Executive Summary: Enzyme hydrolysate nutraceuticals for valorisation of deer slaughter wastes

Summary of Project and Key Findings:
Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function, can significantly impair quality of life and lead to disability. The hypothesis of this study was that deer liver hydrolysates, which contain bioactive peptides, could help alleviate muscle atrophy associated with sarcopenia by providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The study involved preparing deer liver hydrolysates using different enzyme combinations, followed by gastrointestinal digestion and absorption modelling. The hydrolysates were tested for their peptide content, antioxidant activity, and ability to mitigate muscle atrophy in an in vitro assay using C2C12 myotubes. The results showed that certain hydrolysate digests reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine levels, suggesting potential benefits for sarcopenia management.

Key findings:

• Six enzyme combinations were used to digest deer liver, resulting in hydrolysates with peptides predominantly under 2.5 kDa, typical of bioactive peptides.
• Over 33,000 peptide sequences were identified, with collagen types I and III being prominent, known for their antioxidant properties.
• Hydrolysates were tested on C2C12 myotubes exposed to TGF-β and TNF-α cytokines, which induced oxidative stress. Some hydrolysates effectively reduced ROS production.
• Bioavailable hydrolysate digests reduced ROS levels significantly, suggesting antioxidant properties that could counter muscle atrophy.
• The hydrolysates reduced inflammatory cytokine levels, particularly IL-6, which is involved in muscle atrophy, indicating a potential mechanism to reduce oxidative damage and inflammation.