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The ability of skeletal dipeptides (carnosine and anserine) and a sarcoplasmic protein (myoglobin) to interact with key flavor compounds (hexanal, octanal, methional, 2-pentanone, 2-methylbutanal, and 3-methylbutanal) has been studied using the solid phase microextraction (SPME) technique. Conditions for SPME analysis (fiber coating, sampling time, and linearity of detection) were optimized. The effect of pH on the binding was also investigated. Thermodynamic models were applied to evaluate the binding parameters n (number of binding sites), K (affinity constant), and DeltaG (Gibb's free energy) to all of the flavor compounds studied, and they showed an absence of cooperative effect. Carnosine was the peptide with the highest affinity for all of the volatile compounds except 2-pentanone. Its interaction with hexanal and methional was significantly affected by pH. Anserine showed a lower level of interactions with hexanal, methional, 2-methylbutanal, and 3-methylbutanal, whereas myoglobin interacted with only hexanal and 2-methylbutanal. Differences in aroma retention can thus result in different sensory perceptions of muscle foods.

The genome sequence of Lactococcus lactis IL1403 revealed the presence of a putative peptide-binding protein-dependent ABC-transporter (Dpp). The genes for two peptide-binding proteins (dppA and dppP) precede the membrane components, which include two transmembrane protein genes (dppB and dppC) and two ATP-binding protein genes (dppD and dppF). In this work, the gene specifying the second peptide-binding protein (DppP) was cloned under the control of the nisin promoter. The protein fused to a carboxyl-terminal histidine tag (DppP-His(6)) was purified and its binding properties were determined by monitoring the intrinsic fluorescence changes observed upon ligand binding. The major features of peptide binding to DppP-His(6) include: (i) a requirement for a free N-terminal alpha-amino group in the ligand; (ii) a high affinity for di-, tri- and tetra-peptides; (iii) affinity constants for peptide binding independent of pH; and (iv) a high affinity for D-isomer-containing peptides. Remarkably, the features (ii), (iii) and (iv) differ from those previously reported for DppA-His(6), suggesting that DppP-His(6) is a more versatile peptide-binding protein that could have additional functions.

A metallo arginyl aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.6) activated by Co(2+) was isolated from Debaryomyces hansenii CECT 12487. The enzyme was purified after precipitation with protamine sulphate, followed by a weak anion exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography and a strong anion exchange chromatography. The arginyl aminopeptidase (AAP) was purified 337 folds, with a 18% recovery. The AAP appeared to be a dimer with a molecular mass of 101 kDa. The enzyme was active in the pH range from 6 to 9. The optimal activity was detected at pH 7.0 and at 37 degrees C. AAP activity was inhibited by typical aminopeptidase inhibitors (puromycin and bestatin), reducing agents (DTT), chelating agents (EDTA, EGTA and phenantroline) and sulphydryl groups reagents (iodoacetate). Ca(2+), Mn(2+) and Co(2+) activated the enzyme, while Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+) and Mg(2+) inhibited it. The K(m) values calculated for Arg-AMC (7-amido-4-methylcoumarin) and Leu-AMC were 0.071 and 0.094 mM, respectively. The enzyme showed maximum specificity for basic amino acids (Arg and Lys), but was also able to hydrolyze non-charged amino acids (Leu, Met and Ala) and, at a minor rate, aromatic amino acids (Phe and Tyr). AAP showed higher activity when an acid residue was located at the C-terminal position of dipeptides. The described purification of an arginyl aminopeptidase from the yeast D. hansenii can contribute to the lack of knowledge about the exopeptidase activity in one of the yeasts more frequently isolated in sausage and to understand its role during the ripening of a fermented sausage.

A prolyl aminopeptidase (PAP) (EC 3.4.11.5) was isolated from the cell extract of Debaryomyces hansenii CECT12487. The enzyme was purified by selective fractionation with protamine and ammonium sulfate, followed by two chromatography steps, which included gel filtration and anion-exchange chromatography. The PAP was purified 248-fold, with a recovery yield of 1.4%. The enzyme was active in a broad pH range (from 5 to 9.5), with pH and temperature optima at 7.5 and 45 degrees C. The molecular mass was estimated to be around 370 kDa. The presence of inhibitors of serine and aspartic proteases, bestatin, puromycin, reducing agents, chelating agents, and different cations did not have any effect on the enzyme activity. Only iodoacetate, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, and Hg(2+), which are inhibitors of cysteine proteases, markedly reduced the enzyme activity. The K(m) for proline-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin was 40 micro M. The enzyme exclusively hydrolyzed N-terminal-proline-containing substrates. This is the first report on the identification and purification of this type of aminopeptidase in yeast, which may contribute to the scarce knowledge about D. hansenii proteases and their possible roles in meat fermentation.

A glutaminase was purified from the cell-free extract of Debaryomyces spp. CECT 11815 by protamine sulphate treatment and several chromatographic procedures including anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The purified enzyme consisted of two subunits, with molecular masses of 65 and 50 kDa, respectively. Activity was optimal at 40 degrees C and pH 8.5, and the Km value for L-glutamine was 4.5 mM. The glutaminase exhibited activity against L-gamma-Glu-methyl ester, L-gamma-Glu-hydrazide, and L-albiziin, while L-asparagine, CBZ-L-Gln, CBZ-L-Gln-Gly, glutathione, L-gamma-Glu-pNA and L-gamma-Glu-AMC were not hydrolysed. The enzyme was not affected by PMSF, DTT and EDTA. However, the enzyme was inhibited by sulfhydryl group reagents, DON, L-albizziin, L-asparagine and high concentrations of L-glutamine and ammonium, while L-aspartate did not affect the activity. Phosphate and acetate did not produce any significant effect on the glutaminase activity, but it was slightly stimulated by lactate and borate.

An arginine aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.6) that exclusively hydrolyzes basic amino acids from the amino (N) termini of peptide substrates has been purified from Lactobacillus sakei. The purification procedure consisted of ammonium sulfate fractionation and three chromatographic steps, which included hydrophobic interaction, gel filtration, and anion-exchange chromatography. This procedure resulted in a recovery rate of 4.2% and a 500-fold increase in specific activity. The aminopeptidase appeared to be a trimeric enzyme with a molecular mass of 180 kDa. The activity was optimal at pH 5.0 and 37 degrees C. The enzyme was inhibited by sulfhydryl group reagents and several divalent cations (Cu(2+), Hg(2+), and Zn(2+)) but was activated by reducing agents, metal-chelating agents, and sodium chloride. The enzyme showed a preference for arginine at the N termini of aminoacyl derivatives and peptides. The K(m) values for Arg-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (AMC) and Lys-AMC were 15.9 and 26.0 microM, respectively. The nature of the amino acid residue at the C terminus of dipeptides has an effect on hydrolysis rates. The activity was maximal toward dipeptides with Arg, Lys, or Ala as the C-terminal residue. The properties of the purified enzyme, its potential function in the release of arginine, and its further metabolism are discussed because, as a whole, it could constitute a survival mechanism for L. sakei in the meat environment.

Aims: The effect of the common curing conditions used during the manufacture of dry fermented sausage on the proteolytic activity of Lactobacillus casei CRL705 against meat proteins was investigated., Methods and Results: Hydrolysis of pork muscle sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins was evaluated by SDS-PAGE and reverse phase-HPLC analysis. Ascorbic acid exerted a stimulatory effect on both sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar protein breakdown by Lact. casei CRL705 with the release of hydrophilic peptides and free amino acids, while NaCl and NaNO2 mainly stimulated myofibrillar degradation., Conclusion: Even when processing temperature (25 degrees C) did not positively affect bacterial protein hydrolysis, the presence of curing salts accounted for a remarkable increase in the non-volatile components that constitute taste-active compounds that strongly influence the final flavour of the product., Significance and Impact of the Study: To predict the suitability of Lact. casei CRL705 and its proteolytic enzymes as a starter culture for the dry processing of dry fermented sausages.

Strains of Debaryomyces hansenii originally isolated from sausages were screened for proteinase and aminopeptidase activity towards synthetic substrates. On the basis of these results, D. hansenii CT12487 was selected for further assays. The activities of the whole cells (WC), cell-free extracts (CFE) and a combination of both from the selected strain on pork muscle sarcoplasmic protein extracts were determined by protein, peptide and free amino acid analyses. There was a pronounced hydrolysis of protein bands of 110 kDa and 27-64 kDa regardless the incorporation of WC, CFE or a combination of both. The proteolytic activity also resulted in the generation of polar and non-polar peptides showing noticeable differences depending on the addition of WC or CFE. Whole cells generated greater amounts of free amino acids than the cell-free extracts.

Twenty pork carcasses were classified in different pork meat qualities: red, firm and non-exudative (RFN), pale, soft and exudative (PSE), red, soft and exudative (RSE) and dark, firm and dry (DFD) meat. The content of peptides and free amino acids during the ageing process was analysed and compared within quality classes. Four peptide fractions were isolated through cation-exchange and reverse-phase chromatography. The main significant differences among qualities were obtained for peptide fractions 3 and 4. Peptide fraction 3 at 4 days and peptide fraction 4 at 2 h postmortem were higher in the ideal pork quality (RFN) than in the other quality classes. The ageing of pork meats produced a general increase in all free amino acid concentrations for the studied quality classes except for Gln, β-Ala, Taurine and Orn and the dipeptides carnosine and anserine. The DFD class showed higher increases in Lys, Ala and Met probably due to the activation of neutral aminopeptidases.

An X-prolyl-dipeptidyl peptidase has been purified from Lactobacillus sakei by ammonium sulfate fractionation and five chromatographic steps, which included hydrophobic interaction, anion-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. This procedure resulted in a recovery yield of 7% and an increase in specificity of 737-fold. The enzyme appeared to be a dimer with a subunit molecular mass of approximately 88 kDa. Optimal activity was shown at pH 7.5 and 55 degrees C. The enzyme was inhibited by serine proteinase inhibitors and several divalent cations (Cu(2+), Hg(2+), and Zn(2+)). The enzyme almost exclusively hydrolyzed X-Pro from the N terminus of each peptide as well as fluorescent and colorimetric substrates; it also hydrolyzed X-Ala at the N terminus, albeit at lower rates. K(m) s for Gly-Pro- and Lys-Ala-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin were 29 and 88 microM, respectively; those for Gly-Pro- and Ala-Pro-p-nitroanilide were 192 and 50 microM, respectively. Among peptides, beta-casomorphin 1-3 was hydrolyzed at the highest rates, while the relative hydrolysis of the other tested peptides was only 1 to 12%. The potential role of the purified enzyme in the proteolytic pathway by catalyzing the hydrolysis of peptide bonds involving proline is discussed.

Thirty-six carcasses from 6-month-old pigs were classified in different exudative groups based on measurements of pH(2h), pH(24h), the colour parameter L(∗) and drip loss. A fraction containing polypeptides between 66 and 21 kDa was analysed by reverse phase chromatography at 2-h post-mortem and the evolution of 8 polypeptide fractions followed during ageing and related to meat quality. Three polypeptide (fractions P2, P3 and P4) at 2-h post-mortem showed significant lowest area values in the dark firm and dry class. During ageing, the higher content of P4 in exudative meats at 8-h post-mortem could be due to activation of the cathepsin system. On the other hand, P3 and P4 increased in DFD meats during the first 96-h post-mortem probably due to higher calpain activity. Few differences in polypeptides were related to meat qualities although they are important as precursors of small peptides and free amino acids.

The purification and study of biochemical properties of dipeptidyl peptidase II (DPP II; EC 3.4.14.2) from porcine skeletal muscle have been carried out in the present work. The purification included ammonium sulphate fractionation and two HPLC chromatographic separations using a Resource-Q anion exchange column. The enzyme was purified 1270 fold, with a 1.6% recovery and was completely separated from DPP IV activity. The pure enzyme displayed one main protein band with a Mr of 58 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Maximum activity was reached at pH 5.5 and 65°C. Those synthetic substrates containing Pro in N-penultimate position were the most efficiently hydrolysed, whereas in the case of peptides, DPP II efficiently hydrolysed both X-Pro- and X-Ala- peptides. The serine peptidase inhibitors PMSF and Pefabloc SC suppressed DPP II activity in a high degree, whereas 3, 4-DCI and cysteine peptidase inhibitors exerted little effect. Alkaline metal salts inhibited the enzyme activity according to the size of the cation, and among the assayed divalent cations, only Cu(2+), Fe(2+) and Hg(2+) showed significant inhibition of the activity. This is the first time that porcine muscle DPP II has been purified and its biochemical characteristics studied. So, these results contribute to improve the knowledge in relation with the proteolytic chain and the generation of flavour characteristics in meat products.

A soluble aminopeptidase was purified from porcine skeletal muscle by ammonium sulfate fractionation and two successive anion exchange chromatographic procedures. The enzyme eluted at 0.17 M NaCl, had a relative molecular mass of 53 KDa (by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and was activated by sulfydryl compounds. Activity was optimal at pH 7.5 and 40°C and showed broad aminopeptidase and low endopeptidase activities. The aminopeptidase exhibited maximal activity against Met-, Lys-, Ala-, and Leu-7-amido-4-methyl-coumarin (-AMC), while Pro-AMC was not hydrolyzed. Inhibition of enzyme activity was observed in the presence of sulfydryl reagents, iodoacetic acid, puromycin, leupeptin and amastatin, but it was not affected by serin and aspartic protease inhibitors, EDTA and bestatin. The enzyme activity was not inhibited by sodium chloride and, therefore, the enzyme has potential for contributing to the generation of free amino acids in cured pork meat products.

Dipeptidyl peptidase I (DPP I; EC 3.4.14.1) was purified from porcine skeletal muscle after several steps such as heat treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration chromatography, and HPLC anion exchange chromatography. The purified enzyme showed a native molecular mass of approximately 200 kDa on Sephacryl S-200 column chromatography. Two protein bands of 65 and 42 kDa were obtained by SDS-PAGE, indicating its oligomeric nature. Maximum activity was reached at pH 5.5 and 55 degrees C. DPP I shared some common substrate specificities, both on synthetic derivatives and on real peptides, with porcine muscle DPP III. The enzyme required reducing agents for full activation, although the halide requirement was not proved. DPP I was inhibited by the assayed cysteine peptidase inhibitors except p-CMB. The serine peptidase inhibitor 3, 4-DCI also inhibited the enzyme as did the divalent cations Co(2+), Mn(2+), and Zn(2+). On the basis of its properties, DPP I may contribute to the generation of dipeptides during the processing of meat and/or meat products, including cooked ham.

Proteolytic enzyme activities of whole cells and cell free extracts (CFE) of Lactobacillus curvatus CECT 904 and Lactobacillus sake CECT 4808 were characterised using synthetic chromogenic compounds and myofibrillar proteins as substrates. The hydrolytic action was monitored by SDS-PAGE and reverse phase-HPLC analyses. The CFE of L. sake partially contributed, together with muscle enzymes, to the initial hydrolysis of myofibrillar proteins. Whole-cells of both L. curvatus and L. sake generated peptides considered important for cured-meat taste. The peptide mapping, resulting from the action on the substrates assayed, revealed a profile of extra and intracellular enzymes. Both strains expressed strong amino acid metabolism.

Strains of Lactobacillus plantarum originally isolated from sausages were screened for proteinase and aminopeptidase activities toward synthetic substrates; on the basis of that screening, L. plantarum CRL 681 was selected for further assays on muscle proteins. The activities of whole cells, cell extracts (CE), and a combination of both on sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar protein extracts were determined by protein, peptide, and free-amino-acid analyses. Proteinase from whole cells initiated the hydrolysis of sarcoplasmic proteins. The addition of CE intensified the proteolysis. Whole cells generated hydrophilic peptides from both sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins. Other peptides of a hydrophobic nature resulted from the combination of whole cells and CE. The action of both enzymatic sources on myofibrillar proteins caused maximal increases in lysine, arginine, and leucine, while the action of those on sarcoplasmic proteins mainly released alanine. In general, pronounced hydrolysis of muscle proteins required enzyme activities from whole cells in addition to those supplied by CE.

Lactobacillus casei CRL 705 was screened, among other meat isolates, for its proteinase and aminopeptidase activities toward synthetic substrates and, according to that, selected for specific assays on muscle proteins. The hydrolytic effects of whole cells, cell free extracts (CFE), and the combination of both on muscle sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar protein extracts was evaluated by SDS-PAGE and reverse phase HPLC analyses. The proteinase activity of whole cells caused the degradation of a great number of sarcoplasmic protein bands. A partial hydrolysis was also associated with CFE that when combined with whole cells showed an important additional degradation. Peptide profiles from sarcoplasmic protein extracts were greatly modified regardless of the addition of whole cells or CFE, although their combination intensified these changes. The generation of free amino acids was remarkable when whole cells and CFE were incorporated together to sarcoplasmic protein extracts.

Lactobacillus curvatus CECT 904 and Lactobacillus sake CECT 4808 were selected on the basis of their proteolytic activities against synthetic substrates. Further, the effects of whole cells, cell extracts, and a combination of both enzymatic sources on muscle sarcoplasmic proteins were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analyses. Strains of both species displayed proteinase activities on five sarcoplasmic proteins. The inoculation of whole cells caused a degradation of peptides, whereas the addition of cell extracts resulted in the generation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic peptides. This phenomenon was remarkably more pronounced when L. curvatus was involved. Whole cells also consumed a great amount of free amino acids, while the addition of intracellular enzymes contributed to their generation. L. sake accounted for a greater release of free amino acids. In general, cell viability and also proteolytic events were promoted when cell suspensions were provided with cell extracts as an extra source of enzymes.

Free amino acids and natural dipeptides, have been analyzed in pork muscles having different metabolic type (masseter, trapezius, semimembranosus and longissimus dorsi). Carnosine and anserine showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentrations with the glycolytic activity of the muscle while taurine and glutamine were significantly higher in the oxidative muscles. Non-essential free amino acids also showed significant (p < 0.05) increased content in the oxidative muscles.

The effects of nitrate and nitrite curing salts on microbial changes and sensory quality of non-fermented sausages of small diameter were investigated. During pre-ripening (day 5), levels of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts were slightly higher in nitrite-made sausages than in those made with nitrate. In contrast, nitrite discouraged the growth of psychrotrophs as occurs in fermented sausages. By the end of ripening (day 26), levels of microorganisms were similar in both batches of sausages except for psychrotrophs being higher in those made with nitrite. Nitrate-made sausages showed higher aroma and taste intensity.

Three muscles with different oxidative pattern (m. longissimus dorsi, Ld; m. biceps femoris, Bf; m. triceps brachii, Tb) have been analysed for lipid composition and lipolytic activities. The results showed a relatively low lipid (around 30 g kg(-1)) and cholesterol (around 0.5 g kg(-1)) content being higher in the oxidative and intermediate muscles Tb and Bf, respectively, than in Ld. Muscle Tb had higher amount of phospholipids and PUFA. Muscle Tb also had the higher lipolytic activity (acid and neutral lipase and acid phospholipase activities). There were no differences for acid and neutral esterase activities between the three muscles studied. The use of principal component (PC) analysis might be used to distinguish among the three studied muscles since each one showed a different pattern based on the lipid composition and lipolytic activities.

The processing of dry-cured ham is very complex and involves numerous biochemical reactions that are reviewed in this article. Muscle proteins undergo an intense proteolysis, resulting in a great number of small peptides and high amounts of free amino acids. The enzymes responsible of these changes are proteinases (cathepsins B, D, H, and L and, to a less extent, calpains) and exopeptidases (peptidases and aminopeptidases). Muscle and adipose tissue lipids are also subject to intense lipolysis, generating free fatty acids by the action of lipases that, in a second stage, are transformed to volatiles as a result of oxidation. Sensory profiles of dry-cured ham are strongly affected by these enzymatic reactions. In addition, the activity levels of the muscle enzymes significantly depend on the properties of raw ham, such as age and crossbreeding as well as the process conditions such as temperature, time, water activity, redox potential, and salt content. Thus, the control of the muscle enzyme systems, mainly proteases and lipases, is essential for the standardization of the processing and/or enhancement of flavor quality of dry-cured ham.

A tripeptidase was purified to homogeneity from the cell extract of Lactobacillus sake by ammonium sulfate precipitation, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, and two steps of anion exchange chromatography. After SDS-PAGE a single band of protein was detected of approximately 55 kDa. A similar molecular mass was estimated by gel filtration. The tripeptidase activity was optimal at pH 7.0 and at 40 degrees C. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by metal chelators, reducing agents, and bestatin while thiol group reagents, serine proteinase inhibitors, and aspartic proteinase inhibitors had no effect on the activity. The enzyme was activated by Mn(2+) and almost totally inhibited by Zn(2+) and to a lesser extent by Sn(2+). The enzyme only exhibited activity against tripeptides, and those hydrolyzed at higher rates were Ala-Ala-Ala, Ser-Ser-Ser, and Leu-Gly-Gly.

The effect of the use of either nitrite or nitrate curing salts on microbial changes and sensory quality in rapid ripened sausages inoculated with a mixed starter culture (Lactobacillus sake and Staphylococcus carnosus) was investigated. Lactic acid bacteria and Micrococcaceae were not greatly affected by the added curing salt. Conversely, the inhibition exerted by nitrite on the undesirable flora (Enterobacteriaceae and psychrotrophs) was evident from the early stages of the processing keeping highly significant differences (P < 0.01) with respect to nitrate made sausages till the end of the ripening stage. The use of nitrite in sausage processing was found to reduce hygienic risks.

An aminopeptidase B from porcine skeletal muscle was successfully purified by ammonium sulphate fractionation and HPLC anion-exchange. The purified aminopeptidase B eluted at 0.18 M NaCl, had a relative molecular mass of 76,000 Da and was markedly stimulated in the presence of 0.2 M chloride anion. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity for the hydrolysis of the arginine-aminoacyl bond at pH 6.5 and 37 degrees C. Other substrates consisting of phenylalanine, proline and alanine-aminoacyl bonds were cleaved at 5.9, 5.1 and 2.5% of the maximum activity with the arginine-aminoacyl bond. The enzyme did not show endopeptidase activity and was very stable at pH above 6 and temperatures below 35 degrees C. However, the enzyme inactivated very fast when incubated at pH 5 or at 50-65 degrees C. Bestatin (50 microM) completely inhibited the aminopeptidase B activity while EDTA (5 mM) only inhibited 40% of its activity. However, 0.5 mM of E-64 did not cause any inhibition while 0.05 mM amastatin and 1 mM puromycin only inhibited 11% of the enzyme activity.

The effect of curing agents (salt, nitrate, ascorbic acid and glucose) and processing parameters (pH, water activity and drying and cooking temperatures) on pork muscle cathepsins B, D, H and L as well as leucyl, arginyl and tyrosyl hydrolysing activities is reported. Salt (60 g/l) showed a powerful inhibitory effect, especially on cathepsin D and aminopeptidase activities where less than 13% of the original activity was recovered. Cathepsin H was also affected (38% of the original activity) while cathepsins B and B+L recovered 72.5 and 63.0%, respectively. Nitrate (0.2-0.25 g/l) and ascorbic acid (0.2-0.4 g/l) did not significantly affect the enzyme activities. On the other hand, 0.5-2 g/l of glucose activated both cathepsins B and D with an increase of 39.5 and 28.5% and also leucyl and arginyl hydrolysing activities which were 75.0 and 24.0%, respectively. No aminopeptidase activity was detected when assayed in 100 mM sodium citrate buffer, pH 5.1. Cathepsin H was also very affected at that pH and only 12.0% of activity was recovered. A decrease in water activity, especially below 0.84, also affected the enzyme activities which were found below 50%. Temperatures in the usual range of the drying process (22 and 30 degrees C) gave substantial enzyme activities (around 40-50 and 80%, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Different assays of cathepsin D activity in both porcine muscle and dry-cured ham extracts have been tested in order to find the best conditions for a reliable detection of cathepsin D in dry-cured meat products. The enzyme was effectively extracted with 0·2% (v/v) of Triton X-100. Nucleases if present were not observed to interfere with the assays. The best conditions for a reliable detection of cathepsin D in dry-cured ham were found to be the incubation of the enzyme extract for 1 h at 45°C in a reaction mixture containing 0·60% (w/v) of haemoglobin in 0·2 m sodium citrate buffer, pH = 3·7., (Copyright © 1991. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Enzyme profile of the exudates from fresh and frozen/thawed pork has been assayed by using a semi-quantitative method (APIZYM). Only three enzymes (esterase-lipase, ß-glucuronidase and α-glucosidase) showed significant differences (P < 0·01) between fresh and frozen/thawed pork. Different storage conditions were tested (freezing temperature: -10 to -60°C for 13 days and time of storage: 11 to 54 days at -18°C) but no significant differences were found among them. The APIZYM system would constitute a simple method for detecting frozen/thawed pork., (Copyright © 1990. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The effect of curing agents (nitrate, glucose, ascorbic acid and chloride) and physical parameters (temperature, water activity and pressure) on porcine muscle cathepsin D has been studied. Chloride (in the assayed range 0 to 75 g Cl-/L) showed a strong inhibitory effect. Nitrate (in the assayed range 0 to 800 mg/L) and high concentrations of ascorbic acid (4 to 8 g/L) slightly inhibited cathepsin D. However, its activity increased when glucose was added up to 4 g/L. Cathepsin D activity was maximal when incubated at 33 to 53 degrees C, was affected by a decrease in water activity and unaffected by pressure.

Cathepsins B, D, H and L as well as the glycosidases β-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase were assayed for activity in fresh pork muscles stored for up to 20 days at 4°C and in 3- and 8-month dry-cured hams. Cathepsin B, H and L activities fell by 40-79% after 20 days while cathepsin D activity remained unchanged. All the enzymes were still active after 8 months of dry curing; with the recoveries found to be in the range 14-73%. Contaminant microorganisms did not appear to contribute to the observed proteinase activities. Cathepsins B, H and L activities from the 8-month ham have been confirmed as cysteine proteinases by the use of specific inhibitors. It was further confirmed that the cathepsin B and L activities in fresh pork and dry-cured ham were similar by isoelectrofocusing. We suggest that the presence of the curing salts may be important in stabilising the muscle enzymes during the curing process., (Copyright © 1988. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)