Heme-mediated production of free radicals via preformed lipid hydroperoxide fragmentation

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and the spin-trapping technique were used to investigate the capacity of several hemoglobin (Hb) forms of rainbow trout (oxyHb and metHb), free hemin (oxidized form of heme group), and hemin complexed with bovine serum albumin (BSA) to promote formation of free radicals via fragmentation of preformed lipid hydroperoxides. Cumene hydroperoxide (CumOOH) was used as a model for lipid hydroperoxide, and free radicals were monitored by stabilizing with the spin traps alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN) and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). Two different types of free radicals, hydroxyl and carbon-centered radicals, were identified as a result of the interaction of the heme-containing systems and CumOOH. Carbon-centered radicals were found to be mainly heme-mediated because the addition of the iron-chelating agent EDTA did not affect the formation of POBN/carbon-centered adducts. Hemin alone was the best promoter for the production of POBN/carbon-centered radicals in the presence of low hydroperoxide concentrations (below equimolar condition over heme group), whereas hemin/BSA and oxyHb were more active in generating radicals at high hydroperoxide concentrations or after successive interactions with hydroperoxides. This finding can be explained by the coexistence of two different facts: (i) the interaction between hemin and lipid hydroperoxides seems to be more efficient in the case of free hemin compared to heme-protein complexes and (ii) a faster degradation of hemin is produced without the presence of a protein fraction, globin or albumin. The comparison of oxyHb and metHb also suggested that both Hb redox states have similar capacities to generate oxidative stress via cleavage of preformed lipid hydroperoxides.     

一株曲霉的一种中温糖化酶的纯化及其部分酶学特性

本研究从广西花坪自然保护区采集的土壤中筛选获得了一株产糖化酶丝状真菌菌株57-45,通过形态学观察和真菌内转录间隔区（internal transcribed spacer,ITS）序列比对分析,将其初步鉴定为曲霉属（Aspergillus sp.）的一个种。纯化真菌57-45所产的一种胞外糖化酶经过硫酸铵分级沉淀、疏水层析和阴离子交换层析三步蛋白质纯化步骤,得到在SDS-PAGE上约60kD的单一蛋白质条带,薄层层析分析表明该纯化的蛋白质水解可溶性淀粉的产物只有葡萄糖,证明该纯化的蛋白质为糖化酶。纯化的糖化酶Km值为1.9mg/mL,Vmax为4148μmol/（min·mg）,最适作用pH5.5,最适作用温度50℃,在同步糖化发酵中有应用的潜力。金属离子Fe3＋、Zn2＋、Cu2＋对酶活有较强的抑制作用,EDTA对酶活有较强的促进作用。本文结果将为进一步研究曲霉糖化酶的酶学特性提供新的材料。     

Methyl jasmonate stimulates aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis by Aspergillus parasiticus.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic metabolite produced by certain Aspergillus species on agricultural commodities. One factor promoting the production of aflatoxin is the presence of high levels of fatty acid hydroperoxides often found in plant material under stress. Jasmonic acid (JA) and its methyl ester (MeJA) are derived from linolenic acid, and their biosyntheses involve the production of lipid hydroperoxides. Exposure of aflatoxigenic mold to jasmonates is likely because the mold attacks plant material and possibly initiates the production of jasmonates. In this study the effect of MeJA on the growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and AFB1 biosynthesis is reported. MeJA, at a final concentration of 10(-4) M in yeast extract sucrose medium, did not have any apparent effect on mycelial growth during the 16 days of observation but did increase significantly the levels of AFB1 after the seventh day of growth. After the ninth day, AFB1 production was decreased in contrast to the control cultures, where the production was constantly increasing. AFB1 determination was performed by immunoaffinity and HPLC after derivatization to AFB2a.     

Effects of metal chelator, sodium azide, and superoxide dismutase on the oxidative stability in riboflavin-photosensitized oil-in-water emulsion systems

The effects of riboflavin photosensitization on the oxidative stability of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions were determined using lipid hydroperoxides and headspace volatile analyses. The influences of a metal chelator, sodium azide, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) on oxidation pathways were tested to gain a better understanding of the role of transition metals, singlet oxygen, and superoxide anion, respectively. Emulsions with riboflavin and visible light irradiation had significantly higher lipid hydroperoxides and volatiles (p < 0.05) as compared to samples without light irradiation or riboflavin. The addition of ethylenediammetetraacetic acid (EDTA) decreased the formation of lipid hydroperoxides, hexanal, 2-heptenal, and 1-octen-3-ol in a concentration-dependent manner. Sodium azide, a singlet oxygen physical quencher, only inhibited the formation of 2-heptenal and 1-octen-3-ol. Overall, photosensitized riboflavin participated in both type I and type II pathways in O/W emulsions, and these pathways enhance the prooxidant activity of metals through their ability to produce lipid hydroperoxides and superoxide anion.     

Production and isolation of aflatoxin M1 for toxicological studies

One hundred mg aflatoxin M1 was produced and purified for toxicological studies. Aspergillus flavus NRRL 3251 was cultured on rice to produce aflatoxins B1, B2, M1, and M2, B1 and B2 were separated from M1 and M2 by a normal phase low pressure liquid chromatography (LC) column. M1 was then separated from M2 by a reverse phase low pressure LC column. Recoveries of aflatoxins from the LC columns were about 90%. The purified M1 was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, optical rotation, and its mutagenicity to Salmonella typhimurium TA98.     

Synthesis, structure analyses, and characterization of novel epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) glycosides using the glucansucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-1299CB

In this study, three epigallocatechin gallate glycosides were synthesized by the acceptor reaction of a glucansucrase produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-1299CB with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and sucrose. Each of these glycosides was then purified, and the structures were assigned as follows: epigallocatechin gallate 7-O-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (EGCG-G1); epigallocatechin gallate 4'-O-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (EGCG-G1'); and epigallocatechin gallate 7,4'-O-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (EGCG-G2). One of these compounds (EGCG-G1) was a novel compound. The EGCG glycosides exhibited similar or slower antioxidant effects, depending on their structures (EGCG > or = EGCG-G1 > EGCG-G1' > EGCG-G2), and also manifested a higher degree of browning resistance than was previously noted in EGCG. Also, EGCG-G1, EGCG-G1', and EGCG-G2 were 49, 55, and 114 times as water soluble, respectively, as EGCG.     

Effect of oleic and linoleic acids on the production of deep-fried odor in heated triolein and trilinolein

To determine sources of desirable deep-fried flavor in frying oils, degradation products from heated triolein and trilinolein with 5-31% polar compounds representing low to high deterioration were evaluated by purge-trap gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry. (E,E)-2,4-Decadienal, 2-heptenal, 2-octenal, 2,4-nonadienal, and 2,4-octadienal produced deep-fried odor at moderate-strong intensities in heated trilinolein. However, unexpected aldehydes-2,4-decadienal, 2,4-undecadienal, 2,4-nonadienal, and 2-octenal (all <15 ppm)-were produced in triolein heated for 6 h. These dienals possibly were produced by hydroperoxidation and/or hydroxylation followed by dehydration of 2-alkenals. The 2-alkenals were produced from thermal decomposition of hydroperoxides, epoxides, and keto and dimeric compounds produced during the heating of triolein. These aldehydes produced low intensities of deep-fried odor in triolein. This information helps to explain sources of the deep-fried flavor that is characteristic of high linoleic frying oils but which is only at low intensity levels in high oleic frying oils.     

Biochemical characterization of a novel thermostable beta-1,3-1,4-glucanase (lichenase) from Paecilomyces thermophila

The purification and characterization of a novel extracellular beta-1,3-1,4-glucanase from the thermophilic fungus Paecilomyces thermophila J18 were studied. The strain produced the maximum level of extracellular beta-glucanase (135.6 U mL(-1)) when grown in a medium containing corncob (5%, w/v) at 50 degrees C for 4 days. The crude enzyme solution was purified by 122.5-fold with an apparent homogeneity and a recovery yield of 8.9%. The purified enzyme showed as a single protein band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular mass of 38.6 kDa. The molecular masses were 34.6 kDa and 31692.9 Da when detected by gel filtration and mass spectrometry, respectively, suggesting that it is a monomeric protein. The enzyme was a glycoprotein with a carbohydrate content of 19.0% (w/w). Its N-terminal sequence of 10 amino acid residues was determined as H2N-A(?)GYVSNIVVN. The purified enzyme was optimally active at pH 7.0 and 70 degrees C. It was stable within pH range 4.0-10.0 and up to 65 degrees C, respectively. Substrate specificity studies revealed that the enzyme is a true beta-1,3-1,4-D-glucanase. The K m values determined for barley beta-D-glucan and lichenan were 2.46 and 1.82 mg mL(-1), respectively. The enzyme hydrolyzed barley beta-D-glucan and lichenan to yield bisaccharide, trisaccharide, and tetrasaccharide as the main products. Circular dichroism studies indicated that the protein contains 28% alpha-helix, 24% beta-sheet, and 48% random coil. Circular dichroism spectroscopy is also used to investigate the thermostability of the purified enzyme. This is the first report on the purification and characterization of a beta-1,3-1,4-glucanase from Paecilomyces sp. These properties make the enzyme highly suitable for industrial applications.     

Studies on kinetics and thermostability of a novel acid invertase from Fusarium solani

The present investigation deals with purification and thermal characterization of an acid invertase produced by Fusarium solani in submerged culture. The maximum enzyme activity (9.90 U mL(-1)) was achieved after 96 h of cultivation at pH 5.0 and 30 degrees C in a basal medium containing molasses (2%) as the carbon and energy source supplemented with 1% peptone. Invertase was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-200. The purified enzyme was proven to be homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular mass of the enzyme was 65 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature for activity were 2.6 and 50 degrees C, respectively. The Km value for sucrose was 3.57 mM with an activation energy of 4.056 kJ mol(-1). Enthalpies of activation (DeltaH) were decreased while entropies (DeltaS) of activation increased at higher temperatures. The effects of alpha-chymotrypsin and 4 M urea were tetraphasic with periodic gain and loss of enzyme activity. A possible explanation for the thermal inactivation of invertase at higher temperatures is also discussed.     

Beta-glucosidase from Chalara paradoxa CH32: purification and properties

The hyphomycete Chalara paradoxa CH32 produced an extracellular beta-glucosidase during the trophophase. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. The purified enzyme had an estimated molecular mass of 170 kDa by size-exclusion chromatography and 167 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme had maximum activity at pH 4.0-5.0 and 45 degrees C. The enzyme was inactivated at 60 degrees C. At room temperature, it was unstable at acidic pH, but it was stable to alkaline pH. The purified enzyme was inhibited markedly by Hg(2+) and Ag(2+) and also to some extent by the detergents SDS, Tween 80, and Triton X-100 at 0.1%. Enzyme activity increased by 3-fold in the presence of 20% ethanol and to a lesser extent by other organic solvents. Purified beta-glucosidase was active against cellobiose and p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside but did not hydrolyze lactose, maltose, sucrose, cellulosic substrates, or galactopyranoside, mannopyranoside, or xyloside derivatives of p-nitrophenol. The V(max) of the enzyme for p-NPG (K(m) = 0.52 mM) and cellobiose (K(m) = 0.58 mM) were 294 and 288.7 units/mg, respectively. Hydrolysis of pNPG was inhibited competitively by glucose (K(i) = 11.02 mM). Release of reducing sugars from carboxymethylcellulose by a purified endoglucanase produced by the same organism increased markedly in the presence of beta-glucosidase.     

New insights into the role of iron in the promotion of lipid oxidation in bulk oils containing reverse micelles

Formation of physical structures, known as association colloids, in bulk oils can promote lipid oxidation. However, the cause of this accelerated lipid oxidation is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether transition metals were important prooxidants in bulk oils containing reverse micelles produced from 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) and water. The Fe(III) chelator deferoxamine (DFO) increased the oxidative stability of stripped soybean oil (SSO) containing reverse micelles from 2 to 7 days. Because phosphatidylcholine (1,2-dibutyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) that does not form reverse micelles is not prooxidative, these results suggest that the prooxidant activity of DOPC reverse micelles could be due to their ability to concentrate both endogenous iron and lipid hydroperoxides at the water-lipid interface, thereby increasing the ability of iron to decompose lipid hydroperoxides. DFO was also able to improve the activity of α-tocopherol and Trolox in SSO containing DOPC reverse micelles increasing the lag phase from 2 to 11 and 13 days, respectively. DOPC reverse micelles decreased iron-promoted α-tocopherol and Trolox decomposition and decreased the ability of α-tocopherol and Trolox to decrease Fe(III) concentrations. Overall, these results suggest that iron is an important prooxidant in bulk oils containing reverse micelles; therefore, finding ways to control iron reactivity in association colloids could provide new technologies to increase the oxidative stability of oils.     

Thin layer chromatography and densitometric determination of aflatoxins in mixed feeds containing citrus pulp

A method for the accurate one-dimensional thin layer chromatographic (TLC) determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in mixed feeds is presented. The aflatoxins are extracted from the sample with chloroform and purified by solvent partitioning. Each aflatoxin is separated from pulp interference by thin layer chromatography on aluminum-backed silica plates. The separated aflatoxins are detected by fluorescence densitometry. Average recoveries for samples spiked from 10 to 100 ppb B1 and G1 and from 3 to 30 ppb B2 and G2 are 82, 84, 95, and 94% for B1, B2, G1, and G2, respectively. The above recovery data, when analyzed for overall method repeatability, produced relative standard deviations of 6.8, 4.3, 6.9, and 7.6% for B1, B2, G1, and G2, respectively. Minimum detection level is less than 1 ppb for each aflatoxin. B1 is confirmed by trifluoroacetic acid derivative formation on a silica TLC plate.     

Involvement of limonene hydroperoxides formed after oil gland injury in the induction of defense response against Penicillium digitatum in lemon fruit

The effects of wounding oil glands of lemon [Citrus limon (L.) Burm.] fruit were investigated. Young mature-green lemons demonstrated significantly lower decay incidence than older yellow fruit when their oil glands were punctured in the presence of postharvest wound pathogen Penicillium digitatum Sacc. Contact with the released gland content on the green lemon surface reduced the viability of P. digitatum spores approximately twice. Wounding caused rapid production of limonene hydroperoxides that persisted for only a few minutes. The magnitude depended on the physiological maturity of the fruit; mature-green fruit produced much higher levels than did yellow lemons. Furthermore, wounding of the oil glands or injection of limonene hydroperoxides into the lemon peel elicited the production of the citrus fruit phytoalexins, scoparone and scopoletin, to levels known to be effective in reducing decay caused by P. digitatum. The mature-green fruit produced about twice as much of these phytoalexins as the older yellow fruit. This induced defensive elicitation of phytoalexin production, as well as the direct effects of these antifungal compounds, markedly inhibited the pathogen in mature-green fruits but was ineffective in older yellow ones.     

Isolation and characterization of three novel peptides from casein hydrolysates that stimulate the growth of mixed cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus

In this study, sodium caseinate hydrolysates produced by papain with strong growth-stimulating activity for Streptococcus thermophilus (St) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (Lb) were obtained. A series of separation methods including ultrafiltration, macroporous adsorption resin chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) were applied to isolate and purify the peptide(s), which were mainly responsible for the activity. Finally, three novel growth-stimulating peptides, H-2-A, F2-c, and F2-b, corresponding to amino acid residues 29-35 and 103-108 of bovine α(S2)-casein and 181-186 of bovine α(S1)-casein, respectively, were obtained. With supplementation of H-2-A, F2-b, or F2-c at a protein concentration of 0.3%, the biomass yield of these two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was enhanced by 193.3, 166.7, or 151.7%, respectively. In addition, there were significant (p < 0.05) increases in viable counts of St and lactic acid production of LAB in the presence of the purified peptides.     

Purification and characterization of an antimicrobial chitinase extracellularly produced by Monascus purpureus CCRC31499 in a shrimp and crab shell powder medium

Monascus purpureus CCRC31499 produced an antimicrobial chitinase when it was grown in a medium containing shrimp and crab shell powder (SCSP) of marine wastes. An extracellular antimicrobial chitinase was purified from the culture supernatant to homology. The chitinase had a molecular weight of approximately 81,000 and a pI of 5.4. The optimal pH, optimum temperature, and pH stability of the chitinase were pH 7, 40 degrees C, and pH 6-8, respectively. The activity of the chitinase was activated by Fe(2+) and strongly inhibited by Hg(2+). The unique characteristics of the purified chitinase include high molecular weight, nearly neutral optimum pH, protease activity, and antimicrobial activity with bacteria and fungal phytopathogens. This is also the first report of isolation of a chitinase from a Monascus species.     

Purification and characterization of ferulic acid esterase from malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana, Indaf-15)

Ferulic acid esterase (EC 3.1.1.73) cleaves the feruloyl groups substituted at the 5'-OH group of arabinosyl residues of arabinoxylans and is known to modulate their functional properties. In this study, ferulic acid esterase from 96 h finger millet malt was purified to apparent homogeneity by three-step purification with a recovery of 3% and a fold purification of 22. The substrate p-nitrophenylferulate (PNPF) was synthesized and used to assay this enzyme spectrophotometrically. The products liberated from ragi and wheat water-soluble polysaccharides by the action of purified ragi ferulic acid esterase were identified by ESI-MS. The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme were found to be 6.0 and 45 degrees C, respectively. The pH and temperature stabilities of the enzyme were found to be in the range of 5.5-9.0 and 30 degrees C, respectively. The activation energy of the enzymatic reaction was found to be 4.08 kJ mol(-1). The apparent K m and V max of the purified ferulic acid esterase for PNPF were 0.053 microM and 0.085 unit mL(-1), respectively. The enzyme is a monomer with a molecular mass of 16.5 kDa. Metal ions such as Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Co(2+), and Cu(2+) and oxalic and citric acids enhanced the enzyme activity. The enzyme was completely inhibited by Fe(3+). Group specific reagents such as p-chloromercuric benzoate and iodoacetamide inhibited the enzyme, indicating the possible presence of cysteine residues in the active site pocket.     

Purification and characterization of alginate lyase from streptomyces species strain A5 isolated from banana rhizosphere

To characterize the alginate lyase produced by rhizosphere Streptomyces, Streptomyces sp. A5 was isolated from banana rhizosphere, and its extracellular lyase was purified to an electrophoretically homogeneous state. The lyase has a molecular mass of 32 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The optimum temperature and pH were 37 degrees C and pH 7.5, respectively. Ninety-two percent of the activity was lost after incubation at 70 degrees C and pH 7.5 for 20 min. The enzyme was inhibited by 0.05 M SDS and 2 mM Hg2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+, but EDTA enhanced the enzyme activity. The Km value of the lyase was 0.13 mg mL-1 with the substrate sodium alginate. The lyase had substrate specificity for polyguluronate units in the alginate molecules. The alginate oligomers prepared by the lyase show growth-promoting activity on the roots of banana plantlets. These results indicated that the encapsulation method using alginate microbeads to inoculate beneficial streptomycete strains might be beneficial to the root growth of banana plantlets.     

环状芽孢杆菌乳糖酶基因在大肠杆菌中的表达及酶学性质分析

摘要: 将环状芽孢杆菌(Bacillus circulans )中的乳糖酶基因在大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli )中进行了高效表达, 并测定了表达的乳糖酶的基本酶学性质。结果表明, 表达的乳糖酶有生物学活性, 但与来源于环状芽孢杆菌的原始酶相比, 其酶促反应的最适pH、最适温度、Km值, 以及酶的pH稳定性和温度稳定性等酶学性质均有较大变化。表达的乳糖酶最适pH为5.0, 低于原始酶的pH 6.5; 最适温度为37 ℃, 而原始酶为55 ℃; 其耐酸性、耐热性及对金属离子的抗性等方面比原酶有所提高; 而且表达的乳糖酶Km比原始酶小285倍、Vmax比原始酶大5.4倍，表明经大肠杆菌表达的乳糖酶有较高的底物亲和力，酶促反应效率更高。从乳糖酶的单位表达量来看, 原始酶在环状芽孢杆菌的表达量为20.98 U/mL，而在大肠杆菌中的表达量提高到33.102 U/mL。     

赤羽病病毒囊膜糖蛋白G1基因的截短表达、纯化及间接ELISA诊断方法的建立

为获得赤羽病病毒（Akabane Virus, AKAV）囊膜糖蛋白重组抗原作诊断应用研究,通过软件分析AKAV OBE-1株的囊膜糖蛋白G1的氨基酸序列,筛选出抗原性较好的基因片段G1-2作为目的片段,经RT-PCR扩增后,插入pMD18-T载体。经测序鉴定正确后,将该片段定向亚克隆于pET-28a (+)表达载体中,转化至BL21 (DE3)感受态细胞中进行诱导表达。经SDS-PAGE和Western-blot分析,诱导表达产物以包涵体的形式存在,大小约为40ku,且具有免疫学活性。亲和纯化后的融合蛋白浓度为2mg/ml,纯度为92.6%。以该融合蛋白作为诊断抗原,建立了间接ELISA诊断方法。确定的抗原包被浓度为20g/ml,血清最佳稀释度为1:200。交叉试验表明该方法对牛常见的6种疾病阳性血清无交叉反应。应用该方法对病毒微量中和试验检测过的云南（77份）和内蒙（70份）牛血清样品进行了检测。以中和试验为参照,通过统计学处理,得出两地临界值分别为0.493和0.488,本方法的特异性为73%和86.9%,二者的符和率分别为80%和85.9%。     

Ascorbyl palmitate, gamma-tocopherol, and EDTA affect lipid oxidation in fish oil enriched salad dressing differently

The aim of the study was to investigate the ability of gamma-tocopherol, ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), and ascorbyl palmitate to protect fish oil enriched salad dressing against oxidation during a 6 week storage period at room temperature. The lipid-soluble gamma-tocopherol (220 and 880 microg g-1 of fish oil) reduced lipid oxidation during storage by partly retarding the formation of lipid hydroperoxides (PV) and by decreasing the concentrations of individual volatile oxidation products by 34-39 and 42-66%, respectively. EDTA (10 and 50 microg g-1 of dressing) was the most efficient single antioxidant, and overall peroxide values and volatiles were reduced by approximately 70 and 77-86%, respectively. Conversely, prooxidant effects were observed with a high concentration of ascorbyl palmitate (300 microg g-1 of fish oil), whereas a low concentration was slightly antioxidative (50 microg/g of fish oil). Finally, a combination of all three antioxidants completely inhibited oxidation during storage, indicating that the prooxidant effects of ascorbyl palmitate were reverted or overshadowed by EDTA and gamma-tocopherol.