α-Amylase purified and characterized from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) showed substantial anti-biofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus MTCC740

Studies on α-amylase inhibition by acarbose and quercetin using fluorescence, circular dichroism, docking, and dynamics simulations

This study looked at the effects of acarbose (ACA) and quercetin (QUE) on α-amylase activity, employing QUE and ACA to measure enzyme activity. The study observed that both drugs suppressed α-amylase activity, with greater inhibition reported at higher concentrations. The use of tryptophan residues as an intrinsic fluorescence probe permitted the observation of conformational changes in α-amylase, with CD measurements utilized to explore the secondary structure in the presence of QUE and ACA. Docking studies revealed an effective interaction between α-amylase, quercetin and acarbose, with a higher binding energy. Finally, a trajectory analysis was done to establish the stability and volatility of these complexes. These findings have potential significance for the development of new α-amylase-related therapeutics.

Immobilization of α-amylase onto functionalized molybdenum diselenide nanoflowers (MoSe2-NFs) as scaffolds: Characterization, kinetics, and potential applications in starch-based industries

The current study presents the application of molybdenum diselenide nanoflowers (MoSe2-NFs) as an innovative substrate for immobilizing α-amylase by glutaraldehyde activation. This approach results in the development of a nanobiocatalyst that exhibits remarkable advantages compared to a standalone enzyme. Several physical methods, such as fluorescence microscopy, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, XRD, AFM, and Raman spectroscopy, were used to confirm that α-amylase was successfully attached to MoSe2-NFs. By employing the Box-Behnken design of the RSM, the parameters were optimized, resulting in an immobilization efficiency of roughly 87.33%. The immobilized variant of α-amylase demonstrated superior thermostability, pH stability, reusability, and storage stability in comparison to the soluble enzyme. The catalytic activity of α-amylase was highest when immobilized on MoSe2-NFs at the same pH and temperature as the soluble enzyme. However, there was an expansion in the range of parameters in which this activity was observed. Furthermore, the immobilized enzyme exhibited a retention of nearly 80% residual activity following 12 successive reuses. The immobilized enzyme exhibited around 82% residual activity after being stored for 120 days. It is possible that the immobilization process changed the Michaelis-Menten constant, which means that the substrate could no longer reach certain active sites on the enzyme because it had become longer. The study's findings suggest that the α-amylase-MoSe2-NFs system could be useful in industry because it can work in a wider range of temperature and pH conditions. Furthermore, the intrinsic non-toxic characteristics of the matrix, along with its ability to be kept for prolonged periods and recycled, render nano biocatalysts very well-suited for the effective synthesis of maltose in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Fenugreek seed mucilage-based active edible films for extending fresh fruit shelf life: Antimicrobial and physicochemical properties

Trigonella foenum-graecum, known as fenugreek, belongs to the leguminous family of wild growth in Western Asia, Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia; its ripe seeds contain a pool of bioactive substances with great potential in the food industry and medicine. In this study, fenugreek seed mucilage (FSM) was extracted and characterized in its structural properties by X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Then, the applicability of FSM as an antimicrobial agent was demonstrated via the development of novel, active, edible FSM-based biofilms containing carboxymethyl cellulose and rosemary essential oil (REO). Incorporating REO in the biofilms brought about specific changes in Fourier-transform infrared spectra, affecting thermal degradation behavior. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy morphography showed an even distribution of REO and smoother surfaces in the loaded films. Besides, the solubility tests evidenced a reduction in water solubility with increasing REO concentration from 1 to 3 wt%. The biological assay evidenced the antimicrobial activity of REO-loaded biofilms against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Finally, whole apples were dip-coated with FSM-based solutions to showcase future edible systems. The REO-loaded biofilms extended the shelf life of apples to 30 days, demonstrating their potential for sustainable and active coatings.

Antitumor Activity of a Lectin Purified from Punica granatum Pulps against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) Cells

BACKGROUND

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins with various pharmacological activities, such as antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anticancer. Punica granatum fruit extract has traditional uses, however, the anti-cancer activity of purified lectin isolated from P. granatum pulp is yet to be reported.

OBJECTIVE

The goals of this study are purification, characterization of the lectin from P. granatum, and examination of the purified lectin's anticancer potential.

METHODS

Diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) ion-exchange chromatography was used to purify the lectin, and SDSPAGE was used to check the purity and homogeneity of the lectin. Spectrometric and chemical analysis were used to characterize the lectin. The anticancer activity of the lectin was examined using in vivo and in vitro functional assays.

RESULTS

A lectin, designated as PgL of 28.0 ± 1.0 kDa molecular mass, was isolated and purified from the pulps of P. granatum and the lectin contains 40% sugar. Also, it is a bivalent ion-dependent lectin and lost its 75% activity in the presence of urea (8M). The lectin agglutinated blood cells of humans and rats, and sugar molecules such as 4-nitrophenyl-α-D-manopyranoside and 2- nitrophenyl -β- D-glucopyranoside inhibited PgL's hemagglutination activity. At pH ranges of 6.0-8.0 and temperature ranges of 30°C -80°C, PgL exhibited the highest agglutination activity. In vitro MTT assay showed that PgL inhibited Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. PgL exhibited 39 % and 58.52 % growth inhibition of EAC cells in the mice model at 1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg/day (i.p.), respectively. In addition, PgL significantly increased the survival time (32.0 % and 49.3 %) of EAC-bearing mice at 1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg/day doses (i.p.), respectively, in comparison to untreated EAC-bearing animals (p < 0.01). Also, PgL reduced the tumor weight of EAC-bearing mice (66.6 versus 39.13%; p < 0.01) at the dose of 3.0 mg/kg/day treatment. Furthermore, supplementation of PgL restored the haematological parameters toward normal levels deteriorated in EAC-bearing animals by the toxicity of EAC cells.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that the purified lectin has anticancer activity and has the potential to be developed as an effective chemotherapy agent.