A hexacyclic ent-trachylobane diterpenoid possessing an oxetane ring from Mitrephora glabra

[chemical reaction: see text]. Three new ent-trachylobane diterpenoids (1-3) were isolated and structures elucidated from Mitrephora glabra Scheff. (Annonaceae). Mitrephorone A (1) possesses a hexacyclic ring system with adjacent ketone moieties and an oxetane ring, both of which are unprecedented among trachylobanes. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cells, where 1 displayed the most potent and broadest activity, and against a battery of antimicrobial assays, where all compounds were approximately equipotent.     

A review of silver nanoparticles in food packaging technologies: Regulation,methods, properties,migration, and future challenges

The development of antimicrobial food packaging is needed for food preservation and quality maintenance. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used as an antimicrobial agent in food packaging technologies. However, the risks associated with their potential migration into foods are a major concern. This paper comprehensively reviews the use of AgNPs in food packaging technologies. The application of AgNPs in food packaging technologies has been regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority. The addition of AgNPs into food packaging can improve their barrier, mechanical, and antibacterial properties, as well as maintain the quality of foods. Migration of AgNPs from food packaging into foods is still a concern as it has implications for human health associated with their toxicity properties. A study on the toxicological properties of AgNPs released from food packaging needs to be carried out intensively to ensure their safety before being widely implemented. Moreover, comprehensive economic evaluation to implement AgNPs in food packaging is needed as such a study is missing in the literature.     

A new type of stilbene-related secondary metabolite, idenburgene, from Cryptocarya idenburgensis

A new type of natural product, idenburgene (1), was isolated from Crytocarya idenburgensis, and its unique structure was elucidated. Four known compounds, 3-hydroxy-5-methoxystilbene (2), 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone (3), stigmast-4-ene-3-one, and beta-sitosterol were also isolated and identified.     

A new green method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their antibacterial activities against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria

This study aims to evaluate the capability of Ageratum conyzoides and Mikania micrantha extracts to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their antibacterial capability against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. Several properties of the synthesized AgNPs, including plasmonic, biomolecule bonding, shape, size, and antibacterial, were investigated. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy was employed for characterizing their plasmonic properties. Functional groups on the produced AgNPs were investigated by Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. The size and shape of the AgNPs were identified using the field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Inhibition zone measurement was carried out for evaluating the antibacterial capability. This study showed that the extracts of A. conyzoides and M. micrantha were able reducing agents as evidenced by the formation of the spherical AgNPs. UV–vis spectroscopy, FT‐IR spectroscopy, and FESEM confirmed the physicochemical characteristics of AgNPs. AgNPs that were synthesized using M. micrantha were slightly smaller than those produced using A. conyzoides. In general, the present work establishes that the synthesized AgNPs have antibacterial capability depending on their size and synthesis procedure.     

Total synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of xylapeptide A

Xylapeptide A is a cyclopentapeptide, [cyclo-D-Ala-L-Val-N-Me-L-Phe-L-Pip-L-Leu], first isolated from Xylaria sp. × Sophora tonkinensis, together with its analogue, xylapeptide B, which differ by only one residue, proline in xylapeptide B is replaced by pipecolinic acid (Pip) in xylapeptide A. Both xylapeptides A and B possess antimicrobial properties against several bacteria and fungi. Herein, we describe the first total synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of xylapeptide A containing two non-proteinogenic residues, N-Me-phenylalanine and pipecolinic acid. The synthesis of xylapeptide A was achieved by a combination of solid- and solution-phase methods that were applied for the synthesis of xylapeptide B. Interestingly, the cyclization of linear xylapeptide A was more straightforward yielding 22% compared to 8.9% for xylapeptide B, suggesting that the presence of pipecolinic acid in the linear precursor affected the cyclization process. NMR analysis of synthetic xylapeptide A revealed that the chemical shifts of all protons and carbons of xylapeptide A are highly similar to the natural product. The synthetic xylapeptide A, together with xylapeptide B, were evaluated for their antimicrobial properties, showing that synthetic xylapeptide A has moderate antimicrobial activity and better antimicrobial properties compared to synthetic xylapeptide B. The presence of pipecolinic acid in xylapeptide A is an important requirement for antimicrobial activity.     

Unexpectedly high field-effect mobility of a soluble, low molecular weight oligoquaterthiophene fraction with low polydispersity

Layers made from soluble low molecular weight polythiophene PQT-12 with low polydispersity exhibit a highly ordered structure and charge-carrier mobilities of the order of 10⁻³ cm²/(V s), which we attribute to its proximity to monodispersity. We propose that polydispersity is a decisive factor with regard to structure formation and transport properties of soluble low molecular weight polythiophenes. Electronic Supplementary Material  The online version of this article () contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Solution processable organic field-effect transistors utilizing an alpha,alpha'-dihexylpentathiophene-based swivel cruciform

A pentathiophene-based swivel cruciform, which allows rotation between the cruciform arms, was synthesized. Homogeneous microcrystalline films were processed from solution, and field-effect transistors utilizing this dimer gave hole mobilities up to 0.012 cm2/V.s.