Effect of Blanching on the Protein Profile of Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) Analyzed by SDS-PAGE

Authors

  • Fitri Widya Handayani Biotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Food Security, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Jl. Prof.Dr.Moestopo No.4, Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Shinta Wulansari Biotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Food Security, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Jl. Prof.Dr.Moestopo No.4, Surabaya, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33394/hjkk.v14i3.20408

Keywords:

Vernonia amygdalina, Blanching, SDS-PAGE, Protein Profile, Polyphenol

Abstract

Blanching is widely employed as a pre-treatment for leafy vegetables to inactivate enzymes and preserve quality. However, its effect on protein integrity in polyphenol rich species remains inadequately characterized. This study evaluated the effect of blanching on the protein profile and protein content of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina). Blanched and non-blanched leaves were extracted using a TCA-based protocol, and protein profiles were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, while protein content was determined by the Kjeldahl method in triplicate. SDS-PAGE revealed distinct protein bands only in blanched samples, whereas non-blanched samples showed no visible bands. Kjeldahl analysis indicated that non-blanched samples had slightly higher protein content (19.20 0.13%) than blanched samples (18.24 0.21%, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that blanching improves protein extractability and electrophoretic detectability, although it slightly reduces total Kjeldahl protein content. Combined qualitative and quantitative approaches are essential for accurate protein assessment in polyphenol-rich plant materials.

References

Achilli, C., Ciana, A., & Minetti, G. (2018). Oxidation of cysteine-rich proteins during gel electrophoresis. Journal of Biological Methods, 5(4), 1. https://doi.org/10.14440/jbm.2018.275

Barea, P., Melgosa, R., Illera, A. E., Alonso-Riaño, P., Díaz de Cerio, E., Benito-Román, O., Beltrán, S., & Teresa Sanz, M. (2023). Production of small peptides and low molecular weight amino acids by subcritical water from fish meal: Effect of pressurization agent. Food Chemistry, 418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135925

Cornelia, M., Agustini, I., & Sugata, M. (2025). Characterization of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina Delile) extract, lemon (Citrus limon Osbeck), and honey in functional beverages making. BIO Web of Conferences, 169. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202516904005

Di Marzo, L., Pranata, J., & Barbano, D. M. (2021). Measurement of casein in milk by Kjeldahl and sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Journal of Dairy Science, 104(7), 7448–7456. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-18794

Di Stefano, E., Agyei, D., Njoku, E. N., & Udenigwe, C. C. (2018). Plant RuBisCo: An Underutilized Protein for Food Applications. In JAOCS, Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (Vol. 95, Number 8, pp. 1063–1074). Wiley-Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/aocs.12104

Ducrocq, M., Morel, M. H., Anton, M., Micard, V., Guyot, S., Beaumal, V., Solé-Jamault, V., & Boire, A. (2022). Biochemical and physical–chemical characterisation of leaf proteins extracted from Cichorium endivia leaves. Food Chemistry, 381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132254

Edo, G. I., Samuel, P. O., Jikah, A. N., Onoharigho, F. O., Idu, L. I., Obasohan, P., Opiti, A. R., Electric, J., Ikpekoro, V. O., Otunuya, C. F., Ugbuwe, E., Ongulu, J., Ijide, M., Nwaose, I. D., Ajakaye, S. R., & Owigho, J. E. (2023). Biological and bioactive components of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina leaf): Insight on health and nutritional benefits. A review. In Food Chemistry Advances (Vol. 3). Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focha.2023.100488

Kiełczewska, K., Kowalik, J., Dabrowska˛, A., Jankowska, A., & Wachowska, M. (2021). The effect of high-pressure treatment and skimming on caprine milk proteins. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 11(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/app11135982

Lee, B. J., Siow, L. F., Cheong, K. W., & Thoo, Y. Y. (2025). Effect of Indirect-Contact blanching treatment on phytochemicals, antioxidant activities, and enzyme inactivation of calamansi waste. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 19(6), 4244–4256. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-025-03250-5

Li, K., Yuan, X., Zhao, J., Ren, J., Ma, L., Liao, X., Hu, X., Chen, F., & Ji, J. (2024). Covalent conjugate of pea protein induced by cyanidin-3-O-glucoside quinone: The structural formation and functional properties. Food Hydrocolloids, 153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110047

Li, Y., Jongberg, S., Andersen, M. L., Davies, M. J., & Lund, M. N. (2016). Quinone-induced protein modifications: Kinetic preference for reaction of 1,2-benzoquinones with thiol groups in proteins. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 97, 148–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.05.019

Lynch, J. M., & Barbano, D. M. (1999). Kjeldahl Nitrogen Analysis as a Reference Method for Protein Determination in Dairy Products. In Journal of AOAC International (Vol. 82, Number 6). https://academic.oup.com/jaoac/article-abstract/82/6/1389/5683920

Magomya, A. M., Kubmarawa, D., Ndahi, J. A., & Yebpella, G. G. (2014). Determination Of Plant Proteins Via The Kjeldahl Method And Amino Acid Analysis: A Comparative Study. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 3. www.ijstr.org

Menzel, S., Holland, T., Boes, A., Spiegel, H., Bolzenius, J., Fischer, R., & Buyel, J. F. (2016). Optimized blanching reduces the host cell protein content and substantially enhances the recovery and stability of two plant-derived malaria vaccine candidates. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7(FEB2016). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00159

Niu, L., Zhang, H., Wu, Z., Wang, Y., Liu, H., Wu, X., & Wang, W. (2018). Modified TCA/acetone precipitation of plant proteins for proteomic analysis. PLoS ONE, 13(12). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202238

Obi, P. U., Babagana, M., Idris, I., Hadiza, M., Nma, E. M., & Nadhiekhan, A. (2024). Analysis of Proximate, Mineral and Phytochemical Composition of Fresh and Dry Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf) in Bida Metropolis, Niger State. UMYU Scientifica, 3(1), 88–94. https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2431.010

Oseghale, I. D., Lawal, O. P., Ubebe, D. O., Orjiewulu, V. C., Igunma, A. A., Odey, O. P., Ajibola, D. T., Chima, D. I., Tuador, N. K., & Ani, C. P. (2024). Ethnomedicinal and Phytopharmacological Aspects of Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf) Utilized as a Traditional Medicinal Herb. Asian Journal of Research in Biochemistry, 14(6), 41–57. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajrb/2024/v14i6326

Peter Achunike Akah. (2024). Vernonia amygdalina Del (Bitter leaf) a traditional anti-diabetic gold mine - Mini Review. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences, 9(1), 170–175. https://doi.org/10.21760/jaims.9.1.24

Qiu, C., Meng, Y., Zhang, Z., Li, X., McClements, D. J., Li, G., Jiang, L., Wen, J., Jin, Z., & Ji, H. (2025). Enhancement of soy protein functionality by conjugation or complexation with polysaccharides or polyphenols: A review. In Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (Vol. 24, Number 1). John Wiley and Sons Inc. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.70095

Simonne, A. H., Simonne, E. H., Eitenmiller, R. R., Mills, H. A., & Cresman, C. P. (1997). Could the Dumas Method Replace the Kjeldahl Digestion for Nitrogen and Crude Protein Determinations in Foods? Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 73(1), 39–45. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1097-0010(199701)73:1<39::aid-jsfa717>3.0.co;2-4

Tilley, A., McHenry, M. P., McHenry, J. A., Solah, V., & Bayliss, K. (2023). Enzymatic browning: The role of substrates in polyphenol oxidase mediated browning: Mechanisms of enzymatic browning. In Current Research in Food Science (Vol. 7). Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2023.100623

Tran, T., Xu, Z., Coupland, J., & Zhang, Y. (2025). Acid-Adapted Polyphenol Oxidases from Agricultural Wastes: Extraction, Characterization, and Application in Plant Protein Crosslinking. Foods, 14(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14193312

Trigo, J. P., Stedt, K., Schmidt, A. E. M., Kollander, B., Edlund, U., Nylund, G., Pavia, H., Abdollahi, M., & Undeland, I. (2023). Mild blanching prior to pH-shift processing of Saccharina latissima retains protein extraction yields and amino acid levels of extracts while minimizing iodine content. Food Chemistry, 404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134576

Ugbogu, E. A., Emmanuel, O., Dike, E. D., Agi, G. O., Ugbogu, O. C., Ibe, C., & Iweala, E. J. (2021). The Phytochemistry, Ethnobotanical, and Pharmacological Potentials of the Medicinal Plant-Vernonia amygdalina L. (bitter Leaf). Clinical Complementary Medicine and Pharmacology, 1(1), 100006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccmp.2021.100006

Wohlt, D., Schwarz, E., Schieber, A., & Bader-Mittermaier, S. (2021). Effects of extraction conditions on banana peel polyphenol oxidase activity and insights into inactivation kinetics using thermal and cold plasma treatment. Foods, 10(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10051022

Zhao, H., Shen, C., Wu, Z., Zhang, Z., & Xu, C. (2020). Comparison of wheat, soybean, rice, and pea protein properties for effective applications in food products. Journal of Food Biochemistry, 44(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.13157

Zheng, K., Kaschani, F., Watts, E. C., Kaiser, M., & van der Hoorn, R. A. L. (2025). Polyphenol oxidase depletion in Nicotiana benthamiana enhances recombinant protein purification and preserves native protein integrity. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.28.679031

Downloads

Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Handayani, F. W., & Wulansari, S. (2026). Effect of Blanching on the Protein Profile of Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) Analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Hydrogen: Jurnal Kependidikan Kimia, 14(3), 479–487. https://doi.org/10.33394/hjkk.v14i3.20408

Issue

Section

Articles