Studies on purification and the molecular mechanism of a novel ACE inhibitory peptide from whey protein hydrolysate

This study sought to purify and identify a novel angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide from whey protein hydrolysed by trypsin. The peptide’s amino acid sequence, as well as the molecular mechanism of the interactions between the peptide and the ACE, were also studied. Using ultrafiltration, the hydrolysate was separated into three fractions. The fraction with molecular weight of <6 kDa had the greatest ACE inhibitory activity and was further separated by size exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-25 and G-10 columns. Reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was used to separate the most active fraction. The amino acid sequence of the peptide with the greatest ACE inhibitory characteristics was confirmed as Leu–Leu (LL). The molecular mechanisms, position, type, and energy of the LL/ACE interaction were investigated by using flexible molecule docking technology.