Effect of Elicitation with Iron Chelate and Sodium Metasilicate on Phenolic Compounds in Legume Sprouts

Seven-day-old sprouts of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were studied. The legume seeds and then sprouts were soaked each day for 30 min during 6 days with water (control) or mixture of Fe-EDTA and sodium silicate (Optysil), or sodium silicate (Na-Sil) alone. Germination and sprout growing was carried out at temperature 20 ± 2 °C in 16/8 h (day/night) conditions. Phenolic compounds (free, ester, and glycosides) content were determined by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS using a multiple reaction monitoring of selected ions. Flavonoids and phenolic acids were released from their esters after acid hydrolysis and from glycosides by alkaline hydrolysis. The presence and high content of (−)-epicatechin (EC) in fenugreek sprouts was demonstrated for the first time. Applied elicitors decreased the level of free EC in fenugreek and alfalfa sprouts but enhanced the content of its esters. Besides, elicitors decreased the content of quercetin glycosides in lentil and fenugreek sprouts but increased the content of quercetin and apigenin glycosides in alfalfa sprouts. The applied elicitors decreased the glycoside levels of most phenolic acids in lentil and p-hydroxybenzoic acid in fenugreek, while they increased the content of this acid in alfalfa. The mixture of iron chelate and sodium silicate had less effect on changes in flavonoid and phenolic acid content in legume sprouts than silicate alone. In general, the used elicitors increased the content of total phenolic compounds in fenugreek and alfalfa sprouts and decreased the content in lentil sprouts. Among the evaluated elicitors, Optysil seems to be worth recommending due to the presence of iron chelate, which can be used to enrich sprouts with this element.     

Temozolomide Efficacy and Metabolism: The Implicit Relevance of Nanoscale Delivery Systems

The most common primary malignant brain tumors in adults are gliomas. Glioblastoma is the most prevalent and aggressive tumor subtype of glioma. Current standards for the treatment of glioblastoma include a combination of surgical, radiation, and drug therapy methods. The drug therapy currently includes temozolomide (TMZ), an alkylating agent, and bevacizumab, a recombinant monoclonal IgG1 antibody that selectively binds to and inhibits the biological activity of vascular endothelial growth factor. Supplementation of glioblastoma radiation therapy with TMZ increased patient survival from 12.1 to 14.6 months. The specificity of TMZ effect on brain tumors is largely determined by special aspects of its pharmacokinetics. TMZ is an orally bioavailable prodrug, which is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is converted to its active alkylating metabolite 5-(3-methyl triazen-1-yl)imidazole-4-carbozamide (MTIC) spontaneously in physiological condition that does not require hepatic involvement. MTIC produced in the plasma is not able to cross the BBB and is formed locally in the brain. A promising way to increase the effectiveness of TMZ chemotherapy for glioblastoma is to prevent its hydrolysis in peripheral tissues and thereby increase the drug concentration in the brain that nanoscale delivery systems can provide. The review discusses possible ways to increase the efficacy of TMZ using nanocarriers.     

Resolution of non-protein amino acids via the microbial protease-catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis of their N-unprotected esters

In the Aspergillus oryzae protease-catalyzed ester hydrolysis, substitution of N-unprotected amino acid esters for the corresponding N-protected amino acid esters resulted in a large enhancement of the hydrolysis rate, while the enantioselectivity was deteriorated strikingly when the substrates employed were the conventional methyl esters. This difficulty was overcome by employing esters bearing a longer alkyl chain such as the isobutyl ester. Utilizing this ester, amino acids carrying an aromatic side chain were resolved with excellent enantioselectivities (E=50 to >200). With amino acids bearing an aliphatic side chain also, good results in terms of the hydrolysis rate and enantioselectivity were obtained by employing such an ester as the isobutyl ester. Moreover, the enantioselectivity proved to be enhanced further by conducting the reaction at low temperature. This procedure was applicable to the case where the enantioselectivity was not high enough even by the use of the isobutyl ester.     

Determination of DNA Hypermethylation Using Anti‐cancer Drug‐Temozolomide

An electrochemical drug‐DNA biosensor was developed for the detection of interaction between the anti‐cancer drug, Temozolomide (TMZ), and DNA sequences by using Differential Pulse Voltammetry at the graphite electrode surfaces. TMZ is a pro‐drug and an alkylating agent that crosses the blood‐brain barrier, so it is mainly used for brain cancers treatment. In this study, we aim to develop a‐proof‐of‐concept study to investigate the effect of TMZ on formerly methylated DNA sequences since TMZ shows its anti‐cancer activity by methylating the DNA. Interaction between TMZ and DNA causes localized distortion of DNA away from an idealized B‐form, resulting in a wider major groove and greater steric accessibility of functional groups in the base of the groove. According to the results, TMZ behaves as a ‘hybridization indicator’ because of its different electrochemical behavior to different strands of DNA. After interaction with TMZ, hybrid (double stranded DNA‐dsDNA) signals decreased dramatically whereas probe (single stranded DNA‐ssDNA) and control signals remain almost unchanged. The signal differences enabled us to distinguish ssDNA and dsDNA without using a label or tag. It is the first study to demonstrate the interaction between the TMZ and dsDNA created from probe and target. We use specific oligonucleotides sequences instead of using long dsDNA sequences.     

Asymmetric chemoenzymatic synthesis of N-acetyl-α-amino esters based on lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolutions through interesterification reactions

Several phenylalanine analogs have been synthesized through a four-step route starting from easily available ethyl acetamidocyanoacetate. In a first reaction, and making use of phase transfer catalysts, this compound reacted with several alkyl halides, being benzyltributylammonium chloride identified as the best one for the production of a series of quaternary amino acids in moderate to excellent yields (52–95%). Then, the corresponding N-acetyl-phenylalanine methyl and allyl ester derivatives were obtained through acidic hydrolysis, esterification, and N-acetylation. Rhizomucor miehei lipase was found as a versatile enzyme for the resolution of these amino esters, finding the best results through interesterification reactions with butyl butyrate in acetonitrile. A great influence in the stereoselectivity was found depending on the chemical structure of the compound, achieving for the non- or para-substituted in the phenyl ring excellent stereoselectivities, being moderate for the meta-nitro derivative, while the ortho-nitro amino ester did not react.     

An Efficient Method for Determination of the Degree of Substitution of Cellulose Esters of Long Chain Aliphatic Acids

The determination of the degree of substitution (DS) of fatty acid cellulose esters, representing a broad range of substituents (C₆, C₁₂, C₁₈ and C₂₂), was performed by alkaline hydrolysis of the ester groups and the quantification of fatty acids by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as their trimethylsilyl derivatives. The method was optimized and compared with established techniques for the DS determination (elemental analysis and alkaline hydrolysis/titrimetry). The results demonstrated that alkaline hydrolysis/GC-MS is a rapid, reliable and powerful method for analysis of fatty acid cellulose esters, particularly when different acyl substituents are present.     

A Study of Stereoselective Hydrolysis of Symmetrical Diesters with Pig Liver Esterase

Pig liver esterase-(PLE) catalyzed hydrolysis of dimethyl esters of symmetrical dicarboxylic acids, including meso-diacids, cis-1,2-cycloalkanedicarboxylic acids, and diacids with a prochiral center, was studied with 14 substrates. The products of these stereoselective hydrolyses are chiral monoesters of dicarboxylic acids, with an enantiomeric excess (e.e.) from 10% to 100%. Some of these optically active monoesters are valuable synthons in natural products synthesis. An additivity pattern of α- and β-substituents with the glutaric esters on the stereoselectivity of enzymatic hydrolysis was observed. Analysis of the experimental results leads to a model of enzyme stereoselectivity of diester hydrolysis in which the substitution pattern at α- and β-C-atoms is found to determine the absolute configuration of the resulting monoester.     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of esterified diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins and pectenotoxins

Okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxins-1 and -2 (DTX1, DTX2), the toxins responsible for incidents of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), can occur as complex mixtures of ester derivatives in both plankton and shellfish. Alkaline hydrolysis is usually employed to release parent OA/DTX toxins, and analyses are conducted before and after hydrolysis to determine the concentrations of nonesterified and esterified toxins. Recent research has shown that other toxins, including pectenotoxins and spirolides, can also exist as esters in shellfish, but these toxins cannot survive alkaline hydrolysis. A promising alternative approach is enzymatic hydrolysis. In this study, two enzymatic methods were developed for the hydrolysis of 7-O-acyl esters, “DTX3,” and the carboxylate esters of OA, “diol-esters.” Porcine pancreatic lipase induced complete conversion of DTX3 to OA and DTXs within one hour for reference solutions. The presence of mussel tissue matrix reduced the rate of hydrolysis, but an optimized lipase concentration resulted in greater than 95% conversion within four hours. OA-diol-ester was hydrolyzed by porcine liver esterase and was completely converted to OA in less than 30 min, even in the presence of mussel tissue matrix. Esters and OA/DTX toxins were all monitored by LC–MS. Further experiments with pectenotoxin esters indicated that enzymatic hydrolysis could also be applied to esters of other toxins. Enzymatic hydrolysis has excellent potential as an alternative to the conventional alkaline hydrolysis procedure used in the preparation of shellfish samples for the analysis of toxins.     

Synthesis of orthogonally protected 1,2-diaminopropanoic acids by ring-opening of 3-unsubstituted N-activated aziridine 2-carboxylates with para-methoxybenzylamine: a study of the regioselectivity of the reaction

Orthogonally protected 1,2-diaminopropanoic acids (DAPs) have been synthesised in good yields by the ring-opening of 3-unsubstituted N-activated aziridine 2-carboxylates with para-methoxybenzylamine. The choice of both the N-activating group and ester alkyl group had a significant influence on the ratio of attack at the α or β positions of the aziridine. However, the regiochemical outcome is not predictable.     

Remarkable regioselectivities in the course of the synthesis of two new Luotonin A derivatives

Ethyl 4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazoline-2-carboxylate reacts selectively with trimethylaluminium-activated 2-amino- or 4-aminobenzoic acid ethyl esters to give the corresponding anilides without self-condensation of the aminobenzoate building blocks. After propargylation, the quinazolinones were treated with Hendrickson's reagent, but only the para-substituted ester was found to undergo the expected [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction, affording a new Luotonin A derivative. A different regioselectivity was observed with the ortho-substituted ester which affords a benzoxazinone under identical conditions. When the ester group in the ortho-substituted intermediate is replaced with a nitrile function, the outcome of the reaction with Hendrickson's reagent depends on the absence or presence of a base (DBU), yielding either a triphenylphosphonium-substituted iminobenzoxazine or a 4-cyano-substituted Luotonin A derivative.     

Qualitative and quantitative determination of nucleosides, bases and their analogues in natural and cultured Cordyceps by pressurized liquid extraction and high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS)

A simple and rapid pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed for qualitative and quantitative determination of nucleosides, bases and their analogues in natural and cultured Cordyceps. The samples were extracted using PLE. The separation was achieved on a ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C₁₈ column with gradient elution of methanol and 5 mM aqueous ammonium acetate as mobile phase. Target compounds were identified by characterizing their product ions, precursor ions and retention times. Quantitative analysis of investigated compounds were performed using time programmed selective ion monitoring (SIM) or selective reaction monitoring (SRM) with 10 segments in positive (negative for uridine) ion mode. The results showed that 43 bases, nucleosides and their analogues were detected in Cordyceps, of these 16 compounds were identified. The simultaneous determination of seven nucleosides and six bases in Cordyceps was achieved using PLE and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method described above, which afforded good linearity, selectivity, precision, recovery, short analysis time as well as LOD and LOQ in the ng/ml range.     

Kinetic and mechanistic studies of the hydrolysis of sulfamate esters: a non-elimination decomposition route

The kinetics of hydrolysis at pH 2 and ionic strength (μ) = 1 of a series of sulfamate esters p-XC₆H₄OSO₂NH₂ have been examined using structure- and solvent-reactivity studies, thermodynamic data, a ‘nucleophilicity test’ and a kinetic solvent isotope effect to probe the mechanism of the hydrolysis. These esters can be regarded as models for the more complex medicinally and biologically important esters now under extensive study. The mechanism of hydrolysis involves the neutral ester undergoing nucleophilic attack by water in a bimolecular TS.     

Flame retardant polycyanurate thermosets from the cyanate esters of triphenylphosphine oxide

Three cyanate esters containing phosphorus are synthesized in good overall yields starting from bromoanisoles. Di‐ and tricyanates with meta configuration are most stable while para is less so. The para dicyanate ester isomer is particularly affected by water from the atmosphere. The meta dicyanate ester 2 has good thermal properties with glass transition at 268 °C and char yield of 65% in air at 600 °C. All three phosphorus‐containing cyanate esters are low flammability in an open flame. They make highly combustible cyanate esters resins less flammable simply by blending. Mixing 10 wt% dicyanate ester 2 into bisphenol A or E dicyanate esters makes them rate V‐0. Published 2018.^† J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1100–1110     

Enzymatic desymmetrization of a centrosymmetric diacetate

An enantiomerically pure cyclohexanol was synthesized starting from para-xylene 1. The key steps are a stereoselective twofold hydroboration and a pig liver esterase (PLE)-catalyzed desymmetrization of the centrosymmetric cyclohexanediacetate 4.     

An easy access to (S)-pyrrolidinones and -pyrrolidines from chiral benzylic malonates

From chiral benzylic malonic acid esters (R)-(+)-4, available with high enantiomeric excesses by enzymatic hydrolysis (PLE acetonic powder), enantiomerically enriched pyrrolidinones 1 and pyrrolidines 2 were prepared. This rapid and competitive method was developed via enol ether formation, and subsequent one-pot cyclisation, in good overall yield.     

One-pot esterification and amidation of phenolic acids

We developed a new one-pot reaction of phenolic acids to afford the corresponding esters and amides through acyl-protected and activated phenolic acid intermediates. The simultaneous protection/activation of phenolic acids with alkylchloroformates proceeded readily in the presence of DMAP at room temperature; subsequent addition of alcohols or amines afforded the corresponding esters or amides. The use of iso-butyloxycarbonyl as the protecting and activating group in the one-pot reactions afforded phenolic esters or amides in 91% average yield. As a practical example of this convenient synthesis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) was readily synthesized from commercially available caffeic acid and phenethyl alcohol in 95% yield, and an isotopomer of CAPE, [3,10-¹³C₂]CAPE, was synthesized in 91% yield from [3-¹³C]caffeic acid and 2-[1-¹³C]phenethyl alcohol. This method may be useful for the convenient esterification and amidation of diverse phenolic acids.     

Asymmetric synthesis of β-fluoroaryl-β-amino acids

The conjugate addition of lithium (R)-N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide to a range of β-fluoroaryl-α,β-unsaturated esters gave the corresponding β-amino esters with high diastereoselectivity and in good isolated yields. Sequential treatment of the resultant β-fluoroaryl-β-amino esters under optimised hydrogenolysis conditions, followed by ester hydrolysis with 2.0 M aq HCl, provided access to a range of β-fluoroaryl-β-amino acids in good yield.     

Comparison of Extraction Techniques and Surfactants for the Isolation of Total Polyphenols and Phlorotannins from the Brown Algae Lobophora variegata

Abstract

Surfactant-mediated extraction (SME), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) have been compared to improve the isolation of phlorotannins from the brown algae Lobophora variegata. Enzymatic treatment with Alcalase 2.4?L FG, Carezyme 4500?L, protease from Streptomyces griseus, pectinase from Aspergillus niger, Celluclast 1.5?L, protease from Bacillus licheniformis; surfactant extraction with triacetin and guaiacol and PLE with ethanol:water as extracting solvent, have been studied in terms of total phenolic content by the Folin–Ciocalteu method and total phlorotannin content using the DMBA assay. The results showed that SME yields the highest amount of phenols and phlorotannins by using food grade guaiacol as the surfactant. An extraction protocol was developed to maximize the amount of extract obtained from L. variegata. The effects of various parameters such as the type of surfactant, efficacy of surfactant, and optimum pH, on the extraction efficiency of polyphenols were examined. The simultaneous use of the enzyme and surfactant was also investigated. However, a synergistic effect between the enzymes and the surfactant for the extraction of polyphenols has not been observed. Considering total phenols and total phlorotannins in the extract, the extraction yield were obtained for total phenols as SME?>?EAE?>?PLE and for total phlorotannins as SME?>?PLE?>?EAE.     

On the structure and cure acceleration of phenol-urea-formaldehyde resins with different catalysts

Phenol-urea-formaldehyde (PUF) resins with different catalysts [calcium oxide (CaO), sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), zinc oxide (ZnO), and magnesium oxide (MgO)] were prepared to accelerate the cure of the resin at low temperature. The cure-acceleration effects of catalysts on chemical structure and cure characteristics of PUF resins were investigated by using both liquid ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The liquid ¹³C NMR analysis indicated that the catalyst such as CaO seemed to present a retarded effect on the polycondensation reaction of phenolic components with urea units, while the Na₂CO₃ appeared to promote the self-condensation reaction of phenolic methylol groups at para position toward the formation of para-para methylene linkage. Both ZnO and MgO in PUF resins promoted self-condensation reaction of para methylol groups and condensation reaction of ortho methylol groups with para methylol groups. The catalysts such as Na₂CO₃, ZnO, and MgO can make PUF resins cure at a low temperature. Among these catalysts, the MgO had the most significant accelerating effect on polycondensation and cure reaction of PUF resin.     

Effect of Paulownia Leaves Extract Levels on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation,Microbial Population,Methane Production,and Fatty Acid Biohydrogenation

Paulownia is a fast-growing tree that produces a huge mass of leaves as waste that can be used as a feed source for ruminants. The previous study showed that phenolic compounds were the most active biological substances in Paulownia leaves, which affected the ruminal parameters and methane concentration. However, there are no scientific reports on the Paulownia leaves extract (PLE) containing phenolic compounds for their mode of action in the rumen. Phenolics constituted the main group of bioactive compounds in PLE (84.4 mg/g dry matter). PLE lowered the concentration of ammonia, modulated the VFA profile in the ruminal fluid, and decreased methane production. The PLE caused a significant reduction of in vitro dry matter degradability, reduced the number of methanogens and protozoa, and affected selected bacteria populations. PLE had a promising effect on the fatty acid profile in the ruminal fluid. Paulownia as a new dietary component or its extract as a feed additive may be used to mitigate ruminal methanogenesis, resulting in environmental protection and reducing ruminal biohydrogenation, improving milk and meat quality.