Raw to charred: Changes of protein oxidation and in vitro digestion characteristics of grilled lamb

This study aimed to evaluate protein oxidation and in vitro digestion characteristics of lamb that was grilled from raw to charred (0–30 min). Results showed that protein oxidation was aggravated with the time of grilling, indicated by a significant linear increase in carbonyl groups and a linear decrease in sulfhydryl groups. Proteins had the highest simulated gastric and gastrointestinal digestibility at 10–15 min of grilling. Newly formed specific peptides were continuously released during the grilling process. The identified peptides were mainly derived from creatine kinase, phosphoglycerate kinase, actin and myosin light chain. Protein oxidation was closely related to digestive characteristics, and grilling for >15 min would aggravate protein oxidation and reduce its digestibility. Therefore, at 220 °C lamb should not be grilled for longer than 15 min.