Antibacterial peptide fractions from chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) and their stability to food processing conditions

Foodborne pathogens are one of the major causes of food deterioration and a public health concern worldwide. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) encrypted in protein sequences from plants, such as chia (Salvia hispanica), might have a crucial role in the inhibition of bacteria. In this study, the antibacterial activity and stability of chia peptide fractions (CPFs) were evaluated for potential applications in food preservation. Three CPFs (F < 1, F 1-3, and F 3-5 kDa) were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of a protein-rich fraction and subsequent ultrafiltration. Gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to F < 1. This fraction's more significant inhibition effect was reported against Listeria monocytogenes (635.4 ± 3.6 µg/mL). F < 1 remained active after incubation at 4–80 °C and a pH range of 5–8 but was inactive after exposure to pepsin and trypsin. In this sense, F < 1 could be suitable for meat and dairy products at a maximum reference level of 12–25 mg/kg. Multicriteria analysis suggested that KLKKNL could be the peptide displaying the antimicrobial activity in F < 1. These results demonstrate the potential of this sequence as a preservative for controlling the proliferation of Gram-positive bacteria in food products.