Abstract:In order to achieve high-value utilization of Lithobates catesbeiana skin and develop novel anti-diabetic peptides, L. catesbeiana skin collagen was used as raw material in this study and the enzymatic hydrolysis process was optimized using seven proteases. The optimal hydrolysate was selected based on hydrolysis degree, protein recovery rate, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibition rate. The molecular weight distribution and processing stability of the hydrolysate were determined. The peptide sequences were identified using nano-LC-MS/MS technology, and the molecular mechanism of DPP-IV inhibition by the active peptides was explored. The results showed that when the mass ratio of papain to bromelain was 7:1, the hydrolysis time was 6 h, and the enzyme dosage was 2.4% (m/m), the hydrolysate B76 exhibited the best performance (with a hydrolysis degree of 36.63%, protein recovery rate of 53.99%, and DPP-IV inhibition rate of 58.40%). The peptides with a molecular weight less than 1000 u accounted for 92.61% of the total peptides in B76, and its DPP-IV inhibitory activity could be stably retained under high temperature and extreme acidic, alkaline conditions. Nano-LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that the peptides GPSGPSGP and VGPRGPAG were found to exhibit the lowest binding energies to DPP-IV. GPSGPSGP was synthesized and determined to possess an IC50 of 0.6812 mmol·L-1, and the DPP-IV active site was competitively inhibited by this peptide in a substrate-like manner. This experiment provided a theoretical basis for the development of L. catesbeiana skin collagen in anti-diabetic functional foods.