Sorghum Protein Extract Protects RBC from Sodium Nitrite-Induced Oxidative Stress and Exhibits Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Activity

Introduction: Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the progression of diabetes, arthritis, cancer, eryptosis, cardiovascular disease, and thrombosis. Currently, antioxidants from natural sources are in high demand due to their beneficial role in the management of said diseases. Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the protective effect of sorghum protein buffer extract (SBE) on sodium nitrite-induced oxidative stress and thrombosis. Materials and methods: Protein characterization of SBE was done using SDS-PAGE. Oxidative stress in RBC was induced using sodium nitrite (NaNO2) and the key stress markers such as lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyl content (PCC), and the level of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) were measured. The anticoagulant effect of SBE was identified by employing in-vitro plasma recalcification time, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and in-vivo mouse tail bleeding time. SBE antiplatelet activity was examined using agonist adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation. Non-toxic property of SBE was identified using in-vitro direct haemolytic, haemorrhagic, and edema forming activities using experimental mice. Results: SBE revealed similar protein banding pattern under both reduced and non-reduced conditions on SDS-PAGE. Interestingly, SBE normalized the level of LPO, PCC, SOD, and CAT in stress-induced RBCs. Furthermore, SBE showed anticoagulant effect in platelet rich plasma by enhancing the clotting time from the control 250 s to 610 s and bleeding time from the control 200 s to more than 500 s (p<0.01) in a dose dependent manner. In addition, SBE prolonged the clot formation process of only APTT but not PT. SBE inhibited the agonists ADP and epinephrine induced platelet aggregation. SBE did not hydrolyze RBC cells, devoid of edema and haemorrhage properties. Conclusions: This study demonstrates for the first time the anticoagulant, antiplatelet, and antioxidant properties of SBE. Thus, the observed results validate consumption of sorghum as good for health and well-being.

Features of lysine inheritance in grain sorghum hybrids of the second generation

Sorghum is one of the most important grain crops in the world. Sorghum grain is characterized by a low percentage of essential amino acids in protein, primarily lysine, which significantly reduces its feed value. There are two known mutant genes with a large lysine percentage, namely the spontaneous mutant hl gene, which was originally identified in Ethiopian lines, and the P721 gene, which is induced by ethylmethanesulfonate. The purpose of the current study was to identify the patterns of inheritance of the lysine percentage in grain sorghum hybrids of the second generation which were obtained by hybridization according to two 4x4 diallelic schemes (I - SPZS-11, Sb-126/4, 144 f/8, Zernogradskoe 204; II - ZSK-4, Belozernoe 100, Otbor 100, 34045). The hybridological analysis has established that in lysine percentage in sorghum protein there are genetic differences of 1-3 genes between the parental samples included in the hybridization. The greatest differences (3 genes) were identified between sorghum grain samples 34045 and 144 f/8. In most hybrid combinations there have been identified monogenic and digenic differences between the samples involved in hybridization. The estimation of dominance degree has identified the value of the gene manifestation, that controls lysine percentage in sorghum protein. There has been determined the dominance of both large and small values of the trait. The frequency distribution curves of the studied hybrids were within the variability of the parental forms, however, there were positive transgressions in some combinations. In the combinations Sb-126/4 × SPZS-11, Zernogradskoe 204 × SPZS-11 there have been identified the forms with a large lysine percentage in grain (more than 3.5%) for further breeding process.

Composition and characterisation of kafirin, the dominant protein fraction in grain sorghum

Context Sorghum is an important feed grain for chicken-meat production in Australia. However, it is usually considered inferior to wheat – the foremost feed grain. Kafirin, the dominant protein fraction in sorghum, may be a major contributor to this inferiority due to its negative influence on starch digestion and energy utilisation. Aims The objective of this study was to determine kafirin concentrations in sorghum relative to crude protein and amino acid profiles of both kafirin and total sorghum protein. Methods Concentrations of amino acids and kafirin in 19 Premium Grains for Livestock Program sorghum varieties were quantified. These data were combined with that of up to 14 Poultry Research Foundation sorghum varieties to generate the most exhaustive documentation of its kind. The methodology developed to quantify kafirin concentrations in sorghum is thoroughly described. In addition, essential amino acid profiles in 25 grain sorghums from Australian surveys completed in 1998, 2009 and 2016 were compared statistically. Also, consideration was given to relevant near-infrared spectroscopy predicted data from 992 sorghum varieties from 2014 to 2019. Key results The average kafirin concentration of 48.2 g/kg represented 51.9% of the 92.9 g/kg crude protein (N × 5.81) content in 33 varieties grain sorghum. Kafirin holds a substantial 62.7% share of leucine as the concentration was 8.53 g/kg in kafirin as opposed 13.73 g/kg in total sorghum protein. The proposal was advanced that kafirin contents of local sorghum crops have increased during the past two decades from the 1998, 2009 and 2016 surveys of amino acid profiles in grain sorghum. Conclusions Kafirin concentrations in Australian sorghum crops may have increased over the past two decades, which may be having a negative impact on the performance of broiler chickens offered sorghum-based diets. Implications Breeding programs should be directed towards sorghums with lesser kafirin proportions of sorghum protein and/or modified kafirin protein bodies to enhance the nutritive value of sorghum as a feed grain for chicken-meat production.

Effects of Fermentation by Yeast and Amylolytic Lactic Acid Bacteria on Grain Sorghum Protein Content and Digestibility

Despite many advantages to its cultivation, grain sorghum is an underutilized crop because of low nutrient availability, particularly protein digestibility, due to antinutritional compounds in the grain and by moist-heat cooking. Some of these concerns can be mitigated by how the grain is processed. Fermentation is one processing method that can improve digestibility and at the same time concentrate protein in a substrate. In this experiment, grain sorghum was subjected to different treatments and fermented with baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and an amylolytic species, Lipomyces kononenkoae, to improve and increase protein content. The effects of pasteurization or sterilization of the substrate, nitrogen supplementation, amyloglucosidase addition, and coculture with Lactobacillus amylovorus were examined. After fermentation, baker’s yeast samples treated with enzyme increased in crude protein, from 9% in unfermented grain to approximately 27% after treatment. Nitrogen supplementation accelerated protein enrichment and was a significant factor at 24 hours of fermentation. Both types of yeast increased pepsin digestibility of sorghum protein compared to thermally processed control samples. The ratio of phytate to protein was reduced by both yeast species. L. kononenkoae reduced phytates in the substrate but did not enrich protein content. The lactic coculture had no significant effect on measured responses.