Germinated chickpea protein ficin hydrolysate and its peptides inhibited glucose uptake and affected the bitter receptor signaling pathway .

The objective of this study was to evaluate germinated chickpea protein hydrolysate (GCPH) for its effect on markers of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and bitter taste receptor expression in intestinal epithelial cells. Protein hydrolysate was obtained using ficin, and the resulting peptides were sequenced using LC-ESI-MS/MS. Caco-2 cells were used to determine glucose uptake and extra-oral bitter receptor activation. Three peptides, VVFW, GEAGR, and FDLPAL, were identified in legumin. FDLPAL was the most potent peptide in molecular docking studies with a DPP-IV energy of affinity of -9.8 kcal mol. GCPH significantly inhibited DPP-IV production by Caco-2 cells (IC = 2.1 mM). Glucose uptake was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner (IC = 2.0 mM). A negative correlation was found between glucose uptake and PLCβ2 expression in Caco-2 cells ( value, -0.62). Thus, GCPH has the potential to be commercialized as a functional ingredient.