Studies on Immunomodulatory Effect of Casein Phospho Peptide Isolated from Cultured Dairy Product

Bioactive peptides have been defined as specific protein fragments that have an impact on body functions or conditions and may ultimately influence health. Fermented milk is a dairy product which has abundance of bioactive peptides. In this study, Casein Phospho peptide (CPP) was isolated by enzymatic hydrolysis of fermented milk using trypsin. The molecular weight of the Casein Phospho peptide was 3.5 KDa. The anti-bacterial activity of Casein Phospho peptide was determined using four pathogens such as, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica. Casein phospho peptide formed a zone of inhibition against the pathogens. The bioactive peptides were characterized using Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Casein Phospho peptide had aliphatic amine, acetyl amino I and acetyl amino II functional groups. The HPLC analysis of Casein Phospho peptide revealed that the major amino acid present was L- Glutamic acid and the amino acid present in lesser concentration was Leucine. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) were isolated from human blood and the cells were treated with Casein Phospho peptide to assess the immunomodulatory effect. Casein Phospho peptide was able to produce a higher concentration of IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokines when treated with PBMCs.