Kinetic characterization of digestive proteinases extracted from the processing waste of South Atlantic fish

Abstract

In Argentina, the fishing industry is highly developed, producing large quantities of waste products from fish processing which contain digestive enzymes with potential biotechnological uses. Among these enzymes are proteinases that hydrolyze proteins and can convert them into functional ingredients. To use these value-added compounds in industrial processes, kinetic characterization of these proteinases under specific conditions, such as contact time, pH, and temperature, must first be carried out. The objective of the present work was to perform a kinetic characterization of crude extracts of alkaline proteinases from intestine-ceca of Merluccius hubbsi, Percophis brasiliensis, Urophycis brasiliensis, and Cynoscion guatucupa. Results showed that the reached maximum values of A440 depended on both the species analyzed and the initial concentration of azocasein. The maximum concentration of hydrolysis products obtained at long times was proportional to the initial concentration of the target protein. P. brasiliensis was the most suitable tested species to obtain high hydrolysis rates at high azocasein concentrations, and exhibited the highest proteinase activities, so it can be considered a candidate species for future biotechnological applications.