Enzymatic characterization of two plant coagulants: Cynara cardunculus L. and Ficus carica L.
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: The present thesis aims to enhance current knowledge of plant coagulants, whose interest is increasing because of the limited supply of calf rennet and the recent food trends. At this purpose, Cynara cardunculus L. and Ficus carica L., two crops widely distributed in Mediterrean countries, were selected and characterized in their enzymatic activity. At first, the presence of lipases in these crude plant extracts was investigated by employing agar plate and chromogenic assays as well as the zymogram analysis. Secondly, proteolytic activity was studied with the azocasein assay. Then, the hydrolysis of bovine αs and β-caseins was examined by eletrophoretic gels and densitogram analysis in order to assess the contribution of each plant enzyme to the overall proteolytic specificity. Finally, both plant extracts were evaluated for their potential release of antioxidant peptides/hydrolysates from bovine milk casein. The results suggested the use of Cynara cardunculus L. and Ficus carica L. crude extracts in cheese making as sources of lipases, proteinases and bioactive peptides
Author: Di Pierro, Giovanna
Language: English
Subfield: Biotechnology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W131639702