Recent developments in functional food research have
generated renewed interest in bioactive compounds including
bioactive peptides. The word “peptide” comes from the Greek
term “p 3ptidia” translated as “small digestibles” or “digested”
(Shahidi & Zhong, 2008). Biological activity of peptides were first
reported by Mellander in 1950. In the last two decades there has
been a strong interest in bioactive peptide identification and
characterization. Researchers continue to investigate new sources,
extraction methods and evaluate health benefits of bioactive
peptides. Bioactive peptides are specific protein fragments that
can alter body functions or conditions and may ultimately in-
fluence health positively (Korhonen & Pihlanto, 2006). Such
peptides are inactive within the sequence of the parent protein
and can be released by several hydrolysis techniques. Bioactive
peptides have potential to help reduce the worldwide epidemic
of chronic diseases affecting 58 million people annually