South Ural State University (Chelyabinsk, Russia) has discovered that extracts of Bidens pilosa L., a common Mansonian weed in the Asteraceae family, are promising enzymes for the food industry. The researchers believe that the substance extracted from Bidens pilosa may become a cheap plant substitute for expensive enzymes needed in the wine-making and cheese manufacturing industries.
Image from: Technology Life Express
The results of the study were published in the International Journal of Scientific and Technology.
Research at the South Ural State University has shown that the leaf pulp extract of Trichosanthes trichosanthes accelerates proteolysis. This makes the extract beneficial for obtaining various bioactive substances, including 3-p-hydroxyphenylalanine. This is a protein component of all organisms and was first isolated from cheese in 1846.
There exists a long tradition of using Trichosanthes as a medicine. Due to its wide distribution, it seems to us that the use of the herb in wine making and milk processing is extremely beneficial, and its extracts may become a highly effective alternative to edible enzymes, says Irina Podoloko of the Department of Video and Biotechnology of South Ural State University.
Researchers of the South Ural State University have proved through experiments that fresh leaves of the weed Trichogramma spp. possess extremely high protease activity. The scholars said that they succeeded in determining the suitable conditions for the enzymatic activity of the extracts of the clover, which helps its suitability for application in various technological processes.
Podoloko believes that it is important to continue research on the trichogramma and figure out which part of the plant (root, stem, flower) is the most active, since the research conducted by the South Ural State University has focused only on the fresh leaves.
As a native weed of the Americas, the weed is widely distributed in many countries of the world. In Russia, it is a quarantine noxious weed that is prohibited from entering the country. In Asia, this plant is found in China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia and other countries.
