Antioxidant properties and protein compositions of porcine haemoglobin hydrolysates

Porcine haemoglobin hydrolysates were prepared through hydrolysis by Alcalase followed by Flavourzyme, and their protein compositions were analyzed using Sephadex G-50 gel filtration chromatography. The antioxidant activities, including reducing power, ferrous ion chelating ability, and DPPH radical scavenging activity, of the hydrolysates were evaluated. The results showed that the hydrolysates of haemoglobin exhibited low reducing powers, but high ferrous ion chelating abilities and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The hydrolysate, obtained through hydrolysis by 2% Alcalase for 4 h and followed by 1% Flavourzyme for 6 h, had the highest ferrous ion chelating ability of 63.54% at a concentration of 5.0 mg/mL. The hydrolysate, obtained through hydrolysis by 2% Alcalase for 4 hrs, had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity of 41.94% at a concentration of 5.0 mg/mL. According to the results of protein composition analysis, we divided the hydrolysates into three groups, including high molecular weight (MW) group (Group I), medium MW group (Group II), and low MW group (Group III). The reducing power and ferrous ion chelating ability of the hydrolysates were significantly and positively correlated to the relative amount of Group I, and negatively correlated to the relative amount of Group III. This study revealed that the antioxidant activities of porcine haemoglobin hydrolysates were dependent on their protein compositions. The high MW protein fraction (Group I) was responsible for the high reducing power and ferrous ion chelating ability of the hydrolysate.