Antioxidant Properties of Microalgae Protein Hydrolysates Prepared by Neutral Protease Digestion

Microalgae protein hydrolysates (MPH) were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of defatted microalgae meal using neutral protease. The protein recovery, degree of hydrolysis, and the antioxidant activities of the hydrolysates were investigated. The results demonstrated that hydrolysates prepared by neutral protease at 50 °C for 4 h exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. Under these conditions, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and the reducing power of the hydrolysates were 68.3%, 50.8% and 1.303, respectively.