Award details

Investigation of functional and conformational aspects of soya proteins using monoclonal antibodies

Reference	BBS/E/F/02150745
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Mike Morgan
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Quadram Institute Bioscience
Department	Quadram Institute Bioscience Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	47,700
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	31/10/1998
Duration	19 months

Abstract

Background: The investigation of plant food biopolymer functionality at the molecular level provides a unique challenge of relevance to plant and food sciences, with considerable implications for food quality. Monoclonal antibodies can be used to reveal epitopes related to functionality, and for elucidation of how such epitopes contribute to beneficial (and sometimes deleterious) properties. The use of antibodies in this way allows questions to be asked as to the importance of epitope concentration, availability and conformation, as well as the role of processing practices. Research on glycinin and conglycinin, the major seed storage proteins of soya, is proposed. Previous work (J. Agric. Food Chem., 42, 834- 840, 1994) has revealed the importance of specific conformation changes during processing of soya to epitope availability. The studentship would tackle the nature of the processing-induced changes, and seek additional stable moieties as markers of protein concentration. Year l: Epitope-mapping of currently-available antibodies using Pepscan technology and/or protein hydrolysis methods as appropriate. Production of further antibodies, using peptides for screening purpose, with a view to defining heat-stable and labile epitopes. Year 2: Use of antibodies to monitor denaturation through heating; application of understanding gained from epitope mapping studies in defining the molecular basis of changes occurnng. Year 3: Application of understanding gained to commercially- processed material; use of ELISA technology for process monitoring; develop hypotheses for improvement of process quality control and improvements in efficiency; develop hypotheses for improvement of raw material quality.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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