THE IN VITRO ANTIOXYDANT ACTIVITIES OF DEFATTED ROSELLE (HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA L.) SEED PROTEIN HYDROLYSATES

The aim of this study was to produce natural antioxidants from Roselle seed proteins. In recent years, the potential application of natural antioxidants as substitutes as drawn much interest due to their safety and wide distribution. Literature indicated that Roselle whole seeds contained high amounts of protein, oil and carbohydrate However, There is scanty scientific documentation on the protein hydrolysis and the study of antioxidant activities of the hydrolysates.Roselle seed protein isolate and Roselle seed protein fractions namely globulin, albumin and glutelin were digested using pepsin followed by pancreatinat different time in order to produce hydrolysates with good antioxidant activity suitable for conversion to high-value products. . The antioxidant activities of the hydrolysates were investigated using different in vitro methods. The prepared samples were as effective as antioxidants in model systems, in scavenging of free radicals, and acting as reducing agents. This effect was concentration-dependent and was also influenced by the type of proteins. Among all the hydrolysates, the 3 hours samples and particularly those of protein isolate showed the highest antioxidant activity followed by albumin fraction, Glutelin and Globulin hydrolysates respectively (Protein isolate>Albumin >Glutelin> Globulin hydrolysates)..The study confirmed that fraction with strong antioxidant activities from Roselle seed protein can be successfully provided through enzymatic digestion.