Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in reducing blood pressure and
gives an anti-hypertensive effect. Inhibition of ACE mainly results in an overall antihypertensive
effect. The objectives of this study were to determine the ACE inhibition activity in edible bird
nest hydrolysates and the effect of different hydrolysis time of 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240
minutes. Edible bird nest protein was hydrolysed by enzymatic hydrolysis with alcalase and
papain to obtain ACE inhibitory peptides. The results suggested that 60 minutes of hydrolysis
time using alcalase contributed to the best ACE inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.02mg protein/ml)
which shows edible bird nest protein hydrolysate to be a potent ACE inhibitor that may be used
to decrease blood pressure.