Pullulanase pretreatment of highly concentrated maltodextrin solution improves maltose yield during β-amylase-catalyzed saccharification

Increasing the substrate concentration can effectively reduce energy consumption and result in more economic benefits in the industrial production of maltose, but this process remarkably increases the viscosity, which has a negative effect on saccharification. To improve saccharification efficiency, pullulanase is usually employed. In the conventional process of maltose production, pullulanase is added at the same time with β-amylase or later, but this process seems inefficient when the substrate concentration is high. Herein, a novel method was introduced to enhance the maltose yield under high substrate concentration. The results indicated that the pullulanase pretreatment of highly concentrated maltodextrin solution for 2 h greatly affects the final conversion rate of β-amylase-catalyzed saccharification. The maltose yield reached 80.95 %, which is 11.8 % above the control value. Further examination confirmed that pullulanase pretreatment decreased the number of branch points of maltodextrin and resulted in a high content of oligosaccharides. These linear chains were suitable for β-amylase-catalyzed saccharification to produce maltose. This research offers a new effective and green strategy for starch sugar production.

Maiorca wheat malt: A comprehensive analysis of physicochemical properties, volatile compounds, and sensory evaluation in brewing process and final product quality

This study explores the potential of Maiorca wheat malt as an alternative ingredient in beer production, investigating its impact on the brewing process and beer quality at different recipe contents (50 %, 75 %, 100 %). The study encompasses a comprehensive analysis of key malt parameters, revealing Maiorca malt's positive influence on maltose, glucose, filterability, extract, free amino nitrogen, and fermentability. Notably, the malt exhibited heightened levels of α-amylase and β-amylase enzymes compared to conventional commercial malt. Furthermore, the analysis of aroma compounds and subsequent sensory evaluations unveiled a significant correlation between the proportion of Maiorca malt in the formulation and intensified estery, fruity, malty, honey, complemented by a reduction in attributes such as aromatic compounds, phenolic, yeasty, sulfury, oxidized, and solvent-like odors. This research underscores the favorable contribution of Maiorca wheat malt to enhancing both the brewing process and final beer quality, highlighting its potential as an innovative ingredient in brewing practices.

Immunoglobulin E-specific allergens against leaf in serum of dogs with clinical features of grass leaf allergy

BACKGROUND

Grass leaf has been suspected of causing immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated immediate hypersensitivity reactions in humans and dogs. However, most studies in this area are case-control studies without in vitro data showing the involvement of IgE in the reaction. Laboratory studies have demonstrated the reactivity to a 50-55 kDa protein with clinical signs immediately after contact with grass leaf material. The clinical findings of dogs with atopic-like dermatitis immediately after contact with grass leaf material suggest the involvement of grass leaves as the allergen source.

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to test the IgE-reactivity of grass leaf proteins in dogs with clinical signs and positive scratch test results against grass leaf material.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The serum of 41 patients with a history of allergy and suspected to grass leaf material was immunoblotted against grass leaf extracts from five suspected grass species. The IgE-positive blots were separated with 2D gel electrophoresis and analysed with mass spectrometry (MS). Commercially supplied proteins were used to validate immunoblot activity.

RESULTS

The serum of 25 dogs diagnosed with grass dermatitis had positive IgE-specific immunoblot against one or more grass leaf extracts. The MS data indicated a reactive band at 55 kDa to be beta-amylase or RuBisCO (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) large subunit (RbLS). All tested dog sera showed IgE-reactivity with beta-amylase and some with RbLS.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Canines with clinical signs of grass-related dermatitis had IgE-reactivity against grass leaf proteins. Serum IgE-reactivity to beta-amylase and RuBisCO large subunit may indicate that these proteins act as allergens, possibly causing pruritus and skin lesions.

Heat stress negatively affects physiology and morphology during germination of Ormosia coarctata (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae)

Research on the morphophysiological behavior of forest seeds during germination with respect to climate change is scarce. To date, there have been no studies on the biochemical or morphological aspects of Ormosia spp. In this study, we subjected Ormosia coarctata seeds to various temperature conditions to investigate temperature-dependent impacts on morphology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, antioxidant systems, and storage systems. Analyses were performed on seeds exposed to 25, 35, and 40 °C for 48, 96, and 144 h. The morphology was evaluated by radiation using a Faxitron MX-20 device. ROS production (superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide), malonaldehyde (MDA), carbonylated proteins, antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase [SOD], ascorbate peroxidase [APX], catalase [CAT], and peroxidase [POX]), β-carotene, lycopene, glucose, and reserve enzyme activity (α- and β-amylase, lipase, and protease) were analyzed by spectrophotometry. Heat stress (40 °C) decreased germination by 76.2% and 78.1% (compared to 25 and 35 °C, respectively), caused damage to the external morphology of the seed, increased the content of ROS, MDA, and carbonylated proteins, and reduced APX, CAT, and POX activity. Furthermore, heat stress decreased glucose content and α-amylase activity. These results suggest that an increase of 5 °C in temperature negatively affects germination, promotes oxidative stress, and induces deterioration in O. coarctata seeds.

Inhibition of amylopectin retrogradation by partial beta-amylolysis

The rate of retrogradation of amylopectin solution differs from one starch variety to another and it is thought to be due to the different length of the external chains of amylopectin. A shortening of the external chains of waxy maize and potato amylopectin was performed with beta-amylase. Partial beta-amylolysis produced a significant fraction of chains having 2-6 glucose units. A high linear correlation (R > 0.97) was found between the enthalpy of retrograded amylopectin measured by DSC, or percent solid measured by low frequency pulsed NMR, and average external chain length. No retrogradation appeared to occur when the external chains of both amylopectins had 11 or less glucose units on average. The inhibition of retrogradation appears to be caused primarily by the presence of very short external chains, which hinders the reassociation of the long external chains.

Alpha-glucan synthesis on a protein primer. A reconstituted system for the formation of protein-bound alpha-glucan

Reconstitution experiments with the DEAE-cellulose-treated enzymes, engaged in a two-step mechanism of synthesis of alpha-glucan bound to protein, are performed. Urea/sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of the radioactive products synthesized by the reconstituted system shows highly glucosylated, labeled bands, whose apparent molecular masses change with the acrylamide concentration in the gels. The long carbohydrate chains synthesized during the second step arise from the sequential addition of glucosyl moieties to the glucoprotein formed during the first step. A deglucosylation experiment confirms that the product of the reconstituted system originates from the 38-kDa glucosylated component of the reaction 1 product by the addition of beta-amylase-sensitive glucosyl moieties. Our data suggest that specific phosphorylases and starch synthetases are found in potato tuber, which are capable of utilizing reaction 1 product as primer for the synthesis of protein-bound glucan.

Location of SH groups along the polypeptide chain of soybean beta-amylase

The five SH groups of soybean beta-amylase differ in reactivity toward SH reagents such as 2,2'-dithiopyridine (2-PDS), monoiodoacetate and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). They were designated as SH1, SH2, SH3, SH4, and SH5, in order of their reactivity except for the two buried SH groups, SH4 and SH5. The location of the five SH groups along the polypeptide chain was determined by specific cleavage at the amino side of their cyanocysteine residues which were formed by converting SH to SCN groups by cyanide after modifying the SH groups with 2-PDS. The selective modification of SH groups was achieved as follows: SH1 reacted with 2-PDS at low and high ionic strength, while SH2 reacted only at high ionic strength. SH2 and SH3 were also modified with 2-PDS using SH1-carboxymethylated soybean beta-amylase. The buried SH groups, SH4 and SH5, were modified with 2-PDS under the denaturation conditions after the reactive SH groups, SH1, SH2, SH3, were irreversibly blocked with NEM. On the other hand, the five SH groups were cyanylated with [14C]cyanide or with 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic acid (NTCB) for the cleavage at all five SH groups. The molecular weight estimation of derivatives of cleaved soybean beta-amylase by SDS-gel electrophoresis showed that the five pairs of fragments (Mw 50,000 & 6,500, 47,000 & 8,000, 38,000 & 18,000, 35,000 & 23,000, and 31,000 & 25,000) were identified with the fragments formed by cleavage at SH1, SH2, SH3, SH4, and SH5, respectively. By considering fragments incorporating 14C (Mw 47,000, 35,000, 25,000, 18,000, and 6,500), the fragments were aligned along the polypeptide chain of soybean beta-amylase, in order from the N-terminus as SH2, SH5, SH3, SH4, and SH1. This order is supported by estimating the molecular weight of fragments formed by high-yield cleavage using NTCB and by analyzing the COOH-terminal residues of the fragment cleaved at SH2.

[Immunochemical characterization of alpha-amylases in wheat seeds at different ontogenical steps (author's transl)]

Protein extracts of wheat seeds taken at an early stage of development, at maturation and after seven days of germination were investigated by using immunochemical techniques with immune sera prepared against alpha-amylases purified from developing seeds and alpha-amylases purified from germinated seeds. After immunochemical analyses carried out in agarose gel, alpha-amylase characterization was performed by using beta-limit dextrin followed by iodine staining. Detection of three antigenic alpha-amylases separated by agarose immunoelectrophoretic analysis at pH 8.6 and called I, II, III from the anode to the cathode, as well as an antigenical relationship between the anodic enzymes I and II were confirmed. Three constituents in I and four in II were further distinguished by using long duration electrophoresis in agarose gel. The immune sera reacted with all of these constituents. Thus with these immune sera a quantitative determination of all anodic alpha-amylase proteins can be attempted as quantitation of two antigens. During this identification consitutents with a apparent activity on beta-limit dextrin but delivering incomplete unstained substrate were detected. These constituents found in developing seeds have electrophoretic mobility close to that of constituents I but differ antigenically from alpha-amylases I and II. Combination of rocket-line-immunoelectrophoresis and alpha-amylase characterization reaction on precipitin bands was developed for comparing amounts of each of three alpha-amylase antigens in different seed extracts. The use of this technique for quantitating at the same time two antigen groups having a certain cross reactivity is discussed. Preliminary results of quantitative study on each of these antigen in developing, mature and germinating seeds are reported.

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A BETA-AMYLASE FROM SOYA BEANS

1. beta-Amylase obtained by acidic extraction of soya-bean flour was purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, followed by chromatography on calcium phosphate, diethylaminoethylcellulose, Sephadex G-25 and carboxymethylcellulose. 2. The homogeneity of the pure enzyme was established by criteria such as ultracentrifugation and electrophoresis on paper and in polyacrylamide gel. 3. The pure enzyme had a nitrogen content of 16.3%, its extinction coefficient, E(1%) (1cm.), at 280mmu was 17.3 and its specific activity/mg. of enzyme was 880 amylase units. 4. The molecular weight of the pure enzyme was determined as 61700 and its isoelectric point was pH5.85. 5. Preliminary examinations indicated that glutamic acid formed the N-terminus and glycine the C-terminus. 6. The amino acid content of the pure enzyme was established, one molecule consisting of 617 amino acid residues. 7. The pH optimum for pure soya-bean beta-amylase is in the range 5-6. Pretreatment of the enzyme at pH3-5 decreases enzyme activity, whereas at pH6-9 it is not affected.

The mechanism of beta-amylase action. 2. Multichain action on amylose fission products

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