Abstract

ALVARADO CARRASCO, Carlos  and  GUERRA, Marisa. Whey as a source of bioactive peptides. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2010, vol.23, n.1, pp.45-50. ISSN 0798-0752.

Whey derived from cheese making operations has always been regarded as a low value waste. It´s destination is still one of the most serious problems faced by the dairy industry worldwide. Some food products in the market include whey as an ingredient, mainly as a way to increase dairy solids at a low cost, and to a lesser degree, to take advantage of its functional properties, such as foaming, water retention and thickening agent. Thanks to a continuous research activity, there has been an increase in the number of functional (as a source of peptides with biological activity: hypotensives, antioxidants, antithrombotics or immunomodulators, among others) and nutritional applications (as a source of energy, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals), promoting the use of whey as an ingredient and a functional food. Recently, relatively few studies have reported the role that some whey peptide fractions play over the consumer´s health, in comparison with those derived from caseins. This review compiles information, regarding research done on whey as a source of bioactive peptides.

Keywords : Whey; bioactive peptides; whey proteins.