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Protective effects of chlorophyll a and pheophytin a derived from green tea ( Camellia sinensis ) on p ‐nonylphenol‐induced cell growth inhibition and oxygen radical generation in yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae )
Author(s) -
Okai Yasuji,
HigashiOkai Kiyoka
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.967
Subject(s) - camellia sinensis , chemistry , yeast , photosynthesis , chlorophyll , respiration , chlorophyllin , biochemistry , cell growth , growth inhibition , botany , biology , organic chemistry
Abstract We recently reported that the endocrine disruptor p ‐nonylphenol (NP) caused suppressive effects on cell growth and cellular respiration in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and that these effects were associated with NP‐induced oxygen radical generation (Okai Y et al , FEMS Microbiol Lett 185:65–70 (2000)). In the present study we found preventive effects of photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll a and pheophytin a from green tea ( Camellia sinensis ) on NP‐induced inhibition of cell growth and cellular respiration in yeast. Their preventive activities were much higher than those of a synthetic sodium–copper salt form of chlorophyll, chlorophyllin. These pigments also prevented NP‐induced oxygen radical generation in yeast cells, showing suppressive activities proportional to their preventive activities against inhibition of cell growth and cellular respiration. The significance of this finding is discussed from the viewpoint of protective activity of photosynthetic pigments against endocrine disruptor‐induced harmful effects. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry