The relevance of dipeptides and tripeptides in the bioactivity and taste of dry-cured ham

Dry-cured ham has been described as a good source of bioactive peptides and taste-active compounds. Some of them are dipeptides and tripeptides that are released in a large amount from different muscle proteins due to the action of exopeptidases during the dry-cured ham processing. The potential of dipeptides and tripeptides to exert bioactivities and impart taste characteristics to dry-cured ham has been evaluated using the BIOPEP database, since in silico approaches are a time- and cost-effective alternative to empirical approaches. Most of the studied dipeptides and tripeptides showed ACE and DPP inhibitory activities as well as imparted bitter taste. In fact, more than one bioactivity and/or taste could be assigned to a given peptide sequence, and there could be a correlation between both, like ACE inhibitory and bitter EA, EI and LG peptides. Furthermore, several dipeptides such as EK, KP, LA, PL, PP, RG, and VE, among others, were found to be multifunctional (ACE and DPP IV inhibitory) which would be determined by their structure, sequence and amino acid composition. In silico analysis evidences the relevance of dipeptides and tripeptides in the bioactivity and taste of dry-cured hams, but further empirical assays including in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to confirm such theoretical results. Possible degradation of the small peptides during gastrointestinal digestion and intestinal absorption as well as interactions with the food matrix could reduce their bioavailability and bioaccessibility, and modify their biological activities.
Grant AGL2017-89381-R and FEDER funds from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness are acknowledged. Ramón y Cajal postdoctoral contract to LM is also acknowledged.