Plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effect and applications thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a plant-based functional protein composition with immunoregulation and application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of functional food. The composition takes plant-derived proteins and protein peptides as cores, and contains peanut peptides 40-60%, seaweed proteins 5-10%, and soybean peptides 1-5% in terms of mass percentage. Optionally, the composition can further contain pea proteins 1-3%, quinoa proteins 0.1-2%, and 3-20% of food-grade auxiliary materials. The application can significantly regulate the immune activity of macrophages by scientifically compounding various plant-derived active ingredients, and the synergistic effect of the components. The composition has wide raw material sources, high safety, and balanced nutrition, and can be widely applied to the preparation of immunoregulation food or health food, and is suitable for various people who need to enhance immunity, so that the application has wide market application prospects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of functional food technology, specifically to a plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects and its applications. Background Technology

[0002] With the accelerated pace of modern life, unbalanced diets, and environmental factors, the number of people in a sub-healthy state is constantly expanding, leading to a growing demand for functional foods that regulate immunity. The strength of the immune system is directly related to the body's ability to resist pathogens and maintain health. As one of the core cells of the body's immune system, the survival rate, phagocytic capacity, and cytokine secretion levels of macrophages are key indicators for evaluating immune activity.

[0003] Plant proteins have become a research hotspot in the functional food field due to their wide availability, low allergenicity, and environmental sustainability. Plant protein peptides such as peanut peptides and soybean peptides are characterized by their small molecular weight and easy absorption, and have been proven to possess certain immunomodulatory activities. Seaweed proteins (such as spirulina protein and red algae protein) are rich in unique amino acid compositions and have significant immunomodulatory potential. Pea protein and quinoa protein can supplement high-quality plant protein and optimize nutritional ratios. However, the immunomodulatory effects of single plant proteins or peptides are limited, and the combination ratio of different plant-derived active ingredients directly affects their synergistic effect. Current technologies lack precise combination schemes targeting immunomodulatory functions, making it difficult to maximize immunomodulatory effects.

[0004] Furthermore, existing plant-based immunomodulatory products suffer from problems such as limited ingredient variety, insufficient activity, and nutritional imbalance, failing to meet consumers' demands for highly effective, safe, and comprehensive immunomodulatory foods. Therefore, developing a plant-based functional protein composition that achieves synergistic effects and significant immunomodulatory results through scientific compounding has significant practical importance and market value. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects and its applications. By precisely compounding multiple plant-derived active ingredients, the synergistic effect of each component is utilized to significantly enhance the immunomodulatory effect, while ensuring the product's nutritional balance and high safety.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solution: A plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects, the composition comprising the following components: by mass percentage, peanut peptides accounting for 40% to 60%, seaweed protein accounting for 5% to 10%, and soybean peptides accounting for 1% to 5%.

[0007] Furthermore, in the seaweed protein, the mass ratio of spirulina protein, red algae protein, and green algae protein is 1:0~2:0~2. That is, the seaweed protein can be any one of spirulina protein, red algae protein, and green algae protein, or any combination of two or three. When used in combination, spirulina protein is the base, and the addition ratio of red algae protein and green algae protein does not exceed twice that of spirulina protein.

[0008] Furthermore, the peanut peptide has a molecular weight ≤3kDa. Peanut peptides in this molecular weight range have higher water solubility and biological activity, are easily absorbed by the human body, and can exert a more efficient immunomodulatory effect.

[0009] Furthermore, by weight percentage, the composition also includes 1% to 3% pea protein. Pea protein is rich in essential amino acids such as lysine, which can supplement the nutritional deficiencies of other protein components and enhance the immune synergistic effect of the composition.

[0010] Furthermore, by weight percentage, the composition also includes 0.1% to 2% quinoa protein. Quinoa protein contains all the essential amino acids for the human body, and the amino acid ratio is close to human needs, which can optimize the nutritional structure of the composition and enhance its overall functional value.

[0011] Furthermore, by weight percentage, the composition also contains at least one of fructooligosaccharides, inulin, maltodextrin, and vitamin C, with the amount of excipients added accounting for 3% to 20% of the total weight of the composition. Among them, fructooligosaccharides and inulin can regulate the balance of intestinal flora and help enhance the immune effect; maltodextrin can improve the solubility and taste of the product; and vitamin C can synergistically enhance immune activity and extend the shelf life of the product.

[0012] Furthermore, by weight percentage, the composition comprises the following: 40%–60% peanut peptides, 5%–10% seaweed protein, 1%–5% soybean peptides, 1%–3% pea protein, 0.1%–2% quinoa protein, and 3%–20% excipients. This formula, through the precise proportioning of each component, maximizes nutritional balance and immune-regulating effects.

[0013] The present invention also protects the use of the above composition in immunomodulation, wherein the composition has immunomodulatory activity on macrophages, can improve macrophage survival rate, phagocytic capacity, NO release, and can promote the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α.

[0014] Beneficial effects of the present invention 1. Synergistic effect and significant immunomodulatory effect. This invention scientifically combines peanut peptides, seaweed protein, soybean peptides and other core active ingredients. The components complement each other in the immunomodulatory mechanism, synergistically regulating macrophage function, significantly improving macrophage survival rate, phagocytic capacity and NO release, while promoting the secretion of key cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. The immunomodulatory effect is better than that of a single component.

[0015] 2. Nutritionally balanced and highly bioavailable. The composition contains a variety of plant-derived proteins and protein peptides, with a complete amino acid profile. The peanut peptide has a molecular weight ≤3kDa, making it easily absorbed and utilized by the human body. The addition of pea protein and quinoa protein further optimizes the nutritional ratio, meeting the body's need for high-quality protein.

[0016] 3. Safe ingredients and wide applicability. All components are plant-based, with low allergenicity, no side effects, and high safety. Food-grade excipients can be added as needed, making it suitable for fitness enthusiasts, the elderly, vegetarians, and those in a sub-healthy state who need to boost their immunity.

[0017] 4. Broad application prospects: This composition can be widely used in the preparation of immune-modulating foods or health foods, such as nutritional supplements, protein powder, meal replacement powder, functional beverages, capsules, tablets, etc., with huge market potential. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0019] Example 1 A plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects comprises, by weight percentage: 40% peanut peptide (molecular weight ≤3kDa), 5% spirulina protein, 1% soybean peptide, 1% pea protein, 0.1% quinoa protein, 3% fructooligosaccharides, and 49.9% maltodextrin. The seaweed protein used is exclusively spirulina protein, and the mass ratio of spirulina protein, red algae protein, and green algae protein is 1:0:0.

[0020] Example 2 A plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects comprises, by mass percentage: 50% peanut peptide (molecular weight ≤3kDa), 3% spirulina protein, 3% red algae protein, 3% soybean peptide, 2% pea protein, 1% quinoa protein, 10% inulin, 1% vitamin C, and 27% maltodextrin. The mass ratio of spirulina protein, red algae protein, and green algae protein in the seaweed protein is 1:1:0, which meets the requirements of a ratio of 1:0 to 2:0 to 2.

[0021] Example 3 A plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects comprises, by weight percentage: 60% peanut peptide (molecular weight ≤3kDa), 2% spirulina protein, 4% red algae protein, 4% green algae protein, 5% soybean peptide, 3% pea protein, 2% quinoa protein, 5% fructooligosaccharide, 3% inulin, 1% vitamin C, and 15% maltodextrin. The mass ratio of spirulina protein, red algae protein, and green algae protein in the seaweed protein is 1:2:2, which meets the formulation requirements.

[0022] Immunomodulatory effect experiment 1. Experimental materials: The compositions prepared in Examples 1-3 above, RAW 264.7 macrophages, cell culture medium, MTT reagent, phagocytic capacity assay kit, NO assay kit, IL-1β / IL-6 / TNF-α ELISA assay kit, etc.

[0023] 2. Experimental Methods: (1) Cell culture: RAW 264.7 macrophages were seeded in 96-well plates and cultured at 37°C and 5% CO2 for 24 h.

[0024] (2) Sample preparation: Dissolve the compositions of each embodiment in cell culture medium to prepare three dosage groups (50 μg / mL, 100 μg / mL and 200 μg / mL, respectively), add them to culture wells and continue to culture for 24 h; set up a blank control group.

[0025] (3) Indicator detection: ① Macrophage survival rate: The survival rate of cells in each dose group was calculated using the MTT assay.

[0026] ② Cellular phagocytic capacity: The amount of neutral red phagocytosed by macrophages was detected using the neutral red phagocytosis method, which reflects the phagocytic capacity.

[0027] ③ NO release: The NO concentration in the cell culture medium was determined using the nitrate reductase method and a NO detection kit.

[0028] ④ Cytokine secretion: The levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the cell culture medium were detected by ELISA.

[0029] 3. Experimental Results: Compared with the blank control group, the compositions in Examples 1-3 at all dosage levels significantly improved the survival rate, phagocytic capacity, and NO release of RAW 264.7 macrophages, and significantly promoted the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, with the medium- and high-dose groups (100 μg / mL and 200 μg / mL) showing particularly significant regulatory effects. Specific data are shown in Appendix Table 1.

[0030] Appendix Table 1: Experimental Results of the Immunomodulatory Effects of the Compositions in Examples 1-3 on RAW 264.7

[0031] Experimental results confirm that the plant-based functional protein composition of the present invention has significant immunomodulatory effects, and the synergistic effect of each component is excellent.

[0032] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects, characterized in that, The composition comprises the following components: by mass percentage, peanut peptides account for 40% to 60%, seaweed protein accounts for 5% to 10%, soybean peptides account for 1% to 5%, and the remainder is excipients.

2. The plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seaweed protein includes spirulina protein, red algae protein, and green algae protein, with a mass ratio of 1:0~2:0~2.

3. The plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects according to claim 1, characterized in that, The molecular weight of the peanut peptide is ≤3 kDa.

4. The plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects according to claim 1, characterized in that, The composition also includes 1% to 3% pea protein by weight percentage.

5. The plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects according to claim 1, characterized in that, The composition also includes 0.1% to 2% quinoa protein by weight percentage.

6. The plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects according to claim 1, characterized in that, The composition further comprises, by weight percentage, at least one of fructooligosaccharides, inulin, maltodextrin, and vitamin C, with the amount of excipients added accounting for 3% to 20% of the total weight of the composition.

7. The plant-based functional protein composition with immunomodulatory effects according to claim 1, characterized in that, The composition comprises, by weight percentage: 40% to 60% peanut peptides, 5% to 10% seaweed protein, 1% to 5% soybean peptides, 1% to 3% pea protein, 0.1% to 2% quinoa protein, and 3% to 20% excipients.

8. The use of the composition according to claims 1-7 in immunomodulation, characterized in that, The composition has immunomodulatory activity on macrophages, which can improve macrophage survival rate, phagocytic capacity, and NO release, and can promote the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α.

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