Purification and characterisation of cathepsin L from the skeletal muscle of blue scad (Decapterus maruadsi) and comparison of its role with myofibril-bound serine proteinase in the degradation of myofibrillar proteins

► Cathepsin L was purified from the skeletal muscle of blue scad (Decapterus maruadsi). ► Peptide mass fingerprinting was carried out to confirm the purified protein. ► It is firstly revealed that cathepsin L is less effective than MBSP in the degradation of myofibrillar proteins.