Chemical Composition of Volatile Compounds in Apis mellifera Propolis from the Northeast Region of Pará State,Brazil

Propolis is a balsamic product obtained from vegetable resins by exotic Africanized bees Apis mellifera L., transported and processed by them, originating from the activity that explores and maintains these individuals. Because of its vegetable and natural origins, propolis is a complex mixture of different compound classes; among them are the volatile compounds present in the aroma. In this sense, in the present study we evaluated the volatile fraction of propolis present in the aroma obtained by distillation and simultaneous extraction, and its chemical composition was determined using coupled gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and flame ionization detection. The majority of compounds were sesquiterpene and hydrocarbons, comprising 8.2–22.19% α-copaene and 6.2–21.7% β-caryophyllene, with additional compounds identified in greater concentrations. Multivariate analysis showed that samples collected from one region may have different chemical compositions, which may be related to the location of the resin’s production. This may be related to other bee products.     

Degradation and Pathways of Carvone in Soil and Water

Carvone is a monoterpene compound that has been widely used as a pesticide for more than 10 years. However, little is known regarding the fate of carvone, or its degradation products, in the environment. We used GC-MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) to study the fate of carvone and its degradation and photolysis products under different soil and light conditions. We identified and quantified three degradation products of carvone in soil and water samples: dihydrocarvone, dihydrocarveol, and carvone camphor. In soil, dihydrocarveol was produced at very low levels (≤0.067 mg/kg), while dihydrocarvone was produced at much higher levels (≤2.07 mg/kg). In water exposed to differing light conditions, carvone was degraded to carvone camphor. The photolysis rate of carvone camphor under a mercury lamp was faster, but its persistence was lower than under a xenon lamp. The results of this study provide fundamental data to better understand the fate and degradation of carvone and its metabolites in the environment.     

Resolution of crystalline ribonuclease by paper electrophoresis

1. Crystalline ribonuclease samples obtained from different commercial sources in addition to one prepared in the laboratory were resolved into their components, RNases I, II, III and IV, by a new two-dimensional electrophoretic technique 2. RNase I and RNase II liberated more uridyhc acid and cytidylic acid from yeast nbonucleic acid, and demonstrated a greater enzymic activity on undine-2', 3'-phosphate and cytidine-2',3'-phosphate, than either RNase III or RNase IV RNase III and RNaso IV liberated more adenylic acid and guanylic acid from yeast ribonucleic acid, and showed a greater enzymic activity on adenosine-2',3'-phosphate and guanosine-2', 3 '-phosphate than cither RNase I and RNase II 3. The degree of heterogeneity of the RNase samples studied revealed the age of the preparation 4. It is thus demonstrated, that certain of the activities of “crystalline nbonucleasc” reside in four different protein entities, and some activity toward punne nucleotidc esters existed in two of the four protein entities     

An Analytical Method for the Biomonitoring of Mercury in Bees and Beehive Products by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

Bees and their products are useful bioindicators of anthropogenic activities and could overcome the deficiencies of air quality networks. Among the environmental contaminants, mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that can accumulate in living organisms. The first aim of this study was to develop a simple analytical method to determine Hg in small mass samples of bees and beehive products by cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The proposed method was optimized for about 0.02 g bee, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly, 0.05 g beeswax and honey, or 0.1 g honeydew with 0.5 mL HCl, 0.2 mL HNO₃, and 0.1 mL H₂O₂ in a water bath (95 °C, 30 min); samples were made up to a final volume of 5 mL deionized water. The method limits sample manipulation and the reagent mixture volume used. Detection limits were lower than 3 µg kg⁻¹ for a sample mass of 0.02 g, and recoveries and precision were within 20% of the expected value and less than 10%, respectively, for many matrices. The second aim of the present study was to evaluate the proposed method’s performances on real samples collected in six areas of the Lazio region in Italy.     

Study of the influence of NaOH treatment on the pyrolysis of different leather tanned using thermogravimetric analysis and Py/GC-MS system

This paper presents a study of the influence of a NaOH treatment on leather samples tanned using different tanning agents. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) and flash pyrolysis (Py/GC-MS) was carried out on treated samples, and the results were compared with those obtained with the untreated samples. Treatment with sodium hydroxide seemed to decrease the temperature of maximum leather decomposition rate between 4 and 27 °C, depending on the tanning agent, and increased the range of temperatures where leather degradation occurs. From flash pyrolysis experiments, it was found that the volatile products obtained from NaOH-treated samples contain higher amounts of nitrogen compounds than those obtained from untreated samples. The results of a multivariate analysis applied to pyrolytic products obtained in the flash pyrolysis of samples showed greater similarity between the results obtained in all treated samples than between treated and untreated samples produced with the same tanning process.     

Heterocyclic N-glycosyl derivatives—XIX : Glycal nucleosides. their relationship with 2',3'-unsaturated nucleosides and their utilization in the synthesis of 1',3'-two base nucleosides

The acid catalized reaction of tri-0-acetyl-D-glucal with benzotriazole or 6-methylthiopurine in acetonitrile gave a mixture of 1',2'- and 2',3'-unsaturated nucleosides, the former predominating. The relationship between these unsaturated nucleosides is studied and an allylic carbonium ion is proposed as an intermediate for these isomerizations. The acid catalized reaction of 1',2'-unsaturated nucleosides with more benzotriazole or 6-methylthiopurine gave 1',3'-two base nucleosides. The conformation and anomeric configuration of the N-glycosyl compounds obtained were assigned by NMR spectroscopy.     

Studies of nucleosides and nucleotides—LXXIV: Purine cyclonucleosides—34 a new method for the synthesis of 2'-substituted 2'-deoxyadenosines

8,2'-O-Cycloadenosine was protected at 3' and 5'-OHs with acetyl groups and cleaved using liq. H₂S. Subsequent dethiolation and mesylation gave 2'-O-mesyl-3',5'-di-O-acetyl-arabinosyladenine (6). When 6 or its deacetylated parent compound (7) was heated with sodium azide in DMF, 3'-azido-3'-deoxyxylofuranosyladenine (9) was the only product. The cyclonucleoside was then protected with tetrahydropyranyl groups and subjected to a similar series of reactions as above to give 2'-O-mesyl-3',5'-di-O-tetrahydropyranylarabinosyladenine (14). The compound 14 was heated with sodium azide after which acidic deprotection afforded 2'-azido-2'-deoxyadenosine (16). Hydrogenation of 16 gave 2'-amino-2'-deoxyadenosine (18). 2'-Chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine (19) was also obtained by treatment of 14 with lithium chloride and subsequent deprotection. UV, IR and NMR spectral data of these compounds are described.     

Analysis of inorganic mercury species associated with airborne particulate matter/aerosols: method development

This paper describes a method for speciation of Hg associated with airborne particulate matter. This method uses a mini-sampler for sample collection and analysis, thermal desorption for separating Hg species, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) for identification and quantification of Hg. Coal fly ash spiked with different Hg compounds (e.g. Hg⁰, HgCl₂, HgO, and HgS) was used for qualitative calibration. A standard reference material with a certified value for Hg concentration was used to evaluate the method. When the temperature of the furnace was programmed at a linear rate of increase of 50° min^–1, different Hg compounds could clearly be separated. Three airborne particulate matter samples were collected in parallel in Toronto, ON, Canada and analyzed using this method. Reproducible results were obtained and Hg⁰, HgCl₂, HgO, and HgS species from these samples were detected.     

Spirostanol Sapogenins and Saponins from Convallaria majalis L. Structural Characterization by 2D NMR,Theoretical GIAO DFT Calculations and Molecular Modeling

Two new spirostanol sapogenins (5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,2β,3β,5β-tetrol 3 and its 25,27-dihydro derivative, (25S)-spirostan-1β,2β,3β,5β-tetrol 4) and four new saponins were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Convallaria majalis L. together with known sapogenins (isolated from Liliaceae): 5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,3β-diol 1, (25S)-spirostan-1β,3β-diol 2, 5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,3β,4β,5β-tetrol 5, (25S)-spirostan-1β,3β,4β,5β-tetrol 6, 5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 7 and (25S)-spirostan-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 8. New steroidal saponins were found to be pentahydroxy 5-O-glycosides; 5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 5-O-β-galactopyranoside 9, 5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 5-O-β-arabinonoside 11, 5β-(25S)-spirostan-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 5-O-galactoside 10 and 5β-(25S)-spirostan-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 5-O-arabinoside 12 were isolated for the first time. The structures of those compounds were determined by NMR spectroscopy, including 2D COSY, HMBC, HSQC, NOESY, ROESY experiments, theoretical calculations of shielding constants by GIAO DFT, and mass spectrometry (FAB/LSI HR MS). An attempt was made to test biological activity, particularly as potential chemotherapeutic agents, using in silico methods. A set of 12 compounds was docked to the PDB structures of HER2 receptor and tubulin. The results indicated that diols have a higher affinity to the analyzed targets than tetrols and pentols. Two compounds (25S)-spirosten-1β,3β-diol 1 and 5β-spirost-25(27)-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β-pentol 5-O-galactoside 9 were selected for further evaluation of biological activity.     

Electronic control of stereoselectivity-21 : Stereochemical parallelism between dienophilic capture and singlet oxygenation of isodicyclopentadiene derivatives

The stereochemistry and product distribution resulting from reaction of 4',5',6',7'- tetrahydrospirol[cyclopropane-1,2']-[4,7]methano[2$\text{H}$]indene(5), endo-2-methyl(6a) and 2,2-dunethyl-4,7-dihydro-4,7-methano-2$\text{H}$-indene (6b), as well as 4',5',6',7'-tetrahydrospiro[cyclopentane-1,2']-[4,7]methano-[2$\text{H}$]indene (7) with singlet oxygen have been determined. Stereochemical assignments to the diepoxide products were readily deduced by ¹³C-NMR comparison with the spectra of the parent isomcrs of established structure (X-ray). To unravel the stereochemistry of the epoxy aldehydes, recourse was made to 2D NOE experiments The observed stereosclectivity and reaction profile of each substrate are analyzed and placed in proper mechanistic and energetic perspective.     

Validated Stability-Indicating GC-MS Method for Characterization of Forced Degradation Products of Trans-Caffeic Acid and Trans-Ferulic Acid

When dealing with simple phenols such as caffeic acid (CA) and ferulic acid (FA), found in a variety of plants, it is very important to have control over the most important factors that accelerate their degradation reactions. This is the first report in which the stabilities of these two compounds have been systematically tested by exposure to various different factors. Forced degradation studies were performed on pure standards (trans-CA and trans-FA), dissolved in different solvents and exposed to different oxidative, photolytic and thermal stress conditions. Additionally, a rapid, sensitive, and selective stability-indicating gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for determination of trans-CA and trans-FA in the presence of their degradation products. Cis-CA and cis-FA were confirmed as the only degradation products in all the experiments performed. All the compounds were perfectly separated by gas chromatography (GC) and identified using mass spectrometry (MS), a method that additionally elucidated their structures. In general, more protic solvents, higher temperatures, UV radiation and longer storage times led to more significant degradation (isomerization) of both trans-isomers. The most progressive isomerization of both compounds (up to 43%) was observed when the polar solutions were exposed to daylight at room temperature for 1 month. The method was validated for linearity, precision as repeatability, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ). The method was confirmed as linear over tested concentration ranges from 1−100 mg L⁻¹ (r²s were above 0.999). The LOD and LOQ for trans-FA were 0.15 mg L⁻¹ and 0.50 mg L⁻¹, respectively. The LOD and LOQ for trans-CA were 0.23 mg L⁻¹ and 0.77 mg L⁻¹, respectively.     

Degradation of HTL layers during device operation in PhOLEDs

Different analytical tools and methodologies are currently employed to determine degradation products of organic blue light emitting devices in order to identify the failure mechanisms which determine the lifetime of these devices. This article provides a deeper understanding of degradation mechanisms of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) during device operation. Degradation products of blue emitting devices containing 8% of the phosphorescent emitter iridium(III)bis(4,6-difluorophenyl)-pyridinato-N,C^2′ picolinate (FIrpic) in a matrix containing bis(2-methyl-8-quinolinolato)(4-phenylphenolato)aluminium (BAlq) as electron transport layer (ETL), 4,4′,4″-tri(N-carbazolyl)triphenylamine (TCTA) and N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(1-naphthyl)-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4″-diamine (α-NPD) were investigated using laser desorption ionization (LDI) coupled with a time of flight mass spectrometry (TOF/MS). Especially chemical degradation pathways of the hole transport materials TCTA and α-NPD were investigated. The comparison of experimental data of unstressed and stressed device revealed that new reaction products are formed during the device operation. The linkage of TCTA fragments to the α-NPD core in an interfacial reaction as well as a dimerization of TCTA itself was observed. Ten new reaction products could be characterized via LDI-TOF-MS. Some of these compounds might possess a negative influence on the drop of efficiency and lifetime of blue light emitting devices based on FIrpic.     

Rapid analysis of fluoxetine and its metabolite in plasma by LC-MS with column-switching approach

A rapid and sensitive method was developed for the simultaneous determination of fluoxetine and its primary metabolite, norfluoxetine, in plasma. It was based on a column-switching approach with a precolumn packed with large size particles coupled with a liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation–mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). After a simple centrifugation, plasma samples were directly injected onto the precolumn. The endogenous material was excluded thanks to a high flow rate while analytes were retained by hydrophobic interactions. Afterwards, the target compounds were eluted in back flush mode to an octadecyl analytical column and detected by ESI-MS. The overall analysis time per sample, from plasma sample preparation to data acquisition, was achieved in less than 4 min. Method performances were evaluated. The method showed good linearity in the range of 25–1000 ng mL^–1 with a determination coefficient higher than 0.99. Limits of quantification were estimated at 25 ng mL^–1 for fluoxetine and norfluoxetine. Moreover, method precision was better than 6% in the studied concentration range. These results demonstrated that the method could be used to quantify target compounds. Finally, the developed assay proved to be suitable for the simultaneous analysis of fluoxetine and its metabolite in real plasma samples.     

Comprehensive and quantitative stability study of ascorbic acid using capillary zone electrophoresis with ultraviolet detection and high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry

Ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant compound involved in many biological functions, and a chronic deficiency is at the origin of scurvy disease. A simple, rapid, and cost‐effective capillary electrophoresis method was developed for the separation and simultaneous quantification of ascorbic acid and the major degradation products: dehydroascorbic acid, furfural, and furoic acid. Systematic optimization of the conditions was performed that enabled baseline separation of the compounds in less than 10 min. In addition to simultaneous quantification of ascorbic acid alongside to the degradation products, stability studies demonstrated the possibility using capillary electrophoresis to separate and identify the major degradation products. Thus, high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry experiments were conducted in order to identify an unknown degradation product separated by capillary electrophoresis and significantly present in degraded samples. Comparison of mass spectrometry data and capillary electrophoresis electropherograms allowed to identify unambiguously trihydroxy‐keto‐valeraldehyde. Finally, capillary electrophoresis was successfully applied to evaluate the composition of different pharmaceutical preparation of ascorbic acid. Results showed the excellent performance of the capillary electrophoresis method due to the separation of excipients from the compounds of interest, which demonstrated the relevance of using an electrophoretic separation in order to perform comprehensive stability studies of ascorbic acid.     

Simultaneous Analysis of Fenpropimorph and Fenpropimorph Acid in Six Different Livestock Products Using a Single-Sample Preparation Method Followed by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Pesticides in livestock products must be measured to ensure food safety. We developed a single-sample preparation method followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for simultaneous determination of fenpropimorph and fenpropimorph acid in six different livestock products. The extraction method was a modification of the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method and was validated according to the CODEX guidelines. The matrix-matched calibration curves for fenpropimorph and fenpropimorph acid exhibited good linearity, with coefficients of determination (R² values) higher than 0.998. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 1.25 and 5.0 µg kg⁻¹, respectively. The average recovery values ranged from 61.5% to 97.1% for samples fortified to the LOQ, 2 × LOQ, and 10 × LOQ. The method fully complied with the CODEX guidelines and was successfully applied to real samples obtained from domestic markets.     

Heterogeneous Photocatalysis of Metronidazole in Aquatic Samples

Metronidazole (MET) is a commonly detected contaminant in the environment. The compound is classified as poorly biodegradable and highly soluble in water. Heterogeneous photocatalysis is the most promoted water purification method due to the possibility of using sunlight and small amounts of a catalyst needed for the process. The aim of this study was to select conditions for photocatalytic removal of metronidazole from aquatic samples. The effect of catalyst type, mass, and irradiance intensity on the efficiency of metronidazole removal was determined. For this purpose, TiO₂, ZnO, ZrO₂, WO₃, PbS, and their mixtures in a mass ratio of 1:1 were used. In this study, the transformation products formed were identified, and the mineralization degree of compound was determined. The efficiency of metronidazole removal depending on the type of catalyst was in the range of 50–95%. The highest MET conversion (95%) combined with a high degree of mineralization (70.3%) was obtained by using a mixture of 12.5 g TiO₂–P25 + PbS (1:1; v/v) and running the process for 60 min at an irradiance of 1000 W m⁻². Four MET degradation products were identified by untargeted analysis, formed by the rearrangement of the metronidazole and the C-C bond breaking.     

Synthesis of the natural enantiomers of ascochlorin,ascofuranone and ascofuranol

Three fungal metabolites with a common structural feature as prenylated phenols were synthesized in their naturally occurring and optically active forms: ascochlorin [(2'$\text{E}$,4'$\text{E}$,1'$\text{R}$,2'$\text{R}$,6'$\text{R}$)-(-)-5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-[5'-(1',2',6'-trimethyl-3'-oxo-cyclohexyl)-3'-methyl-2', 4'-pentadienyl] benzaldehyde], ascofuranone [(2'$\text{E}$,6'$\text{E}$,1'$\text{S}$)-(-)-5-chloro-2, 4-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-[7'-(3',3'-dimethyl-4'-oxo-2'-oxacyclopentyl)-3',7'-dimethyl -2', 6'-heptadienyl] benzaldehyde] and ascofuranol [(2'$\text{E}$,6'$\text{E}$,1'$\text{S}$,4'$\text{S}$)-(-)-5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-[7'-(3', 3'-dimethyl-4'-hydroxy-2'-oxacyclopentyl)-3', 7'-dimethyl-2',6'-hepta-dienyl]benzaldehyde ]. (+)-Ascofuranone and (+)-ascofuranol were also synthesized. By the present synthesis the absolute configuration of the natural (-)-ascofuranol was established as (1'$\text{S}$,4'$\text{S}$).     

Antifungal Activity of Isolated Compounds from the Leaves of Combretum erythrophyllum (Burch.) Sond. and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal against Fusarium Pathogens

Crop diseases caused by Fusarium pathogens, among other microorganisms, threaten crop production in both commercial and smallholder farming. There are increasing concerns about the use of conventional synthetic fungicides due to fungal resistance and the associated negative effects of these chemicals on human health, livestock and the environment. This leads to the search for alternative fungicides from nature, especially from plants. The objectives of this study were to characterize isolated compounds from Combretum erythrophyllum (Burch.) Sond. and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal leaf extracts, evaluate their antifungal activity against Fusarium pathogens, their phytotoxicity on maize seed germination and their cytotoxicity effect on Raw 264.7 macrophage cells. The investigation led to the isolation of antifungal compounds characterized as 5-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavone, maslinic acid (21-hydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid) and withaferin A (4β,27-dihydroxy-1-oxo-5β,6β-epoxywitha-2-24-dienolide). The structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was established using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy (MS) and, in comparison, with the available published data. These compounds showed good antifungal activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) less than 1.0 mg/mL against one or more of the tested Fusarium pathogens (F. oxysporum, F. verticilloides, F. subglutinans, F. proliferatum, F. solani, F. graminearum, F. chlamydosporum and F. semitectum). The findings from this study indicate that medicinal plants are a good source of natural antifungals. Furthermore, the isolated antifungal compounds did not show any phytotoxic effects on maize seed germination. The toxicity of the compounds A (5-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavone) and AI (4β,27-dihydroxy-1-oxo-5β,6β-epoxywitha-2-24-dienolide) was dose-dependent, while compound B (21-hydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid) showed no toxicity effect against Raw 264.7 macrophage cells.     

Lithiation of 3',5'-O-(tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)-2'-deoxyuridine: synthesis of 6-substituted 2'-deoxyuridines

Synthesis of 6-substituted 2'-deoxyuridines can be effected by lithiation of 3',5'-$\text{O}$-(tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)-2'-deoxyuridine with LDA followed by the reaction of its lithio derivative with electrophiles. This method provides a general, regiospecific and simple route to various types of 6-substituted 2'-deoxyuridines which have, so far, been known to be difficult to prepare.     

Synthesis of (±)-ascochlorin, (±)-ascofuranone and LL-Z1272

Three antibiotics with a common structural feature as prenylated phenols were synthesized: (±)-ascochlorin (5 - chloro-2,4 - dihydroxy - 6 - methyl - 3 - [(2E',4/E') - 5' - (1′,2′,6′ - trimethyl - 3′-oxocyclohexyl) - 3' - methyl - 2',4' - p benzaldehyde), (±)-ascofuranone (5 - chloro - 2,4 - dihydroxy - 6 - methyl - 3 - [(2'E,6'E) - 7' - (3′,3′ - dimethyl - 4′ - oxo - 2′ - oxacyclopentyl) - 3',7 -dimethyl - 2',6' - heptadienyl] benzaldehyde) and LL-Z1272α (5 - chloro - 2,4 - dihydroxy - 6 - methyl -3 - [(2'E,6'E) - 3',7',11' - trimethyl - 2',6', 10' - dodecatrienyl] benzaldehyde)