Production and characterization of an extensive rapeseed protein hydrolysate

Rapeseed protein isolate has been used as starting material for the generation of an extensive protein hydrolysate. Protein hydrolysis was produced by using sequentially an endopeptidase (Alcalase) and an exopeptidase (Flavourzyme). The final hydrolysate has a 60% degree of hydrolysis and was completely soluble between pH values 2.5 and 7. Molecular weight profile of the protein hydrolysate was characterized by gel filtration chromatography. A reduction in protein size was observed during the hydrolysis process with accumulation of small peptides and free amino acids after Flavourzyme digestion. Amino acid composition of fractions with different molecular weights of the final hydrolysate was analyzed. Some of these fractions, enriched or poor in certain amino acids, could be used for supplementation or treatment of determined clinical syndromes.