Physicochemical studies of pectin/poly-l-lysine gelation

Extensin network formation in Vitis vinifera callus cells is an essential and causal event in rapid and H(2)O(2)-induced reduction in primary cell wall hydration

BACKGROUND

Extensin deposition is considered important for the correct assembly and biophysical properties of primary cell walls, with consequences to plant resistance to pathogens, tissue morphology, cell adhesion and extension growth. However, evidence for a direct and causal role for the extensin network formation in changes to cell wall properties has been lacking.

RESULTS

Hydrogen peroxide treatment of grapevine (Vitis vinifera cv. Touriga) callus cell walls was seen to induce a marked reduction in their hydration and thickness. An analysis of matrix proteins demonstrated this occurs with the insolubilisation of an abundant protein, GvP1, which displays a primary structure and post-translational modifications typical of dicotyledon extensins. The hydration of callus cell walls free from saline-soluble proteins did not change in response to H(2)O(2), but fully regained this capacity after addition of extensin-rich saline extracts. To assay the specific contribution of GvP1 cross-linking and other wall matrix proteins to the reduction in hydration, GvP1 levels in cell walls were manipulated in vitro by binding selected fractions of extracellular proteins and their effect on wall hydration during H(2)O(2) incubation assayed.

CONCLUSIONS

This approach allowed us to conclude that a peroxidase-mediated formation of a covalently linked network of GvP1 is essential and causal in the reduction of grapevine callus wall hydration in response to H(2)O(2). Importantly, this approach also indicated that extensin network effects on hydration was only partially irreversible and remained sensitive to changes in matrix charge. We discuss this mechanism and the importance of these changes to primary wall properties in the light of extensin distribution in dicotyledons.

Colonic Delivery of β‐Lactamases Does not Affect Amoxicillin Pharmacokinetics in Rats

Pectin beads containing beta-lactamases were designed for the hydrolysis of colonic residual antibiotics responsible for the emergence of resistance. Beads were prepared by ionotropic gelation in CaCl2 and stabilized by coating with polyethylenimine (PEI) to resist disintegration in the upper GI tract. Particle characterization showed that dried beads had a diameter around 1 mm independently of the presence of PEI. Seven to ten percent (w/w) of PEI was located on bead surface forming a coating layer as observed by scanning electron microscopy. PEI improved considerably bead stability in simulated intestinal medium while affecting slightly the encapsulation efficiency of active beta-lactamases. Coated beads were able to preserve beta-lactamases from premature leakage in the upper GIT whereas, in simulated colonic medium, pectinases induced matrix degradation and reduction of beta-lactamase content especially in beads coated in a 0.8% PEI solution. Finally, the pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin in rat after oral administration was not modified by the co-administration of beads containing beta-lactamases. In conclusion, PEI-coated beads are stable in the upper GIT but remain sensitive to the action of pectinolytic enzymes allowing release of beta-lactamases in a colonic medium without modification of the absorption of a beta-lactam antibiotic when co-administered with loaded beads.

Pectin–chitosan multilayer formation

The deposition of alternating layers of pectin and chitosan at a solid surface was studied using surface plasmon resonance. The binding of biopolymer to the surface was irreversible over the time scales examined. The deposition was dependent on the flow rate through the measurement cell with mass transport limitation at lower flow rates. The thickness of the deposited layer was dependent on the biopolymer concentration and was particularly marked for pectin. This was consistent with a process of initial attachment, followed by a slower structural rearrangement, which was inhibited at high initial surface concentrations of adsorbed biopolymer. Sequential deposition resulted in the formation of multilayers with an essentially linear growth rate.

Pectin–chitosan interactions and gel formation

The effect of chitosan concentration on the gelation of pectins differing in charge density and distribution was examined, through the determination of gel stiffness and the binding of chitosan to the gel network. Chitosan acts as a crosslinker of concentrated pectin solutions, with its effectiveness showing a dependency on charge on the pectin. The networks produced are clear even under conditions of charge neutralisation.