A nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and 13C) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (δ13C, δ2H and δ18O) study of Andalusian olive oils

We have determined δ¹³C, δ²H and δ¹⁸O isotopic abundances in Andalusian olive oils. In addition, the fatty acid composition and the distribution of isomers at positions 1,3 and 2 of glycerol were determined by ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, respectively. Isotopic results obtained for four series of oil samples extracted from olives harvested in the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons are discussed in terms of olive variety, ripeness, geographical origin, fatty acid composition and growing altitude. A distinction was also established between olives grown in irrigated and in dry land by studying selected samples of the previous series and others from the 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09 seasons. The results showed that olive ripeness does not influence the abundance of any of the three isotopes studied. On the other hand, the olive variety influences the abundance of the oxygen and hydrogen isotopes, and also, less markedly, that of carbon. No clear‐cut effect of height or latitude on isotope values is observed, probably because the olive variety also changes with height and latitude, thus masking such influences. The oil samples from dryland‐grown olives had increased δ¹³C values relative to irrigation‐grown olives. In addition, no definite relationship appears to exist between isotope distribution and fatty acid composition. Finally, oil samples from olives harvested in the 2005/06 season in Italy could be distinguished from those from Spain in terms of their isotopic values (δ²H mainly). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Immobilized microorganisms in the reduction of ethyl benzoylacetate

The enantioselective reduction of ethyl benzoylacetate (EBA) into ethyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoate (S-HPPE) by nine yeast strains and three filamentous fungi strains is described. The conversion obtained was in the range 0-89% and the enantiomeric excess was 100% in many cases. Conversion levels were higher when the reduction was performed with microorganisms immobilized in calcium alginate and enantioselectivity remained excellent. Some reaction’s conditions of bioreduction by immobilized cells of Rhodotorula rubra were studied using a 2^5-2 fractional factorial design.     

Synthesis of resveratrol, DMU-212 and analogues through a novel Wittig-type olefination promoted by nickel nanoparticles

A novel synthesis of resveratrol, DMU-212 and analogues is presented using benzyl alcohols as phosphorus ylide partners in a one-pot Wittig-type olefination reaction promoted by nickel nanoparticles.     

The interaction of solvatochromic pyridiniophenolates with cyclodextrins

The interactions of six solvatochromic pyridiniophenolate dyes with α- and β-cyclodextrins were investigated with the aid of UV-vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopies, and molecular dynamics simulations. The deduced mode of encapsulation of these dyes within the hydrophobic host cavity was employed as a measure of the relative contributions of the donor and acceptor moieties to their solvatochromic properties.     

Pyridoxamine,a scavenger agent of carbohydrates

Pyridoxamine has been found to inhibit protein glycation and to avoid the formation of advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs). One of the mechanisms by which pyridoxamine can inhibit glycation involves the scavenger of carbonyl groups with glycation capacity. In this work, we conducted a kinetic study of the reactions of pyridoxamine with various carbohydrates under physiological pH and temperature. The reactions involving hexoses were found to give a tricyclic compound ( 5 ) in addition to pyridoxal and pyridoxine. Such a tricyclic compound inhibits the Amadori rearrangement and the formation of other carbonyl compounds with glycating properties. The reactions involving pentoses gave compound 7 and pyridoxal—by transamination of the Schiff base. The transamination reaction enhances the inhibitory action of pyridoxamine. The formation rate constants for the Schiff base, k₃, were found to be similar to those for the reactions of D ‐glucose with amino acids, which suggests competition between pyridoxamine and terminal amino residues in proteins for glycating sites in sugars. These constants are dependent on the electrophilic character of the carbonyl carbon in the carbohydrate. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 39: 154–167, 2007     

Dalgarno–Lewis perturbation theory for scattering states

We apply the method of Dalgarno and Lewis to scattering states and discuss the choice of the unperturbed model in order to have a convergent perturbation series for the phase shift. We show that a recently proposed approach is a particular case of the method of Dalgarno and Lewis.     

Complete and Stable O(p+1)×O(q+1)-Invariant Hypersurfaces with Zero Scalar Curvature in Euclidean Space ℝ p+q+2

We classify the zero scalar curvature O(p+1)×O(q+1)-invariant hypersurfaces in the euclidean space ℝ ^p+q+2, p,q > 1, analyzing whether they are embedded and stable. The Morse index of the complete hypersurfaces show the existence of embedded, complete and globally stable zero scalar curvature O(p+1)×O(q+1)-invariant hypersurfaces in ℝ ^p+q+2, p+q≥ 7, which are not homeomorphic to ℝ ^p+q+1. Such stable examples provide counter-examples to a Bernstein-type conjecture in the stable class, for immersions with zero scalar curvature. Mathematics Subject Classifications (2000): 53A10, 53C42,49005.     

A new synthesis of combretastatins A-4 and AVE-8062A

Combretastatins A-4 and AVE-8062A have been synthesized by coupling 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylacetylene with the corresponding iodomethoxyphenol and bromomethoxyaniline, followed by hydrolysis of the thermally-stable Ti(II)-alkyne complexes.     

Efficient and rapid experimental procedure for the synthesis of furan diol from d-glucal using ionic liquid

A new efficient and rapid experimental method and product isolation procedure as well as easy recyclable reaction media is expected to contribute to the development of a green strategy for the synthesis of furan diol from d-glucal. We determine the best conditions of reaction, minimizing the toxicity and finding an environmentally more acceptable process, using [Bmim][MSO₄]/InCl₃·3H₂O as a new solvent system under extremely mild conditions, providing high yields with a dramatic enhancement of reaction rate.