Exploration of Bioactive Umami Peptides from Wheat Gluten: Umami Mechanism, Antioxidant Activity, and Potential Disease Target Sites

Umami peptides have the ability to enhance food flavours and have potential health benefits. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the umami intensity, taste mechanism, and antioxidant activity of six umami peptides derived from wheat gluten hydrolysates (WGHs) and fermented WGHs. The e-tongue analysis demonstrated that the peptides exhibited a direct proportionality in terms of umami value and concentration, and were capable of enhancing the umami of commercially available condiments. The molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that the peptides interacted with T1R1/T1R3 receptors via hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, ionic interactions, and water bridges, thereby producing umami. Furthermore, the DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical-scavenging, and FRAP assays demonstrated that the six peptides exhibited antioxidant activity in vitro. Ultimately, the network pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that AKT1, JUN, and CASP3 may serve as the core targets for the peptides in the treatment of oxidative diseases. In conclusion, this work offers novel insights into the use of bioactive umami peptides, emphasising their prospective applications in the food and health supplement industries.