Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) protein hydrolysates

The enzymatic hydrolysis of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) protein isolate (BPI) by Alcalase and some physiochemical and antioxidant properties of the resulting hydrolysates were characterised. The hydrolysis resulted in remarkable decrease in the globulins or protein aggregates and concomitant increase in peptide fragments. The surface hydrophobicity of the hydrolysates decreased with increasing degree of hydrolysis (DH) and reached a minimum at DH 15%, but increased at further hydrolysis, whereas their amino acid compositions were unchanged. The polyphenol content of the hydrolysates gradually decreased with DH increasing from 0% to 15%, while it on the contrary increased upon further hydrolysis. The hydrolysates exhibited excellent antioxidant activities, including DPPH radical scavenging ability, reducing power and ability to inhibit linoleic acid peroxidation. The antioxidant activities of these hydrolysates were closely related to their polyphenol contents. The results indicated that polyphenol-rich buckwheat proteins are unique protein materials for the production of the hydrolysates with good nutritional and antioxidant properties.