Peptidomics and biological activity analysis of in vitro digested Parmigiano Reggiano cheese at different ripening stages

The relationships among Parmigiano Reggiano (PR) cheese ripening, in vitro digestion, and biological activity have been investigated. PR cheese samples at different ripening time (from 12 to 30 months) were collected from two dairies and in vitro digested. No effect of ripening was found when the total peptide profiles were considered. Nevertheless, ripening affected the biological activities and the bioactive peptide profiles of in vitro digested PR. The long-ripened PR samples showed higher ACE-inhibitory and DPP-IV-inhibitory activities after in vitro digestion. The ACE-inhibitory activity of in vitro digested PR samples was positively correlated with the relative amount of potent ACE-inhibitory peptides whereas DPP-IV-inhibitory activity with protein hydrolysis. Some bioactive peptides that, according to the literature, exhibit proven in vivo bioactivity and bioavailable in humans were detected, suggesting their potential role in the protective effects on human health resulting from cheese consumption. PR samples at different ripening time may have potentially different effects on human health.