title: Fungal biodegradation of pomegranate ellagitannins.
abstract: Ellagitannins (ETs) are phytochemicals derived from secondary metabolism associated to defense system, with complex chemical structures, which have high participation during all stages of protection against microbial infection. In this study, we report the fungal biodegradation of a bioactive ET, named punicaline which was recovered and purified from pomegranate peels and used as carbon source in solid-state culture (SSC) using polyurethane as solid support. SSC was kinetically monitored during 36 h of incubation time. ETs and glycosides consumption were spectrophotometrically determined. Ellagic acid (EA) accumulation was analyzed by HPLC. Several enzymatic activities were assayed (cellulase, xylanase, β-glucosydase, polyphenoloxidase, tannase, and ET hydrolyzing activities). The consumption levels of ETs and glycosides were 66 and 40%, while EA accumulation reached 42.02 mg g(-1). A differential pattern of enzymatic activities was found; evidence from our studies suggests that the ET hydrolyzing activity is directly associated to EA accumulation, and production of this enzyme may represent the most critical step to successfully develop a bioprocess for production of an important bioactive compound, the EA.
authors.affiliation: Food Research Department, School of Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo 25280, Coahuila, México.
authors.forename: Juan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ascacio-Valdés
authors.forename: José J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Buenrostro
authors.forename: Reynaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De la Cruz
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sepúlveda
authors.forename: Antonio F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Aguilera
authors.forename: Arely
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prado
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Contreras
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Cristóbal N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Aguilar
mesh_terms: D001234:Aspergillus niger / Q000201:enzymology*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004610:Ellagic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D011140:Polyurethanes
chemical_list: D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; D011140:Polyurethanes; D004610:Ellagic Acid; C115643:punicalin
keywords: Aspergillus niger; Biodegradation; Ellagitannin; Solid-state culture