Methyl Linoleate Dimer and Methyl 8-Phenyloctanoate in the Copper-catalyzed Decomposition Products of Methyl Linoleate Hydroperoxides

Cochliophilin A (5-hydroxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavone, 1), known as a host-specific attractant towards the zoospores of Aphanomyces cochlioides, a cause of root rot and damping-off diseases of Chenopodiaceae, was found in the Amaranthaceae plant, Celosia cristata, that is susceptible to the pathogen. The content of 1 in Celosia seedlings was quantified as 1.4 μg/g fresh weight. A new isoflavone, cristatein (5-hydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-7,2′-dimethoxyisoflavone, 2), and five known flavonoids were also identified.     

Structures of Dimers Produced from Methyl Linoleate during Initial Stage of Autoxidation

A structural investigation on the main fraction of dimers formed during the induction period of autoxidation in methyl linoleate (ML) was carried out. The dimeric fraction (A₂), which was isolated from the autoxidized ML (POV= 18) by various Chromatographic techniques and gave a single spot on TLC, was further separated into four major components (components 1–4) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The mean molecular weights of these components were found to be 643–655 and component 4 gave the parent peak 652 on an FD-mass spectrum which corresponded to 2 × ML + 4O. The reduced products of each component with stannous chloride were identified in common as methyl 9- or 13-hydroxy octadecadienoate and methyl 9,13-dihydroxy octadecenoate by GC-MS. These results show that all of these dimers contained a peroxide bridge linking between a pair of MLs across C-9 or C-13 on one of the MLs and C-9 or C-13 on the other, with a hydroperoxy group.     

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Monohydro-peroxide Isomers and Their Secondary Oxidation Productsof Methyl Linoleate and Methyl Linolenate

Emulsions of methyl linoleate monohydroperoxides (18:2-monoHP) and methyl linolenate monohydroperoxides (18: 3-monoHP) were incubated with ferrous sulfate and ascorbic acid. Gas chromatography mass spectrometric analysis of the trimethylsilyl and te^butyldimethylsilyl derivatives of the reaction products showed that isomerization and secondary oxidation happen competitively during decomposition of 18:2-monoHP, while the secondary oxidation reaction proceeds preferentially and little isomerization is observed in 18: 3-monoHP. It is suggested that 18:3-monoHP is more susceptible to secondary oxidation than 18:2-monoHP because of 18:3 specific secondary oxidation resulting in hydroperoxy-cyclic peroxides and dihydroperoxides. Moreover, an experiment using ¹⁸0₂ has demonstrated that molecular oxygen is scrambled by isomerization and secondary oxidation. It was confirmed that molecular oxygen is attached preferentially to the C-13 position in the 9-monoHP isomer and C-9 position in the 13-monoHP isomer during degradation of 18:2-monoHP.     

Quenching Effect of Tocopherols on the Methyl Linoleate Photooxidation and Their Oxidation Products

The quenching effect of α-, γ- and δ-tocopherols on the methylene blue sensitized photo- oxidation of methyl linoleate was investigated, and the ¹O₂. quenching ability of tocopherols was determined. The ¹O₂ quenching rate constants for α-, γ- and δ-tocopherols in ethanol were estimated to be 2.6 × 10⁸ m^?1 sec^?1, 1.8 × 10⁸ m^?1 sec^?1 and 1.0 × 10⁸ m^?1 sec^?1, respectively. And the rate constants for the chemical reaction between each tocopherol and ¹O₂ were 6.6 × 10⁶ m^?1 sec^?1, 2.6 × 10⁶ m^?1 sec^?1 and 0.7 × 10⁶ m^?1 sec^?1 for α-, γ- and δ-tocopherols, respectively. The results show that α-tocopherol is the most effective compound toward ¹O₂ among the three tocopherols. The photooxidation of each tocopherol produced two peroxides which, after chemical reduction, were identified to be tocopherol hydroquinone by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The photooxidation mechanism of these tocopherols was assumed to be different from that of autoxidation.     

The Photoxidative Alteration of Chlorophylls in Methyl Linoleate and Prooxidant Activity of Their Decomposition Products

Methyl linoleate containing chlorophylls and/or pheophytins was exposed to light in the presence of oxygen. The photooxidative reaction of both chlorophylls a and b was first-order, and the reaction rate for chlorophyll a was higher than that for chlorophyll b. On the other hand, pheophytins a and b hardly decomposed even after irradiation for 24 hr, and retained a green or a brownish-green color. In qualitative analysis of the photooxidation products of chlorophylls a and b, no pheophytins or pheophorbides were detected, while green and polar red pigments were observed on a thin layer chromatogram near the spot of chlorophyll and the origin, respectively. These photooxidation compounds also had prooxidant effects as well as did chlorophyll.     

Degradation Process of Autoxidized Methyl Linoleate

Methyl linoleate (ML) and methyl linoleate hydroperoxides (MLHPO) were degradated by incubating under an aerobic condition at 37°C for a week. Identification of secondary degradation products (SP) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that the high proportions of hexanal, methyl octanoate and 8-formyl methyl octanoate (8-FMO) were found in degradated ML or MLHPO. In degradation of MLHPO, the decrease of peroxide value (POV) was slower than that of conjugated diene. In the earlier stage, POV was scarcely decreased, but in the later stage, MLHPO disappeared and another secondary hydroperoxides were produced. ML decreased linearly during 4-day incubation and the amount reached to 10% of the original one. The formation of 8-FMO was delayed to the increase of POV. Degradation process of autoxidized ML was discussed with the changes of POV, UV absorption and the amount of 8-FMO, and a formation mechanism of some SP was proposed.     

Autoxidation and Photosensitized Oxidation of Methyl Eicosapentaenoate: Secondary Oxidation Products

Methyl eicosapentaenoate (methyl 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoate) was subjected to autoxidation and methylene blue-sensitized photooxidation. The secondary oxidation products were separated, and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The autoxidation products included hydroperoxy endoperoxide isomers, prostaglandin-like hydroperoxy bicyclic endoperoxide isomers and 5,18-dihydroperoxide. The photosensitized oxidation products included only dihydroperoxide isomers as the secondary products.     

Influence of Linoleate Hydroperoxide Minor Isomers on GLC Analysis of Oleate Hydroperoxides

The distribution of the methylcitric acid cycle and the modified ^-oxidation pathway for propionate catabolism was surveyed in yeasts and filamentous fungi, mainly by comparing the activities of the key enzymes. All the six tested species of filamentous fungi belonging to five genera and 21 species of yeasts belonging to eleven genera were found to catabolize propionate through the methylcitric acid cycle, with the exception of Candida rugosa and one group of strains of C. catenulata, which catabolize propionate through the ß-oxidation pathway. From the observed diversity of propionate catabolism among closely related strains or species, it was assumed that different minor pathways evolved from universal metabolic pathways, such as the citric acid cycle and the ^-oxidation pathway for fatty acids, in later stages of an evolutionary history.     

Structures of Monohydroperoxides Produced from Chlorophyll Sensitized Photooxidation of Methyl Linoleate

The effects on growth and mortality of larvae of pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella, Saunders), bollworm (Heliothis zea, Boddie) and tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens, F.) of adding selected C₁₀–C₁₂ fatty acid methyl esters to a standard diet were determined. The antibiotic activity of straight chain saturated esters was compared to the activity of esters with an olefinic bond either at C-2 or terminally or with a terminal acetylenic or cyclopropyl group. The ester with the greatest activity was the naturally occurring compound methyl (Z,Z)-deca-2,8-diene-4,6-diynoate (matricaria ester) which was lethal to all pink bollworm larvae at 0.01% in the diet and lethal to all bollworm and tobacco budworm larvae at 0.05%.     

Further Oxygenated Compounds Produced from Methyl Linoleate Monohydroperoxides at the Process of Autoxidation

The primary stable products, methyl linoleate monohydroperoxides (MLHPO), formed by the autoxidation of methyl linoleate were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. MLHPO was converted into methyl hydroxy stearates which consisted of two isomers, methyl 9-hydroxy and methyl 13-hydroxy stearate. Trimethylsilyl ether derivatives of these hydroxy isomers were separated directly by gas chromatography and mass fragmentgraphy. MLHPO was degradated by incubating under aerobic condition at 37°C for a week, and the quantity of MLHPO was determined as hydroxy derivatives. Decrease of MLHPO was almost similar to that of conjugated diene structure, but the peroxide value was not appreciably decreased during the incubation. This fact based on the formation of further oxygenated compounds. After chemical reduction, these compounds were identified as methyl 9,13-hydroxy octadecenoate and methyl 9,12,13- or 9,10,13-trihydroxy octadecenoate, in which oxygen attached to the conjugated diene. The formation mechanisms of these oxygenated compounds are proposed.     

Geometrical Isomers of Monohydroperoxides Formed by Autoxidation of Methyl Linoleate

Isomeric monohydroperoxides produced from autoxidized methyl linoleate were separated into two geometrical isomers (cis-trans and trans-trans) by silver nitrate TLC. Purified monohydroperoxides were converted into hydroxy octadecadienoates. Trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of these compounds (four components) were separated into three peaks in the gas chromatogram; the mixture of 9-hydroxy-cis,trans-isomer and 13-hydroxy-cis,trans-isomer, 9-hydroxy-trans,trans-isomer and 13-hydroxy-trans,trans-isomer. The trans-trans isomers became more dominant than the cis-trans isomers in the later stage of autoxidation and with the rise of temperature. At the degradation of monohydroperoxides, the decrease of trans- trans isomers was apparently slower than that of cis-trans isomers. It is proposed that cis,trans isomerization of monohydroperoxides takes place at the process of autoxidation of methyl linoleate.     

Different Rates of Geometric Isomers of Linoleate Hydroperoxide in Acid-catalyzed Decomposition

Methyl linoleate hydroperoxide was decomposed with 0.1 m HCl in acetone-water (9:1, v/v) at 30°C. The decrease in four isomers of the hydroperoxide was monitored by HPLC without any derivatization. In both isomers having 13- and 9-hydroperoxy groups, those having trans, trans dienes decomposed more rapidly than those having cis, trans dienes. In all the isomers, the rates of decomposition were first order with respect to concentrations of the hydroperoxides. The yields of 2-nonenal and 12-oxo-10-dodecenoate were also measured by GC-MS. 12-Oxo-10-dodecenoate was produced only from the 13-isomers and 2-nonenal from the 9-isomers. The rapid decomposition of the trans, trans isomers didn’t seem to be responsible for the formation of these aldehyde products.     

Important Roles of Minor Peroxide Components in the Autoxidation of Methyl Linoleate

Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like compounds and activators of SOD were screened for in the extracts of fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms by measuring their effects on pyrogallol autoxidation, which is catalyzed by superoxide anion. SOD-like activity was high in aqueous extract of nameko, garlic, broccoli, and oriental lettuce. Ethanolic extracts of onion and watermelon could enhance human SOD activity more than 40%.     

New Geometric Isomers of Oxooctadecadienoate in Copper-catalyzed Decomposition Products of Linoleate Hydroperoxide

Methyl linoleate hydroperoxide produced by autoxidation was refluxed with 10^-4 M Cu-naphthenate in benzene. Two new geometrical isomers of oxooctadecadienoate (compounds I and II) were found in addition to the four known isomers. They were isolated by a Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography with chloroform-hexane (2:1) and purified by HPLC on Nucleosil ®100-5 and Zorbax ODS columns. UV, IR, MS, and ¹H-NMR spectra were measured. The geometry of conjugated dienes were assigned from the coupling constants of the olefinic protons. Compounds I and II were identified as 13-oxo-trans-9, cis-11- and 9-oxo-cis-10, trans-12-octadecadienoate, respectively. Each of them had a cis double bond adjacent to the oxo group. The hydroperoxides of the same geometry as compounds I and II were also detected in autoxidation products.     

The Antioxidative Effect of Fullerenes during the Peroxidation of Methyl Linoleate in Toluene

The antioxidative effect of fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀ was examined by measuring the inhibition of methyl linoleate (MeL) peroxidation in toluene initiated by 2,2′-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN). The fullerenes retarded the formation of MeL hydroperoxides and lowered the rate of propagation. The reaction rates of fullerenes with AMVN-derived peroxyl radicals were much higher than that of MeL. These results indicate that fullerenes can act as retarders of lipid peroxidation, though their activity is low compared with that of α-tocopherol.     

Detection of DNA Damage in Cultured Human Fibroblasts Induced by Methyl Linoleate Hydroperoxide

To establish a strategy to generate N-acylated proteins modified with fatty acids having a specific chain length, tGelsolin-streptag, an epitope-tagged model protein having an N-myristoylation motif, was synthesized using an insect cell-free protein synthesis system in the presence of acyl-CoA with various fatty acid chain lengths. It was found that the fatty acid species attached to the N-termini fully depended on the acyl-CoA species added to the reaction mixture. N-Acylated proteins with fatty acid chain lengths of 8, 10, 12, and 14 were generated successfully.     

Effect of Sugars and Sugar Analogs on Autoxidation of Methyl Linoleate and Safflower Oil

The antioxidative and prooxidative activities of sugars and sugar analogs were investigated on the autoxidation of methyl linoleate and safflower oil. Autoxidation of methyl linoleate was conducted in either the dry state or aqueous emulsion state. Although all sugars and sugar analogs inhibited the autoxidation of methyl linoleate in the dry system, the reducing sugars accelerated oxidation in the aqueous emulsion system. When glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone and glycerol were added in the oxidation system, glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone with water accelerated the formation and decomposition of methyl linoleate monohydroperoxide. On the other hand, glycerol inhibited the formation and decomposition of hydroperoxide. These results indicate that the carbonyl group of sugars accelerates lipid peroxidation and the hydroxy group of sugars and sugar analogs inhibits the oxidation. The effect of sugars in the safflower oil-sugar-cellulose oxidation system was also examined. Sugars at low humidity inhibited the autoxidation of safflower oil, but reducing sugars at high humidity accelerated the oxidation.