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

Abstract EN

We investigated the functionality of poly-c-glutamic acid (c-PGA), which is produced by Bacillus subtilis D7, for its potential applications in medicine and cosmetics.

The c-PGA had angiotensin- converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition activity.

ACE inhibition activity was dependent on the c-PGA concentration; the highest ACE inhibition activity was observed at 1.25 mg/l of c-PGA.

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

The c-PGA also had water-holding capacity and hygroscopicity.

Furthermore, the c-PGA inhibited growth of some pathogenic bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Esherichia coli.

The c-PGA exhibited a good metal adsorption capacity; Cr (VI) adsorption capacity of c-PGA increased with decreasing pH, and the maximal adsorption was observed at pH 2.

Our results suggest that c-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.