Properties of Peanut (KAC431) Protein Hydrolysates and Their Impact on the Quality of Gluten-Free Rice Bread

Protein hydrolysates (PH) with a degree of hydrolysis (DH) of 5%, 10%, and 13% from two varieties of peanut were prepared using two commercial enzymes, Alcalase and Flavourzyme. The content of essential amino acids (30,290 mg/100 g) and hydrophobic amino acids (34,067 mg/100 g) of the peanut variety Kalasin 2 (KAC431) protein was higher than that of a common variety, Kalasin 1 (KAC1) (p < 0.05). The protein molecular weight distributions of the two varieties of peanut detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) were similar, ranging from 15 to 75 kDa, with a major protein band at 50-75 kDa. The antioxidant and functional properties of derived PHs were influenced by DH. Although the foaming ability of protein was improved by DH5%, it was obviously decreased upon increasing DH further. The best emulsifying properties were observed in PH with DH5% (p < 0.05). The incorporation of PH with a small DH, especially when produced using Flavourzyme, had a highly positive impact on the specific volume and relative elasticity of gluten-free bread. The effect of PHs on bread quality was highly correlated with their functional properties. This study suggests that partially enzymatically modified proteins are suitable for incorporation in food products such as bread and other gluten-free products.