Edestin, (also known as Edistin) is a highly-digestible, hexameric

legumin Legumin is family of globular proteins obtained from beans, peas, lentils, vetches, Hemp protein, hemp and other leguminous seeds. Garden peas are a common nutritional source for humans that contains legumin. Legumin is similar to the casein of mam ...

protein with six subunits, and a seed storage protein, with a molecular weight of 310 kDa. This protein is primarily found in hemp seeds. Edestin is a

globular protein In biochemistry, globular proteins or spheroproteins are spherical ("globe-like") proteins and are one of the common protein types (the others being fibrous, disordered and membrane proteins). Globular proteins are somewhat water-soluble (form ...

(biologically active) as opposed to

fibrous protein In molecular biology, fibrous proteins or scleroproteins are one of the three main classifications of protein structure (alongside globular and membrane proteins). Fibrous proteins are made up of elongated or fibrous polypeptide chains which for ...

(structural). Globular proteins found in edestin (and in

Alpha 1 globulins Alpha globulins are a group of globular proteins in plasma that are highly mobile in alkaline or electrically charged solutions. They inhibit certain blood proteases and show significant inhibitor activity. The alpha globulins typically have mol ...

Alpha 2 globulins Alpha globulins are a group of globular proteins in plasma that are highly mobile in alkaline or electrically charged solutions. They inhibit certain blood proteases and show significant inhibitor activity. The alpha globulins typically have mol ...

Beta globulins Beta globulins are a group of globular proteins in plasma that are more mobile in alkaline or electrically charged solutions than gamma globulins, but less mobile than alpha globulins. Examples of beta globulins include: * beta-2 microglobulin * ...

, and

Gamma globulins Gamma globulins are a class of globulins, identified by their position after serum protein electrophoresis. The most significant gamma globulins are immunoglobulins (antibodies), although some immunoglobulins are not gamma globulins, and some ga ...

) are long peptide chains, precursors for biological proteins essential for life. Edestin is similar to serum globulin (blood plasma), and the biologically active protein of edestin is metabolized in the human body and capable of biosynthesizing: *

hormones A hormone (from the Greek participle , "setting in motion") is a class of signaling molecules in multicellular organisms that are sent to distant organs or tissues by complex biological processes to regulate physiology and behavior. Hormones a ...

(which regulate all the body processes), *

hemoglobin Hemoglobin (haemoglobin, Hb or Hgb) is a protein containing iron that facilitates the transportation of oxygen in red blood cells. Almost all vertebrates contain hemoglobin, with the sole exception of the fish family Channichthyidae. Hemoglobin ...

(which transports oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitric oxide), *

enzymes An enzyme () is a protein that acts as a biological catalyst by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as pro ...

(which catalyze and control biochemical reactions), *

antibodies An antibody (Ab) or immunoglobulin (Ig) is a large, Y-shaped protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily which is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize antigens such as bacteria and viruses, including those that caus ...

(immunoglobulins which fend off invading bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, as well as toxins or antigens as they enter the body). Edestin can also be broken down to edestan.

Hemp seed

It has been discovered that there are seven cDNAs encoding edestin in Cannabis sativa L., the sequences are distinguished by globulin characteristic. There is a type 1 and type 2 of edestin that are both used in process of the development of hemp seeds. Edestin has been used to help the nutritional quality of plant consumption. Hemp seeds are considered to be fruits from hemp plants, and can be used in several different methods: medicine, food, fiber, or psychoactive adjuvants. Commercial

hemp seeds Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a plant in the botanical class of ''Cannabis sativa'' cultivars grown specifically for industrial and consumable use. It can be used to make a wide range of products. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest ...

(for human consumption) contain an average 30-35% protein, of which 60-80% is edestin (the remainder being

albumin Albumin is a family of globular proteins, the most common of which are the serum albumins. All of the proteins of the albumin family are water- soluble, moderately soluble in concentrated salt solutions, and experience heat denaturation. Alb ...

). A particular strain of Korean hemp, Cheungsam, because it contains 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, has been suggested for utilization as "a superior antioxidative nutrient".

References

Seed storage proteins {{protein-stub