Lignocellulose degradation by actinomycetes

A collection of actinomycetes including fresh isolates was initially screened for the ability to degrade ball-milled straw or utilize lignin-related aromatic compounds. Selected strains were tested for ligninolytic activity by measuring the amount of¹⁴CO₂ released from [¹⁴C-lignin] wheat lignocellulose. Two actinomycetes,Thermomonospom mesophila and aStreptomyces sp., were particularly effective, degrading up to 8% of the radiolabeled substrate to¹⁴CO₂ in 10 d at 37‡C.¹⁴CO₂ evolution was not significantly affected by flushing flasks with air rather than 100% O₂, or growing the actinomycetes in shake-flask rather than stationary broth cultures. Solubilization of radioactivity paralleled¹⁴CO₂ evolution and was greatest during the first 72 h of growth, after which no further increase in water-soluble¹⁴C was detected although¹⁴CO₂ evolution continued at a reduced rate. The regulation of ligninolytic activity in these actinomycetes thus differs from that in white-rot fungi, and HPLC analyses of the degradation products suggest that their mode of attack on grass lignin is distinct. Xylanolytic strains from four thermophilic actinomycete taxa were also obtained. These strains produced inducible extracellular xylanases that were active over a broad pH and temperature range and were relatively thermostable. TLC analysis suggested that endoxylanases were the predominant components and gel electrophoresis provided further information on the nature of the xylanase complex. The activity of these enzymes against native lignocellulose was also studied. We thank the Agricultural Research Council and the British Petroleum Venture Research Unit for support.     

Lignin Chemistry: Biosynthetic Study and Structural Characterisation of Coniferyl Alcohol Oligomers Formed In Vitro in a Micellar Environment

Model coniferyl alcohol lignin (the so‐called dehydrogenative polymerisate, DHP) was produced in water under homogeneous conditions guaranteed by the presence of a micellised cationic surfactant. A complete study of the activity of the enzymatic system peroxidase/H₂O₂ under our reaction conditions was reported and all the reaction products up to the pentamer were characterised by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry. Our system, and the molecules that have been generated in it, represent a closer mimicry of the natural microenvironment since an enzyme, under micellar conditions, reproduces the cell system better than in buffer alone. On the basis of the oligomers structures a new biosynthetic perspective was proposed that focused attention on a coniferyl alcohol dimeric quinone methide as the key intermediate of the reaction. A formal, strictly alternate sequence of a radical and an ionic step underlines the reaction, thus generating ordered oligolignols structures. Alternatively to other model lignins, our olignols present a lower degree of radical coupling between oligomeric units. This offers a closer biosynthetic situation to the observation of a low rate of radical generation in the cell wall.     

Détermination par RMN 1H et 13C des Couplages J(CH) et J(CC) dans des Monomères Precurseurs de Lignine: Vanilline,Férulate d'Ethyle et Alcool Coniférylique Sélectivement Enrichis en 2H et 13C

Some monomer model compounds of lignin have been selectively ²H and ¹³C labelled: vanillin, ethyl ferulate, coniferyl alcohol and ethyl hydrogen malonate. Deuterium isotope effects on the ¹³C chemical shifts in [formyl-²H]vanillin, [5-²H]vanillin and [α,α,5-²H₃]coniferyl alcohol made the unambiguous assignment of the aromatic ¹³C signals possible. Absolute ^1,2,3J(CC) values have been determined on ¹³C spectra of [formyl-¹³C]vanillin, and of ethyl ferulate and coniferyl alcohol in which the vinylic C-γ and C-β carbons were ¹³C enriched. It has been possible to measure ⁴J(C?O, C-4) in vanillin and ⁴J(C-γ, C-4) in ethyl ferulate. The determination of ^1,2,3,4J (CH) absolute values was done by means of gated decoupled ¹³C spectra of the non-labelled compounds. When second order effects made the use of this technique impossible we determined certain J(CH) values and their signs either by analysing the ¹H NMR spectra of ¹³C labelled coniferyl alcohol [²J(C-β, H-γ), ²J(C-β, H-α), ²J(C-γ, H-β), ³J(C-γ, H-α)] or by a double irradiation experiment on the 250 MHz ¹H NMR spectrum of ethyl [β-¹³C] ferulate [for ²J(C-β, H-γ)].     

Enzymatic synthesis of bioactive compounds by Rhus laccase from Chinese Rhus vernicifera

A simple one step synthesis of pinoresinol and its derivatives-active components of Du-Zhong (Eucommia ulmoides)-from coniferyl alcohol and p-courmaryl alcohol with higher yields was achieved by Rhus laccases (RL) catalysis in water miscible organic solvents. Biomacromolecules dehydrogenative polymers (DHP) were only synthesized by fungal laccases, not by RL. The structures and the reaction mechanism were discussed to promote the understanding of the function of laccases in the process of lignin biosynthesis. Supported by the Research Project Grant A by Institute of Science & Technology, Meiji University, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30170757).     

Biological pretreatment of lignocellulose for enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials is considered as the rate-limiting step in an economically feasible process for enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. Biological delignification techniques have not been developed as intensively as physical and chemical methods. However, white-rot fungi are effective degraders of lignin, and some of them even preferentially remove lignin from wood compared with carbohydrates, and therefore might be suitable for biological pretreatment of lignocellulose. White-rot fungi were cultivated on wheat straw and the residue was hydrolyzed withTrichoderma reesei cellulase. Of nineteen fungi examined,Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sp. 535,Pycnoporus cinnabarinus 115,Ischnoderma benzoinum 108,Phanerochaete sordida 37,Phlebia radiata 79, and two unidentified fungi were found suitable for pretreatment of straw: the yields of reducing sugars and glucose based on original straw were markedly better compared with uninoculated straw, and these fungi also gave better results thanPolyporus versicolor, a nonselective reference fungus (Cowling, 1961). In the best cases the efficiency of the biological pretreatment was comparable with that of alkali treatment (2% NaOH, 0.4 g NaOH/g straw, 10 min at 115‡C), but the fungal treatment resulted in a higher proportion of glucose in the hydrolyzates. Combined fungal and (strong) alkali treatment did not give better results than alkali or fungal treatment alone. When culture flasks were periodically flushed with oxygen the treatment time could be reduced by about 1 wk with the two fungi,P. sordida 37 andP. cinnabarinus 115, tested. The effect of oxygen in pretreatment reflected the effect of oxygen in the degradation of¹⁴C-lignin of poplar wood to¹⁴CO₂ by these fungi (Hatakka and Uusi-Rauva, 1983). The economic feasibility of the biological pretreatment process is poor due to the long cultivation times needed. The best results were obtained with the longest treatment time studied, which was 5 wk. However, the rapid progress in the field of biological lignin degradation may help to accelerate the delignification process, and also find factors that favor lignin degradation, but suppress the utilization of carbohydrates.     

Permeabilities and stabilities of large dihexadecylphosphate and dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride vesicles

Sodium dihexadecylphosphate (DHP) vesicles, with a mean external diameter of 0.27 μm, were obtained by chloroform vaporization followed by gel filtration. The relative volume of the internal aqueous compartment, estimated measuring entrapment of [¹⁴C] sucrose, was 13 liters/mol. DHP and dioctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DODAC) large vesicles were stable up to 20 days at room temperature. In contrast, small sonicated DHP and DODAC vesicles were stable for some hours after preparation. Both DHP and DODAC large vesicles were impermeable toward most solutes tested. Large DHP vesicles responded as ideal osmometers toward gradients of sucrose, NaCl, or NaOH. The behavior of large vesicles of synthetic amphiphiles and of phospholipids was found to be analogous in the gel state.     

Enzymatic synthesis of bioactive compounds by Rhus laccase from Chinese Rhus vernicifera

A simple one step synthesis of pinoresinol and its derivatives-active components of Du-Zhong (Eucommia ulmoides)-from coniferyl alcohol and p-courmaryl alcohol with higher yields was achieved by Rhus laccases (RL) catalysis in water miscible organic solvents. Biomacromolecules dehydrogenative polymers (DHP) were only synthesized by fungal laccases, not by RL. The structures and the reaction mechanism were discussed to promote the understanding of the function of laccases in the process of lignin biosynthesis.     

Synthesis and Characterization of New 5‐Linked Pinoresinol Lignin Models

Pinoresinol structures, featuring a β‐β′‐linkage between lignin monomer units, are important in softwood lignins and in dicots and monocots, particularly those that are downregulated in syringyl‐specific genes. Although readily detected by NMR spectroscopy, pinoresinol structures largely escaped detection by β‐ether‐cleaving degradation analyses presumably due to the presence of the linkages at the 5 positions, in 5‐5′‐ or 5‐O‐4′‐structures. In this study, which is aimed at helping better understand 5‐linked pinoresinol structures by providing the required data for NMR characterization, new lignin model compounds were synthesized through biomimetic peroxidase‐mediated oxidative coupling reactions between pre‐formed (free‐phenolic) coniferyl alcohol 5‐5′‐ or 5‐O‐4′‐linked dimers and a coniferyl alcohol monomer. It was found that such dimers containing free‐phenolic coniferyl alcohol moieties can cross‐couple with the coniferyl alcohol producing pinoresinol‐containing trimers (and higher oligomers) in addition to other homo‐ and cross‐coupled products. Eight new lignin model compounds were obtained and characterized by NMR spectroscopy, and one tentatively identified cross‐coupled β‐O‐4′‐product was formed from a coniferyl alcohol 5‐O‐4′‐linked dimer. It was demonstrated that the 5‐5′‐ and 5‐O‐4′‐linked pinoresinol structures could be readily differentiated by using heteronuclear multiple‐bond correlation (HMBC) NMR spectroscopy. With appropriate modification (etherification or acetylation) to the newly obtained model compounds, it would be possible to identify the 5‐5′‐ or 5‐O‐4′‐linked pinoresinol structures in softwood lignins by 2D HMBC NMR spectroscopic methods. Identification of the cross‐coupled dibenzodioxocin from a coniferyl alcohol 5‐5′‐linked moiety suggested that thioacidolysis or derivatization followed by reductive cleavage (DFRC) could be used to detect and identify whether the coniferyl alcohol itself undergoes 5‐5′‐cross‐linking during lignification.     

Atomic-scale investigation of the interaction between coniferyl alcohol and laccase for lignin degradation using molecular dynamics simulations and spectroscopy

The interaction between coniferyl alcohol (CA) and laccase (LAC) was investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and spectral experiments. The mode of interaction between CA and LAC was established by MD simulations. The micro-environmental changes, stability and rigidity of the LAC-CA system were assessed by relevant parameters. These parameters include root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) and radius of gyration (Rg). The calculated binding free energy (ΔG_binding=??19.99?kcal·mol.^?1), the van der waals (VDW) contribution (ΔG_vdw=?23.99?kcal·mol^?1) and the electrostatic energy (ΔG_ele=?23.09?kcal·mol^?1) of LAC-CA system demonstrated that the interaction of LAC-CA was a spontaneous process and the main interaction forces were van der Waal's and electrostatic forces. The values of ΔG_vdw and ΔG_ele were negative, which demonstrated that VDW interactions and electrostatic interactions were favorable for the binding of CA and LAC. The binding constants, thermodynamic parameters, molecular force types and binding distances confirmed the interaction between CA and LAC and further verified the rationality of the theoretical model by spectral experiments. The MD simulations and experimental approaches provide clues for the discovery of new mediators and useful references for the mechanism of microbial degradation of lignin and industrialization of lignocellulose.     

Influence of lignocellulose-derived aromatic compounds on oxygen-limited growth and ethanolic fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Phenolic compounds released and generated during hydrolysis inhibit fermentation of lignocellulose hydrolysates to ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A wide variety of aromatic compounds form from lignin, which is partially degraded during acid hydrolysis of the lignocellulosic raw material. Aromatic compounds may also form as a result of sugar degradation and dare present in wood as extractives. The influence of hydroxy-methoxy-benzaldehydes, diphenols/quinones, and phenylpropane derivatives on S. cerevisiae cell growth and ethanol formation was assayed using a defined medium and oxygen-limited conditions. The inhibition effected by the hydroxy-methoxy-benzaldehydes was highly dependent on the positions of the substituents. A major difference in inhibition by the oxidized and reduced form of a diphenol/quinone was observed, the oxidized form being the more inhibitory. The phenylpropane derivatives were examined with respect to difference in toxicity depending on the oxidation-reduction state of the γ-carbon, the presence and position of unsaturated bonds in the aliphatic side chain, and the number and identity of hydroxyl and methoxyl substituents. Transformations of aromatic compounds occuring during the fermentation included aldehyde reduction, quinone reduction, and double bond saturation. Aromatic alcohols were detected as products of reductions of the corresponding aldehydes, namely hydroxy-methoxy-benzaldehydes and coniferyl aldehyde. High molecular mass compounds and the corresponding diphenol were detected as products of quinone reduction. Together with coniferyl alcohol, dihydroconiferyl alcohol was identified as a major transformation products of conifery aldehyde.

     

High-performance liquid chromatography determination of triptolide in vitro permeation studies

A simple, rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of triptolide. Triptolide was separated from skin endogenous and blank matrices on a 5 μm LiChrospher RP-C₁₈ column by a mobile phase of methanol-water (65:35, v/v). The permeation samples were injected directly without pretreatment. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) and detection (LOD) for triptolide in permeation samples were far below (0.01 and 0.005 μg/mL, respectively). The method was linear over the range of 0.1-104.2 μg/mL with r² = 0.9999. This HPLC assay is promising for measuring in vitro percutaneous penetration of triptolide through mice skins and also can be performed in the triptolide-loaded microemulsions formulation screening.     

Enzymatic Synthesis of [3-14C]Cinnamic Acid

Convenient and efficient route of the synthesis of [3-¹⁴C] cinnamic acid is reported. [1-¹⁴C]Benzoic acid, prepared by carbonation of Grignard reagent with [¹⁴C]carbon dioxide, was reduced to [1-¹⁴C]benzyl alcohol. In the enzymatic step this alcohol was selectively oxidised to [1-¹⁴C]benzaldehyde using enzyme YADH (Ec. 1.1.1.1) and immediately condensed with malonic acid. This combined chemical and enzymatic approach allows to obtain [3-¹⁴C]cinnamic acid with radiochemical yield higher than 50% in respect to the starting alcohol.     

Study of Photochemical Reactions of Coniferyl Alcohol. II. Comparative Structural Study of a Photochemical and Enzymatic Polymer of Coniferyl Alcohol

The structure of the polymer synthesized by UV irradiation of coniferyl alcohol was studied, using UV-visible, Raman, IR, H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. The photochemical polymer was compared with the structure of the polymer obtained by peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization of coniferyl alcohol. General similarity of the spectra of the two polymers was shown. However, differences in the fine structure of particular regions of the NMR spectra, as well as in certain bands in the Raman and IR spectra, could be explained through the various bond types and organization within the polymers. These results are consistent with molecular mass distribution of the polymers. Two fractions of enzymatic polymer correspond to the main two fractions of photochemical polymer. The later polymer has additional fractions that are probably the main reason for the observed spectral differences.     

Scavenging activity of C4‐hydroxyphenyl‐ and polyhydroxyphenyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines toward free radicals

The radical‐scavenging ability of synthesized C4‐phenolic‐substituted 1,4‐dihydropyridines (1,4‐DHPs) toward 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^?) and alkyl/alkylperoxyl ABAP‐derived radicals at pH 7.4 was assessed by UV–visible spectroscopy. Reactivity of 1,4‐DHPs toward DPPH^? was measured by following the decay of the absorption corresponding to the radical λ_max at 525 nm, permitting the calculation of EC₅₀, t_EC50, and antiradical efficiency values. Pseudo–first‐order kinetic rate constants for the reactivity between the C4‐phenolic‐substituted 1,4‐DHP compounds and alkyl/alkylperoxyl ABAP‐derived radicals were followed by the decrease in λ_max at 356 nm corresponding to 1,4‐DHP moiety. C4‐phenolic‐substituted 1,4‐DHPs were more reactive toward alkyl free radicals than the other tested radicals. The 3,4,5‐trihydroxyphenyl‐1,4‐DHP was the most reactive derivative toward this radical with a kinetic rate constant value of 513.2 s^?1. Also, this derivative was the most effective toward the DPPH^? radical with the lowest EC₅₀ value (5.08 µM). Comparative studies revealed that synthesized 1,4‐DHPs were more reactive than commercial 1,4‐DHPs. The scavenging mechanism involves the contribution of both pharmacophores, that is, hydroxyphenyl and 1,4‐DHP rings, which was supported by the identification of the reaction products. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 810–820, 2012     

Screening and analysis of an antineoplastic compound in Rhizoma Chuanxiong by means of in vitro metabolism and HPLC-MS

A new screening and analysis method that combines in vitro metabolism with high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was developed for the screening and analysis of an antineoplastic compound, coniferyl ferulate, which is present in the rhizome of Rhizoma Chuanxiong. Infrared (IR), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and element analysis were used to identify the molecular structure of coniferyl ferulate. The quantitative analysis of coniferyl ferulate in different extracts of Rhizoma Chuanxiong was carried out, and the metabolism of coniferyl ferulate was investigated by in vitro incubation with rat liver homogenate. The metabolite of coniferyl ferulate, ferulic acid ethyl ester, was identified by HPLC-MS, UV-Vis and IR. In addition, antineoplastic activities of coniferyl ferulate and ferulic acid ethyl ester were detected by the MTT assay. The observed inhibition rate of coniferyl ferulate on the activity of HeLa cells was over 80% at 5.4 ng μl⁻¹. However, its metabolite, ferulic acid ethyl ester, showed no antineoplastic activity in vitro.      

新型除草剂丙酯草醚A环14C均标记合成和鉴定

以U-¹⁴C-对氨基苯甲酸为前体, 通过酯化、缩合、还原和取代四步反应获得了A环¹⁴C均标记的丙酯草醚, 用PHPLC对其进行纯化. 采用HPLC-MS(ESI), MS(EI)和¹H NMR验证了其结构, 通过HPLC(外标法)确定其化学纯度大于98%; HPLC-LSC和TLC-IIA两种方法分析表明, 其放射化学纯度大于98%, 其比活度为1.089±0.011 mCi/mmol. 合成的化学收率和放化收率均为53%.     

Structural analysis of polyhydroxyurethane obtained by polyaddition of bifunctional five‐membered cyclic carbonate and diamine based on the model reaction

This article focuses on the structural analysis of polyhydroxyurethane obtained by the reaction of 2,2‐bis[p‐(1,3‐dioxolan‐2‐one‐4‐yl‐methoxy)phenyl]propane with a diamine based on the model reaction. The compounds obtained in the model reaction could be separated into hydroxyurethanes containing primary and secondary alcohol groups by preparative gel permeation chromatography with a recycling technique to determine the structures by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT) and C H correlation spectroscopy to obtain hydroxyurethane carrying the primary alcohol structure moiety dominantly. The ratios were independent of the reaction temperature but somewhat dependent on the solvents and amines. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 851–859, 2001     

Development and validation of a reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic method with solid‐phase extraction for the quantification of hydrochlorothiazide in ex vivo permeation studies

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) is a diuretic used to treat hypertension. In order to study its intestinal permeation behavior applying an ex vivo methodology, a rapid, sensitive and selective reversed‐phase liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) method coupled with UV detection (RP‐HPLC UV) was developed for the analysis of HCT in TC199 culture medium used as mucosal and serosal solutions in the everted rat intestinal sac model. Also, analytical procedures for the quantification of HCT by RP‐HPLC with UV detection required a sample preparation step by solid‐phase extraction. The method was validated in the concentration range of 8.05 × 10⁻⁷ to 3.22 × 10⁻⁵ m for HCT. Chromatographic parameters, namely carry‐over, lower limit of quantification (1.4491 × 10⁻⁷ m ), limit of detection (3.8325 × 10⁻⁸ m ), selectivity, inter‐ and intraday precision and extraction recovery, were determined and found to be adequate for the intended purposes. The validated method was successfully used for permeability assays across rat intestinal epithelium applying the ex vivo everted rat gut sac methodology to study the permeation behavior of HCT.     

A new class of proton-conducting ionic plastic crystals based on organic cations and dihydrogen phosphate

Choline dihydrogen phosphate ([N_1.1.1.2OH]DHP) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dihydrogen phosphate ([C₄mim]DHP) were synthesized as a new class of proton-conducting ionic plastic crystals. Both [N_1.1.1.2OH]DHP and [C₄mim]DHP showed solid–solid phase transition(s) and showed a final entropy of fusion lower than 20 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ which is consistent with Timmerman’s criterion for molecular plastic crystals. The ionic conductivity of [N_1.1.1.2OH]DHP was in the range of 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹–10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ in the plastic crystalline phase. On the other hand, the ionic conductivity of [C₄mim]DHP showed about 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ in the plastic crystalline phase. [N_1.1.1.2OH]DHP showed one order of magnitude higher ionic conductivity than [C₄mim]DHP in the temperature range where the plastic phase is stable.