Structural Studies on Galactomannans From Brazilian Seeds

Abstract

Chemical structures of galactomannans from the native Brazilian species, M. scabrella, S. barbatiman and S. parahy-bum were studied. Their seeds, on aqueous extraction, furnished high yields of viscous galactomannans, whose mannose to galactose ratios were 1.1:1, 1.5:1, and 3.0:1, respectively. The polysaccharides were analysed by methylation, periodate oxidation and chromium trioxide oxidation. The results, confirmed by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, indicated expected structures of legume galactomannans, namely a polymeric main chain of (l→4) -linked β-D-mannopyranosyl residues substituted at 0–6 by single unit α-D-galactopyranosyl side-chains. ¹³C NMR spectra showed clear splitting of the O-substituted resonances of C-4 of the β-D-mannosyl residues depending on the nearest-neighbour probabilities, indicating a random arrangement of the D-galactosyl groups in all of the three galactomannans.     

Dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment of agricultural and agro-industrial residues for ethanol production

The potential of dilute-acid prehydrolysis as a pretreatment method for sugarcane bagasse, rice hulls, peanut shells, and cassava stalks was investigated. The prehydrolysis was performed at 122 degrees C during 20, 40, or 60 min using 2% H(2)SO(4) at a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:10. Sugar formation increased with increasing reaction time. Xylose, glucose, arabinose, and galactose were detected in all of the prehydrolysates, whereas mannose was found only in the prehydrolysates of peanut shells and cassava stalks. The hemicelluloses of bagasse were hydrolyzed to a high-extent yielding concentrations of xylose and arabinose of 19.1 and 2.2 g/L, respectively, and a xylan conversion of more than 80%. High-glucose concentrations (26-33.5 g/L) were found in the prehydrolysates of rice hulls, probably because of hydrolysis of starch of grain remains in the hulls. Peanut shells and cassava stalks rendered low amounts of sugars on prehydrolysis, indicating that the conditions were not severe enough to hydrolyze the hemicelluloses in these materials quantitatively. All prehydrolysates were readily fermentable by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The dilute-acid prehydrolysis resulted in a 2.7- to 3.7-fold increase of the enzymatic convertibility of bagasse, but was not efficient for improving the enzymatic hydrolysis of peanut shells, cassava stalks, or rice hulls.     

Simultaneous quantification of bisphenol A and its glucuronide metabolite (BPA-G) in plasma and urine: applicability to toxicokinetic investigations

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used plasticizer that can contaminate food and the wider environment and lead to human exposure. In humans, it is mainly metabolized to bisphenol A-glucuronide (BPA-G) and eliminated in the urine. As BPA causes adverse physiological effects at low doses, it is necessary to document the toxicokinetics of both molecules for risk assessment. Because BPA-G is not available as an analytical standard, it is usually quantified after the assay of BPA, following an enzymatic hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase. With this approach, two separate assays are required for BPA and BPA-G quantification, which can lead to critical pitfalls in terms of accuracy and analysis time. To overcome this problem, we have developed a new method for the isolation and purification of BPA-G from urine by flash chromatography. Large amounts of BPA-G (1 g) were isolated and characterized by mass spectrometry and NMR. This BPA-G is suitable for an use as analytical standard and enabled us to develop a novel method for the simultaneous quantification of BPA and BPA-G in biological matrices by UPLC/MS/MS. It has also been used for in vivo toxicokinetic studies in sheep. The method of quantification was validated according FDA guidelines and used to monitor the time course of plasma and urine concentrations of BPA or BPA-G following their administration. The simultaneous quantification of BPA and BPA-G was compared to the commonly used method for urine and plasma samples. For plasma samples, the results obtained with the direct assay of BPA-G were similar to those obtained by quantification after enzymatic hydrolysis. With urine samples, the simultaneous quantification appeared to be more suitable than the hydrolysis method for the BPA-G determination.     

Novel enzymatic assay for determination of alkyl polyglycosides with short chain fatty alcohols

An enzymatic assay has been developed for the quantitative detection of alkyl polyglycosides after enzymatic hydrolysis with different carbohydrolases. A three-step enzymatic method was used for the quantification of alkyl polyglycosides. In the first step the enzymatic hydrolysis of alkyl polyglycosides was performed with different carbohydrolases, or an acid hydrolysis was used. The second step was quantification of free glucose with an enzyme electrode, which was covered with an immobilized glucose oxidase membrane; glucose was used as standard. The last step was the enzymatic quantification of fatty alcohols, which are the second substrate after enzymatic hydrolysis of alkyl polyglycosides. Surprisingly, the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase ADH (E.C. 1.1.1.1) from bakers' yeast could efficiently oxidize a wide variety of aliphatic alcohols and had the highest catalytic specificity with short and medium fatty alcohol substrates, including octanol and decanol.     

Structural analysis of the gum polysaccharide from anacardium occidentale

The gum exudate from Anacardium occidentale contains galactose (61 %), arabinose (14 %), rhamnose (7 %), glucose (8 %) and glucuronic acid (5 %) in addition to small amounts (<2 %) of each of mannose, xylose and 4-0 methylglucuronic acid. Contrary to earlier findings, the main aldobiuronic acid present is 6-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-D-galactose; smaller amounts of the 4-O-methyl analogue are also present. Mild acid hydrolysis showed only two galactobioses, 3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose (major

component) and 6-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose (minor component). Degraded gum A, prepared by controlled acid hydrolysis, contained galactose, glucose, and uronic acid. A Smith-degradation of degraded gum A gave degraded gum B, which contained only galactose. Sequential Smith-degradations of Anacardium occidentale gum, and methylation analyses of the gum and of its degradation products indicated a highly-branched galactan framework consisting of chains of β-(1–3)-linked D-galactose residues branched and interspersed with β-(1–6) linkages. Arabinose is present as end-groups or in short (1–2)-linked chains up to five units long. Glucose, rhamnose, mannose xylose, and uronic acid are all present as end-groups.     

Quantitative gas-liquid chromatography of neutral sugars in human serum glycoproteins. Fucose, mannose, and galactose as predictors in ovarian and small cell lung carcinoma

A precise and accurate gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) method has been developed for the quantitative analysis of the neutral sugars L-fucose (6-deoxygalactose), mannose, galactose, and glucose in ethanol precipitates of human serum proteins. The chromatographic conditions and sample preparation resulted in short analysis time (20 min per run) and made routine analyses practicable (twelve samples per day). The alditol acetate derivatization yielded single derivatives for each sugar. Complete separation was achieved on a 2.0 m X 2 mm I.D. column with 2.0% Silar-7CP on Chromosorb W AW 80--100 mesh. The results of hydrolysis showed that the release of fucose and galactose preceded the release of mannose. Hydrolysis with AG 50 W-X8 (H+) ion-exchange resin in 0.5 N HCl at 100 degrees for 7 h optimized glycosidic bond cleavage with only minimal destruction of fucose, mannose and galactose. A combination of strong cation- and anion-exchange resin columns was used to remove chromatographic background of peptides, amino acids, amino sugars, and inorganic ions. An average R.S.D. of less than 4% with recovery of greater than 86% for the three sugars was achieved. The homogeneity of the chromatographic peaks for the neutral sugars of normal human serum glycoproteins was confirmed by GLC--mass spectrometry. Significantly elevated ratios of fucose, galactose, and mannose to serum protein were observed for patients with small cell lung and ovarian carcinomas.     

Capillary Zone Electrophoresis with Amperometric Detection for Composition Analysis of Laminarin

IntroductionInrecentdecades ,manykindsofplantpolysaccha rideshavebeenextensivelystudiedfortheirpotentialvalueinimmunology ,especiallyincancertherapeusis .Laminar in ,onekindofheteropolysaccharidesisolatedfromLami nariajaponica ,wasfoundtobeoneoftheinhibitorsofba sicfabriccell generationfactor (bFGF)anddepresstheformationoftubestructureofendothelialcells ,whichfur therdepresstheactivationofrats’cancercells .1Itwasal sofoundthatlaminarinsulfatecouldinhibitextracellularmatrix (ECM)degradation…     

On-line desalting and carbohydrate analysis for immobilized enzyme hydrolysis of waste cellulosic biomass by column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography

An innovative green column-switching high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) technique was developed by coupling traditional and Pb²⁺ ion-exclusion columns to study enzyme hydrolysis components of waste cellulosic biomass. Pure water was used as the mobile phase to separate neutral polar analytes in high salt content solution. The column-switching HPLC-RI was connected on-line to the immobilized enzyme reactor for successive on-line desalting and simultaneous analysis of six carbohydrates (cellobiose, glucose, xylose, galactose, mannose, and arabinose) in the hydrolysate of waste paper and waste tree branch by incorporating the heart-cut and the elution-time-difference techniques. Six internal standard calibration curves in the linear concentration range of 0–2000 μg mL⁻¹ were prepared. Xylitol was used as the internal standard to give excellent linear correlation coefficients (0.9984–0.9999). The limits of detection and quantification for cellobiose, glucose, xylose, galactose, mannose, and arabinose varied between 0.12–4.88 and 0.40–16.3 μg mL⁻¹, respectively, with an accuracy of 90–102% and a precision of 0.1–7.8%. Cellulose and hemicellulose contents were higher in waste paper than in waste tree branch.     

On-line cut-off technique and organic modifier addition aided signal enhancement for trace analysis of carbohydrates in cellulase hydrolysate by ion exclusion chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Paper cellulose has been hydrolyzed with calcium alginate immobilized cellulase to produce carbohydrate products and the three trace sugars, galactose, arabinose, and mannose in the cellulase hydrolysate have been analyzed by HPIEC/ESI-MS. Applying the on-line cut-off technique to the HPIEC/ESI-MS can cut the high concentration glucose off to eliminate its interference on the peaks of minor sugars and enhance their signals from 1.1- to 1.6-fold. However, the on-line post column addition of 15% ethanol to the eluate can increase the signal of the three trace sugars, galactose, arabinose, and mannose up to 17-, 23-, and 11-fold, respectively, and make the corresponding detection limits as 0.04, 0.04, and 0.03 ppm. The accuracies of the quantitative analysis for the three trace sugars with the signal enhanced HPIEC/ESI-MS by the two enhancement methods were larger than 95%. The precisions of the analytical results were also greatly improved by the assistance of the two techniques and were less than 6.5%. The quantitative analysis of the three trace sugars was performed with the internal standard method and the internal standard (IS) was sorbitol. Overall, the signal enhancement of HPIEC/ESI-MS and quantification of the three trace sugars by the on-line cut-off technique and organic modifier addition was successful.     

Water-soluble polysaccharides of seeds of the genusGleditsia

The water-soluble polysaccharides of the seeds of eight species of Gleditsia have been isolated and studied. They are galactomannans with different viscosities, specific rotations, and ratios of galactose and mannose. A study of their chemical transformations and IR spectral data has shown that the monosaccharide residues are pyranoses linked by β-1-4-glycosidic bonds having in the second componentD-galactose with the α-configuration of the glycosidic center and the most probable chair conformation of the pyranose ring. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 727–730, November–December, 1998.     

Stable-isotope dilution analysis of galactose metabolites in human erythrocytes

An established gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method, devised for stable-isotope dilution analysis of plasma galactose, was developed to allow determination of erythrocyte (red blood cell, RBC) concentrations of galactose-1-phosphate and other primary metabolites relevant in galactosaemia. Galactose-1-phosphate was enzymatically converted to galactose, and the aldononitrile pentaacetate derivative was separated by gas chromatography and determined by mass spectrometry using chemical ionisation and selected ion monitoring of the [MH-60](+) ion. U-(13)C-Labelled standard was used for quantification. Comparative measurements were conducted using established fluorimetric and radiometric enzymatic methods. The GC/MS analysis for galactose-1-phosphate was linear (range examined 0-600 micromol/L(RBC), packed cells), of acceptable repeatability at low and high concentrations (within and between run CVs <15%), with a limit of quantification of 0.01 micromol/L(RBC). With samples from patients with classical galactosaemia there was a linear correlation with conventional enzymatic assays (r(2) > 0.927). In erythrocytes from post-absorptive patients under treatment, Q188R-heterozygous parents, and healthy subjects, galactose-1-phosphate concentrations (mean +/- SD) were found to be 142 +/- 38 (n = 41), 1.4 +/- 0.2 (n = 8), and 1.9 +/- 0.5 (n = 33) micromol/L(RBC), respectively. In comparison, free galactose concentrations were 3.8 +/- 1.7, 0.49 +/- 0.19, and 0.43 +/- 0.20 mol/L(RBC), respectively. The procedure allowed simultaneous galactitol analysis and proved to be useful to trace incorporation of (13)C-label into erythrocyte galactose metabolites in a D-[1-(13)C]galactose in vivo turnover study.     

Structural Analysis of Water-soluble Polysaccharide PIP1 Extracted from the Cultured Mycelium of Phellinus igniarius

IntroductionPhellinus igniariusbelongs to the phylum Basidio-mycota and is widely distributed in China, Japan, Aus-tralia, Philippines, and North America. The myceliumofP igniariusis perennial and grows on the stock oflatifoliate trees, such as robur, bir…     

Simultaneous determination of 2‐arachidonoylglycerol, 1‐arachidonoylglycerol and arachidonic acid in mouse brain tissue using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Endocannabinoids (ECs), such as anandamide (AEA) and 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG), modulate a number of physiological processes, including pain, appetite and emotional state. Levels of ECs are tightly controlled by enzymatic biosynthesis and degradation in vivo. However, there is limited knowledge about the enzymes that terminate signaling of the major brain EC, 2‐AG. Identification and quantification of 2‐AG, 1‐AG and arachidonic acid (AA) is important for studying the enzymatic hydrolysis of 2‐AG. We have developed a sensitive and specific quantification method for simultaneous determination of 2‐AG, 1‐AG and AA from mouse brain and adipose tissues by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) using a simple brain sample preparation method. The separations were carried out based on reversed phase chromatography. Optimization of electrospray ionization conditions established the limits of detection (S/N = 3) at 50, 25 and 65 fmol for 2‐AG, 1‐AG and AA, respectively. The methods were selective, precise (%R.S.D. < 10%) and sensitive over a range of 0.02–20, 0.01–10 and 0.05–50 ng/mg tissue for 2‐AG, 1‐AG and AA, respectively. The quantification method was validated with consideration of the matrix effects and the mass spectrometry (MS) responses of the analytes and the deuterium labeled internal standard (IS). The developed methods were applied to study the hydrolysis of 2‐AG from mouse brain extracts containing membrane bound monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), and to measure the basal levels of 2‐AG, 1‐AG and AA in mouse brain and adipose tissues. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selection of the most effective kinetic model of lactase hydrolysis by immobilized Aspergillus niger and free β-galactosidase

The kinetic model of the hydrolysis of lactose by β-galactosidase from Aspergillus niger immobilized on a commercial ceramic monoliths was estimated in the attendance of lactose and its hydrolysis reaction products galactose and glucose. The aim of this work was to developing kinetic model of lactase hydrolysis by Aspergillus niger. The variables in this study are temperature, pH, enzyme concentration, substrate concentration and final product. The optimum temperature used to achieve the best hydrolysis performance in the kinetic model selection was 55 and 60 °C. The optimum pH used for enzyme activity was about 3.5 to 4. Five kinetic models were proposed to confirm experimental data the enzymatic reaction of the lactose hydrolysis by the β-galactosidase. The kinetics of lactose hydrolysis by both Immobilized and soluble lactases were scrutinized in a batch reactor system in the lack of any mass conduction restriction. In both instance the galactose inhibition kinetic models predicted the experimental data. The model is capable to fit the experimental data correctly in the extensive experimental span studied.     

秸秆稀酸水解液的气相色谱／质谱法研究

在秸秆两步稀酸水解工艺中,用气相色谱/质谱(GC/MS)法对其水解液中的单糖成分进行测定,采用2%硼氢化钠的氨溶液将稀酸水解液中的单糖还原成糖醇,然后在甲基咪唑催化剂的作用下和乙酸酐在水相中直接反应生成乙酰化的糖醇,用二氯甲烷萃取后进行GC/MS测定.研究结果表明:秸秆稀酸水解液中有五种单糖,主要是木糖和葡萄糖,其次是阿拉伯糖、半乳糖和少量的甘露糖;利用此方法测定了一批秸秆稀酸水解液,得到了该秸秆稀酸水解过程的最佳的反应时间.该方法可快速、准确测定秸秆稀酸水解液中单糖的浓度,为水解工艺的研究提供一种有效的分析方法.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定螺旋藻多糖的单糖组成

建立了同时测定螺旋藻多糖水解产物中鼠李糖、木糖、阿拉伯糖、果糖、甘露糖、葡萄糖、半乳糖、甘露醇、核糖、岩藻糖、葡萄糖醛酸、半乳糖醛酸12种糖类化合物的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱分析方法。螺旋藻样品经超声波辅助提取,用三氟乙酸水解,经Waters Acquity BEH Amide色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.7μm)分离,以10mmol/L甲酸铵和10 mmol/L甲酸铵-乙腈为流动相,在电喷雾电离源负离子(ESI-)模式下,用多反应监测(MRM)模式检测。结果表明,12种糖类化合物的定量限为0.005~0.15 mg/kg,线性范围为0.05~5 mg/L。按照样品中每种糖本底含量的50%、100%、150%进行添加,回收率为80.21%~121.6%。应用该方法对螺旋藻样品进行分析,结果发现:大部分样品都能检测到岩藻糖、半乳糖、阿拉伯糖、鼠李糖、葡萄糖、果糖、木糖、核糖,含量在0.3~889.4 mg/g之间。此外,测定的15个样品中岩藻糖、半乳糖、阿拉伯糖、鼠李糖、葡萄糖、果糖、木糖、核糖是共有组分,含量差异较大,但在所有样品中均未检测到甘露醇和甘露糖。该方法的建立可为阐明螺旋藻多糖的结构组成及其活性提供技术支撑及基础数据。     

Enzymatic, spectrophotometric determination of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and inulin/oligofructose in foods

A fast, simple, and accurate method, using only standard laboratory equipment, was developed for the quantification of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and inulin/oligofructose in different food matrixes. Samples were extracted using boiling water and hydrolyzed with sucrase and fructanase. Sugars were determined in the initial extract and in both hydrolysates using an enzymatic, spectrophotometric kit for glucose and fructose determination with hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and phosphoglucose isomerase. Calculations of sucrose and inulin/oligofructose were based only on fructose measurement. Glucose results of the hydrolysates were not used for inulin/oligofructose calculations because of possible interference. Released glucose by the hydrolysis of maltose or by possible partial hydrolysis of other compounds like maltodextrines, starch, lactose, or maltitol could interfere in the measurement of the sucrase and the fructanase hydrolysates. To validate the method, a wide range of different food matrixes and different amounts of inulin/oligofructose (1-54%) were analyzed. Mean recovery +/- relative standard deviation (RSD) for inulin or oligofructose was 96.0 +/- 5.3%. The RSDr for inulin/oligofructose measured on 35 food samples, analyzed in duplicate, was 5.9%. Accuracy and precision of the method were less for samples with large concentrations of sucrose, maltose, maltodextrines, or starch (ratio to inulin/oligofructose >4 to 1). Precision and accuracy were comparable with those of the ion exchange chromatographic method AOAC 997.08 and the enzymatic, spectrophotometric method AOAC 999.03. In contrast to 999.03, this method allows the accurate quantification of both GFn and Fn forms.     

Effect of hydrolysis on identifying prenatal cannabis exposure

Identification of prenatal cannabis exposure is important due to potential cognitive and behavioral consequences. A two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method for cannabinol, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), 8β,11-dihydroxy-THC, and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) quantification in human meconium was developed and validated. Alkaline, enzymatic, and enzyme–alkaline tandem hydrolysis conditions were optimized with THC- and THCCOOH-glucuronide reference standards. Limits of quantification ranged from 10 to 15 ng/g, and calibration curves were linear to 500 ng/g. Bias and intra-day and inter-day imprecision were <12.3%. Hydrolysis efficiencies were analyte-dependent; THC-glucuronide was effectively cleaved by enzyme, but not base. Conversely, THCCOOH-glucuronide was most sensitive to alkaline hydrolysis. Enzyme–alkaline tandem hydrolysis maximized efficiency for both glucuronides. Identification of cannabinoid-positive meconium specimens nearly doubled following alkaline and enzyme–alkaline hydrolysis. Although no 11-OH-THC glucuronide standard is available, enzymatic hydrolysis improved 11-OH-THC detection in authentic specimens. Maximal identification of cannabis-exposed neonates and the widest range of cannabis biomarkers are achieved with enzyme–alkaline tandem hydrolysis.     

Determination of urinary catecholamines with capillary electrophoresis after solid-phase extraction

The stabilities of 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamine (DHBA), dopamine, 3-methoxytyramine, normetanephrine and metanephrine standards under acid, base and enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were studied. Basic incubation media were not suitable for 3,4-dihydroxy compounds, but acid and enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were applicable to all the compounds. The results of acid and enzymatic hydrolysis were comparable and the enzymatic hydrolysis was applied to a urine matrix. A method including solid-phase extraction (SPE) with a copolymer sorbent was developed for purification of the urine samples. Due to poor recovery of DHBA, the most frequently used internal standard in catecholamine analysis, this compound was replaced with the 3-O-methoxy structure. The recoveries of the compounds in spiked urine samples in SPE were between 96.4 and 124.4%. The repeatability of the combination of enzymatic hydrolysis and SPE pretreatment was good for all the compounds, except for dopamine and 3-methoxytyramine due to some matrix compounds still interfering with the separation. The analyses were performed with capillary electrophoresis in an ammonium acetate buffer with UV detection. The validation data for the compounds including limit of detection, limit of quantification, linearity and repeatability of the method are presented.     

Quantification of human growth hormone by amino acid composition analysis using isotope dilution liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

We describe an accurate method for protein quantification based on conventional acid hydrolysis and an isotope dilution-HPLC-mass spectrometry (ID-HPLC-MS) method. Sample purity was confirmed using capillary zone electrophoresis, HPLC and MS. The analyte protein, human growth hormone (hGH), was effectively hydrolyzed by incubation with 8 M hydrochloric acid at 130 °C for 48 h, where at least 1 μM of hGH was treated to avoid possible degradation of released amino acids during hydrolysis. Using a reversed-phase column, the analytes (isoleucine, phenylalanine, proline and valine) were separated within 5 min using an isocratic eluent comprising 10% acetonitrile containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. The detection limit (signal to noise ratio of 3) of amino acids was 5.5-6.2 fmol per injection. The quantification precision (RSD) of amino acids for intra- and inter-day assays was less than 0.98% and 0.39%, respectively. Comparison with other biochemical and instrumental methods revealed substantially higher accuracy and reproducibility of the ID-HPLC-MS/MS method as expected. The optimized hydrolysis and analytical conditions in our study were suitable for accurate quantification of hGH.