biostudies-literatureZhang LShihezi university research startup projectNational Natural Science Foundation of China816https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9788223biostudies-literatureUnknown14(12)Gossypol is a polyphenolic toxic secondary metabolite derived from cotton. Free gossypol in cotton meal is remarkably harmful to animals. Furthermore, microbial degradation of gossypol produces metabolites that reduce feed quality. We adopted an enzymatic method to degrade free gossypol safely and effectively. We cloned the gene <i>cce001a</i> encoding carboxylesterase (CarE) into pPICZαA and transformed it into <i>Pichia pastoris</i> GS115. The target protein was successfully obtained, and CarE <i>CCE001a</i> could effectively degrade free gossypol with a degradation rate of 89%. When esterase was added, the exposed toxic groups of gossypol reacted with different amino acids and amines to form bound gossypol, generating substances with (M + H) <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> ratios of 560.15, 600.25, aToxinsBiodegradation of Free Gossypol by <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i> Carboxylesterase Expressed in <i>Pichia pastoris</i>.PMC978822331860660KX01500301RCZK20190132060770Yang XZhang WNie CNiu JZhang LChen CHuang RfalseBiodegradation of Free Gossypol by <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i> Carboxylesterase Expressed in <i>Pichia pastoris</i>.Gossypol is a polyphenolic toxic secondary metabolite derived from cotton. Free gossypol in cotton meal is remarkably harmful to animals. Furthermore, microbial degradation of gossypol produces metabolites that reduce feed quality. We adopted an enzymatic method to degrade free gossypol safely and effectively. We cloned the gene <i>cce001a</i> encoding carboxylesterase (CarE) into pPICZαA and transformed it into <i>Pichia pastoris</i> GS115. The target protein was successfully obtained, and CarE <i>CCE001a</i> could effectively degrade free gossypol with a degradation rate of 89%. When esterase was added, the exposed toxic groups of gossypol reacted with different amino acids and amines to form bound gossypol, generating substances with (M + H) <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> ratios of 560.15, 600.25, a2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Nov2026-04-08T11:07:38.881Z2025-02-19T03:24:29.062ZS-EPMC97882233654871310.3390/toxins14120816