High Molecular Mass Compounds Research Articles

Correlation between Molecular Docking Score and Ligand Molar Mass: Statistical Approach

In recent days, pharmacology researchers have studied secondary metabolic compounds because they are naturally produced by plants, bacteria, fungi, and marine sponges, leading to increased worldwide use of the computational technique of molecular modelling approaches to drug discovery. Flavonoids, which belong to secondary metabolic compounds, play a role in biological activity. In the present study, the flavonoids subclass of secondary metabolic compounds molecular docking binding energy was dependent on the compound's molecular weight on binding interaction with antioxidant proteins using the statistical approaches of correlation coefficient and cluster statistical analysis. To evaluate a strong negative relationship, higher molecular mass flavonoids compounds had high active properties and lower molecular mass flavonoids compounds had low active properties, as reported on antioxidant proteins in correlation (r = -0.76 to -0.91 for a strong relationship) and cluster analysis. Flavonoids subclass compounds molecular docking binding scores were based on ligand molecular mass and depended on a similarly strong negative relationship in molecular mass vs 1HD2, 1MFM, 2F8A, and 2HCK antioxidant proteins. In this study, statistical analysis concluded that molecular docking binding energy depends on ligand molecular mass. Overall, the higher molecular mass compounds have higher active properties may be used in biological activity.

Pyrolysis analysis of polyethylene terephthalate: effects of carrier gases (N2, He, and Ar) and zeolite catalyst (A4) on yield

AbstractPolyethylene terephthalate, the main material used for beverage bottle packaging, accounts for an average of 7.6% of all plastic waste in Europe. This material is not biodegradable and takes several centuries to decompose. The pyrolysis process in the presence of a catalyst and carrier gases can convert PET waste into solid, liquid, and gaseous materials that can be utilized as fuel. This study evaluated the effects of different carrier gases on the pyrolysis of PET waste in the presence and absence of a zeolite catalyst (A4). The results showed that the catalyst affected the pyrolysis yield; it increased the liquid and gaseous products, as well as the benzoic acid content. However, the effect declined when replacing the carrier gas with a larger molecular weight carrier gas. The alcohol content of the char was larger than that of the wax. The maximum alcohol content was detected under He, implying the direct impact of the carrier on the pyrolysis products. The hydrocarbons identified in the char were affected by changing the carrier gas, and a different distribution of hydrocarbon groups was found by converting the aromatic group into aliphatic compounds. Broadly speaking, in the presence of helium gas and the catalyst, the lowest amount of coke and the lightest compounds were observed. The amount of coke in the presence of nitrogen gas was the same as that of helium gas, but it had heavier compounds. Meanwhile in the presence of argon gas, which has a high molecular mass, more coke and heavier compounds were obtained. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Analysis of High Molecular Mass Compounds from the Spider Pamphobeteus verdolaga Venom Gland. A Transcriptomic and MS ID Approach.

Nowadays, spider venom research focuses on the neurotoxic activity of small peptides. In this study, we investigated high-molecular-mass compounds that have either enzymatic activity or housekeeping functions present in either the venom gland or venom of Pamphobeteus verdolaga. We used proteomic and transcriptomic-assisted approaches to recognize the proteins sequences related to high-molecular-mass compounds present in either venom gland or venom. We report the amino acid sequences (partial or complete) of 45 high-molecular-mass compounds detected by transcriptomics showing similarity to other proteins with either enzymatic activity (i.e., phospholipases A2, kunitz-type, hyaluronidases, and sphingomyelinase D) or housekeeping functions involved in the signaling process, glucanotransferase function, and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity. MS/MS analysis showed fragments exhibiting a resemblance similarity with different sequences detected by transcriptomics corresponding to sphingomyelinase D, hyaluronidase, lycotoxins, cysteine-rich secretory proteins, and kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors, among others. Additionally, we report a probably new protein sequence corresponding to the lycotoxin family detected by transcriptomics. The phylogeny analysis suggested that P. verdolaga includes a basal protein that underwent a duplication event that gave origin to the lycotoxin proteins reported for Lycosa sp. This approach allows proposing an evolutionary relationship of high-molecular-mass proteins among P. verdolaga and other spider species.

MS/MS analysis of four scorpion venoms from Colombia: a descriptive approach.

Background: Scorpions are widely known for the neurotoxic effects of their venoms, which contain peptides affecting ionic channels. Although Colombia is recognized for its scorpion diversity, only a few studies are available describing the venom content. Methods: In this descriptive study, we analyzed the MS/MS sequence, electrophoretic and chromatographic profile linked to a bioinformatics analysis of the scorpions Chactas reticulatus (Chactidae), Opisthacanthus elatus (Hormuridae), Centruroides edwardsii (Buthidae) and Tityus asthenes (Buthidae) from Colombia. Results: Each scorpion showed a specific electrophoretic and chromatographic profile. The electrophoretic profiles indicate the presence of high molecular mass compounds in all venoms, with a predominance of low molecular mass compounds in the Buthidae species. Chromatographic profiles showed a similar pattern as the electrophoretic profiles. From the MS/MS analysis of the chromatographic collected fractions, we obtained internal peptide sequences corresponding to proteins reported in scorpions from the respective family of the analyzed samples. Some of these proteins correspond to neurotoxins affecting ionic channels, antimicrobial peptides and metalloproteinase-like fragments. In the venom of Tityus asthenes, the MSn analysis allowed the detection of two toxins affecting sodium channels covering 50% and 84% of the sequence respectively, showing 100% sequence similarity. Two sequences from Tityus asthenes showed sequence similarity with a phospholipase from Opisthacanthus cayaporum indicating the presence of this type of toxin in this species for the first time. One sequence matching a hypothetical secreted protein from Hottentotta judaicus was found in three of the studied venoms. We found that this protein is common in the Buthidae family whereas it has been reported in other families - such as Scorpionidae - and may be part of the evolutionary puzzle of venoms in these arachnids. Conclusion: Buthidae venoms from Colombia can be considered an important source of peptides similar to toxins affecting ionic channels. An interesting predicted antimicrobial peptide was detected in three of the analyzed venoms.

Effect of Temperature on the Hydrotreatment of Sewage Sludge-Derived Pyrolysis Oil and Behavior of Ni-Based Catalyst

The high-energy potential of wastewater sewage sludge (SS) produced in large amounts around the world makes it an attractive feedstock for fuels and energy sectors. Thermochemical valorization relying on pyrolysis of SS followed by hydrotreatment of pyrolysis oil (Py-SS) might even allow the integration of SS into existing oil refineries. In the present study, catalytic hydrotreatment of Py-SS was performed over a NiCuMo-P-SiO2 catalyst in a batch reactor at temperatures in the range of 200–390 °C. Due to sulfur presence in the feed, the increasing reaction temperature induced in situ transformation of metallic Ni into Ni3S2 in the catalyst. In contrast, the Ni3P active phase possessed remarkable stability even at the harshest reaction conditions. The oxygen content in the reaction products was decreased by 59%, while up to 52% of N and 89% of S were removed at 390 °C. The content of free fatty acids was greatly reduced by their conversion to n-alkanes, while the larger amount of volatile aromatics was generated from high molecular mass compounds. The quality of oil-derived products greatly changed at elevated temperatures, providing strong evidence of effective upgrading via decarboxy(ny)lation, hydrogenation, and hydrocracking transformations.

Total metal content and chemical speciation analysis of iron, copper, zinc and iodine in human breast milk using high-performance liquid chromatography separation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection

The aim of this research was to quantify essential trace elements (iron, copper, zinc and iodine) and establish their speciation in human milk. Both the element and the species are important in new-born nutrition. Colostrum, and transitional and mature milks (25) were collected from 18 mothers of pre-term or full-term infants. Concentrations of the target elements were determined using ICP-MS. For speciation, HPLC coupled to ICP-MS was employed. Total contents of the micronutrients varied in mothers of pre-term (Fe = 0.997, Cu = 0.506, Zn = 4.15 and I = 0.458 mg L−1) and mothers of full-term (Fe = 0.733, Cu = 0.234, Zn = 2.91 and I = 0.255 mg L−1) infants. Fe, Cu and Zn were associated with biomolecules with high molecular mass compounds, such as immunoglobulins, albumin and lactoferrin whilst iodine was only found as iodide.

Will Climate Change Influence Production and Environmental Pathways of Halogenated Natural Products?

Thousands of halogenated natural products (HNPs) pervade the terrestrial and marine environment. HNPs are generated by biotic and abiotic processes and range in complexity from low molecular mass natural halocarbons (nHCs, mostly halomethanes and haloethanes) to compounds of higher molecular mass which often contain oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms in addition to halogens (hHNPs). nHCs have a key role in regulating tropospheric and stratospheric ozone, while some hHNPs bioaccumulate and have toxic properties similar those of anthropogenic-persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Both chemical classes have common sources: biosynthesis by marine bacteria, phytoplankton, macroalgae, and some invertebrate animals, and both may be similarly impacted by alteration of production and transport pathways in a changing climate. The nHCs scientific community is advanced in investigating sources, atmospheric and oceanic transport, and forecasting climate change impacts through modeling. By contrast, these activities are nascent or nonexistent for hHNPs. The goals of this paper are to (1) review production, sources, distribution, and transport pathways of nHCs and hHNPs through water and air, pointing out areas of commonality, (2) by analogy to nHCs, argue that climate change may alter these factors for hHNPs, and (3) suggest steps to improve linkage between nHCs and hHNPs science to better understand and predict climate change impacts.

Chemical pathways for the formation of benzofuran and dibenzofuran in combustion

Understanding and predicting the formation of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and their role in the formation of high molecular mass compounds is still an unresolved topic in combustion. PACs characteristics, such as chemical composition, size, and presence of side chains, play an important role not only in terms of environmental and health impact, but also when developing models that describe the formation of nanoparticles and soot. In this paper, we report on a detailed analysis of the reaction pathways describing the chemistry of furan-embedded PACs using ab initio G3-type electronic structure calculations leading to the formation of benzofuran and dibenzofuran from benzene and biphenyl. The 82 elementary reactions, identified in this work, contain unexplored pathways involving triplet oxygen atom and hydroxyl radical addition reactions. A protocol for improving the calculations of reaction energetics from ab initio compound methods is proposed, which consists of the thorough usage of IRCmax scheme to identify the transition state structure and an energy correction ( ~ 0.2 kcal/mol) to the empirical term in G3 formula for systems with open-shell singlet type of electronic configurations. Based on these ab initio calculations, temperature dependent reaction rate constants are calculated according to statistical theories, together with thermodynamics data. Branching ratio analysis based on steady-state approximation is carried out to illustrate the relative importance of the new pathways in an ethylene premixed flame. Results show that the newly discovered benzofuran formation pathways can play a relative important role when in presence of phenol or phenoxyl radicals at various locations in the flame.

Sodium caseinate-corn starch hydrolysates conjugates obtained through the Maillard reaction as stabilizing agents in resveratrol-loaded emulsions

Functional properties of proteins can be improved by inducing the Maillard reaction in protein-carbohydrate mixtures. Wet-heating methods have been less explored than dry-heating for this purpose, despite its advantages such as faster reaction and the non-requirement of the lyophilization stage. Our work main goals were to produce Maillard-glycated products with sodium caseinate, maltodextrin and dried glucose syrup, using wet-heating conditions, and to evaluate their emulsifying properties in resveratrol-loaded emulsions. Protein-polysaccharide conjugates were prepared by heating aqueous mixtures at 75 °C from 0 (control sample) to 24 h. Changes in pH, colour, ζ-potential, antioxidant capacity (AOC), electrophoretic and size exclusion chromatography profiles were monitored. The conjugates were used to stabilize resveratrol-loaded emulsions, which were characterized by droplet size, kinetic stability, ζ-potential, AOC and interfacial properties. Increased heating times gave products with lower pH, more intense brown colour, higher AOC and formation of high molecular mass compounds. Emulsions produced with these conjugates showed larger droplet size, improved kinetic stability and higher AOC compared to the control emulsions (prepared with the control sample). Resveratrol increased droplet size and marginally affected interfacial tension. Wet-heating was efficient to produce Maillard-glycated conjugates with high potential use as emulsifying/encapsulating agents, with antioxidant properties, capable of providing extra protection to bioactive compounds such as resveratrol.

Effects and Mechanism of the Combination of Ozone-PAC as a Pretreatment for the Reduction of Membrane Fouling

The effects of ozone, powdered activated carbon (PAC), and their combination on controlling fouling and the removal of organic matter were investigated. The results showed that ozone mainly oxidized strong hydrophobic, high relative molecular mass (Mr) compounds and the high Mr was transferred to medium and small Mr hydrophilic fractions. Ozone could control fouling effectively, demonstrating that hydrophobic organic matter with higher Mr contributed to membrane fouling. PAC adsorbed organics with small Mr and alleviated membrane fouling, showing that organics with small Mr contributed also to membrane fouling. The ozone and PAC combination controlled membrane fouling and also enhanced the removal of organics, demonstrating the synergistic effect of such a combination.

Predicting the Presence of Uncommon Elements in Unknown Biomolecules from Isotope Patterns.

The determination of the molecular formula is one of the earliest and most important steps when investigating the chemical nature of an unknown compound. Common approaches use the isotopic pattern of a compound measured using mass spectrometry. Computational methods to determine the molecular formula from this isotopic pattern require a fixed set of elements. Considering all possible elements severely increases running times and more importantly the chance for false positive identifications as the number of candidate formulas for a given target mass rises significantly if the constituting elements are not prefiltered. This negative effect grows stronger for compounds of higher molecular mass as the effect of a single atom on the overall isotopic pattern grows smaller. On the other hand, hand-selected restrictions on this set of elements may prevent the identification of the correct molecular formula. Thus, it is a crucial step to determine the set of elements most likely comprising the compound prior to the assignment of an elemental formula to an exact mass. In this paper, we present a method to determine the presence of certain elements (sulfur, chlorine, bromine, boron, and selenium) in the compound from its (high mass accuracy) isotopic pattern. We limit ourselves to biomolecules, in the sense of products from nature or synthetic products with potential bioactivity. The classifiers developed here predict the presence of an element with a very high sensitivity and high specificity. We evaluate classifiers on three real-world data sets with 663 isotope patterns in total: 184 isotope patterns containing sulfur, 187 containing chlorine, 14 containing bromine, one containing boron, one containing selenium. In no case do we make a false negative prediction; for chlorine, bromine, boron, and selenium, we make ten false positive predictions in total. We also demonstrate the impact of our method on the identification of molecular formulas, in particular on the number of considered candidates and running time. The element prediction will be part of the next SIRIUS release, available from https://bio.informatik.uni-jena.de/software/sirius/ .

Methodological aspects of an off‐line combination of preparative isotachophoresis and high‐performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry in the analysis of biological matrices

This work reports on some methodological aspects of an off-line combination of preparative ITP and HPLC with mass spectrometric detection (pITP-HPLC-MS) and its potential applications to the analysis of high molecular mass compounds present in complex biological matrices from the analytical chemistry perspective. Lysozyme served as the model analyte and human saliva as the complex biological matrix in this study. A mixture of five low-molecular mass compounds was found and successfully used in the pITP experiments as discrete spacers to isolate the analyte from the interferents present in the complex biological matrix and to minimize their disturbance effect on the final MS analysis. The experiments at the pITP stage were performed in the cationic mode. On-column conductivity detectors were used for the detection of ITP zones. Lysozyme was found in the human saliva samples using just deconvolution of the MS data after background correction. The MS data obtained from HPLC-MS analysis of pITP fractions exhibited the great analytical potential of the combination of pITP-HPLC-MS resulting from the ITP clean-up effect as well as the ITP preconcentration of the analyte present at low concentration levels in complex biological matrices.

Synthesis of Biodegradable Polyolefins Based Polymer Composites Using Degradable Natural Materials

Polymers are high molecular mass compounds and their structure is composed of a largenumber of repeating units. These days, polymer materials are so important in our daily lifethat survival of human life depends on these polymers. Polymer materials have wide range ofproperties that canbe used in different applications. There has been increasing public concernover the harmful effects of petrolium-based polymer packaging materials speciallypolyolefins in the environment after the usage. These pectrolium – based polymers createsignificant amount of waste after the usage and that generates the critical environmentalissues.Recycling, recovery and disposal of plastic waste are some of the options available.These methods have certain disadvantages and not hundred percent practical. An importantalternative to minimize the polymer waste is the introduction of biodegradable polymers,which can be degraded through the action of naturally occurring microorganisms.The objective of this research was to produce biodegradable composite material with the helpof Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), cellulose - hemi cellulose and natural enzymes.Cellulose and hemi cellulose are two types of biodegradable natural polymers. Cellulose -hemi cellulose mixtures were extracted using rice straw which is highly available in SriLanka as an agricultural waste. Approximately 33% of cellulose - hemi cellulose mixture wasextracted using rice straw. The biodegradability impartedby cellulose - hemi cellulose can befurther enhanced by introducing natural enzymes. Radish peroxidase is one of the naturalenzymes that were used to enhance the biodegradability of cellulose - hemi cellulose. Radishperoxidase was extracted by using radish roots.The extracted cellulose - hemi cellulose andradish peroxidase were analysed and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)Spectroscopy. Main Functional groups related to cellulose - hemi cellulose and radishperoxidase were available in the extracted FTIR spectra. LDPE - cellulose - hemi cellulose -radish peroxidase polymer blend was prepared using laboratory scale internal mixture byusing 1wt% cellulose - hemi cellulose and varying 0.5wt% to 2.5wt% radish peroxidase. Themixing temperature and screw speed were 150 0C and 60 rpm respectively. Hydraulic presswas used to prepare the biodegradable polymer composite material. The degree ofbiodegradability was evaluated by measuring time dependent weight loss, water absorptionand tensile properties of the developed composite. Soil burial test was used to measure thetime dependent weight loss. Pure LDPE samples showed the high strength and constantweight during the soil burial test without degradation. Samples containing cellulose - hemicellulose – radish peroxidase showed a significant degradation during the testing period.According to the experimental results, this composite material can be used for variousapplications and their development is a good option for reducing the consumption ofpetroleum resources and environmental pollution issues.

ChemInform Abstract: Polymers for Electronics and Spintronics

AbstractReview: <550 refs.

Analysis of lysozyme in cheese samples by on-line combination of capillary zone electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

Some methodological aspects of an on-line combination of capillary zone electrophoresis with mass spectrometric detection (CZE–QqQ–MS) were studied in this work as well as the possibilities of using this combination for analysis of the high-molecular mass compounds present in multi-component matrices. All experiments using an on-line combination of capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometric detection were carried out in cationic mode in covalently-coated capillary. The optimised electrolyte system consisted of 100mmol/L formic acid. Prior to the CZE–QqQ–MS analysis, an extraction of lysozyme from cheese samples using 1mol/L of acetic acid was performed. The LOD was 3.6mg lysozyme per kg and the LOQ was 10.9mg lysozyme per kg. The concentration range of the lysozyme determined in four cheese samples analysed in this work was from 0.5 to 3.3g of lysozyme per kg. The values of the relative standard deviations thus obtained were from 4.6% to 9.3% depending on the cheese sample.

Identification of proteins involved in Hg–Se antagonism in water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Different studies have established the presence of a proteinaceus complex involved in Hg-Se agonism/antagonism in plants. In order to identify proteins involved in this mechanism, water hyacinth plants were divided into groups and supplemented with Hg, Se and a Hg-Se mixture. Proteins involved were identified through a screening separation by SEC-ICPMS followed by SAX-ICPMS and then peptide mapping of selected fractions by nanoLC-ESI-ITMS(2). Determination of total metal concentration showed that Se inhibits Hg translocation from roots to aerial compartments of the plant and that Se and Hg are antagonists to each other in terms of plant toxicity. In roots, stems and leaves Se was distributed mainly in two molecular mass fractions <670 kDa and ∼40 kDa, however, the proportion between these two fractions was inverted when Hg was co-administered. Hg throughout the plant was distributed in high and medium molecular mass compounds. Hg associated with molecules, ranging from <1.5 kDa to 15 kDa, was found in the root extract of Hg(ii) supplemented plants, but was absent in the root extract of Se(iv) and Hg(ii) supplemented plants. SAX showed that Hg and Se were mostly not associated with the same entity, since the complete overlapping of Hg and Se signals in all the peaks of SEC chromatograms was not observed. Changes in Se and Hg levels in water hyacinth were more evident in leaves in contrast to other compartments. Several proteins, possibly associated with either Se or Hg, were identified in roots, stems and leaves. Most of the identified proteins were associated with Hg and located in leaves, and these are associated specifically with chloroplast and mitochondria proteins, related to essential mechanisms in plants such as photosynthesis, carbon fixation and the electron transport chain.

Potential of Bacillus cereus for bioremediation of pulp and paper industrial waste

Biotechnological processes have the potential to reduce environmental pollution through their application in processes aimed at resolving waste dumping problems. In this study, Bacillus cereus was assessed for its efficiency to decolorize pulp and paper industrial effluents. The impact of carbon source, nitrogen source, temperature, initial pH and incubation period on color reduction was also studied. The optimum pH and temperature were found to be 6.5 and 45 °C, respectively. B. cereus was efficient at decolorizing the effluents in the presence of glucose, xylose and starch (84, 45.5 and 66 %, respectively), but maximum color reduction (90.6 %) was obtained with 0.5 % sucrose as the carbon source in the presence of 1 % ammonium sulphate. The substantially high load of chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand was decreased by about 61 and 66 %, respectively, by B. cereus. The molecular size distribution studies of control and bacterial-treated effluent samples revealed the degradation of high and medium molecular mass compounds. The results demonstrate the high potential of B. cereus as a significant candidate for color removal from pulp and paper mill effluents.

Targeting prohibited substances in doping control blood samples by means of chromatographic–mass spectrometric methods

Urine samples have been the predominant matrix for doping controls for several decades. However, owing to the complementary information provided by blood (as well as serum or plasma and dried blood spots (DBS)), the benefits of its analysis have resulted in continuously increasing appreciation by anti-doping authorities. On the one hand, blood samples allow for the detection of various different methods of blood doping and the abuse of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) via the Athlete Biological Passport; on the other hand, targeted and non-targeted drug detection by means of chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods represents an important tool to increase doping control frequencies out-of-competition and to determine drug concentrations particularly in in-competition scenarios. Moreover, blood analysis seldom requires in-depth knowledge of drug metabolism, and the intact substance rather than potentially unknown or assumed metabolic products can be targeted. In this review, the recent developments in human sports drug testing concerning mass spectrometry-based techniques for qualitative and quantitative analyses of therapeutics and emerging drug candidates are summarized and reviewed. The analytical methods include both low and high molecular mass compounds (e.g., anabolic agents, stimulants, metabolic modulators, peptide hormones, and small interfering RNA (siRNA)) determined from serum, plasma, and DBS using state-of-the-art instrumentation such as liquid chromatography (LC)-high resolution/high accuracy (tandem) mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), LC-low resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Polymers for electronics and spintronics

This critical review is devoted to semiconducting and high spin polymers which are of great scientific interest in view of further development of the organic electronics and the emerging organic spintronic fields. Diversified synthetic strategies are discussed in detail leading to high molecular mass compounds showing appropriate redox (ionization potential (IP), electron affinity (EA)), electronic (charge carrier mobility, conductivity), optoelectronic (electroluminescence, photoconductivity) and magnetic (magnetization, ferromagnetic spin interactions) properties and used as active components of devices such as n- and p-channel field effect transistors, ambipolar light emitting transistors, light emitting diodes, photovoltaic cells, photodiodes, magnetic photoswitches, etc. Solution processing procedures developed with the goal of depositing highly ordered and oriented films of these polymers are also described. This is completed by the description of principal methods that are used for characterizing these macromolecular compounds both in solution and in the solid state. These involve various spectroscopic methods (UV-vis-NIR, UPS, pulse EPR), electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry, magnetic measurements (SQUID), and structural and morphological investigations (X-ray diffraction, STM, AFM). Finally, four classes of polymers are discussed in detail with special emphasis on the results obtained in the past three years: (i) high IP, (ii) high |EA|, (iii) low band gap and (iv) high spin ones.

Fungitoxic and insecticidal plant polypeptides

According to the World Bank and FAO, the population grows worldwide and the poorest countries are expected to double their population within the next decades, reaching approximately 7.2 billion in 2015. Moreover, the food and financial crisis together with the global economic recession pushed the number of hungry and undernourished people in the world to unprecedented levels. The substitution of animal proteins by plant proteins in food and feed is a general trend because of the lower cost and better production efficiency. Pathogens and pests can reduce the crop yields up to 30%. In some places, the losses can reach 80% due to climate conditions, proliferation of insects, and fungal diseases. All together, the harvest and postharvest losses vary from 5% to 20% and depending on the commodity can be as high as 50%. Plants have a complex chemical armory for defense composed of low and high molecular mass compounds that can act over a variety of pests and pathogens, from micro-organisms to phytophagous insects or grazing animals. Among them, plant fungitoxic and insecticidal polypeptides represent promising alternatives to increase the supply of plant-derived proteins and tackle the hunger in a global scale.