Extraction of aggrecan-peptide from cartilage by tissue autolysis.

Aggrecan is a cartilage specific proteoglycan containing chondroitin sulfate (CS) and keratan sulfate (KS). CS is an acidic polysaccharide having wide range of applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. CS is extracted from cartilage by tissue proteolysis with an exogenous proteinase or by activating endogenous proteinases (autolysis) to release aggrecan-peptides from the tissue. This review is focused on the latter technique. Bovine nasal and tracheal cartilages, and broiler chicken sternum cartilage have been used for autolysis studies. To extract aggrecan-peptide, cartilage tissues are cut into small pieces, and incubated in a monovalent or divalent salt solution (e.g., 0.1 M sodium or calcium acetate) at pH 4.5 and 37 °C for 7 - 24 h. Most (~80% or more) of total tissue uronic acid, a constituent sugar of aggrecan, is extracted and released into the salt solution during incubation. Reextraction of the tissue residue results in release of a small amount of uronic acid. Aggrecan-peptides purified using anion exchange chromatography are large compounds containing CS and KS. On gel chromatography, they are excluded from the column of Sephacryl S-300. Chemical composition analysis demonstrated that aggrecan-peptides from either bovine or chicken cartilage contain >90% CS with small amount (< 10%) of either KS or peptide. Patent information included production of aggrecan-peptide substantially free of DNA. The bovine aggrecan-peptide prepared by tissue autolysis has been used as a plate coating antigen in enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine KS.

A sialic acid assay in isolation and purification of bovine k-casein glycomacropeptide: a review.

Sialic acid is a carbohydrate moiety of k-casein glycomacropeptide (GMP), which is a 64 amino acid residue C-terminal sialylated phosphorylated glycopeptide released from k-casein by the action of chymosin during cheese making. GMP lacks aromatic amino acids including phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. Because of its unique amino acid composition and various biological activities, GMP is thought to be a potential ingredient for dietetic foods (e.g., a food for PKU patients) and pharmaceuticals. Thus, increased attention has been given to the development of techniques to purify GMP. In this review, techniques of GMP purification described in patents and scientific research papers were introduced. A sialic acid assay is the important method to track GMP isolation and purification processes, for which the thiobarbituric acid reaction with 1-propanol as a chromophore extracting solvent is an inexpensive, practical and specific technique. Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration chromatography, cellulose acetate electrophoresis, and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis are the major techniques to identify sialic acid specific to GMP. Sephacryl S-200 chromatography and cellulose acetate electrophoresis are also used to detect GMP sialic acid in whey pearmeate and whey added commercial margarine samples. Future research includes development of an economical industrial scale method to produce high purity GMP.

Detection of keratan sulfate by immunological methods in commercial chondroitin sulfate preparations.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS), a well known nutraceutical, and keratan sulfate (KS) are glycosaminoglycans involved in the structure of cartilage proteoglycan, aggrecan. Since CS is extracted from cartilage, there may be a possibility that purified CS is contaminated with small amount of KS. A total of 15 samples, including four samples of CS as laboratory reagents, one sample of CS as a food additive and ten samples of dietary supplements containing CS were examined to detect KS in these samples by using immunodiffusion and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with anti-KS monoclonal antibody (IgM). With the exception of three samples of CS as laboratory reagents, all samples were found to contain varying amounts of KS. It was concluded that both the immunodiffusion, a quick one-step method, and ELISA for quantification, are reliable methods to detect KS contamination in CS products.

Synergistic enhancement in the co-gelation of salt-soluble pea proteins and whey proteins.

This paper investigated the enhancement of thermal gelation properties when salt-soluble pea proteins were co-gelated with whey proteins in NaCl solutions, using different blend ratios, total protein concentrations, pH, and salt concentrations. Results showed that the thermal co-gelation of pea/whey proteins blended in ratio of 2:8 in NaCl solutions showed synergistic enhancement in storage modulus, gel hardness, paste viscosity and minimum gelation concentrations. The highest synergistic enhancement was observed at pH 6.0 as compared with pH 4.0 and 8.0, and at the lower total protein concentration of 10% as compared with 16% and 22% (w/v), as well as in lower NaCl concentrations of 0.5% and 1.0% as compared with 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, and 3.0% (w/v). The least gelation concentrations were also lower in the different pea/whey protein blend ratios than in pure pea or whey proteins, when dissolved in 1.0% or 2.5% (w/v) NaCl aqueous solutions.

Immunological detection of keratan sulfate in meat products with and without mechanically separated chicken meat.

Keratan sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan found in the structure of cartilage proteoglycans, aggrecan and fibromodulin. This study was undertaken to detect this glycosaminoglycan in meat products containing mechanically separated chicken meat (MSCM) having cartilage particles. Dry-defatted samples of MSCM and meat products with or without MSCM were digested with papain, and a non-dialyzable fraction from each papain digest was examined by immunodiffusion analysis using anti-keratan sulfate monoclonal antibody (IgM). No precipitine line was formed with the antibody for all samples of meat products without MSCM, while a sample of MSCM and all samples of meat products with MSCM gave clear precipitine lines with the antibody. The immunodiffusion test described here appears to be a simple sensitive specific method for qualitative analysis of keratan sulfate, which in combination with other methods may be useful for detection of MSCM in meat products.

[High conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in milk and dairy products using a dietary supplementation of sunflower seed in cows. Thrombogenic/atherogenic risk issues]. / Alto contenido de ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA) en leche y productos derivados al incorporar semillas de girasol a la dieta vacuna. Implicaciones sobre el riesgo trombo/aterogénico.

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of sunflower seed in cows on the chemical composition of milk and dairy products. Cream, butter and butter oil were prepared from milk produced by cows fed a control diet (control products) or diet supplemented with 11.2% sunflour seed (CLA-rich products). Milk samples collected were determined for lactose. A sample of CLA-rich or control product was determined for fatty acid profile as well as fat, protein and ash contents. The index of atherogenicity (IA) and the index of thrombogenicity (IT) were also calculated. Results revealed that there was no effect of the inclusion of sunflower seed in the diet on the lactose content in milk and total fat, protein and ash contents in the dairy products. Average contents of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and transvaccenic acid (TVA), expressed as g/100g total fatty acid were 0.54 and 1.6, respectively in the control products, and 2 and 6.4, respectively in the CLA-rich products. The content of either CLA or TVA was approximately four fold higher in the latter products. Moreover, CLA-rich products showed considerably low IA and IT, which were, respectively, 38.4 and 25.0% less than those from control products. Fatty acid profiles were unaffected during processing, which demonstrates that CLA is a stable component in the dairy products analyzed. It was concluded that dietary supplementation of sunflower seed in cows increases the CLA and TVA contents in milk, which may contribute to the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular diseases in humans.

Alto contenido de ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA) en leche y productos derivados al incorporar semillas de girasol a la dieta vacuna: implicaciones sobre el riesgo trombo/aterogénico / High conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in milk and dairy products using a dietary supplementation of sunflower seed in cows: thrombogenic/atherogenic risk issues

Con la finalidad de determinar el perfil de ácidos grasos y la composición química de productos lácteos enriquecidos con ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA) de manera natural, se elaboraron crema, mantequilla y grasa butírica con leche obtenida de vacas que recibieron una dieta control o suplementación con semilla de girasol en un 11.2%. El análisis químico incluyó el perfil de ácidos grasos,materia grasa, proteína y cenizas; en la leche se determinó además el contenido de lactosa. Se calcularon los índices de aterogenicidad (IA) y trombogenicidad (IT) en la leche y productos elaborados. Los resultados indicaron que los contenidos de grasa, proteína, lactosa y ceniza no fueron afectados por la incorporación de semilla de girasol en la dieta de los animales. El contenido promedio de CLA y ácidotrans vaccénico (TVA) expresados en g/100 g de lípidos totales fue, para los productos control, 0.54 y 1.6; mientras que para los productos ricos en CLA fueron 2 y 6.4, lo cual representa un incremento de cuatro veces. Además, en los productos ricos en CLA los IA e IT disminuyeron considerablemente (38.4 y 25% menos, respectivamente). Se observó que los perfiles de ácidos grasos no se modificaron durante el procesamiento, indicando que el CLA es un componente estable en los productos lácteos analizados. El uso de semilla de girasol en la dieta de las vacas, incrementa el contenido de CLA y TVA en los productos lácteos y disminuye el riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares en humanos sin afectar la proporción de los componentes mayoritarios.

High conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in milk and dairy products using a dietary supplementation of sunflower seed in cows. Thrombogenic/atherogenic risk issues. This studywas undertaken to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of sunflower seed in cows on the chemical composition of milk and dairy products. Cream, butter and butter oil were prepared from milk produced by cows fed a control diet (control products) or diet supplemented with 11.2% sunflour seed (CLA-rich products). Milk samples collected were determined for lactose. A sample of CLArich or control product was determined for fatty acid profile as well as fat, protein and ash contents. The index of atherogenicity (IA) and the index of thrombogenicity (IT) were also calculated. Results revealed that there was no effect of the inclusion of sunflower seed in the diet on the lactose content in milk and total fat, protein and ash contents in the dairy products. Average contents of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and transvaccenic acid (TVA), expressed as g/ 100g total fatty acid were 0.54 and 1.6, respectively in the control products, and 2 and 6.4, respectively in the CLA-rich products. The content of either CLA or TVA was approximately four fold higher in the latter products. Moreover, CLA-rich products showed considerably low IA and IT, which were, respectively, 38.4 and 25.0% less than those from control products. Fatty acid profiles were unaffected during processing, which demonstrates that CLA is a stable component in the dairy products analyzed. It was concluded that dietary supplementation of sunflower seed in cows increases the CLA and TVA contents in milk, which may contribute to the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular diseases in humans.

Detection of sialylated phosphorylated kappa-casein glycomacropeptide electrophoresed on polyacrylamide gels and cellulose acetate strips by the thiobarbituric acid and malachite green dye reactions.

A 64 amino acid residue sialylated phosphorylated glycomacropeptide (GMP) from bovine sweet whey can be detected as a Coomassie blue-staining peptide by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels. There is, however, limited information available concerning detection of GMP as a sialylated phosphorylated compound. Samples of GMP were electrophoresed on SDS-polyacrylamide gels or cellulose acetate strips (CAS). Immediately following electrophoresis, fractions obtained by cutting gels or strips were subjected to sialic acid determination by the thiobarbituric acid reaction and phosphorus determination by the malachite green dye reaction. Both determinations were found to be sensitive enough to detect approximately 20 and 40 microg of GMP in CAS and SDS gels, respectively. Further studies demonstrated that sialylated phosphorylated GMP can be detected on either SDS gels or CAS loaded with whey products or whey-added margarine residues.

Chemical composition of the infrapatellar fat pad of swine.

The porcine infrapatellar fat pad is a structure composed of adipocytes and adipose connective tissues. Limited information is available concerning its chemical composition. Samples of the fat pad collected from young hogs were dissected into two portions: a relatively hard core of the pad with cushioning properties (inner tissue), and a soft adipose tissue surrounding the core (outer tissue). The inner tissue contained less moisture and nitrogen than did the outer tissue. The yield of dry-delipidated tissue was also lower in the inner tissue, indicating a higher content of lipid in this tissue. Fatty acid analysis showed that the proportions of C18: 1, C16: 1 and C18: 2n-6 are higher, and the proportion of C16: 0 is lower in the inner than in the outer tissue. Collagen is the major protein, with relatively small amounts of glycosaminoglycans in both tissues. The content of hyaluronic acid relative to sulphated galactosaminoglycan was lower in the inner than in the outer tissue. The electrophoresis pattern of sulphated galactosaminoglycan was also different between the two tissues. These results suggest that chemical composition varies between adipose tissues with different biomechanical function.

Use of epichlorohydrin-treated chitosan resin as an adsorbent to isolate kappa-casein glycomacropeptide from sweet whey.

This study was undertaken to develop a method to isolate glycomacropeptide (GMP), a bioactive compound, from sweet whey by using chitosan resins as anion exchangers. Shrimp shells were used to prepare two chitosan (polyglucosamine) resins, one with the primary amine (-NH(2)) (resin A) and the other with the secondary amine (-NH-) (resin B) as the major functional group. These resins were tested as adsorbents for the isolation of GMP from sweet whey, and the results obtained were compared with those obtained with commercial anion exchangers. The most important finding in this experiment was that the GMP binding capacity of resin A was much higher than that of resin B. Resin A may be the anion exchanger to be tested for industrial scale production of GMP. Amino acid analysis of the GMP-depleted whey fraction suggests that this product can replace sweet whey as an ingredient in various food products including infant formulas, bakery products, and beverages.

Lack of therapeutic effect of a specially designed yogurt for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Current antibiotic treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection is often associated with frequent adverse effects and resistance to antibiotics. Alternative treatment methods to control H. pylori infection are needed. Some specific strains of lactic acid bacteria (probiotics) in dairy products are known to inhibit the growth of H. pylori in vitro. A clinical trial was conducted to see the efficacy of a specially designed yogurt product containing specific probiotics on the eradication of H. pylori. METHOD: The yogurt was prepared using three Lactobacillus spp. (L. acidophilus and L. casei) and one commercial starter culture (L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus). All these cultures were previously evaluated, and found to have strong in vitro inhibitory effects on the growth of H. pylori. Twenty-seven asymptomatic women positive for H. pylori on gastric biopsy and 13C urea breath test were recruited, and administered 175 ml of the yogurt three times a day for 30 days. The 13C urea breath test was administered again, one month after stopping the yogurt treatment to detect the presence of H. pylori. RESULTS: In 26 of 27 subjects, the urea breath test values remained positive, indicating that the consumption of the yogurt had no effect on the eradication of H. pylori. CONCLUSION: Although the designed fermented milk containing lactobacilli is very effective in the inhibition of H. pylori growth in vitro, eradication of this infection in humans is difficult to achieve by consuming this product.

Purification of kappa-casien glycomacropeptide from sweet whey with undetectable level of phenylalanine.

Glycomacropeptide (GMP) found in sweet whey is a biologically active compound released from kappa-casein by the action of chymosin during cheese making. This study was undertaken to purify GMP from sweet whey as a research chemical on a laboratory scale. Glycomacropeptide was isolated from proteins and other non-GMP compounds by deproteinization with trichloroacetic acid and gel chromatography on Sephacryl S-200. The purified GMP accounted for 0.12% of dry sweet whey powder and contained 107.0, 50.9, 61.2 and 4.3 microg, respectively, of sialic acid, galactose, galactosamine and phosphorus per mg dry weight. The GMP was of high purity, with its amino acid composition showing undetectable levels of phenylalanine, tyrosine and arginine, the amino acids that do not occur in bovine GMP. On gel electrophoresis, the GMP showed a single broad band with an average mobility faster than that of carbonic anhydrase (molecular weight = 31 kDa). The purified GMP may be used as a standard glycopeptide in chromatography and electrophoresis and may also be used to test various known or unknown properties and biological activities of this compound.

Isolation and analysis of kappa-casein glycomacropeptide from goat sweet whey.

Glycomacropeptide (GMP) was purified from goat sweet whey by anion-exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Approximately 0.06% (w/v) of sweet whey was recovered as GMP. Amino acid analysis of the GMP preparation showed that the content of phenylalanine (an amino acid that does not occur in goat GMP) was negligible, indicating that the GMP was of high purity. The goat GMP contained 25 microg sialic acid per mg of dry weight. This was approximately 3-fold lower than the sialic acid concentration in bovine GMP reported in the literature. Gel electrophoretic results demonstrated that most of the goat GMP occurs as a dimer. The GMP was intensely stained with Coomassie blue in 50% methanol containing 12.5% (w/v) trichloroacetic acid, but showed very weak metachromasia with the same dye in 45% methanol containing 10% acetic acid, a preparation commonly used to stain protein.