Abstract:In this study, the activation rate of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), antioxidant properties, stabilizing effects on ADH, endogenous fluorescence spectra, and amino acid composition of ADH-activating peptides from sea buckthorn seeds at various concentrations were assessed in order to investigate their mechanism of action and stability in diverse conditions. It was demonstrated by the results that the ADH activation activity of sea buckthorn seed peptides is concentration-dependent, with an activation rate of 48.92% observed at a concentration of 10 mg/mL. Strong free radical scavenging capabilities were exhibited by the peptides, with a DPPH free radical scavenging rate of 87.17% and an ABTS free radical scavenging rate of 99.76% achieved at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, while an ·OH scavenging rate of 87.98% was reached at 4 mg/mL. ADH is protected from free radical attacks by this activity. The sea buckthorn seed ADH activating peptide can be interacted with by ADH, resulting in structural extension of ADH at concentrations of 5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL. This structural adjustment facilitates the binding of ADH to the substrate, which is also the reason for the increased activity and stability of ADH. The amino acid composition of the peptide is considered relatively balanced, with a rich content of alcohol-metabolizing amino acids such as leucine and alanine. The sea buckthorn seed ADH activating peptide is stable under heat, acidic and alkaline treatments, exposure to certain metal ions (Na?, Ca2?, K?), and gastric digestion. An inhibitory effect is exerted on its activity by Fe2+ and Fe3+ in a concentration-dependent manner, and approximately 50.70% of its ADH activating activity can still be maintained after intestinal digestion. In summary, a strong ADH activating effect is possessed by the sea buckthorn seed ADH activating peptide, a stable and favorable environment for ADH is created, and good stability is demonstrated.