Semipreparative-scale gas-chromatographic separation of filbertone enantiomers

The enantioselectivity of heptakis(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-beta-CD) toward racemic filbertone (E-5-methyl-hep-2-en-4-one) was studied by performing the chiral separation on a capillary column, a thick-film wide-bore column and a semipreparative column. The semipreparative enantioseparation of filbertone was achieved at 80 degrees C by using a packed column providing (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of filbertone with ee 90 and 96%, respectively. The isolated enantiomers (approximately 250 microg each, ee = 90-96%) may be used for studies on the relationship of chirality and biological activity by olfactory screening and toxicological studies.     

Kinetics of adsorption and proteolytic cleavage of a multilayer ovalbumin film by subtilisin Carlsberg

Adsorption and proteolytic activity of the enzyme subtilisin Carlsberg have been studied on an immobilized, multilayer ovalbumin film. The cross-linked multilayer substrate permits protease adsorption to be examined unencumbered by the surface inhomogeneity typically observed in monolayer studies of protease surface kinetics. Decline of the protein film was measured over time using ellipsometry. Resulting kinetic data as a function of aqueous enzyme concentration and temperature were well fit by a Langmuir-Michaelis-Menten model for surface proteolysis. We observed that both the protein degradation kinetics and the in situ adsorption data were well described by the proposed model. The temperature dependence of the kinetic rate parameter yielded an activation energy of 12 kcal/mol. Further, the apparent Langmuir adsorption equilibrium constant of the enzyme at the protein/aqueous interface was 0.11 L/mg at 22 degrees C, 0.034 L/mg at 36 degrees C, and 0.011 L/mg at 50 degrees C. Although enzyme adsorption at a given aqueous enzyme concentration decreased at higher temperature, the enzyme cleaved the substrate more rapidly, leading to a net increase in the ovalbumin film degradation rate. We observed that the maximum enzyme coverage on the immobilized protein surface was approximately 40% of a close-packed monolayer at ambient temperature (22 degrees C).     

Two-dimensional Raman and Raman optical activity correlation analysis of the alpha-helix-to-disordered transition in poly(L-glutamic acid)

Rich and complex Raman scattering and Raman optical activity (ROA) spectra have been measured monitoring the pH induced alpha-helix-to-disordered conformational transition in poly(L-glutamic acid). Two-dimensional (2D) correlation techniques have been applied to facilitate a comprehensive analysis of these two complementary spectral sets. Synchronous contour plots have identified band assignments of alpha-helical and disordered conformations, and have revealed bands characteristic of changes in the protonation state of the polypeptide. Asynchronous plots, on the other hand, have probed the relative sequential orders of intensity changes indicating a decrease in intensity of alpha-helical bands in the backbone skeletal stretch region, followed by a subsequent decrease in intensity in the extended amide III and amide I regions, underlying the appearance of disordered structure, including poly(L-proline) II (PPII) helix. The application of a 2D correlation 'moving' window has also disclosed two distinct phases during helix unfolding in the alpha-helix-to-disordered transition, occurring at approximately pH 4.9 and approximately pH 5.2, possibly a result of the difference in helical stability between the end and central regions of the alpha-helix. This paper demonstrates the potential value of combining 2D Raman, 2D ROA and moving window correlation techniques for the detailed investigation of complex and subtle changes of secondary structure during the unfolding mechanisms of polypeptides and proteins.     

Autocorrelation infrared analysis of mineralogical samples: the influence of user controllable experimental parameters

Autocorrelation infrared (ACIR) analysis is based upon the application of the autocorrelation function corr(alpha,omega') = integral(-infinity)(infinity) alpha(omega + omega') alpha(omega) d omega to standard Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) transmission spectra. We present a rigorous examination of the effect of experimental parameters such as dilution ratio, spectral resolution, grinding time and pressing conditions upon the ACIR analysis of haematite. Results were found to vary by less than 4.5% irrespective of sample preparation, instrumental and data collection parameters. For a series of perovskite samples, the relationship between the measured effective linewidth and material composition appears to be reproducible, even though the absolute magnitudes of delta corr values do not. Our results further indicate that the ACIR technique is indeed valid for comparative analysis of synthetic sample sequences that vary slightly in composition or structural state, provided that primary spectra are all recorded by the same instrument.     

Protein—Protein Interactions in Aqueous Ammonium Sulfate Solutions. Lysozyme and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA)

Osmotic pressures have been measured to determine lysozyme—lysozyme,BSA—BSA, and lysosyme—BSA interactions for protein concentrations to 100 g-L^–1in an aqueous solution of ammonium sulfate at ambient temperature, as a functionof ionic strength and pH. Osmotic second virial coefficients for lysozyme, forBSA, and for a mixture of BSA and lysozyme were calculated from theosmotic-pressure data for protein concentrations to 40 g-L^–1. The osmotic second virialcoefficient of lysozyme is slightly negative and becomes more negative withrising ionic strength and pH. The osmotic second virial coefficient for BSA isslightly positive, increasing with ionic strength and pH. The osmotic second virialcross coefficient of the mixture lies between the coefficients for lysozyme andBSA, indicating that the attractive forces for a lysozyme—BSA pair areintermediate between those for the lysozyme—lysozyme and BSA—BSA pairs. For proteinconcentrations less than 100 g-L^–1, experimental osmotic-pressure data comparefavorably with results from an adhesive hard-sphere model, which has previouslybeen shown to fit osmotic compressibilities of lysozyme solutions.     

Trans–cis isomerisation of the carotenoid lycopene upon complexation with cholesteric polyester carriers investigated by Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory

Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) were used in this work for the structural characterisation of lycopene, the antioxidant carotenoid, and its complexes with two synthetic thermotropic cholesteric polyesters. Both polyesters were employed successfully to encapsulate the carotenoid lycopene (Lyc). Besides protecting it from oxidation, they induced the trans–cis isomerisation of lycopene towards the more biologically active and bioavailable isomer cis‐Lyc. The Raman spectra revealed changes mainly concerning the band ν₁ and bands of methyl groups. This would explain the interaction mechanism between lycopene and cholesteric polyesters, inducing structural changes in the carotenoid by formation of a cis CC bond in central positions of the isomer chain and hydrophobic interaction that affects the side methyl groups. DFT calculations confirmed that the isomerisation occurs at central positions of lycopene molecule. The analysis of ν₁ and ν₂ bands and those of methyl groups in the calculated spectra of lycopene indicates that the interaction with the synthetic cholesteric polyesters could mainly lead to the 13‐cis‐Lyc isomer. The analysis of marker structural bands of the polyesters revealed structural changes in the host which mainly affect the ester groups, most probably due to a restructuring of the polyester chain to better accommodate the ligand. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enantioselective isolation of methyl jasmonate using permethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin HPLC

A method based on the use of HPLC for the enantioselective resolution of the four stereoisomers of methyl jasmonate (MJ) with no need for the previous formation of the diastereoisomers is developed. To that end, a Nucleodex‐β‐PM column as well as an optimization process considering different flow rates and mobile phase compositions were required. As a result, 0.8 mL/min and 55:45 methanol/water composition were the conditions selected to carry out the separation of the stereoisomers. Isolation of pure (–)‐ and (+)‐MJ was accomplished by collecting the HPLC fractions corresponding to their elution time. SPE was subsequently used to concentrate and change the solvent of the HPLC fractions collected. Chiral GC and polarimetry were additionally employed to evaluate the purity and optical rotation, respectively, of the enantiomers separated. The results found in this study are particularly relevant considering that MJ stereoisomers are not commercially available.