Uncovering the Potential Somatic Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (sACE) Inhibitory Capacity of Peptides from Acheta domesticus: Insights from In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion.

Abstract

Entomophagy is being proposed as a sustainable and nutritious alternative protein source. Additionally, insect consumption is also associated with some health benefits mediated by bioactive compounds produced during gastrointestinal (GI) digestion. The antihypertensive property resulting from the inhibition of the somatic angiotensin-converting enzyme (sACE) by small peptides is one of the most common bioactivities related to insect consumption. This study aimed to investigate the potential sACE-inhibitory capacity of six peptides (AVQPCF, CAIAW, IIIGW, QIVW, PIVCF, and DVW), previously identified by the in silico GI digestion of Acheta domesticus proteins, validate their formation after in vitro GI digestion of A. domesticus by LC-MS/MS, and assess the bioactivity of the bioaccessible digesta. The results showed that the IC₅₀ values of AVQPCF, PIVCF, and CAIAW on sACE were 3.69 ± 0.25, 4.63 ± 0.16, and 6.55 ± 0.52 μM, respectively. The obtained digesta demonstrated a sACE-inhibitory capacity of 77.1 ± 11.8 µg protein/mL extract (IC₅₀). This is the first report of the sACE-inhibitory capacity attributed to whole A. domesticus subjected to GI digestion without any pre-treatment or protein concentration. This evidence highlights the potential antihypertensive effect of both the digesta and the identified peptides.