The structure and13C NMR spectra of mannitol oligo-β-d-glucopyranosides isolated from the brown seaweedChorda filum (L.) Lam

1-O-β-d-Glucopyranosyl-d-mannitol, 1,6-di-O-glucopyranosyl-d-mannitol, 1-O-β-gentiobiosyl-d-mannitol, 1-O-β-gentiobiosyl-6-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-mannitol, and 1-O-β-d-gentiotriosyl-d-mannitol were isolated from the brown seaweedChorda filum and the assignment of signals in their¹³C NMR spectra was performed. Comparative analysis of the oligosaccharide composition and the structure of laminarans from seven brown algae demonstrates that the oligosaccharides are not always fragments of the corresponding laminarans. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1817–1820, October, 1993.     

Characterization and sorption properties of Aspergillus niger waste biomass

The structure and the biosorption properties of fungal biomass of Aspergillus niger originated from citric acid fermentation industry was investigated. This waste biomass, produced in high quantity in carefully controlled industrial processes, has certain favourable characteristics that may be improved for its usefulness. In environmental chemistry, it is known for the removal of heavy metals cations. In this work, different alkaline treatments (1M NaOH/20°C/24 h and 10M NaOH/107°C/6 h) were used to evaluate the dependence of sorption properties of biomass on the cell wall composition. The biosorption was studied by the batch method, with the biomass concentration of 1 g/l, at pH 6. The adsorption of lead was more effective than that of cadmium. The biosorption capacity was evaluated using the biosorption isotherm derived from the equilibrium data. At pH 6, the maximmum lead biosorption capacity estimated with the Langmuir model was 93 mg/g dry biomass.     

Inexpensive isolation of beta-D-glucopyranosidase from alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase,alpha-L-rhamnopyranosidase,and o-acetylesterase

β-d-Glucopyranosidase (βG, EC 3.2.1.21) has been isolated from some collateral activities, α-l-arabinofuranosidase (Ara, EC3.2.1.55), α-l-rhamnopyranosidase (Rha, EC 3.2.1.40), and o-acetylesterase (Est, EC 3.1.1.53), using a commercial enzyme preparation and a simple method economically sustainable for the food industry. The procedure comprises precipitation of extraneous substances by adding ethanol and CaCl₂, ultrafiltration, and adsorption, first on bentonite and then on chitosan. The results obtained were the complete isolation of βG from the above-mentioned activities, a drastic reduction in extraneous compounds, such as brown substances and polysaccharides, and a slight increase in purification.     

Biosorption of radioactive thorium by Sargassum filipendula

In the present work, the biosorption of radioactive thorium was investigated using a dry biomass of Sargassum filipendula as the biosorbent material. Radioactive solutions containing between 2.0 and 500.0μg thorium were tested by biosorption with S. filipendula, yielding uptake capacities from 20 to 100%, depending on the concentration of the solution. Kinetic studies indicated that equilibrium between the thorium solution and the solid fraction was achieved after three hours of contact and that a second-order model could express the equilibrium kinetics. In order to investigate the maximum biosorption capacity of the biomass an isotherm was done, based on the experimental data, which revealed the maximum uptake capacity to be 2.59 μmol thorium/g biomass. The experimental data fitted well to a Langmuir model, which provided a good correlation between the experimental and predicted thorium uptake values.     

Composition,structural characteristics,and antitumor properties of polysaccharides from the brown algae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dictyopteris polypodioides</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sargassum</Emphasis> sp.

The polysaccharide compositions of the brown algae Dictyopteris polypodioides and Sargassum sp. from the Mediterranean Sea were determined. The principal polysaccharide of the studied algae (about 12% of the dry alga weight) was alginic acid. The content of water-soluble polysaccharides was low. The amount of fucoidan was less than 1% of the dry alga weight; of neutral polysaccharides, less than 0.25%. The monosaccharide compositions of fucoidans and neutral polysaccharides were investigated. Experiments on soft agar-agar models showed that fucoidans from D. polypodioides and Sargassum sp. exhibited antitumor activity against RPMI-7951 human melanoma cells.     

Stereospecific mannosylations of myo -inasitol: Synthesis of manno- myo -inositol fragment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Methyl iodide activated stereospecific α-mannosylations utilising 2-pyridyl-1-thiomannopyranoside derivatives (2,3,4) as donors and suitably protected myo-inositol derivatives (1,25,27,29) as acceptors to prepare 2-0-α-D-mannopyranosyl-6-[O-α-D-mannopyranosyl-(1–6)-O-α-D-mannopyranosyl-(l-6)-O-α-D-mannopyranosyl]-D-myo-inositol derivative (31) is described. IICT Commun. No. 3355     

Glycoconjugates of amino acids. Preparation throughN-alkylation of amino acids withN-chloroacetyl-β-glycopyranosylamines

Monoalkylation of amino acids of different structural types withN-chloroacetyl-glycosylamines was shown to be applicable for the preparation of glycoconjugates containing β-d-galactose,N-acetyl-β-d-glucosamine, β-d-mannose, and lactose residues. The glycoconjugates were synthesized from amino acids with secondary (sarcosine,l-proline) or primary (l-2- and 4-aminobutyric acids,l-tryptophan) amino groups as well as from various amino dicarboxylic acids (N-methyl-dl-aspartic,dl-aspartic,l-glutamic, anddl-2-aminoadipic acids). The derivatives obtained may be of interest for glycotargeting of physiologically active compounds of this series. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1377–1380, July, 1999.     

Study on chemical species of inorganic elements in some marine algae by neutron activation analysis combined with chemical and biochemical separation techniques

The compositional changes of inorganic elements on freshwater leaching of 35 species of Chinese algae were studied by the determination of the element contents in marine algae using instrumental neutron activation analysis. It was found that alkali metals and chlorine mainly exist as ions in algae, in which, water-soluble K and Na exist as chlorides. While, other elements exist as the states of both ions and organic combination in which the water leaching ratios of alkaline earth metals are the lowest. The combination of trace elements with various organic macromolecules inSargassum kjellmanianum was also studied using neutron activation analysis combined with chemical and biochemical separation techniques. The results indicate that the concentration of many trace elements, such as Zn, Fe, Sc, Th are earths in protein are quite high, and some trace elements can also be combined by pigment and polyphenol. Alkaline earth metal mainly bind with alginic acid inSargassum kjellmanianum.     

Biosorption of Chromium(III) by Biomass of Seaweed Sargassum sp. in a Fixed-Bed Column

This work aimed at modeling chromium biosorption using the biomass of seaweed Sargassum sp. in a fixed-bed column. The mathematical model used was obtained from the mass balance of the component in the liquid phase and in the biosorbent material. The effects of both axial dispersion in the column and the resistance to mass transfer in the solid were considered for the solution of the partial differential equations of the model, using the Galerkin method on finite elements. To represent the equilibrium data of the batch system the Langmuir isotherm were used. The chromium ion adsorption capacity of the seaweed Sargassum sp., at a temperature of 30°C and pH 3.5, was 2.61 mmol/g. The model performance was evaluated from experimental data obtained at 30°C for flow rates of 2, 6 and 8 mL/min. The parameters of the model, mass transfer and axial dispersion coefficients, were adjusted from these experimental data. The model proved adequate to describe chromium biosorption dynamics in fixed-bed columns.     

New polyhydroxysteroids and steroid glycosides from the far east starfishCeramaster patagonicus

Two new polyhydroxysteroids and five new glycosides were isolated from the starfishCeramaster patagonicus and their structures were elucidated: 5α-cholestane-3β,6α,15β,16β,26-pentol, (22E)-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15α,24-pentol, (22E)-28-O-[O-(2-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,4β, 6α,8,15β,16β,28-heptol (ceramasteroside C₁), (22E)-28-O-[O-(2,4-di-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β, 6α,8,15β,16β,28-hexol (ceramasteroside C₂), (22E)-28-O-[O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15β,16β 28-hexol (eramasteroside C₃), (22E)-28-O-[O-(2-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,4β,6α,8, 15β, 26-hexol (ceramasteroside C₄), and (22E)-28-O-[O-(2-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15β,24-pentol (ceramasteroside C₅)). Three known polyhydroxysteroids (24-methylene-5α-cholestane-3β,6α,8,15β,16β,26-hexol, 5α-cholestane-3β,6α,8,15β,16β,26-hexol, and 5α-cholestane-3β,6β,15α,16β,26-pentol) were also isolated. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 190–195, January, 1997.     

New triterpenoid glycosides fromThalictrum minus L.

Two triterpenoid diglycosides of the cycloartane series were isolated from the terrestrial part ofThalictrum minus L. (Ranunculaceae). Genins of these glycosides are side-chain structural isomers—3-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-29-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-9β, 19-cyclo-20(S)-lanost-24(Z)-ene-3β, 16β, 22(S), 26, 29-pentaol and 3-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-29-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-9β, 19-cyclo-20(S)-lanost-25-ene-3β, 16β,22(S), 24ζ, 29-pentaol. The structures of these glycosides were established using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and FAB mass spectrometry. For Part 9, see Ref. 1. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1434–1437, July, 1998.     

Purification and characterization of an extracellular α-l-arabinofuranosidase from Fusarium oxysporum

An α-l-arabinofuranosidase from Fusarium oxysporum F3 was purified to homogeneity by a two-step ion exchange intercalated by a gel filtration chromatography. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 66 kDa and was optimally active at pH 6.0 and 60°C. It hydrolyzed aryl α-l-arabinofuranosides and cleaved arabinosyl side chains from arabinoxylan and arabinan. There was a marked synergistic effect between the α-l-arabinofuranosidase and an endo-(1 →4)-β-d-xylanase produced by F. oxysporum in the extensive hydrolysis of arabinoxylan.     

An easy access to a 3,6-branched mannopentaoside bearing one terminal [1-<Superscript>13</Superscript>C]-labeled <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">D</Emphasis>-mannopyranose residue

Methyl 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-D-mannopyranoside was used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of 3,6-branched mannopentaoside bearing one terminal D-[1-¹³C]mannopyranose residue, viz., methyl 6-O-[3,6-di-O-(α-D-mannopyranosyl)-α-D-mannopyranosyl)-3-O-{α -D-[1-¹³C]mannopyranosyl}-α-D-mannopyranoside. Dedicated to Academician N. K. Kochetkov on the occasion of his 90th birthday. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1250–1255, May, 2005.     

Inhibitory Effects of 2,6-Di-O-methyl-3-O-acetyl-β-cyclodextrins with Various Degrees of Substitution of Acetyl Group on Macrophage Activation and Endotoxin Shock Induced by Lipopolysaccharide

The effects of 2,6-di-O-methyl-3-O-acetyl-β-cyclodextrins (DMA-β-CyD) with various degrees of substitution (DS) of an acetyl group of 1.5, 3.8, 6.3 and 7, which are abbreviated to DMA2-β-CyD, DMA4-β-CyD, DMA6-β-CyD and DMA7-β-CyD, respectively, on murine macrophage activation and endotoxin shock induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were examined. Of four DMA-β-CyDs used in the present study, cytotoxicity of DMA-β-CyDs in RAW264.7 cells, a murine macrophage-like cell line, decreased with an increase in the DS values of DMA-β-CyD, and DMA7-β-CyD had no cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 cells up to 100 mM. DMA2-β-CyD and DMA7-β-CyD at the concentration of 5 mM had greater inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS than DMA4-β-CyD and DMA6-β-CyD. In addition, these inhibitory effects of DMA2-β-CyD and DMA7-β-CyD were concentration-dependent. In the in vivo study, all of the mice died within 12 h after intraperitoneal administration of the solution containing LPS and d-galactosamine. When 100 mM DMA7-β-CyD was concomitantly administered with both LPS and d-galactosamine intraperitoneally in mice, the survival rate significantly increased, but DMA4-β-CyD and DMA6-β-CyD did not. In conclusion, we revealed that DS values of DMA-β-CyDs strikingly affect not only the cytotoxic activity but also the inhibitory effects of LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells and fatality of endotoxin shock mice induced by LPS and d-galactosamine. These results suggest the potential use of DMA7-β-CyD as an antagonist of LPS-induced endotoxin shock.     

Biosorption of copper by biomass of extremophilic algae

Copper and lead are among the most important chemical pollutants of the environment including hydrosphere. Interaction of these heavy metals with biomass of aquatic plant organisms including algae is an area of active research in ecological chemistry. We investigated the interaction of the biomass of unique extremophilic (thermophilic) algae Galdieria sulphuraria with these heavy metals in aquatic environment using stripping voltammetry. Biosorption of copper by the studied biomass from aquatic medium has been discovered; however, no biosorption of another heavy metal from aquatic environment with the biomass has been detected. The experiments with the mortmass of Galdieria sulphuraria have revealed no sorption of the heavy metals as measured by stripping voltammetry. The difference in the interaction of copper and lead with the algal biomass is important for deeper understanding of the biosorption phenomenon. The new data stimulated further interest to the concept of biogenic migration of chemical elements that was proposed by V.I. Vernadskii. The results contributed to the scientific basis for innovative biotechnology to decontaminate water.     

New triterpenoid glycosides fromThalictrum minus L.

From the terrestrial part ofThalictrum minus L. (Ranunculaceae) a novel triterpenoid diglycoside was isolated. The genin of this glycoside is a new cycloartane triterpenoid. The structure of the glycoside was established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and FAB mass spectrometry as 22S,25-epoxy-3-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-29-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-9β, 19-cyclo-20S-lanostane-3β,16β,24S,29-tetrol. For Part 10 see Ref. 1. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 602–605, March, 1999.     

Synthesis of lipooligosaccharides related to nodulation factors ofRhizobium sp. NGR234

Trisaccharide analogs of natural nodulation factors fromRhizobium sp. NGR234, namely, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-(2-deoxy-2-hexadecanamido-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-6-O-(2-O-methyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl)-d-glucopyranose and its derivatives containing a 4-O-acetyl or a 3-O-sulfo group at thel-fucose residue, were synthesized. The oligosaccharides synthesized were shown to posses biological activity. Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes Supérieures (LBMPS), Université de Genève, 1 ch. de l'Impératrice, 1292 Chambesy-Genève, Suisse. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya No. 3, pp. 513–518, March, 1998.     

Synthesis of methyl-α-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-glucopyranoside-based azacrown ethers and their application in enantioselective reactions

New chiral monoaza-15-crown-5 compounds anellated to methyl-4,6-O-(1-naphthyl)methylene-α-d-glucopyranoside (2a–2b), to methyl-4,6-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside (3a–3b) and to methyl-α-d-glucopyranoside (4a–4b) have been synthesized. Several representatives of these crown ethers showed significant asymmetric induction as chiral phase transfer catalysts, among them 2a proved to be the most efficient one inducing 90% ee in the Michael addition of 2-nitropropane to chalcone, 48% ee in the Darzens condensation of phenacyl-chloride with benzaldehyde and 89% ee in the epoxidation of chalcone with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The catalytic results were compared with those obtained earlier with macrocycles 1a–1b incorporating a 4,6-O- benzylidene protecting moiety. It occurred that the enantioselectivity is influenced to a great extent by the substituents on the C(4) and C(6) atoms of the monosaccharide. Lower enantioselectivities were obtained in the reactions of the chalcone analogues in the presence of catalyst 2a than in the case of the proper chalcone. Correspondence: Péter Bakó, Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1521 Budapest, P.O. Box 91, Hungary.     

Glycosylation of betulin acetates with glycals

Betulin 2-deoxy-α-d-, 2-deoxy-α-l-, and 2,6-dideoxy-α-l-arabino-hexopyranosides were synthesized by acid-catalyzed glycosylation (cationite in the H⁺ form, LiBr) of betulin 3- and 28-monoacetates with glycal acetates. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 531–534, March, 1998.     

Study of a heavy metal biosorption onto raw and chemically modified Sargassum sp. via spectroscopic and modeling analysis

In this study, raw and formaldehyde-modified Sargassum sp. are used for heavy metal removal. A series of experiments shows that the chemical modification by formaldehyde improves biosorption capacity by approximately 20%. Solution pH plays an important role in the metal uptake. According to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis, the possible organic functional groups in the metal binding include carboxyl, ether, alcoholic, hydroxyl, and amino functional groups. A new model that includes a series of coordination reactions among a generalized functional group, alkaline earth metal ions and heavy metal ions, is developed for simulation of biosorption process. The model well describes the single- and multiple-species metal biosorption process under different conditions such as pH. The biosorption of heavy metals is due to the ion exchange between the heavy metals and alkaline earth metals and their adsorption onto the free sites of the seaweeds. Slightly more than half of the metal uptake is due to ion exchange. The metal affinity for the functional groups follows a descending order of lead > copper > alkaline earth metal.