| Quinoa protein with great functional properties has been considered a potential source for food fortification or
the production of functional foods. In this study, quinoa protein hydrolysate (QPH) was prepared from quinoa
protein concentrate (QPC) after hydrolysis by pancreatin (pancreatic) enzyme. The emulsifying, foaming, and
antioxidant activities, the emulsion and foam stabilization, as well as amino acid profile and chemical composition were evaluated. The highest degree of hydrolysis (19.17%) was obtained after 180 min. The amino acid
profile (by high-performance liquid chromatography: HPLC) showed that glutamic acid and lysine had the
highest contents and all essential (limiting) amino acids were recorded. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR)
spectroscopy showed hydroxylic and aromatic amino acid residues in the QPC and it was inferred that different
functional groups have originated in QPH that confirms the hydrolyzing action of pancreatin enzyme. QPH had
the lowest solubility at the isoelectric pH of 5 (pI~5) and had better emulsifying, foaming, and antioxidant
properties compared to QPC. In contrast, QPC had better emulsion/foam stabilizing properties. Overall, this
study suggests that pancreatin could be employed for hydrolysis of quinoa protein and its hydrolysate with
functional properties could be possibly considered for food fortification or production of functional foods |