Research Trends in Biochemical Analysis

Abstract

Biochemistry is at the heart of life science dealing with the chemistry of biological processes. Current research attempts to utilize the principles of chemistry for elucidation of the living system, in combating serious disease in humans, animals and plants. Biochemical analysis focuses on the chemical composition of a particular living system or biological substance using various experimental techniques and computational simulations [1,2]. A survey of the latest research trends is summarized below to highlight many interesting findings from the last several months. Post-mortem investigation of the final cause of death involves biochemical analysis of the vitreous humor from the eye. A range of analytes can be tested on modern biochemical analyzers. However, it is not clear which analytes should be requested in order to prevent unnecessary testing and expense. Mitchell and coworkers reviewed the contribution of each analyte in post-mortem contexts to reduce vitreous biochemistry test requests for sodium, osmolality, glucose, ketones (β-hydroxybutyrate), urea and creatinine [3]. Critical appraisal of each part of the post-mortem process should be undertaken to provide evidence to justify any investigative methods used in an autopsy. Sensitization prevalence to moulds reached from less than 10% in the general population to more than 25% in asthmatic and/or atopic subjects. Skin Prick Test (SPT) and specific IgE (sIgE) measurement are normally recommended to diagnose IgE-mediated mould sensitization. More often than not, agreement between SPT and sIgE results is less than 50% and standardization of the extracts is required to achieve reliable test results. Kespohl and co-workers analyzed mould SPT extracts of Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum and Penicillium chrysogenum from six manufacturers [4]. Protein-, antigen-and IgE-binding contents were quantified by Bradford assay, sandwich ELISA and IgE-ImmunoCAP-inhibition tests. Protein composition and IgE and IgG binding were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting, respectively. With respect to quantity and quality of protein, antigen and human IgE-binding content, those commercially available mould SPT extracts showed high variability raising the question of comparability and reliability of SPT results. Banana lignocellulosic biomass that is abandoned after fruit harvesting has biochemical methane potential as an energy source. Kamdem and co-workers monitored volatile fatty acid biogas production by KOH from six morphological parts of the banana cultivar using high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography [5]. The bulbs, leaf sheaths, petioles-midribs, leaf blades, rachis stems, and floral stalks gave total biogas production of 126-256 ml g −1 dry matter and total biomethane production of 98-162 ml g −1. The biogas production rates and yields depended on the biochemical composition of the biomass and the ability of anaerobic microbes to access fermentable substrates. Acetate was the major VFA in all the MP sample culture media. The bioconversion yields for each morphological part were below 50%, showing that these substrates were not fully biodegraded after 188 days. The estimated electricity that could be produced from biogas combustion after fermenting all of the biomass produced annually by the Del Monte plantations for 188 days is approximately 10 7 kW h, which would be worth one million euros in the current market and could serve over 40,000 people in the region. Biochemical conversion of lignocellulose to fermentable carbohydrates for ethanol production is now being implemented in large-scale industrial production. The conversion process generates a residue containing substantial amounts of lignin, which is mainly incinerated for heat and power generation. Hansen and co-workers analyzed the structural and chemical composition of the solid and liquid fractions of lignin residue from wheat straw [6]. Roughly 70 and 15% of the solid mass fraction consisted of lignin and ash, respectively. Residual carbohydrates mostly originated from hemicellulose in the liquid fraction and from cellulose in the solid fraction. The solid fraction also contained significant amounts of protein, which is a valuable by-product when used as animal feed or when enzymes and yeast cells are separated for process recycling. Silica was the dominant constituent in the mineral fraction and most particles in the solid fraction appeared as silica coated by lignin, hampering separation of the two components before incineration or refinement of the residue. Kang and co-workers estimated biogas production by anaerobic digestion of agricultural byproduct silage from hot pepper farms [7]. Biochemical tests showed that the ultimate methane potential of ensiled material was higher than that of raw material without silage storage, with a lower first-order hydrolysis constant. In comparison with raw material and silage material without additives, silage materials containing microbial additives all showed higher ultimate methane potentials and first order hydrolysis constants, with the highest values found on day 40. Arsenic contamination in the environment has attracted considerable attention worldwide. Ahmad and Gupta compared the effect of As(III) and As(V) species on accumulation, biochemical responses, and gene expression in Brassica juncea var. Pusa Jaganath [8]. Hydroponically grown 14-day-old seedlings of B. juncea were treated with different concentrations of As(III) and As(V). Accumulation of total As increased with increasing concentration of both As species and exposure time, mainly in roots. Reduction in seed germination, root-shoot length, chlorophyll, and protein content were observed more in As(III)-treated leaves. Antioxidant enzymes and stress-related parameters (cysteine, proline, and malondialdehyde) were stimulated, allowing plant to tolerate both As species. Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of the leaves showed significant changes in protein profile with more stringent effect with As(III) stress. Semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis showed regulation in expression of phytochelatin synthase, metallothionine-2, glutathione reductase, and glutathione synthetase