Changes in protease activity during fermentation of fish sauce and their correlation with antioxidant activity

Antioxidant activity has been found in fermented fish sauce. In this experiment, the properties of endogenous protease and antioxidant activity were studied in anchovy sauce during fermentation. The correlation between protease activity and antioxidant activity in fermented anchovy sauce was analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) method.The results showed that at least four proteases were present in the endogenous enzyme solution, and the optimum pH values were 2.5, 5.5, 9.0, and 12.5, respectively. The maximum inhibition rate of endogenous protease, from high to low, was: serine protease inhibitor > trypsin inhibitor > aspartic protease inhibitor (pepsin inhibitor) > cysteine protease inhibitor > metalloprotease inhibitor. At the sixth month of fermentation, fish sauce had stronger trypsin, pepsin-like activity, and antioxidant activity. At the ninth month of fermentation, the cathepsin activity was greater. A model correlating changes in protease activity with antioxidant activity suggested that the trypsin and serine protease were the main factors affecting antioxidant activity.This study reports a model correlating changes in protease activity with the antioxidant activity of fish sauce. It lays a foundation for further exploration of the formation of antioxidant substances and antioxidant effects during the process of fish sauce fermentation. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.