Which statement describes how hydrolysates differ from concentrates and isolates?

• A. They are free of fats
• B. They are produced by breaking proteins into smaller peptides through hydrolysis
• C. They are the same as protein isolates
• D. They are always derived from plant sources

Answer: (B)

Hydrolysis and pre-digestion define protein hydrolysates. They are made by breaking proteins into smaller pieces—peptides and amino acids—through a hydrolysis process, which is why they are described as hydrolysates. This pre-digestion distinguishes them from concentrates and isolates, which are different ways of processing protein to change its non-protein content rather than to pre-digest the protein itself. Concentrates still contain more of the original fats and carbohydrates from the source, while isolates are processed to remove most non-protein components, yielding a higher protein content but without the pre-digested peptides. Hydrolysates aren’t inherently fat-free and aren’t restricted to plant sources—they can come from dairy, egg, plant, and other sources. So the statement that they are produced by breaking proteins into smaller peptides through hydrolysis best captures what sets hydrolysates apart.