Preparation and physicochemical properties of modified jackfruit starches

Modifications of jackfruit starch, extracted from the cotyledons of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Thong Prasert cultivar), were carried out to obtain a pregelatinized starch, three (m-, n- and i-) carboxymethyl starches, a hydroxypropyl starch and a phosphate cross-linked starch. Physicochemical properties of native and modified jackfruit starches were comparatively investigated. Pregelatinized, hydroxypropyl, and cross-linked starches were insoluble or partially soluble in water at room temperature, while carboxymethyl starches were soluble with good overall water uptake. Scanning electron microscopic images revealed that granules of most modified jackfruit starches retained the native appearance and crystal structure, with the exception of pregelatinized starch and two (n- and i-) carboxymethyl starches, which showed significant breakage of granules. X-ray diffraction patterns corroborated to suggest the loss of crystallinity in these modified starches. Thermal analysis showed a significant decrease in the gelatinization temperature of hydroxypropyl starch with no change in enthalpy, while higher gelatinization temperature and less enthalpic value were observed for pregelatinized starch. Pregelatinized and hydroxypropyl starches showed temperature-dependent improvement on swelling and solubility, while cross-linked starch exhibited less solubility. Aqueous solution of m-carboxymethyl starch yielded the highest apparent viscosity with improved heating-cooling stability.     

菠萝蜜果实挥发物的热脱附-气相色谱/质谱(TCT-GC/MS)联用分析

采用热脱附-气相色谱/质谱(TCT-GC/MS)联用技术,对动态顶空密闭循环吸附捕集的菠萝蜜果肉及果皮挥发物分别进行检测。结果表明,菠萝蜜果皮与果肉挥发物中富含酯类化合物,果皮挥发物中的乙酸正丙酯和乙酸正己酯相对含量高于果肉中的,果肉挥发物中的异戊酸甲酯、戊酸丁酯、丁酸乙酯相对含量高于果皮挥发物中的,二者中的戊酸乙酯相对含量接近;二者中的其他酯和醇、羧酸(酐)、含氮及含硫类化合物均无共同成分;果皮挥发物中未检出而果肉挥发物中检出的化合物类型还有醛、醚、萜烯类。     

Storage stability of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) powder packaged in aluminium laminated polyethylene and metallized co-extruded biaxially oriented polypropylene during storage

Total colour difference (ΔE), rates of adsorbed moisture and sensory attributes of drum-dried jackfruit powder packaged in aluminium laminated polyethylene (ALP) and metallized co-extruded biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP/MCPP) pouches stored at accelerated storage (38 °C, with 50%, 75% and 90% relative humidity (RH)) were determined over 12 weeks period. The changes in total colour followed zero order reaction kinetics. Packaging materials, storage temperature and RH values significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the rates of adsorbed moisture of jackfruit powder. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the intensities of the fruity odour, taste and increase in the lumpiness of the jackfruit powder stored at 38 °C with 90% RH. The shelf life of jackfruit powder stored at 38 °C and 90% RH was limited by overall acceptability and the intensity of fruity odour, taste and lumpiness at week 8 of storage. Jackfruit powder stored at 28 °C remained stable and acceptable throughout the storage period for all RH values. The powder packaged in ALP significantly (p < 0.05) reduced total colour change, rates of adsorbed moisture, lumpiness intensity of jackfruit powder and was rated higher in terms of overall acceptability over BOPP/MCPP. Results of this study suggested that ALP packaging with storage conditions of 28 °C and RH less than 75% was better suited for keeping jackfruit powder.     

Effect of Artocarpus communis Extract on UVB Irradiation-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Hairless Mice

Administration of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents is an effective strategy for preventing ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-induced skin damage. Artocarpus communis possesses several pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammation. However, the photoprotective activity of methanol extract of A. communis heartwood (ACM) in ultraviolet irradiation-induced skin damage has not yet been investigated. The present study was performed using ultraviolet absorption, histopathological observation, antioxidant and anti-inflammation assays to elucidate the mechanism of the photoprotective activity of ACM. Our results indicated that ACM displayed a UVA and UVB absorption effect and then effectively decreased scaly skin, epidermis thickness and sunburn cells during ultraviolet irradiation in hairless mice. ACM not only decreased ultraviolet irradiation-mediated oxidative stress, including lowering the overproduction of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05), but also reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β. Additionally, ACM can decrease the synthesis of cytosolic phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase, inducible nitric oxide synthase and vascular cell adhesion molecular-1 via inhibiting TNF-α-independent pathways (p < 0.05) in UVB-mediated inflammation and formation of sunburn cells. Consequently, we concluded that ACM extract has a photoprotective effect against UVB-induced oxidative stress and inflammation due to its sunscreen property, and its topical formulations may be developed as therapeutic and/or cosmetic products in further studies.     

Characterisation of a trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor from jack fruit (Artocarpus integrifolia) seeds

Jack fruit seed (Artocarpus integrifolia Hook f) trypsin inhibitor (JSTI) was found to be rich in acidic amino acids and devoid of free thiol groups. The N-terminal and C-terminal amino acids of JSTI were aspartic acid and scrine, respectively. The inhibitor was stable under conditions of extremes of pH (3·0–12·0), at high temperatures and in the presence of denaturing agents. JSTI showed a non-competitive type of inhibition with K_i values of 0·48 ± 0·17 nM and 0·16 ± 0·04 nM for trypsin and chymotrypsin, respectively. The JSTI–trypsin complex exhibited chymotrypsin inhibitory activity suggesting the ‘double-headed’ nature of the inhibitor. Chemical modification of lysine residues resulted in loss of trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities of JSTI indicating that amino groups are essential for activity.     

Isolation of tyrosinase inhibitors from Artocarpus heterophyllus and use of its extract as antibrowning agent

A new furanoflavone, 7-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy propan-2-yl)-2, 3-dihydrofuro(3, 2-g)chromen-5-one (artocarpfuranol, 1), together with 14 known compounds, dihydromorin (2), steppogenin (3), norartocarpetin (4), artocarpanone (5), artocarpesin (6), artocarpin (7), cycloartocarpin (8), cycloartocarpesin (9), artocarpetin (10), brosimone I (11), cudraflavone B (12), carpachromene (13), isoartocarpesin (14), and cyanomaclurin (15) were isolated from the wood of Artocarpus heterophyllus. Their structures were identified by interpretation of MS,( 1)H-NMR,( 13)C-NMR, HMQC, and HMBC spectroscopic data. Among them, compounds 1-6 and 14 showed strong mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity with IC(50) values lower than 50 microM, more potent than kojic acid (IC(50) = 71.6 microM), a well-known tyrosinase inhibitor. In addition, extract of A. heterophyllus was evaluated for its antibrowning effect on fresh-cut apple slices. It was discovered that fresh-cut apple slices treated by dipping in solution of 0.03 or 0.05% of A. heterophyllus extract with 0.5% ascorbic acid did not undergo any substantial browning reaction after storage at room temperature for 24 h. The antibrowning effect was significantly better than samples treated with the extract (0.03 or 0.05%) or ascorbic acid (0.5%) alone. The results provide preliminary evidence supporting the potential of this natural extract as antibrowning agent in food systems.     

Purification of trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor from jack fruit seeds

A trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor (JSTI) was isolated from jack fruit seeds (Artocarpus integrifolia Hook f) by ammonium sulphate fractionation and chromatography on DEAE–cellulose and Sephadex G-100. During all stages of purification, the ratio of trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities remained constant. The purified preparation was found to be homogeneous by gel filtration, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and ultra-centrifugation. From the sedimentation coefficient, S _20w value of 3·5 ± 0·15 S. the molecular weight of JSTI was calculated to be 30·00 ± 2·50 kamu. The inhibitor showed a molecular weight of 24·55 kamu on a Sephadex G-75 column when eluted with 6 M guanidine hydrochloride, Under non-denaturing conditions, JSTI exhibited anomalous behaviour on a Sephadex G-200 column. On SDS–PAGE, the inhibitor showed two major bands with molecular weights of 26·30 and 15·00 kamu and two minor bands with molecular weights of 19·50 and 12·00 kamu. The carboxyamidomethylated JSTI showed three trypsin inhibitory activity bands on PAGE, suggesting the presence of isoinhibitors.     

Artocarpus integer leaf protease: Purification and characterisation

The presence of a protease in Artocarpus integer leaves, which are traditionally used as a meat tenderiser, was verified by the presence of a band at 69 kDa, using caseinolytic zymography. Purification by temperature phase partitioning with Triton X-114, ammonium sulphate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography yielded a preparation with a 12-fold increase in enzyme purity and a final specific activity of 76.67 U/mg. The cysteinic nature of this enzyme was confirmed through inhibition of enzyme activity by E-64 and iodoacetamide and enhancement of activity by cysteine and 2-mercaptoethanol. The protease retained 70% of its activity over a broad pH range (pH 6–12), with optimal activity recorded at pH 10 and 40 °C. The enzyme was stable at temperatures up to 70 °C, with 80% of its activity intact. Addition of 5 mM Ca²⁺ stimulated enzyme activity and a kinetic study of the enzyme yielded K_m and V_max values of 0.304 mg/mL and 0.735 mg/mL/min, respectively.