Enzymatic synthesis of gallic acid from tannic acid with an inducible hydrolase of Enterobacter spp

Gallic acid acts as a precursor molecule to synthesize various tannin molecules. These are plant polyphenols and were proved to be good anti-oxidant, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial compounds. In order to fully exploit prominent biological activities of specific tannins and to develop tannin-based new medicines, it is necessary to obtain their pure preparations with an aim of high yield and specificity. In the present study, gallic acid is synthesized by the hydrolysis of tannic acid using a microbial based transformation process. The microorganism was isolated and identified. The ability of the isolated microorganism to covert tannic acid into gallic acid was determined by HPLC and enzyme production.

• Highlights

• The present investigation signifies the role of Enterobacter spp. in various processes:

• ??To synthesize gallic acid (a precursor for food oxidant such as propyl gallate) and a bacteriostatic antibiotic (trimethoprim).

• ??To protect the environment from tannery’s discharge through the process of biodegradation.

• ??To reduce the toxicity of tannins in animal feed.

     

Enzymatic Studies on the Oxidation of Sugar and Sugar Alcohol

During the course of studies on the oxidative metabolism of d-sorbitol by acetic acid bacteria, it was found that d-sorbitol was almost quantitatively converted to 5-keto-d-fructose via l-sorbose by a certain strain of Gluconobacter suboxydans. In addition to 5-keto-d-fructose, three γ-pyrone compounds, kojic acid, 5-oxymaltol, and 3-oxykojic acid, 2-keto-l-gulonate, and several organic acids such as succinic, glycolic, and glyceric acids were confirmed in the culture filtrate of this bacterium.

• The most suitable carbon source for 5-ketofructose fermentation by Gluconobacter suboxydans Strain 1 was confirmed to be d-sorbitol or l-sorbose using growing and resting cells. d-Fructose had little effect on the formation of this dicarbonylhexose.

• The optimal pH for the formation from l-sorbose by intact cells was found to be at 4.2.

• The activity of the pentose phosphate cycle in the resting cells was calculated as 13~17 μatoms/hr/mg of dry cells by the use of the manometric techniques.

• There was no strain tested so far which could accumulate a large amount of 5- keto-d-fructose from d-sorbitol except this bacterium.

• The experimental results shown in this paper makes the prediction that a certain dehydrogenating system of l-sorbose is functional in the organism, and the metabolic pathways of d-sorbitol via l-sorbose and 5-keto-d-fructose is proposed.

     

L'azione dei raggi U.V. sul Grano

Summary

In order to study a side of the influence of ultra-violet light on plants, the A. has harvested, 10 days after fertilisation, 1040 plants of Triticum vulgare Vill. and made many groups of them; then he sheared differently the ears and screened them partially from light so as to obtain, from the same subject, treated and untreated grains. Such ears he treated for different times of exposure with the light of a quarzlamp giving almost only ultra-violet rays. For the present, are here reported only results concerning the influence of ultra-violet light upon both germinating energy and power:

• ultra-violet light stimulates the germinating power of grains, born from subjects treated no longer than 240 hours at a distance of 1 m from the lamp; longer treatments abate germinating power;

• ultra-violet light stimulates, the germinating energy of grains born from subjects treated no longer than 120 hours; treatments during 120–240 hours don't notably modify it; treatments of over 240 hours reduce it very much;

• according to the conditions in which this work has been done, a 10 days-irradiation seems to be, under every point of view, for the best. A 71/2 — days irradiation seems to be insufficient, a 121/2 — days one excessive, and hence prejudicial;

• glumes are strong screening-organ for ultra-violet light;

• ultra-violet light gives late appearing effects.

Since great difficulties usually occur whenever tests such as the present one are undertaken, the A. proposes some leading ways to previously settle the U.V.-rays dosimetry fit for every plant, in order to avoid wast of time and to get data of general value.     

Staining of Negri Bodies

The following procedure for staining Negri bodies in sections is based on methods previously described by MacNeal, by Haynes, and by Richter:

Fixation:

1. 1. Zenker's solution 4 hours at 37°C or Dominici's 3 hours.

2. 2. 70% alcohol, 12 to 18 hours at room temperature.

3. 3. 80% alcohol, about 5 to 6 hours.

4. 4. 90% alcohol, about 4 to 6 hours.

5. 5. Absolute alcohol about 16 hours.

6. 6. Ether and absolute alcohol aa, about 8 hours.

7. 7. 16 to 24 hours in the following mixture: celloidin 1 g., methyl salycilate 25 cc., abs. alcohol 25 cc., ether 25 cc.

8. 8. Chloroform and paraffin, 2 to 3 hours.

9. 10. Paraffin, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

10. 11. Embed.

staining:

1. 1. Cut sections 4 to 5 μ.

2. 2. Bring section to water and cover with Lugol's iodine for 10 minutes.

3. 3. Decolorize with a 2% sodium thiosulfate (hypo).

4. 4. Wash thoroly with water.

5. 5. Cover with a mixture of equal parts of 0.5% phloxine and 1% eosin Y (National Aniline brand) and leave for 15 minutes.

6. 6. Wash with water and stain 2 to 5 minutes in 0.1% azure B (National Aniline).

7. 7. Wash with 96% alcohol and decolorize in a mixture of 2 parts absolute alcohol with 1 part clove oil, ordinarily for not more than 1/2 to 1 minute.

8. 8. Dehydrate rapidly, clear, and mount in Yucatan Elemi.

     

Induction of Catalase Activity by Hydrocarbons in Candida tropicalis рK 233

1. The catalase activity of Candida tropicalis pK 233 was induced by hydrocarbons but not by glucose, galactose, ethanol, acetate or lauryl alcohol.

2. The induction of the catalase activity depending upon hydrocarbons was sensitive to cycloheximide but not to chloramphenicol.

3. Glucose repressed strongly the induction of the catalase activity by hydrocarbons but galactose did not affect seriously.

4. When C. tropicalis was incubated with hydrocarbons, the appearance of microbodies was observed electronmicroscopicaliy.

     

On the neotropical acanthocinini (coleoptera,ceramhycidae, lamiinae) some new genera and generic revisions

In Fortführung seiner Untersuchungen über neotropische Acanthocinini veröffentlicht der Verfasser hiermit Beschreibungen von folgenden neuen Gattungen:

• Nyssodrysilla nov. gen. mit N. irrorata (Melzer) aus Brasilien als Generotype, N. viliata (Melzer), comb, nov., aus Brasilien und N. lineata nov. spec, aus Peru.

• Nyssodrysola nov. gen. mit N. stictica nov. spec. aus Peru als Generotype.

• Sciadosurus nov. gen. mit S. albobrunneus nov. spec. aus Peru als Generotype.

• Acarinozineus nov. gen. mit A. striatus nov. spec. aus Peru als Generotype und A. spinicornis nov. spec, aus Mexiko.

• Alcathousites nov. gen. mit A. chaclacayoi nov. spec. aus Peru als Generotype.

• Xylergatina nov. gen. mit X. pulcher (Lane) aus Peru als Generotype.

• Xylergatoides nov. gen. mit X. asper (Bates) aus Brasilien und Argentinien als Generotype.

Ferner werden revidiert die Gattungen:

• Xylergates Bates, Generotype X. lacteus (Bates), mit Beschreibung der beiden neuen Arten X. elaineae aus Peru und X. dorotheae aus Britisch‐Guayana.

• Chaetanes Bates, Generotype C. setiger (Bates), mit Beschreibung der drei neuen Arten C. costulatus aus Peru, C. nigrobasalis aus Brasilien und C. apicalis aus Französisch‐Guayana.

• Wo es erforderlich ist, sind Bestimmungstabellen gebracht und die Arten abgebildet.

     

Sulla stimolazione da Saccarosio della Crescita di Cotiledoni Isolati di Semi di Ricino germinanti

Abstract

The effect of sugars on growth of isolated cotyledons from germinating castor bean seeds. — The presence of sugars in the medium induces a number of biochemical and physiological changes in the cotyledons isolated from germinating castor bean seeds. In the present research, the extent and the mechanism of the effect of sugars on growth of the isolated cotyledons was investigated.

The results achieved may be summarized as follows:

• Sucrose markedly stimulates the growth (as increase of fresh weight) of the isolated cotyledons; its action is already apparent when using a 10^-2M concentration and reaches a maximum (stimulation by about 400%) for the concentration between 5.10^-2M and 1,5.10^-3M. The increase of sucrose induced growth is due in almost equal proportions to water uptake and to increase of dry weight.

• The difference (Δ P.O.) between the osmotic pressure (P.O.) of the cell sap and that of the external medium is markedly higher for the cotyledons treated with sucrose (7–8 atm.) than the Δ P.O. of cotyledons incubated in water.

• Analyses of cell contents in sugars show that sucrose is taken up by the cotyledon cells against a concentration gradient. The increase of the difference of osmotic pressure between cotyledon and the external medium is satisfactorily accounted for by this active accumulation of sugars.

• When mannitol is added to the incubating medium in addition to sucrose, the active uptake of sugar is not disturbed; but the effect of sucrose on growth decreases, and it completly disappears when mannitol concentration in the medium is such, to make the value of Δ P.O. for the cotyledons in sucrose plus mannitol equal to the Δ P.O. for the cotyledons incubated in water.

• Besides increasing the P.O. in the cotyledons, sucrose markedly accelerates the decrease of free aminoacid in the isolated cotyledons.

• Auxin (β—indolacetic acid) does not stimulate, or stimulates weakly, growth of the cotyledon incubated in water; some stimulation can be observed only when sucrose is present. Gibberellic acid stimulates growth (though to a much lower extent than sucrose) in the cotyledons in water, while its action does no longer appear when sugar is present.

The decrease of free aminoacid together with other observations, indicates an effect of sucrose on protein metabolism; however, growth stimulation by sucrose seems to depend essentially on its active accumulation - against a concentration gradient - and thuson the increase of osmotic pressure. It is thus suggested that in these tissues osmotic pressure is the most important factor in limiting growth by cell extension.     

Embriologia Della “Vinca Difformis„ Pourr. (Apocinaceae)

Riassunto

L'A. ha studiato l'embriogia della Vinea difformis Pourr. ed ha potuto stabilire che:

1. l'archisporio è pluricellulare e possono svilupparis talvolta pi[ugrave] cellule madri;

2. normalmente solo una cellula madre arriva a maturità;

3. delle quattro megaspore solo una è fertile e precisamente la pi[ugrave] calazale;

4. lo sviluppo del gametofito è del tipo Normale cioè Monomegasporiale con oangio emisporiale.

Ha inoltre risontrato una anomalia di sviluppo constituita da un gametofito binucleato abnorme per ritardo delle divisioni nucleari cispetto all'acerescimento che è quello di un gametofito ottonucleato.     

Protective Actions of l-Aspartate from Acid or Proteolytic Inactivation

1. l-Aspartate was found to replace l-asparagine in the protective action from acid inactivation of l-asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1) produced by Escherichia coli A–1–3 and at the same time to inhibit the proteolytic inactivation by α-chymotrypsin.

2. l-Asparaginase changed in its chromatographic properties in the presence of l-aspartate and became to be absorbed on the CM Sephadex column.

3. The sedimentation patterns of l-asparaginase at pH 3.5 were identical either in the presence or absence of l-aspartate, showing partial dissociation. But the reversibility to the active state was observed only in the enzyme dissolved in the solution containing l-aspartate.

4. l-Aspartate did not prevent the enzyme either from the dissociation into subunits or from decrease in the activity by urea.

5. High concentration of l-aspartate was shown to inhibit the l-asparagine hydrolysis reaction.

6. l-Aspartate was suggested from ORD measurements to cause changes in the higher structure as well as the ionic properties or proteolytic inactivation.

     

Conformation of Some Hexuronic Acids and d-Galactopyranosiduronic Acid Moiety in the Peracetylated and Permethylated Derivatives of Orange Pectic Acid in Solutions

1. The 1C conformation was estimated for α-d-galactopyranosiduronic acid moiety of pectic acid in the permethylated derivative dissolved in 1 n NaOD-D₂O and in the peracetylated derivative dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide-d₆, and the C1 conformation was estimated for some derivatives of d-galactopyranuronic acid in chloroform-d by NMR spectroscopy.

2. Random conformation of the whole macromolecule was estimated for pectic acid in water on the basis of no appearance of any induced Cotton effects in the 200 ~ 700 mμ region in the ORD spectra of pectic acid-anionic dye complexes.

3. The conformation was supported by the fact that the rate of periodate oxidation of pectic acid at 5° was slightly decreased in comparison with that of amylase in 7 m urea solution.

     

Removal of Anti-complementary Material and Australia Antigen from Immunoglobulin

Inmunoglobulin isolated from human sera, be it by the cryo-alcohol, rivanol, multi membrane electrodecantation or polyethylene glycol process, alvays contains denatured material. This may result from the influence either singly or in combination, of acme of the follwing factors:

1. inefficiency of the purification procedure;

2. surface denaturation;

3. imperfect freeze-drying of the final product; and

4. factors yet unknown vhich cause alteration in the immoglobulins or other protein components not ellminated by the purification procedures.

     

Assimilative Pathway of Methanol in Candida sp. Incorporation of 14C-Methanol, 14C-Formaldehyde, 14C-Formate and 14C-Bicarbonate into Cell Constituents

1. The incorporation of ¹⁴C-methanol, ¹⁴C-formaldehyde, ¹⁴C-formate and ¹⁴C-bicarbonate into a methanol-utilizing yeast, Candida N–16, was examined by paper-chromato-graphy and radioautography.

2. At the earliest time period examined, the highest percentage of radioactivity fixed from ¹⁴C-methanol or ¹⁴C-formaIdehyde into methanol-grown cells was found in fructose phosphate. The percentage distribution of radioactivity in fructose phosphate decreased as time elapsed. The radioactivity fixed from these compounds into glucose-grown cells was negligible compared with that fixed into methanol-grown cells.

3. The incorporation of ¹⁴C-formate into methanol-grown cells was extremely low. The highest percentage of radioactivity fixed for short time incubation was found in serine. The incorporation pattern of glucose-grown cells was similar to that of methanol-grown cells.

4. At the earliest time period, over 70% of radioactivity fixed from ¹⁴C-bicarbonate into methanol- or glucose-grown cells was found in aspartate.

5. These results suggest that in Candida N–16 methanol is specifically assimilated by a route with hexose phosphate as a primary stable intermediate.

     

Visual shape discrimination in the fiddler crab,Uca pugilator

1. Research into the visual shape discrimination abilities of compound‐eyed animals has almost exclusively been limited to insects, the crustaceans having been virtually ignored. The two groups have many dissimilarities, having primarily adapted in different habitats to different lifestyles. Differences may exist in visual systems and visually mediated behavior.

2. Fiddler crabs (Uca pugilator), without training, differentially approached dissimilar silhouettes presented simultaneously, demonstrating visual discrimination between stationary, geometric shapes of equal‐area. The strength of response was ordered hierarchically: vertical rectangle, horizontal rectangle, triangle, square, circle.

3. Basic geometric shapes were used to facilitate replication and comparison with research findings from other species.

     

Fenomeni di Inattivazione e di Riattivazione Enzimatica in Endospermi di semi di Ricino

Abstract

Inactivation and riactivation of enzymes in endosperms of castor bean seeds. — On the basis of previous results, the possibility has been investigated of the reversible interconversion of active and inactive form of enzymes in castor bean seeds, during their development.

The results described here indicate that:

1. the activity of some glycolytic enzymes increases greatly (81% and 400% increase of, respectively, Gl-6-P-dehydrogenase and aldolase) upon incubation of dry seeds for few hours at 4 °C.

2. The decrease of enzyme activity upon dehydration of seeds and the increase during the subsequent imbibition can be shown reproducibly.

3. This same observation is made for oxygen uptake.

These results are interpreted to indicate the reversible inactivation of enzymes caused by dehydration of seeds.     

Biochemical Effects of Gamma Radiation on Potato and Sweet Potato Tissues

Relationship between the chemical constituents of tobacco leaves and the gaseous constituents of cigarette smoke from which K value¹⁾ was computed was discussed and the following presuppositions were demonstrated to be correct.

1. Fibrous substances in tobacco leaves are the main precursors of acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, acrolein, acetone, methylethylketone, diacetyl, methanol, furan, an unknown compound, No. 6 and an unknown compound, No. 16 in cigarette smoke.

2. Sugars in tobacco leaves are the main precursors of 2-methylfuran and 2,5-dimethyl- furan in cigarette smoke.

3. Resinous substances in tobacco leaves are the main precursors of isoprene and an unknown compound, No. 2 in cigarette smoke.

     

Influence d'éclairements brefs, à différentes longeurs d'onde,sur les variations circadiennes des activités enzymatiques digestives chez Palaemon serratus (Crustacea,Natantia)

Abstract

The Influence of Short Periods of Lighting with Different Wavelengths on the Orcadian Changes of the Enzymatic Digestive Activities in Palaemon serratus (Crustacea, Natantia)

The effect of light on the circadian rhythms of digestive activities in the Shrimp Palaemon serratus have been studied.

1. Continuous darkness leads in a few days to a disappearance of the variations of the circadian rhythms of digestive enzymes while these rhythms go on in continuous light.

2. Short (1 or 2 hrs) and low intensity flashes of white light are effective in bringing on the reappearance of rhythmic variations in darkness.

3. We have been able to establish an isoquantic spectrum of action of the light. Two values of wavelength appears to account for a maximum sensibility of the shrimp: one in ultraviolet light and an other one, more important, in the green (λ=544 nm).

4. In green light it is possible to obtain the same effect of light by decreasing the time of stimulation to 5 or 10 mn and in increasing the total quantity of energy. Significant responses are obtained with total energy greater than 10000 pE. cm^‐2.

     

Some properties of turnip yellow mosaic virus isolated from hybrid Brassica Perko PVH in Yugoslavia

Anhand mikroskopischer Untersuchungen und durch Mittelversuche an A. pisum wurden folgende Kenntnisse zur Endosymbiose gewonnen:

• In L₃‐Stadien von A. pisum sind zwischen 55 und 85 potentielle Bakteriocyten vorhanden, von dene ca. 60–80 % besiedelt sind.

• Eine Reduktion des besiedelten Anteils in der F₁‐Generation auf unter 50% läßt eine deutliche Depression in der F₂‐Generation erwarten.

• Das Kriterium Embryonenlänge ist großen Schwankungen unterworfen und eignet sich nur bedingt als Unterscheidungsmerkmal.

• Die von Fröhlich (1990) vorgeschlagene Methodik zum Symbiontizidscreening bei A. pisum mit dem Standard OTC 2000 ppm und der Auszählung der mit TTC angefärbten Bakteriocyten unter dem Mikroskop läßt eine praktikable Testung von Substanzen auf symbiontizide Wirkung bei A. pisum zu. Es wird jedoch als günstiger angesehen, nicht die Larven mit den Pflanzen zu behandeln, wie von Fröhlich (1990) vorgeschlagen, sondern erst nach dem Antrocknen des Spritzbelages Adulte zur Erzeugung von F₁‐Larven anzusetzen.

• Es konnte eindeutig nachgewiesen werden, daß die von den Prüfsubstanzen hervorgerufenen aphiziden Effekte, insbesondere durch Cycloheximid (100/500 ppm) sowie Neemkernextrakt (50%), nicht auf einem symbiontiziden Wirkungsmechanismus beruhen (Ausnahme Oxytetracyclin 2000 ppm als Standard).

     

Ecological Risk Assessment and Quantitative Consequence Analysis

Ecological risk actually refers to two separate things. First, risk to the environment as a result of human activity. Contaminated sites are an example. Second, risk to the biota—flora, fauna, and people—as a result of environmental hazards. Geophysical risk arising from natural hazards is an example. Risk is a combination of likelihoods and consequences. This article examines methods used to quantify the consequences. At the general level, such methods are linked to the methods used to quantify the likelihoods and thus to quantify the risks. It is possible to use the existing frameworks of risk management, health risk assessment, and ecological risk analysis to develop a risk management framework that is suitable for ecological risk assessment. The framework consists of the following steps:

1. Determine concernsby using risk assessment techniques for various scenarios.

2. Identify the consequences by systematically identifying hazards.

3. Undertake calculations by using relevant models.

4. Evaluate certainties, uncertainties, and probabilities involved in the calculations of the vulnerability and of the exposure.

5. Compare with criteriato assess the need for further action.

6. Determine and act on options to control, mitigate, and adapt to the risk.

7. Communicatethe results to those who need to know.

     

Status and Conservation of Prince Ruspoli's Turaco Tauraco ruspolii

Borghesio, L. & Massa, R. 2000. Status and conservation of Prince Ruspoli's Turaco Tauraco tuspolii. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 355–358.

Prince Ruspoli's Turaco is an Ethiopian endemic, distributed in a small region at the southern border of the Abyssinian Plateau. Owing to the difficulty of visiting its secluded range, little information is available on its current conservation status. Based on the available data, it is currently considered endangered in the IUCN criteria. In order to evaluate the conservation status of T. ruspolii, field work was carried out during spring 1995. The results of the survey were as follows:

1. the species was found in 26 localities, including all of those previously reported by other authors, and had an area of occurrence about 6 500 km²

2. the population of T. ruspolii was censused by means of linear transects, giving an estimate of about 10 000 individuals.

3. T ruspolii frequents mostly forest margins and relatively dry Acacia woodlands. These habitats are less severely threatened by human activity than true forests in present day Ethiopia.

4. since T. ruspolii and the related T. leucotis usually occur in different habitats (the latter preferring wetter forest) competition is not likely to be a severe threat for T. tuspolii.

5. the species is subject to some egg collecting by local people, but probably not to a severe extent. Other direct human persecution was not recorded.

6. although there is no hint of numerical decrease in the past, this is likely to occur in the future, as consequence of the increasing human pressure in the region.

These results are evaluated and discussed. It is consequently proposed that Prince Ruspolii's Turaco should be considered as a Vulnerable species instead of Endangered in the IUCN criteria.