Characterization and identification of a chymotryptic hydrolysate of alpha-lactalbumin stimulating cholecystokinin release in STC-1 cells.

Alpha-lactalbumin hydrolysate is of significant interest, due to its potential application as a source of bioactive peptides in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical domains. This study was focused on the cholecystokinin (CCK) family compounds which are small peptides involved in the satiety control. The action of chymotryptic hydrolysate of alpha-lactalbumin on cholecystokinin release from intestinal endocrine STC-1 cells was investigated. We demonstrated for the first time that a chymotryptic hydrolysate of alpha-lactalbumin was able to highly stimulate CCK-releasing activity from STC-1 cells. The peptidic hydrolysate was characterized by LC/MS and MS/MS, thus highlighting the presence of 11 fractions containing 21 peptides, each potentially having the desired activity.