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Towards a molecular understanding of the water purification properties of Moringa seed proteins

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Abstract

Seed extracts from Moringa oleifera are of wide interest for use in water purification where they can play an important role in flocculation; they also have potential as anti-microbial agents. Previous work has focused on the crude protein extract. Here we describe the detailed biophysical characterization of individual proteins from these seeds. The results provide new insights relating to the active compounds involved. One fraction, designated Mo-CBP3, has been characterized at a molecular level using a range of biochemical and biophysical techniques including liquid chromatography, X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, and neutron reflection. The interfacial behavior is of particular interest in considering water purification applications and interactions with both charged (e.g. silica) and uncharged (alumina) surfaces were studied. The reflection studies show that, in marked contrast to the crude extract, only a single layer of the purified Mo-CBP3 binds to a silica interface and that there is no binding to an alumina interface. These observations are consistent with the crystallographic structure of Mo-CBP3-4, which is one of the main isoforms of the Mo-CBP3 fraction. The results are put in context of previous studies of the properties of the crude extract. This work shows possible routes to development of separation processes that would be based on the specific properties of individual proteins.

Acceptance Date Jun 20, 2019
Publication Date Oct 15, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
Print ISSN 0021-9797
Publisher Elsevier
Pages 296-304
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2019.06.071
Keywords Moringa oleifera seeds, Mass spectrometry, Neutron reflectometry, X-ray diffraction, Water treatment
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2019.06.071

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