scholarly journals The Vicilin protein (Vigna radiata L.) of mung bean as a functional food

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 907-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Lucia Amaral ◽  
Ederlan Souza Ferreira ◽  
Maraiza Aparecida Silva ◽  
Valdir Augusto Neves ◽  
Aureluce Demonte

Purpose The hypocholesterolemic activity of legume vicilins and the structural homology among mung bean, soybean and adzuki bean vicilins (8S) suggest that this protein may play a role in lipid metabolism. Thus, in the present study, the authors aim to isolate the mung bean vicilin and assess its in vitro effect on 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG CoAr), the enzyme responsible for endogenous cholesterol synthesis. Design/methodology/approach Chromatographic and electrophoretic characterization identified the molecular mass and polypeptide composition of mung bean vicilin. The hydrolysate of this globulin was obtained by sequential hydrolysis with pepsin-pancreatin and the fragments were characterized by molecular filtration, SDS PAGE and HPLC. Findings The molecular mass of vicilin was estimated as 158.23 at ± 10 kDa and SDS-PAGE revealed that the 8S globulin protein comprises four bands corresponding to polypeptides of 61, 48, 29 and 26 kDa. Fractions 10, 12, 14, 22 and 32 of the eluate from Sephadex G-25 exhibited significant inhibition of HMG CoAr. Originality/value The correspondence of the chromatographic profile of the peptide fractions with hypocholesterolemic activity suggests that the composition and chemical structure of these peptides are essential to their physiological effectiveness. The beneficial effects of mung bean vicilin identified in this study will support the characterization of this protein as a functional compound.

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (17) ◽  
pp. 5880-5888 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. De Maesschalck ◽  
V. Eeckhaut ◽  
L. Maertens ◽  
L. De Lange ◽  
L. Marchal ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIn broiler chickens, feed additives, including prebiotics, are widely used to improve gut health and to stimulate performance. Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) are hydrolytic degradation products of arabinoxylans that can be fermented by the gut microbiota. In the current study, we aimed to analyze the prebiotic properties of XOS when added to the broiler diet. Administration of XOS to chickens, in addition to a wheat-rye-based diet, significantly improved the feed conversion ratio. XOS significantly increased villus length in the ileum. It also significantly increased numbers of lactobacilli in the colon andClostridiumcluster XIVa in the ceca. Moreover, the number of gene copies encoding the key bacterial enzyme for butyrate production, butyryl-coenzyme A (butyryl-CoA):acetate CoA transferase, was significantly increased in the ceca of chickens administered XOS. In this group of chickens, at the species level,Lactobacillus crispatusandAnaerostipes butyraticuswere significantly increased in abundance in the colon and cecum, respectively.In vitrofermentation of XOS revealed cross-feeding betweenL. crispatusandA. butyraticus. Lactate, produced byL. crispatusduring XOS fermentation, was utilized by the butyrate-producingAnaerostipesspecies. These data show the beneficial effects of XOS on broiler performance when added to the feed, which potentially can be explained by stimulation of butyrate-producing bacteria through cross-feeding of lactate and subsequent effects of butyrate on gastrointestinal function.


1994 ◽  
Vol 299 (3) ◽  
pp. 839-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Palumbo ◽  
M d'Ischia ◽  
G Misuraca ◽  
L De Martino ◽  
G Prota

A melanogenic enzyme catalysing the rearrangement of dopachrome has been identified in the ejected ink of the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis. This enzyme occurs as a heat-labile protein which co-migrates with tyrosinase under a variety of chromatographic and electrophoretic conditions. On SDS/PAGE it shows like a single band with an approx. molecular mass of 85 kDa. The enzyme possesses high substrate specificity, acting on L-dopachrome (Km = 1 mM at pH 6.8) and on L-alpha-methyl-dopachrome, but not on D-dopachrome, L-dopachrome methyl ester, dopaminochrome and adrenochrome. Significant inhibition of the catalytic activity was observed with tropolone and L-mimosine. H.p.1.c. analysis of the enzyme-catalysed rearrangement of L-dopachrome revealed the quantitative formation of the decarboxylated product, 5,6-dihydroxyindole. These results point to marked differences between melanogenesis in cephalopod pigment cells and in melanocytes, which may have important implications in relation to the use of sepiomelanin as a model for studies of mammalian melanins.


2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-143
Author(s):  
William Renzo Cortez-Vega ◽  
Irene Rodrigues Freitas ◽  
Sandriane Pizato ◽  
Carlos Prentice

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to isolate Whitemouth croaker protein by alkaline solubilization process and evaluate their nutritional quality to evaluate the bioavailability of essential amino acids. Design/methodology/approach – The proximate composition, essential amino acid composition, in vitro digestibility, apparent bioavailability, chemical score of amino acids and SDS-PAGE were determined for the isolated croaker proteins. Findings – The isolated protein showed a high level of protein 92.21 percent and low amount of lipids 0.57 percent. The protein is rich in lysine and leucine, 108.73 and 96.75 mg/g protein, respectively. The protein isolate had high digestibility, 94.32 percent, which indicates proper utilization of this protein source, while the tryptophan had lower bioavailability (12.58 mg amino acid/mg protein). The high chemical scores were found for the amino acids lysine, methionine+cysteine (6.79 and 5.14). SDS-PAGE of proteins extracted showed appearance of the heavy chain of myosin (220 kDa), actin (50 kDa) and other fractions, with molecular weight between 20 and 50 kDa, such as troponin I, C and T. Originality/value – The products obtained from croaker muscle can be incorporated as a high value supplements in human diets. The isolated protein exhibited a high content of essential amino acids and digestibility, indicating that the protein has a high nutritional quality.


1996 ◽  
Vol 109 (6) ◽  
pp. 1565-1573
Author(s):  
R. Starr ◽  
F.L. Hall ◽  
M.J. Monteiro

An immunoprecipitation assay was used to identify protein kinases which are physically associated with neurofilaments (NF) in mouse brain extracts. Using this approach, we show that a cdc2-related kinase is associated with NF. The cdc2-related kinase was found to be distinct from cdk5 and the authentic cdc2 by a number of criteria. Firstly, it has a molecular mass on SDS-PAGE gels of 34 kDa, similar to that of cdc2, but differing from cdk5 (31 kDa). Secondly, it is not recognized by an antibody specific for cdk5. Thirdly, it is recognized by an antibody raised against the C-terminal region of authentic cdc2, but not by an antibody specific for the PSTAIRE motif. Using immunoblotting, we further show that the cdc2-related kinase copurifies with NF isolated from rat tissues. In vitro kinase assays further demonstrated that immunoprecipitated cdc2-related kinase phosphorylates recombinant NF-H protein. Phosphorylation of NF-H by the cdc2-like activity was not affected by 3 microM olomoucine but was inhibited by 10 microM of this kinase inhibitor. Phosphoamino acid analysis of in vitro phosphorylated NF-H indicates that the immunoprecipitated cdc2-related kinase phosphorylates serine residues.


2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhu-Hong Li ◽  
Catherine Li ◽  
Sergio H. Szajnman ◽  
Juan B. Rodriguez ◽  
Silvia N. J. Moreno

ABSTRACT Bisphosphonates are widely used for the treatment of bone disorders. These drugs also inhibit the growth of a variety of protozoan parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis. The target of the most potent bisphosphonates is the isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway enzyme farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS). Based on our previous work on the inhibitory effect of sulfur-containing linear bisphosphonates against T. gondii, we investigated the potential synergistic interaction between one of these derivatives, 1-[(n-heptylthio)ethyl]-1,1-bisphosphonate (C7S), and statins, which are potent inhibitors of the host 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (3-HMG-CoA reductase). C7S showed high activity against the T. gondii bifunctional farnesyl diphosphate (FPP)/geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) synthase (TgFPPS), which catalyzes the formation of FPP and GGPP (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 31 ± 0.01 nM [mean ± standard deviation]), and modest effect against the human FPPS (IC50 = 1.3 ± 0.5 μM). We tested combinations of C7S with statins against the in vitro replication of T. gondii. We also treated mice infected with a lethal dose of T. gondii with similar combinations. We found strong synergistic activities when using low doses of C7S, which were stronger in vivo than when tested in vitro. We also investigated the synergism of several commercially available bisphosphonates with statins both in vitro and in vivo. Our results provide evidence that it is possible to develop drug combinations that act synergistically by inhibiting host and parasite enzymes in vitro and in vivo.


2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 1031-1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Kumar Dahiya ◽  
M.J.R. Nout ◽  
Martinus A. van Boekel ◽  
Neelam Khetarpaul ◽  
Raj Bala Grewal ◽  
...  

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address malnourishment in developing countries by a food-based approach in which locally produced and consumed foods are improved by applying food processing techniques that benefit the amount and availability of desirable nutrients. Design/methodology/approach – To facilitate this approach, this paper reports on the composition and in vitro micronutrient accessibility of 14 traditional mung bean foods from India in relation to their preparation methods. Findings – Proximate composition, in vitro mineral accessibility, phytic acid and polyphenol contents varied among the range of products. Products requiring either fermentation or germination, had higher in vitro iron, zinc and calcium accessibility. Average in vitro iron, zinc and calcium accessibility of the mung bean products were 16, 9 and 418 mg kg−1 dry weight. Phytic acid and polyphenols averaged 2.1 and 1.8 g kg−1 dry weight, respectively, and were negatively correlated with in vitro mineral accessibility. Practical implications – Different mung bean products (100 g) cover 12.0-59.5, 5.2-45.6, 4.2-28.6 and 1.1-7.1 per cent of the recommended dietary allowance for protein, iron, zinc and calcium, respectively, for seven- to nine-year-old Indian children. Originality/value – This study demonstrated the wide range of traditional mung bean foods in India and presents options to tackle malnourishment by a food-based approach.


2001 ◽  
Vol 29 (01) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Alhakam Tulimat ◽  
Tadashi Ishiguchi ◽  
Susumu Kurosawa ◽  
Takashi Nakamura ◽  
Toku Takahashi

Dai-Kenchu-To (DKT) is a herbal medicine and is currently used as the treatment of paralytic ileus in Japan. We investigated the mechanism of beneficial effects of DKT in vitro. DKT-extract powder (DKT-EP; 30–300 μg/ml) caused a significant inhibition on carbachol (CCH; 10-6)-induced contraction in a concentration dependent manner of the rat distal colon. DKT-EP (100 μg/ml) consists of 20 μg/ml of Zanthoxylum Fruit, 30 μg/ml of Ginseng Root and 50 μg/ml of Ginger Rhizome. Although each of them had no effect on CCH-induced muscle contraction, the combination of three ingredients caused a significant inhibition on CCH-induced contraction.


2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parya Rahnama Vosough ◽  
Ali Mohamadi Sani ◽  
Masoumeh Mehraban ◽  
Reza Karazhyan

Purpose – Since a sound detoxification method is needed for controlling aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), as one of the most harmful mycotoxins in animal production and food industry, this study was performed. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This study was conducted to examine the ability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG to remove AFB1 from liquid media. The binding of AFB1 to Lb. rhamnosus GG was studied for viable, heat-killed and acid-killed bacteria. AFB1 at concentrations (5, 10 and 20 μg/l) was added to the bacterial culture (109 cfu/ml) in MRS broth medium and incubated at 25°C for 4, 12 and 24 h. The aflatoxin-binding capacity of the strain was quantified by the amount of unbound AFB1 using ELISA technique. Findings – Results showed the AFB1-binding capacity of viable, heat-killed and acid-killed bacteria was about 43, 49 and 50 percent, respectively. The percentage of AFB1 removed was the highest amount in low (5 μg/l) and high (20 μg/l) concentrations, and there was no significant difference between them (p=0.05). These findings suggest that lactic acid bacteria can be exploited as an approach to detoxification of aflatoxins from foods. Practical implications – This method is safe because non-viable bacteria have more ability to remove toxin than viable bacteria, and also it is an effective method with 50 percent approximately toxin removal. Originality/value – Since there has been no research on the ability of this strain on the removal of AFB1, the authors assessed the ability of the strain in high levels of AFB1.


2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
pp. 3461-3467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunlong Yang ◽  
Ershu Lin ◽  
Shaobin Huang

Abstract An aerobic denitrifying bacterium isolated from a bio-trickling filter treating NOx, Bacillus sp. K5, is able to convert ammonium to nitrite, in which hydroxylamine oxidase (HAO) plays a critical role. In the present study, the performance for simultaneous nitrification and denitrification was investigated with batch experiments and an HAO was purified by an anion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography from strain K5. The purified HAO's molecular mass was determined by SDS-PAGE and its activity by measuring the change in the concentration of ferricyanide, the electron acceptor. Results showed that as much as 87.8 mg L−1 ammonium-N was removed without nitrite accumulation within 24 hours in the sodium citrate medium at C/N of 15. The HAO isolated from the strain K5 was approximately 71 KDa. With hydroxylamine (NH2OH) as a substrate and potassium ferricyanide as an electron acceptor, the enzyme was capable of oxidizing NH2OH to nitrite in vitro when the pH varied from 7 to 9 and temperature ranged from 25 °C to 40 °C. This is the first time that an HAO has been purified from the Bacillus genus, and the findings revealed that it is distinctive in its molecular mass and enzyme properties.


2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 375-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen María Martín-Navarro ◽  
Jacob Lorenzo-Morales ◽  
Rubén P. Machin ◽  
Atteneri López-Arencibia ◽  
José Manuel García-Castellano ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTAcanthamoebais an opportunistic pathogen in humans, whose infections most commonly manifest asAcanthamoebakeratitis or, more rarely, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Although there are many therapeutic options for the treatment ofAcanthamoeba, they are generally lengthy and/or have limited efficacy. Therefore, there is a requirement for the identification, validation, and development of novel therapeutic targets against these pathogens. Recently, RNA interference (RNAi) has been widely used for these validation purposes and has proven to be a powerful tool forAcanthamoebatherapeutics. Ergosterol is one of the major sterols in the membrane ofAcanthamoeba. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl–coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, one of the precursors for the production of cholesterol in humans and ergosterol in plants, fungi, and protozoa. Statins are compounds which inhibit this enzyme and so are promising as chemotherapeutics. In order to validate whether this enzyme could be an interesting therapeutic target inAcanthamoeba, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against HMG-CoA were developed and used to evaluate the effects induced by the inhibition ofAcanthamoebaHMG-CoA. It was found that HMG-CoA is a potential drug target in these pathogenic free-living amoebae, and various statins were evaluatedin vitroagainst three clinical strains ofAcanthamoebaby using a colorimetric assay, showing important activities against the tested strains. We conclude that the targeting of HMG-CoA andAcanthamoebatreatment using statins is a novel powerful treatment option againstAcanthamoebaspecies in human disease.


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