Biological activity changes of saponins and lectins in edible leguminous plants after simulated gastric fluid digestion
ZHANG Shujing1,2, QIAN Zhiyong1,2, LI Min1,2, ZHANG Jing1,2
1. Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin 300011, China; 2. NHC Specialty Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment and Standard Development, Tianjin 300011, China
Abstract：Objective To compare the changes in biological activities of saponins and lectins from seven edible leguminous plants after digestion with simulated gastric fluid. Methods Seven commercially available edible leguminous plants commonly consumed in northern China, including kidney bean, snow pea, pea, Northeast oil bean, cowpea, hyacinth bean, and yardlong bean, were selected as test materials. Homogenate supernatants and normal saline extracts were prepared from their edible parts and mixed with simulated gastric fluid to obtain digested solutions with digestion times of 30 min, 2 h, and 4 h, respectively. The saponin contents of the digested solutions at different dilution levels and digestion times were determined using the concentrated sulfuric acid color reaction assay. The biological activities of saponins and lectins were measured using hemolytic assay and hemagglutination assay, respectively. Results The concentrated sulfuric acid color reaction assay showed that the digested solutions of all seven test plants at different digestion times exhibited color changes from light yellow-green to light brown-red, indicating positive results. According to the saponin hemolytic assay, in homogenate supernatants, the numbers of positive varieties after digestion for 30 min, 2 h, and 4 h were 5, 4, and 2, respectively; the highest dilution showing a positive result decreased from 1∶8 to the undiluted solution. In normal saline extracts, the numbers of positive varieties were 6, 5, and 2, respectively; the highest dilution showing a positive result decreased from 1∶4 to the undiluted solution. The hemagglutination assay showed that, in homogenate supernatants, the numbers of positive varieties after digestion for 30 min, 2 h, and 4 h were 5, 1, and 1, respectively; the highest dilution showing a positive result decreased from 1∶4 to the undiluted solution. In normal saline extracts, the numbers of positive varieties were 4, 1, and 0, respectively; the highest dilution showing a positive result decreased from 1∶2 to the undiluted solution, and no positive result was observed after 4 h of digestion. Conclusion Saponins and lectins from the seven edible leguminous plants retained certain hemolytic and hemagglutination activities after simulated gastric fluid digestion, and these activities decreased as digestion time increased.
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