Pineapple is a well-known reservoir of proteases. Treatment of silk skeins with pineapple juice resulted in degumming of the fibers leading to unmasking of the lustrous inner layer. The juice obtained from raw pineapple was subjected to concentration by saturation with 85% ammonium sulfate. The proteolytic activity of the juice as well as the concentrate was found to effectively degum the skein. The proteases were optimally active at pH 6.6, and 50-55 C. Treatment of the skein with 5U of proteolytic activity at 50 C and pH 6.6 for 120min resulted in weight loss to an extent of 17-18.5%. Release of peptides and amino acids, arginine, histidine and aromatic amino acids was monitored during the process of degumming. The rate of release of peptides and amino acids was relatively higher till 90-120min, reducing thereafter. The enzymatically degummed skeins were found to be more lustrous in comparison to untreated skeins. Conventionally, raw silk skeins are chemically treated to impart luster to the fiber. Enzymatically degummed fibers displayed smoother texture and improved stretch ability in comparison to chemically decoated skeins. Use of pineapple in silk manufacture may boost the agronomy in tropical regions where it is grown extensively.
Liver cells (HepG2) were treated with well known toxic aromatic hydrocarbons 1-Naphthol and Dibenz[a,h]anthracene. Naphthol at 20-40µg/ml affected significant increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species in the cells.. Reactive nitrogen intermediates increased to an extent of 2.4 to 3.8 fold in cells treated with naphthol over a range of 20-80 µg/ml. Expression of antioxidant enzyme Glutathione peroxidase was found to increase two fold, while catalase expression was found to decrease by 21% on exposure to 1-Naphthol. Dibenz[a,h]anthracene did not affect discernible changes in the expression of these enzymes Induction of CYP1A1 mRNA by Naphthol at 60µg/ml was around 45 fold higher than untreated cells. Dibenz anthracene at a dose of 5µg/ml was found to be a potent inducer of CYP1A1 as it elevated expression of CYP1A1 mRNA to an extent of 350 fold. . Naphthol exhibited lipogenic potential in HepG2 cells. Concommitant increase in Sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c was observed.
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