Caracterización de proteínas de flores de geranio (Geranium) y evaluación de su potencial como fuente de péptidos con capacidad antiinflamatoria durante la simulación de la digestión gastrointestinal in vitro

Abstract

In the present investigation, the characterization of the proteins of geranium flowers (Geranium) and evaluation of their potential as a source of peptides with anti-inflammatory capacity during the simulation of gastrointestinal digestion in vitro have been carried out. The conditions of the protein concentrate extraction process were established, which reached a yield percentage of 9.40 and a protein content of 18 percent, by solubilizing the proteins at pH 8.0 and subsequent precipitation at pH 3.0. In said concentrate, the characterization was carried out using the SDS-PAGE electrophoresis technique, evidencing the presence of seven proteins with molecular weights between 5.56 and 57.64 kDa, in addition, it was possible to identify protein fractions such as 7S Globulins, 11S Globulins and 2S Albumins. The digestibility of geranium flower proteins was evaluated after simulating the gastrointestinal digestion process in vitro. During the gastric phase, the proteins were partially hydrolyzed by pepsin, while in the duodenal phase they were completely degraded by the action of pancreatin. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity was determined by the potential method of membrane stability, showing that the protein concentrate, and the peptides released during the gastric hydrolysis stage are responsible for said activity, with a protection of 38.01 and 31.77 percent, respectively. The duodenal digest did not present anti-inflammatory capacity. In this way, the protein extract of geranium flowers could be considered as a source of bioactive compounds that can be used in the production of functional food products and nutraceuticals.