Amino acid profile of biologically processed fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) using local enzyme to combat stunting

Abstract

Fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) which contains mixture of small protein or peptide and free amino acids may be good to be applied in children's diet, preventing and combating malnutrition problem through readily absorbed essential amino acid. Malnutrition is still a big issue in East Asian countries including Indonesia. According to FAO, in 2005 - 2015, the percentage of children under five who experience stunting increased from 28.6% to 36.4%, while the percentage of stunting for Indonesian children was 37.2% (2013), 35.6% (2010), 36.8% (2007). Malnutrition in children can lead to serious problems such as abnormal brain development and susceptibility to various infectious diseases. The last report in 2016 revealed that stunted children have lower content of essential amino acid in their serum compared to the normal children. The aims of this study were to produce and analyze the amino acid profile of two fish hydrolysate protein (FPH) products from Sardinella using local microbial protease isolated from hot marine water. The FPH-1 and FPH-2, both from soluble and solid part of hydrolyzed fish were dominated by amino acid lysine and leucine as well as glutamic acid. Both FPH products can potentially be used as ingredients for developing food for malnourished children.