Identification, structural characterization, and molecular dynamic simulation of ACE inhibitory peptides in whey hydrolysates from Chinese Rushan cheese by-product

To realize the high-value utilization of Rushan cheese by-product, Rushan cheese whey was used as a raw material to prepare angiotensin-Ⅰ-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides (ACEIPs). After enzymatic hydrolysisn and ultrafiltration, the sequences of peptides were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Two novel ACE inhibitory peptides Phe-Asp-Arg-Pro-Phe-Leu (FDRPFL) and Lys-Trp-Glu-Lys-Pro-Phe (KWEKPF) were identified. Additionally, both of the peptides exhibited good water-solubility and no toxicity according to in-silico prediction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results show that both FDRPFL and KWEKPF were enriched in β-turn and β-sheet structures. Lineweaver-Burk plots revealed that FDRPFL and KWEKPF exhibited non-competitive and mixed inhibition patterns, respectively. Molecular docking and MD simulation showed that hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds forces allowed FDRPFL and KWEKPF to form stable and compact complexes with ACE. In conclusion, enzymatic hydrolysis of Rushan cheese by-products yields bioactive peptides, increases the added value of whey and reduces environmental pollution.