Scale-up production and in vivo evaluation of fermented chicken meat protein hydrolysate for protein quality, antioxidant potential, and toxicity in male Wistar rat
摘要
Chicken meat protein hydrolysate (CMPH) was developed through Pediococcus pentosaceus fermentation of 45% chicken meat with 2% dextrose in a 75 L fermenter (50 L working volume) for 48 h. The resulting spray-dried CMPH exhibited high antioxidant activity, confirmed by FRAP (27.20 µmol TE/mg), DPPH (30.96 µmol TE/mg), ABTS (24.47 µmol TE/mg), and Fe2+ chelation (20.97 µmol EDTA/mg). To evaluate its nutritional efficacy, CMPH was incorporated into experimental rat diets by replacing casein at 50%, 75%, and 100% levels, forming four dietary groups: SD (100% casein), CMPH-50 (50% CMPH + 50% casein), CMPH-75 (75% CMPH + 25% casein), and CMPH-100 (100% CMPH). These diets were administered to 3-week-old male Wistar rats for 6 weeks. Notably, CMPH-100 group showed significantly improved feed conversion ratio (2.71), feed efficiency ratio (0.36), protein efficiency ratio (2.61), and net protein utilization (82.59%) (P < 0.05). CMPH diets also resulted in higher haemoglobin levels, with CMPH-100 reaching 15.35 g/dL. Biochemical, haematological, and histopathological evaluations indicated no toxicity. Enhanced liver antioxidant enzymes (SOD: 41.28 U/mg, CAT: 15.38 U/mg) were observed in the CMPH-100 group. Organ weights remained comparable across groups. These findings establish CMPH as a safe, high-quality protein source with potent antioxidant properties, supporting its application as a biofunctional ingredient in nutritional formulations.