The Effect of Curcuma longa Extract on the Rate of Aggregation and Concentration of Proteins in Albumen

Abstract

Protein aggregation may cause the loss of drug potency, alter pharmacokinetic profiles, and induce unwanted immunogenicity. Albumen contains a variety of proteins and exhibits non-reversible aggregation in the presence of denaturing stimuli. The effectiveness of Curcuma longa extract, containing the principal curcuminoid curcumin, to prevent or decrease the rate of aggregation and retain functional proteins found in albumen was tested using a laser and light sensor. The presence of C. longa extract in the albumen decreased the rate at which the solution became opaque when denatured by the application of heat. The data suggests that C. longa extract decreases the rate of aggregation of the proteins present in albumen. To evaluate if the proteins remaining in the albumen solution after heating were functional, a Bio-Rad protein assay was used. The results suggest that in the presence of C. longa extract more functional proteins remain in solution.