Determination of L- and D-enantiomers of methotrexate using amperometric biosensors

In order to determine the enantiopurity of methotrexate (Mtx), seven biosensors were proposed for the assay of l-Mtx and three biosensors for the assay of d-Mtx. The biosensors were designed using physical and chemical immobilization of glutamate oxidase and/or l-amino acid oxidase (l-AAOD) and/or horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for the assay of l-methotherexate, and d-amino acid oxidase (d-AAOD) and HRP for the assay of d-Mtx. Electrode characteristics were obtained and compared for the different carbon paste based biosensors. The linear concentration ranges for the proposed biosensors were in the ranges of fmol l⁻¹ to pmol l⁻¹, magnitude order with limits of detection in the fmol l⁻¹ to nmol l⁻¹ concentration range. All biosensors were successful for the determination of the enantiopurity of Mtx as raw material, and in its pharmaceutical formulations (tablets and injections).     

Development of a D-amino acids electrochemical sensor based on immobilization of thermostable D-proline dehydrogenase within agar gel membrane

A novel biosensor for determination of d-amino acids (DAAs) in biological samples by using an electrode based on immobilization of a thermostable d-Proline dehydrogenase (d-Pro DH) within an agar gel membrane was developed. The electrode was simply prepared by spin-coating the agar solution with the d-Pro DH on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode.An electrocatalytic oxidation current of 2,6-dichloroindophenol (DCIP) was observed at −100 mV vs. Ag/AgCl with the addition of 5 and 20 mmol L⁻¹d-proline. The current response and its relative standard deviation were 0.15 μA and 7.6% (n = 3), respectively, when it was measured in a pH 8.0 phosphate buffer solution containing 10 mmol L⁻¹d-proline and 0.5 mmol L⁻¹ DCIP at 50 °C. The current response of d-proline increased with increase of the temperature of the sample solution up to 70 °C. The electrocatalytic response at the d-Pro DH/agar immobilized electrode subsequently maintained for 80 days. Finally, the d-Pro DH/agar immobilized electrode was applied to determination of DAAs in a human urine sample. The determined value of DAAs in the human urine and its R.S.D. were 1.39 ± 0.12 mmol L⁻¹ and 8.9% (n = 3), respectively.     

Selection of synthetic receptors capable of sensing the difference in binding of d-Ala-d-Ala or d-Ala-d-Lac ligands by screening of a combinatorial CTV-based library

Screening of a combinatorial CTV-based artificial, synthetic receptor library 1 {1-13, 1-13, 1-13} for binding of a variety d-Ala-d-Ala and d-Ala-d-Lac containing ligands (6-11) was carried out in phosphate buffer (0.1 N, pH=7.0). After screening and Edman sequencing, synthetic receptors were found containing amino acid sequences, which are either characteristic for binding dye labeled d-Ala-d-Ala or d-Ala-d-Lac containing ligands. For example, receptors capable of binding d-Ala-d-Ala containing ligands 6, 7, 9 and 11 contained—almost in all cases—at least one basic amino acid residue—predominantly Lys—in their arms. This was really a striking difference with the arms of the receptors capable of binding d-Ala-d-Lac containing ligands 8 and 10, which usually contained a significant number of polar amino acids (Gln and Ser), especially in ligand 8, but hardly any basic amino acids. Use of different (fluorescent) dye labels showed that the label has a profound, albeit not decisive, influence on the binding by the receptor. A hit from the screening of the CTV-library with FITC-peptidoglycan (6) was selected for resynthesis and validation.     

Enthalpies of transfer of amino acids from water to aqueous solutions of formamide

Enthalpies of solution of glycine, l-alanine, l-serine in water and aqueous solutions of formamide were measured at 298.15 K. Transfer enthalpies of amino acids from water to aqueous solutions of formamide were derived and interpreted qualitatively with hydration co-sphere overlap model. The results show that the structure interaction between formamide and zwitterionic head-group and hydrophilic side chain of amino acids make a negative contribution to transfer enthalpy, while that with the hydrophobic side chain is positive. In the solvent composition range studied, transfer enthalpies decrease overall with the increasing concentration of formamide, with the relative order of l-serine < glycine < l-alanine.     

Simultaneous reactive extraction separation of amino acids from water with D2EHPA in hollow fiber contactors

Reactive extraction separation of binary amino acids from water using a microporous hollow fiber has been studied, in which the acidic extractant di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) was selected as an active carrier dissolved in kerosene. l-Phenylalanine (Phe) was extracted from an aqueous solution through the shell side of module to the organic phase through the lumen of fiber in the extraction module, in which l-Phe was then back-extracted to stripping phase in stripping module. Experiments were conducted as a function of the initial feed concentration of equimolar Phe and l-aspartic acid (l-Asp) (5 mol/m³), feed pH (3–5), the carrier concentration (0.1–0.5 mol/dm³), and stripping acidity (0.1–2 mol/dm³). The effect of process variables on the separation factor of Phe/Asp and the possible transport resistances including aqueous-layer diffusion, membrane diffusion, organic-layer, and interfacial chemical reaction were quantitatively studied and discussed. The high separation factor (β) of Phe/Asp was obtained to be 18.5 at feed pH 5 and 2 mol/dm³ of strip solution (HCl). The extraction and stripping processes appear to rely on pH dependence of the distribution coefficient of amino acids in reactive extraction system. The separation factor (β) was enhanced in hollow fiber membrane (HFM) process compared with conventional solvent process, which was a result of the counter transport of hydrogen ions.     

Improved synthesis of 6-amino-6-deoxy-d-galactono-1,6-lactam and d-mannono-1,6-lactam from corresponding unprotected d-hexono-1,4-lactones

Regioselective bromination of unprotected d-galactono-1,4-lactone and d-mannono-1,4-lactone with PPh₃/CBr₄ led to 6-bromo-6-deoxy derivatives. These intermediates were treated with LiN₃ and hydrogenated to give 6-amino-6-deoxy-d-galactono-1,6-lactam (8) and 6-amino-6-deoxy-d-mannono-1,6-lactam (13) in 74 and 67% overall yield, respectively.     

Complex formation of curium(III) with amino acids of different functionalities: L-threonine and O -phospho-L-threonine

The speciation of curium(III) with L-threonine and O-phospho-L-threonine was determined by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) at trace Cm(III) concentrations (3?×?10^?7?M). Curium species of the type M_pH_qL_r were identified in the L-threonine- and O-phospho-L-threonine system. These complexes are characterized by their individual luminescence spectra and luminescence lifetimes. The following formation constants were determined (a) for L-threonine: log?β₁₀₁?=?6.72?±?0.07, log?β₁₀₂?=?10.22?±?0.09, and log?β_1–22?=?(7.22?±?0.19) at ionic strength I?=?0.5?M and (b) for O-phospho-L-threonine: log?β₁₂₁?=?18.03?±?0.13 and log?β₁₁₁?=?14.17?±?0.09 at ionic strength I?=?0.154?M. Possible structures of the identified curium species are discussed on the basis of the luminescence lifetime measurements and the magnitude of the formation constants.     

Macrocyclic antibiotics as chiral selectors in the design of enantioselective, potentiometric membrane electrodes for the determination of l- and d-enantiomers of methotrexate

Three enantioselective, potentiometric membrane electrodes (EPMEs) based on macrocyclic glycopeptide antibiotics—vancomycin and teicoplanin (modified or not with acetonitrile)—were proposed for the determination of l- and d-enantiomers of methotrexate (Mtx). The linear concentration ranges for the proposed enantioselective membrane electrodes were between 10⁻⁶ and 10⁻³ mol l⁻¹ for l- and d- methotrexate. The slopes of the electrodes were 58.00 mV/pl-Mtx for vancomycin-based electrode; 57.60 mV/pd-Mtx for teicoplanin-based electrode and 55.40 mV/pd-Mtx for teicoplanin modified with acetonitrile-based electrode. The detection limits of the proposed electrodes were of 10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹ magnitude order. The surfaces of the electrodes are stable and easily renewable by polishing on alumina paper. All proposed electrodes proved to be successful for the determination of the enantiopurity of Mtx as raw material and of its pharmaceutical formulations (tablets and injections).     

Novel practical synthesis of d-cycloserine

The synthesis of d-cycloserine has been successfully accomplished from the readily available d-serine through three simple and efficient routes. In each synthetic strategy, cyclization reactions are involved as the key step, and one-pot processes are employed. The simple treatment and mild reaction conditions are attractive features in this methodology.     

d-Poly(lactide) and LHRH decapeptide stereointeractions investigated by vibrational spectroscopy

The interactions between poly(d-lactic acid) (PDLA) and l-configured leuprolide (LHRH) to form heterocomplexes were investigated by a combination of infrared (IR), Raman and near infrared spectroscopy (NIR). It was found that an α crystal with 10₃ helical conformation of PDLA is formed in the PDLA/LHRH heterocomplexes with various LHRH loadings, whereas the secondary structures of LHRH in these heterocompelexes are greatly affected by the blend ratio of LHRH and PDLA. Based on the analysis of IR, Raman and NIR spectra of the various heterocomplexes, it is suggested that stereoselective Van der Waals interactions, consisting of interwined α helices of PDLA and LHRH, is responsible for the driving force of PDLA and LHRH stereocomplexation. To clarify the solid structure and the potential interaction in these heterocomplexes with various LHRH loadings, temperature-dependent IR spectral measurements were also employed. On the basis of the results presented, a model for the PDLA and LHRH stereointeraction process was proposed.     

A convenient synthesis of l-ribose from d-fructose

An efficient method for the stereoselective synthesis of l-ribose was accomplished starting from commercially inexpensive d-fructose. The intermediates in the process can serve as versatile precursors for the preparation of l-nucleoside analogues.     

A Simple Route for Synthesis of 4-Phospho-D-Erythronate

4-Phospho-d-erythronate is an intermediate in the synthesis of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate in some bacteria and an inhibitor of ribose 5-phosphate isomerase. Previous synthetic schemes for the preparation of 4-phospho-d-erythronate required expensive precursors and typically gave low yields. We report a straightforward synthesis of 4-phospho-d-erythronate from the inexpensive precursor d-erythronolactone in five steps with a preparatively useful yield of 22%.     

Primary Amine‐Initiated Polymerizations of α–Amino Acid N‐Thiocarbonic Acid Anhydrosulfide

The N‐thiocarbonic acid anhydrosulfides NTAs of D,L‐leucine, D,L‐phenylalanine and sarcosine were polymerized in dioxane by addition of n‐hexylamine as initiator. Despite variation of the monomer‐initiator ratio (M/I) only low yields of oligopeptides were obtained from D,L‐Leu‐ and D,L‐Phe‐NTA. Both yields and molecular weights were almost twice as high for polymerizations of Sar‐NTA. MALDI‐TOF mass spectra confirmed that the isolated oligo‐and polypeptides possess the expected structure with one reactive amino end group. Therefore, it is surprising that the polymerizations stopped at low conversions. Two hypotheses explaining this phenomenon are discussed.     

One-pot inversion of d-mannono-1,4-lactone for the practical synthesis of l-ribose

l-Ribose was synthesized in a concise manner from d-mannono-1,4-lactone using one-pot inversion conditions. Treatment of d-mannono-1,4-lactone with piperidine, followed by mesylation-induced S_N2-type O-alkylation, afforded the desired one-pot inversion in an optimum yield, and the following straightforward transformations provided l-ribose in good yields.     

Enantioseparation of amino acids by micellar capillary electrophoresis using binary chiral selectors and determination of D-glutamic acid and D-aspartic acid in rice wine

A new chiral capillary electrophoresis (CE) analytical method for the determination of six pairs of amino acid enantiomer-derivatized precapillary with 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride (FMOC) was developed. CE separation parameters such as the pH of background electrolyte, the boric acid concentration, the addition of D-fructose and isopropanol, and the effect of new binary chiral selectors on the electropherograms were investigated. Precapillary and in-capillary derivatization was compared as well. The results showed that enantiomeric separations were obtained with enantio-resolution (Rs) ranged from 2.61 to 9.99 for the FMOC-derivatized amino acid enantiomers except alanine with Rs 1.06. Precapillary derivatization method provides overall better Rs for nearly all the targets except FMOC-aspartate with efficiency up to 1.309?×?10⁶ plates and limit of detection (LOD) down to 2.5?μM. This method was successfully applied to analyze the concentration of the D/L-glutamic acid and D/L-aspartate in seven rice wine samples.     

Solid-phase synthesis of peptide ribonucleic acids (PRNA)

The range of available peptide ribonucleic acid (PRNA) monomers was fully expanded for the use in solid-phase synthesis of PRNA oligomers, which were designed to reversibly control the recognition and complexation behavior of the complementary DNA/RNA by external factors. A couple of PRNA 12-mers with desired purine-pyrimidine mixed sequences were prepared indeed in high yields by the solid-phase synthesis.     

Effects of molecular weight and small amounts of d-lactide units on hydrolytic degradation of poly(l-lactic acid)s

Films of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) with different number-average molecular weights (M_n) and d-lactide unit contents (X_d) were made amorphous and the effects of molecular weight and small amounts of d-lactide units on the hydrolytic degradation behavior in phosphate-buffered solution at 37 °C of PLLA were investigated. The degraded films were investigated using gravimetry, gel permeation chromatography, polarimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry, and tensile testing. To exclude the effects of crystallinity on the hydrolytic degradation, the films were made amorphous by melt-quenching. The incorporation of small amounts of d-lactide units drastically enhanced the hydrolytic degradation of PLLA. In the period of 0-32 weeks, the hydrolytic degradation rate constant (k) of PLLA films increased with increasing X_d, while the k values did not depend on M_n. This means that the effects of X_d on the hydrolytic degradation rate of the films are higher than those of M_n. In contrast, in the period of 32-60 weeks neither X_d nor M_n was a crucial parameter to determine k values, probably because in addition to these parameters the differences in the amount of catalytic oligomers accumulated in films and crystallinity affect the hydrolytic degradation behavior of the films. The initially amorphous PLLA films remained amorphous even after the hydrolytic degradation for 60 weeks.     

Swelling and hydrolytic degradation of poly(d,l-lactic acid) in aqueous solutions

Low molecular weight poly(lactic acid) was synthesized by direct polycondensation of lactic acid. The oligomers were characterized by viscometry, light scattering, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The swelling behaviour of tablets made of the above polymer immersed in buffer solutions at 37 °C was studied. In the same experiments, the hydrolytic stability of d,l-PLA was assessed by measuring the weight loss after drying the tablets. In order to inhibit any degradation due to bacteria, formaldehyde was added in the solution as biostatic factor. The effect of an incorporated drug on the swelling behaviour of d,l-PLA tablets was also considered. It was found that the incorporation of drug in d,l-PLA tablets increases their swelling index, probably due to the creation of additional porosity in the specimens or other interaction between drug and polymeric matrix.     

A d,l-proline catalyzed diastereoselective trimolecular condensation: an approach to the one-pot synthesis of perhydrofuro[3,2-b]pyran-5-ones

d,l-Proline was found to catalyze efficiently the one-pot trimolecular condensation of indoles, a sugar hydroxyaldehyde, and Meldrum’s acid followed by intramolecular cyclization with evolution of carbon dioxide and elimination of acetone to afford 7-(1H-3-indolyl)-2,3-dimethoxyperhydrofuro[3,2-b]pyran-5-ones. The reaction proceeded cleanly at ambient temperature to afford the products in good yields with high diastereoselectivity.     

High-molar-mass hyaluronan degradation by Weissberger's system: Pro- and anti-oxidative effects of some thiol compounds

Pro- and anti-oxidative effects of two thiol compounds, d-penicillamine and reduced l-glutathione, on the kinetics of degradation of high-molar-mass hyaluronan samples were monitored via rotational viscometry. The degradation was induced under aerobic condition by the so-called Weissberger′s system [ascorbate plus Cu(II)]. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of free radicals generated during the biopolymer degradation. Infrared spectroscopy and non-isothermal chemiluminometry were used to characterize the biopolymers after processing.