The bioaccessibility of minerals during food digestion is essential in facilitating absorption and hence mineral bioavailability. Bioprocessing approaches have shown promising effects on Fe and Zn bioaccessibility in plant food matrices. In this study, lactic acid bacteria fermentation or enzymatic hydrolysis was performed on pea protein concentrates (PPCs) to investigate their effects on the bioaccessibility of fortified Fe and Zn salts. Simulated digestion studies revealed that enzymatic hydrolysis was more effective than fermentation. Phytase treatment significantly (P < 0.05) improved Fe3+ bioaccessibility by 5- and 12-fold during fasted and fed digestion stages, respectively. Combined phytase and protease hydrolysis led to a 6- and 15-fold enhancement of Fe3+ bioaccessibility during these stages. None of the bioprocessing approaches led to significant promotive effects on Zn2+ bioaccessibility during fasted or fed digestion. Results of this study show the potential of enzymatic treatment of PPC to significantly promote Fe bioaccessibility.
Keywords: bioaccessibility; bioprocessing; in vitro digestion; iron; legumes; proteins/peptides; zinc.