Activity and process stability of purified green pepper (Capsicum annuum) pectin methylesterase

High Hydrostatic Pressure in the Modulation of Enzymatic and Organocatalysis and Life under Pressure: A Review

The interest in high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is mostly focused on the inactivation of deleterious enzymes, considering the quality-related issues associated with enzymes in foods. However, more recently, HHP has been increasingly studied for several biotechnological applications, including the possibility of carrying out enzyme-catalyzed reactions under high pressure. This review aims to comprehensively present and discuss the effects of HHP on the kinetic catalytic action of enzymes and the equilibrium of the reaction when enzymatic reactions take place under pressure. Each enzyme can respond differently to high pressure, mainly depending on the pressure range and temperature applied. In some cases, the enzymatic reaction remains significantly active at high pressure and temperature, while at ambient pressure it is already inactivated or possesses minor activity. Furthermore, the effect of temperature and pressure on the enzymatic activity indicated a faster decrease in activity when elevated pressure is applied. For most cases, the product concentration at equilibrium under pressure increased; however, in some cases, hydrolysis was preferred over synthesis when pressure increased. The compiled evidence of the effect of high pressure on enzymatic activity indicates that pressure is an effective reaction parameter and that its application for enzyme catalysis is promising.

Ultrasonic and other sterilization methods on nutrition and flavor of cloudy apple juice

Sterilization plays an important role in extending the shelf-life of apple juice; however, it also affects the nutritional and flavor profile of the juice. This study was initiated to evaluate the effects of several common sterilization methods (conventional pasteurization, microwave sterilization, ultrasonic sterilization, and ultra-high-pressure sterilization) on some important quality parameters of apple juice. The results showed that the content of soluble pectin and soluble protein in juice decreased significantly after ultra-high-pressure sterilization. Sonication was found to be effective in increasing the level of ascorbic acid in apple juice. The sugar:acid ratio increased significantly after pasteurization, microwave sterilization, and ultra-high-pressure sterilization, which changed the taste of juice. Microwave sterilization caused the highest volatile compound loss, while ultra-high-pressure sterilization led to a higher retention rate of volatile compounds in juice. This study could be helpful in seeking suitable sterilization methods retaining the quality of cloudy apple juice.

Tuning of Pectin Methylesterification: PECTIN METHYLESTERASE INHIBITOR 7 MODULATES THE PROCESSIVE ACTIVITY OF CO-EXPRESSED PECTIN METHYLESTERASE 3 IN A pH-DEPENDENT MANNER

Pectin methylesterases (PMEs) catalyze the demethylesterification of homogalacturonan domains of pectin in plant cell walls and are regulated by endogenous pectin methylesterase inhibitors (PMEIs). In Arabidopsis dark-grown hypocotyls, one PME (AtPME3) and one PMEI (AtPMEI7) were identified as potential interacting proteins. Using RT-quantitative PCR analysis and gene promoter::GUS fusions, we first showed that AtPME3 and AtPMEI7 genes had overlapping patterns of expression in etiolated hypocotyls. The two proteins were identified in hypocotyl cell wall extracts by proteomics. To investigate the potential interaction between AtPME3 and AtPMEI7, both proteins were expressed in a heterologous system and purified by affinity chromatography. The activity of recombinant AtPME3 was characterized on homogalacturonans (HGs) with distinct degrees/patterns of methylesterification. AtPME3 showed the highest activity at pH 7.5 on HG substrates with a degree of methylesterification between 60 and 80% and a random distribution of methyl esters. On the best HG substrate, AtPME3 generates long non-methylesterified stretches and leaves short highly methylesterified zones, indicating that it acts as a processive enzyme. The recombinant AtPMEI7 and AtPME3 interaction reduces the level of demethylesterification of the HG substrate but does not inhibit the processivity of the enzyme. These data suggest that the AtPME3·AtPMEI7 complex is not covalently linked and could, depending on the pH, be alternately formed and dissociated. Docking analysis indicated that the inhibition of AtPME3 could occur via the interaction of AtPMEI7 with a PME ligand-binding cleft structure. All of these data indicate that AtPME3 and AtPMEI7 could be partners involved in the fine tuning of HG methylesterification during plant development.

Extraction and characterization of pectin methylesterase from Alyanak apricot (Prunus armeniaca L)

This study was carried out to determine some of the biochemical properties of pectin methylesterase (PME) from Alyanak apricot which is an important variety grown in Malatya region of Turkey. The enzyme had high activity in a pH range of 7.0-8.0 with the maximal activity occurring at pH 7.5. However, the enzyme activity at high and low pH values was very low. The optimum temperature for maximal PME activity was found to be 60 °C. The activity of PME has been enhanced by NaCl, particularly at 0.15 M. Km and Vmax values for Alyanak apricot PME using apple pectin as substrate were found to be 1.69 mg/mL (r(2) = 0.992) and 3.41 units/mL, respectively. The enzyme was stable at 30-45 °C/10 min whereas it lost nearly all of its activity at 80 °C/10 min. Ea and Z values were found to be 206.1 kJ/mol (r(2) = 0.993) and 10.62 °C (r(2) = 0.992), respectively.

Enzyme inactivation in food processing using high pressure carbon dioxide technology

High pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) is an effective non-thermal processing technique for inactivating deleterious enzymes in liquid and solid food systems. This processing method avoids high temperatures and exerts a minimal impact on the nutritional and sensory properties of foods, but extends shelf life by inhibiting or killing microorganisms and enzymes. Indigenous enzymes in food such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO), pectin methylesterase (PME), and lypoxygenase (LOX) may cause undesirable chemical changes in food attributes, showing the loss in color, texture, and flavor. For more than two decades, HPCD has proved its effectiveness in inactivating these enzymes. The HPCD-induced inactivation of some microbial enzymes responsible for microbial metabolism is also included. This review presents a survey of the published knowledge regarding the use of HPCD for the inactivation of these enzymes, and analyzes the factors controlling the efficiency of HPCD and speculates on the underlying mechanism that leads to enzyme inactivation.

Activity of an atypical Arabidopsis thaliana pectin methylesterase

An Arabidopsis thaliana pectin methylesterase that was not predicted to contain any signaling sequence was produced in E. coli and purified using a His tag added at its N-terminus. The enzyme demethylesterified Citrus pectin with a Km of 0.86 mg/ml. The enzyme did not require salt for activity and was found to be relatively temperature-sensitive. The precipitation of enzyme-treated pectin by CaCl2 suggested that the enzyme had a blockwise mode of pectin demethylesterification. A purified kiwi (Actinidia chinensis) pectin methylesterase inhibitor had no effect on the activity of the enzyme whereas it strongly inhibited a flax pectin methylesterase. A model of the protein structure revealed that an extra amino acid sequence in this particular Arabidopsis pectin methylesterase could form a ss-strand outside the core structure, which might be preventing the inhibitor from binding the protein.

Characterization of the temperature activation of pectin methylesterase in green beans and tomatoes

Low-temperature blanching of vegetables activates the enzyme pectin methylesterase (PME), which demethylates cell wall pectins and improves tissue firmness. This temperature activation of PME has been investigated by measuring the formation of methanol in intact tissue of green beans and tomatoes. Rates of methanol formation at temperatures of 35-65 degrees C were obtained by measuring the release of methanol from thin slices of tomato pericarp or green bean pod material. Activation energies of 112 and 97 kJ mol(-1) were calculated for PME activity in green beans and tomatoes, respectively. These activation energies indicate that the rate of pectin demethylation at 65 degrees C will be nearly 100 times that at 25 degrees C. PME activity was also determined titrimetrically using a solubilized form of the enzyme and purified pectin at temperatures from 30 to 60 degrees C. Under these conditions, much lower activation energies of 37 and 35 kJ mol(-1) were obtained for green beans and tomatoes, respectively. Methanol accumulation during heating of whole intact green beans was also determined and yielded an activation energy similar to that obtained with sliced beans. Whole green beans held at room temperature did not accumulate any methanol, but sliced or homogenized beans did. If whole beans were first heated to 45 degrees C and then cooled, methanol accumulation was observed at room temperature. These results indicate that two factors contribute to the observed high rate of pectin de-esterification during low-temperature blanching: (1) An irreversible change, causing PME to become active, occurs by heating to > or = 45 degrees C. (2) The high activation energy for pectin de-esterification means that the rate of de-esterification increases substantially with increasing temperature.