Metabolite profiling from different parts of tender fruit endosperm of Borassus flabellifer L. (ice apple).

Borassus flabellifer L., commonly known as Asian palmyra, is native to South and Southeast Asia. The endosperms of B. flabellifer (known as nungu in Dravidian culture) are widely consumed during the summer season. It is rich in various nutrients and helps in reducing weight, treating skin and digestive issues, lowering body temperature, and managing migraines and diabetes. This study focuses on identifying the small molecules and proteins from the two varieties of B. flabellifer tender fruit endosperms collected from districts around Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The collected free nuclear endosperm was subjected to direct extraction and the mesocarp and cellular endosperms were lyophilized and homogenized. Metabolites were extracted by hexane, methanol, and chloroform and investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The compounds identified were from the classes of carboxylic acids, flavonoids, amino acids, alkaloids, fatty acids, oligopeptides, vitamins, and glycosides. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique was employed to estimate the quantity of amino acids, wherein the total amino acid in the green variety was found to be higher than in the black variety. Proteins were identified after simulating with a gastrointestinal enzyme using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based peptide mass fingerprinting. The different mineral oxides present in the tender fruit endosperm were identified using X-ray diffraction studies, which confirmed the presence of mineral oxides, such as Br1.25ClO2.75Pb3.88, calcium zirconium tantalum oxide, and barium fluoroniobate. This study validates the presence of bioactive metabolites in green and black varieties of B. flabellifer tender fruit endosperm with a range of activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-diabetic properties.

The Updated Review on Plant Peptides and Their Applications in Human Health.

Biologically active plant peptides, consisting of secondary metabolites, are compounds (amino acids) utilized by plants in their defense arsenal. Enzymatic processes and metabolic pathways secrete these plant peptides. They are also known for their medicinal value and have been incorporated in therapeutics of major human diseases. Nevertheless, its limitations (low bioavailability, high cytotoxicity, poor absorption, low abundance, improper metabolism, etc.) have demanded a need to explore further and discover other new plant compounds that overcome these limitations. Keeping this in mind, therapeutic plant proteins can be excellent remedial substitutes for bodily affliction. A multitude of these peptides demonstrates anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, anti-HIV, and neuro-regulating properties. This article's main aim is to list out and report the status of various therapeutic plant peptides and their prospective status as peptide-based drugs for multiple diseases (infectious and non-infectious). The feasibility of these compounds in the imminent future has also been discussed.

Effect of incubation period on the glycosylated protein content in germinated and ungerminated seeds of mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek).

The effects of different incubation periods on the contents of amino acids, proteins, glycosylated proteins and metabolites in germinated and ungerminated mung bean seeds were investigated in this study. The study employs soaking of mung bean seeds in water under laboratory conditions at 28 °C for 3, 6, and 9 h, followed by germination for 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. Seeds collected from different period of imbibition and germination were subjected to total protein extraction for phytochemical analysis. Germination of the seeds was found to be most successful after 6 h of soaking (rather than 9 h of incubation). Hence, seeds imbibed for 6 h were further investigated for germination at 28 °C for 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. Total protein was extracted from both imbibed and germinated seeds, followed by trypsin digestion. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based peptide mass fingerprinting revealed 38 proteins in 6 h water-imbibed seeds and 50 proteins in 24 h germinated seeds. Among these, 16 were identified as glycosylated proteins and the maximum number of glycosylated proteins were detected in 6 h water-imbibed seeds and 24 h germinated seeds. Moreover, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify amino acids from the extracted proteins. A total of 15 amino acids were detected, of which eight were essential and the remaining were non-essential; amino acid concentrations increased following 3, 6, and 9 h of imbibition when compared to the control. It was concluded from the study that seeds with 6 h of imbibition and 24 h of germination can be used as potential nutritional source of different amino acids, proteins, glycosylated proteins, and other bioactive metabolites in human diet.