Characterization of Vicia (Fabaceae) seed water extracts with potential immunomodulatory and cell antiproliferative activities

AbstractVicia seeds represent an underutilized source of nutritional and functional components. Besides being rich in proteins, they are also rich in polyphenols, free amino acids, and lectins. These components are enriched in a by ‐product of the production of protein isolates, a pH 4 soluble extract. Extracts from sixVicia have been analyzed, and NO radical scavenging and antiproliferative activities have been determined. Canavanine was the main free amino acid, while gallic acid derivatives were the most abundant of polyphenols. Fractionation of the extracts by ultrafiltration rendered a lectin ‐free fraction that exhibited nitric oxide radical scavenging activity. Based on this activity, and in the presence of high levels of polyphenols and canavanine that are inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase, it is proposed that these extracts may have an immunomodulatory effect. In additi on, some extracts inhibited proliferation of cancerous Caco‐2 cells, further supporting the potential ofVicia extracts as functional components.Practical applicationsDuring the production of Vicia protein isolates an aqueous soluble fraction, considered a by ‐product, is generated which is rich in polar polyphenols, free amino acids, and water soluble proteins that are of interest from a functional point of view. In sixVicia species this aqueous fraction showed NO radical scavenging and cell antiproliferative activity. Hence, these fractions usually considered as a by ‐product, c...
Source: Journal of Food Biochemistry - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: FULL ARTICLE Source Type: research