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- Title
Biochemical properties of thiaminase, a toxic enzyme in the gut of grasshoppers (Zonocerus variegatus Linn).
- Authors
Ehigie, Leonard O.; Okonji, Raphael E.; Ehigie, Folashade A.
- Abstract
The variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus (Linn) (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) is eaten mostly in the South western region of Nigeria. Thiaminase is a toxic enzyme present in some foods. The activity of thiaminase in the gut of Zonocerus variegatus is described. The enzyme was isolated using DEAE- Cellulose ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration on Biogel P-100. The enzyme had a specific activity of 7.9 unit per milligram of protein. The enzyme exhibited a maximal activity at pH 8.0 and Km of 5 and 25 μM for thiamine and aniline respectively. The substrate specificity showed that the thiaminase from Z. variegatus was specific for thiamine and aniline as substrates. The optimum temperature of Z. variegatus thiaminase was 50oC. The native molecular weight of the enzyme as determined by gel filtration was 102,000. The amino acids markedly enhanced the activity of the enzyme. The enzyme was activated by Mn2+, Ni2+ and Hg2+ but inhibited by Na+, NH4 +, Co2+ and Zn2+. 2-mercaptoethanol and 6-amino hexanoic acid completely inhibited the thiaminase. Z. variegatus should be prepared using extensive and prolong cooking to avoid suffering from thiamine deficiency.
- Subjects
THIAMINASES; VARIEGATED grasshopper; ION exchange chromatography
- Publication
Cameroon Journal of Experimental Biology, 2013, Vol 9, Issue 1, p9
- ISSN
1816-0573
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.4314/cajeb.v9i1.2