Rapid identification of bioactive peptides with antioxidant activity from the enzymatic hydrolysate of Mactra veneriformis by UHPLC–Q-TOF mass spectrometry

Analysis of peptide components of protein hydrolysates is often difficult due to the lack of suitable analytical methods. In the present study, an UHPLC–Q-TOF MS/MS method was developed and used to identify peptides derived from the protein hydrolysate of Mactra veneriformis. The peptide sequences were deduced by de novo sequencing based on MS/MS fragmentation data. A total of 21 peptides, four nucleobases, and one nucleoside were identified from the hydrolysate using this method. These peptides were chemically synthesised and showed antioxidant activity in radical scavenging assays. This method is suitable for quick, sensitive, and accurate analysis of complex protein hydrolysates.