title: Leaf protein from ammonia-treated dwarf elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum cv. Mott).
abstract: Proteins can be an excellent byproduct of the biorefining of lignocellulosic materials. In this work, extraction conditions for the white leaf proteins (cytoplasmic) of ammonia-treated dwarf elephant grass were established to obtain a protein juice suitable for the production of leaf protein concentrates. A calcium hydroxide solution was used as extracting agent, at several solid-liquid ratios, pHs, temperatures, and times. Extractions were carried out in Erlenmeyer flasks containing 5 g (dry basis) of forage with constant agitation (100 rpm). The soluble protein content was determined by the Lowry method. Optimal extraction conditions for the ammonia-treated forage were 12.60 pH, 1:10 solid-liquid ratio, 90 degrees C, and 30 min extraction time, resulting in 52.65% extraction yield. The ammonia treatment significantly increased (p<0.05) the release of proteins from the fibrous matrix, facilitating their extraction.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Alimentos, Departamento de Química, Facultad Experimental de Ciencias, Universidad del Zulia, Av. Universidad, Grano de Oro. Módulo 2. Maracaibo, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Lauris
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Urribarrí
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colina
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000737:chemistry*; D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D031782:Pennisetum / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D010940:Plant Proteins; D000641:Ammonia