Effect of Phytase Addition to Buckwheat Wort on the Selected Fermentable Sugars, Polypeptide Profile and Nitrogen Content from Free Aminoacids

Relatively high levels of phytates in buckwheat malt and the low activity of endogenous phytases that limit the effective use of substrates for fermentation and yeast metabolism (starch, proteins, minerals) are an argument for using phytases in beer production technology. Two mash-in programs were applied: (1) the Congress program, typical for basic raw materials, (2) a program with temperature optimized for phytase activity. Commercial preparations of 3-phytase (Finase P) and 6-phytase (Ronozyme) were used in the study. Monitored levels of selected fermentable sugars indicates a statistically significant effect of phytase addition on the glucose content in both mash-in programs used. The SEC-HPLC chromatography allowed to select a key polypeptide with an estimated molecular weight of 40 kDa, whose relative peak area decreases as a result of the applied mash-increase treatment with phosphorolytic enzymes, although this relation was not statistically confirmed in the analysis of free amino acids content. The analyses carried out also indicate that apart from the target molecules, namely phytate and inositol, the use of phytases in the process of buckwheat wort preparation slightly changes the profile of fermentable sugars and causes significant changes in the polypeptide profile of the final mash.

Quantitative prediction of charge regulation in oligopeptides

Charge regulation in the peptide Glu5–His5 as a model weak ampholyte: simulations predict deviations from the ideal ionization of free aminoacids, in quantitative agreement with experiments.

Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical and Antibacterial Studies on the Leaves of Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn. in Cuba

Towards authentication and quality assurance of medicinal plants, pharmacognostic, physicochemical, phytochemical and preliminary antibacterial studies of the leaves of Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn, were carried out. The macroscopic evaluation revealed characters that are of diagnostic value and useful in authentication of the plant. The physicochemical analyses reveals values for moisture content (12.46 %), alcohol extractive (0.5 %), and total ash (11.5 %) which are within the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for crude drug from medicinal plants, except the last one. Phytochemical screening for secondary metabolites revealed the presence of fats, alkaloids, saponins, triterpens/steroids, reductants sugars, flavonoids, free aminoacids or amines, quinones, anthocyanins and mucilage, and phenolic compounds, while resins and balsams, coumarins and tannins were absent. Information obtained from these studies can be used as markers in the identification and standardization of this plant as a herbal remedy and also towards monograph development on the plant.