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Transforming Tomato Industry By-Products into Antifungal Peptides Through Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Summary

Researchers have found a way to turn tomato processing waste into useful antifungal compounds. By breaking down tomato seed proteins using enzymes, they created peptides that can prevent harmful fungi like Fusarium from growing on crops. This discovery helps reduce food waste while providing a natural alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting tomato and grain crops.

Background

Tomato processing generates significant by-products, particularly seeds rich in proteins. Tomato seeds represent an underexploited protein source containing potential bioactive peptides with antimicrobial properties. The valorization of agri-food by-products through enzymatic hydrolysis offers sustainable biotechnology applications.

Objective

To develop a biochemical pipeline for protein recovery from tomato seeds, optimize enzymatic hydrolysis using different proteases, and characterize resulting peptides for antifungal activity. The study aimed to convert tomato industry by-products into bioactive agents with agronomic applications against fungal pathogens.

Results

Bromelain hydrolysate demonstrated the highest proteolytic activity and broadest peptide diversity with superior DPPH radical scavenging activity. The bromelain-derived peptides inhibited fungal growth in a dose-dependent manner, with maximum inhibition (~54%) observed at 0.1 mg/mL concentration against F. graminearum. F. graminearum showed greater sensitivity than F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici to the peptide mixture.

Conclusion

Enzymatic hydrolysis of tomato seed proteins with bromelain produces antifungal peptides effective against important plant pathogens. This approach demonstrates the feasibility of converting food processing by-products into bioactive agents for sustainable plant protection. The findings support circular economy strategies and sustainable agriculture through valorization of agri-food waste.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/ijms26157438; PMID: 40806566
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