Biochemical studies of cocoa bean polyphenol oxidase

Polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.14.18.1) was isolated and partially purified from cocoa beans. The properties of the enzyme were studied. The Michaelis constant K_m for catechol was 1 × 10^?2 M . The pH optimum of polyphenol oxidase activity assayed with catechol as substrate occurred at pH 6.8 and was characterised by a relatively high thermal stability, 50% of its activity was lost after heating for 40, 25 and 5 min at 60, 69 and 80°C respectively. The optimum temperature for the enzyme activity with catechol as substrate was around 45°C. The enzyme was reactive towards 3-(3,4-dihydroxy phenyl)-DL -alanine, 3-hydroxytyramine hydrochloride and 4-methyl catechol but showed no activity towards tyrosine, p-cresol, and 4-hydroxy-phenol. A rapid deactivation of the enzyme was observed when catechol of concentration > 40 mM was used as substrate. The enzyme activity was inhibited by ascorbic acid, L -cysteine, sodium bisulphite and thiourea.     

Biochemical characteristics and thermal inhibition kinetics of polyphenol oxidase extracted from Thompson seedless grape

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was isolated from Thompson seedless grape (Vitis vinifera ‘Thompson Seedless’), and its biochemical characteristics were studied. The PPO showed activity to catechol and D, L-DOPA, but not towards monophenol l-Tyrosine, diphenols guaiacol and caffeic acid, and triphenols pyrogallic acid and gallic acid. Apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K _m) and maximum velocity of the reaction (V _max) values were 45.0 ± 0.05 mM and 500.0 ± 15.3 OD_400 nm/min for catechol, and 34.6 ± 0.03 mM and 384.6 ± 11.7 OD_478 nm/min for D, L-DOPA, respectively. The obtained similar specificity values of V _max/K _m ratio of catechol and D, L-DOPA indicated their similar affinity to Thompson seedless PPO. The most effective inhibitor was l-cysteine, followed in decreasing order by ascorbic acid, sodium metabisulfite, EDTA, NaCl, and citric acid. It was discovered that metal ions of Mg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ increased, while Zn²⁺ and K⁺ reduced the PPO activity. Sugars showed inhibition on the PPO activity, with higher effect by sucrose and lower effect by fructose and glucose. Optimum pH and temperature for grape PPO activity were 6.0 and 25 °C with 10 mM catechol as substrate. The enzyme was heat stable between 10 and 25 °C, but showed significant activity loss at temperatures higher than 40 °C and completely inactivation at 70 °C for 10 min. Thermal inactivation of PPO showed a first-order kinetic with an activation energy (E _a) of 146.1 ± 10.8 kJ/mol at pH 6.0.     

Partial characterization of peroxidase from the leaves of thymbra plant (Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata)

Peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7; donor: hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase) catalyses the oxidation of various electron donor substrates (e.g. phenols, aromatic amines). In this study, the peroxidase was extracted from Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata and, then partially purified with (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation and dialysis. The substrate specificity of peroxidase was investigated using 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), o-dianisidine, o-phenylenediamine, catechol and guaiacol as substrates. Furthermore, the effects of buffer concentration, pH, temperature and thermal inactivation on enzyme activity were also studied. The results obtained have shown that (i) the best substrate is o-dianisidine, followed by ABTS, catechol, guaiacol and o-phenylenediamine, respectively; (ii) the best buffer concentration is 40 mM for o-dianisidine and catechol, 10 mM for ABTS and guaiacol, and 100 mM for o-phenylenediamine; (iii) optimum pH is 2.5 for ABTS and o-phenylenediamine, 6.0 for o-dianisidine, and 7.0 for catechol and guaiacol; (iv) optimum temperature is 20 °C for catechol, 40 °C for ABTS, guaiacol and o-dianisidine, and 50 °C for o-phenylenediamine; and (v) the enzyme activity in the thermal inactivation experiments was enhanced with increase in temperature with o-dianisidine as a substrate while its activity decreased with o-phenylenediamine.     

Some properties of polyphenol oxidase from lily

A study of crude polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from lily bulbs was carried out to provide information useful for guiding food processing operations. Optimum pH for the enzyme activity in the presence of catechol, were 4.0 and 7.0 at room temperature(approximately 20 °C) and the enzyme was stable in the pH range from 5.0 to 6.5 at 4 °C for 10 h. Its optimum temperature was 40 °C and the heat inactivation of the enzyme followed first‐order kinetics. Lily PPO possessed a diphenolase activity toward catechol, catechin and gallic acid; catechin was the best substrate for the enzyme considering the V_max/K_m ratio. The most effective enzyme inhibitor was sodium sulphite, although ascorbic acid, l ‐cysteine and thiourea were also effective inhibitors at high concentration. But NaCl and citric acid were poor inhibitors of the enzyme. Data generated by this study might help to better prevent lily bulbs browning.     

Purification and some properties of polyphenol oxidase of longan fruit

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was isolated from longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) fruit peel, with a 46-fold purification of PPO by ammonium sulfate, Sephadex G-200 and Phenyl Sepharose being achieved. Pyrogallol, 4-methylcatechol, and catechol were good substrates for the enzyme, and activity with chlorogenic acid, p-cresol, resorcinol, or tyrosine was not observed. The optimal pH for PPO activity was 6.5 with 4-methylcatechol. The enzyme had a remarkably temperature optimum (35°C) and was relatively stable, requiring a little more than 20 min at 50°C for 50% loss of activity. Reduced glutathione, l-cysteine, thiourea, FeSO₄ and SnCl₂ markedly inhibited PPO activity, whereas MnSO₄ and CaCl₂ enhanced PPO activity. Data obtained in this study might help to better understand longan fruit peel browning.     

Characterization of a β-Glucosidase from an Edible Mushroom,Lycoperdon Pyriforme

A β-glucosidase from Lycoperdon pyriforme, a wild edible mushroom, was characterized biochemically. The enzyme showed a maximum activity at pH 4.0 and 50°C when p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucoside was used as a substrate. K_m and V_max values were calculated as 0.81 mM and 1.62 U/mg protein, respectively. The enzyme activity was conserved about 85% over a broad range of pH (3.0–9.0) at 4°C after 24 h incubation. The activity was fully retained after 60 min incubation at 20–40°C. Na⁺, Li⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cu²⁺ did not affect the enzyme activity and 0.25% sodium dodecylsulfate inhibited the enzyme activity approximately 76%. Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid, phenylmethanesulfonylfluoride, and dithiothreitol showed no or a little negative effect on the enzyme activity. The resistance of the enzyme to some metal ions, chemicals, and ethanol along with the pH stability, can make it attractive for future applications in industry.     

Heat inactivation and kinetics of polyphenoloxidase from palmito (Euterpe edulis)

Polyphenoloxidase (PPO, EC 1.14.18.1)was extracted from palmito (Euterpe edulis Mart) using 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.5. Partial purification of the enzyme was achieved by a combination of (NH₄)₂SO₄precipitation (35–90% saturation) and Sephadex G-25 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The purified preparation gave five protein bands on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, three of them with PPO activity. The K_mvalues for chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, catechol, 4-methylcatechol and catechin were 0.57, 0.59, 1.1, 2.0 and 6.25 mM , respectively. PPO has a molecular weight of 51 000 Da, maximum activity at pH 5.6 with chlorogenic acid as substrate, and was stable between pH 5.0 and 8.0. The enzyme was heat stable at 50–60°C and inactivated at 75°C. The heat stability of palmito PPO was found to be pH dependent; at 50°C and pH 4.0 the enzyme was fully inactivated after 30 min. The pH/activity studies showed two groups with pK values c 4.6 and 6.7 involved in PPO catalysis.     

Polyphenoloxidase from DeChaunac grapes

Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) from red grape cultivar, DeChaunac, grown in New York State was isolated and purified 17-fold by using Phenyl Sepharose CL-4B column. Disc gel electrophoresis revealed near homogeneity of three isoenzyme bands. The molecular weight of this enzyme ranged from 73 000 to 85 000. The temperature and pH optima of the purified enzyme were 20 °C and 6.0, respectively. Kinetic studies showed that the thermal inactivation of the PPO followed first-order kinetics, with the activation energy, Ea = 52.39 Kcal mol^?1. The substrate specificity showed a high degree of PPO activity toward o-diphenolic compounds with the highest affinity toward caffeic acid among substrates studied. The apparent K_m values for caffeic acid and 4-methylcatechol as substrates for the Dechaunac PPO were 16 mmol and 25 mmol, respectively. The most potent inhibitors of the PPO were D.L-dithiothreitol and sodium metasulphite at the concentration level of 0.5 mmol.     

APPLICATION OF A NEW CONTINUOUS FLOW SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHOD FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYPHENOL OXIDASE NATURALLY IMMOBILIZED ON COCONUT FIBER

The association of continuous flow injection and spectrophotometry affords a simple, novel and rapid way of monitoring continuously the activity of naturally immobilized enzymes in their natural environment, thus eliminating cumbersome purification. The method was applied to determine the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes naturally immobilized on coconut (Cocus nucifera, L.) fiber tissues. Maximum enzyme activity occurred at a temperature of 25C and at pH 6.0 using catechol as substrate. Thermal stability was assayed in a temperature range of 20 to 75C. The PPO exhibited excellent thermal stability, with only 50% loss in its activity at 75C after 4.3 min exposure. For catechol apparent Michaelis‐Menten constant (apparent Km), apparent Vmax and the apparent activation energy were 9.1 × 10^?3 mol L^?1, 0.20 abs min^?1 and 10.5 kcal mol^?1, respectively. The immobilized PPO showed high activity for o‐diphenols. The reactivity order was caffeic acid > pyrogallol > catechol. Complete inhibition of the enzyme was observed with 1 × 10^?3 mol L^?1 concentration of cyanide, thiourea, L‐cysteine, ascorbic acid, sodium sulfite, nitrates of cadmium, zinc and mercury, individually. Benzoic acid, 3‐hydroxy‐benzoic acid, 4‐acetamidephenol, sodium azide, resorcinol, L‐cystine and EDTA at equal concentrations inhibited PPO partially.     

Properties of polyphenol oxidase in mango (Mangifera indica) kernel

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity of filtered extract of ground mango kernel suspension (400 g litre⁻¹) was studied spectrophotometrically at 420 nm using catechol as substrate. The enzyme was most active at pH 6·0 and 25°C. Activity was reduced by 50% at pH values of 5·0 and 7·1, and also at temperatures of 14°C and 30°C. The calculated activation energy and the Michaelis constant (K_m) were 21·4 kcal mol⁻¹ °C⁻¹ and 24·6 mM , respectively. The V_max value was 2·14 units g⁻¹ mango kernel. The time to heat inactivate PPO decreased rapidly to < 10 min with increasing temperature of ⩾ 70°C at 50% activity. © 1998 SCI.     

Polyphenoloxidase from Amasya Apple

Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) of Amasya apple was partially purified by (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation and dialysis. The sample was used for characterization of the PPO. Optimum pH were 7.0, 9.0, 8.6 and 6.6 on substrates catechol, 4-methyl catechol, pyrogallol and L-dopa respectively. Catechol was the most suitable for Amasya apple PPO. The optimum temperature for maximum PPO activity was 18°C with catechol. Of seven inhibitors tested, the strongest was L-cysteine. Effectiveness of inhibitors increased in the order: thiourea, glutathione, β-mercaptoethanol, sodium cyanide, ascorbic acid, sodium metabisulfide, and L-cysteine. The K_M was 34 mM of catechol. The activation energy with catechol was 107 cal/mol. In electrophoretic separation, three isoenzymes were detected with both catechol and L-dopa substrates.     

Determination of kinetic properties of polyphenol oxidase from Thymus (Thymus longicaulis subsp. chaubardii var. chaubardii)

A partial characterization of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity of Thymus longicaulis subsp. chaubardii var. chaubardii is described. Polyphenol oxidase of Thymus was isolated by (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation and dialysis. The effects of substrate specificity, pH, temperature, heat-inactivation and glutathione inhibitor on polyphenol oxidase activity obtained from T. longicaulis subsp. chaubardii var. chaubardii were investigated. Polyphenol oxidase showed activity toward catechol, 4-methylcatechol and pyrogallol. Pyrogallol was the most suitable substrate, due to the lowest K_M (5.5 mM) and the biggest V_max/K_M (1260/min) values. It was found that the optimum pH values did not change with temperature, and were 6.5 for catechol and pyrogallol and 5.5 for 4-methycatechol at all temperatures. Optimum temperatures were 25 °C for catechol and 4-methylcatechol, and 35 °C for pyrogallol. Again, it was found that optimum temperature did not change with pH. Activation energy values were calculated from the Arrhenius equation and found to be in the range −1.72 and −7.48 kcal/mol for catechol, −3.56 and −9.17 kcal/mol for 4-methylcatechol, and −1.60 and −3.98 kcal/mol for pyrogallol as substrates, respectively. From heat-inactivation studies, the required times for 50% inactivation, using catechol, 4-methylcatechol and pyrogallol substrates, were 68.9, 66.4 and 96.3 min at 45 °C, 19.9, 17.9 and 34.3 min at 65 °C, and 4.1, 2.1 and 11.9 min at 85 °C, respectively. I₅₀ and K_i values for glutathione inhibitor, using catechol, 4-methylcatechol and pyrogallol substrates, were calculated, and it was found that the type of inhibition was competitive.     

Characterization and Inhibitors of Polyphenol Oxidase from Chinese Toon

Chinese toon is the unique and traditional woody vegetable in China. Enzymatic browning catalyzed by polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is prone to happen during the harvest, storage, and processing of Chinese toon so that the sensory quality and the nutritional content of Chinese toon products are seriously influenced. In order to prolong shelf life and storage period, the characterization of Chinese toon PPO (CtPPO) has been analyzed in this study. The PPO was extracted and fractionated by 25–70% (NH₄)₂SO₄, and the biochemical characteristics were analyzed. Based on the V_max /K_m ratio, pyrogallol was the most suitable substrate, followed by catechol and gallic acid. CtPPO exhibited no affinity with methyl gallate. The molecular mass of CtPPO was approximately 84.55 kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE. The native PAGE showed four prominent bands. Optimal pH and temperature were 6.2, 40°C and 8.5, 80°C for catechol and pyrogallol, respectively. CtPPO showed high and stable activity at pH ranging from 5.0 to 7.2 for catechol and pH 7.4 to 9.5 for pyrogallol. Activation energy (Ea) values were 263.79 KJ/mol for catechol and 103.91 KJ/mol for pyrogallol. In addition, CtPPO showed stronger heat resistance above 70°C for pyrogallol than catechol in the half-life values, D-values and other thermodynamic parameters. Ascorbic acid was the most effective inhibitor, followed by L-cysteine and citric acid. Purple onion peel extract and pomegranate rind extract were effective natural inhibitors, but the former was more valid.     

Polyphenol oxidase from bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) and its role in anthocyanin degradation

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was extracted from bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc. cv. Biqi), and its partial biochemical characteristics were studied. Stable and highly active PPO extracts were obtained using insoluble polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) in sodium phosphate, pH 7.0, buffer. The highest PPO activity was observed in the ripe fruits. Optimum pH and temperature for bayberry PPO activity were pH 6.0 and T = 30 °C with 0.1 M catechol as substrate. PPO showed activity using the substrates of catechol, gallic acid and protocatechuic acid, but no activity with the substrates (+)-catechin, p-coumaric acid or caffeic acid. K_m and V_max values were 313 mM and 3.26ΔOD/min/g FW, respectively, with catechol as the substrate. Bayberry PPO did not act directly on cyanidin 3-glucoside but the rate of anthocyanin degradation was stimulated by the addition of gallic acid.     

Purification and Some Properties of a Protease from Sorghum Malt Variety KSV8–11

A protease from sorghum malt variety KSV8–11 was purified by a combination of dialysis against 4 M sucrose, ion‐exchange chromatography on Q‐Sepharose (Fast flow), gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G‐100 and hydrophobic interaction chromatography on Phenyl Sepharose CL‐4B. The enzyme was purified 5‐fold to give a 14.1% yield relative to the total activity in the crude extract and a final specific activity of 1348.9 U mg^?1 protein. SDS‐PAGE revealed a single migrating protein band corresponding to a relative molecular mass of 16 KDa. Using casein as substrate, the purified protease had optimal activity at 50°C and maximal temperature stability between 30°C and 40°C but retained over 64% of its original activity after incubation at 60°C for 30 min. The pH optimum was 5.0 with maximum stability at pH 6.0 but 60% of the activity remained after 24 h between pH 5.0 and 8.0. The protease was inhibited by Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mg²⁺, iodoacetic acid (IAA) and p‐chloromercuribenzoate (p‐CMB), stimulated by Cu²⁺, Sr²⁺, phenylmethylsulfonyl‐fluoride (PMSF) and 2‐mercaptoethanol (2‐ME) while Mn²⁺ and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) had no effect. The purified enzyme had a K_m of 18 mg·mL^?1 and a V_max of 11.1 μmol · mL^?1 · min^?1 with casein as substrate.     

Characterization and inhibition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rosmarinus officinalis</Emphasis> L. polyphenoloxidase

Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) from Rosmarinus officinalis L. was fractionated by ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄) precipitation and dialysis, and then some of its kinetic properties such as optimum pH and temperature, substrate specificity, thermal inactivation, and inhibition were investigated using 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol as substrates. The protein content of Rosmarinus officinalis L. extracts was determined according to Bradford’s method. Kinetic parameters, K _m and V _max, were calculated from Lineweaver–Burk plots. According to V _max/K _m ratio, 4-methylcatechol was the most suitable substrate. The optimum temperature and pH values were 20, 30 and 30 °C, and 7, 8 and 8 for 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol substrates, respectively. The thermal inactivation of PPO was investigated at 35, 55, and 75 °C. The enzyme activity decreased with increasing temperature. The effect of different inhibitors on partly purified Rosmarinus officinalis L. PPO was spectrophotometrically investigated. For this purpose, ascorbic acid and l-cysteine were used to inhibit the activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L. PPO at different concentrations. From the experimental results, it was found that l-cysteine is a more effective inhibitor than ascorbic acid due to lower K _i values.     

Isolation, purification and determination of some biochemical properties of β-glucosidase from Muscat of Bornova grape

This research was undertaken to determine biochemical properties of β-glucosidase (β-d-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.21) isolated from Muscat of Bornova grape. The optimum pH for β-glucosidase activity was found to be 5.0, and the enzyme showed high activity over a broad pH range of 4.5–6.0. However, due to low activity at pH 3.0, the enzyme is expected to exhibit only a fraction of the maximum activity during grape juice fermentation due to low pH of grape juice. As the temperature increased from 30 to 55 °C, the activity increased, too, the maximum activity occurring at 55 °C which implies that the enzyme is expected to exhibit a low activity at grape juice fermentation. According to thermal inactivation studies, k _D values increased as the temperature increased, whereas half-life and D values decreased. Energy of activation (E _a) and Z values were found to be 120.99 kj mol^?1 (r ² = 0.9776) and 18.08 °C (r ² = 0.9750), respectively. d-glucose and ethyl alcohol inhibited the enzyme at varying degrees depending on the concentration.     

Induction,purification and characterization of malolactic enzyme from Oenococcus oeni SD-2a

The aim of this study was to purify a malolactic enzyme (MLE) from Oenococcus oeni (O. oeni) strain and determine its properties in detail. O. oeni SD-2a was cultivated in the ATB broth supplemented with 7 g/L l-malic acid for harvesting the cells. After harvest, the cells were washed and disrupted for purification of MLE. MLE was purified from the supernatant of the disrupted cells through protamine sulfate precipitation, anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. The purified MLE was identified using mass spectrometry. The MLE was purified by 43-fold with a yield of 0.42 % and possessed a specific activity of 419.2 U/mg. The purified enzyme with a nominal molecular mass of 59 kDa and a theoretical pI of 4.76 exhibited a maximum enzyme activity at 35 °C and pH 6.0, which retained over 50 % of its initial activity in the presence of 14 % (v/v) ethanol. Mn²⁺ was proven to be the most effective divalent cation to promote enzyme activity. Under the conditions of temperature 30 °C and pH 6.0, the K _m and V _max of MLE on l-malic acid were 12.5 × 10^?3 M and 43.86 μmol/(min × mg), respectively. Moreover, the purified enzyme exhibited a higher stability with 0.1 M NaCl in addition and had a half-life of 30 days at 4 °C.     

Purification and enzymatic characteristics of a novel polyphenol oxidase from lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.)

A polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from lotus seed was purified by the procedures including ammonium sulphate precipitation and affinity chromatography. The apparent molecular mass was 38.6 kDa by SDS‐PAGE. Kinetic studies showed that the K_m and V_max values for catechol were 6.04 mm and 416.67 U, respectively. The PPO performed optimal activity in 20 °C and pH 7.0. The enzymatic activity could be mainly maintained up to 50 °C and pH 4.0–7.0. The activity could be inhibited by various inhibitors including thiourea, urea, sodium hydrogen sulphite, EDTA·2Na, SDS, citric acid, guanidine hydrochloride, ascorbic acid, sodium sulphite and sodium thiosulphate. The metal ions Ba²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Zn²⁺ could inhibit the activity of PPO, while Cu²⁺ performed obvious enhancement. The enzymatic properties of PPO could probably provide practical application in inhibiting the PPO activity and preventing enzymatic browning in the process of picking, transportation, processing and storage of fresh lotus seeds.     

Purification of a lipase from the hepatopancreas of oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps linnaeus) and its characteristics and properties

Lipase has been purified from the hepatopancreas of oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps) by defatting, water extraction, ammonium sulphate fractionation and chromatography on DEAE Sephadex and Sephadex G-100. The preparation was homogeneous on polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis and on gel filtration through Sephacryl S-200. The enzyme showed a molecular weight of 54000±57000 with 6.1% of carbohydrate. The pH and temperature optima of purified sardine lipase were 8 and 37°C respectively. Sardine lipase remained stable up to 45°C (15 min) and in the pH range 5 to 9.5. The K_m values obtained for the substrates tributyrin and triacetin were 4 × 10^?2 and 30 × 10^?2, respectively. The effect of halogens and various metal ions on sardine lipase activity, substrate specificity, amino acid and carbohydrate composition are also reported.