Seed Protein Research Articles

Physico-Chemical Properties, Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Potential of Polar and Non-Polar Seed Extractions of Selected Medicinal Plants of Solanaceae

The objective of this study was to investigate the various bioactive components and assess the biological activity in the seeds of five medicinal plants (Datura innoxia Miller., Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav., Solanum nigrum L., Solanum surattense Burm., and Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dunal.) in Solanaceae family. In this regard, ash values, acid-insoluble ash and water-soluble ash values, extractive values and screening of various phytochemicals (alkaloid, carbohydrate, protein, flavonoid, tannins, saponins, and fixed oil) and quantitative estimation of carbohydrate and protein of seeds of selected plants have been calculated. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant potential. Captivatingly, a phytochemical screening assay affirmed the presence of saponins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids in the seeds of all examined plants. The highest amounts of DPPH radical-scavenging activity were found in the aqueous extract of W. coagulans (IC50 = 65.6 µg/ml). Consequently, current findings showed all selected plants of the family Solanaceae contain highly bioactive components, which could be used for the treatment of different diseases and as a potential resource for discovering new drugs.

Isolation, Characterization and IgE Binding of Two 2S Albumins of Pomegranate Seeds.

Literature reports suggest that the presence of proteins in pomegranate seeds is responsible for sensitization and IgE-mediated allergic reactions. The objective of this study was the analysis of a pomegranate seed extract and the isolation and characterization of proteins contained in high amounts. The extract characterization showed a protein profile with main bands at about 18 kDa and below 10 kDa upon SDS-PAGE, and molecules were recognized by specific IgEs upon immunoblotting. Then, two new 2S albumins, a monomeric and a heterodimeric one, were isolated by using classical biochemical methods. They were identified via direct protein sequencing and mass spectrometry, and their primary structure was analyzed and compared with homologous allergenic proteins via bioinformatics. In an Italian population of 703 suspected allergic patients, analyzed by using the FABER® test, the frequency of sensitization to the monomeric and heterodimeric 2S albumins was 1.7% and 0.28%, respectively. This study reports for the first time the isolation and characterization of two 2S albumins from pomegranate seeds. The clinical relevance of these molecules needs further investigation, for instance in populations having different exposures and allergy profiles.

Wheat bread making (WBM)-like seed proteins (WSPN): A new family of small prolamins in barley

Expression level of the gene Wheat Breadmaking (TaWBM) has been shown to be correlated with bread quality, and influences the rising of the bread loaf. We found that a family of the wbm homologous genes are present not only in wheat, but also in oat, rye and barley. However, a WBM protein has never been demonstrated experimentally. We have identified the existence of a family of WBM-like Seed Proteins (WSPN) from the prolamin fraction of barley flour, encoded by three closely linked genes on the long arm of chromosome 7H, analysing the gene expression by qPCR and relative protein levels by mass spectroscopy. All three genes are expressed specifically in seeds with no detectable expression in the leaves. The barley WSPNs share a common gene structure with a single exon containing an open reading frame in the size 253–313 bp, with the first 80 bp predicted by TargetP 2.0 to encode a sorting peptide. Furthermore, they all contain the conserved motif C–P-X-G-X4-C-X(4–8)-C-X-C. Structure prediction with Alphafold 2.0 suggest that this motif is a structurally conserved microdomain consisting of two antiparallel strands where the cysteines align.

Rapid single flax (Linum usitatissimum) seed phenotyping of oil and other quality traits using single kernel near infrared spectroscopy

AbstractThe growing interest in the rapid measurement of seed ingredients using single‐kernel NIR (SKNIR) spectroscopy as a nondestructive measurement technique allows fast analysis of sample seed variance that can have effects on breeding and end‐use processing. Flax (Linum usitatissimum), an oilseed crop grown in the Northwest United States and worldwide, is highly beneficial for human health, food, and fiber. Its health benefits include its high protein and omega‐3 fatty acids content. Therefore, seed composition profiles are an important aspect of breeding. The goals of this research were the development of single seed NIR calibration models for protein, oil, and weight of intact flax seeds. In this study, SKNIR spectroscopy was used on a diverse set of flax accessions comprising of 306 samples to create prediction models on a custom built SKNIR instrument. Spectra data and reference protein, oil, and weight were used to build partial least squares (PLS) models. Calibration models provided reasonable prediction of these traits and could be used for screening purposes. PLS statistics were oil (R2 = 0.82, SEP = 1.72), weight (R2 = 0.74, SEP = 0.71), and protein (R2 = 0.62, SEP = 0.96) for validation data sets comprising of one‐third of the total samples. In conclusion, prediction models showed that SKNIR spectroscopy could be a very beneficial nondestructive technique to determine oil and weight as well as rapid screening of protein in single flax seeds while not requiring extensive preparation as compared to traditional techniques.

Comparative Study on Stability of Emulsion and Foam Stabilized by Rambutan Seed Protein, Rambutan Seed Protein with High Intensity Ultrasonication Modification, and Soy Protein

Comparative Study on Stability of Emulsion and Foam Stabilized by Rambutan Seed Protein, Rambutan Seed Protein with High Intensity Ultrasonication Modification, and Soy Protein

Effect of Germination on Seed Protein Quality and Secondary Metabolites and Potential Modulation by Pulsed Electric Field Treatment.

Plant-based foods are being increasingly favored to feed the ever-growing population, but these need to exhibit improved nutritional value in terms of protein quality and digestibility to be considered a useful alternative to animal-based foods. Germination is essential for plant growth and represents a viable method through which the protein quality of plants can be further improved. However, it will be a challenge to maintain efficient rates of germination in a changing climate when seeds are sown. In the context of the indoor germination of seeds for food, consumption, or processing purposes, a more efficient and sustainable process is desired. Therefore, novel techniques to facilitate seed germination are required. Pulsed electric fields (PEF) treatment of seeds results in the permeabilization of the cell membrane, allowing water to be taken up more quickly and triggering biochemical changes to the macromolecules in the seed during germination. Therefore, PEF could be a chemical-free approach to induce a stress response in seeds, leading to the production of secondary metabolites known to exert beneficial effects on human health. However, this application of PEF, though promising, requires further research to optimize its impact on the protein and bioactive compounds in germinating seeds.

The association of protein-bound methionine sulfoxide with proteomic basis for aging in beech seeds

BackgroundEuropean beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees produce seeds irregularly; therefore, it is necessary to store beech seeds for forestation. Despite the acquisition of desiccation tolerance during development, beech seeds are classified as intermediate because they lose viability during long-term storage faster than typical orthodox seeds. In this study, beech seeds stored for short (3 years) or long (20 years) periods under optimal conditions and displaying 92 and 30% germination capacity, respectively, were compared.ResultsAged seeds displayed increased membrane damage, manifested as electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation levels. Analyses have been based on embryonic axes, which contained higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and higher levels of protein-bound methionine sulfoxide (MetO) in aged seeds. Using label-free quantitative proteomics, 3,949 proteins were identified, of which 2,442 were reliably quantified pointing to 24 more abundant proteins and 35 less abundant proteins in beech seeds under long-term storage conditions. Functional analyses based on gene ontology annotations revealed that nucleic acid binding activity (molecular function), ribosome organization or biogenesis and transmembrane transport (cellular processes), translational proteins (protein class) and membranous anatomical entities (cellular compartment) were affected in aged seeds. To verify whether MetO, the oxidative posttranslational modification of proteins that can be reversed via the action of methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) enzymes, is involved in the aging of beech seeds, we identified and quantified 226 MetO-containing proteins, among which 9 and 19 exhibited significantly up- and downregulated MetO levels, respectively, in beech seeds under long-term storage conditions. Several Msr isoforms were identified and recognized as MsrA1-like, MsrA4, MsrB5 and MsrB5-like in beech seeds. Only MsrA1-like displayed decreased abundance in aged seeds.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that the loss of membrane integrity reflected in the elevated abundance of membrane proteins had a higher impact on seed aging progress than the MetO/Msr system. Proteome analyses enabled us to propose protein Sec61 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as potential longevity modulators in beech seeds.

Rapid assessment of the main economic value indicators in lupine flour samples using infrared spectroscopy

Background. A calibration model has been developed for rapid assessment of economic value indicators (protein, oil, and quinolizidine alkaloid contents) in the seeds of narrowleaf lupine accessions from VIR using near-infrared spectroscopy, with the help of which it is possible to decide on the further use of the accessions.Materials and methods. Biochemical quality indicators (protein, oil, and quinolizidine alkaloid content) were studied in the seeds of narrowleaf lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) grown in 2019 in the northwest of Russia. Calibration models for measuring protein, oil and alkaloids in lupine seeds (62 accessions) were developed using a MATRIX-I IR analyzer (Bruker Optics, Germany). To construct calibration models, we used the values obtained by chemical analysis methods accepted at VIR. The oil content in lupine seeds was assessed by the defatted dry residue technique in Soxhlet extractors, protein by the Kjeldahl method, and quinolizidine alkaloids by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. All indicators were recalculated on the dry-weight basis.Results and conclusion. Statistical significance of the developed models was verified according to the results of measuring the content of protein, oil and alkaloids in the seeds of the test batch. The protein and oil content data obtained using a calibration curve did not differ significantly from the results of chemical studies, in contrast to alkaloid indicators. Consequently, the developed calibration model for the MATRIX-I IR analyzer can be used for rapid assessment of protein and oil content in narrowleaf lupine flour samples, thus accelerating the process of obtaining data on the main economic value indicators. The analysis does not require reagents and is safe.

Determining the influence of hemp seed protein on the quality indicators of cheese product and the content of nutrients in it

The growing tendency to produce cheese from animal and plant ingredients has led to the diversification of cheese-making technologies and the search for new cheese suitable raw materials. The research object is the technology of cheeses made from combined raw materials: cow's milk and hemp seed proteins. Subjects of research: organoleptic and physical-chemical indicators of cheese product samples; amino acid composition of cheese product samples. The inclusion of vegetable raw materials in the cheese technology affects the technical properties of milk-plant mixtures, in particular, their syrupy properties, and the quality of the finished cheese product. Samples of cheeses were produced according to the traditional technology of Cachotta type cheese. The conducted research established that the proteins of hemp seeds affect the sensory characteristics of cheese. Increasing the content of hemp protein in recipes leads to the appearance of a brown-green color of the cheese product. The taste and smell acquire a characteristic shade of hemp. When vegetable proteins are used in the recipe of cheese, the yield of the finished product increases by 0.3...23.5 %. In experimental samples, the content of fat (by 0.3...2.2 %) and protein (by 1.75...10.4 %) increases. Hemp seed protein balances the amino acid profile in finished cheese. The total content of amino acids in cheese samples was as follows: H10 – 8.25, H15 – 8.35, H20 – 8.44, and H25 – 8.53 mg/g of protein, which is relatively higher than in the control sample H0 – 8.08 mg/g of protein. Taking into account the results of the sensory analysis of the expert commission and the balanced biological profile, the recommended concentration of hemp seed protein in the milk-vegetable mixture is 20 %, which guarantees the acceptable quality of the product. The obtained results are of practical importance, since it can be taken into account that the combination of raw materials of plant and animal origin expands the assortment, increases the raw material base and the output of cheese, and therefore, the profitability of production

Canola Seed Protein: Pretreatment, Extraction, Structure, Physicochemical and Functional Characteristics.

The rapid growth of the global population has led to an unprecedented demand for dietary protein. Canola seeds, being a widely utilized oil resource, generate substantial meal by-products following oil extraction. Fortunately, canola meals are rich in protein. In this present review, foremost attention is directed towards summarizing the characteristics of canola seed and canola seed protein. Afterwards, points of discussion related to pretreatment include an introduction to pulsed electric field treatment (PEF), microwave treatment (MC), and ultrasound treatment (UL). Then, the extraction method is illustrated, including alkaline extraction, isoelectric precipitation, acid precipitation, micellization (salt extraction), and dry fractionation and tribo-electrostatic separation. Finally, the structural complexity, physicochemical properties, and functional capabilities of rapeseed seeds, as well as the profound impact of various applications of rapeseed proteins, are elaborated. Through a narrative review of recent research findings, this paper aims to enhance a comprehensive understanding of the potential of canola seed protein as a valuable nutritional supplement, highlighting the pivotal role played by various extraction methods. Additionally, it sheds light on the broad spectrum of applications where canola protein demonstrates its versatility and indispensability as a resource.

РОЗРОБКА М’ЯСОМІСТКИХ НАПІВФАБРИКАТІВ З М’ЯСОМ ЩУКИ І ПРОТЕЇНОМ НАСІННЯ КОНОПЛІ

Aim. The aim of the work was to substantiate the use of regional, non-traditional types of raw materials, such as hemp seed protein from (Cannabis Sativa L.) and pike meat (Esox lucius) in the technology of meat-containing semi-finished products. Methods. Three experimental samples of meat-containing semi-finished products based on the analog were developed, in which mechanically deboned turkey meat was replaced by pike meat, and hemp seed flour was replaced by hemp seed protein hydrated in a ratio of 1:1 with water in the amount of 8, 10 and 12 %. Results. Studies of functional and technological indicators showed that hydrated protein from hemp seeds in a ratio of 1:1 had the best parameters for introduction into minced meat systems. The water binding capacity of pike meat is 76.41-86.31%, the stress shear is 4.59–6.27 Pa, the plasticity is 25.31–26.17cm2/g×103, which confirms the high functional properties of pike muscle tissue. The introduction of 8–12 % hemp seed protein and 30.5 % of pike into the composition of minced meat-containing semi-finished products increases the water binding capacity of the experimental minced meat up to 97.7 %. The use of hemp seed protein and pike in the recipe of semi-finished products leads to an increase of water binding capacity by 7.45–9.22 %, emulsifying capacity by 8.72–18.21 %, emulsion stability up to 7.65 %, fat holding capacity by 4.18–19.57 %. Use of pike meat and hemp seed protein leads to an increase of protein in finished products by 3.43–12.5 %, a decrease in fat content by 21.01–25.10 % and an energy value of the product by 12.74 %. Conclusions. The use of hydrated hemp seeds protein and pike meat in the technology of patties ensures a high level of functional and technological indicators of minced meat and finished products.

Combined Effect of Biochar and Mycorrhizal Fungi on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Growth and Performance in Calcareous Soil

This study aims to determine the effect of combined application of biochar and mycorrhizal fungi on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and performance in calcareous soil. The experiment of this study consists of sixteen treatments (two levels of mycorrhiza, two types of manures, and four levels of biochar) as a factorial in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replicates. The results showed that Cattle 1 t.h-1+Mycorrhiza treatment produced the maximum plant height, percent N in seeds, percent protein in seeds, weight of the shoot after drying, weight 100 seed, and root length after two months of planting compared to other treatment including Poultry 1 t.h-1+Mycorrhiza. This indicates that Cattle 1 t.h.-1+Mycorrhiza has a higher effect on the performance of wheat than other treatments. In conclusion, the findings of this study showed that combinations of biochar and mycorrhizal fungi have a significant effect on the growth and performance of wheat plants in calcareous soil. Therefore, Cattle1 t.h.-1+Mycorrhiza can be used by farmers to improve their wheat performance in calcareous soil in Iraq.

The influence of different fertilizer standards on the quality of agricultural products in short rotation crop rotation

Goal. Study of the influence of different rates of fertilization of agricultural crops in short-rotational crop rotation on the quality of agricultural products and their yield on radioactively contaminated lands.
 Methods. Scientifically recommended agricultural crops for this region were selected for research in grain-row crop rotation: Oats — variety Chernihivskyi 27; Triticale — Aist Kharkiv variety; Corn — variety Kharkivska 195 MV; Fodder beets — Eckendorf yellow variety; Lupine is an Industrial variety. The chemical composition of feed was determined according to generally accepted methods. In plant products, the following were determined: crude protein — by total nitrogen using the classic Kjeldahl method; raw fiber — by acid-alkaline hydrolysis; raw ash — by burning samples in a muffle furnace at a temperature of 500—600°C; raw fat — by the Ruzhkosky method in a Soxhlet apparatus.
 Results. As a result of research in 2015—2017, it was established that the studied agricultural products in 2, 3 versions of fertilizer have a higher content of crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber. The content of crude protein in lupine seeds was in the range of 25.54—31.01%, in oat grain — 10.37—12.21%, in triticale grain — 10.08—12.25%, in corn grain — 9.40—11.78%, in fodder beets — 2.03—2.65%. The raw ash content varied over the years of research from 2.68 to 2.86% in oat grain; from 2.74 to 3.01% in lupine seeds; from 2.19 to 2.41% in triticale grain; from 1.37 to 1.68% in beets and from 1.57 to 1.72% in corn grains. The crude fat content for the studied period was from 3.72 to 3.97% in oat grains; from 4.46 to 5.55% in lupine seeds; from 1.40 to 1.74% in triticale grain; from 0.12 to 0.16% in fodder beet and from 4.40 to 4.81% in corn grain. The content of crude fiber during the years of research was from 10.21 to 10.60% in oat grain; from 13.29 to 14.38% in lupine seeds; from 1.69 to 2.74% in triticale grain; from 0.93 to 1.05% in fodder beets and from 2.20 to 2.75% in corn grain. The average yield of oats over the years of research on fertilizer options was 27.12—35.01 t/ha, while it is monitored increase in yield by fertilizer options compared to the control by 15—46%. The yield of triticale was in the range of 39.75—48.97 t/ha, subject to an increase in yield in 2 and 3 fertilizer options by 3—7%. The yield of lupine over the years of research was 17.80—26.69 c/ha, while the yield of lupine in 2 and 3 fertilizer options was 4.8—17.2 higher than in the control. The grain yield of corn and fodder beet in 2 and 3 fertilizer variants also exceeded the control index. The yield of fodder beet was 297.09—394.74 t/ha. The yield of corn was in the range of 48.85—87.15 c/ha.
 Conclusions. It was established that the studied agricultural products in 2, 3 versions of fertilizer have a higher content of crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber. The average yield of oats over the years of research on fertilizer options was 27.12—35.01 t/ha, the yield of triticale was in the range of 39.75—48.97 t/ha, the yield of lupine over the years of research was 17.80—26.69 t/ha, fodder beet yield was 297.09—394.74 t/ha, and corn yield was 48.85—87.15 t/ha.

Shotgun proteomics and in silico analysis of potential allergens in mature seeds and sprouts of purple winged bean

Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) is a tropical legume crop found in Southeast Asian countries including Thailand. The mature seeds have high protein content and have been targeted as a protein source, and germination has been used to increase the value of nutrition. We used nanoLC/timsTOF Pro 2 combined with PEAKS® studio Xpro software to explore the proteomes of mature seeds and sprouts of purple winged bean. This study is the first report on the allergenic proteins in mature seeds and sprouts of purple winged bean. In silico analysis using Allergen Nomenclature search and the Allermatchtm program, 37 allergens were found. Conglutin beta 5 and late embryogenesis abundant protein (3 and D-29) were identified only in mature seeds, while 4 types of major pollen allergen Bet V, profilin and isoflavone reductase, were identified only in sprouts. Examples of allergens in both samples include basic 7S globulin, beta-conglycinin alpha/beta subunit (1,2), convicilin, defensin-like protein, 7 types of non-specific lipid-transfer protein, P24 oleosin isoform B. Since food allergy and airway allergy are found in sprouts, we used shotgun proteomics and in silico analysis for detecting the profiles of allergens. With regards to food safety, purple winged beans may also induce cross-reactivity in patients who are allergic to peanuts or other legumes. Therefore, identifying the proteomes and potential allergens in mature seeds and sprouts of purple winged beans could assist researchers in studying plant-based food safety.

A comparative proteomic analysis between common cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale L.) and early dwarf faga 11 (Anacardium occidentale var. nanum) seeds reveals exclusively expressed allergenic proteins

The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale L.) is a plant native to Brazil and has great commercial value. Among the products marketed from cashew trees, the cashew nut is the most valued, especially for export. However, the presence of allergenic proteins poses a potential threat to those allergic to cashew nuts, but molecular tools including proteomic analysis may be used to allow identification of cashew genotypes with altered allergen content. Here we aimed to identify differentially expressed proteins in common cashew seeds and dwarf FAGA 11 through proteomic analysis. Proteins differentially expressed were excised from two-dimensional gels and analyzed by mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-TOF), then identified using the MASCOT. A total of 18 proteins were analyzed, but only 5 (27%) were not identified. Among the proteins that are unique to common cashew, stand out: the precursor of globulin 11S and Ana 2 protein, both classified as allergenic proteins. The protein Ana o 2 is an 11S globulin and is considered the second most abundant allergen in cashew nuts. Thus, allergenic proteins found in common cashew nuts were observed as expected, but the allergen content of the dwarf FAGA 11 cashew nuts was altered and could represent a new source for biological diversity and allergen content for improved breeding and biotechnological applications.

Estimation of Soybean Internal Quality Based on Improved Support Vector Regression Based on the Sparrow Search Algorithm Applying Hyperspectral Reflectance and Chemometric Calibrations

The nutritional components of soybean, such as fat and protein, directly decide soybean quality. The fast and accurate detection of these components is significant to soybean industries and soybean crop breeding. This study developed an improved SSA-SVM (support vector regression based on the sparrow search algorithm) for the rapid and accurate detection of the fat and protein in soybean seeds using hyperspectral reflectance data. In this work, 85 soybean samples were selected. After their fat and protein contents were analyzed using chemical methods, a total of 85 groups of hyperspectral image data were collected using the hyperspectral imaging system. An effective data preprocessing method was applied to reduce the noise for enhancing the prediction models. Some popular models, including partial least-square regression (PLSR), random forest regression (RFR), and support vector regression based on the genetic algorithm (GA-SVR), were also established in this study. The experimental results showed that the improved SSA-SVM model could predict the nutrient contents of the soybean samples with accuracies of 0.9403 and 0.9215 and RMSEs of 0.2234 and 0.325 for the fat and protein, respectively. The convergence speed was improved significantly. Therefore, hyperspectral data combined with the SSA-SVM algorithm presented in this study were effective for evaluating the soybean quality.

Mass spectrometric analysis of plant protein concentrates

The work is devoted to the study of the composition of protein concentrates from amaranth grains (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.), Voronezh variety. Amaranth protein concentrates were obtained by the alkaline extraction of proteins, the neutralization of the solution, followed by ultrafiltration; by separating the starch fraction with amylolytic enzymes; alkaline extraction of proteins and their precipitation at pH 4.5. The conditions for protein extraction were selected, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis and their identification. It has been shown that proteins from amaranth grain were more efficiently extracted with a buffer containing urea at protein concentrations in solution of 1.7, 1.9, and 2.9 mg/cm3respectively, while the buffer with detergents was more effective for the extraction of low molecular weight proteins at protein concentrations in solution of 4.9, 2.9, and 9.0 mg/cm3 respectively. As a result of HPLC-MS/MS analysis followed by a search and identification in the UNIPROT database, it was established that the main protein of amaranth grain is 11S-globulin, which is a reserve protein of amaranth seeds. In amaranth concentrates, 14 unique proteins characteristic only for A.hipochondriacus L., as well as proteins that were not characteristic to this species, but were reliably identified. Based on the results of semi-quantitative analysis of the peptide profile of amaranth grain protein concentrates, a high frequency of occurrence of the main 11S-globulin proteins was established in all samples. The frequency of occurrence of other proteins in samples obtained by different methods differed significantly, which was associated with the peculiarities of protein isolation from amaranth grain. The obtained results can be used for the production of plant protein concentrates with a set protein composition.

L-Theanine Improves the Gelation of Ginkgo Seed Proteins at Different pH Levels.

L-theanine (L-Th), a non-protein amino acid naturally found in teas and certain plant leaves, has garnered considerable attention due to its health benefits and potential to modify proteins such as ginkgo seed proteins, which have poor gelling properties, thereby expanding their applications in the food industry. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of varying concentrations of L-Th (0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%) on the gelling properties of ginkgo seed protein isolate (GSPI) at various pH levels (5.0, 6.0, and 7.0). The GSPI gels exhibited the highest strength at a pH of 5.0 (132.1 ± 5.6 g), followed by a pH of 6.0 (95.9 ± 3.9 g), while a weak gel was formed at a pH of 7.0 (29.5 ± 0.2 g). The incorporation of L-Th increased the hardness (58.5-231.6%) and springiness (3.0-9.5%) of the GSPI gels at a pH of 7.0 in a concentration-dependent manner. However, L-Th did not enhance the gel strength or water holding capacity at a pH of 5.0. The rheological characteristics of the GSPI sols were found to be closely related to the textural properties of L-Th-incorporated gels. To understand the underlying mechanism of L-Th's effects, the physicochemical properties of the sols were analyzed. Specifically, L-Th promoted GSPI solubilization (up to 7.3%), reduced their hydrophobicity (up to 16.2%), reduced the particle size (up to 40.9%), and increased the ζ potential (up to 21%) of the sols. Overall, our findings suggest that L-Th holds promise as a functional ingredient for improving gel products.

Cucumeropsis mannii and Luffa acutangula Seed Proteins Analysis as a Novel Plant-Based Bio-coagulant: Fecal Sludge Treatment and Dewatering

Cucumeropsis mannii and Luffa acutangula Seed Proteins Analysis as a Novel Plant-Based Bio-coagulant: Fecal Sludge Treatment and Dewatering

A Study of the Genetic Diversity of Globulin Proteins in Lens culinaris Medik. Genotypes

Electrophoretic analysis of globulin storage proteins in the seeds of 46 lentil accessions introduced from ICARDA was carried out. The aim of the work was to identify, certification and study the genetic diversity of lentil genotypes. In addition, a genetic diversity index (H) was calculated for the zones (ω-, γ-, β- and α-) based on the frequency of patterns on electropherograms of spare globulin proteins in seeds of lentil accessions. Twenty-two spectra and 55 patterns were identified in lentil accessions, most of which polymorphism was observed. 7 spectra and 22 patterns were observed in the ω-zone, 7 spectra and 9 patterns in the γ-zone, 5 spectra and 11 patterns in the β-zone, and 5 spectra and 13 patterns in the α-zone. The genetic diversity index was calculated for each of the 4 zones (ω, γ, β and α) based on Nei formula. According to the calculations, more genetic diversity was observed in ω-zone (H=0.930), slightly less in β-zone (H=0.872), α (H=0.827) and the least in γ-zone (H=0.743). Based on cluster analysis, the genotypes were divided into 5 groups and subgroups. Based on these results, an electrophoretic analysis of globulin storage proteins in polyacrylamide gel (A-PAAG) was performed for the first time and polymorphism between lentil genotypes was identified.