ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Preliminary assessment for the synthesis of lignin-type molecules using crude onion peroxidase

Laurentiu M. Palade, Constantin Croitoru, and Anis Arnous

National Institute for Research and Development in Animal Biology and Nutrition, Balotesti, Romania

E-mail: c.croitoru@sodinal.com

Abstract: The aim of the study concerned the production of lignan-type molecules using inexpensive unpurified peroxidase from onion bulbs. The crude peroxidase (POD) extracted from onion bulbs is an inexpensive tool for the synthesis of fine chemicals as well as converting food industry waste materials into high added-value bio-products. The experiments were focusing on the ability of a crude onion POD preparation to act as a biocatalyst for the oxidative dimerization–cyclization of hydroxycinnamic acids and their methyl esters. The favorable conditions (pH and temperature) of the enzymatic reaction have been assayed using response surface methodology (RSM). Subsequently, a kinetics assay has been performed to distinguish the affinity of the enzyme towards the different substrates. The results indicated a strong substrate specificity toward methyl ferulate. Nevertheless, these findings on the ability of crude POD extract to generate dehydrodimers merit additional investigation and should be regarded as a preliminary assessment.

Keywords: Food waste ; Onion peroxidase ; Hydroxycinnamates ; Optimization ; Response surface methodology 

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-018-0651-z

Chemical Papers 73 (4) 801–810 (2019)