Toxicological evaluation of peptide hydrolysates from bovine blood meal with antioxidant and antifungal activities

This study addresses the underutilized potential of bovine blood-derived bioactive peptides. With approximately 22 million metric tons of bovine blood waste generated annually, sustainable utilization is essential. Our research focuses on exploring antifungal and antioxidant properties and includes proximate analysis of blood meal, enzymatic activity determination, and optimization of bovine blood protein hydrolysis. Optimal conditions were identified at 70 °C and pH 9, achieving a remarkable degree of hydrolysis (25.75 %). Key results demonstrate that lower molecular weight peptides exhibit enhanced antioxidant capacity, making them suitable for functional foods and nutraceuticals. While antimicrobial activity against specific strains had limitations, significant antifungal efficacy against Fusarium keratoplasticum ATCC 36031 was observed. Electrophoresis analysis confirmed the presence of peptides with a molecular weight below 14 kDa in optimally hydrolyzed samples, aligning with their bioactivity. A maximum tolerated concentration of 100 µg/mL was established through toxicity assessment using a zebrafish model, ensuring safety. This research reorganizes the abstract to address underutilized bovine blood, explores bioactive potential, and presents significant results concerning antioxidant and antifungal activity. Significantly, this study has implications for food safety, environmental sustainability, and health-related product development. The enzyme used was obtained from fermenting soybean cake with B. subtilis, and treatment selection was based on optimization studies. This research offers insights into industrial applications, environmental impact reduction, and health-related advancements.