Partial characterization of the extraction method for and treatment with a potential anti-cancer agent from almonds
Machado, Daniel
Tuck, Amy
Figard, Steve
Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC
Preliminary data revealed almond extracts created by a mock digestion process were toxic to gastric adenocarcinoma cells in cell culture. Four variables of the extraction method and treatment were evaluated by DOE methodology to determine their effects on the viability of the AGS gastric adenocarcinoma cell line. Design and analysis were done using JMP® software.
The concentration of the digest added was the most important variable, with higher concentrations reducing viability more (p = 0.0168). Increased incubation time was also better for killing the cells (p = 0.0250). As main effects, the grind method and the mock digestion treatment were not statistically significant (p = 0.0546 and 0.4446), but the interaction between the two was (p = 0.0353). If almonds were prepared by a dry grind, the mock digestion treatment worked better, but when a wet grind was used, the no digestion treatment worked better.
It was not surprising to determine that increased concentration and incubation time resulted in reduced cell viability. The interaction between the grind method and presence/absence of the mock digestion was unexpected. This suggests that the cytotoxic component requires a liquid milieu to extract it from the almonds, and that it should survive the digestion process.
