Ionic strength: A neglected variable in enzyme technology

Peroxidase as a simultaneous degradation agent of ochratoxin A and zearalenone applied to model solution and beer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the action of the commercial peroxidase (POD) enzyme (Armoracia rusticana) on the simultaneous degradation of ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEA) in model solution and beer. For this purpose, the reaction parameters for POD action were optimized, POD application in the degradation of mycotoxins in model solution and beer was evaluated and the kinetic parameters of POD were defined (Michaelis-Menten constant - K_M and maximal velocity - V_max). In the reaction conditions (pH 7, ionic strength of 25 mM, incubation at 30 °C, addition of 26 mM H₂O₂ and 1 mM potassium ion), POD (0.6 U mL^-1) presented the maximum activity for simultaneous degradation of OTA and ZEA of 27.0 and 64.9%, respectively, in model solution after 360 min. The application of POD in beer resulted in the simultaneous degradation of OTA and ZEA of 4.8 and 10.9%, respectively. The kinetic parameters K_M and V_max for degradation of OTA and ZEA were 50 and 10,710 nM and 0.168 and 72 nM min^-1, respectively. Therefore, POD can be a promising alternative to mitigate the contamination of OTA and ZEA in model solution and beer, minimizing their effects in humans.

Revisiting the enzymatic kinetics of pepsin using isothermal titration calorimetry

Pepsin is the first protease that food proteins encounter in the digestive tract. However, most of the previous studies on the enzymatic kinetics of pepsin were based on the hydrolysis of small synthetic peptides, due to the limitations in methodology and the complexity of protein substrate. To better understand the role of pepsin in protein digestion, we used isothermal titration calorimetry to study the enzymatic kinetics of pepsin with bovine serum albumin as the substrate. We found that pepsin has a higher catalytic rate at lower pH, while its affinity to substrate is lower. At the same pH, pepsin has lower activity and affinity at higher ionic strengths. We found contrasting kinetic parameters for pepsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of bovine serum albumin and of small synthetic peptides. Time-dependent kinetics also showed that pepsin has lower efficiency towards intermediate peptides during hydrolysis.

Interactions between acid and proteins underin vitrogastric condition – a theoretical and experimental quantification

The ionizable amino acid side groups in protein determine its buffer capacity. Buffer capacity influences the acid diffusion in protein-based structures.

Lamb Pregastric Lipase Activity: Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Dibutyryl-1,2(3)-Propanediols and Butyryl-1(2)-Propanol and Inhibition of the Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Tributyrylglycerol in the Presence of EDTA, LiCl, NaCl and Ethanol

Partially purified lamb pregastric lipase, LPGL, isolated from the tongue and epiglottal region of lamb, was used to catalyze the hydrolysis of tributyrylglycerol, the dibutyryl esters of propanediol and the butyryl esters of propanol at pH 6.5, 35°C. The relative rates of hydrolysis for tributyrylglycerol: dibutyryl-1,2-propanediol: dibutyryl-1,3-propanediol: butyryl-1-propanol: butyryl-2-propanol were 100: 35.4: 12.5: 4.1: 1.1, respectively. Monohydrolysis stoichiometry was observed for tributyrylglycerol and the diesters with saturation kinetics. In contrast, hydrolysis of the monoesters was first-order in substrate. The catalyzed hydrolysis of tributyrylglycerol was ~20% inhibited in the presence of 100 mM EDTA, 10% and 60% in the presence of 1 M NaCl and LiCl, respectively, and ~30% in 10% v/v ethanol.

Course of pH during the formation of amoxicillin by a suspension-to-suspension reaction

Amoxicillin can be produced in an enzymatic suspension-to-suspension reaction in which the substrate(s) and product(s) are mainly present as solid particles, while the reaction takes place in the liquid phase. During these suspension-to-suspension reactions different subprocesses take place, such as dissolution/crystallization of substrates and products, enzymatic synthesis of the product(s), and undesired enzymatic hydrolysis of substrates and/or products. All these subprocesses are influenced by pH and also influence the pH because the reactants are weak electrolytes. This paper describes a quantitative model for predicting pH and concentrations of reactants during suspension-to-suspension reactions. The model is based on mass and charge balances, pH-dependent solubilities of the reactants, and enzyme kinetics. For the validation of this model, the kinetically controlled synthesis of amoxicillin from 6-aminopenicillanic acid and D-(p)hydroxyphenylglycine methyl ester was studied. The pH and the dissolved concentrations took a very different course at different initial substrate amounts. This was described quite reasonably by the model. Therefore, the model can be used as a tool to optimize suspension-to-suspension reactions of weak electrolytes.