Sub-chronic toxicity study of green peas protein hydrolysate in rats

Despite green peas protein hydrolysate benefits, very few studies have described the potential toxicity. The acute oral toxicity of green peas protein which hydrolyzed by bromelain at a single dose of 5000 mg/kg BW has been evaluated in Swiss Webster mice and did not produce treatment-related signs of toxicity or mortality in any of the animals tested during the 14-day observation period. The present study aimed was to evaluate the sub-chronic toxicity effects of Protein Hydrolysate Green Peas Bromelain (PHGPB) in Sprague Dawley rats by the regulations of the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency 2013. In the repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study, the administration of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg/day of green peas protein hydrolysate per body weight revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in body weight change, hematological parameters, relative organ weights, and gross findings compared to the control group. Clinical biochemistry analysis and histopathology examinations of liver and kidney showed slight morphological alteration. The oral sub-chronic toxicity test of PHGPB for 28 days did not induce noticeable signs of toxicity. The no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of PHGPB in the sub-chronic toxicity study was dose of the 200 mg/kg BW. The results of our studies PHGPB indicate a lack of toxicity and support the use of functional foods.