Ashfaq_2026_Food.Res.Int_242_120057

This study investigated cholesterol esterase (CE) and pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibitory properties of camel colostrum (CC) and mature camel milk (MCM) following simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID), based on the hypothesis that SGID releases bioactive peptides that may enhance CE and PL inhibitory activities. Both simulated gastric digestion (SGD) and SGID digesta exhibited potent CE and PL inhibitory activities. Peptide sequences with peptide ranker scores >0.5 were considered as potentially bioactive peptides. Molecular docking demonstrated strong interactions between specific peptides and CE and PL active sites, with docking scores ranging from -110.197 to -276.66 kcal/mol. Metabolomic analysis revealed digestion-stage-dependent variation in the release of metabolites after SGD and SGID. Helical wheel and Ramachandran plot analysis were used for structural validation and in silico evaluation of peptides' therapeutic properties. Overall, the released peptides within SGD and SGID digesta exhibit strong binding affinities, structural stability, and therapeutic potential, supporting their application as natural functional ingredients in the development of anti-hypercholesterolemicnutraceuticals and peptide-based therapeutics.