Date: 16/12/2025

Bioactive peptides have established themselves as important components in animal nutrition due to their direct action on essential physiological processes.

Derived from high-quality proteins and obtained through controlled enzymatic processes, these compounds have specific physiological properties that promote nutritional functionality.

Therefore, in this blog we will address the following topics:

What are bioactive peptides and how are they produced?

Bioactive peptides are short sequences of amino acids released from proteins through technological processes, mainly enzymatic hydrolysis. This process uses specific proteases that break down complex proteins into smaller fractions, facilitating their absorption and enabling biological activities that were not accessible in the whole protein.

Production involves the controlled fragmentation of the original proteins, preserving important characteristics for action in the animal organism. The use of targeted enzymes allows peptides to be obtained with properties related to immunity, intestinal integrity, and better use of nutrients.

Industrial control of the process ensures standardization, reproducibility, and consistent ingredients, favoring nutritional applications that go beyond simply providing protein.

Hydrolyzed proteins stand out as the main sources of bioactive peptides due to their high digestibility and rapid absorption. The process begins with the selection of the protein raw material.

The process is conducted with one or more proteases chosen according to the type of peptide desired. These enzymes, which can be of animal, plant, or microbial origin, act by releasing peptide sequences with defined structure and size. The efficiency of this release depends on factors such as reaction time, the ratio between enzyme and substrate, and the pretreatment applied to the protein. Fine adjustments to physicochemical parameters, especially pH and temperature, allow the process to be highly reproducible and standardized on an industrial scale.

Various combinations of proteases have been used to obtain bioactive peptides, including pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pancreatin, alcalase, and thermolysin, each contributing to unique hydrolysis profiles and to the generation of sequences with distinct functional properties. This approach offers relevant advantages for the production sector: precise control of processing steps, potential for industrial scale-up, high batch standardization, and shorter processing time when compared with methods such as microbial fermentation (LÓPEZ-GARCÍA et al., 2022).

How bioactive peptides act on the animal immune system

Bioactive peptides are protein fragments that, when interacting with animal metabolism, modulate important physiological responses, especially those linked to the immune system and intestinal health.

Peptide molecules improve the immune system, reducing the likelihood of contagious diseases, such as viruses and other more complex diseases.

This is because bioactive compounds act as antioxidants and antimicrobials, serving as barriers against possible attacks by viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

The result is a healthier animal, with a lower incidence of disease and better feed conversion.

The evolution of immunonutrition represents a milestone in modern animal production. Instead of relying on antibiotics to control challenges, the industry is moving towards solutions that strengthen the immune system from the inside out, through functional ingredients.

Bioactive peptides play a leading role in this process, offering a natural and scientifically validated alternative to maintain productivity and reduce health risks.

BioActio: immunity and performance

BioActio is MBRF Ingredients' line of chicken protein hydrolysate, rich in bioactive peptides and with low molecular weight, recommended for use in diets for pets, swine farming, aquaculture, and shrimp farming.

Technical characteristics and differentials:

● High digestibility and efficient nutrient absorption: BioActio's functional bioactive peptides have a profile that favors the use of essential amino acids and vitamins, which optimizes protein synthesis and animal metabolism.

● Low molecular weight and high bioavailability: processing ensures short peptide chains, which favors their intact absorption and rapid physiological utilization.

● Sustainability and circular economy: the raw material used in the production of BioActio comes from co-products of the MBRF chain, adding value to by-products and promoting a conscious and efficient nutrition model.

By incorporating components from the BioActio line into diets, formulators have access to a protein source with high functional value, capable of efficiently supplying essential amino acids while providing peptides that perform beneficial functions in the body.

Final considerations

Bioactive peptides represent one of the most relevant fronts in nutritional evolution, especially in production chains that require constant performance, robust health, and less exposure to health risks. Because they are derived from controlled industrial processes, they offer predictability and functionality, two essential factors in systems that seek stability and consistent results.

The application of hydrolyzed proteins as a source of these peptides reinforces an important transition in the sector: nutrition no longer acts solely as a supplier of amino acids but now exerts a direct influence on biological mechanisms related to immunity, microbiota, intestinal integrity, and energy metabolism. This change expands the role of functional ingredients within formulations and positions peptides as strategic tools for addressing contemporary challenges, such as wellness requirements, regulatory pressure on antibiotic use, and the need for greater zootechnical predictability.

In this scenario, solutions such as the BioActio line show how the combination of science, technology, and industrial management can generate high value-added ingredients.

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