title: In vitro evaluation of new functional properties of poly-γ-glutamic acid produced by Bacillus subtilis D7.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science and Environmental Biochemistry, Life and Industry Convergence Institute, Pusan National University, Miryang 627-706, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Na-Ri
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science and Environmental Biochemistry, Life and Industry Convergence Institute, Pusan National University, Miryang 627-706, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Hun
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Go
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science and Environmental Biochemistry, Life and Industry Convergence Institute, Pusan National University, Miryang 627-706, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Mee
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Life Science, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu 712-784, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Yun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Research and University-Industry Cooperation, Pusan National University, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Geun-Tae
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science and Environmental Biochemistry, Life and Industry Convergence Institute, Pusan National University, Miryang 627-706, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Oh
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science and Environmental Biochemistry, Life and Industry Convergence Institute, Pusan National University, Miryang 627-706, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hong-Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Son
keywords: ACE inhibition activity; Antimicrobial activity; Moisturizing effect; Poly-γ-glutamic acid