Effects of cluster dextrin encapsulation on the properties and antioxidant stability of fractionated Riceberry protein hydrolysate powder prepared by bromelain.

[Display omitted] • Bromelain is an effective enzyme for increasing the biological activity of Riceberry protein. • Riceberry peptides (<3 kDa) have the potential to serve as functional ingredients. • Antioxidant activity of the encapsulated hydrolysate is similar to that of the freeze-dried hydrolysate. • Cluster dextrin maintains the antioxidant activity of protein hydrolysate. • Cluster dextrin minimizes the degradation of bioactive peptides after digestion. In this work, the biological properties of fractionated Riceberry bran protein hydrolysate obtained by ultrafiltration (URBPH) were evaluated and the possibility of using cluster dextrin to produce hydrolysate powder by spray-drying was investigated. Fractionation into peptides < 3 kDa was observed to improve antioxidant activity. URBPH < 3 kDa was then freeze-dried (FD-URBPH) and spray-dried (SD-URBPH) at different inlet air temperatures of 100–160 °C. The water solubility and antioxidant activity of FD-URBPH were higher than those of SD-URBPH. Nevertheless, encapsulation of hydrolysate with 10% cluster dextrin and an inlet temperature of 120 °C was also successful in maintaining protein qualities, which showed high 2,2′-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic (ABTS•+) scavenging activity (89.14%) and water solubility index (92.49%) and low water activity (a w = 0.53). Moreover, encapsulation preserved the antioxidant activity of peptides during gastrointestinal digestion better than the free form. URBPH and its spray-dried microcapsules could be used as bioactive ingredients in functional drinks or foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]