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Introduction: Curd (Dadhi) peptides reduce hypertension by inhibiting angiotensin
converting enzyme (ACE) and serum cholesterol. Peptides vary with bacterial species
and milk type used during fermentation. Aim : To isolate and assay the antihypertensive
peptides, before and after digestion, in two commercially available curd brands in Sri Lanka.
Materials and Methods: Whey (Dadhi Mastu) separated by high-speed centrifugation was
isolated using reverse-phase-high- performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Eluted fractions
were analyzed for A C E inhibitory activity using modified Cushman and Cheung method. Curd
samples were subjected to enzymatic digestion with pepsin, trypsin, and carboxypeptidase-A at
their optimum pH and temperature. Peptides isolated using reverse-phase-HPLC was assayed
for A C E inhibitory activity. Results: Whey peptides of both brands gave similar patterns (seven
major and five minor peaks) in H P LC elution profile. Smaller peptides concentration was
higher in brand I and penta-octapeptides in brand 2. Pencapeptide had the highest A C E
inhibitory activity (brand 2-90% and brand I-73%). After digestion, di and tri peptides with
similar inhibitory patterns were obtained in both which were higher than before digestion.
Thirteen fractions were obtained, where nine fractions showed more than 70% inhibition in
both brands with 96% A C E inhibition for a di-peptide. Conclusion: Curd has A C E inhibitory
peptides and activity increases after digestion.
