Biotransformation of 20(R)-panaxatriol by the fungus Aspergillus flavus Link AS 3.3950

Microbial transformation of 20(R)-panaxatriol by the fungus Aspergillus flavus Link AS 3.3950 was performed. Four new (1–4), along with two previously reported metabolites (5 and 6), were obtained. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of those compounds on K562/ADR, Du-145, Hela, MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines were evaluated by MTT assay. Among them, compound 15β-hydroxy-20(R)-panaxatriol (4) exhibited selective inhibitory effects on human leukaemic progenitor cells K562/ADR through arresting cell cycle, which was associated with obvious decrease of cyclin B1, cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 1/2/4/6 protein expression.     

Regioselective synthesis and structures of anti-cancer 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 derivatives

Abstract

Regioselective synthesis of three novel palmitates of 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg₃ was accomplished via a facile strategy, along with complete assignment of their ¹H and ¹³C NMR resonances by 1D and 2D NMR (¹H-¹H COSY, DEPT 135, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) techniques. The derivatives were tested for in vitro anti-proliferative activities against pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells. Compounds 2, 3, and 4 exhibited more potent activity than did 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg₃.     

Biotransformation of two furanocoumarins by the fungi species Aspergillus sp. PTCC 5266 and Aspergillus niger PTCC 5010

The microbial transformations of peucedanin and oreoselon by the fungi Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus sp. were investigated for the first time. Incubation of peucedanin with A. niger yielded a new hydroxylated metabolite with high yield (56%), which was characterized as 2-(1-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-3-methoxy-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromen-7-one. Oreoselon was converted to a new reduced metabolite methyl 3-(2,3-dihydro-6-hydroxy-2-isopropyl-3-oxobenzofuran-5-yl)propanoate in biotransformation by Aspergillus sp. The structures of the metabolites were determined by spectroscopic methods including IR, EI-MS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and elemental analysis.     

Biotransformation of (+)-isofraxinellone by Aspergillus niger and insect antifeedant activity

The biotransformation of (+)-isofraxinellone (1) by Aspergillus niger was investigated. Compound 1 was transformed to only one new compound 2. The structure of 2 was identified as (-)-(4S)-4-hydroxyisofraxinellone which was regio- and stereo-selective hydroxylated at the C-4 position by IR, EI-MS 1D and 2D NMR. Absolute configuration of hydroxyl group at the C-4 position was detected by modified Mosher’s method. Antifeedant activity of compounds 1 and 2 against larvae of Spodoptera litura was assayed. These compounds showed potent antifeedant activity and ED₅₀ (50% of effective dose) values were 3.91 and 4.43 μg/cm², respectively.     

POLYBINAPHTHYLS INCORPORATING (R)-20,''-BINAPHTHO-20-CROWN-6AND NAPHTHYL MOITIES

Chiral polymer was synthesized by the polymerization of (R)-6,6'-bistributylstannyl-2,2'-binaphtho-20-crown-6(M-1) with 1,4-dibromo-2,3-bisbutoxy-naphthyl (M-2) by Pd(PPh3)4 catalyzed Stille coupling reaction. Both monomer and polymer were analyzed by NMR, MS, FT-IR, UV, polarimetry, DSC-TGA, CD, fluorescent spectroscopy and GPC. The major difference between monomer and polymer is that a long wavelength Cotton Effect was observed for the polymer due to its more extended conjugation in the repeating unit and a highly rigid backbone in the polymer chain. Polymer has strong blue fluorescence due to the efficient energy migration from the extended π-electronic structure of the repeating unit of the polymer to the chiral binaphthyl core and is expected to have potential application in the materials of fluorescent sensors and chiral chromatographic packing for resolution ofracemic amino acid.     

Naringinase Biosynthesis by Aspergillus niger on an Optimized Medium Containing Red Grapefruit Albedo

This study aimed to develop a method of naringinase biosynthesis by Aspergillus niger KMS on an optimized culture medium. The concentration of the six medium components in shake flasks was optimized by the Box and Wilson factor gradient method. Naringinase’s substrate, naringin, powdered albedo, flavedo, and red grapefruit segment membranes were used to stimulate naringinase biosynthesis. Rhamnose was chosen as the carbon source, while the nitrogen source was yeast extract and sodium nitrate. Naringinase biosynthesis was most favorable in the culture medium with the following composition (g 100 mL): 3.332—NaNO₃; 3.427—yeast extract; 0.184—KH₂PO₄; 0.855—red grapefruit albedo; 0.168—naringin; 2.789—rhamnose. The obtained Aspergillus niger KMS culture fluid was concentrated, thereby precipitating the protein. As a result, a naringinase preparation with high activity, equal to 816 µmol × min⁻¹ × g⁻¹, was obtained.     

Effect of Chitosan and Temperature on Spore Germination of Aspergillus niger

Inhibition of radial growth and spore germination of Aspergillus niger in media with added chitosan were detected. The highest radial growth inhibition (73%) was determined at 24 h with 3 g · L^?1 of chitosan, and the percent inhibition of spore germination was 40% after 13 h of inoculation. Further, the CC₅₀, that is, the concentration at which spore germination is inhibited by 50%, was estimated by probit analysis (3.5 g · L^?1). The activation energies, E_A were estimated by an Arrhenius model in control and amended chitosan media, obtaining 35.6 and 36.6 kcal · mol^?1, respectively. These values were in the same order of magnitude because chitosan as inhibitor was more effective at low temperature (≤ 18 °C). Hence synergism of temperature and chitosan were only observed at 12 and 18 °C. Therefore, the maximal percentage of germinated spores, S_max was also affected by low temperatures in chitosan‐amended media with estimated values lower than 70% at temperatures < 37 °C whereas in control media S_max reached values close to 100%. Scanning electron micrographs showed that chitosan produced spore aggregation and morphological anomalies affecting swelling, germ tube emergence, and polarization.

Germinated spores percentages of Aspergillus niger in Czapeck media at several chitosan concentrations and 30 °C.     

(20R)-Panaxadiol as a Natural Active Component with Anti-Obesity Effects on ob/ob Mice via Modulating the Gut Microbiota

Obesity is an important cause of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver and atherosclerosis. The use of ingredients extracted from traditional Chinese medicine for weight loss is now receiving more and more attention. Ginseng has been recorded since ancient times for the treatment of diabetes. The (20R)-Panaxadiol (PD) belongs to the ginseng diol type compounds, which are moderately bioavailable and may remain in the intestinal tract for a longer period of time. This study investigated the potential positive effect of PD in ob/ob mice and evaluated its effect against obesity. The ob/ob mice were administered PD for ten weeks. Our study showed that PD could improve obesity, glucose tolerance disorder, as well as gut dysbiosis. Panaxadiol decreased ob/ob mice’s Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B). Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the fecal microbiota suggested that PD changed the composition of the gut microbiota in ob/ob mice and modulated specific bacteria such as lactobacillus, prevotellace and so on. Moreover, PD improved the intestinal wall integrity. In conclusion, our results suggest that (20R)-Panaxadiol, as an active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb ginseng, may improve obesity to some extent via improving gut microbiota     

Protoplast Fusion of β-Glucosidase-Producing Aspergillus niger Strains

Protoplast fusion, induced by polyethylene glycol and Ca²⁺, was carried out between two auxotrophic strains ofAspergillus niger. The fusion frequency ranged from 6.2 × 10^-2-9.1 × 10^-2. After induced haploidization of a diploid, various segregants showing combinations of the parental genetic markers were isolated. Unlike diploids, haploid segregants exhibited greater variations in their morphology and β-glucosidase activities. One segregant showed a 2.5-fold increase in β-glucosidase activity over those of the parents. Thus, this method appears promising for creating new recombinant strains ofA. niger with improved β-glucosidase activities.     

三七叶甙制备抗癌活性成分20(R)-人参皂甙-Rh2和人参皂甙Rg3

人参皂甙-Rh2(ginsenoside Rh2)和Rg3是从人参中分离得到的具有抗癌活性的四环三萜类原人参二醇型低糖链皂甙单体。其中,以人参皂甙为主要成分的抗癌新药Rg3参—胶囊已获国家药品监督管理局颁发的中药一类新药证书。皂甙类成分要从植物中分离困难。为了得到某些活性     

New naphthopyrones from marine-derived fungus Aspergillus niger 2HL-M-8 and their in vitro antiproliferative activity

A new cytotoxic dimeric naphthopyrone, aurasperone H (1), together with eight related known polyketides (2–9) was isolated from a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus niger 2HL-M-8. The structure of new compound 1 was elucidated on the basis of its spectroscopic data (1D, 2D NMR and CD). Compound 1 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against the human lung adenocarcinoma A549 and the human leukaemia HL-60 cell lines. Compound 5 displayed significant in vitro antiproliferative activity against HL-60 cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 0.8 μM.     

有机溶剂中(R)-醇腈酶催化不对称合成(R)-苯乙醇腈

 研究了来源于杏仁的（R）－醇腈酶在有机溶剂异丙醚中催化苯甲醛与HCN不对称合成（R）－苯乙醇腈，初步探讨了来源于不同杏仁的（R）－醇腈酶的筛选、最适酶量的确定以及底物HCN与苯甲醛的配比、底物浓度、酶的微环境pH和反应温度对不对称合成反应的影响．结果发现，来源于苦杏仁的（R）－醇腈酶优于来源于甜杏仁的（R）－醇腈酶．优化的反应条件为：最适酶量150g／L，HCN与苯甲醛的配比2．5，苯甲醛浓度300mmol／L，酶的微环境pH5．4，反应温度0～5℃．在该优化反应条件下，反应平衡转化率和产物的光学纯度均高达99％以上．     

微生物酶催化制备人参皂苷20(S)-Rg2,20(S)-Rh1和20(S)-PPT

摘要 人参次级皂苷具有较强的抗癌、抗癌转移等药理活性,但由于在人参中含量少或不存在,因此以人参中含量较高的主要人参皂苷制备药效更高的人参次级皂苷不仅有必要,而且很有意义．本文以微生物Microbacterium esteraromaticum GS514的培养液中分离的粗酶为催化剂水解人参皂苷Re和Rg1,并通过1H NMR和13C NMR谱进行了水解产物的结构表征．实验结果表明,反应体系中无机盐NaCl的存在与否直接影响人参皂苷Re,Rg1与粗酶液的反应结果.人参皂苷与粗酶液直接反应,人参皂苷Re不发生反应,人参皂苷Rg1通过C6所连β-D-吡喃葡萄糖的选择性水解转化成人参皂苷F1.如果该反应是在无机盐NaCl存在下进行,人参皂苷Re通过对C20 所连β-D-吡喃葡萄糖的选择性水解定向转化为20(S)-人参皂苷Rg2;人参皂苷Rg1定向转化成20(S)-人参皂苷Rh1以及20(S)-原人参三醇（PPT）.这说明NaCl的加入激活了C20β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷酶的活性,这对定向合成不同次级人参皂苷具有重要意义.     

Size-Dependent Impact of Magnetic Nanoparticles on Growth and Sporulation of Aspergillus niger

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are becoming important DNA nanocarriers for genetic engineering of industrial fungi. However, the biological effect of MNPs on industrial fungi remains unknown. In this study, we prepared three kinds of magnetic nanoparticles with different sizes (i.e., 10 nm, 20 nm, and 200 nm) to investigate their impact on the growth and sporulation of the important industrial fungus Aspergillus niger. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and Zeta potential analysis revealed that the three kinds of MNPs, including MNP10, MNP20 and MNP200, had uniform size distribution, regular Fe₃O₄ X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and similar Zeta potentials. Interestingly, although the three kinds of MNPs did not obviously inhibit growth of the fungus, the MNP20 at 500 mg/L strongly attenuated sporulation, leading to a remarkable decrease in spore numbers on culturing plates. Further investigation showed that MNP20 at the high concentration led to drastic chitin accumulation in the cell wall, indicating cell wall disruption of the MNP20-treated fungal cells. Moreover, the MNPs did not cause unusual iron dissolution and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and the addition of ferrous ion, ferric ion or the reactive oxygen species scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) had no impact on the sporulation of the fungus, suggesting that both iron dissolution and ROS accumulation did not contribute to attenuated sporulation by MNP20. This study revealed the size-dependent effect of MNPs on fungal sporulation, which was associated with MNP-induced cell wall disruption.     

POLYBINAPHTHYLS INCORPORATING (R)-2,2''''-BINAPHTHO-20-CROWN-6 AND NAPHTHYL MOITIES

Chiral polymer was synthesized by the polymerization of (R)-6,6'-bistributylstannyl-2,2'-binaphtho-20-crown-6 (M-1) with 1,4-dibromo-2,3-bisbutoxy-naphthyl (M-2) by Pd(PPh3)4 catalyzed Stille coupling reaction. Both monomer and polymer were analyzed by NMR, MS, FT-IR, UV, polarimetry, DSC-TGA, CD, fluorescent spectroscopy and GPC. The major difference between monomer and polymer is that a long wavelength Cotton Effect was observed for the polymer due to its more extended conjugation in the repeating unit and a highly rigid backbone in the polymer chain. Polymer has strong blue fluorescence due to the efficient energy migration from the extended n-electronic structure of the repeating unit of the polymer to the chiral binaphthyl core and is expected to have potential application in the materials of fluorescent sensors and chiral chromatographic packing for resolution of racemic amino acid.     

Biotransformation of (−)β-pinene by Aspergillus niger ATCC 9642

The main objective of this work was to investigate the biotransformations of (−)α-pinene, (−)β-pinene, and (+) limonene by Aspergillus niger ATCC 9642. The culture conditions involved—concentration of cosolvent (EtOH), substrate applied, and sequential addition of substrates—were investigated. Adaptation of the precultures with small amounts of substrate was also studied. The experiments were performed in conical flasks with liquid cultures. This strain of A. niger was able to convert only (−)β-pinene into α-terpineol. An optimum conversion of (−)β-pinene into α-terpineol of about 4% was obtained when the substrate was applied as a diluted solution in EtOH and sequential addition of substrate was used.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of (R)-and (S)-Moprolol

A simple and effective procedure for the enantioselective synthesis of (R)-and (S)-moprolol was described.The key step was the asymmetric synthesis of enantiopure (R)-and (S)-guaifenesin,which were synthesized from enantioenriched (R)-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol and (S)-epichlorohydrin via kinetics of hydrolysis resolution of racemic epichlorohydrin by chiral Salen-CoIIII complex.The e.e.values of both the optical compounds were above 98%,and the chemical structures of the target compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR,13C NMR,IR,and MS.     

Purification and properties of three cellobiases from Aspergillus niger A20

Three cellobiases, here called cellobiase A, B, and C, from the culture filtrate of Aspergillus niger A20, were purified by precipitation with ammonium sulphate, gel filtration through Sephadex G-75, and column chromatography of DEAE-cellulose. The purified enzymes were homogeneous on polyacrylamide disk electrophoresis. The mol wt of the purified enzymes were estimated by SDS-gelelectrophoresis to be 88,000, 80,000, and 71,000 for cellobiases A, B, and C, respectively. The enzymes were active at pH 4.5 and 55–60°C. The pattern of their aminoacid compositions showed high contents of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, threonine, serine, and glycine. The apparent K_m values for cellobiose were 0.9, 1.63, and 1.0 mM for cellobiases A, B, and C, respectively. Calcium ions stimulated cellobiases B and C, and Co²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions stimulated cell obiase A. The purified enzymes hydrolyzed cellobiose and aryl-β-d-glucosides, but they had no action on sucrose, maltose, and cellulose. The three cellobiases catalyzed transglycosylate reaction, and the major product formed from cellobiose was tetramer of glucose.     

Antimicrobial secondary metabolites of an endolichenic Aspergillus niger isolated from lichen thallus of Parmotrema ravum

Abstract

A new 6-benzyl-γ-pyrone (1), named aspergyllone was isolated from the culture filtrates of an endolichenic fungus Aspergillus niger Tiegh, obtained from lichen thallus Parmotrema ravum (Krog & Swinscow) Serus, collected in India. 1 was isolated for the first time from an endolichenic fungus together with six other known metabolites identified as aurasperones A (2) and D (3), asperpyrone A (4), fonsecinone A (5), carbonarone A (6) and pyrophen (7). The compounds were tested against a panel of human, plant, food borne and fish pathogens. Aspergyllone showed strong selective antifungal activity against Candida parapsilosis (Ashford) Langeron & Talice, with an IC₅₀ of 52?µg/mL. Aurasperone A and pyrophen showed moderate to strong antimicrobial activity inhibiting seven different test pathogens, being pyrophen active with IC₅₀ ranging from 35 to 97?µg/mL.