Independent Determination of Cystine in Keratin Proteins
John M. Schulze,
Ken Tasaki
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, December 2022
Pages:
47-54
Received:
27 October 2022
Accepted:
9 November 2022
Published:
29 November 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20220702.11
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Abstract: The role of cystine residues in a protein is well recognized, providing the disulfide bonds for the structural integrity of a wide range of proteins. Hence, the determination of cystine in proteins is critical in understanding the structural functionality of proteins. The amino acid analysis (AAA) is a popular method to determine amino acid residue compositions in proteins. In practice, oxidation of or chemical modification to cystine is often performed prior to AAA. However, these pretreatments are indiscriminate towards cystine and cysteine. Hence, it is difficult to distinguish cystine from cysteine in protein AA composition analyses, especially for cystine-rich proteins such as keratin. In this report, we demonstrate that it is possible to determine cystine residues in protein selectively independent from cysteine, using the conventional AAA, without pretreatments. Our experimental results have shown that cystine did not transform into cysteic acid during acid hydrolysis, as has been reported previously. Our results also showed a part of L-cystine transformed to D-cystine. Finally, we applied the same AAA to determine the cystine residue levels in feather and human hair samples successfully and compared those with the results obtained from AAA using the pretreatment by oxidation.
Abstract: The role of cystine residues in a protein is well recognized, providing the disulfide bonds for the structural integrity of a wide range of proteins. Hence, the determination of cystine in proteins is critical in understanding the structural functionality of proteins. The amino acid analysis (AAA) is a popular method to determine amino acid residue...
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A Review on the Central Nervous System (CNS): Neurological Disorders and Plants with Therapeutic Effects on the CNS
Bakare-Akpata Osarobo,
Ighodaro Edwin Aigbogun,
Ibukun Ereneh Azure
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, December 2022
Pages:
55-61
Received:
10 May 2022
Accepted:
31 May 2022
Published:
29 December 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20220702.12
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Abstract: The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The central nervous system is a complex organ in the human being; it determines basic functions, such as consciousness, breathing, emotions and thoughts. Brain disorders can result directly from intrinsic dysfunction of the brain or complex interactions between the brain cells and the physical environment. A brain disorder associated with chronic break down and deterioration of neurons of the central nervous system is called a neurodegenerative disease. Statistics have shown that medicinal plants are being widely used in the treatment and management of diseases, such as malaria, diabetes, sickle-cell anemia and microbial infections. Some of these medicinal plants are also being used in the management of disorders of the CNS. These plants include Ginkgo biloba used in the management of symptoms associated with short term memory in Alzheimer’s disease and also in anxiety. Centella asiatica is also used as an anxiolytic agent in the management of epileptic symptoms. Piper methysticum is used to manage hallucination and also as a sedative. Compared to synthetic drug use, medicinal plant treatment is almost free from side effects, when compared to synthetic drug treatment; therefore, it is preferred over synthetic drugs. In conclusion, it can be inferred that the CNS play a vital part in the human body by transmitting impulses via the nerve cells. But unlike other cells of the body which have regenerative properties, the nerve cells lack the ability to regenerate itself this makes a single damage to one or more of the nerve cells a fatal blow to the entire behavioural functions of the body and also treatment of this cell next to impossible. Thus treatment and management of these disorders is a lifetime commitment which makes it necessary to introduce medicinal plants with therapeutic properties into the treatment strategy in other to minimize long-term side effects of synthetic drugs.
Abstract: The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The central nervous system is a complex organ in the human being; it determines basic functions, such as consciousness, breathing, emotions and thoughts. Brain disorders can result directly from intrinsic dysfunction of the brain or complex interactions between the brain ce...
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Determination of the Levels of Some Essential and Toxic Metals in Leaves, Seeds and Fruits of Pumpkin (Cucurbitapepo D.) Samples from Tepi South West Ethiopia
Biadg Fetene,
Kassahun Assega
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, December 2022
Pages:
62-73
Received:
28 July 2022
Accepted:
6 September 2022
Published:
29 December 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20220702.13
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Abstract: Vegetables have since ancient times, played a very important role in human life; they have been used for food, traditional medicines, and source of fiber and other purposes and also as fodder for domestic animals. Data about chemical composition of pumpkin itself is still insufficient, especially regarding the mineral content of pumpkin. As a result of such circumstances, there is a need for determination of essential and toxic metals in leaves, seeds and fruit of pumpkin, which was the main goal of this research. First the leaves, fruits and seeds were collected, dried, and digested by wet digestion method and levels of metals were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The accuracy of the procedure was evaluated by analyzing the digest of the spiked samples with standard solution and the percentage recoveries varied from 81.76% to 120.00%. The study found out that the levels of essential metals were in the order of Mg 454.280 mg/kg >Mn (202.222mg/kg > Fe (28.568mg/kg >Cu (23.600mg/kg) >Zn (7.673mg/kg) in the seed, Mg (255.233mg/kg) > Mn (187.360mg/kg) > Fe (31.467mg/kg) >Zn (11.93mg/kg) > Cu (8.200mg/kg) in the fruit Mg (524.60mg/kg) >Mn (190.222mg/kg) >Fe (34.62mg/kg) >Cu (20.01mg/kg) >Zn (8.62mg/kg) in the leaf samples respectively, whereas for non-essential metals the concentration of Cd was 0.147mg/kg >Pb (0.013mg/kg in the seed, Cd (0.088mg/kg) > Pb (0.014mg/kg) in the fruit and Pb (0.014mg/Kg) > Cd (0.012mg/kg) samples respectively. A pair wise t-test at 95% confidence level indicated that there is significant difference in the levels of metals among the two samples means. The amounts of all selected essential Minerals especially (Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn) and toxic non-essential metals (Cd and Pb) concentration analyzed in all pumpkin seed, leaf and fruit were in the range of the recommended values of WHO/FAO and detection limit of the instrument used. The result indicates that, all parts of the plant (seed, leaf and fruit) are rich in minerals and recommended to be taken for healthiness.
Abstract: Vegetables have since ancient times, played a very important role in human life; they have been used for food, traditional medicines, and source of fiber and other purposes and also as fodder for domestic animals. Data about chemical composition of pumpkin itself is still insufficient, especially regarding the mineral content of pumpkin. As a resul...
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