Astringency - Salivary proteins

10 important questions on Astringency - Salivary proteins

Why is special about saliva (hint: proteins)?

  • Low content of protein (3 g/L) compared to plasma (70 g/L)
  • Unique protein composition: high affinity for polyphenols, those do not occur in body fluids

Why do salivary proteins have a high affinity for polyphenols?

They have high contents of proline residues, often present in proline repeats.

Which 3 classes of salivary proteins are known for their affinity to tannins?

  1. Mucins (MUCs)
  2. Proline-rich proteins (PRPs)
  3. Histatins
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What are differences between mucins, proline-rich proteins and histatines?

  • Mucins --> rich in proline
  • Proline-rich proteins (PRPs) --> rich in proline
  • Histatins --> rich in histidine

Which peptide is the most predominant protein in saliva?

IB-5

How is the peptide IB-5 yielded?

The C-terminal part of the basic PRP PRB4S is post-translationally processed (cleavage by a protease)

How is IB-5 produced for model studies?

It is produced semi-synthetically using recombinant yeasts.

How is astringency induced?

Multimeric polyphenols cross-link the salivary proteins. Aggregates are formed, which precipitate in the oral cavity, ultimately impairing the lubrication within the oral cavity. This loss of lubrication is thought to be responsible for induction of astringency.

How can gelatin reduce astringency?

  • Gelatins are look-alikes of PRPs --> high proline content and a flexible structure
  • Within the product (e.g. Wine) tannins are bound to gelatin (to prevent haze formation over time)
  • Part of the tannins are already removed during wine manufacturing, so they no longer can contact salivary proteins

Are whey proteins suitable to reduce astringency?

No. They have less binding affinity for tannins. They are less proline-rich and the proline residues are less exposed. As these globular proteins are not flexible, the polyphenols cannot reach the proline residues buried inside the protein.

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