**4. Discussion**

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Alcalase® and pepsin hydrolysis under HHP processing conditions on the hydrolysis of allergenic proteins from mealworms. Our results provide the first evidence that HHP-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis by Alcalase® at 380 MPa for 1 min improved the degree of hydrolysis of mealworm proteins at an early stage of hydrolysis as well as in vitro digestion of allergenic proteins. Contrary to Alcalase®, HHP-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis by pepsin did not improve the degree of hydrolysis of mealworm proteins. However, the high pressure used as pretreatment condition enhanced the in vitro digestion of allergenic proteins by pepsin.
