Quantification of Compositional Changes of Petroleum Hydrocarbons by GC/FID and GC/MS during a Long-Term Bioremediation Experiment

Samples from a long-term bioremediation experiment contaminated with two crude oils, Arabian Heavy and Gullfax, was used to analyze the compositional change of petroleum hydrocarbons. A time course of five different homologous series of petroleum hydrocarbons were analysed by GC/FID and GC/MS. The homologous series were n-alkanes, acyclic isoprenoids, alkylated naphthalenes, alkylated phenanthrenes, and alkylated dibenzothiophenes. Several biomarker compounds were monitored during the experiment to evaluate the possible use as conserved reference compounds for the quantification of other oil compounds, that is, nor-hopanes, hopanes, methyl-hopanes, steranes, mono- og triaromatic steranes. The 17α(H),21β(H)-hopane was found to be stable toward biodegradation and was used as reference compound. The internal standard quantification method was used to quantify changes of the homologous series of oil compounds, and a graphic presentation was used to compare the decrease of the individual compounds. This was found to be an easy way of comparing relative changes in oil. The disappearance of the compounds was extensive and in 6 to 7 months less than 6% remained. The decrease of the n-alkanes (>C15) and acyclic isoprenoids was almost uniform within each homologous series and thus independent of physical-chemical characteristics. Evaporation affected compounds with boiling points lower than n-C15. The alkylated aromatic and sulfur-aromatic compounds decreased according to the degree of alkylation and the decrease showed to be delayed by 10 to 20% by each additional alkyl group. The lack of isomeric-specific degradation of most of the aromatic and sulfur-aromatic compounds, until extensive decrease in concentration had occurred, suggests these compounds have to be dissolved, before any biodegradation occurs.     

Structural specificity of aromatic compounds with special reference to mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium--a series of chloro- or fluoro-nitrobenzene derivatives

The mutagenicity of 21 chloro- or fluoronitrobenzene compounds and 9 chloro- or fluorobenzene compounds in Salmonella typhimurium (strains TA98, TA1538, TA1537, TA100 and TA1535) was examined. The tests were carried out under the conditions of absence and presence of liver microsomal activation. 15 nitro-group compounds had mutagenic activity; above all, compounds of fluoronitrobenzene were mutagenic for both types of strain. On the other hand, chloronitrobenzene compounds were mutagenic for base-pair substitution strains only. Mutagenic activity was exhibited by all compounds having a chloro or fluoro substituent at the para and ortho position in the nitrobenzene nucleus. All compounds without a nitro substituent showed no mutagenic activity.     

Effect of Glucose on the Interaction of Hydrophobic Compounds with the Alanine Receptor Field of Bacillus subtilis Spores during Initiation of Germination

Glucose interfered with the inhibitory action of hydrophobic compounds, such as n-octanol, diphenylamine and 2-tert-butylphenol, during L-alanine-initiated germination of Bacillus subtilis spores. The action of glucose on the action of the hydrophobic compounds was not competitive, and the binding affinity of glucose was not essentially affected by the hydrophobic compounds, indicating the presence of separate binding sites for glucose and the hydrophobic compounds. The binding affinity of D-alanine, a competitive inhibitor of L-alanine, was not affected by the hydrophobic compounds, indicating separate binding sites for D-alanine and the hydrophobic compounds. A possible arrangement of the binding sites for glucose and for the hydrophobic compounds in relation to those for L- and D-alanine on the spores is discussed.     

A method for screening enzyme inhibitors using size exclusion chromatography and ESI-LC-MS/MS

A pilot study was performed for the development of a method to screen compound libraries using an electrospray mass spectrometer interfaced with liquid chromatography (LC). The mixture of compounds was obtained by combining low-molecular weight inhibitors of carboxypeptidase A (CPA), a representative zinc-containing proteolytic enzyme. After the incubation of the mixture with CPA, the enzyme-bound compounds were separated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) from unbound compounds. The separation of compounds was affected by LC. Three compounds were identified, which represent the tight binding inhibitors of the library. These compounds were quantitated using an automatic switching valve to avoid the interference of buffer salts with the detection of analytes. The quantitated amounts of the compounds were found to be in good accordance with the K(i) values.     

Optical biosensor for simultaneous detection of captan and organophosphorus compounds

The optical biosensor consisting of GST and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-immobilized gel film was developed to detect captan and organophosphorus compounds simultaneously in contaminated water. The sensing scheme was based on the measurement of decrease of products formation (s-(2,4-dinitrobenzene) glutathione and alpha-naphthol by GST and AChE, respectively) due to the inhibition by captan and organophosphorus compounds. The absorbance of s-(2,4-dinitrobenzene) glutathione and alpha-naphthol was detected at 400 and 500 nm, respectively, by a proposed optical biosensor system. It was observed that AChE was inhibited by both captan and organophosphorus compounds, and GST was inhibited only by captan. The simultaneous detection and quantification of captan and organophosphorus compounds could be successfully achieved by the proposed sensor system. The proposed biosensor could successfully detect the captan and organophosphorus compounds concentration from 0 to 2 ppm.     

Highly oxygenated sesquiterpenes from the liverwort Trocholejeunea sandvicensis

Four pinguisane type sesquiterpenes were isolated from the liverwort Trocholejeunea scandvicensis, together with three aromatic compounds. The structures of the cited compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic means. The first two compounds were new sesquiterpenes, while the other compounds were previously isolated from other liverworts and lichen sp., respectively. The stereochemistry for lejeuneapinguisanolide was determined by X-ray analysis, a possible biosynthetic pathway to it was postulated. The other new sesquiterpene is lejeuneapinguisenone.     

Production of volatile organic compounds by the yeast fungus Dipodascus aggregatus

Summary The yeast fungus Dipodascus aggregatus was grown aerobically in a synthetic nutrient solution and the volatile compounds produced were concentrated. Identification of the volatiles was performed by combined gas chromatographymass spectrometry or by one of these methods. The compounds identified were 11 esters, 9 alcohols, 5 acids and 3 carbonyls.The time course production of volatile neutral compounds was followed. During the phase of no apparent growth only a few substances were formed (mostly alcohols). The rapid phase of growth was characterized by an intense synthesis of many compounds in relatively high concentrations and later a sudden decrease in the number and amounts of substances. A slow successive, decline in the number and amounts of volatile components was observed during the phase of no net growth.The volatiles emitted by the fungus were concentrated, when most of the compounds were most abundant and the relative amounts of the major volatile neutral compounds were determined. The main components were ethyl acetate, ethyl propionate and ethanol.     

Antioxidative activity of some quaternary ammonium salts incorporated into erythrocyte membranes

The antioxidative activity of two series of amphiphilic compounds from a group of quaternary ammonium salts has been investigated. They were so-called bifunctional surfactants synthesized to be used as common pesticides or as antioxidants. The latter application was to be ensured by providing the compounds studied with an antioxidant group. Studies on antioxidative possibilities of those compounds were performed on pig erythrocytes. Due to their hydrophobic parts, they anchor in the erythrocyte membrane and influence the degree of lipid oxidation in the erythrocyte membrane subjected to UV radiation. It was found that compounds of both series decreased the oxidation of the membrane lipids. The inhibition of this oxidation increased with the length of their hydrophobic chains up to fourteen carbon atoms. The compounds of the longest hydrophobic chains showed a somewhat weaker antioxidative activity. Of the two series studied compounds were more effective having bromide ions as counterions. The corresponding compounds of a second series (chlorides) protected erythrocyte significantly weaker against oxidation. The effect of the compounds on fluidity of the erythrocyte membrane has been studied in order to explain the oxidation results. Change in fluidity of the erythrocyte ghost membranes was found also dependent on length of the hydrophobic part of the compounds and was more pronounced in the case of bromide surfactants. The final conclusion is that the compounds studied can be succesfully used as antioxidant agents of good efficacy.     

Antifungal compounds from induced Conium maculatum L.plants

The study has shown that furanocoumarins are the predominant antifungal compounds in Conium maculatum. These are found constitutively in the healthy plant but the amounts of these compounds in induced tissue may increase markedly in some cases, e.g. the concentration of isopimpinellin increased by 103-fold in the CuCl₂ induced leaves compared with that in the control. Since these compounds increase largely as a result of chemical stress these compounds can be considered, at least in part, as stress compounds. Variation in the amount and proportion of the antifungal compounds was observed in our study following treatment with various biotic and abiotic elicitors. CuCl₂ produced the largest increase in the amounts of antifungal compounds. The simple coumarin, umbelliferone was the main induced compound in the CuCl₂ treated leaves, xanthotoxin in inoculated leaves and in CuCl₂ treated seedlings of C. maculatum. Variation was also observed in the rate of accumulation of individual compounds using the unspecific elicitor CuCl₂.     

Cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, antioxidant activity and interaction of dibenzoxanthenes derivatives with DNA

In this study, we report the DNA interaction and cytotoxicity of four dibenzoxanthene compounds 1-4. The binding behaviors of these compounds to calf thymus DNA were studied by absorption titration, viscosity measurements. The DNA binding constants of compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 are 5.05×10(4), 2.13×10(3), 5.10×10(4), and 3.03×10(3) M(-1), respectively. The lipophilicity of the compounds was determined by the shake flask method. The cytotoxicity of these compounds has been assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. These compounds exhibit high activity against BEL-7402, Hela, MG-63, and SKBR-3 cells. The cell cycle arrest was analyzed by flow cytometry. These compounds inhibit S phase of BEL-7402 and SKBR-3 cells. The experiments on antioxidant activity show that these compounds exhibit good antioxidant activity against hydroxyl radical ((?)OH).     

Formation of flavor of dry champignons (Agaricus bisporus L.)

The composition of aroma compounds of dry champignons (Agaricus bisporus L.) were identified using capillary gas chromatography and chromatography-mass spectrometry. In total, 56 compounds were identified. It was found that the flavor of dry mushrooms was formed by the volatile compounds produced as a result of enzymatic and oxidative conversion of unsaturated fatty acids as well as in the Maillard reaction. Unsaturated alcohols and ketones containing eight carbon atoms determined the mushroom note of the product. The specific aroma of dry mushrooms was determined by a complex composition of substituted sul- fur-, oxygen-, and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds as well as by aliphatic carbonyl compounds and methional. It was found that the concentrations of volatile carbonylic and heterocyclic compounds increased after the addition of a mixture of amino acids to mushrooms before drying. As a result, the intensity of the aroma of dry mushrooms increased.     

苯并异噻唑啉酮类化合物的生物活性研究

对合成的5种苯并异噻唑啉酮类化合物进行了生物活性研究。抑菌试验结果表明,化合物a与化合物b对大肠杆菌最小抑菌浓度为12.5mg/L。对金黄色葡萄球菌都表现出良好的抑菌活性。对亚心形扁藻,蛋白核小球藻,球等鞭金藻,化合物都有抑制其生长的活性,亚心形扁藻耐受性最高,球等鞭金藻的耐受性最低,蛋白核小球藻的耐受性居中。     

Protective action of aromatic compounds against cold-shock injuries in boar spermatozoa.

Butylated hydroxytoluene has been known to protect spermatozoa from cold shock injury. To determine whether such protective action is a common property of aromatic compounds, the effect of 14 hydrophobic and 2 hydrophilic aromatic compounds on the protection of boar spermatozoa from cold shock was investigated. The majority of the hydrophobic compounds tested provided protection; the hydrophilic compounds were ineffective. Of the aromatic compounds tested, naphthalene was most effective in reducing the effect of cold shock on motility and acrosomal integrity of boar spermatozoa.     

Gas Chromatographic and Mass Spectral Analyses of Heated Flavor Compounds of Beef Fats

The volatile compounds from beef fats heated under the cooking condition-145°C, l0 min-were isolated, and nonacidic compounds separated from them were further fractionated into five fractions by silicic acid column chromatography. The odor of nonacidic compounds significantly resembled the heated flavor of beef fats. Several carbonyl compounds, hydrocarbons, alcohols, lactones and pyrazine compounds in the fractionated compounds were identified with the techniques of gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Their possible contribution to the heated beef fat flavor was discussed. The typical heated flavor could probably be ascribed to a proper combination of aldehydes, ketones, esters and sulfur-containing compounds.     

Gastroprotective and ulcer-healing effect of new solidagenone derivatives in human cell cultures

The labdane diterpene solidagenone 1 and its semisynthetic and biotransformation derivatives 2-10 were assessed for gastroprotective and ulcer-healing effect using human epithelial gastric cells (AGS) and human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5). The ability of the compounds to protect the AGS cells against the damage induced by sodium taurocholate (NaT), to stimulate the cellular reduced glutathione (GSH), prostaglandin E(2) content, enhance AGS and MRC-5 cell proliferation and to scavenge superoxide anion in vitro was studied. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was assessed towards MRC-5 fibroblasts and AGS cells. A significant reduction of cell damage after NaT incubation was observed when the AGS cells were pretreated with compounds 2 and 6. Treatment with compounds 4-6, 8 and 9 significantly stimulated the GSH content in AGS cell cultures. None of the studied compounds was active as a superoxide anion scavenger. In AGS cells treated with compounds 1-10, only compound 5 was able to increase prostaglandin content. Concerning the proliferation assays, a significant stimulating effect was observed for compounds 2, 8, 9 on AGS cells and for 5, 7-9 on MRC-5 fibroblasts. Regarding cytotoxicity, solidagenone showed higher toxicity while compounds 4 and 7 were the less toxic. Our results showed that most of the studied compounds act in vitro as gastroprotectors increasing the cellular GSH content. Additionally, some derivatives exhibited in vitro ulcer-healing effect stimulating the cell proliferation.     

Substrate interactions during aerobic biodegradation of benzene.

This study dealt with the interactions with benzene degradation of the following aromatic compounds in a mixed substrate: toluene, o-xylene, naphthalene, 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrrole. The experiment was performed as a factorial experiment with simple batch cultures. The effect of two different types of inocula was tested. One type of inoculum was grown on a mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons; the other was grown on a mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen-, sulfur-, and oxygen-containing aromatic compounds (NSO compounds), similar to some of the compounds identified in creosote waste. The culture grown on the aromatic hydrocarbons and NSO compounds was much less efficient in degrading benzene than the culture grown on only aromatic hydrocarbons. The experiments indicated that toluene- and o-xylene-degrading bacteria are also able to degrade benzene, whereas naphthalene-, 1,,4-dimethylnaphthalene-, and phenanthrene-degrading bacteria have no or very little benzene-degrading ability. Surprisingly, the stimulating effect of toluene and o-xylene was true only if the two compounds were present alone. In combination an antagonistic effect was observed, i.e., the combined effect was smaller than the sum from each of the compounds. The reason for this behavior has not been identified. Pyrrole strongly inhibited benzene degradation even at concentrations of about 100 to 200 micrograms/liter. Future studies will investigate the generality of these findings.     

新型二氢嘧啶类化合物的合成及其抗乙型肝炎病毒活性研究

以芳香氰基化合物为起始原料,经胺解、乙酰化、催化氢化、关环等步骤得到新型二氢嘧啶类化合物14个,结构通过核磁共振氢谱、质谱、元素分析确证,并利用HepG2.2.15细胞进行了体外抗HBV活性评价.结果表明部分化合物具有明显的抗HBVDNA复制作用,其中化合物5c和5n抑制HBVDNA复制的半数有效浓度分别为0.87μmol/L和0.67μmol/L.初步探讨了活性化合物的构效关系,同时运用分子排阻色谱法考察了活性化合物与病毒衣壳蛋白的相互作用.     

Heterocyclic cellular lipid peroxidation inhibitors inspired by the marine antioxidant barettin

The marine environment remains a rich source for the discovery and development of novel bioactive compounds. The present paper describes the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a library of small molecule heterocyclic mimetics of the marine 2,5-diketopiperazine barettin which is a powerful natural antioxidant. By mainly focusing on the influence from the brominated indole and heterocyclic core of barettin, a library of 19 compounds was prepared. The compounds comprised a heterocyclic core, either a 2,5 diketopiperazine, an imidazolidinedione or a thioxothiazolidinone, which were mainly monosubstituted with ranging bulky substituents. The prepared compounds were screened for activity in a cellular lipid peroxidation assay using HepG2 cells. Several of the synthetic compounds showed antioxidant properties superior to the positive control barettin. Two of the prepared compounds displayed inhibitory activity similar to commercial antioxidants with significant inhibition at low µg/mL concentrations. The toxicity of the compounds was also investigated against MRC-5 lung fibroblasts and none of the included compounds displayed any toxicity at 50 µg/mL.     

New ligand-based approach for the discovery of antitrypanosomal compounds

The antitrypanosomal activity of 10 already synthesized compounds was in silico predicted as well as in vitro and in vivo explored against Trypanosoma cruzi. For the computational study, an approach based on non-stochastic linear fingerprints to the identification of potential antichagasic compounds is introduced. Molecular structures of 66 organic compounds, 28 with antitrypanosomal activity and 38 having other clinical uses, were parameterized by means of the TOMOCOMD-CARDD software. A linear classification function was derived allowing the discrimination between active and inactive compounds with a confidence of 95%. As predicted, seven compounds showed antitrypanosomal activity (%AE>70) against epimastigotic forms of T. cruzi at a concentration of 100mug/mL. After an unspecific cytotoxic assay, three compounds were evaluated against amastigote forms of the parasite. An in vivo test was carried out for one of the studied compounds.     

Isolation, purification, and partial chemical characterization of chromium(III) fractions existing in brewer's yeast and Sabouraud's liquid medium.

An ethanol extract of brewer's yeast which had been cultivated in a medium containing trivalent 51Cr was analyzed for 51Cr compounds by using petroleum ether extraction, gel filtration, cation and anion exchange chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Similar analytical procedures as for the above analysis were used for studying 51Cr compounds formed in the spent culture medium and in a sterile medium. Several 51Cr fractions were isolated from the three chromium sources, but one anionic 51Cr fraction present in the yeast and in the spent culture medium was not found in the sterile medium. Molecular weight estimations of the 51Cr fractions by gel filtration chromatography showed that the 51Cr ion exchange fractions contained several 51Cr compounds. The molecular weights of these compounds ranged from 150 to 1000 daltons and the molecular weights of 51Cr compounds separated from the yeast were markedly lower than those of the corresponding ion exchange fractions isolated from the culture medium. By using thin layer chromatography it was possible to isolate 51Cr compounds from the main bulk of ninhydrin active impurities. The polarity of all 51Cr compounds was found to be greater than that of most amino acids. The 51Cr compounds isolated from the yeast were mixed with 125I-insulin and incubated, after which the solution was eluted through Sephadex G-50 gel to test if binding had occurred. Elution peaks of 51Cr and 125I-insulin showed that 51Cr compounds were not bound to the insulin.