Determination of Tryptophan in Lysozyme and Lysozyme Hydrolysate by Chiral LC Using d-Tryptophan as Internal Standard

In the present study, a new LC method is described for the quantitation of tryptophan (Trp) in lysozyme and enzymatic lysozyme hydrolysate. To compensate for partial breakdown of Trp during hydrolysis with 4 M methanesulfonic acid, an enantiomer dilution method was developed. The method makes use of free d-Trp or a d-Trp-containing dipeptide as internal standard for the quantitation of l-tryptophan in these matrices. After acid hydrolysis in 4 M methanesulfonic acid, LC analysis is performed on a Crownpak CR chiral column in combination with fluorescence detection. Optimum time and temperature for the acid hydrolysis were investigated in order to obtain complete hydrolysis of the source materials. A comparison of the l-Trp recoveries was made for d-Trp and Gly-d-Trp as internal standards. By choosing a hydrolysis time of 150 min at 150 °C, 93% recovery of l-Trp from lysozyme was achieved. Under these conditions, no racemization occurred. When choosing d-Trp as internal standard, a direct LC method for l-Trp in lysozyme and enzymatic lysozyme hydrolysate was established without the need for pre-column derivatization and without the need to use Trp protecting agents during acid hydrolysis.

     

Quantitative Analysis of Caffeoylquinic Acids and Styrylpyrones in Sweetia panamensis Bark by UPLC

Six secondary metabolites from the methanolic extract of Sweetia panamensis (Fabaceae) bark were isolated and characterised. Along with the pyrones desmethylangonine β-d-O-glucopyranoside and desmethylangonine β-d-O-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, already reported in this species, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid and the isoflavonoid 5-O-methylgenistein 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside were isolated for the first time from S. panamensis. Additionally, an LC-ESI-MS qualitative analysis was performed and an ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method was developed and validated for the determination of these compounds. The UPLC method was applied to the quantitative analysis of plant samples. Pyrones and caffeoylquinic acids resulted to be the main compounds in the extract; in particular desmethylangonine β-d-O-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-d-glucopyranoside was the most abundant compound.

     

Simultaneous Determination of Safingol and d-erythro-Sphinganine in Human Plasma by LC with Fluorescence Detection

l-threo-Sphinganine (safingol) is a putative synthetic sphingosine kinase inhibitor currently being tested in clinical trials as an anticancer agent. To enable defining the pharmacokinetic properties of safingol in humans, we developed a sensitive analytical method to simultaneously quantitate safingol and its naturally-occurring diastereomer, d-erythro-sphinganine in human plasma. Of the two different fluorogenic derivatization agents (NDA and OPA) and several pH conditions compared for the derivatization, we found that NDA derivatization achieved more than 20 times greater sensitivity compared with OPA derivatization, and pH 9.0 showed the highest sensitivity for both compounds. An analytical method for liquid chromatography (LC) with a fluorescence detector (FLD) was developed and validated with calibration curve ranges of 20–1,000 ng mL⁻¹ for safingol and d-erythro-sphinganine. Our LC-FLD method using NDA-derivatization enabled simultaneous quantification of safingol and its naturally-occurring diastereomer, d-erythro-sphinganine with satisfactory sensitivity in human plasma.

     

Polysaccharides of algae 68. Sulfated polysaccharides from the Kamchatka brown alga Laminaria bongardiana

Several fucoidan fractions were isolated from the biomass of the Kamchatka brown alga Laminaria bongardiana by hot water extraction followed by anion-exchange chromatography. Fucoidans were found to be composed of l-fucose, d-galactose, and sulfate as the major components, whereas d-xylose, d-mannose, d-glucuronic acid, and acetate were detected as the minor constituents. Highly sulfated fucoidan fractions F-2 and F-3 were solvolytically desulfated by heating in dimethyl sulfoxide in the presence of pyridine. The structures of native and desulfated polysaccharides were investigated by the methylation analysis and NMR spectroscopy. It was shown that F-2 contains fucan sulfate, the backbone of which is made of 1→3-linked α-l-fucopyranose residues with single α-l-Fucp branches at positions 2 and sulfate groups predominantly at positions 4. Sulfated fucoglucuronomannan, fucoglucuronan, and fucogalactan were detected in F-2 as concomitant polysaccharides. Fucan sulfate and sulfated fucogalactan were the major components of the fraction F-3. The anticoagulant properties of fucoidan fractions were assessed. It was demonstrated that the activity of the fraction F-3 is comparable with that of low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxaparin), whereas the activity of total fucoidan F and the fraction F-2 is ~2/3 and ~1/2, respectively, of the activity of F-3, which is in accordance with the lower sulfate content in these samples. Desulfated preparations F-2deS and F-3deS were completely devoid of anticoagulant activity.

     

Fragmentation of deprotonated d-ribose and d-fructose in MALDI—Comparison with dissociative electron attachment

We present a detailed, collaborative study on the fragmentation of deprotonated native d-ribose and d-fructose and the isotopically labelled 1-¹³C-d-ribose, 5-¹³C-d-ribose and C-1-d-d-ribose. The fragmentation is studied in a matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometer (MALDI ToF MS), both in in-source decay (ISD) and post-source decay (PSD) mode and compared with fragmentation through dissociative electron attachment (DEA). Fragmentation of deprotonated monosaccharides formed in the MALDI process, as well as their transient molecular anions formed upon electron attachment are characterized by loss of different numbers of H₂O and CH₂O units. Two different fragmentation pathways leading to cross-ring cleavage are identified. Metastable decay of deprotonated d-ribose proceeds either via an X-type cleavage yielding fragment anions at m/z = 119, 100 and 89, or via an A-type cleavage resulting in m/z = 89, 77 and 71. A fast and early metastable cross-ring cleavage of deprotonated d-ribose observed in in-source decay is dominated by X-type cleavage leading mainly to m/z = 100 and 71. For dissociative electron attachment to d-ribose a sequential dissociation was identified that includes metastable decay of the dehydrogenated molecular anion leading to m/z = 89. All other fragmentation reactions in DEA to d-ribose are likely to proceed directly and on a faster timescale (below 400 ns).     

Polysaccharides of algae 67. Carrageenan from Pacific red alga Turnerella mertensiana (Gigartinales,Rhodophyta)

A sulfated galactan composed of nearly equimolar amounts of d-galactose, 3,6-anhydro-d-galactose, and sulfate was isolated from the red alga Turnerella mertensiana collected in the Sea of Japan. The structures of native polysaccharide and its alkaline modification products were studied by NMR spectroscopy. The polysaccharide molecules were shown to contain a linear carbohydrate chain consisting of alternating 3-linked β-d-galactopyranose 4-sulfate and 4-linked 3,6-anhydro-α-d-galactopyranose residues (known as к-carrageenan), which is typical of carrageenans, but the regularity of polymer structure is masked by the presence of some 3,6-anhydro-α-d-galactose 2-sulfate (ι-carrageenan units) and α-D-galactose 6-sulfate (µ-carrageenan units) instead of 3,6-anhydro-α-d-galactose. Upon addition of potassium chloride (up to 4%) to a solution of the native polysaccharide, about half of the substance transforms into gel. The gel-forming fraction is к-ι-µ-hybrid carrageenan with the ～65 : 15 : 20 ratio of к-, ι-, and µ-units. The non-gelling fraction contains the к-, ι-, and µ-units at the ratio of ～46 : 12 : 42. The gel-forming carrageenan product free of µ-units can be otained in ～30% yield (based on the dry biomass) by alkaline treatment of the alga prior to extraction of the polysaccharide.

     

Enantioseparation of Three β-Agonists Using Di-n-butyl d-Tartrate-Boric Acid Complex as Chiral Selector by Means of MEEKC

In this study, a self-prepared complex chiral selector, di-n-butyl d-tartrate-boric acid complex, by the reaction of di-n-butyl d-tartrate with boric acid in a running buffer was used as a chiral selector for the enantioseparation of three β-agonists including clenbuterol, cycloclenbuterol and tulobuterol by means of microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC). Three β-agonists were successfully enantioseparated using the chiral system, indicating that the di-n-butyl d-tartrate-boric acid complex was a useful chiral selector. The effects of di-n-butyl d-tartrate and sodium tetraborate concentration, surfactant concentration, cosurfactant, phosphate, buffer pH and composition, as well as applied voltage were extensively investigated to achieve a good enantioseparation. The di-n-butyl d-tartrate and sodium tetraborate concentration in the running buffer had great influence on the chiral resolution (R _s). Three β-agonists which could not be separated with only di-n-butyl d-tartrate, obtained good chiral separation using the complex chiral selector; among them, two pairs including clenbuterol and cycloclenbuterol could be baseline resolved in 7 min under optimized experimental conditions of 0.8% (w/v) di-n-butyl d-tartrate, 40 mM sodium tetraborate, 3.0% (w/v) Tween-20 and 60 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate with 25 kV as running voltage. The results indicated that the method could be used for the enantioseparation of three β-agonists.

     

Une Autre Approche A La Synthese De Derives Benzyles Des Monosaccharides Reducteurs. Etude Des Equilibres Pyrannose-Furannose Par R.M.N. Du Carbone-13

Abstract

Perbenzyl derivatives of d-glucose, d-mannose, d-galactose, d-xylose, d-ribose and l-arabinose were prepared by treatment of reducing sugars with benzyl bromide in DMSO in the presence of potassium hydroxyde and the composition (α/β, Pyranoside/Furanoside) of the reaction mixtures determined by ¹³C-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. Most of the per-O-benzyl glycosides were obtained in crystalline form unlike the corresponding methyl per-O-benzyl glycosides. Benzylation of d-mannose gave almost exclusively penta-O-benzyl-β-d-mannopyranoside (≥ 95%) as cristalline material. Benzylated reducing sugars were further obtained in good yield by acid hydrolysis of above compounds.     

Fast and Precise Quantification of l-Homoarginine in Human Plasma by HILIC-Isotope Dilution-MS–MS

Lowered plasma concentrations of the endogenous amino acid l-homoarginine have been recently identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients referred for coronary angiography in the LURIC study. To support further investigations into this matter, we describe here a fast and easy LC–MS–MS method for the detection of l-homoarginine in human plasma. The sample preparation consisted only of the addition of the stable isotope-labeled internal standard d ₄-l-homoarginine and protein precipitation. The analytes were separated isocratically on an HILIC silica column. Detection took place by tandem mass spectrometry. The calibration function was linear in the range of 0.1–10 μmol L⁻¹. The intra-day precision was better than 2 % RSD and the inter-day precision better than 4 % RSD in plasma. The accuracy was always better than 5 % deviation. The method was matrix independent owing to the usage of the analogous stable isotope-labeled internal standard.

     

The importance of glyceraldehyde radiolysis in chemical evolution

Studies in chemical evolution are intended to demonstrate how compounds of biological importance are generated from substances that could have been found in abiotic conditions on the primitive Earth or in extraterrestrial environments. In this context, the aim of the present work was to examine the behavior of dl-glyceraldehyde in both aqueous solution and solid samples under gamma irradiation. We irradiated dl-glyceraldehyde at different doses and temperatures with a gamma source; even at low doses and temperature (77 K), free radicals were detected. Among the products formed were ethylene glycol and glycolaldehyde. Some sugar-like compounds were also detected.

     

Polysaccharides of algae 69. Monosaccharide composition of polysaccharides of several Pacific red algae studied by reductive hydrolysis of biomass

Polysaccharide composition of 23 species of red algae collected from the coastal waters of Kamchatka and Commander Islands has been determined. Total acid hydrolysis of biomass was carried out in the presence of borane-4-methylmorpholine complex under the conditions where 3,6-anhydrogalactose liberating from sulfated galactans was protected from the acid degradation due to reduction into 3,6-anhydrogalactitol. Partial hydrolysis of biomass in the presence of the same reducing agent gave rise to diastereomeric agarobiitol or carrabiitol (3,6-anhydro-4-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-l-or -d-galactitol, respectively). Identification of these fragments made it possible to attribute the algal galactans to agars or carrageenans. The data obtained was used to confirm the correlations between the taxonomic status and polysac-charide composition of the red algae.

     

Comparative investigation on the enthalpy relaxation of four amorphous pentose isomers

The enthalpy relaxation of the pentose isomers (d-xylose, d-ribose, l-arabinose, and d-arabinose) was investigated in terms of the Tool–Narayanaswamy–Moynihan and Adam–Gibbs–Vogel models using differential scanning calorimetry. Single set of parameters for each model was obtained from the multicurve-fitting procedure. The differences between the glass transition and relaxation parameters were discussed in terms of isomeric effect. The cooperativity determined from curve-fitting results was further compared to those obtained via Donth’s formula.     

Critical Behavior of Binary Mixtures of Nitrobenzene?+?n-Undecane and Nitrobenzene?+?n-Dodecane

Turbidities and isobaric heat capacities per unit volume, in a wide temperature range, have been measured for critical binary solutions of {nitrobenzene?+?n-undecane} and {nitrobenzene?+?n-dodecane}. The critical exponents and the system-dependent critical amplitudes were deduced. The non-critical and the critical-fluctuation induced contributions to the background heat capacities were determined. We also obtained the coupling constant $ \bar{u} $ by analyzing the coexistence curve data with crossover theory. These parameters were used to test some universal amplitude ratios and together with the coexistence-curve data to test the complete scaling theory. It is shown that the contribution from heat capacity plays an important role in describing the asymmetric criticality of the coexistence curve.     

Quality Assessment of Veratrum nigrum L. by LC-ELSD Fingerprints and LC Quantitative Analysis

A rapid and sensitive LC-MS method has been developed for the determination of luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucoside in rat plasma after solvent extraction. Separation was on an Elite Hypersil ODS2 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.3% acetic acid (26:74, v/v). The samples were analyzed by using positive electrospray ionization MS in selected ion monitoring mode. The selected ions for luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucoside and the internal standard, isoquercitrin, were m/z 448.95 and m/z 464.95. Good linearity was observed over the range of 20–2,000 ng mL⁻¹ with a lower limit of quantification of 20 ng mL⁻¹. No interference peaks or matrix effects were observed. The validated method was applied to the pharmacokinetic study of luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucoside in rat plasma after intravenous administration of Kudiezi Injection.

     

Heat Capacities of l-Histidine,l-Phenylalanine,l-Proline,l-Tryptophan and l-Tyrosine

In an effort to establish reliable thermodynamic data for proteinogenic amino acids, heat capacities for l-histidine (CAS RN: 71-00-1), l-phenylalanine (CAS RN: 63-91-2), l-proline (CAS RN: 147-85-3), l-tryptophan (CAS RN: 73-22-3), and l-tyrosine (CAS RN: 60-18-4) were measured over a wide temperature range. Prior to heat capacity measurements, thermogravimetric analysis was performed to determine the decomposition temperatures while X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and heat-flux differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to identify the initial crystal structures and their possible transformations. Crystal heat capacities of all five amino acids were measured by Tian–Calvet calorimetry in the temperature interval from 262 to 358 K and by power compensation DSC in the temperature interval from 307 to 437 K. Experimental values determined in this work were then combined with the literature data obtained by adiabatic calorimetry. Low temperature heat capacities of l-histidine, for which no literature data were available, were determined in this work using the relaxation (heat pulse) calorimetry from 2 K. As a result, isobaric crystal heat capacities and standard thermodynamic functions up to 430 K for all five crystalline amino acids were developed.     

Pentaric Acids and Derivatives from Nitric Acid–Oxidized Pentoses

This report describes the preparation of the four stereoisomeric pentaric acids by nitric acid oxidation of d-xylose, d-arabinose, l-arabinose, and d-ribose, with xylaric, d-arabinaric, and l-arabinaric acids being made in a reactor under computer control. The pentaric acids were converted to their crystalline N,N′-dimethylpentaramides, derivatives that proved useful for isolation of the arabinaric acids from their respective oxidation mixtures. The N,N′-dimethylpentaramides were readily convertible to the corresponding pentaric acid disodium salts in aqueous sodium chloride. The 2,3,4-O-triacetyl-N,N′-dimethylpentaramides of xylaric, l-arabinaric, and ribaric acid were also prepared. Ribaric acid was isolated as crystalline 1,4(5,2)-ribarolactone and further characterized by x-ray crystallography.     

Concise synthesis of two natural steroidal glycosides isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium schoenoprasum</Emphasis>

Two natural steroidal glycosides, diosgenin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and laxogenin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (2) with important cytotoxic activity against the HCT 116 and HT-29 human colon cancer cell lines have been efficiently synthesized via straightforward sequential glycosylation reaction with the combined use of N-phenyltrifluoroacetimidates and trichloroacetimidates donors at room temperature. All structures of the synthesized new compounds were identified by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS spectra.     

Simultaneous Sensitive MEKC–LIF Determination of Homocysteine,Homoarginine, and Six Arginine Metabolic Derivatives in Fluids from Type 2 Diabetics with Peptic Ulcer Bleeding

The suitability of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection for simultaneous determination of two arginine analogues (homocysteine and homoarginine) and five closely related metabolites (asymmetric dimethyl-l-arginine, dimethyl-l-arginine, monomethyl-l-arginine, citrullin, and ornithine) in fluids from type 2 diabetics with peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) has been investigated. 5-Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) was chosen as the fluorescent labeling reagent and non-endogenous phenylpropanolamine (PPA) as the internal standard. Conditions affecting derivatization and separation were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, maximum derivatization could be achieved in 20 min at room temperature. Complete baseline separation was achieved in 10 min, and the relative standard deviations (RSD) of migration times and corrected peak areas were <3 % for intra-day assay and <5 % for inter-day assay. Limits of detection (LODs) were 0.12–1.70 nM for the eight analytes, which are well below the concentrations expected in real fluids. Compared with previously reported methods, 5 to 600-fold improvements in sensitivity were achieved by use of LIF detection. Sample preparation and analysis time were short and the derivatives of the analytes were highly stable. The method was fully validated with real plasma and urine and recoveries of spiked compounds were 95–102 % with the RSD <4 %.

     

Studies of the Rate Constant of l-DOPA Oxidation and Decarboxylation by HPLC

The objective of current investigation was to study the degradation behavior of l-DOPA under different conditions by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and to develop and validate a stability-indicating HPLC method. The developed RP-HPLC method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision and specificity. Oxidation was found to occur in alkaline and to some extent in thermal conditions, while the drug was stable when incubated at acidic conditions and under photolytic stress. The oxidation of l-DOPA was observed to follow first-order kinetics. The degradation rate constants and half-life were calculated. The cytotoxicity and enzymatic degradation of l-DOPA was examined using the human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. The drug was rapidly decarboxylated by aromatic amino acid decarboxylase to dopamine. The conversion of l-DOPA to dopamine was dose- and time-dependent.

     

Resolution of racemic Vigabatrin using tartaric acid

An efficient and simple resolution methodology for the preparation of (S)- and (R)-Vigabatrin has been developed. In addition, a method of preparation for the novel compounds Vigabatrin-l-tartarate and Vigabatrin-d-tartarate is also described. The title compounds have been synthesized via resolution of Vigabatrin using commercially available l-(+)- and d-(?)-tartaric acids respectively.