Monitoring Technology for Gamma-Aminobutyric acid Production in Polished Mochi Barley Grains using a Carbon Dioxide Sensor.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has many biological functions, including the inhibition of blood pressure increases and acceleration of growth hormone secretion. In this study, we discovered the utility of measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) dissolved in the reaction solution, for development of a real-time and convenient technique to estimate GABA production. In addition to mochi barley bran, we examined the polished grains of three species: mochi barley (a variant of hulless barley), barley, and Japanese millet, all soaked in l-glutamic acid (l-Glu) solution at pH 4.5. We found a positive correlation between GABA and CO2 concentrations, and the production of CO2 was suppressed in the absence of l-Glu at pH 4.5. These results suggest that GABA content can be easily predicted by measuring the aqueous CO2 content using a CO2 sensor, during the process of GABA production in polished mochi barley grains and bran.
Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime Univ, Tarumi 3-5-7, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8566, Japan.
Yasuo
Y
Watanabe
Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime Univ, Tarumi 3-5-7, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8566, Japan.
Kohki
K
Kawata
Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime Univ, Tarumi 3-5-7, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8566, Japan.
Seiya
S
Watanabe
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005502:Food; D005524:Food Technology / Q000379:methods; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D001467:Hordeum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry*
D000596:Amino Acids; D014867:Water; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
CO2 sensor; carbon dioxide (CO2); gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA); glutamate decarboxylase; mochi barley