Background and purpose: Biological studies on marine fauna, especially invertebrates, has significantly increased in recent years which led to the identification of many different bioactive compounds. The sea cucumber are echinoderms with a very muscular body wall that contains 70% collagen and is considered a rich source of protein. Based on recent researches on bioactive compounds extracted from sea cucumber, it was found to have cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-coagulation properties.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, enzymatic hydrolysis method was used to study the anticoagulant properties of hydrolysates protein in muscles of sea cucumber. Finally, the anticoagulant properties of  hydrolysates protein on the human blood plasma was examined by the Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time anticoagulant test (APTT) in two concentrations (90 and 130 µg/ml), and Prothrombin Time (PT) in different concentrations (220, 440, 670, and 900 µg/ml).

Results: The total amount of hydrolysates protein was found to be 55.8 mg/g in wet tissue. The results of anti-coagulation assays showed that the hydrolysates protein of the sea cucumber muscle contains anticoagulant properties on human blood plasma and could prolong the clotting time.

Conclusion: Peptides from the hydrolysis in sea cucumber muscle have anticoagulant properties as already reported for heparin-like compounds.