Enzymatic hydrolysis by Humicola lanuginosa lipase of poly(lactic acid)–poly(glycolic acid) monolayers

 The enzymatic hydrolysis by Humicola lanuginosa lipase (HLL) of spread insoluble monolayers of poly (α-hydroxy acid)s with various molecular weights and various lactic–glycolic molar ratios was studied using a barostat surface balance. The interfacial hydrolysis under enzyme action leads to the progressive fragmentation of the polymer molecules. The appearance at the interface of charged insoluble fragments was detected by measuring the surface potential, while the solubilization of the small soluble fragments was detected by measuring the decrease in the surface area. The data obtained were used to test the mode of fragmentation: either random or chain-end scission. The catalytic specific activity of HLL was estimated in the framework of the random scission model and compared with the activities obtained for the hydrolysis of simple molecules of di- and tri-glycerides organized as monolayers or emulsion. Received: 9 August 1999 Accepted: 4 January 2000     

A mechanistic study of the formation of polymer nanoparticles by the emulsification-diffusion technique

 The mechanism of formation of polymer nanoparticles prepared by the emulsification–diffusion method was evaluated under different preparation conditions and by turbidimetry measurements. Biodegradable poly (D,L-lactic acid) was used as the polymer model. The results show that each emulsion droplet will form several nano-particles and that the interfacial phenomena during solvent diffusion determine the size properties of the resulting colloid particles. These phenomena cannot be entirely explained by the convection effects caused by interfacial turbulence. We suggest that nanoparticle formation is due to diffusion alone, and we propose a mechanism based on the “diffusion-stranding” mechanism for spontaneous emulsification. In this mechanism, the diffusion of solvent causes local supersaturation near the interface, and nanoparticles are formed, due to the phase transformation and polymer aggregation that occur in these regions. This interpretation is supported by the turbidity measurements made at different polymer concentrations and stirring rates. Received: 30 October 1996 Accepted: 27 March 1997     

Measurement of hydrolysis kinetics of galactose-substituted fluorescein by β-galactosidase at the toluene–water interface by spinning microtube fluorometry

A new analytical technique, spinning microtube fluorometry (SMF), was developed and applied to the study of interfacial hydrolysis of 5-dodecanoylaminofluorescein di-β-D-galactopyranoside (C₁₂FDG) by β-galactosidase (β-gal) in the toluene–water system. The nonfluorescent lactone form of C₁₂FDG in the toluene phase was converted at the interface to 5-dodecanoylaminofluorescein (C₁₂F), which was fluorescent in the aqueous phase as a dianion at pH 7.3, though some part of C₁₂F was extracted into the toluene phase as its nonfluorescent lactone form. The distribution ratios of C₁₂FDG and C₁₂F at pH 7.3 were determined as 1.4×10² and 1.97, respectively. The interfacial adsorption constants from the toluene phase to the interface at pH 7.3 were 4.8×10⁻⁴ and 1.7×10⁻² dm for C₁₂FDG and C₁₂F, respectively. The kinetic experiments with the SMF method concluded that the rate-determining step of the enzymatic hydrolysis at the interface and in the aqueous phase was the 1:1 reaction of C₁₂FDG and β-gal and that the hydrolysis reaction rate constant at the interface at pH 7.3 was 1.84×10³ M⁻¹s⁻¹, almost equal to that in the aqueous solution, 1.76×10³ M⁻¹s⁻¹. Finally, the SMF method revealed that the contribution of the interfacial reaction to the overall hydrolysis reaction rate of the toluene–water system was as high as 97%.     

Detection of scopolin in the grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.)

Ripe fruits of Citrus paradisi Macf. and their juices contain high concentrations of scopolin (β-glucopyranoside of 7-hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin). The identity of the aglycon being scopoletin was proven analysing extracts of β-glucosidase-treated fruit preparations with TLC, HPLC and GC-MS techniques. The naturally occurring glycoside was identified as the glucoside of scopoletin comparing it with authentic scopolin. The intake of scopolin of either grapefruits or juices thereof leads to a renal excretion of its aglycon as a glucuronide. The excretion is complete within 24 h. An enzymatic hydrolysis of the glucuronide produces scopoletin (i.e. aglycon) which can be quantified by HPLC. Mass spectra revealed that scopoletin releases one methyl- and two carbonyl-groups. The molecule finally breaks into fragments of 51 and 69 atomic mass units. Received: 18 December 1996 / Revised: 28 January 1997 / Accepted: 16 February 1997     

Purification and characterization of an extracellular α-l-arabinofuranosidase from Fusarium oxysporum

An α-l-arabinofuranosidase from Fusarium oxysporum F3 was purified to homogeneity by a two-step ion exchange intercalated by a gel filtration chromatography. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 66 kDa and was optimally active at pH 6.0 and 60°C. It hydrolyzed aryl α-l-arabinofuranosides and cleaved arabinosyl side chains from arabinoxylan and arabinan. There was a marked synergistic effect between the α-l-arabinofuranosidase and an endo-(1 →4)-β-d-xylanase produced by F. oxysporum in the extensive hydrolysis of arabinoxylan.     

Rapid screening of airway secretions for fucose by parallel ligand-exchange chromatography with post-column derivatization and fluorescence detection

Summary Fucose (6-deoxygalactose) is a constituent of airway mucous glycoproteins. In this paper we describe a high-throughput method for screening nasal lavage fluid samples and induced sputum samples for fucose. Fucose was released by hydrolysis with 0.5m sulfuric acid at 100°C for 4 h. After pH adjustment remaining proteins were removed by on-line dialysis. Chromatography was performed with two 300 mm×7.8 mm i.d. Bio-Rad Aminex HPX-87H columns arranged in a box-car configuration. Post-column derivatization was performed with benzamidine under alkaline conditions. Fluorescence was monitored at an excitation wavelength of 360 nm, using an optical cut-off filter of 420 nm. The limit of quantitation for fucose was 40 μm (S/N=3) in 300μL nasal lavage medium, with use of a 20-μL injection loop. Relative standard deviation (RSD) values for intra and inter assay data were below 15% and 20%, respectively, at spike levels of 635 μm l-fucose. The method was used to monitor the fucose content of human airway secretions. Presented at: 23^rd International Symposium on Chromatography, London, UK, October 1–5, 2000     

Multiwell fluorometric and colorimetric microassays for the evaluation of beta-secretase (BACE-1) inhibitors

The amyloid beta (Abeta) peptide is responsible for toxic amyloid plaque formation and is central to the aetiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is generated by proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by beta-secretase (BACE-1) and gamma-secretase. Consequently, inhibition of BACE-1, a rate-limiting enzyme in the production of Abeta, is an attractive therapeutic approach to the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This paper reports on improved microtiter plate-based fluorescence and colorimetric assays for the high-throughput screening (HTS) of BACE-1 inhibitors achieved by employing, for the first time, casein fluorescein isothiocyanate (casein-FITC) and N-α-benzoyl-D,L-arginine p-nitroanilide (BAPNA) as substrates, since they are known to be readily available and convenient substrates for proteases. The methods are based on the fluorescence enhancement following casein-FITC proteolysis and the visible absorbance of the p-nitroaniline (pNA) produced by BAPNA hydrolysis, with both reactions catalysed by BACE-1. Casein-FITC is a high-affinity substrate (K _m = 110 nM) for BACE-1, more so than the Swedish (SW) type peptide (a peptide containing the Swedish mutant of APP, a familiar mutation that enhances Abeta production). BACE-1 catalysis of casein-FITC proteolysis exhibited Michaelis–Menten kinetic. Therefore, it was found that BACE-1 was saturable with casein-FITC that was processed in a time- and pH-dependent manner with greater catalytic efficiency than observed for the SW peptide. The enantioselective hydrolysis of L-BAPNA by BACE-1 was observed. l-BAPNA was hydrolysed ten times more efficiently by BACE-1 than the WT (wild-type peptide). The novel methods were validated using a FRET assay as an independent reference method. Therefore, in order to select new leads endowed with multifunctional activities, drugs for Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors—were tested for BACE-1 inhibition using the proposed validated assays. Among these, donepezil, besides being an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, was also found to be a BACE-1 inhibitor that displayed submicromolar potency (170 nM).     

Role of the molecular weight and the composition on the hydrolysis kinetics of monolayers of poly(α-hydroxy acid)s

The hydrolysis kinetics of spread insoluble monolayers of poly(α-hydroxy acid)s with various molecular weights and lactic acid–glycolic acid molar ratios was followed by measuring simultaneously the decrease in the surface area at constant surface pressure and the evolution of the surface potential. The interfacial hydrolysis at alkaline pH leads to the progressive fragmentation of the polymer molecules and the appearance of charged insoluble products (detected by measuring the surface potential) and small soluble fragments (detected by measuring the decrease in the surface area). The data obtained by both approaches were interpreted in the framework of the random scission model. The rates of hydrolysis are larger for polymers with smaller initial polymerization numbers and increase with the decrease in the molar ratio of lactic acid units. Received: 7 December 1998 Accepted in revised form: 8 March 1999     

Stopped-flow study of H+ induced CO2 release from a non-peptide analogue of decarboxylase-substrate mimicking cis-[Cr(C2O4)(AaraNH2)(O2CO)]−

A stopped-flow method was used to investigate the kinetics of the acid hydrolysis of a newly synthesised coordination ion of the cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(AaraNH₂)(O₂CO)]⁻ type, where AaraNH₂ stands for methyl 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-α -d-arabino-hexapyranoside, over a range of hydrogen ion concentrations 0.01 < [H⁺] < 2.7 M and temperatures 5 < T < 25°C. Initiated by perchloric acid (HClO₄), the hydrolysis (decarboxylation) of the chromium(III) ion complexed with a bicoordinately linked carbonate ligand turned out to be a two-step process. The kinetic parameters k ₁, k ₂ were determined of both steps of the hydrolysis of the cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(AaraNH₂)(O₂CO)]⁻ ion, as was the equilibrium constant K of the protonation of this ion, which precedes the actual two-step hydrolysis. From an analysis of the values of the constants obtained, a mechanism is proposed for the acid hydrolysis of the cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(AaraNH₂)(O₂CO)]⁻ coordination ion.     

Mode of action and synergism of cellulases fromPenicillium funiculosum

A 1,4-β-d-glucan cellobiohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.91) and l,4-β-d-glucan glucanohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.4) were purified from the culture filtrates ofPenicillium funiculosum by using preparative isoelectric focusing. Both the enzymes were homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel with and without sodium dodecyl sulphate. The mol wt of the cellobiohydrolase and endoglucanase were 14,400 and 25,000 respectively. The purified enzymes were free of β-glucosidase activity. Acting in isolation, the cellobiohydrolase had little capacity for solubilizing Avicel or Walseth cellulose, but showed increased rates of hydrolysis when combined with endoglucanase. Cellobiose inhibition (50%) was observed in the initial rate of the hydrolysis of Walseth cellulose. It was also observed that cellobiohydrolase initiates the attack on crystalline cellulose. † NCL communication no. 3898.     

Beta-D-galactopyranosyl azide: its one-step quantitative synthesis using E461G-beta-galactosidase (Escherichia coli) and a demonstration of its potential as a reagent for molecular biology

A simple one-step synthesis of β-d-galactopyranosyl azide from 0-nitrophenyl-β-d-galactopyranoside and azide catalyzed by E461G-β-galactosidase is described. The synthesis is quantitative in the presence of excess azide and only the β anomer is produced. The product was purified (71% yield) from the other reaction components by extraction with ethyl acetate, silica gel chromatography, and crystallization. The purity was verified by GLC, TLC, and NMR. Thus, E461G-β-galactosidase is able to specifically and quantitatively from β-d-galactopyranosyl-azide. The purified β-d-galactopyranosylazide inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli that express β-galactosidase but not of E. coli that do not. Growth is stopped because β-galactosidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the β-galactopyranosyl-azide, and the azide that is produced inhibits cell growth. This selective inhibition of growth has potential application in molecular biology screening.     

Β-d-Xylosidase from Selenomonas ruminantium: Catalyzed Reactions with Natural and Artificial Substrates

Catalytically efficient β-d-xylosidase from Selenomonas ruminantium (SXA) exhibits pK _as 5 and 7 (assigned to catalytic base, D14, and catalytic acid, E186) for k _cat/K _m with substrates 1,4-β-d-xylobiose (X2) and 1,4-β-d-xylotriose (X3). Catalytically inactive, dianionic SXA (D14⁻E186⁻) has threefold lower affinity than catalytically active, monoanionic SXA (D14⁻E186^H) for X2 and X3, whereas D14⁻E186⁻ has twofold higher affinity than D14⁻E186^H for 4-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside (4NPX), and D14⁻E186⁻ has no affinity for 4-nitrophenyl-α-l-arabinofuranoside. Anomeric isomers, α-d-xylose and β-d-xylose, have similar affinity for SXA. 4-Nitrophenol competitively inhibits SXA-catalyzed hydrolysis of 4NPX. SXA steady-state kinetic parameters account for complete progress curves of SXA-catalyzed hydrolysis reactions. The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned.     

Enzymatic hydrolysis by Humicola lanuginosa lipase of polycaprolactone monolayers

The enzymatic hydrolysis by Humicola lanuginosa lipase (HLL) of spread insoluble monolayers of polycaprolactone with various molecular weights was studied by measuring the decrease in surface area and in surface potential, in a barostat surface balance. The interfacial hydrolysis under the action of enzymes leads to the progressive fragmentation of the polymer molecules and to the appearance at the interface of charged insoluble and small soluble products. The solubilization of the small soluble fragments was detected by measuring the decrease in surface area during hydrolysis. An independent study showed that, in contrast to poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLAGA) oligomers, this solubilization is not instantaneous. Taking into account the solubilization rates, one can determine the kinetics of enzymatic hydrolysis. The specific catalytic activity of HLL was estimated in the framework of the random-scission model and compared to those obtained for the hydrolysis of monolayers built up of PLAGA or of simple di- and triglyceride molecules. Received: 25 July 2000 Revised: 28 November 2000 Accepted: 29 November 2000     

Feasibility of using atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with ion trap mass spectrometry in the analysis of acetylated xylooligosaccharides derived from hardwoods and Arabidopsis thaliana

The atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with ion trap mass spectrometry (AP-MALDI-ITMS) was investigated for its ability to analyse plant-derived oligosaccharides. The AP-MALDI-ITMS was able to detect xylooligosaccharides (XOS) with chain length of up to ten xylopyranosyl residues. Though the conventional MALDI–time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (TOF/MS) showed better sensitivity at higher mass range (>m/z 2,000), the AP-MALDI-ITMS seems to be more suitable for detection of acetylated XOS, and the measurement also corresponded better than the MALDI-TOF/MS analysis to the actual compositions of the pentose- and hexose-derived oligosaccharides in a complex sample. The structures of two isomeric aldotetrauronic acids and a mixture of acidic XOS were elucidated by AP-MALDI-ITMS using multi-stages mass fragmentation up to MS³. Thus, the AP-MALDI-ITMS demonstrated an advantage in determining both mass and structures of plant-derived oligosaccharides. In addition, the method of combining the direct endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase hydrolysis of plant material, and then followed by AP-MALDI-ITMS detection, was shown to recognize the substitution variations of glucuronoxylans in hardwood species and in Arabidopsis thaliana. To our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate the acetylation of glucuronoxylan in A. thaliana. The method, which requires only a small amount of plant material, such as 1 to 5 mg for the A. thaliana stem material, can be applied as a high throughput fingerprinting tool for the fast comparison of glucuronoxylan structures among plant species or transformants that result from in vivo cell wall modification.     

Effect of sample preparation methods on the D,L-enantiomer ratio of extracted selenomethionine

Effects of the two most widespread sample preparation techniques on the d,l-enantiomer ratio of extracted selenomethionine were monitored through the analysis of the certified reference material selenium-enriched yeast and the isolated protein fraction of high selenium monkeypot nut. The extracted selenomethionine (SeMet) fractions were orthogonally cleaned up with anion exchange chromatography before carrying out the enantiomer-specific detection to increase the robustness and the efficiency of the subsequent o-phthal-aldehyde and n-isobutyril-cysteine-based derivatisation process and reversed phase-high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) detection. The two techniques, namely methanesulphonic acid (MSA) based digestion and proteolytic digestion with protease XIV, resulted in significantly different ratio of d,l-selenomethionine with the final results of 2.2–2.7% and 0.5–0.6% of d-SeMet, respectively. The study revealed significant differences in the ICP-MS-related sensitivity of the derivatised selenomethionine enantiomers, which calls attention to the quantification of this selenoamino acid after MSA hydrolysis.     

Application of a Validated, Stability-Indicating LC Method to Stress Degradation Studies of Ramipril and Moexipril.HCl

A stability-indicating reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (RPLC) method has been established for analysis of ramipril (RAM) and moexipril hydrochloride (MOEX.HCl) in the presence of the degradation products generated in studies of forced decomposition. The drug substances were subjected to stress by hydrolysis (0.1 m NaOH and 0.1 m HCl), oxidation (30% H₂O₂), photolysis (254 nm), and thermal treatment (80 °C). The drugs were degraded under basic and acidic conditions and by thermal treatment but were stable under other stress conditions investigated. Successful separation of the drugs from the degradation products was achieved on a cyanopropyl column with 40:60 (v/v) aqueous 0.01 m ammonium acetate buffer (pH 6)–methanol as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL min⁻¹. Detection was by UV absorption at 210 nm. Response was a linear function of concentration over the range 5–50 μg mL⁻¹ (r > 0.9995), with limits of detection and quantitation (LOD and LOQ) of 0.04 and 0.09 μg mL⁻¹, respectively, for RAM and 0.014 and 0.32 μg mL⁻¹, respectively, for moexipril. The method was validated for specificity, selectivity, solution stability, accuracy, and precision. Statistical analysis proved the method enabled reproducible and selective quantification of RAM and MOEX as the bulk drug and in pharmaceutical preparations. Because the method effectively separates the drugs from their degradation products, it can be used as stability-indicating.     

Isolation, Purification and Characterization of Large-Ring Cyclodextrins (CD36∼ ∼CD39)

Large-ring cyclodextrins (LR-CDs) composed of more than 9 d-glucose units are not well studied. In this study, LR-CDs composed of 36, 37, 38 and 39 d-glucose units (CD₃₆∼ ∼CD₃₉) were isolated and purified from a LR-CD mixture, and their physicochemical properties including aqueous solubility, surface tension, specific rotation and acid-catalyzed hydrolysis rate were elucidated. The aqueous solubilities of CD₃₆∼ ∼CD₃₉ were greater than those of α-, β-, γ-CD, CD₉, CD₁₀, CD₁₄ and CD₂₆. CD₃₆∼ ∼CD₃₉ did not show any surface activity. The acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of CD₃₆∼ ∼CD₃₉ was a little faster than that of other LR-CDs (CD₉∼ ∼CD₃₅). There was no marked difference in specific rotation or the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis rate among CD₃₆∼ ∼CD₃₉. Furthermore, we compared these findings with the physicochemical properties of α-, β-, γ-CD and other LR-CDs (CD₉∼ ∼CD₃₅).     

Release Behavior of Flavor Encapsulated CD in Slurry Solution Under Boiling Conditions

Cyclodextrin (CD) can control flavor release rate and protect the flavor from volatilization by the formation of inclusion complex with flavor compounds. However, the flavor release rate during cooking, particularly in boiling water has hardly been understood. In this study, flavor release rate of flavor encapsulated CD in slurry or turbid solution under boiling condition was investigated. The release rate constants of methyl caproate and d-limonene depended on the CD concentration, whereas, those of phenyl ethanol hardly did. The plot of a reciprocal number of apparent release rate constant to CD concentration for d-limonene stability constant under boiling condition was obtained. Stability constants for d-limonene in α-CD and β-CD were 185 and 38 M⁻¹, respectively. These stability constants were smaller than the order of 1000 M⁻¹ at room temperature. These results suggested that the addition of CD for protection of flavors in boiling water might have small effect in comparison to that at room temperature. The behavior of flavor release in the boiling water correlated well with the first-order release rate equation, which can be described by the film theory of the interfacial mass transfer.     

Acid-catalysed hydrolysis of cis -[Cr(C2O4)(AaraNH2)(OH2)(OSO2)]? (where AaraNH2 denotes methyl 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-α,d -arabino-hexopyranoside)

The synthesised complex cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(AaraNH₂)(OH₂)(OSO₂)]⁻ anion with SO ₃ ²⁻ as a ligand in the inner coordination sphere, where AaraNH₂ denotes methyl 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-α-d-arabino-hexopyranoside, was hydrolysed in the presence of acid at H⁺ concentrations from 0.01 to 2.7 m (HClO₄). The reaction kinetics was studied with the stopped-flow spectrophotometric (u.v.–vis.) technique at temperatures of 5, 10, 15, 18 and 20 °C. This hydrolysis turned out to be a single-step process. Determined for this reaction were the rate constant k ₁ for the removal of SO₂ from the coordination sphere of the cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(AaraNH₂)(OH₂)(OSO₂)]⁻ ion and the constant pK ₁ of the protonation of this species in the reaction preceding the hydrolysis. The final product of this reaction – a new complex of Cr^III, cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(AaraNH₂)(OH₂)₂]⁺, was obtained. A mechanism for the acid hydrolysis reaction is put forward based on the analysis of the rate constants obtained.     

Renewable stationary phase liquid magnetochromatography: determining aspartame and its hydrolysis products in diet soft drinks

A new chromatographic modality that does not require high pressures and also allows renewal of the stationary phase as desired is reported. The technique is based on a thin layer paramagnetic stationary phase (Fe₃O₄–SiO₂) retained on the inner wall of a minicolumn through the action of an external magnetic field, which also plays an important role in separating the analytes. Accordingly, the name “renewable stationary phase liquid magnetochromatography”, or RSP-LMC, has been proposed for it. The technique was used to separate and quantify the sugar substitute α-aspartame and its constituent amino acids (hydrolysis products), L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine, in diet fizzy soft drinks. When the results obtained for α-aspartame were compared with those obtained using HPLC as a reference method, no significant differences were observed. The system proposed is fully automated, making it an economic, competitive alternative to conventional methods of determining α-aspartame and its amino acid components.