The presence of bioactive peptides in hydrolysates prepared from processing waste of sardine (Sardina pilchardus)

A proteolytic enzyme, Alcalase(R), was used to produce partly digested prot eins from cooked wastes of sardine (Sardina pilchardus). The presence of bi ologically active molecules was investigated in these hydrolysates prepared under various conditions of time and enzyme/substrate ratio. By means of r adioimmunoassays and mitogenic and radioreceptor assays, the presence of mo lecules related to secretagogue peptides, growth factors and calcitonin gen e-related peptide (CGRP) respectively was detected in the hydrolysates. Exc lusion chromatography permits the conclusion that the biological activity o f the different fractions is related to their size. (C) 2001 Society of Che mical Industry.