Preparation of fish protein hydrolysates

A process for the preparation of fish protein hydrolysates using commercially available proteolytic enzymes is described. Both non-fatty and fatty species of fish have been used as the raw material and the hydrolysates obtained have been assessed in nutritional studies on neonatal animals. Data on the release of nitrogenous substances during the digestion of cod with the enzyme papain are presented, together with amino acid analyses of the various fractions produced. As far as hydrolysates from non-fatty species are concerned there are no technical difficulties in preparing a spray-dried or concentrated product suitable for animal feeding. For hydrolysates from fatty species, however, it is necessary either to remove the oil mechanically or to stabilise it with suitable antioxidants. For the present exercise, hydrolysates were frozen and stored at ?30°C until required for the nutritional studies. Before any industrial development is considered, further studies on the drying and storing of hydrolysates from fatty species are necessary.