Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) seed protein hydrolysates obtained with different proteases

The physicochemical and antioxidant properties of tree peony seed protein (TPSP) hydrolysates by Alcalase, Neutrase, Papain, Protamex, and Flavourzyme were investigated in this study. The physicochemical properties were characterized by SDS-PAGE, particle size distribution, fourier transform infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy etc. The antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH radical, ABTS radical, Fe²⁺ chelating, and reducing power. The results showed five proteases produced hydrolysates with a significantly reduced average particle size, α-helices, and surface hydrophobicity compared to TPSP. Alcalase and Neutrase hydrolysis enhanced the nutritional value of the hydrolysates. Alcalase hydrolysates possessed the highest degree of hydrolysis (27.97%) and lowest molecular weight (<13 kDa) with average particle size (231.33 nm). Alcalase hydrolysate displayed the highest radical scavenging (DPPH IC₅₀ = 0.18 mg/mL, ABTS IC₅₀ = 1.57 mg/mL), Fe²⁺ chelating activity (IC₅₀ = 0.99 mg/mL), and reducing power (0.594). These results provide the fundamentals for TPSP hydrolysates as antioxidants to be employed in food industry or pharmaceutical industry.