Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
bind to vastly different sets of 750 proteins. The study proved that proteins with
high affinity that bind with CNTs are potential targets after the latter enters the cell.
The conformation and functions of these proteins may be affected, resulting in
disruptions to cellular structure and functioning. Wang et al. in a cytotoxicity study
showed that MWCNTs with larger diameters exhibit a higher level of toxicity to
cells [
93
]. Interestingly, the toxicity of CNT was found to decrease after the protein
binding [
94
] as these proteins saturated the protein binding sites of the CNT and
prevented further interactions of cellular proteins. Thus, 2D-PAGE analysis of the
serum protein binding to CNTs could account for its toxicity and thereby further use
in medicine and therapy.
15.3.8 Other Applications
15.3.8.1 Applications in Food
Food technology has immensely benefited from the advances in current proteomic
techniques. Proteomic analysis allowed to translate scientific knowledge into dis-
covery and quantification of biomarkers that can allow to assess predisposition,
efficacy and characterisation, and quantification of food bioactives [
95
], useful for
the solutions of problems in food quality, safety and nutrition, and ultimately
human health. Recent advancements in biochemistry and molecular biology have
seen the use of proteins as potential candidate biomarkers for quality testing in
various endeavours [
96
]. Nanoproteomics have been widely employed for biomed-
ical applications for the identification of various biomarkers. Several parameters
such as microbial contamination, allergens, toxins, adulteration and traceability of
genetically modified organisms have been the focus of proteomic studies so far.
Proteomic research is focused on the individuation of quality markers of various
foods, from meat to vegetables, of biological or genetically engineered origin
[
97
]. These protein quality biomarkers can be monitored throughout industrial
production processes, in similar fashion to the actual application of proteomics in
other fields of research [
98
]. A database of bioactive peptides has also been
developed for determination of potential bioactivity of food proteins and their
classification [
99
]. In the near future, the identification of potentially active food
constituents and the demonstration of their bioavailability and efficacy will lead to
develop “functional foods” for specific diseases or personalised nutrition. Bio-
markers have been proven as being an important tool to understand and explain
the responsiveness of humans to dietary components, whole food or individual
compounds, and ultimately reveal the relationship between nutrition and health.
Proteomic methods have been used to study the response of colon cancer cells to
quercetin treatment [
100
] and allowed the discovery and development of several
other nutraceuticals.
