation for their potential to provide protein fragments with biological roles.

Extraction and Processing Methods

A wide range of experimental approaches have been applied to generate and characterize these compounds. Techniques often include protein extraction, enzymatic treatment, fractionation, purification, and structural identification. Figure 1 summarizes the sequential processes typically used in this research area.

Reported Biological Roles

Plant-derived protein fragments have been linked with numerous health-enhancing effects, including:

• Blood pressure regulation
  
• Antimicrobial activity
  
• Antioxidant effects
  
• Immune system modulation
  
• Cholesterol-lowering action
  
• Anti-cancer potential
  

Dietary Sources

Evidence has identified several fruits and vegetables as important raw materials for functional protein components:

Fruits: mango, walnut, passion fruit, jujube, plum, and coffee
Vegetables: mushroom, bitter gourd, spinach, tomato, and potato

Challenges and Perspectives

Despite encouraging findings, large-scale use faces barriers such as high production costs, technical limitations, and regulatory hurdles. However, fruits and vegetables remain sustainable, abundant, and cost-effective resources for biologically active compounds. Greater collaboration between researchers and industry stakeholders will help unlock their potential in next-generation health products.

2. Antioxidant Protein Fragments from Antarctic Krill Hydrolysate: Preparation, Identification, and Protective Effects

Background

Oxidative stress is a key factor in the progression of disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic inflammation. It occurs when excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) overwhelms the body’s natural defense mechanisms, damaging proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. While ROS are essential in cellular metabolism, their imbalance disrupts normal homeostasis.

Marine organisms are increasingly recognized as valuable sources of bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant properties. Food-derived antioxidants are particularly attractive because of their safety, biocompatibility, and potential applications in both health and nutrition sectors.

Resource Potential of Antarctic Krill

Krill represents one of the largest animal biomasses on Earth, with Antarctic Krill alone estimated at 342–356 million tons. Rich in essential amino acids, krill protein has drawn attention as a renewable resource for health-promoting compounds.

Experimental Approach and Findings

In this study, krill protein hydrolysates were produced using multiple proteases under optimized conditions. Through ultrafiltration and chromatographic purification, twelve distinct sequences were identified, including AEK, VEK, VEKT, AEKTR, IEN, VEKGK, LKPGN, IEKG, LQP, ATH, IEKT, and IDSQ.

Among them, LKPGN and LQP displayed strong radical-scavenging activity, effectively neutralizing hydroxyl, DPPH, and superoxide radicals. Furthermore, experiments in Chang liver cells demonstrated that these compounds enhanced cell survival, reduced apoptosis, and improved mitochondrial function under H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress.

Mechanistic studies revealed that LKPGN and LQP stimulated endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-PX), stabilized mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced markers of oxidative damage such as MDA and DNA fragmentation.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that krill-derived antioxidant compounds may serve as effective natural agents for protecting against oxidative stress-related cellular injury. These results highlight the potential of Antarctic Krill as a renewable marine source for functional and therapeutic applications.

3. Scorpion Venom-Derived Antiviral Agents: An Updated Overview

Introduction

Viral infections such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis viruses, and coronaviruses remain pressing global health threats. The urgent need for novel antiviral agents has directed attention toward natural compounds, including those found in animal venoms.

Discovery and Development

The first recombinant antiviral compound derived from scorpion venom, Rscp, was developed in 2008 from scorpine isolated from Pandinus imperator. Rscp demonstrated inhibitory effects against dengue-2 virus replication in mosquito cells. Later, a modified derivative, mucroporin-M1, was reported to suppress replication of measles virus, SARS-CoV, and avian influenza A (H5N1). Since then, more than a dozen antiviral compounds have been identified from scorpion venom.

Structural Characteristics and Mechanisms

These compounds are generally short, cationic, amphipathic molecules with a net positive charge. Their antiviral activity depends on their amphipathicity, charge, and hydrophobicity, which enable interactions with viral membranes. Reported advantages include high specificity at very low concentrations, low toxicity, small size, and rapid biodegradability.

Modes of action include:

• Disruption of viral envelopes

• Inhibition of viral attachment and fusion

• Suppression of replication processes

Therapeutic Relevance

Scorpion-derived antiviral molecules have shown promising activity against a wide range of pathogens, including coronaviruses. Because of their structural simplicity and potent activity, they may serve as molecular templates for the design of new therapeutics against emerging viral outbreaks.

Conclusion

Given their versatility and effectiveness, scorpion venom-derived antiviral compounds hold great promise as candidates for novel antiviral therapies. Continued research into their structures and mechanisms will support their potential use in clinical and pharmaceutical applications.

REFERENCES

1. Isolation and functionalities of bioactive peptides from fruits and vegetables: A reviews
2. Antioxidant peptides from Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba) hydrolysate: Preparation, identification and cytoprotection on H2O2-induced oxidative stress
3. El Hidan MA, Laaradia MA, El Hiba O, Draoui A, Aimrane A, Kahime K. Scorpion-Derived Antiviral Peptides with a Special Focus on Medically Important Viruses: An Update. Biomed Res Int. 2021 Sep 4;2021:9998420. doi: 10.1155/2021/9998420. PMID: 34527748; PMCID: PMC8437663.