Bioactive proteins from edible plants of Solanum genus

ORDOÑEZ, R. M.; SAYAGO,J. E.; ZAMPINI, I. C.; RODRÍGUEZ, I. F.; CATTANEO, F.; ISLA, M. I.

Current topics in peptide and Protein Research

Matters

Año: 2012 vol. 13 p. 75 - 79

0972-4524

Bioactive protein heve been detected in many different food sources. Beyond their nutritional value mamy of them exhibit funtional effects both on the producing and on the consuming organisms. In recents years it has been recognized that proteins provide a rich source of biologically active peptides.The genus Solanum has a great variety of edible especies that are an important source of protein. In this sence , some protein might be involved in the response to wounding in plant defense mechanisms like patatine and solamarine and snakin 1 and 2 isolated from soalanum tuberosum tubers and cyphomine isolated from solamun betaceum fruits. they have shown in vitro inhibitory action on hydrolases released by microorganisms involved in cell wall degradation during the invasion process. They also have in vitro inhibitory effect on phitopatogenic microorganisms growth for both bacteria and fungi. It is thougth that these proteins could be part of the so-called pathogenesis-related proteins. As they are also present in edible tissue, these proteins have been studied from a functional point of view. the purified proteins showed antioxidant or antiradical activities by a series of in vitro test, including DPPH, ABTS,hidroxyl and superoxide radicals scavenging activity assays, anty human low-density lipoprotein peroxidation test, protection against hydroxil radical-mediated DNA damages, peroxynitrite-mediated dihydrorhodamine 123 oxidations and B carotene bleachings assay. A non mutagenic effect was observed in Solamarine and Cyphomine; Solamarine also showed an antimutagenic effect against a direct mutagen. At present, an enzymatic hydrolysis process on proteins is being carried out in order to obtain smaller molecules (peptide and free amino acids) whit improved nutritional quality and safety. Three bioactive peptides (5A, 5C and 6C) from potato protein hydrolysate fractions have recently been isolate and showed antioxidant activity. Hence, it would be possible to generate new products and carry out alternative applications for several agricultural and nutritional products.