Preparation and antibacterial activity of aromatic derivatives of β-aminopropionic and γ-aminobutyric acid

Ten aromatic derivatives of β-aminopropionic acid and γ-aminobutyric acid were prepared.Their compositions and structures were identified by elemental analysis,IR,and 1H NMR.They have been examined for their antibacterial action against Staphylococcua aurens and Escherichia coli.These compounds showed higher activity than the aromatic derivatives of ct-amino acid which were reported previously.The general conclusion to be drawn is that the distance between amino and carboxylic group in these molecules could affect their antibacterial activity.Furthermore,those compounds with p-methyl substituent in phenyl ring exhibit higher activity than the others,and all the compounds exhibit higher activity against Escherichia coli and against Staphylococcua aureus.     

A multicoincidence study of fragmentation dynamics in collision of γ-aminobutyric acid with low-energy ions

Fragmentation of the γ-aminobutyric acid molecule (GABA, NH(2)(CH(2))(3)COOH) following collisions with slow O(6+) ions (v≈0.3?a.u.) was studied in the gas phase by a combined experimental and theoretical approach. In the experiments, a multicoincidence detection method was used to deduce the charge state of the GABA molecule before fragmentation. This is essential to unambiguously unravel the different fragmentation pathways. It was found that the molecular cations resulting from the collisions hardly survive the interaction and that the main dissociation channels correspond to formation of NH(2)CH(2)(+), HCNH(+), CH(2)CH(2)(+), and COOH(+) fragments. State-of-the-art quantum chemistry calculations allow different fragmentation mechanisms to be proposed from analysis of the relevant minima and transition states on the computed potential-energy surface. For example, the weak contribution at [M-18](+), where M is the mass of the parent ion, can be interpreted as resulting from H(2)O loss that follows molecular folding of the long carbon chain of the amino acid.     

Pre-staining paper chromatography method for quantification of γ-aminobutyric acid

The routine method of paper chromatography includes five steps: spotting, separating, drying, spraying/immersing and color development. In this paper, a pre-staining paper chromatography which only consisted of spotting, separating and color development was developed for quantitative analysis of γ-aminobutyric acid. Compared to the routine paper chromatography, the improved method is clean, rapid, inexpensive and reproducible. The effects of ninhydrin concentration, color temperature, color time and Cu²⁺ concentration on the color yield in the ninhydrin reaction were optimized. And then the pre-staining paper chromatography coupled with vis spectrophotometry was applied to γ-aminobutyric acid quantification. The results indicated that the limit of detection was 0.05 mg mL⁻¹ and the linear range was from 0.5 to 20.0 mg mL⁻¹. Furthermore, an excellent correlation coefficient was observed with an R² = 0.998. The method is accurate (RSD < 2.64%), and has good recoveries (102.7–103.9%). The validation of the modified technique was verified by a HPLC method.     

Low-temperature heat capacity and thermodynamic parameters of γ-aminobutyric acid

Thermodynamic properties of γ-aminobutyric acid were studied in the temperature interval from 5.7 to 300 K using a vacuum adiabatic calorimeter. The curve C _p (T) in the mentioned temperature interval is S-shaped without any anomalies. Based on the smoothed values of heat capacity, the calorimetric entropy $ S_{m}^{0} (T) - S_{m}^{0} (0) $ and the difference in the enthalpies $ H_{m}^{0} (T) - H_{m}^{0} (0) $ were calculated and tabulated. At the standard temperature 298.15 K, these values are equal to 158.1 ± 0.3 J K^?1 mol^?1 and 23020 ± 50 J mol^?1, respectively. At temperatures from 5 to 10 K, the function C _p (T) was found to obey the Debye law C = AT ³. Contrary to what has been supposed previously, the empirical Parks–Huffman rule for estimating entropy in the homologous series was shown to be not valid for the series glycine–β-alanine–γ-aminobutyric acid.     

Stereodivergent synthesis of cyclic γ-aminobutyric acid – GABA analogues

A novel synthetic route towards two series of enantiomerically pure cyclic analogues of 2,3-cis- and 2,3-trans-γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was developed. The route is based on the elongation and stereodivergent manipulation of a readily accessible enantiomerically pure γ-substituted α-aminolactone. The five-step route towards the 2,3-cis-substituted GABA analogues was achieved via straightforward carbon chain extension of the lactone using a non-classical Wittig reaction followed by chemoselective reduction and a protecting group switch. The five-step route towards the 2,3-trans-substituted GABA analogues employed elongation of the same aminolactone using a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction and highly stereoselective intramolecular oxa-Michael addition as the key synthetic manipulations. Altogether this chemistry has allowed the stereodivergent preparation of a novel class of GABA analogues in two diastereomeric series.     

Theoretical studies on the inactivation mechanism of γ-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase

The inactivation mechanism of γ-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase (GABA-AT) in the presence of γ-vinyl-aminobutyric acid, an anti-epilepsy drug, has been studied by means of theoretical calculations. Density functional theory methods have been applied to compare the three experimentally proposed inactivation mechanisms (Silverman et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2004, 279, 363). All the calculations were performed at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. Single point solvent calculations were carried out in water, by means of an integral equation formalism-polarizable continuum model (IEFPCM) at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. The present calculations provide an insight into the mechanistic preferences of the inactivation reaction of GABA-AT. The results also allow us to elucidate the key factors behind the mechanistic preferences. The computations also confirm the importance of explicit water molecules around the reacting center in the proton transfer steps.     

Esterification of acetic acid with n-Butanol using vanadium oxides supported on γ-alumina

Esterification of acetic acid with n-Butanol has been studied in a heterogeneous reaction system using two γ-alumina-supported vanadium oxide catalysts with different V loadings, which were prepared by the impregnation of a precipitated alumina. The alumina support and the supported catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption, EDX analysis and NH₃-TPD techniques. The effects of the reaction time, of the molar ratio of the reactants, of the speed of agitation and of the mass fraction of the catalyst on the catalytic properties were studied. In the presence of the supported catalyst containing 10 wt % V₂O₅ (10V-Al₂O₃ sample) the conversion reached 87.7% after 210 min of reaction at 100 °C with an n-Butanol-to-acetic acid mole ratio equal to one. The conversion as well as the total acidity measured by TPD of NH₃ increased in the following order: Al₂O₃ < 5V-Al₂O₃ (5 wt % V₂O₅/Al₂O₃) < 10V-Al₂O₃. In all cases the reaction was completely selective to n-butyl acetate. Nevertheless, a loss in catalytic activity after three reaction cycles with 10 V₂O₅–Al₂O₃ catalyst was observed.     

High hydrostatic pressure increases the biosynthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid using bee pollen as a novel and eco-friendly catalyst

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) has antihypertensive and anti-stress effects on human health. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP), a nonthermal treatment, has been documented as a novel approach to enhance the nutritional quality and functional components of plant-based food. In this study, a novel method to convert monosodium glutamate (MSG) to GABA using bee pollen as a natural catalyst was observed, and the GABA yield was improved by HHP treatment. Firstly, GABA production was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS), the highest GABA production was found in lotus bee pollen (LBP) when different varieties of bee pollen were used for the reaction. Secondly, the reaction conditions were utilized, and the optimal reaction condition of the GABA production was determined as described below: 250 mg/mL of bee pollen mixed with 590 mmol/L of MSG that prepared by 80 mmol/L of phosphate buffer (pH 5.8), and incubated at 40 °C for 6 h. For HHP treatment conditions, a treatment of 200 MPa for 10 min at 40 °C was found as the optimal. Under optimal conditions, GABA production reached 508.79 mmol/L (containing GABA from LBP) from 590 mmol/L of MSG. In conclusion, we found and optimized a novel method to convert monosodium glutamate (MSG) to GABA, and proposed the promotion of HHP on GABA bio-conversion.     

Enantioselective synthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid derivatives by Ni(II)-catalyzed reaction of diethyl malonate with nitroalkenes

A new synthetic approach to (3R)-4-amino-3-methylbutyric acid and [(4R)-2-oxo-4-phenylpyrrolidin-1-yl]acetamide [(R)-phenotropil] has been developed. Asymmetric center with a required configuration has been generated via enantioselective addition of diethyl malonate to 1-nitropropene and β-nitrostyrene, catalyzed by Ni(II) complexes with (R,R)- and (S,S)-N,N′-dibenzylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine.     

Preparation of samples by extraction of particles from filter media for γ-ray spectrometry with high detection efficiency

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The exposed filter media are usually compressed into disks for γ-ray spectrometry in atmospheric particulate radionuclide monitoring. A novel...     

Standard enthalpies of formation of γ-aminobutyric acid and the products of its dissociation in aqueous solution

Heat effects of the dissolution of crystalline γ-aminobutyric acid in water and potassium hydroxide solutions are determined by direct colorimetry at 298.15 K. Standard enthalpies of formation of γ-aminobutyric acid and the products of its dissociation in aqueous solution are calculated.     

Identification of γ-AApeptides with potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity

We report the identification of a new class of antimicrobial peptidomimetics-γ-AApeptides with potent and broad-spectrum activity, including clinically-relevant strains that are unresponsive to most antibiotics. They are also not prone to select for drug-resistance.     

Quantification of γ-aminobutyric acid in the heads of houseflies (Musca domestica) and diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella (L.)), using capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

A novel method was developed for quantifying the levels of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the heads of houseflies (Musca domestica) and diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella (L.)), using capillary electrophoresis with laser‐induced fluorescence detection (CE‐LIF). The GABA in sample was derivatized with 4‐chloro‐7‐nitro‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole (NBD‐Cl) prior to CE‐LIF analysis. In total, 32 mmol/L borate buffer, at pH 9.2 and containing 5.3 mmol/L β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and 10.4 mmol/L sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), was determined to be the optimum CE background electrolyte (BGE) for GABA analysis. The detection limit of GABA was 0.016 μmol/L. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the migration time and peak area of GABA were 1.78 and 4.93%, respectively. The average recoveries of 0.97, 3.88, and 5.83 μmol/L of GABA, each added to the head sample of housefly, ranged from 88.9 to 110.5%. This method is simple and applicable to GABA assays of the heads of insects. With this newly developed CE‐LIF method, the amounts of GABA in the heads of houseflies (M. domestica) and diamondback moths (P. xylostella (L.)) were measured. The results are relevant to the understandings of some insecticides and insecticide‐resistance mechanisms in pests.     

Preparation of Macroporous Aluminium Oxide using Template of Poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐glycidylmethacrylate) Crosslinked with Methylenebisacrylamide

Poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐glycidylmethacrylate), poly(MA‐co‐GMA) samples were prepared by exposure to γ–irradiation, at fixed concentration of methylenebisacrylamide MBA, 0.5% wt/wt as crosslinker while the MA/GMA ratio was varied. FTIR spectra showed bands refer to MA, as well as GMA, indicating the involvement of both in the copolymerization. Al(NO₃)₃.9H₂O as a precursor for the preparation of aluminium oxide was templated as a guest into the crosslinked gels by soaking the gels in a methanol solution. The perturbation of the bands at 3439, 2926, 1635, 1476, 1394, and 1166 cm^?1 after the templation of the guest, provides evidence for the loading of the guest species into the gel. The swelling behavior of the prepared samples found to be dependent on the composition of the gel and the pH. The templation of the aluminium nitrate into the gel was further proved by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for investigating the produced oxide particles, which revealed macropores with maximum diameter at MA/GMA, 40∶60 wt/wt (H3) and complete disappearance at 80 wt% of methacrylic acid (H5). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) showed an amorphous structure of the aluminium oxide. Increasing the hydrophilicity of the template leads to an increase in the Lewis acidic sites on the surface of the produced aluminium oxide up to 60 wt% of methacrylic acid (H4) while a further increase was met by a redecrease in the surface acidity (H5).     

Effect of γ-irradiation on the catalytic activity and selectivity of γ-alumina II. Conversion of isopropanol

The catalytic conversion of isopropanol was conducted over a poorly crystalline -alumina irradiated with different doses of -rays (25–150 Mrad). The catalytic reaction was carried out at 180–400°C in a flow technique under atmospheric pressure. The results showed that the dose of 25 Mrad resulted in a decrease of about 50% of the dehydration activity which suffered a further slight decrease upon irradiation at a dose of 50 Mrad. Increasing the dose in the range of 50–150 Mrad effected an increase in the dehydration activity reaching a maximum limit at 100 Mrad, then decreased abruptly by a dose of 150 Mrad. -irradiation led also to creation of some active sites contributing in dehydrogenation of isopropanol to producing acetone. These results were discussed in terms of removal of Brönsted acidity (25–50 Mrad), responsible for the dehydration reaction and to transformation of Lewis to Brönsted acidity (100 Mrad) by the action of liberated water from the dehydration reaction. The drop in dehydration activity due to irradiation at 150 Mrad might result from an efficient removal of the Brönsted acid sites created. The induced dehydrogenation activity of irradiated aluminas was attributed to creation of some electron-donor centers.     

Preparation of carbon supported Pd–P catalyst with high content of element phosphorus and its electrocatalytic performance for formic acid oxidation

The carbon supported Pd–P (Pd–P/C) anodic catalyst in direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC) was prepared with a novel phosphorus reduction method. The Pd–P/C catalyst obtained possesses the high content of P⁰ in the alloying state. Because alloying P⁰ could decrease the 3d electron density of Pd and the adsorption affinity of CO and H on Pd, alloying P⁰ would promote the formic acid (FA) oxidation through the direct pathway. Therefore, the electrocatalytic performance of the Pd–P/C catalyst for the FA oxidation is much better than that of the Pd/C catalyst.     

A method of synthesis of phosphinic acids on the basis of hypophosphites: VII. Synthesis of pseudo-γ-aminobutanoyl peptides and other phosphinic analogs of γ-aminobutyric acid

A method of synthesis of pseudo-γ-aminobutanoyl peptides and other phosphinic analogs of γ-aminobutyric acid from hypophosphites is suggested. Silyl phosphonites formed by in situ addition of bis-(trimethylsilyl) hypophosphite to the corresponding α-substituted acrylates, styrene, or vinyl phosphonate used as unsaturated components in the synthesis react in situ with N-(ω-bromoalkyl)phthalimides by an Arbuzov reaction scheme, affording ω-(phthalimido)alkylphosphinic acids possessing β-substituted β-(alkoxycarbonyl)ethyl, β-phenylethyl, or β-(diethoxyphosphinoyl)ethyl substituents. Acid hydrolysis of these reaction products gives the target aminophosphinic acids: phosphinic analogs of γ-aminobutyric acid.