Mourad Jridi

Physical, structural, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of gelatin-chitosan composite edible films.

Physico-chemical and mechanical properties of cuttlefish skin gelatin (G), chitosan (C) from shrimp (Penaeus kerathurus) and composite films (G75/C25, G50/C50, G25/C75) plasticized with glycerol were investigated. The results indicated that chitosan film had higher tensile strength and lower elongation at break when compared with the other films. Composite films show no significant difference in tensile strength (TS), thickness and transparency. The structural properties evaluated by FTIR and DSC showed total miscibility between both polymers. DSC scans showed that the increase of chitosan content in the composite films increases the transition temperature (Tg) and enthalpy (ΔHg) of films. The morphology study of gelatin, chitosan and composite films showed a compact and homogenous structure. In addition, gelatin and G75/C25 films demonstrated a high antioxidant activities monitored by β-carotene bleaching, DPPH radical-scavenging and reducing power activities, while films contained chitosan exhibited higher antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria.

Comparative study of physico-mechanical and antioxidant properties of edible gelatin films from the skin of cuttlefish.

Physicochemical properties of edible films based on cuttlefish skin gelatin extracted without (G0) or with different concentrations of pepsins (5 (G5), 10 (G10) and 15 (G15) U/g of skin) were investigated. Edible films prepared with partially hydrolyzed gelatins had lower tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EAB), but higher water vapour permeability (WVP) and water solubility than the control film. FTIR spectra of obtained gelatin films revealed a significant loss of molecular order of the triple helix. In addition, differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis indicated that partially hydrolyzed gelatine films exhibited lower transition temperature and enthalpy compared with those of control film. The properties of the films were related to their microstructure, which was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Films with G0 and G5 had a smooth surface and a more compact structure, while films prepared with G10 and G15 had coarser surface. Thus, the chain length of extracted gelatin directly affected the properties of corresponding films.

Characterization and Potential Use of Cuttlefish Skin Gelatin Hydrolysates Prepared by Different Microbial Proteases

Composition, functional properties, and in vitro antioxidant activities of gelatin hydrolysates prepared from cuttlefish skin were investigated. Cuttlefish skin gelatin hydrolysates (CSGHs) were obtained by treatment with crude enzyme preparations from Bacillus licheniformis NH1, Bacillus mojavensis A21, Bacillus subtilis A26, and commercial alcalase. All CSGHs had high protein contents, 74.3–78.3%, and showed excellent solubility (over 90%). CSGH obtained by alcalase demonstrated high antioxidant activities monitored by β-carotene bleaching, DPPH radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and reducing power activity. Its antioxidant activity remained stable or increased in a wide range of pH (1–9), during heating treatment (100°C for 240 min) and after gastrointestinal digestion simulation. In addition, alcalase-CSGH was incorporated into turkey meat sausage to determine its effect on lipid oxidation during 35 days of storage period. At 0.5 mg/g, alcalase-CSGH delayed lipid oxidation monitored by TBARS and conjugated diene up to 10 days compared to vitamin C. The results reveal that CSGHs could be used as food additives possessing both antioxidant activity and functional properties.

Characterisation of trypsin purified from the viscera of Tunisian barbel (Barbus callensis) and its application for recovery of carotenoproteins from shrimp wastes

Trypsin was purified from the viscera of barbel by precipitation using ammonium sulphate (0-80%), Sephadex G-100, and Mono Q-Sepharose ion exchange chromatography. The trypsin was purified 27-fold, with 79U/mg specific activity and 31% recovery. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 24kDa; purified trypsin appeared as a single band on native-PAGE. The optimum pH and temperature for enzyme activity were pH 10.0 and 55°C with BAPNA used as a substrate. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first 12 amino acids of the purified trypsin was IVGGYECTPYSQ. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) and catalytic constant (kcat) values of the enzyme were 0.018mM and 1.21s-1, respectively. The study also investigated the effects of purified trypsin on the recovery of carotenoproteins from shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) shells through hydrolysis using 1.0U barbel trypsin/g shrimp shells for 1h at 30°C. The freeze-dried carotenoproteins recovered contained 71.09% protein, 16.47% lipid, 7.78% ash, and 1.79% chitin.

Microstructure, rheological and wound healing properties of collagen-based gel from cuttlefish skin

Collagen-based biomaterials are of the utmost importance for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The aims of the present investigation were to evaluate structural and rheological properties of collagen-based gel obtained from cuttlefish skin, and to investigate its ability to enhance wound healing. Scanning electron microscopy of resulted gel showed a dense fibrillar microstructure with high interconnection network with a smaller pore size. In addition, the rheological characterization of collagen gel showed an excellent reversibility, when subjected to a temperature variation. Moreover, in the wound-healing study, topical application of collagen based gel increased significantly the percentage of wound closure over a period of 12 days, when compared to the untreated and CICAFLORA(®)-treated groups. Wound-healing activity of collagen gel was confirmed by histopathology study. Thus, cuttlefish collagen based gel might be useful as a wound healing agent.

Sulfated polysaccharides from common smooth hound: Extraction and assessment of anti-ACE, antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

The present study investigates biological activities of sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) isolated from smooth hound by precipitation with cetylpyridinium chloride (SP1) or ethanol (SP2). SP1 showed the highest amounts of sulfated groups (10.2%) and proteins (7.84%) and high molecular weight sugars. Infrared spectroscopic analysis showed typical peaks of sulfated polysaccharides, particularly for the SP1 that was characterized by the presence of O=S=O groups and acetyl groups. Interestingly, SPs displayed important angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory (IC50=1.04 and 0.75mg/ml for SP1 and SP2, respectively), antibacterial (Gram+ and Gram-) and antioxidant activities (reducing power, metal chelating activity, β-carotene bleaching inhibition and DNA nicking assay). Moreover, SPs fractionation by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography showed one peak during the buffer elution phase and three major fractions during the linear gradient of NaCl. The overall data suggested that SPs could be used as natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-ACE ingredient to formulate functional foods.

Tunisian date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) by-products: Characterization and potential effects on sensory, textural and antioxidant properties of dairy desserts.

Three Tunisian date varieties, Deglet Nour, Kentichi and Allig, served to produce syrups and powders, which were then examined for their physico-chemical composition and antioxidant properties. Different proportions of these sweetening-like agents were incorporated to produce nine different formulations of dairy desserts, with lower amount of added sugars to avoid any artificial flavoring or coloring agents. Sensory and color evaluation data revealed that incorporating Deglet Nour and Kentichi syrup offers the most desirable formulation. Furthermore, syrup polysaccharides and fibers contribute to better maintain the final product texture. In addition, date by-products create a good source of natural thickening agents, involved in enhancing apparent viscosity and spontaneous exudation. Thanks to their high content in phenolic compounds, date by-products considerably improve antioxidant activities of the formulated desserts. Therefore, they could be valued as natural ingredients in the formulation of novel dairy products with high nutritional-properties.

In silico analysis and molecular docking study of angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from smooth-hound viscera protein hydrolysates fractionated by ultrafiltration

Smooth-hound viscera hydrolysates (SHVHs) were prepared by treatment with Neutrase (SHVH-N) and Purafect (SHVH-P). Hydrolysates were then separated according to their molecular weight, using the ultra-filtration membrane system, into 5 fractions (≥50, 50-5, 5-3, 3-1 and ≤1kDa). Fractions showed different amino acid compositions and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory potentials. The SHVH-P-FV (≤1kDa) and SHVH-N-FIV (3-1kDa) fractions showed the best ACE-inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 53.31 and 75.05µg/ml, respectively. According to their high ACE-inhibitory potential, FIV and FV were fractionated by RP-HPLC and then analyzed by LC-MS/MS to identify peptide sequences. A systematic peptidomic study resulted in the identification of numerous novel sequences. Furthermore, in silico data, based on the molecular docking simulation, showed that GPAGPRGPAG, AVVPPSDKM, TTMYPGIA, and VKPLPQSG could bind ACE active site with low interaction scores. Indeed, they share hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals and electrostatic interactions with ACE catalytic pockets.

Surfactant- and oxidant-stable alkaline proteases from Bacillus invictae: Characterization and potential applications in chitin extraction and as a detergent additive

A newly alkaline proteases producing strain was isolated from sea water. The strain was identified as Bacillus invictae on the basis of biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The crude protease activity showed an optimal activity at approximately 60°C and in wide pH interval ranging from 9.0 to 11.0. At least six clear caseinolytic protease bands were observed in a zymogram. Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), a serine-protease inhibitor, was found to inhibit completely the protease activity. The crude alkaline proteases showed high stability toward solid and liquid detergents. Furthermore, wash performance analysis revealed that the crude enzyme could effectively remove blood stain when added to commercial detergent. In addition, the crude proteases were found to be effective in the deproteinization of shrimp shell waste. The percent of protein removal after 3h of hydrolysis at 50°C with an E/S ratio of 10U/mg of protein or after fermentation by the strain were about 76% and 82%, respectively. Thus, the results of the present study showed that the crude proteases of B. invectae could be effectively used in several industrial applications, as an eco-friendly agent.

Effect of ultrasound pretreatment and Maillard reaction on structure and antioxidant properties of ultrafiltrated smooth-hound viscera proteins-sucrose conjugates

The effect of ultrasound (US) pre-treatment on the evolution of Maillard reaction (MR), induced between low molecular weight (LMW) peptides and sucrose, was studied. LMW peptides (<1kDa) were obtained by the ultrafiltration of smooth hound viscera protein hydrolysates, produced by Neutrase, Esperase and Purafect. MR was induced by heating the LMW peptides in the presence of sucrose for 2h at 90°C, without or with US pre-treatment. During the reaction, a marked decrease in pH values, coupled to the increase in colour of the Maillard reaction products (MRPs), were recorded. In addition, after sonication, the glycation degree was significantly enhanced in Esperase-derived peptides/sucrose conjugates (p<0.05). Moreover, results showed that thermal heating, particularly after US treatment, reduced the bitter taste and enhanced the antioxidant capacities of the resulting conjugates. Hence, it could be concluded that US leads to efficient mixing of sugar-protein solution and efficient heat/mass transfer, contributing to increase the MR rate.