Alliin Lyase (Alliinase) from Garlic (Allium sativum)

The garlic plant (Allium sativum) alliinase (EC 4.4.1.4), which catalyzes the synthesis of allicin, was purified to homogeneity from bulbs using various steps, including hydrophobic chromatography. Molecular and biochemical studies showed that the enzyme is a dimer of two subunits of MW 51.5 kDa each. ItsK _m using synthetic S-allylcysteine sulfoxide (+isomer) as substrate was 1.1 mM, its pH optimum 6.5, and its isoelectric point 6.35. The enzyme is a glycoprotein containing 6% carbohydrate. N-terminal sequences of the intact polypeptide chain as well as of a number of peptides obtained after cyanogen bromide cleavage were obtained. Cloning of the cDNAs encoding alliinase was performed by a two-step strategy. In the first, a cDNA fragment (pAli-1-450 bp) was obtained by PCR using a mixed oligonucleotide primer synthesized according to a 6-amino acid segment near theN- terminal of the intact polypeptide. The second step involved screening of garlic λgt11 and λZAPII cDNA libraries withpAli-1, which yielded two clones; one was nearly full length and the second was full length. These clones exhibited some degree of DNA sequence divergence, especially in their 3′ noncoding regions, suggesting that they were encoded by separate genes. The nearly full length cDNA was fused in frame to a DNA encoding a signal peptide from a wheat gliadin, and expressed inXenopus oocytes. This yielded a 50 kDa protein that interacted with the antibodies against natural bulb alliinase. Northern and Western blot analyses showed that the bulb alliinase was highly expressed in bulbs, whereas a lower expression level was found in leaves, and no expression was detected in roots. Strikingly, the roots exhibited an abundant alliinase activity, suggesting that this tissue expressed a distinct alliinase isozyme with very low homology to the bulb enzyme.     

Biosensoric flow-through method for the determination of cysteine sulfoxides

Cysteine sulfoxides are known for their canceroprotective and antioxidant potential and have been detected in several plants, mainly those belonging to the leek family (Alliaceae). A number of these plants are used as herbal remedies, spices, or vegetables, including garlic (Allium sativum), onion (Allium cepa) and leek (Allium porrum). Determination of the quality and pharmacological activity of garlic-containing herbal remedies produced from garlic powder is by measurement of their content of the cysteine sulfoxide alliin. A convenient method allowing reliable routine estimation of the alliin levels present in the fresh plant material through to the final remedy is urgently required. The newly developed flow-through method described in this paper was designed in order to fulfill this demand. In contrast to conventional HPLC methods, neither a pre-column derivatization nor a chromatographic separation are required allowing a high throughput of samples. This technique is based on immobilized alliinase (EC 4.4.1.4), which was combined with an ammonia gas electrode mounted in a miniaturized flow-through cell. The lower detection limit obtained for alliin was 3.7×10⁻⁷ M alliin. High specificity for alliin was demonstrated for the electrode and a variety of garlic samples including garlic powders, dry extracts and garlic tablets were analyzed successfully. Results obtained with the new method showed a good correlation with those obtained with conventional HPLC methods. In conclusion, the flow-through method provides a valuable method for quality control of garlic preparations and screening plant materials for their cysteine sulfoxide-related health potential.     

Comparative studies of bioactive organosulphur compounds and antioxidant activities in garlic (Allium sativum L.), elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.)

We evaluated organosulphur compounds in Allium vegetables, including garlic, elephant garlic and onion, using high-performance liquid chromatography. Among organosulphur compounds, elephant garlic had considerable γ-glutamyl peptides, and garlic had the highest alliin content. Onion had low level of organosulphur compounds than did elephant garlic and garlic. In addition, antioxidant capacities were evaluated by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay. The results showed that garlic had the highest antioxidant capacity, followed by elephant garlic and onion. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between antioxidant activities and organosulphur compounds (R > 0.77). Therefore, our results indicate that there was a close relationship between antioxidant capacity and organosulphur compounds in Allium vegetables.     

Determination of Herbicide Residues in Garlic by GC–MS

A rapid multi-residue method has been developed for the determination of 16 herbicides in garlic. The analytical procedure is based on prior microwave heating prevention of the generation of sulfur-containing compounds. The garlic samples which had been pretreated were extracted with acetonitrile and cleaned up by solid-phase extraction. The herbicide residues were detected by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. The recoveries of 16 herbicides ranged from 69.0 to 105.4% with the relative standard deviations (RSD) below 10.1%. The limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.003 to 0.015 mg kg⁻¹.

     

Uptake and speciation of selenium in garlic cultivated in soil amended with symbiotic fungi (mycorrhiza) and selenate

The scope of the work was to investigate the influence of selenate fertilisation and the addition of symbiotic fungi (mycorrhiza) to soil on selenium and selenium species concentrations in garlic. The selenium species were extracted from garlic cultivated in experimental plots by proteolytic enzymes, which ensured liberation of selenium species contained in peptides or proteins. Separate extractions using an aqueous solution of enzyme-deactivating hydroxylamine hydrochloride counteracted the possible degradation of labile selenium species by enzymes (such as alliinase) that occur naturally in garlic. The selenium content in garlic, which was analysed by ICP–MS, showed that addition of mycorrhiza to the natural soil increased the selenium uptake by garlic tenfold to 15 μg g⁻¹ (dry mass). Fertilisation with selenate and addition of mycorrhiza strongly increased the selenium content in garlic to around one part per thousand. The parallel analysis of the sample extracts by cation exchange and reversed-phase HPLC with ICP–MS detection showed that γ-glutamyl-Se-methyl-selenocysteine amounted to 2/3, whereas methylselenocysteine, selenomethionine and selenate each amounted to a few percent of the total chromatographed selenium in all garlic samples. Se-allyl-selenocysteine and Se-propyl-selenocysteine, which are selenium analogues of biologically active sulfur-containing amino acids known to occur in garlic, were searched for but not detected in any of the extracts. The amendment of soil by mycorrhiza and/or by selenate increased the content of selenium but not the distribution of detected selenium species in garlic. Finally, the use of two-dimensional HPLC (size exclusion followed by reversed-phase) allowed the structural characterisation of γ-glutamyl-Se-methyl-selenocysteine and γ-glutamyl-Se-methyl-selenomethionine in isolated chromatographic fractions by quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.     

Determination of added sulfites in dried garlic with a modified version of the optimized Monier-Williams method

The optimized Monier-Williams method is slightly modified so that it could be applied for determining sulfite content in dried garlic. Dried garlic sample is directly acidified in a reactor at a pH below 3. At this pH level, the alliinase enzyme activity is irreversibly blocked, and the sulfur-containing amino acids such as alliin (the most abundant) present in dried garlic cannot be transformed into corresponding thiosulfinates such as allicin, which is absent in dried garlic. This prevents allicin from reacting with added sulfites and being probably converted to S-allyl thiosulfate, which is not volatile and has no taste. It is found that at a pH below 2.4 and at boiling water temperature, allicin produces sulfur dioxide in adequate quantity to explain the false-positive results when utilizing the optimized Monier-Williams method with allicin suppression for unsulfited dried garlic samples. Finally, when garlic samples are stabilized in a phosphoric acid buffer at a final pH around 2.4, no sulfite is produced during the Monier-Williams distillation, which is further proof there are no naturally occurring sulfites in unsulfited dried garlic under these mild conditions.     

Determination of Herbicide Residues in Garlic by GC–MS

A rapid multi-residue method has been developed for the determination of 16 herbicides in garlic. The analytical procedure is based on prior microwave heating prevention of the generation of sulfur-containing compounds. The garlic samples which had been pretreated were extracted with acetonitrile and cleaned up by solid-phase extraction. The herbicide residues were detected by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. The recoveries of 16 herbicides ranged from 69.0 to 105.4% with the relative standard deviations (RSD) below 10.1%. The limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.003 to 0.015 mg kg^?1.     

The Organosulfur Chemistry of the Genus Allium – Implications for the Organic Chemistry of Sulfur

A Cook's tour is presented of the organosulfur chemistry of the genus Allium, as represented, inter alia, by garlic (Allium sativum L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.). We report on the biosynthesis of the S-alk(en)yl-L -cysteine S-oxides (aroma and flavor precursors) in intact plants and on how upon cutting or crushing the plants these precursors are cleaved by allinase enzymes, giving sulfenic acids—highly reactive organosulfur intermediates. In garlic, 2-propenesulfenic acid gives allicin, a thiosulfinate with antibiotic properties, while in onion 1-propenesulfenic acid rearranges to the sulfine (Z)-propanethial S-oxide, the lachrymatory factor (LF) of onion. Highlights of onion chemistry include the assignment of stereochemistry to the LF and determination of the mechanism of its dimerization; the isolation, characterization, and synthesis of thiosulfinates which most closely duplicate the taste and aroma of the freshly cut bulb, and additional unusual compounds such as zwiebelanes (dithiabicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes), a bis-sulfine (a 1,4-butanedithial S,S′-dioxide), antithrombotic and antiasthmatic cepaenes (α-sulfinyl disulfides), and vic-disulfoxides. Especially noteworthy in the chemistry of garlic are the discovery of ajoene, a potent antithrombotic agent from garlic, and the elucidation of the unique sequence of reactions that occur when diallyl disulfide, which is present in steam-distilled garlic oil, is heated. Reaction mechanisms under discussion include [3, 3]- and [2, 3]-sigma-tropic rearrangements involving sulfur (e.g. sulfoxide-accelerated thio- and dithio-Claisen rearrangements) and cycloadditions involving thiocarbonyl systems. In view of the culinary importance of alliaceous plants as well as the unique history of their use in folk medicine, this survey concludes with a discussion of the physiological activity of the components of these plants: cancer prevention, antimicrobial activity, insect and animal attractive/repulsive activity, olfactory–gustatory–lachrymatory properties, effect on lipid metabolism, platelet aggregation inhibitory activity and properties associated with ajoene. And naturally, comments about onion and garlic induced bad breath and heartburn may not be overlooked.     

Characterization of Sulfur-Compounds as Chemotaxonomic Markers in the Essential Oils of Allium Species by Solvent-Free Microwave Extraction and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Allium species were examined to authenticate the chemotaxonomic controversy about these plants by analyzing their extracted compound profiles. Essential oils of various species were isolated using conventional hydro-distillation and solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME). A comparison of the isolation procedures was performed. The presence of sulfur compounds in the Allium genus is a prominent characteristic for their medicinal uses. These components were characterized using two-way hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). The variation of sulfur-compounds was performed by qualitative analysis of Allium species by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). 2,4-Dimethyl-5,6-dithia-2,7-nonadienal, 4,6-diethyl-1,2,3,5-tetrathiolane, and 5,7-diethyl-1,2,3,4,6-pentathiepane were revealed as potential chemotaxonomic markers for all of the Alliums examined in this study. These markers may be used to provide improved systematics for other Allium species.     

Analysis ofAllium sulfur amino acids by HPLC after derivatization

Summary Two pre-column derivatization procedures coupled with reversed phase HPLC have been compared for the analysis ofS-Alk(en)yl0L-cysteine sulfoxides in variousAllium species. In order to establish external standards some (+/-) sulfoxides were synthesized, using a new method to enhance asymmetric synthesis of the diastereoisomers. The first derivatization method is the formation ofo-phthaldialdehyde/tert.-butylthiol derivatives which can be analyzed using UV detection. The second, presently used for amino acid analysis, is the Waters Pico-Tag method, which employs phenylisothiocyanate as derivatization reagent. As the Pico-Tag method was found to be the most efficient for determination ofS-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxides it was used to determine the alliin content of various samples of garlic.     

Simultaneous speciation of selenium and sulfur species in selenized odorless garlic (Allium sativum L. Shiro) and shallot (Allium ascalonicum) by HPLC-inductively coupled plasma-(octopole reaction system)-mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

The simultaneous speciation of selenium and sulfur in selenized odorless garlic (Allium sativum L. Shiro) and a weakly odorous Allium plant, shallot (Allium ascalonicum), was performed by means of a hyphenated technique, a HPLC coupled with an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) equipped with an octopole reaction system (ORS). The aqueous extracts of them contained the common seleno compound that was identified as gamma-glutamylmethylselenocysteine by an electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Normal garlic contains alliin as the major sulfur-containing compound, which is the biological precursor of the garlic odorant, allicin. Alliin, however, was not detected in the extracts of the selenized odorless garlic. At least, four unidentified sulfur-containing compounds were detected in odorless garlic and shallot. Moreover, these Allium plants showed chemopreventive effects against human leukemia cells.     

Surface and Antimicrobial Properties of N-Palmitoyl Amino Acid–Based Surfactants

Synthesized sodium N-pamitoyl amino acids were evaluated for surface and antimicrobial properties and compared with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Emulsion stability of the amino acid surfactants and calcium tolerance of the sodium N-palmitoyl isoleucine were better as compared to SLS. Wetting ability and foaming properties of the palmitic acid-based surfactants were inferior to SLS. N-Acyl amino acids exhibited better antibacterial activity compared to sodium salts of N-acyl amino acids and standard compounds against Staphylococcus aureus MLS-16 and Bacillus subtilis. These studies revealed that the palmitoyl amino acid surfactants can be exploited in household, skin care formulations, and industrial applications.     

The effective approach for the quality control of Codonopsis radix based on quality markers of immune activity

Codonopsis radix is an important edible and medicinal plant resource for immunomodulation in China and Southeast Asia. However, the chemical quality evaluation of C. radix in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 Version) is still lacking; therefore, it is necessary to develop an effective method to evaluate its quality accurately and systematically. Herein, a reliable method for a comprehensive chemical analysis of bioactive compounds in C. radix by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector was developed based on the quality marker (Q-marker) concept, which can efficiently reflect its immune activity. Our previous research explored the seven potential bioactive compounds reflecting the immune regulation activities of C. radix by spectrum–effect relationship analysis. Therefore, in this study, we researched on establishing a quality control method and selected the modern pharmacodynamic experiment of immune regulation to verify the potential bioactive compounds as quality markers. A real quality control method that reflected the traditional efficacy of C. radix in strengthening the spleen and tonifying lungs was developed. Furthermore, the C. radix extract and the seven bioactive compounds could promote the proliferation of immune-related cells and regulate the secretion of inflammatory factors, thus playing a role in immune regulation.     

Effect of the directionality of the ester group on the formation of hairpins in polyesters containing naphthalene and a flexible spacer

Steady-state fluorescence measurements and molecular dynamics simulations have been used to study the intramolecular formation of excimers in five model compounds for polyesters containing naphthalene groups separated by flexible spacers. The model compounds are derived from 2-hydroxynaphthalene and HOOC (CH₂)_n COOH, n = 2–6. The ratio of the intensity of excimer and monomer emissions, I_D/I_M, is nearly independent of the viscosity of the medium, η, over the range covered in dilute solution. Although I_D/I_M is always very small, it shows an odd–even effect for the first four members of the series, with maxima when n is odd. Molecular dynamics simulations provide an explanation for the small values of I_D/I_M, their weak dependence on η, and the trend of I_D/I_M with n. The results for the present series of model compounds are compared with previous work, which reported larger values of I_D/I_M, and a stronger dependence of I_D/I_M on η, for bichromophoric compounds derived from 2-naphthoic acid and aliphatic glycols, where the direction of the ester groups is reversed. The origin of the difference in the behavior of I_D/I_M in the two series is identified. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 1127–1133, 1997     

Influence of some amino acids on the dynamic swelling behavior of radiation-induced acrylamide hydrogel

The influence of some amino acids—alanine, glycine, valine, glutamine, histidine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan—on the swelling behavior of acrylamide (AAm) hydrogel prepared by γ-radiation was investigated. Swelling experiments of AAm hydrogel were made in the universal buffer solutions and the amino acid solutions at certain pHs at 37°C. These selected pH values were pK₁, pK₂ and isoelectric point (pI) values such as ionization of α-carboxyl groups, ionization of α-amino groups, and the pIs of the amino acids, respectively. The swelling of AAm hydrogel increased when pH values of solutions were increased. The value of equilibrium swelling of AAm hydrogel in the solution of universal buffer was 880% at pH 10.0, whereas it was 670% at pH 2.0. The values of equilibrium swelling of AAm hydrogel in amino acid solutions were between 830 and 965% at pH 10.0, whereas they were between 635 and 775% at pH 2.0. The rate constant of swelling, initial swelling rate, theoretical maximum swelling, diffusional exponent, network parameter, and diffusion coefficient were calculated by swelling kinetics. Diffusions of the amino acid solutions into the hydrogel were generally found as non-Fickian in character. The diffusion coefficients of the hydrogel were between 0.91 × 10⁻⁶ and 2.41 × 10⁻⁶ cm²/s.     

Interaction of Methyl Cysteine and Nitrilotriacetate with Transition Metal Ions

In the present work, sulfur-containing amino acid methyl cysteine was studied from the point of view of their coordinating ability with two metal ions, viz. copper(II) and cobalt(II). Solution equilibria of binary (Cu(II)/Co(II)–methyl cysteine and Cu(II)/Co(II)–nitrilotriacetate (NTA)) complex systems are investigated by paper ionophoresis at 35°C, ionic strength I= 0.1 mol/l. In addition to binary complexes, ternary complexes involving nitrilotriacetate and methyl cysteine were also studied. For studying mixed-ligand complexes, the pH of background electrolyte is brought to 8.5 (this pH value is purposely chosen because amino acid and NTA form very stable complexes much ahead of this pH). The stability constants of complexes (Cu(II)–NTA–methyl cysteine and Co(II)–NTA–methyl cysteine) were found to be 4.48 ± 0.07 and 3.55 ± 0.04 (logKvalues), respectively.     

Study on biodegradability of poly(amide-imide)s containing N-trimellitylimido-L-amino acids and 3,5-diamino-N-(pyridin-3-yl)benzamide linkages

A series of novel biodegradable functional amino acid-based poly(amide-imide)s (PAI)s were designed and synthesized by the direct polycondensation reaction of chiral bioactive diacids composed of naturally occurring α-amino acids with 3,5-diamino-N-(pyridin-3-yl) benzamide in the presence of molten tetrabutylammonium bromide as a green solvent. These new biodegradable polymers were characterized with Fourier transfer infrared and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy. In addition, in vitro toxicity and biodegradability behavior of the starting diacids, diamine and obtained PAIs were investigated in culture media and the results showed that the synthesized monomers and their derived polymers are biologically active and their degradation products are probably nontoxic to microbial growth.     

Comprehensive Metabolite Profiling in Genetic Resources of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Collected from Different Geographical Regions

Garlic (Allium sativum) is the second most important Allium crop that has been used as a vegetable and condiment from ancient times due to its characteristic flavor and taste. Although garlic is a sterile plant that reproduces vegetatively through cloves, garlic shows high biodiversity, as well as phenotypic plasticity and environmental adaptation capacity. To determine the possible mechanism underlying this phenomenon and to provide new genetic materials for the development of a novel garlic cultivar with useful agronomic traits, the metabolic profiles in the leaf tissue of 30 garlic accessions collected from different geographical regions, with a special focus on the Asian region, were investigated using LC/MS. In addition, the total saponin and fructan contents in the roots and cloves of the investigated garlic accessions were also evaluated. Total saponin and fructan contents did not separate the garlic accessions based on their geographical origin, implying that saponin and fructan contents were clone-specific and agroclimatic changes have affected the quantitative and qualitative levels of saponins in garlic over a long history of cultivation. Principal component analysis (PCA) and dendrogram clustering of the LC/MS-based metabolite profiling showed two major clusters. Specifically, many Japanese and Central Asia accessions were grouped in cluster I and showed high accumulations of flavonol glucosides, alliin, and methiin. On the other hand, garlic accessions grouped in cluster II exhibited a high accumulation of anthocyanin glucosides and amino acids. Although most of the accessions were not separated based on country of origin, the Central Asia accessions were clustered in one group, implying that these accessions exhibited distinct metabolic profiles. The present study provides useful information that can be used for germplasm selection and the development of new garlic varieties with beneficial biotic and abiotic stress-adaptive traits.     

HPLC and NMR quantification of bioactive compounds in flowers and leaves of Brassica rapa: the influence of aging

Abstract

Several members of the Brassicaeae family are known to possess beneficial properties which positively impact human diet, thanks to the presence of antioxidants, bioactive polyphenols and amino acids. B. rapa, one of the most widespread and economically relevant species, represents an outstanding example. The aim of this study is to investigate, at the molecular level, the effect of plant aging on the concentration of some biologically relevant compounds in different parts of the plant. Using HPLC and NMR techniques, the quantification of polyphenolic species (caffeic acid, quercetin and rutin), succinic acid and alanine was performed in flowers and leaves of young and mature B. rapa plants.