1.What is Plant Peptide?
Plant Peptide is a peptide product made from plant-derived protein by enzymatic digestion, of which
those with molecular weight less than 1000 Da are called small molecule peptides. Plant peptides are
a class of biologically active peptides extracted from plants, and common plant peptides include
soybean peptide, corn peptide, wheat peptide, etc. They have low molecular weight and are easy to
digest and absorb. They have low molecular weight and are easy to digest and absorb, and at the same
time have biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Plant
peptides are widely used in many fields. In the field of health care and food, plant peptides can be
used as nutritional supplements to replenish the body with needed proteins, as well as functional
ingredients, such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. In the field of medicine, plant
peptides have been studied for the treatment of a variety of diseases, such as hypertension and
tumors, due to their biological activity.
2.How Plant Peptide produced?
The production process of plant peptides begins with the selection of high-quality plant materials,
such as flowers, leaves, roots, stems, etc., and preliminary treatment, including removal of
impurities, crushing, and washing, to ensure the purity and suitability of the raw materials. Next,
the treated plant materials are extracted using water extraction, acid extraction, alkaline
extraction, or enzymatic extraction. Among these methods, enzymatic digestion has become the main
method for peptide production due to its high safety, mild production conditions, and the ability to
locate specific peptides for production. During the extraction process, techniques such as
centrifugation, filtration, and extraction may be used to obtain protein peptides further.
Subsequently, the mixture obtained by extraction is meticulously separated and purified by
separation and purification techniques such as precipitation, dialysis, ion exchange chromatography,
or gel filtration chromatography. Gel filtration chromatography is the most commonly used
purification method due to its principle of separation based on molecular size and charge
differences. Finally, the purified peptide extract is converted into a powdered finished product
using spray drying technology. Spray dryers, especially centrifugal spray dryers and pressure spray
dryers, play a key role in this process. Centrifugal spray dryers convert the extracts into very
fine droplets through high-speed centrifugal atomization. In contrast, pressure spray dryers form
small droplets through high-pressure injection by means of a high-pressure pump, after which both
are brought into full contact with hot air to dry the extracts into a powdered product. After this
step, the finished product of plant protein peptide can be obtained.
3.What are the types of Plant Peptide?
Soya Peptide: Produced by enzymatic digestion of soy protein. Soya peptide is not only of high
nutritional value and easy to digest and absorb but also has various biological activities, such as
lowering cholesterol, promoting fat metabolism, antioxidants, and so on.
Corn peptide: made from corn protein by enzymatic digestion. Corn peptide has the functions of
antioxidant, anti-hypertension, strength enhancement, anti-fatigue, liver protection, and so on.
Wheat peptide: low molecular weight peptides obtained by enzymatic digestion of wheat protein as raw
material. Wheat peptide has the effect of improving intestinal health, enhancing immunity, and
promoting wound healing.
Mung bean peptide: derived from mung bean protein, obtained through a specific enzymatic process.
Mung bean peptide is rich in a variety of amino acids, has the effect of clearing heat,
detoxification, and dampness, and is suitable for summer consumption or as a functional food
ingredient.
Walnut Peptide: Peptide obtained by enzyme digestion of walnut protein as raw material. The walnut
peptide is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and a variety of biologically active ingredients, with
brain-healthy and intellectual, antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, and other effects.
4.What are Plant Peptide used for in food industry?
Improvement of food taste and color: Plant peptides, such as wheat peptides, can be used as food
additives to improve the taste and color of food. It can be used as a flavor enhancer to enhance the
freshness and taste of food, making it more delicious.
Improve the nutritional value of food: Plant peptides can be used as nutritional enhancers to
improve the nutritional value of food. For example, wheat peptide, as a high-quality protein source,
is easy to digest and absorb and hypoallergenic, which can provide the body with essential amino
acids and peptides and promote good health.
Antioxidant effect: Plant peptides also have antioxidant properties, which can protect against free
radicals and slow down the process of cellular aging, thus maintaining freshness and extending the
shelf life of food.
5.Are Plant Peptide harmful to humans?
Plant peptides themselves are not harmful to the human body. They are biologically active peptides
prepared from plants, which are safe, nutritious, and widely available. However, if peptide products
are taken for a long period, some side effects may occur, such as gastrointestinal discomfort,
obesity, skin damage, and liver function impairment. When taking peptide products, regulatory
instructions should be followed to avoid overdose or long-term use.