An Updated Review on Soy Antioxidant Peptides (SAPs): Molecular Mechanisms, High-Tech Generation Pipeline, Industrial Production Strategies, and New Product Innovation

The growing global demand for natural antioxidants, driven by the increasing elderly population, necessitates a review of the latest advancements in soybean antioxidant peptides (SAPs), which show significant potential in combating oxidative stress and aging. Molecular mechanisms are comprehensively characterized, encompassing in vivo Nrf2-Keap1 pathway activation, selenium-dependent anti-inflammatory regulation, and in vitro antioxidant modulation governed by amino acid sequences. Computational frameworks integrating BIOPEP-UWM and QSAR modeling are demonstrated to optimize protease selection, while industrial membrane enzyme reactors (IMER) synergized with non-thermal technologies (HHP, ultrasound) are validated for scalable production. Targeted delivery platforms using hydrogels/nanoparticles are engineered to enhance bioavailability, though nanocarrier biosafety and in vivo efficacy uncertainties remain unresolved. Current limitations include fragmented integration of computational-industrial workflows and insufficient allergenicity prediction algorithms. Further elucidation of the biological activity of SAPs, a systematic framework for computer and emerging technologies with actual industrialized production, and a green and sustainable system for large-scale production of SAPs will be necessary in the future.