In rice, several allergens have been identified such as the non-specific lipid transfer protein-1, the α-amylase/trypsin-inhibitors, the α-globulin, the 33 kDa glyoxalase I (Gly I), the 52-63 kDa globulin, and the granule-bound starch synthetase. The goal of the present study was to define optimal rice extraction and detection methods that would allow a sensitive and reproducible measure of sev...

Addition of albumin, gamma-globulin, alpha-casein or submaxillary mucin to the assay system for chromogenic measurement of human or rat amylase with blue starch increased the amylase activity, albumin having the most effect. These proteins seemed to increase the activity by protecting amylase from inactivation. Amylase activity was higher in urine samples showing proteinuria than in urine sampl...

When embryonated and de-embryonated cotyledons of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) were kept for germination, only embryonated cotyledons (EC) developed into seedlings. alpha-Amylase activity appeared late in de-embryonated cotyledons (DEC), but increased and matched with that of EC on 4th day, and thereafter started declining. A higher content of reducing sugars may be one of the factors in down ...

Biochemical analysis and immunohistochemical techniques support the theory that hyperamylasaemia in lung cancer is due to amylase production in carcinoma cells. The vast majority of amylase-producing carcinomas are adenocarcinomas with amylase isoenzyme similar to the salivary type. This prospective study assesses alpha-amylase expression in resectable lung cancer. Seventy four patients with re...

Bacillus licheniformis RM44 was isolated from hot spring near Karachi and screened for the production of extracellular amylase Amy RM44. Amy RM44 was purified to homogeneity on a single step by affinity chromatography using insoluble corn starch. The molecular weight of Amy RM44 was estimated to be 66 kDa by SDS-PAGE and zymographic analysis. Nine fold purification was achieved with the specifi...

The Nelson photoelectric method for the determination of glucose in biological fluids (1) has proved to be the method of choice in this laboratory and in many others, owing to its reproducibility, stability of color, and excellent agreement with the Beer-Lambert law. Nelson, however, states that the method is unsuitable for the determination of diastatic activity. Since it is convenient and eco...

A saccharogenic method is described for estimating amylase activity in human urine. Results accord with those reported elsewhere except that in this study the peak in the beta zone is a new finding. Comparison between normal and pathological urines suggests that the amylase activity of the beta peak is not of pancreatic origin.

The alpha-amylases in the salivary glands of Lygus hesperus Knight and L. lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) were isolated and purified by ion exchange chromatography, and by isoelectric focusing, respectively. The alpha-amylase from L. hesperus had an isoelectric point (pI) of 6.25, and a pH optimum of 6.5. The specific activity of alpha-amylases in the salivary glands of L. hesperus was 1.2 U/m...

The Nelson photoelectric method for the determination of glucose in biological fluids (1) has proved to be the method of choice in this laboratory and in many others, owing to its reproducibility, stability of color, and excellent agreement with the Beer-Lambert law. Nelson, however, states that the method is unsuitable for the determination of diastatic activity. Since it is convenient and eco...

Clinical aspects and biochemical properties in the saliva of 21 patients prior to and following radiotherapy for head and neck cancer were evaluated (experimental group) and compared with the same properties in a control group of 21 subjects free of cancer. Salivary flow was evaluated by measuring the time necessary, in seconds, for the output of 2 ml of stimulated saliva; and the buffering cap...