Imidazole dipeptides (IDPs), which are abundant in meat and fish, have been reported to be effective in relieving fatigue and preventing dementia. Researchers have discovered that most of these IDPs identified in beef, chicken and pork also have remarkably high antioxidant activity. They detailed their findings in the journal Antioxidants.
Professor Hideshi Ihara from the Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Science led a research team that was the first to discover 2-oxo-imidazole-containing dipeptides (2-oxo-IDPs), which have one more oxygen atom than normal IDPs. Found at concentrations of 0.015–0.11% that of normal IDPs, these were also shown to be potent antioxidants.
In their study, the researchers came up with a method for selective and highly sensitive detection of five types of 2-oxo-IDPs using mass spectrometry, which enables quantitative detection of trace 2-oxo-IDPs in living organisms. Using this method, they revealed for the first time that beef, pork, chicken, and other meats contain antioxidants, not only IDPs but a variety of different 2-oxo-IDPs.
“We hope that this research method, which enables advanced analysis of 2-oxo-IDPs, will be applied not only to basic biology but also to medicine, agriculture, and pharmacy, where it will help improve peoples’ health and prevent diseases,” concluded Professor Ihara.
Source: Osaka Metropolitan University
