Xyloketal G,a Novel Metabolite from the Mangrove Fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xylaria sp.</Emphasis> 2508

A novel metabolite 1, named xyloketal G, was isolated from cultures of marine derived mangrove fungus Xylaria sp. 2508. Its structure was elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 22–23, January–February, 2005.     

Influence of media nutrients on synthesis of lignin peroxidase from Aspergillus sp

The effect of carbon and nitrogen sources, lignocellulosic substrates, and metal ions on lignin peroxidase (LiP) activity of Aspergillus sp., which was isolated from a mangrove area, was studied. Glucose (1%) was found to be the best carbon source. Among the various lignocellulosic substrates used, coir pith at 3% concentration increased LiP activity twofold on the second day of incubation. Peptone and KNO₃ completely inhibited the enzyme synthesis while (NH₄)₂SO₄ at 12.5 mM produced maximum activity. Since seawater contained all the requisite metal ions, any added ions had a negative effect on activity. Cu²⁺ had the most inhibiting effect while K⁺ the least. When all the optimized conditions were provided, in nitrogen- and carbon-sufficient medium, a maximum LiP activity of 345 U/mL was obtained on the second day of incubation.     

NEW KNOWLEDGE OF WUTONG FORMATION DEPOSITION AT THE LOWER YANGTZE AREA

In the light of the plate tectonics the outline of paleogeography, sedimentary properties and facies patterns in the depositional processes of the Wutong Formation at the Lower Yangtze area are discussed. The argument that the Wutong Formation contains not only terrestrial sediments but also marine-terrestrial transitional or marine sediments is expounded to cover the development, evolution and paleoclimate of the Wutong depositional regions.     

八十年代海洋天然有机化学的进展

八十年代以来,海洋天然有机化学仍然继续发展,大量新的化合物,尤其是具有生理活性的化合物不断出现,海洋天然物的生物合成和人工合成研究也有新的进展。在海洋生物中,研究得最多的是海藻和海绵,其次便是珊瑚。     

海洋环境中的重金属及其对海洋生物的影响

综述了在海洋环境中重金属输入的各种途径及其重金属对海洋生物的影响,重点介绍了重金属在几种海洋生物体内的富集效应及其吸附机理,讨论了海洋重金属污染的现况,并展望了海洋重金属污染研究的前景。     

Iterative synthesis of the ABCDEF-ring system of yessotoxin and adriatoxin

A stereocontrolled linear synthesis of the ABCDEF-ring system of yessotoxin and adriatoxin, diarrhetic shellfish toxins, is described. Iterative application of a tetrahydropyran synthesis by reaction of the alkylation of a sulfonyl-stabilized oxiranyl anion followed by 6-endo cyclization of a 4,5-epoxy alcohol led to the synthesis of the trans-fused hexacyclic ether system, and the seven-membered E ring was constructed by ring expansion reaction.     

Total Synthesis of Belizentrin Methyl Ester: Report on a Likely Conquest

The assigned structure of the dinoflagellate‐derived toxin belizentrin was prepared by total synthesis in form of the corresponding methyl ester for stability reasons. The successful route features an unusual solution for the preparation of a recalcitrant ylide on a C‐glycosidic segment; moreover, it involves an asymmetric hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction en route to the tertiary hemiacetal substructure, a Negishi cross‐coupling of two elaborate building blocks, and a macrocyclization based on an intramolecular aminolysis of a spirolactone. A modified Kocienski olefination ultimately allowed the polyol side chain to be attached to the macrocycle although this transformation faced the exceptional base sensitivity of this polyunsaturated target compound.     

Crystal structure of the cytotoxic marine alkaloid 2-bromoleptoclinidinone

2-Bromoleptoclinidinone methanol solvate, C₁₈H₈BrN₃O·CH₄O, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 15.7013(2), b = 7.3308(1), and c = 26.9326(1) Å. The molecule is essentially planar, with the largest deviations occurring at bromine (–0.21 Å), carbonyl oxygen O(l) (+0.19 Å) and in ring-A (C(9) –0.15 Å, C(10) –0.15 Å). Methanol occupies the 1,10-phenanthroline-like metal binding site of the title compound.     

SPE and HPLC monitoring of 17-β-estradiol in Egyptian aquatic ecosysetms

Solid-phase extraction and HPLC methods are described for monitoring of 17-β-estradiol residues in Egyptian aquatic ecosystems (water, fish, mollusks, sediment, and drinking water) at the Nile River, Suez Canal region, and northeast of Egypt. Molecular imprinted polymer was prepared and used in extraction. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns used were Supelcosil C₁₈ and Nucleosil C₁₈. The mobile phases used were different combinations of water and acetonitrile. The concentration of 17-β-estradiol in water, aquatic animals, and sediment samples were of 265.13–7988.12 µg/L, 0.503–96.167, and 0.775–11.884 µg/kg, respectively. Marine lake was contained with high levels of 17-β-estradiol (P < 0.05). Similarly, the Nile River downstream showed high levels of 17-β-estradiol. The detected concentrations in mollusks were significantly higher than those detected in fish. Tilapia fish did not show 17-β-estradiol. Contrarily, low concentrations were detected in the rivulet streams supplied by the Nile River. Besides, 17-β-estradiol was also detected in the sediments at low levels. Detection of 17-β-estradiol in the Egyptian ecosystems attracted attention toward heavy reliance on some esterogenic medicinal products in Egypt. The monitoring of 17-β-estradiol in other water bodies was recommended. Besides, the development of methodologies of bioremediation to eliminate 17-β-estradiol from the Egyptian and other water resources of the world was also suggested.     

The chemical form and acute toxicity of arsenic compounds in marine organisms

A method for the separation and identification of inorganic and methylated arsenic compounds in marine organisms was constructed by using a hydride generation/cold trap/gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HG/CT/GC MS) measurement system. The chemical form of arsenic compounds in marine organisms was examined by the HG/CT/GC MS system after alkaline digestion. It was observed that trimethylarsenic compounds were distributed mainly in the water-soluble fraction of muscle of carnivorous gastropods, crustaceans and fish. Also, dimethylated arsenic compounds were distributed in the water-soluble fraction of Phaeophyceae. It is thought that most of the trimethylated arsenic is likely to be arsenobetaine since this compound released trimethylarsine by alkaline digestion and subsequent reduction with sodium borohydride. The major arsenic compound isolated from the water-soluble fraction in the muscle and liver of sharks was identified as arsenobetaine from IR, FAB Ms data, NMR spectra and TLC behaviour. The acute toxicity of arsenobetaine was studied in male mice. The LD₅₀ value was higher than 10 g kg⁻¹. This compound was found in urine in the non-metabolized form. No particular toxic symptoms were observed following administration. These results suggest that arsenobetaine has low toxicity and is not metabolized in mice. The LD₅₀ values of other minor arsenicals in marine organisms, trimethylarsine oxide, arsenocholine and tetramethylarsonium salt, were also examined in mice.