Optimization of free radical scavenging activity by response surfacemethodology in the hydrolysis of shrimp processing discards

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the hydrolysisconditions (temperature, pH and Alcalase 2,4L concentration), in order toobtain the hydrolysate with the strongest antioxidant activity using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH super(.)) decolouration assay. Theoptimum conditions obtained from experiments were pH 9.7, 66.2 C, enzymeconcentration = 68.1 Anson units (AU)/kg crude protein. The analysis ofvariance in RSM showed that pH and temperature (T) were the mostimportant factors of the process (P < 0.001). The experimental conditionsproduced both an enzymatic and chemical protein solubilization.