Abstract:
This study investigated the effects of molecular weight of mung bean meal peptides and the type of reducing sugar on Maillard reaction products (MRPs). The physico-chemical properties, flavoring characteristics, volatile compounds, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties of MRPs were determined. Peptide with a molecular weight of less than 1 kDa (F4) showed high reactivity with ribose, achieving a degree of glycation of 69.17%. Sensory analysis of RF4 revealed meaty flavor, sweet flavor, smoking flavor and umami taste. Key heterocyclic compounds including furfural, 2,5-dimethyl pyrazine and dimethyl trisulfide were identified as the predominant odorant. All MRPs contributed to antioxidant activity, RF4 exhibiting particularly strong DPPH⦁, ABTS⦁+, hydroxyl, and superoxide radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 0.1302, 0.0508, 0.9045, 2.5473 mg/mL, respectively, and FRAP value of 0.3163 mM Fe2+, respectively. Additionally, RF4 contributed to anti-inflammatory activity in macrophage cell (RAW 264.7), which suppressed NO release of 4.29 µmol/L. RF4 also inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6, 542.81 pg/mL and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α, 113.55 pg/m). Compared to the LPS-treated control, RF4 reduces IL-6 level (3227.40 pg/mL) approximately sixfold and TNF-α level (810.69 pg/mL) approximately sevenfold. RF4 additionally explored potent anticancer activity, inhibiting the growth of human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), human colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116) and human alveolar basal epithelial cell (A549) with IC50 value of 0.700, 0.6645 and 1.6060 mg/mL, respectively. Importantly, RF4 was non-toxic in normal cell (Vero cell) with the maximum concentration of 250 µg/mL and IC50 value of 707±7.90 µg/mL. In conclusion, Mallard reaction products derived from mung bean meal peptide not only enhance flavor characteristics, but also exhibit significant biological activity, developing them promising functional flavoring agents food application.