Enzymatic hydrolysis of fish gelatin under high pressure treatment

The effect of high pressure treatment on the hydrolysis of fish skin gelatin and the antioxidant properties of the hydrolysates was evaluated. Hydrolysis was performed by Alcalase, collagenase, trypsin and pepsin both at atmospheric pressure and under high pressure (100 MPa/15 and 30 min, 200 MPa/15 and 30 min, 300 MPa/15 min). The degree of hydrolysis (DH) was determined according to the base consumption via pH‐stat as well as the percentage of soluble nitrogen in trichloroacetic acid (TCA). About 16% of nitrogen in the gelatin was still soluble in 10% TCA, indicative of a significant amount of low molecular weight components. The high pressure treatment increased the DH with all the enzymes used between 5% and 10%. However, in comparison with the hydrolysates obtained at atmospheric pressure after 3 h of digestion under controlled conditions (using a pH‐stat), the radical scavenging capacity of the pressured hydrolysates was only significantly enhanced when Alcalase or collagenase were used. High pressure may be a useful tool for the quick obtaining of gelatin hydrolysates with antioxidant capacity.