Enzymatic synthesis of vanillin.

Due to increasing interest in natural vanillin, two enzymatic routes for the synthesis of vanillin were developed. The flavoprotein vanillyl alcohol oxidase (VAO) acts on a wide range of phenolic compounds and converts both creosol and vanillylamine to vanillin with high yield. The VAO-mediated conversion of creosol proceeds via a two-step process in which the initially formed vanillyl alcohol is further oxidized to vanillin. Catalysis is limited by the formation of an abortive complex between enzyme-bound flavin and creosol. Moreover, in the second step of the process, the conversion of vanillyl alcohol is inhibited by the competitive binding of creosol. The VAO-catalyzed conversion of vanillylamine proceeds efficiently at alkaline pH values. Vanillylamine is initially converted to a vanillylimine intermediate product, which is hydrolyzed nonenzymatically to vanillin. This route to vanillin has biotechnological potential as the widely available principle of red pepper, capsaicin, can be hydrolyzed enzymatically to vanillylamine.     

Determination of residues of alachlor and its metabolite in corn, soybeans, and potatoes as heptafluorobutyryl-2,6-diethylaniline

Alachlor [2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide] was determined by hydrolysis to 2,6-diethylaniline with 6N HCl and quantitation of the heptafluorobutyryl derivative by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. 2,6-Diethylaniline was isolated from the hydrolysate by steam distillation, derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride, and the derivative was purified by chromatography on silicic acid with 60% toluene in hexane as eluant. Recoveries from potatoes, soybeans, and corn spiked at levels from 3 to 26 ppb averaged 81, 90, and 96% respectively.     

Algal degradation of a known endocrine disrupting insecticide, alpha-endosulfan, and its metabolite, endosulfan sulfate, in liquid medium and soil

The role of algae in the persistence, transformation, and bioremediation of two endocrine disrupting chemicals, alpha-endosulfan (a cyclodiene insecticide) and its oxidation product endosulfan sulfate, in soil (incubated under light or in darkness) and a liquid medium was examined. Incubation of soil under light dramatically decreased the persistence of alpha-endosulfan and enhanced its transformation to endosulfan sulfate, over that of dark-incubated soil samples, under both nonflooded and flooded conditions. This enhanced degradation of soil-applied alpha-endosulfan was associated with profuse growth of indigenous phototrophic organisms such as algae in soil incubated under light. Inoculation of soil with green algae, Chlorococcum sp. or Scenedesmus sp., further enhanced the degradation of alpha-endosulfan. The role of algae in alpha-endosulfan degradation was convincingly demonstrated when these algae degraded alpha-endosulfan to endosulfan sulfate, the major metabolite, and endosulfan ether, a minor metabolite, in a defined liquid medium. When a high density of the algal inoculum was used, both metabolites appeared to undergo further degradation as evident from their accumulation only in small amounts and the appearance of an endosulfan-derived aldehyde. Interestingly, beta-endosulfan was detected during degradation of alpha-endosulfan by high density algal cultures. These algae were also capable of degrading endosulfan sulfate but to a lesser extent than alpha-endosulfan. Evidence suggested that both alpha-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate were immediately sorbed by the algae from the medium, which then effected their degradation. Biosorption, coupled with their biotransformation ability, especially at a high inoculum density, makes algae effective candidates for remediation of alpha-endosulfan-polluted environments.     

纤维素降解菌CMC-4的分离鉴定、诱变和酶学特性研究

从秸秆还田土壤中初筛获得一株高效纤维素降解菌CMC-4,根据菌株形态、理化性质及16S rDNA序列分析,初步鉴定为地衣芽孢杆菌(Bacillus licheniformis)。以此为出发菌株,经亚硝酸钠诱变获得一株稳定高产纤维素酶突变株CMC-4-3。对CMC-4和CMC-4-3的产酶条件和酶学性质进行比较分析,结果表明:CMC-4-3纤维素酶活力较CMC-4提高67.5%;其最适产酶条件是:37℃、pH 6.0、葡萄糖为碳源、蛋白胨为氮源、接种量2.0%、装液量60 ml/250 ml。该菌株所产纤维素酶的最适反应pH为6.0,且在4.0~7.0酶活力较稳定;最适反应温度为50℃,在20~80℃范围内均保持稳定;金属离子Fe~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、Co~(2+)、K~+对酶有激活作用,其余离子均有不同程度抑制作用,而Cu~(2+)和Ca~(2+)抑制作用最强,酶活力减弱近50%,是该酶的强效抑制因子。诱变前后菌株产酶条件和酶学性质等部分表型发生了变化,而突变菌株显示出了更宽泛的环境适应范围。据此,获得一株高效产纤维素酶、耐受范围广的具纤维素降解能力的地衣芽孢杆菌,而CMC-4-3和CMC-4的表型可作为深入探讨基因型变化的线索。     

Ascorbate regeneration by the reduced form of 2-amino-3-carboxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone, a strong growth stimulator for bifidobacteria

Nonenzymatic reduction of dehydroascorbate into ascorbate by the reduced form (quinol form) of 2-amino-3-carboxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, a strong growth stimulator for bifidobacteria, has been found. The bimolecular reaction rate constant was evaluated as 9 M(-)(1) s(-)(1) at pH 7.0. This reaction has been successfully coupled with enzymatic regeneration of the naphthoquinol by NAD(P)H in cell-free extracts of Bifidobacterium longum 6001. The overall reaction is a regeneration of NAD(P)(+) by dehydroascorbate [or a regeneration of ascorbate by NAD(P)H], in which the naphthoquinone/quinol redox couple functions as an electron transfer mediator. Kinetic study of the reduction of dehydroascorbate with related quinol compounds suggested the significance of the amino substituent of the naphthoquinol. A mechanism of the electron transfer from the quinol to dehydroascorbate is proposed, where the first step of the reaction is a nucleophilic addition of the C(2)-amino substituent of the naphthoquinol to the C(2)-position of dehydroascorbate to form a Schiff base intermediate.     

Inhibitory effect of a quercetin metabolite, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucuronide, on lipid peroxidation in liposomal membranes.

To study the antioxidant activity of quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucuronide (Q3GA), which is one of the quercetin metabolites in the blood after intake of quercetin-rich food, the inhibitory effect of Q3GA on lipid peroxidation was estimated using phosphatidylcholine large unilamellar vesicles (PC LUV) as a biomembrane model. Iron ion, an aqueous peroxyl radical generator, a peroxynitrite generator, or lipoxygenase was used as the inducer of lipid peroxidation. In all cases, Q3GA inhibited lipid peroxidation significantly, although its inhibitory effect was lower than that of quercetin aglycon. The ultrafiltration of PC LUV containing Q3GA revealed that Q3GA has low but significant affinity with the membranes of phospholipid bilayers. It is therefore likely that Q3GA acts as an efficient antioxidant in membranous lipid peroxidation through its localization in the phospholipid bilayer. This conjugated quercetin metabolite seems to retain the ability to protect cellular and subcellular membranes from peroxidative attack by reactive oxygen species and peroxidative enzymes.     

Enzymatic synthesis and characterization of l-methionine and 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (HMB) co-oligomers

Oligomers of l-methionine (Met) and its hydroxy analogue, 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (d,l-HMB) were synthesized with the proteolytic enzyme papain. The Met homooligomers and HMB-Met co-oligomers obtained through the enzymatic reactions were subjected to persulfonation and separated with reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC). The separated oligomers were characterized with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The oligomers were also characterized with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The results showed that co-oligomers were predominantly composed of 4-8 Met residues and one HMB residue. The data also suggest that in the co-oligomers, HMB is attached at the N-terminal end of the oligopeptide chain.     

Determinations of residual furazolidone and its metabolite, 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ), in fish feeds by HPLC-UV and LC-MS/MS, respectively

The antibacterial drug furazolidone belonging to the group of nitrofuran antibacterial agents has been widely used as an antibacterial and antiprotozoal feed additive for poultry, cattle, and farmed fish in China. During application a large proportion of the administered drug may reach the environment directly or via feces. Although the use of furazolidone is prohibited in numerous countries, there are indications of its illegal use. It is known that furazolidone can be rapidly metabolized to 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ) in the body of the target organism. In this study, a total of 21 fish feed samples, including 17 commercial fish feeds from local markets in China (representing 15 different formulations) and 4 fish feeds obtained from Germany and Turkey, respectively, are analyzed to determine whether the drug is still illegally used or commercially available feeds are contaminated by this drug. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) methods have been implemented to determine furazolidone and its metabolite AOZ in fish feeds containing animal protein, respectively. An efficient and convenient cleanup method for the determination of furazolidone in fish feeds is developed, and a simple cleanup method for the determination of AOZ is used. Method recoveries for samples used were determined as 87.7-98.3% for furazolidone at two spike levels of 2.0 and 5.0 ng g-1 and as 95.6-102.8% for AOZ at spike levels of 0.4 and 0.8 ng g-1. Limits of detections were 0.4 ng g-1 for furazolidone and 0.05 ng g-1 for AOZ. The established methods are therefore suitable for the determination of furazolidone and its metabolite AOZ in fish feeds at trace contamination levels. Using the established methods, all fish feed samples have been proved to be furazolidone negative; however, AOZ is tested in 16 of 17 fish feeds obtained from local markets in the Hubei province of China, with a positive rate as high as 94.1%.     

Identification of 4-methylspinaceamine, a pictet-spengler condensation reaction product of histamine with acetaldehyde, in fermented foods and its metabolite in human urine

Previous study demonstrated that 4-methylspinaceamine (4-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine), a Pictet-Spengler condensation reaction product of histamine with acetaldehyde, is present in human urine. The current study sought to determine whether 4-methylspinaceamine is present in fermented foods; its presence might be expected since both histamine and acetaldehyde are often present in these foods. Soy sauce, fish sauce, cheese, and shao hsing wine (Chinese wine) were found to contain 4-methylspinaceamine. The concentration of 4-methylspinaceamine excreted in human urine was greatly elevated after ingestion of a meal containing soy sauce as a dietary source of 4-methylspinaceamine, demonstrating that the level of 4-methylspinaceamine in human urine was affected by dietary foods. In addition, a metabolite of 4-methylspinaceamine in human urine was investigated. An enhanced peak in the HPLC chromatogram of human urine samples after ingestion of 4-methylspinaceamine-containing foods was observed. A peak at the same retention time was also observed from a human urine sample after administration of 4-methylspinaceamine, suggesting that the peak was due to a metabolite. By comparison with the newly synthesized authentic compound, the metabolite was identified as 1,4-dimethylspinaceamine.     

Aminomethylphosphonic acid, a metabolite of glyphosate, causes injury in glyphosate-treated, glyphosate-resistant soybean

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was developed by stable integration of a foreign gene that codes insensitive enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase, an enzyme in the shikimate pathway, the target pathway of glyphosate. Application of glyphosate to GR soybean results in injury under certain conditions. It was hypothesized that if GR soybean is completely resistant to the glyphosate, injury could be caused by a metabolite of glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), a known phytotoxin. Glyphosate and AMPA effects on one- to two-trifoliolate leaf stage (16-18-days old) GR and non-GR soybean were examined in the greenhouse. In GR soybean, a single application of glyphosate-isopropylammonium (1.12-13.44 kg/ha) with 0.5% Tween 20 did not significantly reduce the chlorophyll content of the second trifoliolate leaf at 7 days after treatment (DAT) or the shoot dry weight at 14 DAT compared with Tween 20 alone. A single application of AMPA (0.12-8.0 kg/ha) with 0.5% Tween 20 reduced the chlorophyll content of the second trifoliolate leaf by 0-52% at 4 DAT and reduced shoot fresh weight by 0-42% at 14 DAT in both GR and non-GR soybeans compared with Tween 20 alone. AMPA at 0.12 and 0.50 kg/ha produced injury in GR and non-GR soybean, respectively, similar to that caused by glyphosate-isopropylammonium at 13.44 kg/ha in GR soybean. AMPA levels found in AMPA-treated soybean of both types and in glyphosate-treated GR soybean correlated similarly with phytotoxicity. These results suggest that soybean injury to GR soybean from glyphosate is due to AMPA formed from glyphosate degradation.     

Acid hydrolysis of 1,6-dihydro-4-amino-3-methyl-6-phenyl-1,2, 4-triazin-5(4H)-one (1,6-dihydrometamitron).

Metamitron (1) does not undergo hydrolysis at pH 1-8 and up to 5 M H(2)SO(4). The product of its two-electron reduction, 1, 6-dihydrometamitron (2), on the other hand, undergoes at pH <3 relatively fast hydrolysis. The dependence of the measured rate constant on acidity indicates that the completely protonated form (AH(2)(2+)) predominating in strongly acidic media undergoes hydrolysis slower than the species bearing one less proton (AH(+)). The latter most reactive species is present in highest concentration in solutions of pH between 0 and 2. This species is protonated on the 2,3-azomethine bond and yields as final products 2-hydrazino-2-phenylacetic acid (4) and acethydrazide (5). Kinetic, polarographic, and spectrophotometric measurements indicated for the first dissociation an average value pK(a) = -0.8, for the second pK(a) = 0.95. These observations together with the easy reduction of the 1,6-bond in metamitron (1) indicate that in nature the cleavage of metamitron may be preceded by its reduction to 1, 6-dihydrometamitron (2), which is then hydrolyzed. Thus, anaerobic, reductive conditions are likely preferable for the total microbial degradation of metamitron.     

3,4-Dihydroxymandelic acid,a noradrenalin metabolite with powerful antioxidative potential

The decarboxylated noradrenaline metabolite 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid [DHMA, 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxyacetic acid] occurs in different mammalian tissues, especially in the heart. To elucidate the physiological function of DHMA, the antioxidative and radical scavenging activity was determined by physicochemical and cell-based test systems. In the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay it shows a 4-fold higher radical scavenging activity compared to the standard antioxidants ascorbic acid, tocopherol, and butylated hydroxytoluene. DHMA is also a very potent superoxide radical scavenger and shows a 5-fold smaller IC(50) value compared to standard ascorbic acid. Again, in most cases the antioxidative power of DHMA against bulk lipid oxidation determined by accelerated autoxidation of oils is much higher than for the standard antioxidants. In soybean oil and squalene a DHMA/alpha-tocopherol mixture (1:1 w/w) shows a synergistic effect. Last but not least, 0.001 and 0.0005% levels of DHMA protect human primary fibroblasts against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress as determined by the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein assay.     

一株烟草秸秆降解菌的分离、鉴定及酶学性质研究

从皖南地区烟稻轮作田土壤中经CMC-Na初筛获得5株纤维素降解菌,经DNS法测定纤维素酶活性复筛得到一株降解活性较高的降解菌YC-2。根据该菌16S r DNA序列比对结果,结合形态和生理生化特征,确定YC-2为枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)。对YC-2酶学性质进行相关研究,并分析YC-2对烟碱的耐受情况及对烟草秸秆的降解情况,结果表明:在7天内,YC-2对烟草秸秆降解率为10.14%;酶学特性表现为最适反应温度为60℃且在15~60℃之间具有稳定性;最适反应pH为7.0,在pH 4.0~7.5范围内稳定性较好;YC-2在浓度为1~2 g/L烟碱中能快速生长,而在高浓度的烟碱中生长受到抑制。因此,菌株YC-2产纤维素酶活性较高、相对耐热耐碱且对烟杆有一定分解作用,通过进一步诱变选育和发酵条件优化有较好的田间应用潜力。     

壳聚糖没食子酸衍生物酶法制备及对鲜切苹果的保鲜效果

为提高壳聚糖水溶性和保鲜性能,该文以没食子酸为配体,漆酶为催化剂催化壳聚糖与没食子酸发生接枝反应,得到壳聚糖没食子酸衍生物,对其结构进行了初步表征,并初步探讨了其对鲜切苹果的保鲜效果。结果表明,衍生物接枝率为72.80%,溶解度达到92.77%,没食子酸中的羧基与壳聚糖分子的氨基发生了迈克尔加成反应,在壳聚糖的C2位生成了酰胺键。14℃下贮藏4 d后,10 mg/m L衍生物处理的苹果硬度损失率仅为10.23%,比空白组、壳聚糖处理组和壳聚糖没食子酸物理复合物处理组分别低20.90%(P0.05)、16.60%(P0.05)和15.60%(P0.05);可溶性固形物、维生素C、谷胱甘肽和多酚质量分数分别为12.93%,1.23 mg/(100 g),6.26 mg/(100 g)和6.24 mg/(100 g),分别比空白组高16.47%(P0.05),48.78%(P0.05),24.92%(P0.05)和43.75%(P0.05);多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性分别比空白组低36.73%(P0.05)和76.94%(P0.05);菌落总数为16.00×10~4 CFU/g,显著低于空白组、壳聚糖处理组和壳聚糖没食子酸物理复合物处理组(P0.05)。结果表明,漆酶可催化壳聚糖与没食子酸发生接枝反应,得到的壳聚糖没食子酸衍生物对鲜切苹果具有较好的保鲜效果。     

Enzymatic synthesis of a selective inhibitor for alpha-glucosidases: alpha-acarviosinyl-(1-->9)-3-alpha-D-glucopyranosylpropen

Here, we describe the enzymatic synthesis of novel inhibitors using acarviosine-glucose as a donor and 3-alpha-D-glucopyranosylpropen (alphaGP) as an acceptor. Maltogenic amylase from Thermus sp. (ThMA) catalyzed the transglycosylation of the acarviosine moiety to alphaGP. The two major reaction products were isolated using chromatographies. Structural analyses revealed that acarviosine was transferred to either C-7 or C-9 of the alphaGP, which correspond to C-4 and C-6 of glucose. Both inhibited rat intestine alpha-glucosidase competitively but displayed a mixed-type inhibition mode against human pancreatic alpha-amylase. The alpha-acarviosinyl-(1-->7)-3-alpha-D-glucopyranosylpropen showed weaker inhibition potency than acarbose against both alpha-glycosidases. In contrast, the alpha-acarviosinyl-(1-->9)-3-alpha-D-glucopyranosylpropen exhibited a 3.0-fold improved inhibition potency against rat intestine alpha-glucosidase with 0.3-fold inhibition potency against human pancreatic alpha-amylase relative to acarbose. In conclusion, alpha-acarviosinyl-(1-->9)-3-alpha-D-glucopyranosylpropen is a novel alpha-glucosidase-selective inhibitor with 10-fold enhanced selectivity toward alpha-glucosidase over alpha-amylase relative to acarbose, and it could be applied as a potent hypoglycemic agent.     

Bound malondialdehyde in foods: bioavailability of N,N'-di-(4-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbaldehyde)lysine

Reactions between lipid peroxidation products and proteins in foods have detrimental nutritional effects, most importantly, losses of essential amino acids. One of the major products of the reaction of malondialdehyde and alkanals with amino groups are 4-substituted 1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbaldehyde derivatives. The product of the reaction of lysine with malondialdehyde and acetaldehyde, N,N'-di-(4-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbaldehyde)lysine (MDDL), has been synthesized and used for in vitro and in vivo bioavailability studies. Release of free lysine did not occur in incubations of MDDL with tissue homogenates. After oral administration of radioactively labeled MDDL, radioactivity was only recovered in feces. Radioactivity was not incorporated into hepatic microsomes after intraperitoneal administration, which would have indicated release of available lysine. These results show that MDDL is a form of unavailable lysine, because it is not metabolized to free lysine and cannot be absorbed from the gut. Thus, formation of this derivative in foods would result in loss of available lysine.