Biopeptides with antioxidant activity extracted from the biomass of Spirulina sp. LEB 18

The microalga Spirulina has been marketed in many countries due to its application in foods, especially for its high protein content, which can be used to obtain protein hydrolysates. Protein hydrolysates are easily absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and have significant physiological properties, because during the hydrolysis process, peptides with antioxidant activity can be obtained. The objective of this study was to obtain enzymatic hydrolysates from the biomass of Spirulina sp. LEB 18 with functional properties and antioxidant potential. This study was a 22 type central composite design, to determine the best conditions for obtaining hydrolysates. The hydrolysis reactions of Spirulina biomass were carried out using the enzyme Protemax 580 L. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the proteins resulted in increased digestibility, solubility, water-retention capacity and antioxidant activity of hydrolysates (which increased by 1.8, 2.8 and 8.5 using the reducing power methods, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’ azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), respectively). Therefore, biologically active peptides of Spirulina sp. LEB 18 biomass were produced.    Key words: Protein hydrolysate, microalga, active peptide.