A Facile and Efficient Synthesis of 2‐(5‐(4‐Substitutedphenyl)‐4, 5‐dihydro‐3‐phenylpyrazol‐1‐yl)‐6‐Substitutedbenzothiazoles and Their Biological Studies

A series of new 1‐substituted 3, 5‐diarylpyrazolines ( 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ) were synthesized in good yield by both conventional and microwave‐assisted synthesis from α, β‐ unsaturated ketones ( 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ) in n‐butanol and benzothiazole hydrazines ( 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ). All the new compounds were characterized by IR, NMR, and mass spectral data. The synthesized compounds ( 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ) were evaluated for antibacterial and anthelmintic activities. The compounds showed potent anthelmintic activity against earthworm species (Eudrilus eugeniae) and moderate antibacterial activity against bacterial strains such as Gram positive bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis, and Gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis.     

Quantification of urinary conjugates of bisphenol A, 2,5-dichlorophenol,and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone in humans by online solid phase extraction–high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Urinary concentrations of phenols or their metabolites have been used as biomarkers to assess the prevalence of exposure to these compounds in the general population. Total urinary concentrations, which include both free and conjugated (glucuronide and sulfated) forms of the compounds, are usually reported. From a toxicologic standpoint, the relative concentrations of the free species compared with their conjugated analogs can be important because conjugation may reduce the potential biologic activity of the phenols. In this study, we determined the percentage of glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of three phenolic compounds, bisphenol A (BPA), 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP), and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (benzophenone-3, BP-3) in 30 urine samples collected between 2000 and 2004 from a demographically diverse group of anonymous adult volunteers. We used a sensitive on-line solid phase extraction–isotope dilution–high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method. These three phenols were detected frequently in the urine samples tested. Only small percentages of the compounds (9.5% for BPA, and 3% for 2,5-DCP and BP-3) were excreted in their free form. The percentage of the sulfate conjugate was about twice that of the free compound. The glucuronide conjugate was the major metabolite, representing 69.5% (BPA), 89% (2,5-DCP), and 84.6% (BP-3) of the total amount excreted in urine. These results are in agreement with those reported before which suggested that BPA-glucuronide was an important BPA urinary metabolite in humans. To our knowledge, this is the first study describing the distribution of urinary conjugates of BP-3 and 2,5-DCP in humans.     

Xanthothone,a new nematicidal N-compound from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coprinus xanthothrix</Emphasis>

Coprinus xanthothrix was found to have nematicidal activity. Xanthothone was isolated from culture extract guided by activity assay, which was identified as a novel natural product. Two other compounds were also isolated. These compounds showed nematicidal activity, with LD₅₀ value of 125–250 ppm both against Panagrellus redivivus and Meloidogyne incognita. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 161–162, March–April, 2008.     

Invertase production on solid-state fermentation by Aspergillus niger strains improved by parasexual recombination

Invertase production by Aspergillus niger grown by solid-state fermentation was found to be higher than by conventional submerged fermentation. The haploid mutant strains Aw96-3 and Aw96-4 showed better productivity of various enzymes, as compared to wild-type parental strain A. niger C28B25. Here we use parasexual crosses of those mutants to increase further the productivity of invertase in solid-state fermentation. We isolated both a diploid (DAR2) and an autodiploid (AD96-4) strain, which were able to grow in minimal medium after mutation complementation of previously isolated haploid auxotrophic strains. Invertase production was measured in solid-state fermentation cultures, using polyurethane foam as an inert support for fungal growth. Water activity value (Aw) was adjusted to 0.96, since low Aw values are characteristic in some solid-state fermentation processes. Such diploid strains showed invertase productivity levels 5–18 times higher than levels achieved by the corresponding haploid strains. For instance, values for C28B25, Aw96-3, Aw96-4, DAR2, and AD96-4 were 441, 254, 62, 1324, and 2677 IU/(L·h), respectively. These results showed that genetic recombination, achieved through parasexual crosses in A. niger, results in improved strains with potential applications for solid-state fermentation processes.     

Biodegradation of bisphenol a by fungi

The biologic degradation of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (bisphenol A [BPA]; 1) was studied with 26 fungi. An initial BPA concentration of 40 ppm in an aqueous solution was degraded in the dark for 14 d. Among the 26 strains tested, 11 degraded BPA at 50% or more. Furthermore, four strains (F. sporotrichioides NFRI-1012, F. moniliforme 2-2, A. terreus MT-13, and E. nidulans MT-98) were more effective for degradation of BPA.     

Reduction of furfural to furfuryl alcohol by ethanologenic strains of bacteria and its effect on ethanol production from xylose

The ethanologenic bacteria Escherichia coli strains KO11 and LYO1, and Klebsiella oxytoca strain P2, were investigated for their ability to metabolize furfural. Using high performance liquid chromatography and ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, furfural was found to be completely biotransformed into furfuryl alcohol by each of the three strains with tryptone and yeast extract as sole carbon sources. This reduction appears to be constitutive with NAD(P)H acting as electron donor. Glucose was shown to be an effective source of reducing power. Succinate inhibited furfural reduction, indicating that flavins are unlikely participants in this process. Furfural at concentrations >10 mM decreased the rate of ethanol formation but did not affect the final yield. Insight into the biochemical nature of this furfural reduction process may help efforts to mitigate furfural toxicity during ethanol production by ethanologenic bacteria.     

Degradation of eucalypt waste components by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lentinula edodes</Emphasis> strains detected by chemical and near-infrared spectroscopy methods

There are many changes, both qualitative and quantitative, in eucalypt waste during growth and fructification of Lentinula edodes. Wet chemical analysis and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy were used in conjunction with multivariate regression and principal components analysis to monitor biodegradation of eucalyptus waste during growth of several L. edodes strains. Weight and component losses of eucalypt residue after biodegradation by L. edodes strains were compared for periods of 1 to 5 mo. Decrease in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents occurred, however it was not concomitant. Measurement of lignin degradation by NIR and wet chemical analysis indicated its attack in the early stages of biodegradation. Selective lignin degradation by L. edodes was observed up to 2 mo of biodegradation for strains DEBIQ and FEB-14. One group of degraded substrate was identified based on the principal component analysis (PCA) of the data on their biodegradation time. Samples treated for 5 months by L. edodes strains (DEBIQ, UFV or FEB-14) differed from other, but no discrimination was observed among them. By the end of 5 mo, NIR analyses showed decrease of about 18–47% cellulose, 35–47% polyose and 39–60% lignin. These data were used for comparison with those obtained by wet chemical method for the degradation of the substrate by other five L. edodes strains cultivated at the same conditons. NIR calibration developed in this study was proven to be perfectly suitable as an analytical method to predict the changes in lignocellulose composition during biodegradation.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ferula gummosa</Emphasis> Fruits: An Aromatic Antimicrobial Agent

Ferula gummosa Boiss. (Apiaceae) fruit volatile oil was analyzed by GC/MS. Seventy-three components (96.89%) were identified, and the major components were β-pinene (43.78%), α-pinene (27.27%), and myrcene (3.37%). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested on three strains of Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermis, and Bacillus subtilis), three strains of Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and two strains of fungi (Candida albicans and C. kefyr). The essential oil remarkably inhibited the growth of the tested microorganisms. The results indicate that the fruits have potential for use as an aromatic antimicrobial agent.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 252–254, May–June, 2005.     

Structures of new polar steroids from the Far-Eastern starfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ctenodiscus crispatus</Emphasis>

A fraction of sulfated polyhydroxylated steroids from the Far-Eastern starfish Ctenodiscus crispatus was investigated. The main component of this fraction was identified as (22E,24R,25R)-24-methyl-5α -cholest-22-en-3β,5,6β,15α,25,26-hexol 26-O-sulfate. For the compound stereoisomeric with respect to the side chain, the (24R,25S) or (24S,25R) relative configurations were assigned to the C(24) and C(25) chiral centers. The structures of two other compounds isolated from the fraction were identified as (22E, 24ξ)-26,27-bisnor-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-en-3β,5,6β,15α,25-pentol 25-O-sulfate and (22E, 24ξ,25ξ)-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-en-3β,5,6β,8,15α,25,26-heptol 26-O-sulfate. Dedicated to Academician N. K. Kochetkov on the occasion of his 90th birthday. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1229–1234, May, 2005.     

Terpenes,Coumarins, and Flavones from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia pennatula</Emphasis>

The chemical analysis of the acetone extract of the dried leaves from Acacia pennatula yielded triacontanol, β-sitosterol palmitate, β-sitosterol, squalene, nonaprenol, norphytane, lupenone, lupeol, daphnetin and catechin, while from the methanol extract were isolated catechin, epigallocatechin, eriodictyol, β-sitosteryl-β-D-glucopyranoside, and stigmasteryl-β-D-glucopyranoside. The structures of all these natural products were established based on their IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR and MS data.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 240–241, May–June, 2005.     

2-Phenoxychromone flavonoid glycoside from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia rupestris</Emphasis>

A new 2-phenoxychromone glycoside was isolated from the n-butanol extract of Artemisia rupestris. Its structure was established as 6-demethoxy-4′-O-methylcapillarisin-7-O-β-glucoside based on spectral data.     

In vitro antibacterial and time-kill assay of ethanolic extract of Davilla nitida bark on multidrug resistant bacteria isolated from diabetic foot lesions

This study reported the antimicrobial activity of the bark extract of Davilla nitida on multidrug resistant bacteria isolated from Diabetic Foot Infections. Antibacterial activity of the bark extract was evaluated by agar Disk-Diffusion (DD), Broth Dilution (BD), Checkerboard and Time-kill methods. The extract showed a significant antibacterial activity against all groups of bacteria tested. BD was more sensitive for determining the antibacterial activity of the bark extract than the DD method. The bark extract inhibited the growth of bacteria with high-levels of antibiotic-resistance, such as Pseudomonas spp. (100.0%), Enterobacer spp. (88.89%), Staphylococcus aureus (54.55%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (75.0%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (92.86%). The combination of extract with antibiotics resulted in an additive effect against most of the strains tested. Time-kill kinetics profiles of bark extract showed bactericidal and time-dependent properties. Our results suggest that the bark extract of Davilla nitida is a source of bioactive compounds, which may be useful against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.     

New Thermostable Amylase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus cohnii</Emphasis> US147 with a Broad pH Applicability

A new thermophilic bacterial strain identified as Bacillus cohnii US147 was isolated from the southern Tunisian soil. The identification was based on physiological tests and molecular techniques related to the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid. The isolated strain produced amylase, which was purified. This amylase had an apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Amylase US147 showed K _m and V _max values of 0.7 mg/ml and 2.2 U/ml, respectively, with starch as the substrate. The enzyme was active in acid and basic pH and had a maximal activity on starch at pH 9 and 70 °C. The enzyme was stable at pH 9 for 72 h and retained half of its activity after incubation at 70 °C for 150 min. A partially inhibition (15%, 25%, 23%, 20%, and 22%) was obtained with 1 mM SDS, 1 mM NaBO₃, 1 mM H₂O_2, 1 mM Zn⁺², and 5 mM ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), respectively. The amylase recovered its original activity by the addition of 10 mM Ca ²⁺ to the 5 mM EDTA. These properties indicated a possible use of this amylase in starch saccharification, in detergent, and in other industrial applications.     

A new component from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eupatorium cannabinum</Emphasis>

A new compound of formula C₂₈H₄₈O with mp 179-180°C (aqueous ethanol) that was called eucanbin was isolated pure by column chromatography of the ethanol extract of the aerial part of Eupatorium cannabinum L. The structure 24α-methylcholest-20(21)-en-3β-ol was assigned based on chemical and spectral data. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 318–320, May–June, 2009.     

Orthocarbonsäure-ester mit 2,4,10-Trioxaadamantanstruktur als Carboxylschutzgruppe; Verwendung zur Synthese von substituierten Carbonsäuren mit Hilfe von Grignard-Reagenzien

Ortho Esters with 2,4,10-Trioxaadamantane Structure as Carboxyl Protecting Group; Applications in the Synthesis of Substituted Carboxylic Acids by Means of Grignard Reagents The surprising stability of 2,4,10-trioxa-3-adamantyl derivatives 1 against nucleophilic substitution by organomagnesium compounds is discussed and shown to be caused by unfavourable stereoelectronic and steric factors governing the substitution of these cage compounds (Scheme 2). As a consequence, a number of Grignard reagents 2 containing the carboxyl group masked as 2,4,10-trioxa-3-adamantyl group could be prepared and have been reacted in a second step with various electrophiles (cf. Scheme 4). In the products 7–13 and 15b the carboxyl masking group is removed by mild acid hydrolysis and saponification (cf. Scheme 3) to yield the corresponding acids 16a–21a, 22 , and 23a. Acids 21a and 23a have been further transformed to give the macrocyclic lactones 24 and 26 , isolated from Galbanum oleo-gum-resin, and acid 22 to give 12-methyl-13-tridecanolide (25) , isolated from Angelica root oil. In addition 1-bromo-ω-(2,4, 10-trioxa-3-adamantyl)alkanes 1c and 1b have been used to synthesize (±)-methyl recifeiolate (29b) and pure cis-ambrettolic acid ((Z)- 32a ).     

Isolation of Biphenyl and Polychlorinated Biphenyl-Degrading Bacteria and Their Degradation Pathway

Four strains of biphenyl-degrading bacteria were isolated from a sewage and identified from the Rhodococcus genus (SK-1, SK-3, and SK-4) and Aquamicrobium genus (SK-2) by 16S rRNA sequence. Among these strains, strain SK-2 was most suitable for biphenyl degradation. When 0.65, 1.3, 2.6, or 3.9 mM of biphenyl was used, the biphenyl was completely degraded within 24 and 96 h of culture, respectively. However, in the case of 6.5 and 9.75 mM of biphenyl, the biphenyl degradation yields were about 80 % and 46.7 % after 120 h of culture, respectively. The isolated strains could degrade a broad spectrum of aromatic compounds including high-chlorinated polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in the presence of biphenyl. In addition, strain SK-2 could utilize PCB congeners containing one to six chlorine substituents such as 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl. The PCB utilization rate by the strain SK-2 was increased compared to that of other PCB congener-utilizing bacteria. The four isolates metabolized 4-chlorobiphenyl to 4-chlorobenzoic acid and 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-6-(4′-chlorophenyl)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid. These results suggest the isolated strains might be good candidates for the bioremediation of PCB-contaminated soil, especially high-saline soils.     

Efficient access to bisphenol A metabolites: Synthesis of monocatechol,mono-o-quinone,dicatechol, and di-o-quinone of bisphenol A

2-Iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) oxidation of bisphenol A (BPA) is described. The selective production of either the mono-o-quinone or the di-o-quinone can be controlled by IBX stoichiometry. Isolated yields of quinone were greater than 80%. Previous synthesis of BPA-di-o-quinone using a large excess of Fremy’s salt produced only trace amounts of product. In addition to o-quinone products, both mono- and dicatechols of BPA can synthesize in high yield and isolated without chromatography. The more stable catechols can be quantitatively converted back to o-quinones using silver oxide oxidation in either acetone or DMF. These one-pot reactions provide access to four different BPA metabolites in high yield and significant scale.     

Solid-state Fermentation for Enhanced Production of Laccase using Indigenously Isolated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ganoderma</Emphasis> sp.

Laccase production by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using an indigenously isolated white rot basidiomycete Ganoderma sp. was studied. Among the various agricultural wastes tested, wheat bran was found to be the best substrate for laccase production. Solid-state fermentation parameters such as optimum substrate, initial moisture content, and inoculum size were optimized using the one-factor-at-a-time method. A maximum laccase yield of 2,400 U/g dry substrate (U/gds) was obtained using wheat bran as substrate with 70% initial moisture content at 25°C and the seven agar plugs as the inoculum. Further enhancement in laccase production was achieved by supplementing the solid-state medium with additional carbon and nitrogen source such as starch and yeast extract. This medium was optimized by response surface methodology, and a fourfold increase in laccase activity (10,050 U/g dry substrate) was achieved. Thus, the indigenous isolate seems to be a potential laccase producer using SSF. The process also promises economic utilization and value addition of agro-residues.     

Porric acid D from marine-derived fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria</Emphasis> sp. isolated from Bohai Sea

Porric acid D (1), a new dibenzofuran derivative, was isolated from the methanol extract of a marine-derived fungus, Alternaria sp., isolated from the Bohai Sea, together with a known compound, altenusin. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, including high-resolution mass spectroscopy, and 1 and 2-dimensional NMR techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 showed inhibitory activity against Staphyloccocus aureus with MIC 100 and 25 μg/mL, respectively.     

A bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignan and toxicity of the ethanol extract from the fruit of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ocotea heterochroma</Emphasis>

A new bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignan rel-(7S,8R,1′S,2′R,3′S)-Δ8′-2′-hydroxy-5,1′,3′-trimethoxy-3,4methylenedioxy-7,3′,8,1′-neolignan (1) was isolated from ethanol extract from the fruit of Ocotea heterochroma Mez & Sodiro ex Mez as well as the known compounds β-friedelanol (2), meso-dehydroguaiaretic acid (3), and yangambin (4), whose structures were elucidated on the basis of their comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including 2D NMR data. Lethality bioassay using brine shrimp (Artemia salina Leach) was evaluated with the ethanol extract from the Ocotea heterochroma’s fruit. The toxicity of this extract was greater than the toxicity of those fractions obtained in a first solvent partition (benzene, ethyl acetate, and butanol subfractions) and that of a mixture of acetylated 2′-epimers from the new neolignan 1. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 158–160, March–April, 2009.