Nutritional Value and Bioactive Properties of Enzymatic Hydrolysates prepared from the Livers of Oncorhynchus keta and Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (Pacific Salmon)

Calculated chemical scores (computed in relation to the FAO/WHO reference protein) for salmon liver protein hydrolysates indicated that all amino acids (other than methionine and threonine) were present in adequate or excess quantities; thus, the raw liver material is a good source of essential amino acids. The hydrophobic amino acids contents in hydrolysates prepared from Oncorhynchus keta and O. gorbuscha were 38.4 and 39.1%, respectively. The proportion of released peptides exceeding 500 kDa was reduced when hydrolysates were treated with the commercial enzyme Alcalase, although proportions in the following MW ranges were elevated: 100–500 kDa and <50 kDa. The optimal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis were as follows: pH 7.0, 50°C, and a reaction time of 1 h. Of the different proteases tested, Alcalase was the most efficient for production of salmon liver hydrolysate with the highest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. The hydrolysates prepared from salmon liver had a balanced amino acid composition. The liver protein hydrolysates contained low molecular weight peptides, some of which may be bio-active; this bio-active potential should be investigated. Inhibition of the DPPH radical increased with increased degree of hydrolysis (DH), regardless of protease type. DPPH radical scavenging abilities, antithrombotic effects and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition effects of O. keta liver hydrolysate increased in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, salmon liver hydrolysate may be useful in functional food applications and as a source of novel products.