Serine protease in a bred variety of oriental melon (Cucumis melo L. var. makuwa) curtails vascular thrombosis by balancing hemostasis and fibrinolysis in a rodent model

Study on the transport and internalisation mechanism of dietary supplement nattokinase in the small intestine using animal and Caco-2 cell monolayer models

Maintaining proper blood flow is critical to promoting good health. Nattokinase is a serine protease from Bacillus subtilis that has significant in vitro thrombolytic activity, but its mechanism as a dietary supplement to prevent thrombosis through intestinal absorption and transport is still unclear.The purpose of this study is to study the transport and internalisation mechanism of NK in the small intestine using animal models and Caco-2 cell monolayer models.This study first evaluated the preventive effect of supplementing low dose (4000 FU (Fibrin Unit)/kg, n = 6), medium dose (8000 FU/kg, n = 6), and high dose (12000 FU/kg, n = 6) of nattokinase on carrageenan induced thrombosis in mice. Subsequently, we used the rat gut sac model, ligated intestinal loop model, and Caco-2 cell uptake model to study the intestinal transport mechanism of NK.Results indicate that NK is a moderately absorbed biomolecule whose transport through enterocytes is energy- and time-dependent. Chlorpromazine, nystatin and EIPA all inhibited the endocytosis of NK to varying degrees, indicating that the endocytosis of NK in Caco-2 cells involves macropinocytosis, clathrin-mediated and caveolae-mediated pathway. These findings offer a theoretical basis for investigating the mechanism of oral NK supplementation in greater depth.

Production of Plant Proteases and New Biotechnological Applications: An Updated Review

An updated review of emerging plant proteases with potential biotechnological application is presented. Plant proteases show comparable or even greater performance than animal or microbial proteases for by-product valorization through hydrolysis for, for example, cheese whey, bird feathers, collagen, keratinous materials, gelatin, fish protein, and soy protein. Active biopeptides can be obtained as high added value products, which have shown numerous beneficial effects on human health. Plant proteases can also be used for wastewater treatment. The production of new plant proteases is encouraged for the following advantages: low cost of isolation using simple procedures, remarkable stability over a wide range of operating conditions (temperature, pH, salinity, and organic solvents), substantial affinity to a broad variety of substrates, and possibility of immobilization. Vegetable proteases have enormous application potential for the valorization of industrial waste and its conversion into products with high added value through low-cost processes.