Soybean properties
The protein Bowman-Birk Protease Inhibitor (BBI) is present in soybeans and demonstrates strong cancer chemoprotective properties.
The protein Bowman-Birk Protease Inhibitor (BBI) is present in soybeans and demonstrates strong cancer chemoprotective properties. Unfortunately, extracting BBI from the bean is difficult. However, a team of scientists has conducted an interesting study in which they report that soybean seeds incubated in warm water release large amounts of proteins that can easily be harvested.1
Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis of the proteins resulted in the separation of 93 distinct protein spots, 90 of which were identified by LC–MS–MS. BBI and the basic 7S globulin are the two predominant proteins found in soybeans. The team was able to demonstrate that soybean seed exudate was able to inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7.
The team concluded that their findings could potentially be used as a simple alternative method for the preparation of BBI concentrate for use as a cancer chemoprotective agent.
1. Hari B. Krishnan et al., Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 60(12), 3135–3143 (2012).
This story originally appeared in The Column. Click here to view that issue.
Accelerating Monoclonal Antibody Quality Control: The Role of LC–MS in Upstream Bioprocessing
This study highlights the promising potential of LC–MS as a powerful tool for mAb quality control within the context of upstream processing.
Using GC-MS to Measure Improvement Efforts to TNT-Contaminated Soil
April 29th 2025Researchers developing a plant microbial consortium that can repair in-situ high concentration TNT (1434 mg/kg) contaminated soil, as well as overcome the limitations of previous studies that only focused on simulated pollution, used untargeted metabolone gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to measure their success.
Prioritizing Non-Target Screening in LC–HRMS Environmental Sample Analysis
April 28th 2025When analyzing samples using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry, there are various ways the processes can be improved. Researchers created new methods for prioritizing these strategies.
Potential Obstacles in Chromatographic Analyses Distinguishing Marijuana from Hemp
April 28th 2025LCGC International's April series for National Cannabis Awareness Month concludes with a discussion with Walter B. Wilson from the National Institute of Standard and Technology’s (NIST’s) Chemical Sciences Division regarding recent research his team conducted investigating chromatographic interferences that can potentially inflate the levels of Δ9-THC in Cannabis sativa plant samples, and possible solutions to avoid this problem.
