Structural data and biological properties of almond gum oligosaccharide: application to beef meat preservation.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of almond gum generates low molecular weight oligosaccharides (OAG) with a yield of 33.5%. The generated oligosaccharides were purified and identified. OAG analyses show that the most prominent residues were galactose and arabinose with traces of xylose, rhamnose, glucose and mannose. The glycosyl linkage positions were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showing a main chain composed of galactose units [ → 3)-Gal-(1 → ] branched mainly with arabinose residues [Ara-(1 → ]. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of OAG were investigated. As regards the in vitro antioxidant activities, the OAG showed a high total antioxidant activity (347 µg ascorbic acid equivalent/mL), an important DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.64 mg/mL) and a high reducing capacity (RP0.5AU = 3.6 mg/mL). Furthermore, OAG had a high antimicrobial activity against Salmonella thyphimirium, Bacillus cereus, Actinomycetes sp, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Alternaria alternate and Candidat albicans. Finally, OAG efficiency was tested using 0.5%; 0.75% and 1% concentrations in beef meat preservation. Microbial growth and lipid oxidation were monitored during 9 days at 4 °C. The results showed significant inhibitions (p < 0.05) of lipid oxidation and microbial growth in ground beef meat containing OAG.

Healing efficiency of oligosaccharides generated from almond gum (Prunus amygdalus) on dermal wounds of adult rats.

Almond gum is a naturally occurring polymer produced by almond trees and shrubs. Its abundance, as well as its low cost production makes it a potential feedstock for use in food and pharmaceuticals. In this regard, almond gum oligosaccharides were enzymatically generated, purified and their monosaccharide composition assessed using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Oligosaccharide analyses show that the most prominent residues were galactose and arabinose with traces of xylose, rhamnose, glucose and mannose. The glycosyl linkage positions were analyzed using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry showing a main chain composed of galactose units [→3)-Gal-(1→] branched mainly with arabinose residues [Ara-(1→]. The potent role of the generated oligosaccharides on rats wound healing was investigated. They have been applied either alone or supplemented, as active substance, with cream formulation, on full-thickness wound created on the dorsum of the rats. The effect of oligosaccharides was assessed by measuring the wound closure percentage, reaching an average of around 100% when applied alone or supplemented to cream formulation. The healing percentage for the control group was only 74.3% at the same day. The histological evaluation of skin sections visualized by light microscopy revealed an improved collagen deposition and an increased fibroblast and vascular densities.

Functional characterization of Penicillium occitanis Pol6 and Penicillium funiculosum GH11 xylanases.

Xylanases are hemicellulolytic enzymes, which are responsible for the degradation of heteroxylans constituting the lignocellulosic plant cell wall. Xylanases from the GH11 family are considered as true xylanases because of their high substrate specificity. In order to study in depth a crucial difference in the thumb region between two closely related xylanases from Penicillium in terms of kinetic parameters and inhibition sensitivity, the GH11 xylanases from Penicillium occitanis Pol6 (PoXyn3) and from Penicillium funiculosum (PfXynC) were heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris. The PoXyn3 and PfXynC cDNAs encoding mature xylanases were cloned into pGAPZαA vectors and integrated into the genome of P. pastoris X-33 under the control of the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase constitutive promoter. PfXynC was expressed as a His-tagged recombinant protein and purified from the supernatant homogeneity by a one-step purification protocol using immobilized metal affinity chromatography. The recombinant PoXyn3 was purified using a single anion-exchange chromatography. The purified recombinant enzymes were optimally active at 45°C and pH 4.0 for PoXyn3 and 40°C and pH 3.0 for PfXynC. The measured kinetic parameters (k(cat) and Vmax) showed that PfXynC was five times more active than PoXyn3 irrespective of the substrate whereas the apparent affinity (K(m)) was similar. The recombinant enzymes showed distinct sensitivity to the Triticum aestivum xylanase inhibitor TAXI-I.

Retracted: Improvement of Breadmaking Quality by Xylanase GH11 from Penicillium occitanis Pol6.

In this study xylanase from Penicillium occitanis Pol6, as a bread improver, was tested in whole-wheat bread. The purified xylanase termed PoXyn2 was used as an additive at a very small quantity (0.12 U/g flour basis) during mixing of wheat flour. The effects of xylanase addition on the fermentation stage and the final bread quality were analyzed. Remarkable decrease (8%) in water absorption and increase in dough rising (36.8%) were noticed. Final moisture content of the bread was higher (37.50%) than control (23.56%). Improvements in volume (17.8%) and specific volume (34.9%) were also significant. Sensory evaluation indicated better flavor, taste, softness and overall acceptability. Texture profile analysis confirmed the rheological changes. Firmness was decreased by more than twofolds. Improvements in cohesiveness and decline in springiness and gumminess were observed. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The baking industry is shifting toward producing whole-wheat fiber-rich bread using enzymes such as xylanase, which can improve dough machinability and stability, oven spring, loaf volume, crumb structure and shelf life. This hypothesis is supported by determining the functional and rheological properties of supplemented dough with purified Penicillium occitanis xylanase. The improved bread was assessed by a panel of five judges for sensory evaluation. Furthermore, significant improvement in textural properties was noticed.

Purification and properties of a thermostable xylanase GH 11 from Penicillium occitanis Pol6.

An extracellular, endo-ß-1,4-xylanase was purified to homogeneity from the culture filtrate of the filamentous fungus Penicillium occitanis Pol6, grown on oat spelt xylan. The purified enzyme (PoXyn2) showed a single band on SDS-PAGE with an apparent molecular weight of 30 kDa. The xylanase activity was optimal at pH 3.0 and 65 °C. The specific activity measured for oat spelt xylan was 2,368 U mg(-1). The apparent K(m) and V(max) values were 8.33 mg ml(-1) and 58.82 µmol min(-1) ml(-1), respectively, as measured on oat spelt xylan. Thin-layer chromatography experiments revealed that purified PoXyn2 degrades xylan in an endo-fashion releasing xylobiose as main end product. The genomic DNA and cDNA encoding this protein were cloned and sequenced. This PoXyn2 presents an open reading frame of 962 bp, not interrupted by any introns and encoding for a mature protein of 320 amino acids and 29.88 kDa.

Production of mixed-linkage beta-oligosaccharides from lichenan using immobilized Bacillus licheniformis UEB CF lichenase.

Lichenase from Bacillus licheniformis UEB CF was immobilized on Amberlite IR120 H. The immobilization yield and lichenase activity were 87 and 92.81 % of initial activity, respectively. The immobilized enzyme exhibited a shift in the optimal pH from 5.0 to 3.0, but the activity optimal temperature was not affected. The immobilized enzyme showed a residual activity of 50 % after five uses. It also exhibited high storage stability and retained 50 % of its initial activity after 120 days at 4 °C. The main hydrolysis products yielded from lichenan were trisaccharide and tetrasaccharide. The resulting mixed-linkage beta-oligosaccharides could be used as a special nutriment for lactic bacteria.

Cloning and constitutive expression of His-tagged xylanase GH 11 from Penicillium occitanis Pol6 in Pichia pastoris X33: purification and characterization.

High-level constitutive expression of xylanase GH11 from Penicillium occitanis Pol6 termed PoXyn2 was achieved using the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. The PoXyn2 cDNA encoding for a mature xylanase of 320 amino acids was subcloned into the pGAPZαA vector, to construct recombinant xylanse with six histidine residues at the N-terminal and further integrated into the genome of P. pastoris X-33 under the control of the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAP) constitutive promoter. Activity assay and SDS-PAGE demonstrate that the His-tagged xylanase was extracellularly expressed in P. pastoris and purified to homogeneity by a simple, one-step purification protocol using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (Ni-NTA resin). The purified PoXyn2 showed a single band on SDS-PAGE with an apparent molecular weight of 30 kDa. The xylanase activity was optimal at pH 3.0 and 50°C. The specific activity measured for Oat Spelt Xylan was 8549.85 U mg(-1). The apparent The K(M) and V(max) values were 8.33±0.7 mg ml(-1)and 58.82±0.9 µmol min(-1) ml(-1), respectively, as measured on Oat Spelt Xylan. This is the first report demonstrating the possibility of mass production of P. occitanis xylanase using P. pastoris.

Improved Mannanase Production from Penicillium occitanis by Fed-Batch Fermentation Using Acacia Seeds.

By applying a fed-batch strategy, production of Penicillium occitanis mannanases could be almost doubled as compared to a batch cultivation on acacia seeds (76 versus 41 U/mL). Also, a 10-fold increase of enzyme activities was observed from shake flask fermentation to the fed-batch fermentation. These production levels were 3-fold higher than those obtained on coconut meal. The high mannanase production using acacia seeds powder as inducer substrate showed the suitability of this culture process for industrial-scale development.

Purification and biochemical characterization of extracellular beta-glucosidases from the hypercellulolytic Pol6 mutant of Penicillium occitanis.

The Pol6 mutant of Penicillium occitanis fungus is of great biotechnological interest since it possesses a high capacity of cellulases and beta-glucosidase production with high cellulose degradation efficiency (Jain et al., Enzyme Microb Technol, 12:691-696, 1990; Hadj-Taieb et al., Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 37:197-201, 1992; Ellouz Chaabouni et al., Enzyme Microb Technol, 16:538-542, 1994; Ellouz Chaabouni et al., Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 43:267-269, 1995). In this work, two forms of beta-glucosidase (beta-glu 1 and beta-glu 2) were purified from the culture supernatant of the Pol6 strain by gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, and preparative anionic native electrophoresis. These enzymes were eluted as two distinct species from the diethylamino ethanol Sepharose CL6B and anionic native electrophoresis. However, both behaved identically on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (MW, 98 kDa), shared the same amino acid composition, carbohydrate content (8%), and kinetic properties. Moreover, they strongly cross-reacted immunologically. They were active on cellobiose and pNPG with Km values of 1.43 and 0.37 mM, respectively. beta-glu 1 and beta-glu 2 were competitively inhibited by 1 mM of glucose and 0.03 mM of delta-gluconolactone. They were also significantly inhibited by Hg(2+) and Cu(2) at 2 mM. The addition of purified enzymes to the poor beta-glucosidase crude extract of Trichoderma reesei increased its hydrolytic efficiency on H(3)P0(4) swollen cellulose but had no effect with P. occitanis crude extract. Besides their hydrolytic activities, beta-glu 1 and beta-glu 2 were endowed with trans-glycosidase activity at high concentration of glucose.