Protein hydrolysate of mechanically separated meat from Nile tilápia

Abstract: The objective of this work was to enzymatically obtain hydrolysate tilapia protein powder by two drying methods, and to perform a physicochemical characterization of the final products, as well as to evaluate their thermal stability. Proximal composition, aminogram, fatty acid profile, pH, color, water activity, and microbiological analyses were performed. Crude protein was the prominent component, with 87% in the spray-dried powder and 89% in the lyophilized powder, showing no statistical difference. The samples showed no bacterial growth, which may be associated with the low water activity in the products. Dry samples had b* positive, and the freeze-dried ones were more yellowish than the spray-dried ones. Both drying methods promoted similar luminosity near the white color. In the thermal analysis, samples showed 26% mass loss at 200°C, and degradation started at 290°C. Enzymatic hydrolysis is efficient, and the hydrolysate tilapia protein powder contains all essential amino acids. The hydrolysate shows similar protein content for both spray-dried and freeze-dried samples, and the final products are stable at high temperatures.