Release of Allyl Isothiocyanate from Mustard Seed Meal Powder

Abstract

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a wide-spectrum antimicrobial compound found in mustard seeds, produced when their tissues are disrupted. The formation of AITC in mustard seed is mediated by the myrosinase enzyme which catalyzes the release of volatile AITC from a glucosinolate-sinigrin. Since water is a substrate in the reaction, humidity from the air can be used to activate the release of AITC from mustard seed. In this study, defatted and partially defatted mustard seed meals were ground into powders with particle size ranging from 5 to 300 μm. The mustard seed meal powder (MSMP) samples were enclosed within hermetically sealed glass jars wherein the headspace air was adjusted to 85% or 100% relative humidity at 5, 20, or 35 °C. Data from gas chromatography analysis showed that AITC release rate and amount increased with increasing relative humidity and temperature. Moreover, the release rate can be manipulated by particle size and lipid content of the MSMP samples. The amount of AITC released ranged from 2 to 17 mg/g MSMP within 24 h under the experimental conditions tested. In view of the antimicrobial properties of AITC, the mustard meal powder may be used as a natural antimicrobial material for extending the shelf life of food products.

Sinigrin and sinalbin quantification in mustard seed using high performance liquid chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry

“…When glucosinolates are hydrolyzed by the endogenous enzyme myrosinase (thioglucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.147), a number of biologically active compounds are formed (Brown and Morra, 1997;Rosa et al, 1997). These glucosinolate hydrolysis products impart flavors to foods (D'Antuono et al, 2009), function as anticarcinogens in human nutrition (Hayes et al, 2008), or can be used as broad-spectrum antimicrobials to extend the shelf life of various food products (Dai and Lim, 2014).…”

Antibacterial poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films grafted with electrospun PLA/allyl isothiocyanate fibers for food packaging

“…Our previous studies demonstrated that AITC coated onto biodegradable composite films exhibited strong antimicrobial activities against food‐borne pathogens, such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes . Other studies also showed that AITC is an effective inhibitor of various pathogens in food . This study provides a new approach demonstrating use of electrospun PLA/AITC fibers‐grafted PLA films as a new type of active packaging materials for food packaging via delivering gaseous antimicrobials.…”

“…Besides film forming, PLA is suitable for electrospinning fibers of nano or submicron sizes. The successful production of PLA fibers with AITC and other bioactives incorporated has been reported . The preincorporated active substances release at faster rates from PLA fibers than PLA films or sheets, and the release is more sensitive to environmental stimuli, such as temperature and humidity, which can be attributed to the huge surface areas that per unit PLA fibers provide, in comparison with the same amount of PLA in films or sheets.…”

Enzymes for food-packaging applications

“…Myrosinase Mustard seed meal powder Naturally present in mustard tissue Dai and Lim (2014) The lysozyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of glycosides is believed to proceed through the formation of a covalent enzyme-substrate intermediate (Vocadlo et al, 2001). This enzyme has been widely used as a bacteriocidal agent in food (Parkin, 2008).…”

“…Using the natural matrix of mustard meal powder, Dai and Lim (2014) exploited this enzymatic reaction for the controlled release of AITC (Figure 8.3). Using the natural matrix of mustard meal powder, Dai and Lim (2014) exploited this enzymatic reaction for the controlled release of AITC (Figure 8.3).…”