High pressure can reduce the antigenicity of bovine whey protein hydrolysates

The combined effect of high pressure (HP) and enzymatic treatments on the proteolysis and antigenicity of hydrolysates from bovine whey proteins (WP) was studied. Four food grade protease preparations (Alcalase, Neutrase, Corolase 7089 and Corolase PN-L) were used. Hydrolysis was performed at 40 °C for Corolase PN-L and 50 °C for the other enzymes, for 15 min, after or during HP treatment. The degree of hydrolysis and RP-HPLC peptide profile were evaluated. An indirect ELISA test using polyclonal rat anti β-lactoglobulin antibodies was used to determine the residual antigenicity. The results showed that HP treatment enhanced the hydrolysis of bovine WP. For most enzymes, the best results were obtained at a pressure of 300 MPa. For two enzymes, Corolase PN-L and Neutrase, differences in peptide profiles were obtained due to the pressure applied during the enzymatic hydrolysis. Based on these differences, the residual antigenicity of these preparations were determined. An important reduction was found in the antigenicity of the hydrolysates obtained with Corolase PN-L and Neutrase in combination with HP treatment (300 MPa), prior to or during enzymatic hydrolysis, respectively. These results suggest that HP can enhance the WP hydrolysis, and, depending on the choice of enzymes, reduce the residual antigenicity of the hydrolysates. The reduced antigenicity of hydrolysates obtained by the combined treatments could have a relevant application in the development of hypoallergenic infant formulae.