Total Amylase Activity Research Articles

Comparison of digestive and antioxidant enzymes activities, haemolymph oxyhemocyanin contents and hepatopancreas histology of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, at various salinities

Assessments on adaptation of Litopenaeus vannamei to three ambient salinities (3.0, 17.0 and 32.0‰) were carried out with four replicates for 50 days. Shrimp were then sampled to measure digestive enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities, haemolymph oxyhemocyanin content, and the histological structure of hepatopancreas at each salinity. Trypsin activity at 3.0‰ was significantly higher than that at 17.0 and 32.0‰, while total amylase activity at 17.0‰ was lower than at 3.0‰. Cellulase and lipase activities were not significantly different across salinities, though slight increases were observed at both 3.0 and 32.0‰ compared with 17.0‰. At 3.0‰, both haemolymph oxyhemocyanin content and the ratio of oxyhemocyanin to heamolymph protein were enhanced. In addition, the SOD and CAT activities in the muscle and hepatopancreas at 3.0‰ were higher than those at 17.0‰. These results indicated that L. vannamei fed at a high level of nutrition, maintained metabolism and oxygen-carrying capacity to meet their energy requirement at low salinity. And low salinity had stimulated the production of radicals for scavenging, and the activities increase of SOD and CAT for scavenging radicals insured the healthy status of L. vannamei in a certain degree. Besides, shrimp at 3.0‰ produced more B cells in hepatopancreas tubules than at 17.0‰, while the volume of B cells tended to increase at 32.0‰. The histological changes of the hepatopancreas tubules in concomitant with digestive and antioxidant enzymes provide evidence on the mechanism of how L. vannamei cope with salinity change.

Effects of Cu2+-exchanged montmorillonite on intestinal microflora, digestibility and digestive enzyme activities of Nile tilapia

A total of 360 Nile tilapia at an average initial body weight of 3.9 g were randomly allocated to four treatments, each of which had three replicates of 30 fish per tank and used to investigate the effects of Cu2+-exchanged montmorillonite (Cu-MMT) on intestinal microflora, digestibility and digestive enzyme activities. The dietary treatments were: (i) basal diet, (ii) basal diet + 1.5 g kg−1 MMT; (iii) basal diet + 30 mg kg−1 copper as CuSO4 (equivalent to the copper in the Cu-MMT treatment group), or (iv) basal diet + 1.5 g kg−1 Cu-MMT. The results showed that supplementation with Cu-MMT significantly improved growth performance as compared with the control and fish fed with Cu-MMT had higher growth performance than those fed with MMT or CuSO4. Supplementation with Cu-MMT reduced (P < 0.05) the total intestinal aerobic bacterial counts and affected the composition of intestinal microflora with Aeromonas, Vibrio, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Acinetobacter, Alcaligence, Enterobacteriaceae decreasing as compared with the control. Addition of MMT improved (P < 0.05) the apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein, and the activities of intestinal amylase, lipase, and alkaline phosphatase as compared with the control. Addition of Cu-MMT improved (P < 0.05) the apparent digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and crude ash, and the activities of total protease, amylase, lipase, and alkaline phosphatase as compared with the control. While supplementation with CuSO4 had no (P > 0.05) effect on intestinal microflora, digestibility, and digestive enzyme activities the results showed that Cu-MMT exhibited antibacterial activity in vivo resulting in a positive effect on digestive enzyme activities, and then promoted the digestion and absorption of dietary nutrition.

Deleterious effects of food restrictions in yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi during early development

The effects of delayed first feeding and food deprivation on the structure and function of the digestive system in yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi larvae and juveniles were studied through histological examinations and enzymatic analyses. The experimental design included a conventional feeding regime with initial feeding from 3 days after hatching (DAH) as a control, delayed first feeding until 5 DAH, a first 3-d food deprivation from 12 to 15 DAH, and a second 3-d food deprivation from 33 to 36 DAH. Fish samples for histological and enzymatic analyses were taken on 5, 15, and 36 DAH, respectively. The delay of first feeding and a 3-d food deprivation on 15 DAH significantly reduced the height of enterocyte cells in the midgut, but a 3-d food deprivation on 36 DAH did not significantly reduce the cell height. Lipid vacuoles and supranuclear vacuoles disappeared from the epithelial cells after the fish had experienced the delay of first feeding or a 3-d food deprivation on 15 DAH. Total and specific activities of trypsin and amylase were reduced by the delay of first feeding. The 3-d food deprivation on 15 DAH reduced specific activities of trypsin, amylase and alkaline phosphatase, and total activity of amylase, but the 3-d food deprivation on 36 DAH only reduced the amylase activity. This study indicates that yellowtail kingfish larvae are more vulnerable to starvation in the first 2 weeks after the start of first feeding but fish become more tolerant to a short-term starvation after 33 DAH. Therefore, any delay of feeding during the first 2 weeks may impair histological structure and cause malfunction of the digestive system in yellowtail kingfish larvae. Our data also suggest that the enterocyte morphology, the number of supranuclear vacuoles in the intestine and the activity of digestive enzymes can be used as indicators of the nutritional condition of fish larvae.

Lipasa y amilasa total y sus isoenzimas como marcadores de daño pancreático en pacientes tratados con fármacos antiepilépticos

The study of the serum lipase and total amylase and its isoenzymes as biochemical markers of pancreatic injury in patients treated with valproic acid and other enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs. The serum activities of lipase and total amylase and its isoenzymes were determined in 41 patients treated in monotherapy with valproic acid, 50 patients in mono/polytherapy with phenytoin, phenobarbital and carbamazepine, and 30 healthy controls. In the first group of patients a clinically significant difference in relation to the control group was not obtained for any of the enzyme activities studied; however, in the group of patients treated with enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs clinically significant differences were obtained for lipase and pancreatic amylase. In this group of patients, the activity of pancreatic amylase was clearly increased in two cases (4%), suggesting the existence of a pancreatic damage. In the patients studied, the total amylase showed a poor specificity as a biochemical marker for pancreatic injury, and the greater serum activity observed in one case corresponds to an increase of the salivar isoenzyme. The sensitivity of the lipase is smaller than amylase pancreatic isoenzyme. In patients treated with antiepileptic drugs, the determination of the pancreatic isoenzyme of amylase would be of interest even in absence of clinical signs for acute pancreatitis.

Influence of dietary zinc and copper on digestive enzyme activity and intestinal morphology in weaned pigs1

The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of high dietary concentrations of Zn as zinc oxide and Cu as copper sulfate on the activity of digestive enzymes in the pancreas and the intestinal mucosa, intestinal morphology, and mucin histochemistry in pigs after weaning. Thirty-two pigs were weaned at 4 wk of age. The pigs were fed standard weaning diets supplemented with Zn (100 or 2,500 ppm) and Cu (0 or 175 ppm) in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments for a 14-d period. In pancreatic tissue, the activity of amylase, carboxypeptidase A, chymotrypsin, trypsin, and lipase increased (P < 0.01) in pigs fed 2,500 ppm of Zn, whereas the activity of carboxypeptidase B and carboxylester hydrolase was unaffected. Copper had no effect on the activity of pancreatic enzymes. In small intestinal contents, the total activity of amylase and carboxypeptidase A was greater in pigs fed 100 ppm of Zn (P < 0.05), whereas feeding 2,500 ppm of Zn increased the chymotrypsin activity (P < 0.001). The remaining enzymes were unaffected by dietary Zn concentration. The villi were longer in the cranial small intestine (P < 0.001) in pigs fed 100 ppm of Zn than in pigs fed 2,500 ppm of Zn, but otherwise there were no clear effects of Zn and Cu supplementation on intestinal morphology. In the cranial small intestine, the activity of maltase (P < 0.001), sucrase (P < 0.001), and lactase was greater in pigs fed 100 ppm of Zn, even though there was a Zn x Cu interaction (P < 0.05) in lactase activity. In the middle and caudal small intestine, no clear differences between dietary treatments were observed. The activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in the intestinal mucosa was not affected by dietary Zn or Cu. In pigs fed 100 ppm of Zn, the activity of aminopeptidase N was greater in the caudal small intestine, but dietary Zn or Cu had no effect on aminopeptidase N in the cranial and middle small intestine. No effect of dietary Zn or Cu supplementation was found on carbohydrate histochemistry in the caudal small intestine, whereas high dietary Zn increased the area of neutral, acidic, and sulfomucins in the cecum (P < 0.01) and in the colon (P < 0.001). In summary, high dietary Zn increased the activity of several enzymes in the pancreatic tissue and increased the mucin staining area in the large intestine, whereas Cu had no clear effect on these variables. However, no definite answers were found as to how the growth promoting and diarrhea reducing effects of excess dietary Zn are exerted.

Mudanças relacionadas ao amaciamento da graviola durante a maturação pós-colheita

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar mudanças físicas, químicas e bioquímicas relacionadas ao amaciamento de graviola (Annona muricata L.) Crioula durante a maturação. Os frutos foram colhidos no estádio de maturidade fisiológica, em plantas cultivadas na Estação Experimental da Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical, em Pacajus, Ceará, armazenados a 26,3±0,6 ºC e 88±12% de umidade relativa, durante 1, 2, 3, 4 e 5 dias. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. As variáveis analisadas foram: perda de massa, amido, pectina total e solúvel, e atividades das enzimas amilase, pectinametilesterase, poligalacturonase, alfa-galactosidases e beta-galactosidases. Não houve variação significativa no conteúdo de pectina solúvel. Após cinco dias, a perda de massa atingiu 5%, mas não promoveu murcha dos frutos. As reduções nos conteúdos de amido e de pectina total coincidiram com período de expressiva atividade, respectivamente, das enzimas amilase e da poligalacturonase e beta-galactosidase de parede celular. As modificações mais acentuadas no conteúdo de amido, de pectina total, na solubilização de pectinas e na atividade das enzimas amilase, pectinametilesterase, poligalacturonase e beta-galactosidase de parede celular ocorreram no período do segundo ao quarto dia após a colheita.

Multiple myeloma associated with sialyl salivary-type amylase

BackgroundThere have been several reports describing a notable hyperamylasaemia in patients with multiple myeloma. Such amylase-producing myelomas have been mainly described in the context of concomitant salivary-type hyperamylasaemia, with sialyl salivary-type amylase identified in a portion of those cases. We investigated the incidence of the production of sialyl salivary-type amylase in serum of multiple myeloma patients. MethodsEleven patients (6 male and 5 female) who had been diagnosed as having multiple myeloma were enrolled in this study. Sialyl salivary-type amylase was detected by isoamylase electrophoresis and HPLC analysis, and identified by detecting either abnormal neuraminidase-sensitive band through isoamylase electrophoresis or abnormal extra-elution peak of amylase by means of HPLC analysis. ResultsSialyl salivary-type amylase was detected in 7 out of 11 (63.6%) patients. Median total amylase activity was 154 U/l (range 109–43020). Isoamylase electrophoretic patterns of patients' serum were normal in 5 patients (71.4%) out of 7 patients and salivary-dominant in 2 (50.0%) out of 4 patients. ConclusionsWe consider that there is no significant relationship between total serum amylase level and amylase isoenzyme pattern in the incidence of production of sialyl salivary-type amylase with multiple myeloma.

Screening for physical stability of a Pseudomonas amylase using self-interaction chromatography

Formulation development is an integral step in the successful commercialization of protein-based products in both the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. As the number of these protein formulations increases, so does the need for innovative approaches to characterize physical and chemical product stability. In this study, the osmotic second virial coefficient ( B) of a commercial amylase was evaluated by self-interaction chromatography (SIC) as an innovative approach to characterize physical protein stability. B was measured as a function of pH and several common formulation additives (cosolvents), including sodium chloride, sucrose, and sorbitol. Cosolvent- and pH-induced physical stabilization of amylase is discussed in terms of positive shifts in B. Liquid chromatographic measurements of total soluble amylase and enzymatic activity measurements correlated qualitatively with trends in B except near the p I of amylase, where physical stability was minimal.

Serum total amylase, pancreatic amylase and lipase activities in epileptic children treated with sodium valproate monotherapy

To investigate by a prospective, self-controlled method, whether early treatment with sodium valproate (VPA) monotherapy has some effect on serum total amylase and particularly on its pancreatic isoenzyme and lipase activities in epileptic children. Serum total amylase, pancreatic amylase and lipase activities have been evaluated in 23 epileptic children, before and at 6 and 12 months of VPA monotherapy. All children remained without clinical symptoms of pancreatitis during the period of study. Serum pancreatic amylase activities were significantly decreased at 6 and 12 months of treatment with VPA, whereas serum total amylase and lipase activities did not show any significant changes at 6 or 12 months of treatment. Non-pancreatic isoenzyme activities of amylase were significantly higher at 6 and 12 months of treatment. Three patients (13%) had slightly elevated serum total amylase levels at 6 and 12 months of treatment. There was no significant correlation of serum pancreatic amylase levels or non-pancreatic isoenzyme levels of amylase with serum VPA levels at 6 and 12 months of treatment. Non-pancreatic amylase activities, probably derived from salivary glands, may be increased in children treated with VPA monotherapy. Measurement of serum pancreatic amylase and/or serum lipase activities is indicated in patients with increased serum total amylase levels but without clinical symptoms of pancreatitis and, furthermore, in patients with symptoms suggesting dysfunction of pancreas, in order to avoid unnecessary discontinuing of VPA.

The Effect of Sublethal Concentrations of Crude Oil on the Growth and Metabolism of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Seedlings

The effect of crude oil contaminated soil at various sublethal concentrations (0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%) on the growth and metabolism of cowpea (Vignaunguiculata) seedlings was studied. The results showed that crude oil induced environmental stress in the seedlings. This is indicated by the increase in free sugar, total protein and amino acids and a decrease in chlorophyll contents of the leaves of 12-day-old seedlings. The activities of total amylase and starch phosphorylase from the cotyledon and mitotic activity of the meristems of the root of 4-day-old seedling were inhibited by the various concentrations except at 0.5%, which showed stimulation of cellular and metabolic activities relative to seedlings in the control treatment.

Prevention by L-Arginine/Nitric Oxide of Chlordiazepoxide-Induced Toxic Reactions in the Rat Salivary Gland

The effects of chlordiazepoxide, L-Arginine (nitric oxide precursor), L-NAME (nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor), and concurrent treatment of these drugs on concentration of salivary total protein, calcium, sodium, potassium concentrations, amylase activity, and flow rate in rats were studied. Total saliva was collected 2 hours postintraperitoneal administration of chlordiazepoxide (5 mg/kg), L-Arginine (250 mg/kg), and L-NAME (10 mg/kg) intraorally by polyethylene cannula from anaesthetized rats for 30 min using pilocarpine (6 mg/kg) as secretagogue. Chlordiazepoxide reduced flow rate to 43%, total protein concentration to 30%, calcium concentration to 33%, and amylase activity to 33% of control. Potassium and sodium levels were not affected by chlordiazepoxide. L-Arginine increased flow rate to 10%, total protein to 65%, and calcium to 17%, while L-NAME decreased flow rate to 9%, total protein to 55%, and calcium to 25%. Concurrent treatment of rats by chlordiazepoxide plus L-Arginine or L-NAME influenced chlordiazepoxide-induced alterations in saliva composition. The inhibitory effects of chlordiazepoxide on salivary flow rate, amylase activity, and concentrations of total protein and calcium were blocked by L-Arginine while potentiated by L-NAME coadministrations.It is concluded that benzodiazepines induce toxicity in salivary gland function by disturbing the homeostasis of inositol triphosphate and Ca homeostasis in the cells. Administration of L-Arginine prevents benzodiazepine-induced toxicity most probably through its vasoregulatory action and balancing intracellular Ca homeostasis.

Digestive Organ Sizes and Enzyme Activities of Refueling Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri): Contrasting Effects of Season and Age

We examined seasonal and age-related variation in digestive organ sizes and enzyme activities in female western sandpipers (Calidris mauri) refueling at a coastal stopover site in southern British Columbia. Adult sandpipers exhibited seasonal variation in pancreatic and intestinal enzyme activities but not in digestive system or organ sizes. Spring migrants had 22% higher total and 67% higher standardized pancreatic lipase activities but 37% lower total pancreatic amylase activity than fall migrants, which suggests that the spring diet was enriched with lipids but low in glycogen. Spring migrants also had 47% higher total intestinal maltase activity as well as 56% higher standardized maltase and 13% higher standardized aminopeptidase-N activities. Spring migrants had higher total enzymic capacity than fall migrants, due primarily to higher total lipase and maltase activities. During fall migration, the juvenile's digestive system was 10% larger than the adult's, and it was composed differently: juveniles had a 16% larger small intestine but a 27% smaller proventriculus. The juvenile's larger digestive system was associated with lower total enzymic capacity than the adult's due to 20% lower total chitinase and 23% lower total lipase activities. These results suggest that juvenile western sandpipers may process food differently from adults and/or have a lower-quality diet.

In vitro analysis of the digestive enzymes amylase and α-glucosidase in the midguts of Locusta migratoria L. in response to the myosuppressin, SchistoFLRFamide

We have investigated the effect of the locust myosuppressin, SchistoFLRFamide, on the activity of amylase and α-glucosidase in the midgut of 2-week old male locusts. Total enzyme activity in the lumen contents and tissue extracts of midguts responds to SchistoFLRFamide in a dose-dependent manner that appears to vary with the feeding state of the locust and duration of exposure to the peptide. Starvation for 24 h prior to assessment alters the distribution of enzyme activity between the midgut lumen contents and tissue extracts in response to SchistoFLRFamide when compared with fed locusts. Duration of exposure to SchistoFLRFamide also alters the distribution of total amylase and α-glucosidase activity; as duration of exposure increases, lower concentrations of SchistoFLRFamide increase total enzyme activity in the lumen contents while decreasing total enzyme activity in the tissue extracts. We suggest that the minimum amino acid sequence in SchistoFLRFamide necessary to increase both amylase and α-glucosidase activity is DHVFLRFamide. We have determined that two other peptides endogenous to the locust, AFIRFamide and GQERNFLRFamide, increase amylase and α-glucosidase activity in midgut lumen contents.

Effects of copper-bearing montmorillonite on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and intestinal microflora and morphology of male broilers

Avian commercial male broiler chicks (n = 240), 1 d of age, were used to investigate the effects of copper-bearing montmorillonite (Cu-MMT) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and intestinal microflora and morphology. The chicks were allocated to 4 treatments, each of which had 5 pens of 12 chicks per pen. The 4 treatments were basal diet only (control group), basal diet + 1.5 g/kg montmorillonite (MMT), basal diet + 36.75 mg/kg Cu, in the form of CuSO4, and basal diet + 1.5 g/kg Cu-MMT. The results showed that supplementation with Cu-MMT significantly improved growth performance compared with the control diet, and that chicks fed with Cu-MMT had higher average daily gain (ADG) than those fed with MMT or CuSO4. Supplementation with Cu-MMT significantly reduced the total viable counts of Escherichia coli and Clostridium in the small intestine and cecum. Supplementation with MMT or CuSO4 had no influence on intestinal microflora. Chicks fed with Cu-MMT had lower viable counts of E. coli in cecal contents than those fed with MMT or CuSO4. The addition of either MMT or Cu-MMT to the diet improved the activities of total protease, amylase, and lipase in the small intestinal contents but had no effect on those in the pancreas. Morphological measurements of the small intestinal mucosa of chicks indicated that dietary addition of MMT or Cu-MMT improved intestinal mucosal morphology.

Serum amylase, pancreatic amylase and lipase concentrations in epileptic children treated with carbamazepine monotherapy

Background Serum total amylase and lipase activities have been determined in epileptic patients treated with polytherapy using enzyme-inducing anticonvulsant drugs; however, to our knowledge, serum total amylase, pancreatic amylase and lipase activities have not previously been determined in patients receiving carbamazepine monotherapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate by a prospective, self-controlled method, whether early treatment with carbamazepine monotherapy may alter serum total amylase, pancreatic amylase and lipase concentrations of epileptic children. Methods Serum total amylase, pancreatic amylase and lipase activities have been determined in 18 epileptic children before and at 6 and 12 months of treatment with carbamazepine monotherapy. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activities were also determined. Results Serum total amylase concentrations were significantly increased at 6 months of treatment ( p=0.034), and serum nonpancreatic amylase concentrations were significantly increased at 6 ( p=0.016) and 12 months of treatment ( p=0.039), whereas serum pancreatic amylase and lipase concentrations did not significantly change at 6 or 12 months of treatment with carbamazepine monotherapy. Furthermore, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase concentrations were significantly increased at 6 ( p=0.000) and 12 months of treatment ( p=0.000) with carbamazepine monotherapy. There was no significant correlation between serum nonpancreatic amylase concentrations and serum gamma-glutamyltransferase or carbamazepine concentrations at 6 and 12 months of treatment with carbamazepine monotherapy. Conclusions These findings indicate that nonpancreatic amylase concentrations may be increased in patients treated with carbamazepine monotherapy. Therefore, measurement of serum pancreatic amylase and lipase concentrations is suggested in epileptic patients receiving carbamazepine monotherapy with symptoms suggesting pancreatic dysfunction, so that unnecessary discontinuing of treatment with carbamazepine should be avoided.

Artrocarpus heterophyllus—a potential substrate for citric acid biosynthesis using Aspergillus niger

The growing demand for citric acid and the need for alternative materials as substrates in the recent years has led to the choice of a novel and economically viable substrate namely, Artrocarpus heterophyllus for citric acid biosynthesis. A pilot scale study was done using this substrate and the conditions required for preparing a good substrate from jack fruit carpel fibre were optimized. Hydrolysis of jack fruit carpel fibre with 14.6 mol/l HCl, followed by fermentation with Aspergillus niger produced 73 g/l of citric acid in a period of 48 h. Enrichment of the medium was also tried by sugar supplementation and the efficiency of the fermentation medium thus prepared in producing citric acid was compared with the synthetic medium. The products of the microbial metabolism namely total titrable acidity, citric acid, intracellular proteins, extracellular proteins, amylase activity, lipid and biomass contents were determined periodically. Experimentally observed growth stages were used for mathematical modeling to estimate the kinetic parameters. The values calculated agree with the experimental ones.

106-LOOKING FOR NEW STRESS MEASURES-ALPHA-AMYLASE IN SALIVA

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of acute alcohol consumption on saliva secretion rate and selected salivary parameters in healthy nonalcoholic volunteers. Study Design: Twenty-four volunteers (37.7 ± 9.6 years, mean ± SD) consumed 0.6 g or 0.7 g alcohol/kg of body weight (for women and men, respectively) in a soft drink. Saliva samples were collected, first (S0) before any alcohol was consumed, 45 minutes after consumption (S1) and, finally, 60 minutes after S1 (S2). Flow rates of both resting whole saliva and paraffin-stimulated (SWS) whole saliva were assessed. SWS was assessed for amylase, total protein, inorganic phosphate (PO43–), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and calcium (Ca2+) content. Results: SWS, but not resting whole saliva (in milliliters/minute), decreased significantly after consumption of alcohol. Amylase activity (P =.010) and the concentrations of Na+ (P =.000) and Ca2+ (P =.002) decreased significantly between S0 and S1. When SWS was analyzed for output, the total protein concentration (S0 to S1, P =.000; S0 to S2, P =.033) and amylase activity (S0 to S1, P =.000) decreased significantly. Further, the output of all the studied electrolytes decreased significantly as blood alcohol concentration increased. Conclusions: We conclude that acute alcohol consumption causes a decrease in SWS flow rate. The decrease in flow rate also results in impaired output of total protein and amylase, as well as in a decrease in the output of electrolytes.(Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2001;92:292-8)

Effects of Copper-bearing Montmorillonite on Growth Performance and Digestive Function of Growing Pigs

A total of 96 growing barrows (DurocxLandracexYorkshire) at an average BW of 20.2 kg were used to investigate the effects of montmorillonite (MMT) or copper-bearing montmorillonite (Cu-MMT) on growth performance, intestinal microflora, digestive enzyme activities of pancreas and small intestinal contents, and the apparent nutrient digestion. The pigs were allocated to three groups with 32 pigs per treatment for 42 days and the average BW at the end of the experiment was 49.7 kg. The three dietary treatments were basal diet only (control group), basal diet +1.5 g/kg MMT, and basal diet +1.5 g/kg Cu-MMT The results showed that supplementation with Cu-MMT significantly improved growth performance as compared to control and pigs fed with Cu-MMT had higher average daily gain than those fed with MMT. As compared to control, supplementation with Cu-MMT significantly reduced the total viable counts of Escherichia coli and Ctostridium in the small intestine and proximal colon. Supplementation with MMT had no significant influence on intestinal microflora, although there was a tendency for Escherichia coli and Clostridium to be lower than the control. Pigs fed with Cu-MMT had lower viable counts of Escherichia coli in colonic contents than those fed with MMT. Although supplementation with MMT improved the activities of the digestive enzymes in the small intestinal contents, the tendency was not significant. Supplementation with Cu-MMT significantly improved the activities of total protease, amylase and lipase in the small intestinal contents. Supplementation with MMT or Cu-MMT improved the apparent nutrient digestion.

A role for amylase and peroxidase-linked polymerization in phenolic antioxidant mobilization in dark-germinated soybean and implications for health

Consumption of soybeans has been linked a reduced risk of coronary heart disease and the development of certain cancers. Soybeans are a rich source of phenolic antioxidants, the majority of which occur naturally bound to carbohydrates. Free phenolic antioxidants have higher antioxidant activity than their carbohydrate-bound forms. Hypothesizing that increasing the phenolic aglycone content in soybean may increase its nutritional functionality, we investigated whether carbohydrate-cleaving enzymes have a role in phenolic mobilization in sprouted soybean. Total phenolic content, glucosidase, amylase and glucuronidase activities were measured in extracts of a dark-germinated soybean. Additionally, antioxidant activity and peroxidase activity were measured. Phenolic content and antioxidant activity correlated to amylase and glucuronidase activities, but not to glucosidase activity. Peroxidase activity suggested possible utilization of amylase-mobilized phenolics. Optimization of phenolic antioxidant content based on this metabolic understanding could have benefits for increasing the nutritional functionality of soybean for improving carbohydrate metabolism-linked overall health and wellness.

Ontogenetic changes in digestive enzyme activity of the spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii (Decapoda; Palinuridae)

Digestive enzyme profiles of puerulus, post-puerulus, juvenile and adult stages of the spiny lobster Jasus edwardsii Hutton were determined in order to identify ontogenetic changes in digestive capabilities and assess capacity to use dietary components and to exploit diets to meet nutritional requirements. Juvenile and adult lobsters exhibited a diverse range of enzymes, suggesting they can exploit varied diets. Proteolytic activity of trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase A (1.86–3.70 U mg−1 digestive gland protein) was significantly higher than carbohydrase activity of amylase, α-glucosidase, cellulase and chitinase (0.0014–0.38 U mg−1 digestive gland protein), thus showing that dietary protein was more important than carbohydrate and that the lobster is carnivorous. These conclusions are consistent with other studies that found spiny lobsters to feed predominantly on crabs, bivalves, ophiuroids and sponges. Lipase activity (0.371 U mg−1 digestive gland protein) was also relatively high, thus showing the importance of dietary lipid. Total activities (units per digestive gland) of every enzyme assayed increased significantly with lobster carapace length. There were few significant ontogenetic trends in specific enzyme activity (U mg−1 digestive gland protein). Amylase and laminarinase specific activity was significantly higher in small lobsters than large lobsters (regression analyses, respectively, F (1,23)=9.84, P=0.005; F (1,11)=19.65, P=0.001), suggesting that carbohydrates including laminarin are more important in the diet of small juveniles. Trypsin, amylase and lipase activities were detected in all non-feeding puerulus stages, suggesting that feeding is not a cue for digestive enzyme production in J. edwardsii. Significant variations in total and specific activities of amylase (F (1,3)=14.2, P=0.00; F (1,3)=14.2, P=0.00) and trypsin (F (1,3)=8.8, P=0.00; F (1,3)=21.41, P=0.00) and a declining trend in lipase total activity between non-feeding puerulus stages suggests that they may be hydrolysing endogenous energy reserves to sustain their onshore swimming activity prior to settlement. Profiles suggest carbohydrate and lipid are utilised first, followed by protein. Consistently high levels of lipase in all puerulus stages (0.24–0.7 U digestive gland−1; P>0.05) confirm the importance of lipid as a major energy substrate.