Effects of Sodium Polyacrylate on the Enzymes Existing in Intestine

Abstract

The effects of sodium polyacrylate (food additive) on the activities of carboxypeptidase A (CA), intestinal alkaline phosphatase (AP) and trypsin (TP) were studied in vitro.
These enzyme activities were inhibited from 20 to 50% by polyacrylate (PA) under the experimental conditions adopted. The extent of inhibition was influenced by the period and temperature of pre-incubation as well as the concentration of PA, but not influenced by the difference of polymerization degree of PA.
The inhibition by acrylate (monomer) was observed with CA, but not with AP and TP. The degree of inhibition on the activity of AP was influenced to a great extent by the different buffers even in the same pH value. The inhibition of AP activity by PA was almost completely restored by the addition of Mg²⁺ or Zn²⁺. On the other hand, the inhibition of CA and TP was partially restored by Zn²⁺ or Co²⁺, and by Mg²⁺, respectively.