8. Application

Intensive research on bioactive peptides being carried out around the world has already led to the introduction of a wide range of commercial products. The bioactive peptides offer an exciting opportunity in the area of the development of novel functional foods which in turn could contribute to the prevention and management of certain diseases, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or obesity, and more broadly metabolic syndrome. The functional foods or food ingredients containing milk-derived bioactive peptides, such as the fermented milk Calpis, are already in the market [55]. The claims related to peptides are hypotensive properties, aiding mineral absorption, improving athletic performance, and reducing stress. Since 1991, the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan has awarded the status of Food of Specific Health Use (FOSHU) to foods with scientifically validated health claims. Since then, antihypertensive peptides, such as Val-Pro-Pro, Ile-Pro-Pro, Val-Tyr, have obtained FOSHU approval [55]. In Europe, applications for nutrition and health claims are submitted to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) under Regulation 1924/2006 and are evaluated by Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) panel of scientific experts [4]. There are three categories of health claims as defined by EU legislation. Article 13.1 claims are defined as new function or emerging science claims. Recently, the aspects concerning the scientific information needed for the use of a health claim in the functional food product labeling and marketing should include the scientific evidence on the beneficial effects of the product. The characterization of food components with in vitro and animal models is needed but they are not sufficient to substantiate the biological functionality in humans. Human studies to investigate the effects of food or food components on reliable markers, such as blood pressure and oxidative damage, are essential. There is still a lot of confusion within the food industry as to what evidence is required with the EU. Regarding the applications already processed, the Commission of European Communities has not yet authorized any claims relating to the effect of bioactive peptides in foods.
