A Proteinaceous Alpha-Amylase Inhibitor from Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract: Purification, Characterization, and
Aida Karray1, Mona Alonazi2, Raida Jallouli3
1Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Génie Enzymatique des Lipases, ENIS Route de Soukra, Université de Sfax-Tunisia, Sfax 3038, Tunisia.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 9, 2022
Summary
Moringa oleifera yields a potent alpha-amylase inhibitor (αAI.Mol) with antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. This purified inhibitor shows high efficacy against various amylases and bacterial strains, impacting insect larvae survival.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Protein Chemistry
- Enzymology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Moringa oleifera is a plant with diverse bioactive compounds.
- Alpha-amylase inhibitors play crucial roles in regulating carbohydrate metabolism and have potential applications as pesticides and antimicrobials.
- Characterization of plant-derived enzyme inhibitors is essential for exploring their therapeutic and agricultural potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extract, purify, and enzymatically characterize a proteinaceous alpha-amylase inhibitor from Moringa oleifera.
- To investigate the antimicrobial potential and insecticidal effects of the purified inhibitor against Callosobruchus maculatus larvae.
- To determine the biochemical properties, including pH and thermal stability, and kinetic parameters of the inhibitor.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of the alpha-amylase inhibitor using methanol.
- Purification through heat treatment and Sephadex G-50 chromatography.
- Enzymatic characterization, including determination of molecular weight, N-terminal sequencing, pH/thermal stability, kinetic parameters, antimicrobial activity (MIC), and insecticidal effects.
Main Results:
- A potent alpha-amylase inhibitor, designated αAI.Mol, was successfully extracted and purified, with a molecular weight of 25 kDa.
- αAI.Mol demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against human salivary α-amylase (90%) and insect α-amylases from Callosobruchus maculatus (71%) and Tribolium confusum (61%).
- The inhibitor exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and significantly affected the survival and pupation rates of Callosobruchus maculatus larvae.
Conclusions:
- The purified Moringa oleifera alpha-amylase inhibitor (αAI.Mol) is a potent enzyme inhibitor with promising antimicrobial and insecticidal activities.
- Its stability across a wide pH range and moderate thermal stability suggest potential for diverse applications.
- αAI.Mol represents a valuable natural product for potential use in pest control and as a therapeutic agent.
