Artichoke leaf extracts: Proteolytic activity, coagulant and HPLC analysis

ABSTRACT The search for origin plant-based proteases increases gradually due to their diversity and stability over a wide range of pH and temperature. Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) flowers are a proteolytic vegetable source already studied, but their leaves are scarce in this respect. Thus, the objective of this research was to obtain extracts of artichoke leaves with different buffers and extraction methods as an alternative proteolytic source and plant coagulant, as well as the separation and comparison of the protein profile of these extracts. The methodology used was based on extraction with sodium citrate buffer (pH 3), sodium acetate (pH 5) and Tris-HCl (pH 7) by mechanical stirrer (MS) and ultrasound (US); protein determination; proteolytic activity (PA) and specific activity (SA); milk clotting activity (MCA) and rennet substitution potential (RSP); high- performance liquid chromatography analysis (HPLC) with UV-Vis detector and principal component analysis (PCA). Extracts of Cynara scolymus leaves showed high results with Citrate-US for the parameters PA (14.38), SA (19.71), MCA (440) and RSP (30.60) compared to other treatments. The extracts with citrate and acetate presented a quick coagulation time (max 3 min). The HPLC analysis enabled the separation of the different protein compounds present in the extracts and most expressive peaks in the samples with Citrate-MS and Acetate-MS; and isolated peaks for Citrate-US. It was concluded that extracts of artichoke leaves with citrate and acetate buffer attributed satisfactory results to act as plant coagulant, as well as to carry out further studies for the purification of proteolytic enzymes and application in cheeses.