Functional, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of protein hydrolysates prepared from fish meat fermented by Bacillus subtilis A26

•Fermented fish meat protein hydrolysates (FPHs) by Bacillus subtilis A26 were prepared.•Composition and functional properties of FPHs: a comparative study.•All FPHs exhibited significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Composition, functional properties and in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of protein hydrolysates prepared with a proteolytic bacterium, Bacillus subtilis A26, through fermentation of fish proteins were investigated. Fermented fish meat protein hydrolysates (FPHs) were prepared from sardinelle (SPH), zebra blenny (ZPH) goby (GPH) and ray (RPH). The protein content of freeze-dried FPHs ranged from 74.3% to 81%. All fermented hydrolysates had an excellent solubility and possessed interfacial properties. The antioxidant activities of FPHs were evaluated by different methods, including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method, reducing power assay, β-carotene bleaching and DNA nicking assay. All hydrolysates showed dose-dependent antioxidant activities. Further, FPHs exhibited antibacterial activity and SPH was the most effective, particularly against Gram positive bacteria.