Partial Characterization of Lipase From Cocoa Bean
Partial Characterization of Lipase From Cocoa Bean
Partial Characterization of Lipase From Cocoa Bean
ABSTRACT
A study was carried out to characterize the cocoa lipase from cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao, L.) of clone
PBC 159. The optimum temperature of cocoa lipase was 30-40 °C and the pH optimum was 7.0-8.0. The moleculer
weight of the lipase enzyme was in between 45-66 kDa. The results indicate that Km value for cocoa bean lipase was
2.63 mM, when trimyristin was used as a substrate. The incubation of cocoa bean lipase with triolein and tributyrin
(as substrate) yielded Km of 11.24 and 35.71 mM, respectively. The Vmax value obtained from the incubation of the
lipase with a wide range of substrates, including tributyrin, trimyristin and triolein, are expressed as µmole
acid/min/mg protein for cocoa lipase. Vmax values decreased with the increase in the triacylglycerol chain-length, with
Vmax values of 27.78, 13.16 and 11.63 µmole acid/min/mg protein when incubated with tributyrin, trimyristin and
triolein, respectively. Inhibition of lipase occurred in the presence of diisopropyl flourophosphate, N-
bromosuccinimide and 5,5-dithiobis-(-2-nitrobenzoic acid).
the age of 160 days (400 pods per clone), and then and 80-100% ammonium sulphate. The precipitate was
within a day transported to the Department of separated by centrifugation at 10,000 rpm, 40 °C for 10
Biochemistry and Microbiology, Putra Malaysia min and resuspended in a minimal volume of 20 mM
University, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.8), before dialysed
against 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) at 40
Instrumentation °C. The dialysing medium was changed twice every 24
hours. The suspension was then lyophilised and stored
Thermolyne Maxi Mix II Vortex, Haake SWB 20 at -20 °C before use.
Shaker Water-bath. UV/VIS Spectrophotometer Pye-
Unicam Model 8625. Determination of Specific Lipase Activity
Assay of Soluble Protein Content. The soluble
Procedure protein content was determined according to Lowry et
al. method [15]. The copper content was prepared by
Isolation of Cocoa Lipase adding 1.0 mL of 0.5% copper sulphate pentahydrate
Preparation of Acetone Dry Powder (AcDP). and 1% sodium potassium tartate to 50 mL of 0.1 M
Acetone Dry Powder (AcDP) of cocoa beans was sodium hydroxide, containing 2% sodium carbonate.
prepared according to method of Kirchcoff et al. [12]. The protein solution (0.5 mL) was added to 5.0 mL of
The pulp and cotyledone was lyophilized using a freeze the alkaline copper reagent and the solution mixture
dryer machine (Edward, UK) and crushed with a cold was allowed to stand for 10 min. Then, 0.5 mL of the
mortar and pestle before they were defatted with 250 mL Folin-Ciocalteus phenol reagent (which had been
petroleum ether (40-60 °C) for 8 hours in a soxhlet diluted 1:1 with distilled water) was rapidly added and
apparatus and reextracted for another 8 h. Following mixed. This solution was allowed to stand for 30 min,
that, all purine alkaloids were also removed by extraction and the absorbance was measured at 580 nM. A
with 250 mL chloroform for 8 h. The resultant defatted standard curve was prepared using Bovine Serum
and purine-free alkaloid cotyledons were then sieved Albumin at concentration 50-200 µg/mL.
(size, 300 µM mesh) in order to obtain a uniform particle Substrate Emulsion Preparation. The substrate
size cotyledone powder. In order to remove polyphenols, emulsion was prepared by mixing one gram of Arabic
50 g of the powder were treated with cold aqueous gum with 80 mL of distilled water. The mixture was
acetone (kept at -20 °C for overnight) containing 5 mM then added with 1.21 g (0.10 M) of Tris, 0.077 g (5mM)
sodium ascorbate and 0.1% thioglycolic acid. The of dithiothreitol, 1.0 mL of olive oil and before it was
mixture was shaken vigorously for 30 sec and then mixed to emulsify using a Thermolyne Maxi Mix II
incubated at 20 min intervals. The suspension was then Vortex. The mixture was adjusted to pH 6.5-7.0 with
centrifuged at 10.000 x g for 15 min at 4 °C and the distilled water. The substrate emulsion was kept in a
resulting pellet was re-extracted twice with 80% cold refrigerator at 5 °C before used for analysis.
acetone, and four times with 70% cold aqueous acetone. Assay of Lipase Activity. The lipase enzyme
The residual water was removed by dehydration with activity was determined according to Kwon and Rhee
100 mL of 100% acetone. The resultant acetone dry method [16]. Approximately 1.0 mL of crude enzyme
powder was stored at -20 °C before being used for from AcDP was added with 3.0 mL of substrate
analysis. emulsion. The solution was then homogenized using a
Extraction of Crude Enzyme from AcDP. Crude Thermolyne Maxi Mix II vortex and was incubated at 30
enzyme from Acetone Dry Powder (AcDP) was extracted °C for 2 hours and placed in a Haake SWB 20 shaking
according to method of Seow et al. [13]. The acetone water bath at 50 rpm. After adding 4.0 mL of isooctane,
dry powder (1 g) was resuspended in 100 mL of chilled the sample was homogenized using a vortex mixer and
20 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) in ratio one to then heated in boiling water for 5 min. During sample
hundred (1:100) and then extracted using a cold mortar. heating, the top of sample tube was covered with a
After extracting, the suspension was centrifuged at layer of aluminium foil. The suspension was then
10,000 x g for 30 min at 4 °C. The supernatant was centrifuged at 5.000 g for 5 min. Two mL of upper layer
dialysed against the same buffer at 5 °C for 2 days. The (isooctane layer) was taken and mixed with 1.0 mL of
dialysate was centrifuged again at 10.000 x g for 30 min 5% cupric acetate-pyridine. The mixture was
at 4 °C and the supernatant was used as the enzyme homogenized using a vortex mixer before the
solution for the determination of the lipase enzyme absorbance was read using a Pye-Unicam model 8625
activity. UV/VIS spectrophotometer at the wavelength 715 nM.
Precipitation of Enzyme using Ammonium The preferred IUPAC-IUB units (U) was used to
Sulphate. The enzyme was precipitated using calculate a unit of lipase activity such as µmole free
ammonium sulphate as described by Green and Hughes fatty acids released/min. Enzyme specific activity
[14]. The resulting crude extract from AcDP (300 mL) expressed in µmole free fatty acids released/min/mg
was fractional precipitated by 0-20, 20-40, 40-60, 60-80
protein was seldom used. It would be helpful if all who glycine electrophoresis buffer was added to the top and
investigate lipases, reporting activity as U or preferably bottom reservoirs. These were best done with a bent
as enzyme specific activity. hypodermic needle attached to a syringe. The volume
Characterization of Cocoa Lipase. Lipase loaded was dependent on the protein content of
specific activity was also assayed using three individual samples but was usually in the range 5–15
substrates: tributyrin, trimyristin and triolein. The acetate µL The electrophoresis apparatus was attached to an
buffer (pH 4.0–6.0) and phosphate buffer (pH 5.0–9.0) electric power supply. A voltage of 30 V/cm was
were used to determine the effect of pH and temperature applied to the gel. After the dye front was moved into
on lipase specific activity. The inhibitory effect of the resolving gel, the voltage was increased to 60 V/cm
selected range of inhibitors on the enzyme activity of and run the gel until the bromophenol blue reached the
cocoa lipase was investigated using diisopropyl bottom of the resolving gel. Then the power supply was
flourophosphate, N-bromosuccinimide and 5,5-dithiobis- turned off. The glass plates were removed from the
(-2-nitro-benzoic acid). electrophoresis apparatus and placed them on a paper
Detection of Molecular Weight. The SDS-PAGE towel. Using a spatula, the plates were dried apart. The
was prepared according to Laemmli method [17]. The orientation of the gel was marked by cutting the corner.
gel cassettes was assembled using clean glass plates The gel was then fixed and stained with Commassie
as instructed by the manufacturer. The resolving gel was Brilliant Blue dye.
prepared as follows: in a disposable plastic tube, the
appropriate volume of solution containing the desired RESULT AND DISCUSSION
concentration of acrylamide was prepared, using the
values given above (solutions for preparing resolving Isolation of Cocoa Lipase
gels – 10%, 30 mL). The components were mixed in the
order shown. Polymerization began as soon as the The isolation of crude enzyme from Acetone Dry
TEMED was added. Without delaying, the mixture was Powder (AcDP) with ammonium sulphate precipitation
swirled rapidly and proceed to the next step. The showed an optimum lipase activity compared to the
acrylamide solution was poured into the gap between original crude extract. Schuepp et al [1] reported that
the glass plates. Sufficient space for the stacking gel the lipases can be successfully isolated using
was left. The acrylamide solution was overlayed carefully ammonium sulphate precipitation method. Crude
with distilled water using a pasteur pipette. The gel was enzyme from AcDP was gradually precipitated by 0-20,
placed at room temperature. After polymerization was 20-40, 40-60, 60-80, and 80-100% of saturations by the
completed (30 min), the overlay was poured off and the addition of ammonium sulphate.
top of gel was washed several times with deionised The two highest levels of lipase specific activity
water to remove any unpolymerized acrylamide and then recorded were at 85.53 µmole/min/mg protein with
was drained as much fluid as possible from the top of 29.61% recovery and 89.85 µmole/min/mg protein with
the gel, and was then removed any remaining water with 14.24% recovery in 40-60 and 60-80% of saturation
the edge of a paper towel. The stacking gels were respectively while the crude enzyme obtained from
prepared as follows: in a disposable plastic tube, the AcDP and 0-20% saturation has the least lipase
appropriate volume of solution containing the desired specific activity. This is due to the relatively higher
concentration of acrylamide was prepared using the protein content in the crude enzyme of AcDP and 0-
values given above (solutions for preparing stacking gels 20% of saturation, which is about 3 times compared
– 4%,10 mL). The components were mixed up in the with that of 40-60% of saturation. Higher sample
order shown. Polymerization began as soon as the volume was obtained from AcDP and 0-20 % fraction.
TEMED was added. Without delaying, the mixture was The 40-60 and 60-80% fractions were then chosen for
swirled rapidly and proceeded to the next step. The further studies due to their higher lipase.
stacking gel solution was poured directly onto the
surface of the polymerized resolving gel. A clean comb Temperature and pH Study
was then immediately inserted into the stacking gel
solution. More stacking gel solution was added to fill up According to Jensen [5], most lipases are active
the spaces of the comb completely. The gel was placed in a wide range of temperature from 20–65 °C but the
in a vertical position at room temperature. While the usual range was 30–45 °C. The lipase has an optimum
stacking gel was polymerised, the sample was prepared pH of 7.0. The enzyme retained its full activity at 20 to
by heating them to 100 °C for 5 min in loading buffer 55 °C. The partially purified lipase from Theobroma
(1:1) to denature the proteins. After polymerization was cacao was incubated at a wide range of temperatures
completed, the wells were removed carefully. The wells (10-60 °C) and enzyme activity was measured
were washed immediately with deionized water in order spectrometrically using olive oil as substrate. Abigor et
to remove any unpolymerized acrylamide. The gel was al. [7] reported that the oil palm mesocarp lipase has
mounted in the electrophoresis apparatus. The tris-
Substrate Specificity
Selamat and Assoc. Professor Dr. Johari Ramli for their 9. Muto, S., and Beevers, H., 1974, Plant Physiol. 54:
countinuous guidance and encouragement throughout 23-28.
this project. Sincerely thanks to Mr. Cahyana Ekaputra, 10. Ory, R.L., 1968, Lipids. 26 (92), 370-386.
S. Psi., MM. for his support. 11. Ory, R.L., Yatsu, L.Y., and Kircher, H.W., 1968,
Archieves Of Biochemistry And Biophysics. 264,
REFERENCES 255-264.
12. Kirchhoff, P.M., Biehl, B., and Crone, G., 1989,
1. Scheupp, C., Kermasha, S., Michalski, M.C., and A. Food And Chem., 31, 295-311.
Morin, 1997, Process Biochemistry. 32 (3), 2225- 13. Seow, T.K., Jinap S., Lee, K.H., and Lee, P.M.,
2232. 1994, J. Food Sci. Technol., 31, 6, 511-513.
2. Jensen, R.G., Dejong, F.A., and Clark, R.M., 1983, 14. Green, A.A., and Hughes, H., 1955, Protein
Lipids. 18 (3), 239. Fractionation on The Basis of Solubility In Aqueous
3. Ziegleder, V.G., and Biehl, B., 1988, Analysis Of of Salts and Organic Solvent. In: Collowick, S.P.
Cocoa Flavour Components And Flavour and Kaplan, N.O. (eds) Methods of Enzymology 1.
Precursors. In: Lickens, H.J., Jackson, J.F. (eds) Preparation and Assay of Enzyme. Academic
Modern Methods Of Plants Analysis Of Non- Press, New York, 67-90.
alcoholic Beverages. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. 321- 15. Lowry, O.H., Rossbrough, N.J., Farr, A.L., and
390. Randall, R.J., 1951, J. Biol. Chem., 76, 460-463.
4. Antonian, E., 1988, Lipids. 23 (12), 1-5 16. Kwon, D.Y., and Rhee, J.S., 1986, American Oil
5. Jensen, R.G., 1983, Lipids. 18 (9), 650-657. Chem. And Sci., 63(1), 89-92.
6. Shabtai, Y., and Mishne, N.D., 1992, J. Appl. 17. Laemmli, U.K., 1970, Nature, 227, 680.
Environ. Microbiol. 58 910, 174-180. 18. Patkar, S., and Bjorkling, F., 1994, Lipase
7. Abigor, D.R., Opute, F.I., Opuku, A.R., and Osagie, Inhibitors. In: Lipase; Their Structure, Biochemistry
A.U., 1985, J. Sci. Food And Agric. 36, 599-606. And Aplication, eds P. Woolley and S.B. Petersen.
8. Hassan, N.H., 1995, Penulenan Separa dan Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 207-
Pencirian Ensim Lipase dari Mesokarp Buah Kelapa 224.
Sawit (Elaeis quineensis, Jacq.). Thesis Project. 19. Liu, W.H., Beppu, T., and Arima, K., 1977, J.
Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang. Agricultural And Biological Chemistry, 41, 131-135.