Flavin mononucleotide analysis

The varions flavin phosphates and their acetyl derivatives were identified by pH titration, electrophoresis, and H-NMR, which permit direct analysis of crude reaction prodncts as well as rapid purity check of commercial flavin mononucleotide or riboflavin 5 -monophosphate (FMN or 5 -FMN) [7]. Riboflavin 4 -monophosphate was determined as the main by-product of commercial FMN by preparative TLC on cellulose with n-butanol/acetic add/water (5 2 3, v/v) as a solvent [7]. 

HPLC with fluorescence detection was employed for the analysis of riboflavin (RF), flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin-adenin dinucleotide (FAD) in beer, wine and other beverages. The investigation was motivated by the finding that these compounds are responsible for the so-called taste of light which develops in beverages exposed to light. Samples were filtered and injected in to the analytical column without any other pretreatment. Separations were carried out in an ODS column (200 X 2.1mm i.d. particle size 5 pm). Solvents A and B were 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 3) and ACN, respectively. The... 

Abbreviations FAD, flavin adenine dinucleotide Fe-S, iron-sulfur proteins that can he identified in separate clusters by electron paramagnetic resonance analysis (the s-1, s-2 subscripts identify these iron-sulfur proteins as part of the succinate dehydrogenase complex) His, the histidine linkage between FAD and the large (70,000 daltons) protein moiety of the enzyme FMN, flavin mononucleotide N-la, N-2 subscripts identify these iron-sulfur proteins as part of the NADH-dehydro-genase complex UQ, ubiquinone Cyt bf and Cyt b, cytochrome b-566 and b-563, respectively. 

In 1915, Harden and Norris observed that dried yeast, when mixed with lactic acid, reduced methylene blue and formed pyruvic acid 4). Thirteen years later Bernheim prepared an extract from acetone-dried baker s yeast, which had lactate dehydrogenase activity (5). Bach and co-workers demonstrated that the lactate dehydrogenase activity was associated with a 6-type cytochrome, which they named cytochrome 62 (6). In 1954, the enzyme was crystallized, enabling the preparation of pure material and the identification of flavin mononucleotide as a second prosthetic group (2). Since then, significant advances have been made in the analysis of the structure and function of the enzyme. Much of the earlier work on flavocytochrome 62 has already been summarized in previous review articles (7-10). In this article we shall describe recent developments in the study of this enzyme, ranging fi om kinetic, spectroscopic, and structural data to the impact of recombinant DNA technology. 

Several other analytical procedures are available for enzyme activity determination. Fluorescence, this is the ability of certain molecules to absorb light at a certain wavelength and emit it at another, is a property than can be used for enzymatic analysis. NADH, but also FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide) and FMN (flavin mononucleotide) have this property that can be used for those enzyme requiring that molecules as coenzymes (Eschenbrenner et al. 1995). This method shares some of the good properties of spectrophotometry and can also be integrated into an HPLC system, but it is less flexible and the equipment not so common in a standard research laboratory. 

Vitamin B2 Food contains three B2 vitamers, riboflavin and its two coenzyme forms, flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide, which are the predominant vitamers in foods and are usually bound to proteins. Their analysis usually takes place after extraction with dilute mineral acids with or without enzymatic hydrolysis of the coenzymes (which is necessary to convert all forms to riboflavin and to quantify them as total riboflavin). The extracts may be purified using SPE with Cig cartridges. All the operations performed prior to analysis need to be done under subdued lighting to avoid decomposition of riboflavin upon exposure to light. RP chromatography with Cig columns is used along with fluorescence detection (excitation, 440 nm emission, 520 nm). 

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) also acts as a cofactor and is a precursor for the coenzymes flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). These coenzymes are used in metabolism and catalyze numerous oxidation—reduction reactions. Among the good dietary sources for riboflavin, most animal-derived products, milk and dairy products, are pointed out. Foods are usually pretreated before analysis of riboflavin following similar procedures to those described for vitamin Bi. Similarly, fluorescence detection is mostly employed (370 nm ex., 520 ran em.) after RP separation. 

One of the two important parts of enzyme is a flavo-iron-sulfur protein with NADH-dependent oxidoreductase activity. The reductase is a monomeric 34 kDa (in case of phthalate dioxygenase reductase) flavo-iron-sulfur protein containing flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and a plant-ferredoxin-type [2Fe-2S] center in a 1 1 ratio [372]. Structure of this part of the enzyme has been studied recently by X-ray crystallographic analysis [375], low-temperature EPR [383], and kinetically [378]. 

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