Physicochemical Properties of Rhodanese in Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) Mesocarp and Seed
Keywords:
Anacardium occidentale mesocarp, Anacardium occidentale seed, rhodanese, cyanide detoxificationAbstract
Cyanide is a lethal toxin that inhibits mitochondrial enzymes, thereby blocking oxygen utilisation and ATP synthesis, which leads to cellular death. Rhodanese, a mitochondrial enzyme, detoxifies cyanide by converting it to the less toxic thiocyanate. This study is aimed at investigating the physicochemical properties of rhodanese in Anacardium occidentale (cashew) mesocarp and seed as a potential detoxifier of cyanide. Enzymes were isolated and partially purified using 80% ammonium sulphate precipitation and dialysis. Rhodanese from the mesocarp had a specific activity of 0.442 µmol/min/mg, a purification fold of 10.524, and a 1.820% yield, while the seed enzyme showed 0.462 µmol/min/mg, a 0.774-fold, and a 21.664% yield. Kinetic studies revealed enzyme affinity for Na2S2O3 (Km = 0.0422 ± 0.0091 mM, Vmax = 0.1611 ± 0.0086 µmol/min/mg protein in mesocarp; Km = 0.0460 ± 0.0194 mM, Vmax = 0.4511 ± 0.0492 µmol/min/mg protein in seed) and for KCN (Km = 0.2394 ± 0.1091 mM, Vmax = 0.1235 ± 0.0325 µmol/min/mg protein in mesocarp; Km = 0.2373 ± 0.2491 mM, Vmax = 0.7116 ± 0.4292 µmol/min/mg protein in seed). Optimum enzyme activities occurred at pH 5 and 7 for the mesocarp and seed, respectively, and at 50°C and 30°C for the mesocarp and seed, respectively. Metal ions and inhibitors variably affected enzyme activity: NaCl (10 mM) caused maximum inhibition, while SnCl2 showed minimal inhibition. Urea, mercaptoethanol, and EDTA also affected activity to differing degrees. The detection of active rhodanese in Anacardium occidentale mesocarp and seed indicates their potential for cyanide detoxification and environmental protection. Further purification using advanced techniques is recommended to enhance understanding and application of this enzyme system.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Bamidele S. Fagbohunka, Kuburat T. Odufuwa, Adefemi O. Adefuye, Oluwaseyi A. Famakinwa, Esther N. Ezima, Raphael E. Okonji (Author)
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