Unravelling the potential of yolkin for nutraceutical use: the origin, structure, and functional insights of a hen egg yolk polypeptide complex†

Abstract

Nutraceuticals can reduce the risk of many diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, immune deficiencies, neurodegeneration, and others. Their delivery remains a challenge because it depends on many factors, most notably the stability of the bioactive compounds. Yolkin is a peptide complex isolated from hen egg yolk with immunomodulatory and neuroprotective potential. However, yolkin remains relatively poorly characterized. We aimed to determine the origin and glycosylation level of yolkin, its storage conditions, its thermal stability, and its aggregation ability and to assess its antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic potential. The peptide composition of yolkin was shown to be homologous to that of vitellogenin II and vitellogenin I. These results indicate the stability of yolkin in a lyophilized form, preferably at 4 °C, with nonaggregation, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities. As a result, yolkin can be considered to have significant therapeutic potential and represents a valuable tool for the development of novel nutraceuticals.