Lowering the bitterness of enzymatic hydrolysate using aminopeptidase-active fractions from the common squid (Todarodes pacificus) hepatopancreas

Abstract

Aminopeptidase-active fractions from crude extract of the hepatopancreas of a common squid (Todarodes pacificus) were obtained using acetone (AC; 30-40%) and ammonium sulfate precipitation (AS; 60-70% saturation), anion exchange (AE-II; 0.2 M NaCl) and gel filtration chromatography (GF-I; 30-50 kDa), respectively. The debittering capacity of GF-I fraction based on the aminopeptidase activity (89.2 U/mg), recovery (56.6%) and sensory evaluation (1.0) was better than that of other fractions. Release of amino acids increased as incubation time was increased, and the bitterness of the enzyme reaction mixtures decreased. Incubation with the GF-I fraction for 24 h resulted in the hydrolysis of several peptides, as revealed by reverse-phase HPLC profiles. Peaks 3, 5 and 6 showed the decreased area (%), whereas peaks 1, 2 and 4 showed the increased area. The GF-I fractions were found to be suitable for reducing bitterness in protein hydrolysates by catalyzing the hydrolysis of bitter peptides. ?The Korean Society of Food Science and Technology