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Milkfat globule membranes (MFGMs) were prepared from bovine cream according to standard procedures. These membranes and peptide hydrolysates, which were generated by proteolysis with immobilized digestive enzymes, were screened for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus cereus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus gasseri. Assays were first performed on beef heart infusion (BHI) plates spotted with test protein-peptide fractions and then seeded with lawns of indicator cells to monitor the zone of growth inhibition. Under these experimental conditions, MFGMs were most active against Salmonella Typhimurium and P. fluorescens. However, antibacterial activity was not seen after plating on Luria-Bertani (LB) medium. We determined that the antimicrobial effects observed on BHI plates were due to the generation of H2O2 by xanthine oxidase, a major protein constituent of the MFGMs, as a result of purine catalysis. This substrate is present in BHI but lacking in LB medium. Evaluation of purified xanthine oxidase alone resulted in analogous data trends. The growth of probiotic Lactobacillus strains were affected only marginally when grown on lactobacilli deMan Rogosa Sharpe plates, suggesting the decreased sensitivity of these bacteria to H2O2. In this study, several MFGM hydrolysates exhibited variable antibacterial activity against test food pathogens on agar plates prepared with M9 minimal media, and this variation was not attributable to xanthine oxidase enzymatic activity. The probiotic microorganisms were mostly resilient to these antibacterial fractions. Bovine MFGM fractions may represent an excellent resource material from which to generate native, naturally occurring biodefensive proteins and/or peptides.

Extracellular production of keratinase–streptavidin fusion protein (KER–STP) was accomplished by the cloning of Bacillus subtilis with a transforming plasmid carrying the kerA - stp fusion gene. The fusion protein was readily immobilized onto a biotinylated solid matrix by mixing in the culture medium. The properties and reaction kinetics of free and immobilized keratinase (KE) were characterized and compared. Heat stability and pH tolerance were greatly improved by immobilization, but the catalytic efficiency ( k cat / K m ) was reduced by eightfold. The yield of bio-immobilization using bioselective adsorption of the fusion protein was approximately 20%, as estimated from the activity of free KE. HPLC analysis of reaction products demonstrated the hydrolysis of feather keratin, casein, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) by the immobilized KE. The rates of reactions are lower than those of the free enzyme. On the other hand, the stability of the enzyme was greatly improved.

Mammary fluids, colostrum and milk, deliver nature's first host defense systems upon birth, and these essential liquids are critical for survival of the neonate. The identification and characterization of anti-infectious proteins were among the early scientific discoveries and this group of proteins has long been recognized for promoting health benefits in both newborns and adults. Among the more widely studied are the immunoglobulins, lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, and lactoferrin. Recently, it was shown that alpha--lactalbumin may also function in a protective capacity dependent upon its folding state. Some of these, especially lactoferrin, also display an immunomodulatory role in which case a totally separate cascade of host defense responses is initiated. It was noted that the mechanism of action for this cluster of sentry proteins does vary; thus, this protective strategy provides for a broad range of responsive reactions to infection. Presently, there is a major focus on the discovery of novel peptides that can be generated from existing milk proteins via proteolytic reactions. To date, this substrate list includes alpha--lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, all casein fractions, and lactoferrin. Again, the immunoregulatory effects prompted as a result of the appearance of these peptides are currently being defined. Herein, we review the principal biological properties associated with each of these contributing milk components with a special emphasis on the role of biodefensive milk peptides. We envision future contributions emerging from this research field as an opportunity to develop effective new therapies to be used in treating infectious diseases and promoting health benefits in vivo.

Native soybean lectins (SBL) could potentially have deleterious effects on young animals. The objectives of this study were to determine the optimum processing temperature and time at which SBL is inactivated and to investigate the possibility of using urease activity (UA) to predict residual lectin levels in soybean meal (SBM). Raw defatted SBM was steam-heated at incremental temperatures between 90 and 120 degrees C for 5 to 20 min in an autoclave. The processed meals were subjected to native-PAGE and measurement of total carbohydrate-binding lectin (TCBL), agglutinating lectin (AL), UA, and trypsin inhibitor (TI). Processing severity was evaluated by determining protein solubility in 0.2% potassium hydroxide. Results indicated that levels of all antinutrients (TCBL, AL, UA, and TI) decreased with increasing processing temperature (P0.05). The intensity of the lectin band on the electrophoresis gel was considerably reduced when meal was heated at 100 degrees C for 5 min. This result implied that lectin inactivation occurred at 100 degrees C. More than 90% of all the original antinutrient levels in the raw meal were destroyed when meals were heated at 100 degrees C for 5 min. Meals processed at 100 degrees C for 5 to 20 min had protein solubility values (80 to 85%) indicative of adequate processing. The denaturation pattern of UA was highly correlated with that of SBL (ror = 0.73), indicating that UA could be used for monitoring lectin levels in commercial meals. We concluded that UA of 0.03 to 0.09 units of pH change are indicative of adequately processed meals that contain negligible lectin levels.

Expression of fusion protein trypsin-streptavidin (TRYPSA) in Escherichia coli was evaluated and the protein purified. Protein expression was induced by 1 mM isopropylthio-beta-D-galactoside (IPTG), and the enzyme activity was measured by the hydrolysis rate of p-toluenesulfonyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME). Expression of the fusion protein in the cell-free extract decreased with increased induction time; correspondingly, that in the inclusion bodies increased. The total expression in Luria-Bertani broth (LB) and Terrific Broth (TB) media reached the highest levels in 2 hr at 30 degrees C. The optimum expression level was 35 and 48 U/L in LB and TB, respectively. Expression of the fusion protein was verified by Western Blot analysis using streptavidin antiserum, and the fusion protein was purified using a benzamidine Sepharose 6B affinity column at room temperature. The molecular size of the soluble purified fusion protein was determined by size-exclusion chromatography using Superose 12 FPLC. A molecular weight of 39-40 kDa was obtained, indicating that the soluble protein exists as a monomer; thus, the presence of the trypsin domain must prevent the streptavidin domain from tetramer formation.

α-Lactalbumin is a whey protein with high digestibility and low potential for causing allergic problems in infants, making it a strong candidate for use in infant formulas. The development of an efficient and scalable process for isolation of α-lactalbumin is necessary to allow its use on a large scale. Affinity chromatography using short peptides as ligands is a promising technique because it allows the recovery of specific proteins without the use of harsh chemicals or problems due to ligand release. In the present paper we describe the identification of the hexapeptide WHWRKR, obtained from a combinatorial library, that shows affinity for α-lactalbumin.

Control of microorganisms such as Bacillus cereus spores is critical to ensure the safety and a long shelf life of foods. A bifunctional single chain antibody has been developed for detection and binding of B. cereus T spores. The genes that encode B. cereus T spore single-chain antibody and streptavidin were connected for use in immunoassays and immobilization of the recombinant antibodies. A truncated streptavidin, which is smaller than but has biotin binding ability similar to that of streptavidin, was used as the affinity domain because of its high and specific affinity with biotin. The fusion protein gene was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) with the T7 RNA polymerase-T7 promoter expression system. Immunoblotting revealed an antigen specificity similar to that of its parent native monoclonal antibody. The single-chain antibody-streptavidin fusion protein can be used in an immunoassay of B. cereus spores by applying a biotinylated enzyme detection system. The recombinant antibodies were immobilized on biotinylated magnetic beads by taking advantage of the strong biotin-streptavidin affinity. Various liquids were artificially contaminated with 5 × 10 4 B. cereus spores per ml. Greater than 90% of the B. cereus spores in phosphate buffer or 37% of the spores in whole milk were tightly bound and removed from the liquid phase by the immunomagnetic beads.

A 5% protein suspension (4 mL) was whipped in a modified 50-mL centrifuge tube using a tissumizer equipped with a flat-bottom generator. Drainage time at 50% liquid weight and the weight of the foam formed/ unit volume were used for calculating foam stability and foam overrun, respectively. The foaming properties of a variety of milk proteins were determined using this method. This method distinguished differences in foaming properties among the proteins. Values for overrun confirmed published results. Compared with standard methods, this method required much less sample (about 1/20) and less measuring time (about 1/5 to 1/10).

A rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric assay was developed for the measurement of biotin-binding sites of immobilized avidin. The method is based on the reaction of avidin with excess biotin followed by assay of the unbound biotin using the HABA (2-[4′-hydroxyazobenzene] benzoic acid) method. Three solids possessing variable amounts of monomeric avidin were examined; viz., succinamidopropyl-controlled-pore glass (CPG-500), crosslinked 6% beaded agarose (Sepharose-CL-6B**), and crosslinked bis-acrylamide/azlactone (3M Emphaze Biosupport Medium AB1. Results indicate that the total biotin-binding sites of monomeric avidin immobilized on CPG-500, Sepharose-CL-6B, and 3M Emphaze are 0.229, 0.093, and 0.218 µmol biotin per mL beads, respectively. Assays for exchangeable biotinbinding sites gave values greater than 90% of the total sites. The spectrophotometric HABA method described is an alternative to assays based on tracers, thus the handling of radioactive material is avoided.

SummaryA laboratory scale bioreactor was used for continuous acidification and inoculation of milk with a proteinase-negative, lactose-fermenting strain,Lactococcus lactissubsp.lactisC2S. Calcium alginate-entrapped cells were immobilized on a spiral stainless steel mesh incorporated into a column bioreactor and used to acidify and inoculate reconstituted skim milk. Characteristics of the immobilized cell bioreactor (ICB) were compared with those of a free cell bioreactor (FCB) during challenge with a virulent phage. Steady state biomass and lactate productivities were respectively 25-fold and 12-fold larger with the ICB than with the FCB. The ICB and the FCB were inoculated with the prolate phage c2 at multiplicities of infection of 0·25 and 0·02 respectively. Within 90 min of the infection, the FCB viable cell concentration dropped by five orders of magnitude and never recovered, while the plaque forming units/ml increased dramatically. In the ICB, released cells decreased immediately after infection, but subsequently increased, while the plaque forming units/ml steadily declined, indicating that phage were being washed out of the bioreactor. Productivity of FCB decreased to zero, whereas productivity of the ICB only decreased ∼ 60% and subsequently recovered to its initial steady state value.

A chemically prepared conjugate of avidin and E. coli β-galactosidase was adsorbed to biotinylated controlled-pore glass beads and used in a fluidized-bed bioreactor to assess the feasibility of bioselective adsorption immobilization technology. Biotinylated 200 nm pore diameter porous glass beads were prepared by reaction of 3-aminopropyl-glass beads with sulfosuccinimidyl-6-(biotinamido) hexanoate. Avidin and biotinylated β-galactosidase were sequentially adsorbed to the matrix. The fluidized-bed bioreactor was characterized with respect to β-galactosidase activity using both a lactose solution and o-nitrophenyl β-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG) as substrates. A lactose solution (4.5%, pH 7) was assayed for lactose hydrolysis at various flow rates. The bioreactor was operated for three months at 65–75% lactose hydrolysis with no loss in enzyme activity. The biocatalyst was characterized by amino acid analysis to determine the amount of each of the two proteins adsorbed. Results indicated 162 μ protein/mg beads of which 36% was avidin and 64% was β-galactosidase corresponding to 1 mole of avidin per mole of β-galactosidase monomer. Biocatalyst activity using ONPG as the substrate was 430 μmoles/min/mg protein, yielding a specific activity of 672 μmoles/min/mg β-galactosidase. These results lead to the conclusion that biospecific adsorption of the β-galactosidase conjugate onto biotinylated glass beads via avidin results in a biocatalyst that is stable and retains a high specific activity.

A rapid, sensitive, and convenient spectrophotometric assay was developed for the measurement of amino groups on solid supports. This method is based on the reaction of amino groups of solids with an excess ofo-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) and subsequent quantitative determination of unreacted OPA by reaction with glycine. Four solids possessing variable quantities of amino groups were examined. Results indicate that about 70% of the total surface amino concentration (determined by the microKjeldahl method) are available for ligand attachment. Unlike the spectrophotometric 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid method, the OPA spectrophotometric assay is more rapid, sensitive, and convenient, and unlike the spectrofluorimetric OPA, it does not require sophisticated instrumentation.

The dissociation constant for the complex of rhodanese and Cibacron Blue, determined by analytical affinity chromatography using rhodanese immobilized on controlled-pore glass (CPG) beads (200 nm pore diameter) and aminohexyl-Cibacron Blue, was 44 microM which agreed well with the kinetic inhibition constant, suggesting that the dye binds at or near the active site of this enzyme. Formation of a binary complex of the dye and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was also characterized by direct chromatography of LDH on CPG/immobilized Cibacron Blue (KD = 0.29 microM). The binary complex formed between LDH and NADH was characterized by analytical affinity chromatography using both CPG/immobilized LDH and immobilized Cibacron Blue. Since the dye competes with NADH in binding to the active site of LDH, competitive elution chromatography using the immobilized dye allows determination of the dissociation constant of the soluble LDH.NADH complex. Agreement between the dissociation constants determined by direct chromatography of NADH on immobilized LDH (KD = 1.4 microM) and that determined for the soluble complex (KD = 2.4 microM) indicates that immobilization of LDH did not affect the interaction. Formation of various binary, ternary and quaternary complexes of bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) with glutamate, NADPH, NADH, and ADP was also investigated using immobilized GDH. This approach allows characterization of the enzyme/ligand interactions without the complicating effect of enzyme self-association. The affinity for NADPH is considerably greater in the ternary complex (including glutamate) as compared to the binary complex (0.38 microM vs 22 microM); however, occupancy of the regulatory site by ADP greatly reduces the affinity in both complexes (6.4 microM and 43 microM, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

This report of the American Dairy Science Association Committee on the Nomenclature, Classification, and Methodology of Milk Proteins reviews changes in the nomenclature of milk proteins necessitated by recent advances of our knowledge of milk proteins. Identification of major caseins and whey proteins continues to be based upon their primary structures. Nomenclature of the immunoglobulins consistent with new international standards has been developed, and all bovine immunoglobulins have been characterized at the molecular level. Other significant findings related to nomenclature and protein methodology are elucidation of several new genetic variants of the major milk proteins, establishment by sequencing techniques and sequence alignment of the bovine caseins and whey proteins as the reference point for the nomenclature of all homologous milk proteins, completion of crystallographic studies for major whey proteins, and advances in the study of lactoferrin, allowing it to be added to the list of fully characterized milk proteins.

Covalently immobilized biotin was used as a biospecific adsorbant to investigate the application of streptavidin as an affinity domain for simultaneous purification and immobilization of recombinant proteins. A streptavidin-beta-galactosidase fusion protein was constructed and tested as a model system. The gene for streptavidin from Streptomyces avidinii was modified by polymerase chain reaction to mutate the stop codon and to facilitate cloning into an Escherichia coli expression vector yielding a versatile plasmid with 37 unique restriction enzyme sites at the 3' end. E. coli beta-galactosidase was cloned in-frame to the streptavidin gene. Analysis of lysates of induced recombinant E. coli cells by SDS-PAGE and Western blots indicated that the 133.6-kDa fusion protein was expressed. Sulfosuccinimidyl-6-(biotinamido) hexanoate was covalently immobilized on 3-aminopropyl-controled-pore glass beads. Exposure of recombinant cell lysates to this support indicated that streptavidin-beta-galactosidase was bioselectively adsorbed. The resulting biocatalyst contained 300 mg protein per gram of beads and exhibited a specific activity of 306 betamol/min per milligram protein with o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside as substrate corresponding to approximately 50% of that observed for commercially pure E. coli beta-galactosidase.

Arginine decarboxylase was immobilized on a controlled pore glass beads derivative and assembled into a plug flow reactor. The catalytic action of the enzyme was measured with a CO2-sensing electrode. The enzyme action produced a linear response range of L-arginine concentration from 3 × 10,-4 to 3 × 10−3 M. The enzyme reactor in combination with a CO2-sensing electrode is useful as a new maturity assay based on the free arginine content of peanuts.

A unified treatment of systems containing immobilized biochemical and chromatographic systems was developed from basic thermodynamic considerations of partitioning in biphasic systems. Division of the overall partitions coefficient into electrostatic and nonelectrostatic interactions provided an effective stratagem for analysis of these systems. The properties of both strong and weak ionogenic matrices were explored. It was Found that the matrix charge concentration and the bulk solutions pH and ionic strength completely determine the electrostatic partition coefficient. Hence, the relationships developed allow prediction of partition coefficients from readily obtainable experimental parameters. It was also shown that even at low concentrations, the presence of immobilized protein can alter the properties of the matrix phase. However, a weak ionogenic matrix has an unusual property which allows for a biological switching device. Ina characteristics pH range, such matrices will maintain a constant micro environmental pH while the partitioning of a substrate ion is greatly variable. Finally, the theoretical treatment suggests simple procedures for determination of binding constants from affinity or adsorption chromatography.

Chemical composition and catheptic activity were determined in fresh chilled hams and four lots of cured hams subjected to different pre-curing treatments. Hams were sampled after aging (storage) of 2, 4 and 6 months at 29 °C. Moisture decreased, while protein, salt and free amino acid concentrations increased with aging time of cured hams, but treatment effects were similar. Frozen, thawed cured hams aged for 2 months exhibited the highest specific enzyme activity but decreased in enzyme activity after 4 and 6 months of aging. Free amino acid concentration after aging was higher in hams frozen 1–3 yr (X= 2.3) at −29 °C than for those frozen 0 or 2 days.

Studies on the chemical modification of egg white with oleic acid (5-50 moles/50,000g of egg white protein) revealed that the reagent partitioned equally between supernatant and precipitate. The mole ratio of oleic acid to protein in solution at the 20 mole level of treatment was 14.6:1. Oleic acid did not selectively precipitate ovalbumin, conalbumin, or lysozyme. An increase in negative charge of proteins was observed in the chromatograms of treated egg white. No difference in molecular weights of treated egg white proteins was observed. The viscosity varied with the concentration of the reagent. In cooked, frozen, and thawed egg white water retaining index was 1.5-10X greater for treated than untreated material.

Two methods employing a water-soluble carbodiimide for carboxyl activation were investigated for the immobilization of biochemicals to succinamidopropyl-porous glass beads. Immobilization using the simultaneous method (simultaneous addition of carbodiimide and nucleophilic ligand to the beads) and large excess of carbodiimide and a small nucleophile should result in covalent binding to all accessible carboxyl groups. Results obtained with glycine methyl ester indicated that 40% of the total surface carboxyl groups were sterically accessible. Using these reaction conditions with the protein, chymotrypsinogen, suggests that a surface monolayer is immobilized. although far fewer sites are required assuming single point attachment. For ligands containing carboxyl groups and several nucleophilic groups (e. g., enzymes), however, biological inactivation may occur using the simultaneous method. Consequently, a sequential method (activation of the surface with carbodiimide followed by washing and addition of the biochemical to be immobilized) was optimized. Using optimal conditions (20 min activation time at pH 4.75 and room temperature; 2 min wash at pH 7 and 0 degrees C) and 0.1M carbodiimide, nearly half of the accessible surface sites remained in the O-acylisourea form and reacted with glycine methyl ester upon its addition. The amount of surface loading as a function of activation time was consistent with a model constructed using rate constants for O-acylisourea formation and hydrolysis previously derived from solution studies with acetic acid [Swaisgood and Natake, J. Biochem 74, 77 (1973)]. Measurement of reaction rates with glycine methyl ester following surface activation suggests that the rate of reaction with amino groups is at least eightfold greater than the hydrolysis rate. Either immobilization procedure gave comparable enzyme loading and specific activities for the case of sulfhydryl oxidase.

A differential microrecirculation reactor was developed for kinetic analysis of both soluble and immobilized enzymes. The reactor system was easily fabricated within the laboratory from readily available materials. The disposable, small reactors allowed for in situ weight determination of the enzyme beads. Routinely, only a 1 ml liquid volume of substrate was used for each kinetic assay. The reactor system was also used for determination of partition coefficients. Both uses of the reactor system required only 5-10 minutes for completion of a given determination.

Developpement d'un systeme polyenzymatique immobilise sur lit de verre poreux et comprenant pepsine, trypsine, chymotrypsine et peptidase intestinale de porc. Application a l'evaluation de la valeur nutritive des proteines alimentaires

Chemical modification of egg white has been shown to improve its functional properties. In order to fully understand the changes in functionality it is necessary to separate the proteins and study their corresponding structural changes. This paper describes two chromatographic techniques applied to the separation of native and acylated egg white. A molified DEAE—cellulose ion exchange methodology was developed which reduced separation time and expense. It was found that increases in net charge introduced by acylation with succinic or acetic anhydride changed the ionic state of the proteins, limiting their separation by ion-exchange chromatography. Using Sephacryl S-200, a gel chiomatographic technique was developed which separated over 80% of the total succinylated egg white proteins; viz., ovomucin, ovalbumin, conalbumin, ovomacroglobulin, and lysozyme. Most proteins of native and acetylated egg white were separated with S-200 chromatography, but required rechromatography of the ovalbumin-conalbumin fractions for complete resolution.

Results from polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed that proteins were more negatively charged in the presence of oleic acid. The electrophoretic mobility of unmodified and modified lysozyme was of opposite but similar magnitude. Critical micelle concentration (50.0 μ M) of oleic acid suggested that association between the fatty acid and proteins was mostly hydrophobic. Muramidase activity of modified lysozyme and difference spectra of modified ovalbumin suggested that oleic acid was partially or totally surrounding the proteins. Improved freeze-thaw characteristics of treated egg white were attributed to greater negative charge and instability of proteins produced by oleic acid.

A method for determination of sulthydryl concentrations in turbid samples using the reaction with 5,5′dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) was developed. The major modification of previously reported procedures involved a filtration step to reduce the turbidity and a correction for the sample turbidity based on direct measurements on the sample. Turbidity corrections were based on known light scattering theory and experimental measurements were shown to follow the expected relationships. This method is adaptable to routine analyses since measurements at only two wavelengths are required. Determination of sulfhydryl concentrations in milk samples indicated excellent reproducibility for multiple sample analyses. Also, the correlation between added sulfhydryl concentrations and that measured was very good. Autoxidation of the thionitrobenzoate ion was detectable so that extrapolation of the data to zero time would be desirable for determination of absolute sulfhydryl concentrations.

Arginine decarboxylase was immobilized by (1) glutaraldehyde crosslinking to form a gel, (2) chemical coupling to a glutaraldehyde derivative of alkylaminopropyl glass, or (3) chemical coupling to succinamidopropyl glass beads. Enzyme activity was tested by either the enzyme electrode system or enzyme reactor system. Covalent coupling to alkylaminopropyl glass appeared to be the best immobilization procedure. The best detection procedure was the enzyme reactor (linear range 3 × 10−4 to 3 × 10−3 M, linear equation mV = 53.43 log[Arg] + 226.38). Equilibrium was attained in 4–6 min with the enzyme reactor.