Use of tryptophan rich peptides

Abstract

The novel use of peptides derived from whey protein hydrolysate as active ingredient in a medicament or as food ingredient for elevating the cholescystokinin level in the blood, and for preventing or treatment of overweight and/or obesity, in an animal, including human, in need thereof.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A method for elevating the cholecystokinin level in the blood of an animal, including human, in need thereof, comprising the step of administering to said animal an effective amount of peptides derived from a whey protein hydrolysate. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said animal has or is at risk of developing overweight and/or obesity. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said peptides are prepared by enzymatic cleavage of whey protein. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said peptides are prepared by cleaving said whey protein by one or more acid proteases or cysteine proteases. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said acid proteases or cysteine proteases are selected from the group consisting of pepsin, papain, bromelain and a mixture of two or more thereof. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said whey protein is cleaved by pepsin at a pH of between 1.5-3.5. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said whey protein is cleaved by pepsin at a pH of between 2-3. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said peptides are derived from whey protein isolate. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said peptides are derived from whey protein concentrate. 
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said peptides are derived from α-lactalbumin enriched whey protein. 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said peptides are obtained by an isolation method, said isolation method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing an aqueous whey protein hydrolysate,   b) controlling the pH of said aqueous whey protein hydrolysate to 4.0-6.0,   c) forming a peptide precipitate, and   d) isolating said precipitated peptides.   
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein step a) is carried out at a temperature of below 20° C. 
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said peptides are desalted. 
   
   
       27 . A method for preventing or treating overweight and/or obesity of an animal, including human, in need thereof, comprising the step of administering to said animal an effective amount of peptides derived from a whey protein hydrolysate.