What is Muramidase?
Muramidase, commonly known as lysozyme, is an antibacterial enzyme (EC 3.2.1.17) found in saliva, tears, and animal fluids that protects against bacteria by hydrolyzing peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls, particularly in Gram-positive bacteria. It plays a crucial role in innate immunity and is used in pharmaceuticals, food preservation, and diagnostic testing for leukemia.
Everything You Need to Know
What is the function of muramidase?
It functions as an antibacterial agent. The enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in peptidoglycan and between N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in chitodextrin.
What is a lysozyme muramidase test for?
A lysozyme (muramidase) test system is a device intended to measure the activity of the bacteriolytic enzyme lysozyme (muramidase) in serum, plasma, leukocytes, and urine. Lysozyme measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of monocytic leukemia and kidney disease.
Does lysozyme help neuropathy?
Lysozyme amplifies innate immune coordination via macrophage chemotaxis and peptidoglycan signaling through NOD receptors. Macrophage-mediated neuroinflammation is implicated in neuropathy; finely tuned immune activation by lysozyme might reduce neuroinflammatory damage while enhancing tissue repair.
What diseases are associated with lysozyme?
Increased serum lysozyme activity is present in tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, megaloblastic anemias, acute bacterial infections, ulcerative colitis, regional enteritis, and Crohn disease.
Main Details:
Function: It breaks down the bacterial cell wall by catalyzing the hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in peptidoglycan.
Antibacterial Activity: It is highly effective against Gram-positive bacteria due to their exposed peptidoglycan layer.
Sources: Found in high concentrations in egg white, human tears, saliva, and mucus.
Clinical Significance: Elevated serum muramidase levels can indicate acute or chronic monocytic or myeloid leukemias, as it is produced by granulocytes and monocytes.
Industrial Applications: Used as a natural preservative to combat bacterial contamination, extending the shelf life of food products
Applications in Food and Pharmaceuticals
Due to its robust antibacterial properties, muramidase is widely used in food preservation, extending the shelf life of products by inhibiting bacterial growth. The pharmaceutical industry incorporates it into treatments and medications to combat bacterial infections. Its applications also extend to agriculture, where it helps prevent bacterial contamination in animal feed and agricultural products. Furthermore, biotechnology uses muramidase to develop antibacterial coatings and materials, contributing to advancements in medical and industrial fields.
ANALYTICAL RESULTS
| Test Item | Method / Ref. | Specification | Result | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification | In-house ID / label claim | Muramidase (EC 3.2.1.17) | Conforms | Pass |
| Appearance | Visual | Off-white to light brown granulated powder | Conforms | Pass |
| Muramidase Activity | Fluorescence-based enzyme assay, pH 6.0, 30°C | NLT 60,000 LSU(F)/g | 62,400 LSU(F)/g | Pass |
| Activity Unit Definition | As defined in public muramidase dossiers | Report only | LSU(F) reported | Pass |
| Total Viable Count | Plate count | < 5 × 10⁴ CFU/g | 1.8 × 10³ CFU/g | Pass |
| Coliforms | Plate count | < 30 CFU/g | < 10 CFU/g | Pass |
| Enterobacteriaceae | Plate count | < 10 CFU/g | < 10 CFU/g | Pass |
| Salmonella | ISO / absence test | Absent in 25 g | Not Detected | Pass |
| Lead (Pb) | ICP-MS / ICP-OES | ≤ 5 mg/kg | 0.21 mg/kg | Pass |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ICP-MS / ICP-OES | ≤ 0.5 mg/kg | < 0.05 mg/kg | Pass |
| Mercury (Hg) | ICP-MS / ICP-OES | ≤ 0.1 mg/kg | < 0.01 mg/kg | Pass |
| Arsenic (As) | ICP-MS / ICP-OES | ≤ 2 mg/kg | 0.12 mg/kg | Pass |
Production Process
