Isolation of a Calcium-binding Peptide from Chlorella Protein Hydrolysates

To isolate a calcium-binding peptide from chlorella protein hydrolysates, chlorella protein was extracted and hydrolyzed using Flavourzyme, a commercial protease. The degree of hydrolysis and calcium-binding capacity were determined using trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid and orthophenanthroline methods, respectively. The enzymatic hydrolysis of chlorella protein for 6 hr was sufficient for the preparation of chlorella protein hydrolysates. The hydrolysates of chlorella protein were then ultra-filtered under 5 kDa as molecular weight. The membrane-filtered solution was fractionated using ion exchange, reverse phase, normal phase chromatography, and fast protein liquid chromatography to identify a calcium-binding peptide. The purified calcium-binding peptide had a calcium binding activity of 0.166 mM and was determined to be 700.48 Da as molecular weight, and partially identified as a peptide containing Asn-Ser-Gly-Cys based on liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrum.