EFFECT OF RADIO-FREQUENCY ENERGY ON THE ACTIVITY OF BOWMAN-BIRK TRYPSIN CHYMOTRYPSIN INHIBITOR

Irreversible and reversible changes in the inhibitory activity of the Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI) introduced by radio frequency ene rgy (27 MHz) were studied. Inactivation of BBI by means of radio frequ ency and that by conventional heating with identical time-temperature treatments were found to be similar. No significant extra effect of ra dio frequency energy on heat inactivation of BBI was demonstrated. The effect of radio frequency energy on the activity of trypsin/chymotryp sin in the presence of BBI at a constant temperature of 25 degrees C w as monitored in situ. Under the influence of the radio frequency field more reaction product was produced, which appeared to result from a c hange in inhibitory activity. After removal from the radio frequency f ield, the initial inhibitory activity was recovered, which indicates t hat the induced effect is reversible in nature.