Protein Hydrolysates and Ultrafiltration Fractions Obtained from Krill (Euphausia superba): Nutritional,Functional, Antioxidant,and ACE-Inhibitory Characterization

ABSTRACT

Krill (Euphausia superba) was hydrolyzed by proteolytic enzymes in order to produce multifunctional bioactive peptides, and their functional properties were evaluated. Krill protein hydrolysate (KPH) by pepsin with 4-h hydrolysis showed the highest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities. The solubility and foaming properties of KPH were higher than those of the unhydrolyzed krill protein at a wide range of pHs. KPH was further fractionated based on molecular weight. The 1- to 3-kDa peptide fraction exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging activity (IC₅₀ value of 0.5 mg/mL), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (497.39 ± 4.31 µM TE/mg fraction), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid cation radical scavenging activity (48.41 ± 0.23 µM TE/mg fraction), and reducing power (110.40 ± 2.07 µM TE/mg fraction). However, the < 1-kDa peptide fraction exhibited a higher ACE inhibitory activity than that of other fractions. The 1- to 3- and < 1-kDa peptide fractions are rich in aromatic and hydrophobic amino acids, respectively.