News: Plants with genetically modified enzymes/coenzymes are being contemplated to be launched as source of antioxidants in future food markets.
About Enzymes and Coenzymes
- Enzymes: They are specialized proteins that act as biological catalysts, accelerating the rate of chemical reactions in cells without being consumed or permanently altering themselves.
- Coenzymes: Many enzymes require some molecules as cofactors for efficient functioning. These helper molecules are called coenzymes.
- They are naturally occurring organic, non-protein molecules that bind to and support the activity of enzymes.
- Types of coenzymes: Based on their chemical nature, coenzymes can be categorized as-
- Vitamin derived coenzymes like Biotin, NAD⁺, NADP⁺, Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP)
- Non-vitamin coenzymes like Coenzyme Q
About Coenzyme Q
- It is also known as ubiquinone and is present in every cell membrane.
- Feature: It contains several isoprene units which are antioxidants and offer stability against stress.
- Types: It comes in 10 different types (CoQ1…Q10).
- Functions: Each one of them act as a water-insoluble, but lipid-soluble antioxidant.
- All these coenzymes play a vital role in the function of the mitochondrion, the major energy producer in the cell.
- Coenzyme Q09: It has nine isoprene units. It is abundantly found in cereal crops like wheat, rice, oats, barley, corn, rye, millet and in plants like cinnamon, avocado and pepper.
- Coenzyme Q10: It occurs naturally in human body. It is a component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain in humans. Since heart have high energy demands and contain high concentrations of CoQ10.
- Advantage of CoQ10: Developing CoQ10-enriched crops offers a cost-effective and sustainable way to enhance nutritional value and improve health benefits.
- In a research, the gene-edited rice demonstrated over 75% CoQ10 accumulation in both grains and leaves.
