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. 2014 Apr;21(2):153-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2013.09.004. Epub 2013 Sep 17.

In vitro evaluation of new functional properties of poly-γ-glutamic acid produced by Bacillus subtilis D7

Na-Ri Lee  1 , Tae-Hun Go  1 , Sang-Mee Lee  1 , Seong-Yun Jeong  2 , Geun-Tae Park  3 , Chang-Oh Hong  1 , Hong-Joo Son  1
Affiliations

In vitro evaluation of new functional properties of poly-γ-glutamic acid produced by Bacillus subtilis D7

Na-Ri Lee et al. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2014 Apr.

Abstract

We investigated the functionality of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA), which is produced by Bacillus subtilis D7, for its potential applications in medicine and cosmetics. The γ-PGA had angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition activity. ACE inhibition activity was dependent on the γ-PGA concentration; the highest ACE inhibition activity was observed at 1.25 mg/l of γ-PGA. IC50 (0.108 mg/ml) of the γ-PGA was lower than that of standard ACE inhibitory drug, N-[(S)-mercapto-2-methylpropionyl]-L-proline (0.247 mg/ml). The γ-PGA also had water-holding capacity and hygroscopicity. Furthermore, the γ-PGA inhibited growth of some pathogenic bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Esherichia coli. The γ-PGA exhibited a good metal adsorption capacity; Cr (VI) adsorption capacity of γ-PGA increased with decreasing pH, and the maximal adsorption was observed at pH 2. Our results suggest that γ-PGA may be expected to be widely applied in cosmetics, biomedical and environmental industries with the feature of being less harmful to humans and the environment.

Keywords: ACE inhibition activity; Antimicrobial activity; Moisturizing effect; Poly-γ-glutamic acid.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Time courses of γ-PGA production and cell growth by Bacillus subtilis D7 in the medium. Error bars (±S.D.) are shown when larger than the symbol. ● Cell growth and ○ PGA.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition activity of γ-PGA and Captopril. Error bars (±S.D.) are shown when larger than the symbol.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Hygroscopicity of γ-PGA and glycerol at 30 °C and 90% relative humidity. Error bars (±S.D.) are shown when larger than the symbol. ● PGA and ○ glycerol.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Water-holding capacity of γ-PGA. Error bars (±S.D.) are shown when larger than the symbol.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Influence of pH and γ-PGA concentration on Cr (VI) adsorption. Error bars (±S.D.) are shown when larger than the symbol. ● Cr adsorbed and ○ removal efficiency.
None
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