Papers by Keyword: Protein

Abstract: Copper and its salt are remarkably non-toxic to mammalian tissue. It is possible to ingest a large number of soluble copper salts such as copper sulphide to produce intoxication, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramp. Copper salts are widely employed in agriculture and veterinary practice. Copper is an essential trace element in life and is a component of several metalloenzymes and other proteins such as cytochrome oxidase, heamocyanin, lysin oxidase, ascorbate oxidase and amine oxidase. When copper is present in the body above a particular dosage of greater than 100ppm in rats, it becomes fatal to rats. Copper is transported by blood, and is distributed to tissue and organs which have different retention capacities with the highest level of copper found in the liver, kidney, spleen and lungs. This study investigated the toxicological effect of copper in the liver and kidney of animals, using albino rats as the experimental animal. The serum chemistry report showed that the protein value of the liver homogenate for most of the experimental rats was higher than that of the control whereas the value of globulin for the control was similar to that of the experimental rats. The kidney homogenate revealed that Calcium ion has higher contents in the experimental rats than that in the control. In conclusion, the effect of copper varies with the groups of rats as compared to the control.

Abstract: Microparticle protein delivery system using alginate and cellulose derivative (HPC, HEC and CMC) composite system was prepared using external gelation with vibration technology. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein was encapsulated using these biodegradable materials. This preparation showed an increase in encapsulation efficiency in comparison to the samples where pure alginate was used as the encapsulating material. Compared with the other microparticles, the 50:50 alginate/HEC samples exhibited significant encapsulation efficiency. Consequently, its release rate in the acidic medium was comparatively substantial and higher cumulative release in the simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) medium at the end of the dissolution study was observed to be high at around 86.17%.

Abstract: A novel leaky waveguide grating (LWG) biosensor is reported where a continuous waveguide film of chitosan was photo patterned, resulting in a periodic modulation of the concentration of recognition elements (streptavidin in this case). This resulted in a periodic variation in the refractive index of the waveguide film, forming a phase grating at resonance angles of the LWG. Thus, a diffraction pattern was observed at resonance angles, but not at other angles. The position of resonance angles and hence diffraction pattern was a function of the refractive index of chitosan waveguide strips, forming the basis of biosensing and quantitative measurements.

Abstract: Keratin is a durable and fibrous protein of hair, nails, horns, hoofs, feathers and the epithelial cells in the outermost layers of the skin. Keratin in animals mainly presents in vertebrates such as mammals, birds and reptiles including chicken and swiftlet. This study aims to characterize keratin extracted from chicken and swiftlet feathers. The extraction of the keratin performed using dimethyl sufoxide (DMSO) at high temperature. The extracted keratin from both samples were used for the characterization process using Bradford protein assay, CHNS analysis and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. This study showed that keratin extract of swiftlet feather showed higher protein concentration (0.813 mg/mL) than keratin extract of chicken feather (0.646 mg/ml). The highest composition for keratin extract is hydrogen which are 4.97% for keratin extract from swiftlet feathers and 3.12% for keratin extract from chicken feathers. FTIR analysis exhibited that carboxyl groups and amino groups are presence in both keratin samples however, the protein value is higher in swiftlet feathers compared to chicken feathers. This study's outcome is significant in discovering keratin extract from swiftlet feathers containing high protein content due to the breakdown of disulfide bonds. Furthermore, this research is the first report on keratin characterization from swiftlet feathers that would be useful for high value future keratin study.

Abstract: In this study, 6-maleimidohexanoic acid grafted chitosan nanoparticles (MHA-CS NPs) were prepared and evaluated the efficiency of intranasal protein delivery as compared with well-known chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs). Fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled with bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) was used as a model protein. The results indicated that both CS NPs and MHA-CS NPs were positively charged NPs before and after protein loading. The condition for optimal protein loading was 1:6 mass ratio of protein/NPs at 1 h incubation period. The optimal formulations of CS NPs and MHA-CS NPs were evaluated on porcine mucosa as ex vivo. The mucoadhesive and permeation properties of FITC-BSA loaded MHA-CS NPs showed a greater than FITC-BSA loaded CS NPs and FITC-BSA solution, respectively. These ex vivo studies present the potential of MHA-CS NPs as a novel carrier for intranasal protein delivery that will be a candidate for in vivo study.

Abstract: Structural and mechanical features of collagen-containing raw materials and biomaterials that can be used as coatings based on biopolymers are presented. Studies reveal the presence of materials with targeted texture, rheological properties; chemical composition and biocompatibility. In particular, for mycelial fungi.

Abstract: Deer antler velvets (DAVs) contain many growth factors and protein. To extract growth factor from DAV, the suitable method and material properties have to investigate. The aim of this study was to improve the growth factor content in DAV extract for using as a skin rejuvenation compound. Different extraction methods (such as ethanol extract, probe sonication and precipitation method) and material preparations (such as fresh, dried by freeze drier and dried by hot air oven with and without gramma ray) were performed to evaluate the total protein and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). The suitable condition was choose to determine the antioxidant activity and effect on the skin properties (such as in vitro skin permeation and in vivo human studies). For the results, fresh DAV extracted by probe sonication method provided the significantly highest total protein (586.31 + 48.17 mg/g) and IGF-1 (31.32 + 10.55 ng/g) contents. At the concentration of 2,000 μg/ml, this extract was completely dissolved in water and exhibited the antioxidant potential nearly 50% inhibition. For skin permeation at 24 h, the skin treated with DAV extract showed 3.83 + 2.04% of protein permeated through skin. The skin elasticity and hydration significantly increased after applying DAV extract for 28 days. In conclusion, the DAV extract by using fresh DAV and probe sonication method exhibited high IGF-1 and protein content as well as an antioxidant potential, leading to improve the skin properties. This extract might play an important role in the skin rejuvenation product.

Abstract: Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) is one of important commodities in Indonesia. One method that has been used to whiten sugar palm flour is by bleaching process using chlorine (Ca(ClO)₂). Unfortunately, the use of chlorine as a whitening agent is considered harmful to health and the environment. One of alternative methods that can be considered as “Green” bleaching process for sugar palm whitening is ozone technology. The effects of ozonation process and different concentrations of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ added in the ozonation process to the whiteness (i.e. L* and b* scale) and protein content of sugar palm flour were investigated. Suspension of sugar palm flour-water was contacted with ozone gas at rate of 325 mg/hour. The duration of ozonation process was varied for 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes. The initial concentration or ratio of sugar palm and water was also varied, i.e. 1:2 (wt/wt); 1:3 (wt/wt); and 1:4 (wt/wt). To determine the effect of adding sodium salt; NaCl and Na₂SO₄ were added at different concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 g/L each. The test results showed that pH of the flour and b* value decreased, while L* value of sugar palm flour increased with the increasing ozonation time. The results also showed that the most significant increase of L* value was at the sample ratio (sugar palm:water) of 1:3 (wt/wt) and 30 minutes of ozonation time. The optimal NaCl addition concentration was 10 g/L with 150 minutes of ozonation time. Whereas, the optimal Na₂SO₄ addition concentration was 15 g/L with 150 minutes of ozonation time. The addition of Na₂SO₄ resulted in an increase of L* value greater than the NaCl. The protein content of sugar palm flour also decreased along with the increase of flour whiteness. A maximum decrease in protein content of 57% occurred in flour samples with initial concentration or ratio of 1:3 (wt/wt) and ozonation time of 30 minutes.

Abstract: Due to the physical, chemical, biological characteristics and high biocompatibility, the hydrogels based on plant polysaccharides and proteins became a sought-after material in many fields. Such hydrogels are the water swelling biopolymer matrices that react reversibly on minor changes in composition and in the external environment. However, the mechanical and electrical properties of "pure" hydrogels inhibit their wide practical application. One of approachs to improve their properties is the usage of carbon nanotubes, which provide good electrical conductivity and can significantly improve the characteristics of materials. The effects of carbon nanotubes on electric conductivity and mechanic properties of hydrogels based on natural biopolymers (gelatin and κ-carrageenan) of different composition were investigated. The electrical conductivity of the gels was studied using InoLab Cond 7310 SET1 conductometer. The rheological properties of hydrogels were investigated by Anton Paar MCR 302 rheometer. Such characteristics as temperature, frequency and amplitude dependencies of the storage modulus and the loss modulus of hydrogels were obtained. It was found that the addition of carbon nanotubes led to the increase in electrical conductivity of hydrogels. The morphology and rheological properties of studied hydrogels alter significantly in the presence of carbon nanotubes. The obtained data indicate the possibility of a purposeful change in electrical and mechanical properties of hydrogels by the addition of carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Mesoporous silica (MPS) coatings on β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) granules and their protein adsorptive capabilities were studied. β-TCP granules containing 2 wt% of aluminum oxide and 6 wt% of silicon oxide were prepared using a pan-type granulator and heated at 1200 oC. MPS coatings on β-TCP granules was carried out by a dip-coating method, but the β-TCP granules were not covered by the MPS particles. A silica interlayer was formed on the β-TCP granules via magnetron sputtering prior to the coating of the MPS. The β-TCP granules coated with the silica interlayer were fully covered by the MPS particles. A silica interlayer may offer bonding between the β-TCP granules and MPS coating. The adsorption of protein on the MPS-coated β-TCP granules was evaluated by UV-VIS spectroscopy. The adsorption capacity of protein on the β-TCP granules was improved by the MPS coatings on the β-TCP granules, and that of the β-TCP granules coated with the silica interlayer showed a higher protein adsorption capacity.