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Published on: March 17, 2010
Circular Animal Protein Hydrolysates: A Comparative Approach of Functional Properties
Marta Monteiro1,2, Luciano Rodrigues-Dos-Santos1,2,3,4,5, Andreia Filipa-Silva1
1CIIMAR/CIMAR LA, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Av. General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
Protein hydrolysates from animal by-products and insects offer diverse nutritional and functional benefits. Their composition and bioactivity vary, showing potential for sustainable feed strategies and disease mitigation in a circular bioeconomy.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Animal Science
- Food Science
Background:
- Growing demand for nutraceuticals necessitates upcycling low-value proteins.
- Animal by-products and insect larvae are potential sources for functional protein hydrolysates.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate five protein hydrolysates from diverse sources.
- Compare their composition, bioactivity, and bacterial growth dynamics against a commercial reference.
Main Methods:
- Proximate composition analysis.
- Amino acid profiling.
- Molecular weight distribution assessment.
- Antioxidant activity assays.
- Bacterial growth dynamics monitoring.
Main Results:
- Significant variability in composition and bioactivity observed across hydrolysates.
- High crude protein content (55.1-89.5% DM) noted, with SHARK being richest.
- FISH and INSECT hydrolysates showed strong antioxidant activity and protein solubility.
- INSECT and SWINE hydrolysates exhibited mild antibacterial effects.
- SHARK and FISH hydrolysates supported opportunistic bacterial growth.
Conclusions:
- Animal-derived protein hydrolysates possess versatile nutritional and functional properties.
- Source material and processing significantly influence hydrolysate characteristics.
- Potential applications include sustainable feed ingredients and microbial media components within a circular bioeconomy.
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