ANALYSIS OF PROTEIN CONCENTRATE FROM KAHAI (CARYODENDRON ORINOCENSE KARST) SEEDS CULTIVATED IN AMAZONIA OF ECUADOR

Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain Kahai protein concentrate from Caryodendron orinocense Karst cultivated in the Amazonic region of Ecuador, to characterize its proteins using the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and native electrophoresis methods, and to determine its content of total polyphenols.Methods: Kahai seeds (C. orinocense Karst) were utilized to obtain Kahai protein concentrate at pH 3.0, pH 4.0, pH 5.0, and pH 6.0 using the isoelectric precipitation method. The proteins were characterized using the SDS-PAGE and native-PAGE electrophoresis methods. Total polyphenols were determined using the colorimetric assay method.Results: The best treatment to obtain Kahai protein concentrate was at pH 5.0 with a 21.91% yield using the cold extraction method. The best treatment was at pH 6.0 with a 11.07% yield using the heat extraction method. Kahai concentrates presented a complex profile of proteins with molecular weights between 14 and 97 kDa. It was possible to obtain at the same time polyphenols at pH 5.0 with a value of 1028.58 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g protein of sample.Conclusion: This study suggests that Kahai protein concentrates possess a high content of proteins and polyphenols that can be used to elaborate functional foods.