Enzymatic protein hydrolysis of poultry carcasses and soybean okara: comparison of endo- and exoproteases on protein recovery and quality.

Ineffective waste management leads to a loss of resources. Therefore, recovering waste through sustainable technologies is crucial. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis was used as a recovery strategy to valorize poultry carcasses and soybean okara residues. Several peptidases (endopeptidases and an exopeptidase) were employed, individually and in tandem. Given the high protein content of the substrates, the produced hydrolysates were analyzed focusing on the protein fraction. Among the tested enzymes, alkaline endopeptidases demonstrated a high degree of protein hydrolysis (DH) and yield. When an intermediate thermal inactivation step was included, tandem hydrolysis showed the highest DH (∼40%) and a greater amount of free AA (∼30%). Conversely, omitting this inactivation step preserved protein structures, leading to greater peptide release. This study demonstrates the importance of tailoring the hydrolytic process according to the matrix to be processed. Furthermore, it highlights how chemical fingerprinting is essential to elucidate hydrolysate characteristics and define their intended applications.