Effect of Tempeh on Gut Microbiota and Anti-Stress Activity in Zebrafish.

Rhizopus oryzae is a fungus used to ferment tempeh in Indonesia and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for human consumption by the USA FDA. We previously assessed the effect of a tempeh extract on cortisol levels in zebrafish but did not include behavioral studies. Here, we measured the GABA content in three strains of Rhizopus oryzae, two isolated by us (MHU 001 and MHU 002) and one purchased. We then investigated the effect of tempeh on cortisol and the gut microbiota in a zebrafish experimental model. GABA concentration was the highest in MHU 002 (9.712 ± 0.404 g kg-1) followed by our MHU 001 strain and the purchased one. The fish were divided into one control group fed a normal diet and three experimental groups fed soybean tempeh fermented with one of the three strains of Rhizopus oryzae. After two weeks, individual fish were subjected to unpredicted chronic stress using the novel tank diving test and the tank light-dark test. Next-generation sequencing was used to analyze gut microbial communities and RT-PCR to analyze the expression of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) gene and of other genes involved in serotonin signaling/metabolism in gut and brain. Tempeh-fed zebrafish exhibited increased exploratory behavior (less stress) in both tank tests. They also had significantly reduced gut Proteobacteria (include E. coli) (51.90% vs. 84.97%) and significantly increased gut Actinobacteria (include Bifidobacterium spp.) (1.80% vs. 0.79%). The content of Bifidobacteriumadolescentis, a "psychobiotic", increased ten-fold from 0.04% to 0.45%. Tempeh also increases BDNF levels in zebrafish brain. Rhizopus oryzae MHU 001 greatly improved the anti-stress effect of tempeh and microbiota composition in zebrafish gut.

Purification and characterization of an aspartic protease from the Rhizopus oryzae protease extract, Peptidase R

Background Aspartic proteases are a subfamily of endopeptidases that are useful in a variety of applications, especially in the food processing industry. Here we describe a novel aspartic protease that was purified from Peptidase R, a commercial protease preparation derived from Rhizopus oryzae. Results An aspartic protease sourced from Peptidase R was purified to homogeneity by anion exchange chromatography followed by polishing with a hydrophobic interaction chromatography column, resulting in a 3.4-fold increase in specific activity (57.5 × 10³ U/mg) and 58.8% recovery. The estimated molecular weight of the purified enzyme was 39 kDa. The N-terminal sequence of the purified protein exhibited 63-75% identity to rhizopuspepsins from various Rhizopus species. The enzyme exhibited maximal activity at 75°C in glycine-HCl buffer, pH 3.4 with casein as the substrate. The protease was stable at 35°C for 60 min and had an observed half-life of approximately 30 min at 45°C. Enzyme activity was not significantly inhibited by chelation with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and the addition of metal ions to EDTA-treated protease did not significantly change enzyme activity, indicating that proteolysis is not metal ion-dependent. The purified enzyme was completely inactivated by the aspartic protease inhibitor Pepstatin A. Conclusion Based on the observed enzyme activity, inhibition profile with Pepstatin A, and sequence similarity to other rhizopuspepsins, we have classified this enzyme as an aspartic protease.