This work investigated the influence of enzymatic tenderization
on digestibility changes of beef semimembranosus proteins using peptidomics
methods. Hydrolysis by proteinase K and bromelain elevated the average
bitterness index of identified peptides by generating high-Q values peptides (1714–1790 Cal/mol), including
KDLFDPIIQ, LIDDHFLFDKPVSPL, and QLIDDHFLFDKPVSPLLL. Proteolysis during
enzymatic tenderization acted as a “pre-digestion” step
and significantly elevated the degree of hydrolysis of beef protein
(by 4.5–17.3%) in subsequent simulated gastrointestinal digestion.
Peptidomics analysis of digests revealed large variations in the peptide
composition, which was positively correlated with the degree of proteolysis
during enzymatic tenderization. Enzymatic tenderization with proteinase
K- (for 0.5 h) or bromelain-treated samples largely increased the
survival rate (by 65.5 or 82.8%) of peptides during simulated digestion,
possibly because of the “secondary enzyme–substrate
interaction” effect. This work could provide a new sight into
the possible influence of enzymatic tenderization on meat nutrition.