Y. S. Rajput

Assessing the adhesion of putative indigenous probiotic lactobacilli to human colonic epithelial cells.

Background & objectives: Adherence of bacteria to epithelial cells and mucosal surfaces is a key criterion for selection of probiotic. We assessed the adhesion property of selected indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus strains based on their hydrophobicity and ability to adhere to human epithelial cells. Methods: Five human faecal Lactobacillus isolates, one from buffalo milk and one from cheese were assessed for hydrophobicity following the microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) method and colonization potentials based on their adherence to Caco2 and HT-29 colonic adenocarcinomal human intestinal epithelial cell lines. Lactobacillus strains that adhered to Caco2 and HT-29 cell lines were quantified by plating after trypsinization and simultaneously the adhered bacteria were also examined microscopically after staining with Geimsa stain and counted in different fields. Results: Among the tested faecal isolates, L. plantarum Lp91 showed maximum percentage hydrophobicity (35.73±0.40 for n-hexadecane and 34.26±0.63 for toluene) closely followed by L. plantarum Lp9 (35.53±0.29 for n-hexadecane and 33.00±0.57 for toluene). Based on direct adhesion to epithelial cells, L. plantarum Lp91 was the most adhesive strain to HT-29 and Caco2 cell lines with per cent adhesion values of 12.8 ± 1.56 and 10.2 ± 1.09, respectively. L. delbrukeii CH4, was the least adhesive with corresponding figures of 2.5 ± 0.37 and 2.6 ± 0.20 per cent on HT-29 and Caco2 cell lines. Adhesion of the six isolated Lactobacillus strain to HT-29 cell and Caco2 lines as recorded under microscope varied between 131.0 ± 13.9 (Lp75) to 342.7 ± 50.52 (Lp91) and 44.7 ± 9.29 (CH4) to 315.7± 35.4 (Lp91), respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: Two Indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus strains (Lp9, Lp91) demonstrated their ability to adhere to epithelial cell and exhibited strong hydrophobicity under in vitro conditions, and thus could have better prospects to colonize the gut with extended transit

Chemical and functional properties of glycomacropeptide (GMP) and its role in the detection of cheese whey adulteration in milk: a review

Glycomacropeptide (GMP) is a C-terminal part (f 106–169) of kappa-casein which is released in whey during cheese making by the action of chymosin. GMP being a biologically active component has gained much attention in the past decade. It also has unique chemical and functional properties. Many of the biological properties have been ascribed to the carbohydrate moieties attached to the peptide. The unique set of amino acids in GMP makes it a sought-after ingredient with nutraceutical properties. Besides its biological activity, GMP has several interesting techno-functional properties such as wide pH range solubility, emulsifying properties as well as foaming abilities which are shown to be promising for applications in food and nutrition industry. These properties of GMP have given new dimension for the profitable utilization of cheese whey to the dairy industry. A number of protocols for isolation of GMP from cheese whey have been reported. Moreover, its role in detection of sweet/rennet whey adulteration in milk and milk products has also attracted attention of various researchers, and many GMP-specific analytical methods have been proposed. This review discusses the chemico-functional properties of GMP and its role in the detection methods for checking cheese or sweet whey adulteration in milk. Recent concepts used in the isolation of GMP from cheese whey have also been discussed.摘要糖巨肽 (GMP) 是由κ-酪蛋白的C-末端部分 (f106-69)构成的一种多肽,是在凝乳酶的作用下从干酪制作过程中的乳清中释放出来。过去十年来,糖巨肽作为一种生物活性成分,引起了人们广泛的关注。它有其独特的化学和功能特性。GMP 的大多数生物特性应归因于与肽连接的糖基。GMP 中独特的氨基酸组成使它作为保健食品很受欢迎。GMP 除了具有生物活性外,它还具有使人们感兴趣的加工特性,如较广 pH 范围的溶解性、乳化性和起泡性,这些特性使GMP在食品和营养方面有较广阔的应用前景。GMP 的这些特性给人们一种全新的思维,那就是将干酪乳清合理的运用于乳制品工业中。很多关于从干酪乳清中分离GMP的实验方案和计划被报道。然而, GMP 在检测奶中甜乳清/凝乳乳清掺假方面的作用也引起了很多研究工作者的广泛关注,提出了很多分析 GMP 的具体方法。本综述讨论了 GMP 的化学和功能特性以及在干酪和甜乳清掺假中的作用,探讨了近期从干酪乳清中分离 GMP 的新的想法。

Synthesis and application of cephalexin imprinted polymer for solid phase extraction in milk

Molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) against cephalexin was synthesized by co-polymerization of functional monomer, cross-linker, radical initiator, along with target molecule (cephalexin) in a porogenic material. Binding of cephalexin towards prepared MIP was studied in different solvents (water, methanol, 1M NaCl, acetone and acetonitrile) and best binding was observed in methanol. Partition coefficient and selectivity of prepared imprint and non-imprint was also studied. Cross reactivity in terms of binding efficiency was also assessed with other antibiotics. Chromatographic study of MIP was carried out by packing prepared imprint into glass column. MIP was used as matrix in solid phase extraction (SPE) for recovery of cephalexin from spiked milk samples for further estimation by high performance liquid chromatography. No interference was observed from milk components after elution of cephalexin from MIP, indicating selectivity and affinity of MIP. On the other hand, interference was observed in eluate obtained from C18 SPE column.

Selection of aptamers for aflatoxin M1 and their characterization.

In the present work, aptamers against aflatoxin M1 and aflatoxin B1 were generated and tested for creating proof of principle of recognition of aflatoxin M1 by generated aptamers. The aptamers were selected through the process referred as systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment. A total of 41 different aptamer (36 aptamers for aflatoxin M1 and 5 for aflatoxin B1) sequences were obtained. The determination of dissociation constant (Kd) values revealed that aptamers generated against aflatoxin M1 exhibited Kd values in the range of 35–1515 nM. Selected aptamers were grouped on the basis of the presence of common motifs or G‐quadruplex. We find it interesting that one aptamer with no conserved motif or G‐quadruplex had lowest Kd value (Kd = 35 nM). This structural motif is very distinct from motifs present in other aptamers. The Kd values of selected aptamers for aflatoxin B1 were in the range of 96–221 nM. One aptamer from each group was further tested for its ability to be used in aptasensor. The aptamer recognized aflatoxin M1 as indicated by color change (red to purple or blue) of aptamer‐coated gold nanoparticles in the presence of 250–500 nM aflatoxin M1. The aptamers can be used in developing methods for detection/estimation/separation of aflatoxin or antidote for aflatoxin toxicity. Copyright

A method for estimation of urea using ammonia electrode and its applicability to milk samples.

A method for the estimation of urea in milk using ammonia electrode is described. Urea is first degraded by urease enzyme into ammonium ion and carbon dioxide at neutral pH. The ammonium ion is then converted into ammonia at alkaline pH. A linear inverse relationship was observed between logarithmic concentration of ammonia or urea and electrode response. Repeatability, expressed as a coefficient of variation, was 1.77% at a level of 8.92 mm-urea in milk. The method was validated in milk samples spiked with between 2 x 10-3 and 10 x 10-3 m-urea and recovery of added urea was quantitative. Whereas, preservative sodium azide at 0.5 g/l or 2 g/l level did not affect results, lower values of urea concentration in presence of Bronopol at 0.5 g/l were observed. Urea levels in milk samples estimated by this method were comparable to standard enzymatic method. The method is simple, fast and is not prone to interference from other milk constituents.

Rapid screening test for detection of oxytetracycline residues in milk using lateral flow assay.

A rapid, semi-quantitative lateral flow assay (LFA) was developed to screen the oxytetracycline (OTC) antibiotics residues in milk samples. In this study a competitive immuno-assay format was established. Colloidal gold nano-particles (GNP) were prepared and used as labelling material in LFA. Polyclonal antibodies were generated against OTC molecule (anti-OTC), purified and the quality was assessed by enzyme linked immuno sorbet assay. For the first time membrane components required for LFA in milk system was optimized. GNP and anti-OTC stable conjugate preparation method was standardized, and then these components were placed over the conjugate pad. OTC coupled with carrier protein was placed on test line; species specific secondary antibodies were placed on the control line of the membrane matrix. Assay was validated by spiking OTC to antibiotic free milk samples and results could be accomplished within 5min. without need of any equipment. The visual detection limit was 30ppb.

Increased membrane surface positive charge and altered membrane fluidity leads to cationic antimicrobial peptide resistance in Enterococcus faecalis.

To understand the role of cell membrane phospholipids during resistance development to cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) in Enterococcus faecalis, gradual dose-dependent single exposure pediocin-resistant (Pedr) mutants of E. faecalis (Efv2.1, Efv3.1, Efv3.2, Efv4.1, Efv4.2, Efv5.1, Efv5.2 and Efv5.3), conferring simultaneous resistance to other CAMPs, selected in previous study were characterized for cell membrane phospholipid head-groups and fatty acid composition. The involvement of phospholipids in resistance acquisition was confirmed by in vitro colorimetric assay using PDA (polydiacetylene)-biomimetic membranes. Estimation of ratio of amino-containing phospholipids to amino-lacking phospholipids suggests that phospholipids in cell membrane of Pedr mutants loose anionic character. At moderate level of resistance, the cell-membrane becomes neutralized while at further higher level of resistance, the cell-surface acquired positive charge. Increased expression of mprF gene (responsible for lysinylation of phospholipids) was also observed on acquiring resistance to pediocin in PedrE. faecalis. Decreased level of branched chain fatty acids in Pedr mutants might have contributed in enhancing rigidification of cell membrane and contributing towards resistance. The interaction of pediocin with PDA-biomimetic membranes prepared from wild-type and Pedr mutants was monitored by measuring percent colorimetric response (%CR). Increased %CR of pediocin against PDA-biomimetic membranes prepared from Pedr mutants confirmed that cell membrane phospholipids are involved in the interactions of pore formation by CAMPs. There was a direct linear relationship between percent colorimetric response and IC50 of CAMPs for wild-type and Pedr mutants. This relationship further reveals that in vitro colorimetric assay can be used effectively for quantification of resistance to CAMPs.

Synthesis and Application of Tetracycline Imprinted Polymer

Molecular imprinted polymer was synthesized by polymerization of methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in presence of tetracycline. The prepared polymer exhibited selectivity of 1.8 to 3.9 over non-imprinted polymer depending on nature of solvent. In water, 3.45 mg of tetracycline bind to 1 g of imprinted polymer. Non-covalent interactions between tetracycline and polymer provided selectivity to imprinted polymer. The polymer was evaluated in column chromatography and the bound tetracycline can be eluted with acetonitrile. Ciprofloxacin interacted with imprinted polymer, whereas amoxicillin did not. The feasibility of using MIP for concentrating tetracycline from milk has been demonstrated.

Aptamer-Based Sensing of β-Casomorphin-7

β-Casomorphin-7 (BCM-7), a seven amino acid peptide, is released during digestion of β-casein A1 variant of milk which is speculated to be associated with certain diseases. Fifteen ssDNA aptamers having high affinity toward BCM-7 were identified from a 72 nt long random library after ten rounds of systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment. Dissociation constant values of selected aptamers were in the range of 7.7-156.7 nM. Seq6 aptamer exhibited the lowest Kd value. Nine aptamers were evaluated for their binding toward BCM-7, BCM-9A1, and BCM-9A2 peptides, and binding was variable. SeqU5 exhibited the lowest binding with BCM-9A1 and BCM-9A2. Aptamer-coated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) resulted in color change of GNPs in the presence of BCM-7, thereby establishing recognition of BCM-7 by aptamers. The enzyme-linked aptamer-sorbent assay (ELASA) was evaluated as an assay of BCM-7 in biological fluids. BCM-7-peroxidase competed with BCM-7 in ELASA, performed with BCM-7 solution and BCM-7 spiked urine pretreated with urease, plasma, and β-casein digest samples.

Gradual pediocin PA-1 resistance in Enterococcus faecalis confers cross-protection to diverse pore-forming cationic antimicrobial peptides displaying changes in cell wall and mannose PTS expression

Due to innate and acquired resistance in Enterococcus faecalis against most antibiotics, identification of new alternatives has increased interest in diverse populations of potent cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) for treatment and natural food biopreservation. The CAMPs, after crossing the cell wall to the periplasmic space, kill their target strain by forming pores in the cell membrane. However, reports of resistance against these CAMPs necessitated the understanding of step(s) interfered with while acquiring this resistance, for designing effective CAMP analogs. In this direction, we selected stable and gradual dose-dependent pediocin PA-1 single exposure resistant (Pedr) mutants of E. faecalis, which conferred cross-protection to diverse CAMPs, viz., HNP-1, nisin and alamethicin but not to polymyxin B, lysozyme and vancomycin. With these Pedr mutants of E. faecalis there was: a gradual neutralization in cell wall surface charge involving D-alanylation of wall teichoic acids (WTA) and lipoteichoic acids (LTA), increase in cell-surface hydrophobicity, increased cell aggregation and biofilm formation and ultra-structural changes in the cell wall, and a reduction of periplasmic space. In addition, a gradual decrease in expression of mannose PTS two (mpt) operon was also observed with distinct changes in growth rate achieving the same biomass production during the stationary phase. These results show that resistance to these CAMPs is not due to mpt directly acting as a docking molecule but due to changes in the cell wall, which increased the permeability barrier to CAMPs diffusion to reach the periplasmic space.