Ficin froM Fig Tree Latex Property

storage temp. 

-20°C

form 

saline suspension

color 

tan

Water Solubility 

Soluble in cold water.

Merck 

14,4077

CAS DataBase Reference

9001-33-6

EPA Substance Registry System

Ficin (9001-33-6)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

Xn,Xi

Risk Statements 

36/37/38-42

Safety Statements 

26-36-36/37-24-22-45-23

WGK Germany 

3

RTECS 

LK3675000

TSCA 

Yes

HS Code 

2942.00.5000

Toxicity

LD50 orally in rats, mice: ~10 g/kg; in rabbits, guinea pigs: ~5 g/kg (Molitor)

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H315Causes skin irritation

H319Causes serious eye irritation

H334May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled

H335May cause respiratory irritation

Precautionary statements

P261Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

P264Wash skin thouroughly after handling.

P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

P302+P352IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of soap and water.

P305+P351+P338IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing.

Ficin froM Fig Tree Latex Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Description

The purified proteolytic substance derived from the latex of Ficus spp. which include a variety of tropical fig trees. The material presents as white to off-white powders which are completely soluble in water (liquid fig latex concentrates are light brown to dark brown). The major active principle is ficin, IUB No. 3.4.22.3, CAS No. 9001-33-6.
Ficin has been cleared by the Meat and Poultry Inspection Division to soften tissues of beef cuts and of raw poultry muscle tissue of the hen, cock, mature turkey, mature duck, mature goose and mature guinea, as follows: Solutions consisting of water and approved proteolytic enzyme applied or injected into raw poultry tissues or cuts of beef shall not result in a weight gain of more than 3%. When approved proteolytic enzymes are used in mature poultry muscle tissue or on steaks or other raw meat cuts, there must be a label indicating such.

Description

Ficin (EC 3.4.22.3) is a protease that is isolated from the latex of species of fig ( Ficus glabrata ) and is composed of several different endopeptidases (Jones & Glazer, 1970) . The latex is collected and the enzyme separated following stabilization, degumming, and dialyzing (Englund, King, Craig, & Walti, 1968) . The active enzymes preferentially cleave proteins at tyrosine and phenylalanine residues. Because of this preferential cleavage, ficin tends to produce hydrolysates with low bitterness, as well as more controlled tenderization than bromelain or papain.

Chemical Properties

Buff to cream-colored powder; acrid odor. Very hygroscopic. Partially soluble in water; insoluble in organic solvents.

Uses

Protein digestant. In the brewing industry as a chill proofing agent in beer. In the cheese industry as a substitute for rennet in the coagulation of milk. In the meat industry as a meat tenderizer and as an agent for removing casings from formed sausage. In the leather industry for the bating of leather. In the textile industry for shrinkproofing wool, for removing gelatin from sized thread, and mixed with amylases and maltases as a spot remover. In the preparation of peptones. For solubilizing protein material in spent grains. Also used in the determination of the Rh factor. Speeds 10 times the agglutination of human blood cells by the Rh factor when in contact with the anti-Rh serum.

Uses

Ficin from fig tree latex has been used:

• in the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and steady-kinetic measurements for assessing its peroxidase functionality
• for the digestion of eye tissue sections prior to immunostaining and immunofluorescence

Uses

Ficin from fig tree latex has been used:

• in the proteolysis of tendon collagen
• in the digestion of Chlorophyta Ulva rigida
• to investigate it effect on protease-activated receptors 2 and 4 activation to induce itch in skin

Definition

Ficin froM Fig Tree Latex is a proteolytic enzyme hydrolyzing casein, collagen, edestin, fibrin, liver, and other proteinlike material.

General Description

Extinction Coefficient: E^1% = 21.0 (280 nm)
pI: 9.0

Biochem/physiol Actions

Ficin is effective in disrupting the staphylococcal?biofilms making it accessible antibiotics exposure.

Safety Profile

Poison by inhalation and intravenous routes. Mildly toxic by ingestion. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes.