Thomas Henle

Identification and quantification of methylglyoxal as the dominant antibacterial constituent of Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honeys from New Zealand

The 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds 3-deoxyglucosulose (3-DG), glyoxal (GO), and methylglyoxal (MGO) were measured as the corresponding quinoxalines after derivatization with orthophenylendiamine using RP-HPLC and UV-detection in commercially available honey samples. Whereas for most of the samples values for 3-DG, MGO, and GO were comparable to previously published data, for six samples of New Zealand Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honey very high amounts of MGO were found, ranging from 38 to 761 mg/kg, which is up to 100-fold higher compared to conventional honeys. MGO was unambigously identified as the corresponding quinoxaline via photodiodearry detection as well as by means of mass spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity of honey and solutions of 1,2-dicarbonyl towards Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were analyzed using an agar well diffusion assay. Minimum concentrations needed for inhibition of bacterial growth (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC) of MGO were 1.1 mM for both types of bacteria. MIC for GO was 6.9 mM (E. coli) or 4.3 mM (S. aureus), respectively. 3-DG showed no inhibition in concentrations up to 60 mM. Whereas most of the honey samples investigated showed no inhibition in dilutions of 80% (v/v with water) or below, the samples of Manuka honey exhibited antibacterial activity when diluted to 15-30%, which corresponded to MGO concentrations of 1.1-1.8 mM. This clearly demonstrates that the pronounced antibacterial activity of New Zealand Manuka honey directly originates from MGO.

Protein-bound advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) as bioactive amino acid derivatives in foods

Summary.The Maillard reaction or nonenzymatic browning is of outstanding importance for the formation of flavour and colour of heated foods. Corresponding reactions, also referred to as “glycation”, are known from biological systems, where the formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) shall play an important pathophysiological role in diabetes and uremia. In this review, pathways leading to the formation of individual protein-bound lysine and arginine derivatives in foods are described and nutritional consequences resulting from this posttranslational modifications of food proteins are discussed.

1,2-dicarbonyl compounds in commonly consumed foods.

1,2-Dicarbonyl compounds, formed from carbohydrates during thermal processing in the course of caramelization and Maillard reactions, are intensively discussed as precursors for advanced glycation endproducts in foods and in vivo. To obtain information about the uptake of individual compounds with commonly consumed foods, a comprehensive analysis of the content of 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), 3-deoxygalactosone (3-DGal), and methylglyoxal (MGO) together with 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in 173 food items like bakery products, pasta, nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages, sweet spreads, and condiments was performed. Following suitable cleanup procedures, 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds were quantitated after derivatization with o-phenylenediamine via RP-HPLC with UV detection. 3-DG proved to be the predominant 1,2-dicarbonyl compound with concentrations up to 410 mg/L in fruit juices, 2622 mg/L in balsamic vinegars, and 385 mg/kg in cookies, thus exceeding the corresponding concentrations of HMF. 3-DGal was found to be of relevance in many foods even in the absence of galactose. MGO was only of minor quantitative importance in all foods studied, except for manuka honey. Dietary intake was estimated to range between 20 and 160 mg/day for 3-DG and 5 and 20 mg/day for MGO, respectively.

Jerusalem artichoke and chicory inulin in bakery products affect faecal microbiota of healthy volunteers.

A study was conducted to test the effects of Jerusalem artichoke inulin (JA) or chicory inulin (CH) in snack bars on composition of faecal microbiota, concentration of faecal SCFA, bowel habit and gastrointestinal symptoms. Forty-five volunteers participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. At the end of a 7 d run-in period, subjects were randomly assigned to three groups of fifteen subjects each, consuming either snack bars with CH or JA, or snack bars without fructans (placebo); for 7 d (adaptation period), they ingested one snack bar per day (7.7 g fructan/d) and continued for 14 d with two snack bars per day. The composition of the microbiota was monitored weekly. The consumption of CH or JA increased counts of bifidobacteria (+1.2 log10 in 21 d) and reduced Bacteroides/Prevotella in number and the Clostridium histolyticum/C. lituseburense group in frequency at the end of intervention (P < 0.05). No changes in concentration of faecal SCFA were observed. Consumption of snack bars resulted in a slight increase in stool frequency. Stool consistency was slightly affected in subjects consuming two snack bars containing CH or JA per day (P < 0.05). Consumption of CH or JA resulted in mild and sometimes moderate flatulence in a few subjects compared to placebo (P < 0.05). No structural differences were detected between CH and JA before and after processing. In conclusion, adaptation on increased doses of CH or JA in bakery products stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria and may contribute to the suppression of potential pathogenic bacteria.

Glycation of a food allergen by the Maillard reaction enhances its T-cell immunogenicity: Role of macrophage scavenger receptor class A type I and II

BACKGROUND The Maillard reaction occurs between reducing sugars and proteins during thermal processing of foods. It produces chemically glycated proteins termed advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The glycation structures of AGEs are suggested to function as pathogenesis-related immune epitopes in food allergy. OBJECTIVE This study aimed at defining the T-cell immunogenicity of food AGEs by using ovalbumin (OVA) as a model allergen. METHODS AGE-OVA was prepared by means of thermal processing of OVA in the presence of glucose. Activation of OVA-specific CD4(+) T cells by AGE-OVA was evaluated in cocultures with bone marrow-derived murine myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) as antigen-presenting cells. The uptake mechanisms of mDCs for AGE-OVA were investigated by using inhibitors of putative cell-surface receptors for AGEs, as well as mDCs deficient for these receptors. RESULTS Compared with the controls (native OVA and OVA thermally processed without glucose), AGE-OVA enhanced the activation of OVA-specific CD4(+) T cells on coculture with mDCs, indicating that the glycation of OVA enhanced the T-cell immunogenicity of the allergen. The mDC uptake of AGE-OVA was significantly higher than that of the controls. We identified scavenger receptor class A type I and II (SR-AI/II) as a mediator of the AGE-OVA uptake, whereas the receptor for AGEs and galectin-3 were not responsible. Importantly, the activation of OVA-specific CD4(+) T cells by AGE-OVA was attenuated on coculture with SR-AI/II-deficient mDCs. CONCLUSION SR-AI/II targets AGE-OVA to the MHC class II loading pathway in mDCs, leading to an enhanced CD4(+) T-cell activation. The Maillard reaction might thus play an important role in the T-cell immunogenicity of food allergens.

The Macrocyclic Peptide Antibiotic Micrococcin P1 Is Secreted by the Food-Borne Bacterium Staphylococcus equorum WS 2733 and Inhibits Listeria monocytogenes on Soft Cheese

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus equorum WS 2733 was found to produce a substance exhibiting a bacteriostatic effect on a variety of gram-positive bacteria. The metabolite was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation and semipreparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Electrospray mass spectrometry confirmed the high purity of the compound and revealed a molecular mass of 1,143 Da. By two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy the substance was identified as micrococcin P1 which is a macrocyclic peptide antibiotic that has not yet been reported for the genus Staphylococcus. A total of 95 out of 95Listeria strains and 130 out of 135 other gram-positive bacteria were inhibited by this substance, while none of 37 gram-negative bacteria were affected. The antilisterial potential of this food-grade strain as a protective starter culture was evaluated by its in situ application in cheese-ripening experiments under laboratory conditions. A remarkable growth reduction of Listeria monocytogenes could be achieved compared to control cheese ripened with a nonbacteriocinogenic type strain of Staphylococcus equorum. In order to prove that inhibition was due to micrococcin P1, a micrococcin-deficient mutant was constructed which did not inhibit L. monocytogenes in cheese-ripening experiments.

Transport of Free and Peptide-Bound Glycated Amino Acids: Synthesis, Transepithelial Flux at Caco-2 Cell Monolayers, and Interaction with Apical Membrane Transport Proteins

In glycation reactions, the side chains of protein‐bound nucleophilic amino acids such as lysine and arginine are post‐translationally modified to a variety of derivatives also known as Maillard reaction products (MRPs). Considerable amounts of MRPs are taken up in food. Here we have studied the interactions of free and dipeptide‐bound MRPs with intestinal transport systems. Free and dipeptide‐bound derivatives of N6‐(1‐fructosyl)lysine (FL), N6‐(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), N6‐(1‐carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), formyline, argpyrimidine, and methylglyoxal‐derived hydroimidazolone 1 (MG‐H1) were synthesized. The inhibition of L‐[3H]lysine and [14C]glycylsarcosine uptakes was measured in Caco‐2 cells which express the H+/peptide transporter PEPT1 and lysine transport system(s). Glycated amino acids always displayed lower affinities than their unmodified analogues towards the L‐[3H]lysine transporter(s). In contrast, all glycated dipeptides except Ala‐FL were medium‐ to high‐affinity inhibitors of [14C]Gly‐Sar uptake. The transepithelial flux of the derivatives across Caco‐2 cell monolayers was determined. Free amino acids and intact peptides derived from CML and CEL were translocated to very small extents. Application of peptide‐bound MRPs, however, led to elevation (up to 80‐fold) of the net flux and intracellular accumulation of glycated amino acids, which were hydrolyzed from the dipeptides inside the cells. We conclude 1) that free MRPs are not substrates for the intestinal lysine transporter(s), and 2) that dietary MRPs are absorbed into intestinal cells in the form of dipeptides, most likely by the peptide transporter PEPT1. After hydrolysis, hydrophobic glycated amino acids such as pyrraline, formyline, maltosine, and argpyrimidine undergo basolateral efflux, most likely by simple diffusion down their concentration gradients.

Glycation products in infant formulas: chemical, analytical and physiological aspects.

Infant formulas are milk-based products, which are adapted to the composition of human milk. To ensure microbiological safety and long shelf life, infant formulas usually undergo rigid heat treatment. As a consequence of the special composition and the heat regimen, infant formulas are more prone to thermally induced degradation reactions than regular milk products. Degradation reactions observed during milk processing comprise lactosylation yielding the Amadori product lactulosyllysine, the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and protein-free sugar degradation products, as well as protein or lipid oxidation. Several methods have been developed to estimate the heat impact applied during the manufacturing of infant formulas, including indirect methods such as fluorescence analysis as well as the analysis of defined reaction products. Most studies confirm a higher degree of damage in infant formulas compared to regular milk products. Differences between various types of infant formulas, such as liquid, powdered or hypoallergenic formulas depend on the analyzed markers and brands. A considerable portion of protein degradation products in infant formulas can be avoided when process parameters and the quality of the ingredients are carefully controlled. The nutritional consequences of thermal degradation products in infant formulas are largely unknown.

3-Deoxygalactosone, a “New” 1,2-Dicarbonyl Compound in Milk Products

1,2-Dicarbonyl compounds are formed in food during Maillard and caramelization reactions. 3-Deoxy-D-threo-hexos-2-ulose (3-deoxygalactosone, 3-DGal) and galactosone, two 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds originating from the degradation of galactose, were synthesized and converted to the respective quinoxalines, which were characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Analytical separation of the quinoxalines from the epimeric glucose-derived quinoxalines of 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG) and glucosone was achieved by RP-HPLC on an RP-phenyl column. This method was used to study the relevance of galactose-derived 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds in a variety of foods. 3-DG and 3-DGal were quantified besides 3-deoxypentosone, methylglyoxal, and glyoxal after derivatization with o-phenylenediamine in lactose-hydrolyzed UHT milk, ranging from 2.5 to 18 mg/L and from 2.0 to 11 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of both compounds tended to be higher in other lactose-hydrolyzed food items as well. During storage of lactose-hydrolyzed milk, the concentrations of the 3-deoxyhexosones first increased, but especially the concentration of 3-DGal tended to decrease on prolonged storage, pointing to lower stability of the compound. 3-DGal was also detected in galactose-free food items such as apple juice and beer. The possible formation of 3-DGal from 3-DG by 3,4-dideoxyglucosone-3-ene as an intermediate is discussed. Compared to the relatively high concentrations of 3-DG and 3-DGal, 3-deoxypentosone, methylglyoxal, and glyoxal were of only minor quantitative importance in all foods studied.

Structural proteins and DNA characteristics of 14 Listeria typing bacteriophages

The major structural proteins of 13 temperate and one virulent Listeria typing bacteriophages were analysed and compared using isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients (IPG), ultrathin-layer two-dimensional electrophoresis, amino acid analysis and N-terminal amino acid sequences of selected proteins. Isoelectric points for major capsid and tail proteins of the 12 members of the siphoviridae family included in this study ranged from 4.70 to 5.92, whereas one of the two myoviridae investigated (B054) showed structural proteins in the 6.1 to 6.3 range. In comparison to protein profiles from one-dimensional SDS gels, the IPG technique gave better resolution and improved discrimination of phage proteins. Combination of this technique and SDS gel electrophoresis made it possible to correlate M(r) and isoelectric points of major structural proteins. Tail polypeptides of all siphoviridae are smaller and, with one exception, more acidic than their corresponding capsid counterparts. We also determined the amino acid composition of capsid and tail proteins. When compared with an average protein, they were found to be fairly rich in acidic and short-chain hydrophobic amino acids, as well as in lysine. In addition, the N-terminal amino acid sequences of major capsid and tail proteins of four representative listeriaphages were compared. The base composition of listeriaphage DNAs was between 37% and 39% G + C, reflecting that of their bacterial hosts. Each phage had a distinct restriction endonuclease pattern, and genome sizes ranged from 35 to 116 kb. DNA-DNA hybridization permitted the identification of five DNA homology groups. The two myoviruses studied (A511 and B054) showed no DNA homology to other phages, confirming their unique nature. The 12 siphoviruses were classified into three DNA homology groups with little cross-homology. Furthermore, phage A006 was found to share little DNA homology with the other investigated members of species 2671. Therefore, a new species (A006) is proposed. With respect to phage classification and taxonomy, a good correlation between the various approaches was observed, mostly corresponding to particle morphology.