In vitro evaluation of new functional properties of poly-γ-glutamic acid produced by Bacillus subtilis D7

• Published in: Saudi journal of biological sciences Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 153 - 158
• Main Authors: Lee, Na-Ri, Go, Tae-Hun, Lee, Sang-Mee, Jeong, Seong-Yun, Park, Geun-Tae, Hong, Chang-Oh, Son, Hong-Joo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Saudi Arabia Elsevier B.V 01-04-2014
• Subjects: ACE inhibition activity; Antimicrobial activity; Moisturizing effect; Original; Poly-γ-glutamic acid; Moisturizing effect; ACE inhibition activity; Antimicrobial activity; Poly-γ-glutamic acid
• ISSN: 1319-562X; 2213-7106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2013.09.004

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 1.25mg/l of γ-PGA. IC50 (0.108mg/ml) of the γ-PGA was lower than that of standard ACE inhibitory drug, N-[(S)-mercapto-2-methylpropionyl]-L-proline (0.247mg/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.