Comparative Assessment of Trypsin Inhibitor vis-à-vis Kunitz Trypsin Inhibitor and Bowman-Birk Inhibitor Activities in Soybean

Trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) in soybean is attributed to two polypeptides, namely, Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) and Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI). Standard spectrophotometric protocol widely followed for estimation of TIA is cumbersome and does not distinguish KTI from BBI. In the present investigation, extraction conditions for KTI were optimized and different forms of this polypeptide were resolved in 180 soybean genotypes of Indian and exotic origin through native PAGE. This led to the identification of three KTI alleles, namely, Ti^a, Ti^b, and Ti^c, with Ti^a occurring in most of the Indian genotypes. Trypsin-KTI complex assay exhibited binding of Ti^a polypeptide with 2.51 fold concentration of trypsin. Subsequently, seeds of selected genotypes were subjected to estimation of KTI and BBI activity through densitometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively; and total TIA through standard spectrophotometric protocol. Summation of KTI and BBI was significantly (P?<?0.05) lower than that of TIA determined through the spectrophotometric method.     

Enzymatic synthesis of structured lipids from liquid and fully hydrogenated high oleic sunflower oil

Structured lipids (SL) were synthesized via enzymatic (EI) and chemical interesterification of high oleic sunflower oil (SO) and fully hydrogenated high oleic SO with Lipozyme TL IM (Thermomyces lanuginose) for 3 h at 70°C, 300 rpm. Reaction showed changes in the triacylglycerols (TAGs) composition, solid fat content (SFC), thermal behavior, regiospecific distribution, microstructure, and polymorphism. Results revealed that the EI caused considerable rearrangement of the TAG species with lower levels of tri-saturated and tri-unsaturated TAG and higher levels of monoun- and diunsaturated TAG. The interesterified blends showed reduced SFC between 20 and 35°C, lowering the melting point. After 3-h incubation, EI produced acyl migration to some extent. The SL showed the required characteristics for application as bakery fats and as additives for lipid crystallization in the food industry.     

In vitro evaluation of the probiotic attributes of two pediococci strains producing pediocin PA-1 with selective potency as compared to nisin

Eighteen dairy starter cultures, spoilage and food-borne pathogenic strains were analyzed for susceptibility to antimicrobial peptides pediocin PA-1 (PedPA-1) and nisin, through the individual 50 % inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) determination. The IC₅₀ of purified PedPA-1 was found to be more potent than nisin against five spoilage and food-borne pathogenic strains, i.e., Bacillus cereus NCDC 240, Enterococcus faecalis NCDC 114, Enterococcus faecium NCDC 124, Streptococcus agalactiae NCDC 208 and Staphylococcus aureus NCDC 110. The IC₅₀ of PedPA-1 and nisin ranged from 6.58 to 0.29 µM and 18.91 to 0.03 µM, respectively. Further, PedPA-1 producing Pediococcus pentosaceus NCDC 273 and Pediococcus acidilactici NCDC 252 strains were evaluated for potential probiotic attributes by in vitro studies. Both pediococci strains were able to survive at low pH and 2 % bile with a good bile salt hydrolase activity, cell surface hydrophobicity and β-galactosidase activity that makes them potentially good candidates for probiotics. These strains with proven promising probiotic attributes are good candidates for further investigation through in vivo studies to elucidate their potential health benefits.     

Antioxidative activities and chemical characterization of polysaccharides extracted from the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune

Antioxidant properties of hot water extract (HWE), hot water extracted polysaccharides (HWP) and hot alkali extracted polysaccharides (HWAE) were obtained from fruiting bodies of the wild basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune. All extracts contained both α- and β-glucans as determined by Megazyme β-glucan assay kit. Glucose was found by TLC and NMR to be the prevalent monosaccharide in all extracts. Total phenol contents were in descending order of HWP ≈ HWE > HWAE. Median effective concentrations (EC₅₀ values) of antioxidant activities were 8.3 ± 0.1, 6.9 ± 0.0 and 8.9 ± 0.1 mg/mL, and of the DPPH scavenging activity 0.8 ± 0.0, 0.6 ± 0.0 and 1.8 ± 0.0 mg/mL, for HWE, HWP and HWAE, respectively. EC₅₀ values of reducing power were 7.6 ± 0.1, 7.9 ± 0.0 and 12.5 ± 0.1 mg/mL, whereas those of the chelating abilities on ferrous ions were 3.1 ± 0.0, 4.6 ± 0.1 and 4.9 ± 0.1 mg/mL. The EC₅₀ values of the antioxidant activity, of the DPPH scavenging, and of the reducing power were correlated with total polysaccharide as well as with total phenol content. The antioxidant activities of all the extracts may be caused by both polysaccharides and polyphenols or by a complex of both.     

Comparison of requirements for using health claims on foods in the European Union,the USA,Canada, and Australia/New Zealand

Nutrition is recognized as one of the leading factors influencing the growing incidence of noncommunicable diseases. Despite society experiencing a global rise in obesity, specific populations remain at risk of nutrient deficiencies. The food industry can use health claims to inform consumers about the health benefits of foods through labeling and the broader promotion of specific food products. As health claims are carefully regulated in many countries, their use is limited due to considerable investments required to fulfill the regulatory requirement. Although health claims represent a driving force for innovation in the food industry, the risk of misleading of consumers need to be avoided. The health claim scientific substantiation process must be efficient and transparent in order to meet the needs of companies in the global market, but should be based on strong scientific evidence and plausible mechanisms of actions, to ensure highest level of consumer protection. The objective of this review is to compare the possibilities for using health claims on foods in the European Union, the USA, Canada, and Australia and New Zealand. In particular, we focused on differences in the classification of claims, on the scientific substantiation processes and requirements for health claims use on foods in the selected regions. Reduction of disease risk (RDR) claims are associated with relatively similar procedures and conditions for use, whereas several notable differences were identified for other types of claims. In all cases, RDR claims must be approved prior their introduction to the market, and only a few such claims have been authorized. Much greater differences were observed concerning other types of claims.     

Identification of four IgE-reactive proteins in raspberry (Rubus ideaeus L.)

IgE-reactive proteins in raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.) were identified using PCR, RT-PCR, 2-DE and MS/MS peptide sequencing. Specific polyclonal antibodies and patient sera were used in Western blotting to identify crossreactive epitopes. Initially, two potential allergens Rub i 1 and Rub i 3 were detected using PCR, showing high sequence identity to proteins in Rosaceous species like Mal d 1 and Mal d 3 from apple, Pru av 1 and Pru av 3 from cherry and Pru p 1 and Pru p 3 from peach. Furthermore, de novo identified peptides of a protein band at about 30 kDa reacting with most of the patient sera tested (> 80%) revealed a high sequence homology with class III chitinases. Raspberry chitinase, when subjected to glycoproteomic analysis, showed typical complex plant-type N-glycans with a core alpha1,3 fucose and a beta1,2 xylose at least at one position, indicating the presence of crossreacting carbohydrate determinants (CCDs). Finally, MS/MS analysis revealed an IgE-reactive raspberry cyclophilin, homologous to Bet v 7. Results obtained suggest that the consumption of raspberries might be responsible for adverse reactions in sensitised individuals.     

Degradation of anode supported cell (ASC) performance by Cr-poisoning

Performance and stability of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) have been continuously improved at the single-cell level. Connecting the individual cells by a metallic interconnector (MIC) in a stack, though, yields remarkable losses in performance and leads to an enhanced degradation. These effects are attributed to, inter alia, Cr evaporation from the MIC and, thus, Cr poisoning of the cathode.To determine the degradation rate caused by Cr poisoning, this paper focuses on the differences in single cell performance and short-term stability by using either an inert flowfield or a flowfield made of a chromia-forming alloy. To provide a homogeneous current collection and gas distribution over the complete cathode area and to avoid a direct contact between MIC made of Crofer22APU and LSM, a platinum mesh was used as current collector. The cell performance was evaluated by analyzing its current-voltage characteristics and using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.A detailed analysis of impedance spectra by the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) and a subsequent Complex Nonlinear Least Squares (CLNS) fit facilitated the separation of anodic and cathodic polarization processes. In the presence of a chromia-forming alloy the polarization resistance of the cathode showed a significantly higher initial value (+64 mΩ·cm²) than without and a high degradation rate of 213 μΩ·cm² h⁻¹ during 280 h of galvanostatic operation at 800 °C.     

Production of biodiesel from unused algal biomass in Punjab, India

Biodiesel from inedible sources has become prominent in last few decades. But it is economically incompatible with petroleum diesel. At the same time, both petro-diesel and biodiesels are concerned with environmental pollution, global warming, etc. Algae, on the other hand, utilize CO2 for their growth and can minimize some sort of pollution level and results in carbon credit for a country. In Punjab, India, algae are seen to grow in many water bodies. But all those are taken away and dumped in vats. Some of this huge biomass was used for production of biodiesel in this work. Extraction of oil from algae was conducted by using Soxtherm(solvent extraction). An amount of 9 wt% of algal oil was extracted by comparatively costly hexane, whereas 8% extraction was done by cheaper acetone. In the transesterification reaction, molar ratio(methanol: oil) of 6:1, catalyst(KOH) concentration of 3 wt%, reaction temperature of 60 °C, 60 min reaction time and a settling time of 2.5 h were found to be optimum conditions to get maximum ester with minimum free fatty acid content and viscosity. A statistical analysis for the transesterification procedure also showed a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 6:1 and catalyst concentration of 3 wt% to be the optimum. Characterization of biodiesel was done and compared with ASTM/BIS standards. Most important properties of biodiesel ester like viscosity(3.12 c St or 3.12 mm2/s), cloud and pour point(-1 and-6 °C, respectively), flash and fire point(153 and 158 °C), carbon residue content(0.03%), acid number(0.36 mg of KOH/gm) were within the range of concerned standards.     

Fuel properties and emission characteristics of biodiesel produced from unused algae grown in India

The high price of different biodiesels and the need for many of their raw ingredients as food materials are the main constraints to be overcome when seeking the best potential alternative fuels to petro-diesel. Apart from that, some properties like high density, viscosity and acid value along with low cloud and pour points preclude their use in compression ignition(CI) engines as these properties can cause serious damage to the parts of the engine and reduce engine life. In this experiment, biodiesel was produced from the oil of unused algae by a two-step ‘acid esterification followed by transesterification' procedure. Taguchi's method was applied to design the experiment, and a L25 orthogonal array was prepared to optimize the biodiesel production procedure. The optimized conditions for transesterification were: methanol to oil molar ratio of 6:1, catalyst(KOH) concentration of 2.5 wt%, reaction time of 90 min and reaction temperature of 50 ℃,achieving a biodiesel production of 89.7% with free fatty acid content of 0.25%. It was found that the CI engine emitted less CO, CO_2 and hydrocarbon and higher NO_x using algal biodiesel than that using petro-diesel. All properties of the algal biodiesel were within the limit of ASTM standards.