BIOPROSPECTING OF KEFIR: SEARCH FOR BIOACTIVE PEPTIDES BY PROTEOMICS AND EVALUATION OF THEIR EFFECTS IN THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM OF HYPERTENSIVE ANIMALS

Kefir is a milk fermented by microorganisms with probiotic potential. Its consumption is associated with several beneficial effects, from antibacterial, healing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, plasma glucose and cholesterol control to antitumor and antihypertensive activities. Despite its great potential, little is known about the bioactive molecules responsible for these actions. Therefore, the present project aims to perform the proteomic study of Kefir and its grain used for the milk fermentation aiming to identify the bioactive peptides, in particular those peptides with action in the cardiovascular system.