Exopeptidase treatment combined with Maillard reaction modification of protein hydrolysates derived from porcine muscle and plasma: Structure–taste relationship

Reduction of bitter taste in protein hydrolysates is a challenging task. The aim of this study was to apply a simple two-step approach to prepare low bitter hydrolysates and investigate the influence of peptide modifications on taste characteristics. Protein hydrolysates were prepared from porcine muscle and plasma through simultaneous hydrolysis using endo- and exo-peptidases combined with peptide glycation by glucosamine (GlcN). Spectroscopic analysis and quantification of major alpha-dicarbonyl compounds (α-DCs) indicated the relatively low extent of Maillard reaction in GlcN-glycated protein hydrolysates. Thermal degradation of high MW peptides (>10 kDa) might play a major role in Maillard reaction, reflected by the formation of more Maillard reacted peptides (1–5 kDa), especially in plasma samples. Sensory evaluation indicated that glycation by GlcN can alter taste profiles of protein hydrolysates, which may be attributed to the formation of Maillard reacted peptides and peptide modifications revealed by LC–MS/MS analysis.