@article{Li2026, 
author = {Guang Li and Xuening Yu and Shuling Zhou and Xiaoyang Liu and Fawen Yin and Deyang Li and Baocai Xu and Dayong Zhou},
title = {Preparations of Mytilus edulis protein hydrolysate-iron complexes and their ameliorative effects on mice with iron deficiency anemia},
year = {2026},
journal = {Food Science and Human Wellness},
volume = {15},
number = {4},
pages = {9250439},
keywords = {Iron deficiency anemia, Colonic inflammation, Iron-chelating hydrolysate, Ameliorative, Oxidation stress},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/FSHW.2024.9250439},
doi = {10.26599/FSHW.2024.9250439},
abstract = {Iron is a fundamental trace element essential for the immune system, and current research on iron (Fe) supplements is increasingly focusing on food-derived peptides capable of binding iron ions. The objectives of this study were to characterize the iron-chelating peptide (Mytilus edulis protein hydrolysate, MEPH) derived from M. edulis and to investigate the effects of MEPH-Fe complexes on mice with iron deficiency-induced iron deficiency anemia (IDA). MEPH and iron (Ⅱ) sulfate heptahydrate successfully formed MEPH-Fe complexes under conditions of 4.5 mg/mL of concentration, 45 ℃, 60 min of incubation, and utilizing both carboxyl and amino binding sites. Compared to MEPH alone, the MEPH-Fe complexes exhibited fluorescence quenching, ultraviolet shifts, reduced X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak intensities, stabilization during in vitro digestion, microstructural changes, increased particle size, and decreased absolute values of Zeta potential. In the IDA mouse model, the MEPH-Fe complexes were able to restore body weight, hematological indices, organ coefficients, iron content in organs, and antioxidant capacity to normal levels. Additionally, they demonstrated beneficial effects on IDA-induced colonic inflammation by normalizing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels. The results indicated that MEPH-Fe complexes had more positive effects on IDA mice compared to ferrous sulfate. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the potential of MEPH-Fe complexes as iron supplements.}
}