
REVIEW
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
2023, VOL. 63, NO. 22, 5577–5593
A review on processing methods and functions of wheat germ-derived
bioactive peptides
Zebin Wenga†, Yuanrong Chenb†, Tingting Liangc, Yajuan Lina, Hui Caod, Haizhao Songb, Ling Xiongb,
Fang Wangb, Xinchun Shenb and Jianbo Xiaob,d
aSchool of Traditional Chinese Medicine & School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,
Nanjing, China; bCollege of Food Science and Engineering/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety/Key
Laboratory of Grains and Oils Quality Control and Processing, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, China; cChangshu
Hospital, Aliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changshu, China; dDepartment of Analytical and Food Chemistry, Faculty of
Sciences, Universidade de Vigo, Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Ourense, Spain
ABSTRACT
Wheat germ protein is a potential resource to produce bioactive peptides. As a cheap, safe, and
healthy nutritional factor, wheat germ-derived bioactive peptides (WGBPs) provide benefits and
great potential for biomedical applications. The objective of this review is to reveal the current
research status of WGBPs, including their preparation methods and biological functions, such as
antibacterial, anti-tumor, immune regulation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, etc.
We also reviewed the information in terms of the preventive ability of WGBPs to treat serious
infectious diseases, to offer their reference to further research and application. Opinions on future
research directions are also discussed. Through the review of previous research, we find that there
are still some scientific issues in the basic research and industrialization process of WGBPs that
deserve further exploration. Firstly, based on current complex enzymolysis, the preparation and
production of WGBPs need to be combined with other advanced technology to achieve efficient
and large-scale production. Secondly, studies on the bioavailability, biosafety, and mechanism
against different diseases of WGBPs need to be carried out in different in vitro and in vivo models.
More human experimental evidence is also required to support its industrial application as a
functional food and nutritional supplement.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The purification and identification of wheat germ-derived bioactive peptides.
• The main biological activities and potential mechanisms of wheat germ hydrolysates/peptides.
• Possible absorption and transport pathways of wheat germ hydrolysate/peptide.
• Wheat germ peptide shows a variety of health benefits according to its amino acid sequence.
• Current food applications and future perspectives of wheat germ protein hydrolysates/peptide.
Introduction
Healthy food choices can prevent cancer or chronic respi-
ratory diseases, reported being responsible for over 48% of
deaths worldwide (Udenigwe and Mohan 2014). Bioactive
ingredients in food can improve health conditions and min-
imize dependence on synthetic medicines. In recent years,
several studies on novel functional ingredients, such as
hydrolyzed proteins and bioactive peptides from various
food sources, have been reported (Xu etal. 2021; Chawalit
et al. 2021). Plant protein-derived peptides have been less
researched than those from animal sources, although plants
are recognized as cheap sources of protein with many poten-
tial functional activities (Jahanbani etal. 2016). Wheat germ
(embryonic axis and scutellum) is a major byproduct of the
flour milling industry, which is systematically removed
during milling due to its adverse effects on the shelf-life
and quality of the flour. However, diverse physiologically
active ingredients of wheat germ contribute to its broad
application prospects and developmental value. Defatted
wheat germ contains 25–35% protein with high essential
amino acid content (Jia, Ma, Zhao, Wang, He, et al. 2010).
Although wheat germ protein has been studied previously
for its potential bioactive compounds, there is little infor-
mation available on the structural and functional properties
of wheat germ-derived bioactive peptides (WGBPs).
Wheat germ accounts for 2–3% of wheat grain mass, and
is a rich source of proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals and
trace physiological active components, known as "the natural
nutritional treasure house of human beings" (Zhu, Zhou,
and Qian 2006a). Next to soybean, the protein content of
defatted wheat germ ranges up to 30%. Wheat germ protein
© 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
CONTACT Fang Wang wangfang8875@163.com; Xinchun Shen shenxinchun@nufe.edu.cn; Jianbo Xiao jianboxiao@uvigo.es
†These authors contributed equally to this work.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.2021139
KEYWORDS
Wheat germ peptides;
preparation methods;
bioactivities;
action mechanism