[Preparation and nutritional characteristics of a hydrolysate from pepitona (Arca zebra)]

Two soluble products resulting from the hydrolysis of pepitona (Arca zebra) were prepared as flour. Papain at its optimum hydrolysis conditions, previously established, was the enzyme used (40 degrees C for two hours at a pH of 7 in the proportion of 0.3% weight/enzyme/100 g meat). The hydrolysate obtained was then subjected to two different dehydration techniques: drum drying at 121 degrees C and 18 seconds retention, and spray drying at 101 degrees C and 40 psi pressure. The products were then stored for a five-month period at a temperature of 25 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C, time during which chemical determinations were performed in both hydrolysates. Findings showed that the time of storage does exert a significant effect of deterioration on the products. The greater and more significant quality losses occur during the first two months. The dehydration techniques used also affect significantly the soluble nitrogen content, and non-protein nitrogen and soluble solids content, as well as color of pepitona hydrolysates. Spray-drying dehydration technique does not have a significant deteriorating effect. Biological studies undertaken demonstrated that the quality of both hydrolysates is satisfactory from the nutritional and amino acid composition points of view. A protein efficiency ratio (PER) of 2.27 and 2.29 was determined for the hydrolysate dehydrated by drum drier and for the dehydrated by spray drier, respectively. With regard to amino acid composition, both had satisfactory levels of essential amino acids, with a lysine content of 6.9 g/100 g protein for the hydrolysate dehydrated by drum drying, and 8.6 g/100 g protein for the other hydrolysate dehydrated by spray drying.