Anthocyanic composition of Tannat grapes from the south region of Uruguay

The anthocyanic composition of Tannat grapes produced in different vineyards in the south region of Uruguay was studied. Two training systems (vertical trellis and lyre) and two pruning methods (Guyot and Royat cordon) in the lyre were considered. A follow-up was carried out, considering 60 plants per treatment, and the vintage was determined according to the traditional indices of maturity. At the moment of the harvest, samples of grapes were taken in duplicate in each treatment and the soluble solids, total acidity, pH, phenolic richness, total potential in anthocyanins and extractable anthocyanin contents were determined. Grapes were frozen and later analysed; skin extractions over 24 h with a solution of 12% ethanol and pH 3.2 were carried out. The anthocyanic contents of the extracts obtained were determined by liquid chromatography. The total potential in anthocyanins of the grapes from the lyre with cordon pruning was significantly higher than the others, whereas the grapes from the cane pruning presented the highest extractable anthocyanins contents. The phenolic richness of the grapes from the lyre (with both pruning systems) was significantly higher than in the vertical trellis. Significant differences in the contents of the anthocyanins and in the anthocyanic profiles of the grapes of each treatment were found. Grapes from the vertical trellis system presented significantly higher proportions of malvidin, coumarylic and acetyl anthocyanins. Grapes from the lyre with cordon pruning presented significantly higher proportions of delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin and peonidin, and non-acylated glucosides. It can be concluded that the yields and the environmental conditions given by the different vineyards determined important differences in the phenolic composition of Tannat grapes. The anthocyanic profiles of the grapes presented significant differences that might determine important variations in the colour and composition of the respective wines.     

MAOS and medicinal chemistry: some important examples from the last years

This review aims to highlight microwave-assisted organic synthesis as applied to medicinal chemistry in the last years, showing some reactions performed under microwave irradiation for the synthesis of distinct structurally molecules of biological interest, divided into the following groups: antineoplastics, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial agents, antivirals, agents for the treatment of neglected diseases and central nervous system-acting prototypes.     

Improved Solvent‐Free Dakin Oxidation Protocol

A solvent‐free Dakin reaction with mCPBA was accomplished with various aromatic aldehydes, resulting in an easy and improved methodology for the preparation of corresponding phenols. 3,4‐Methylenedioxyphenol, 3,4‐dimethoxyphenol, 4‐methoxyphenol, 4‐chlorophenol, and other functionalized phenols were obtained in high yields from the corresponding aromatic aldehydes in a few minutes. This new methodology represents an efficient alternative for this important synthetic conversion.     

O-Alkylation of Bioactive Phthalimide Derivatives Under Microwave Irradiation in Dry Media

In this paper we describe the synthesis of a new series of substituted 2-(4-alkoxy or 4-acyloxyphenethyl)-phthalimide derivatives (4--11). in good yields (58--87%), exploring the remarkable fast O-alkylation or O-acylation of 2-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)-phthalimide (3) in dry media under microwave irradiation.     

Preparation and characterization of poly(urethane–urea) microcapsules containing limonene. Kinetic analysis

The synthesis of poly(urethane–urea) shells (PUU) using poly(ethylene glycols) of different molecular weights and methylene-bis(4-cyclohexylisocyanate) was performed for the microencapsulation of limonene, using a step-growth polymerization process. The obtained microcapsules were structurally characterized by dynamic light scattering, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the core–shell microcapsules had spherical shape, a mean diameter in between 10 and 20?µm, and characteristic urethane-urea bonds. Furthermore, the molecular weight of polyol influences the entrapment efficiency, which ranged from 38 to 55%. The release data were analyzed by applying the Korsmeyer–Peppas model.     

Pharmaceutical trace analysis in aqueous environmental matrices by liquid chromatography–ion trap tandem mass spectrometry

An analytical method based on solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with an ion trap analyser was developed and validated for the quantification of a series of pharmaceutical compounds with distinct physical–chemical characteristics in estuarine water samples. Method detection limits were between 0.03 and 16.4 ng/L. The sensitivity and the accuracy obtained associated with the inherent confirmatory potential of ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (IT-MS/MS) validates its success as an environmental analysis tool. Two MS/MS transitions were used to confirm compound identity. Almost all pharmaceuticals were detected at ng/L level in at least one sampling site of the Douro River estuary, Portugal.     

Understanding the planar tetracoordinate carbon atom: spiropentadiene dication

The atoms in molecule theory shows that the spiropentadiene dication has a planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC) atom stabilized mainly through the sigma bonds and this atom has a negative charge. The bonds to the ptC atom have less covalent character than the central carbon from neutral spiropentadiene. The total positive charge is spread along the structure skeleton. The analysis of the potential energy surface shows that the dication spiropentadiene has a 2.3 kcal/mol activation barrier for ring opening.     

Prospects for the rapid detection of mealiness in apples by nondestructive NMR relaxometry

The potential of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry for quantitative evaluation of apple mealiness has been investigated. The degree of “mealiness” was defined by several mechanical techniques, including penetration, compression and shear rupture as well as by the BRIX (soluble solids) and juiciness levels. These data were correlated with both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and NMR water proton transverse relaxation time measurements on a fruit-by-fruit basis. It was found that increasing mealiness caused a systematic increase in the transverse relaxation rate. The potential for rapid, on-line NMR/MRI detection of apple mealiness is discussed.