Structure of Cell Wall Polysaccharide Isolated from Cotyledon of Tora-bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

The cell wall polysaccharide of cotyledon of Tora-bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), which surrounds starch granules, was isolated from saline-extraction residues of homogenized cotyledon, as alkali-insoluble fibrous substance. Alkali-insoluble residue, which had been treated with α-amylase (Termamyl), had a cellulose-like matrix under the electron microscope. It was composed of l-arabinose, d-xylose, d-galactose and d-glucose (molar ratio, 1.0: 0.2: 0.1: 1.2) together with a trace amount of l-fucose. Methylation followed by hydrolysis of the polysaccharide yielded 2, 3, 5-tri-O-methyl-l-arabinose (3.3 mol), 2, 3, 4-tri-O-methyl-d-xylose (1.0 mol), 2, 3-di-O-methyl-l-arabinose (3.7 mol), 3, 4-di-O-methyl-d-xylose (1.0 mol), 2-O-methyl-l-arabinose and 2, 3, 6-tri-O-methyl-d-glucose (12.7 mol), 2, 6-di-O-methyl-d-glucose (1.2 mol) and 2, 3-di-O-methyl-d-glucose (1.0 mol).

Methylation analysis, Smith degradation and enzymatic fragmentation with cellulase and α-l-arabinofuranosidase showed that the l-arabinose-rich alkali-insoluble polysaccharide possesses a unique structural feature, consisting of β-(1 → 4)-linked glucan backbone, which was attached with side chains of d-xylose residue and β-d-galactoxylose residue at O-6 positions and α-(1 → 5)-linked l-arabinosyl side cains (DP=8) at O-3 positions of β-(1 → 4)-linked d-glucose residues, respectively.     

Pectin Isolated from the Midrib of Leaves of Nicotiana tabacum

A pectin isolated from tobacco midrib contained residues of d-galacturonic acid (83.7%), L-rhamnose (2.2%), l-arabinose (2.4%) and d-galactose (11.2%) and small amounts of d-xylose and d-glucose. Methylation analysis of the pectin gave 2, 3, 5-tri- and 2, 3-di-O-methyl-l-arabinose, 3, 4-di- and 3-O-methyl-l-rhamnose and 2, 3, 6-tri-O-methyl-d-galactose. Reduction with lithium aluminum hydride of the permethylated pectin gave mainly 2, 3-di-O-methyl-d-galactose and the above methylated sugars. Partial acid hydrolysis gave homologous series of β-(1 → 4)-linked oligosaccharides up to pentaose of d-galactopyranosyl residues, and 2-O-(α-d-galactopyranosyluronic acid)-l-rhamnose, and di- and tri-saccharides of α-(1 → 4)-linked d-galactopyranosyluronic acid residues.

These results suggest that the tobacco pectin has a backbone consisting of α-(1 → 4)-linked d-galactopyranosyluronic acid residues which is interspersed with 2-linked l-rhamnopyranosyl residues. Some of the l-rhamnopyranosyl residues carry substituents on C-4. The pectin has long chain moieties of β-(1 → 4)-linked d-galactopyranosy] residues.     

Structure of Carbohydrate Moiety of Asterosaponin A

Partial acid hydrolysis of asterosaponin A, a steroidal saponin, afforded two new disaccharides in addition to O-(6-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-(l→4)-6-deoxy-d-glucose which has been characterized in the preceding paper. The formers were demonstrated as O-(6-deoxy-α-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-6-deoxy-d-glucose and O-(6-deoxy-α-d-galactopyranosyl)-(l→4)-6-deoxy-d-galactose, respectively.

Accordingly, the structure of carbohydrate moiety being composed of two moles each of 6-deoxy-d-galactose and 6-deoxy-d-glucose, was established as O-(6-deoxy-α-d-galactopyranosyl)-(l→4)-O-(6-deoxy-α-d-galactopyranosyl)-(l→4)-O-(6-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-(l→4)-6-deoxy-d-glucose, which is attached to the steroidal aglycone through an O-acetal glycosidic linkage.     

Isolation of Permethylated Dicarbonyl Sugar Derivatives from Polysaccharides

Oxidation of methyl trimethyl glucopyranosides which were obtained by methanolysis of permethylated cellulose, laminarin, and dextran, was performed with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-phosphorus pentoxide to afford the corresponding ulose derivatives, methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-d-xylo-hexopyranosid-4-ulose, methyl 2,4,6-tri-O-methyl-d-ribo-hexopyranosid-3-ulose, and methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-d-gluco-hexodialdo-l,5-pyranoside, respectively, in good or moderate yields. As a new type of derivatives for the linkage analysis of polysaccharides the chromatographic and spectrometric properties of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone of the ulose derivatives were investigated.     

Biotransformation of Cinnamic Acid,p-Coumaric Acid,Caffeic Acid,and Ferulic Acid by Plant Cell Cultures of Eucalyptus perriniana

Biotransformations of phenylpropanoids such as cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid were investigated with plant-cultured cells of Eucalyptus perriniana. The plant-cultured cells of E. perriniana converted cinnamic acid into cinnamic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, p-coumaric acid, and 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcoumaric acid. p-Coumaric acid was converted into 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcoumaric acid, p-coumaric acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcoumaric acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, a new compound, caffeic acid, and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcaffeic acid. On the other hand, incubation of caffeic acid with cultured E. perriniana cells gave 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcaffeic acid, 3-O-(6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosylcaffeic acid, a new compound, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcaffeic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcaffeic acid, 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcaffeic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, ferulic acid, and 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosylferulic acid. 4-O-β-D-Glucopyranosylferulic acid, ferulic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, and 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosylferulic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester were isolated from E. perriniana cells treated with ferulic acid.     

A Bitter Principle of Asparagus: Isolation and Structure of Furostanol Saponin in Asparagus Storage Root

During an examination of components contributing to the bitter taste of asparagus bottom cut (Asparagus officinalis L.), two new furostanol saponins were isolated from roots extractives. Their chemical structures were established as 5β-furostane-3β,22,26 triol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside 26-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and 5β-furostane-3β,22,26 triol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1→2) [β-d-xylopyranoxyl (1→4)]-β-d-glucopyranoside 26-O-β-d-glucopyranoside respectively.     

Systematic Synthesis of Sulfur-containing p-Nitrophenyl α-Maltopentaoside Derivatives for a Differential Assay of Human α-Amylases

For use in a differential assay of human α-amylases, a variety of 6⁵-S-substituted p-nitrophenyl α-maltopentaoside derivatives (6-54) were systematically synthesized via the key intermediate, p-nitrophenyl O-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-S-acetyl-4-O-benzoyl-6-thio-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1 →4)-tris[O-(2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1→4)]-2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (4), which was easily prepared from p-nitrophenyl α-maltopentaoside (G5P) in four steps. The sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives were prepared by oxidizing the corresponding sulfides with m-chloroperbenzoic acid.     

Isolation and Characterization of Oligosaccharides from the Hydrolyzate of Larch Wood Glucomannan with Endo-β-d-Mannanase

The glucomannan isolated from larch holocellulose was hydrolyzed by a purified endo-d-β-mannanase. The products were fractionated by gel filtration on a Polyacrylamide gel in water and partition chromatography on ion exchange resins in 80% ethanol. The following oligosaccharides were isolated and identified: (a) 4-O-β-d-Manp-d-Man, (b) 4-O-β-d-Glcp-d-Man, (c) 4-O-β-d-Glcp-d-Glc, (d) O-β-d-Manp-(1 →4)-O-β-d-Manp-(1 →4)-d-Man, (e) O-β-dGlcp-(l →4)-O-β-d-Manp-(l →4)-d-Man, (f) O-β-d-Manp-(l →4)-Oβ-d-Glcp-(l →4)-d-Man, (g) O-β-d-Manp-(l →4)-O-[α-d-Galp-(l →6)]-d-Man, (h) O-β-d-Manp-(l →4)-O-β-d-Manp-(l →4)-O-β-d-Manp-(l →4)-d-Man, and (i) O-β-d-Glcp-(1 →4)-O-β-d-Manp-(1 →4)-O-β-d-Manp-(1 →4)-d-Man.     

Syntheses of a Neobiosamine C Derivative and Its Analogs

Methyl 2,5-di-O-p-nitrobenzoyl-β-d-ribofuranoside was prepared via methyl 2,3-O-ethoxyethylidene-β-d-ribofuranoside from d-ribose. It was condensed with 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-(2′,4′-dinitroanilino)-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide and 3,4-di-O-acetyl-2,6-dideoxy-2-(2′,4′-dinitroanilino)-6-phthalimido-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide by a modified Königs-Knorr reaction to give neobiosamine analogs. The condensation reaction gave α-glucosides as the minor product, and the corresponding β-glucoside as the major product.     

Enzyme-Substrate Complex of p-Hydroxybenzoate Hydroxylase; One of the Activated Intermediates of the Overall Reaction

The transglucosidation reaction of brewer’s yeast α-glucosidase was examined under the co-existence of l-sorbose and phenyl-α-glucoside. As the transglucosidation products, three kinds of new disaccharide were chromatographically isolated. It was presumed that these disaccharides consisting of d-glucose and l-sorbose were 1-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-sorbose ([α]_D+89.0), 3-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-sorbose ([α]_D+69.1) and 4-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-sorbose ([α]_D+81.0). The principal product formed in the enzyme reaction was 1-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-sorbose.     

Synthesis of N-{2-O-2-Acetamido-1-O-acyl (or 1,6-di-O-acyl)-2,3-dideoxy-α-d-glucopyranose-3-yl]-d-lactoyl}-l-alanyl-d-isoglutamine Methyl Esters,and Their Immunoadjuvant Activities

A variety of 1-O-acyl and 1,6-di-O-acyl derivatives of N-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanyl-G-isoglutamine methyl esters were synthesized from N-[2-O-(2-acetamido-2,3-dideoxy-4,6-O-iso- propylidene-d-glucopyranose-3-yl)-d-lactoyl]-l-alanyl-d-isoglutamine methyl ester, and their biological activities were examined in guinea-pigs and mice.     

Glycolipids Isolated from Spirulina maxima: Structure and Fatty Acid Composition

Several glycolipids were isolated from Spirulina maxima, an edible blue-green algae, by systematic fractionation with different solvents. Structural investigation by using methylation, GC-MS, and enzymic techniques indicated that the major glycolipids are O-β-d-galactosyl-(1→l′)-2′, 3′-di-O-acyl-d-glycerol, O-α-d-galactosyl-(l-→6)-O-β-d-galactosyl-(1→l′)-2′,3′-di-O-acyl-d-glycerol and 6-sulfo-O-α-quinovosyl-(l→l′)-2′, 3′-di-O-acyl-d-glycerol. Main fatty acid components of these glycolipids were identified as palmitic acid and linoleic or linolenic acid. Based on-these fatty acid compositions, Spirulina glycolipids were compared with those in higher plants.     

Nucleosides and Related Substances

A new procedure which involves 1-trichloroacetyl sugars as the starting material has been developed for the synthesis of purine nucleosides. 7-β-d-Glucopyranosyl-, 7-β-d-xylopyranosyl-, 7-β-d-ribopyranosyl-theophylline, 9-(tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2,6,8-trichloropurine and 9-β-d-glucopyranosyl adenine were prepared in good yields by the reaction in fusion of purine bases with 1-trichloroacetyl sugars, using zinc chloride, p-toluenesulfonic acid, or ethyl polyphosphate as catalyst. 9-d-Ribofuranosyl adenine was also prepared by the same procedures, although the anomeric configuration of the compound is not yet definite. The effect of catalysts on the yields of purine nucleosides is discussed.     

Synthesis and Properties of Isomeric Di- and Mono-Glucopyranosyl Hypoxanthines

Four isomeric glucosyl hypoxanthines, bis-1,9-(β-d-glucopyranosyl) hypoxanthine (I), bis-1,7-(β-d-glucopyranosyl) hypoxanthine (II), 7-β-d-glucopyranosyl hypoxanthine (III) and 9-β-d-glucopyranosyl hypoxanthine (IV) were synthesized simultaneously by using the so- called Davoll-Lowy’s method. Their synthetic procedures and structural evidences are presented.     

Anti-Diabetic Effects of a Kaempferol Glycoside-Rich Fraction from Unripe Soybean (Edamame,Glycine max L. Merrill. ‘Jindai’) Leaves on KK-Ay Mice

The anti-diabetic effects of a kaempferol glycoside-rich fraction (KG) prepared from leaves of unripe Jindai soybean (Edamame) and kaempferol, an aglycone of kaempferol glycoside, were determined in genetically type 2 diabetic KK-A^y mice. The hemoglobin A_1c level was decreased and tended to be decreased by respectively feeding KG and kaempferol (K). The area under the curve (AUC) in the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) tended to be decreased by feeding K and KG. The liver triglyceride level and fatty acid synthase activity were both decreased in the mice fed with KG and K when compared to those parameters in the control mice. These results suggest that KG and K would be useful to improve the diabetes condition. The major flavonoids in KG were identified as kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)]-β-D-galactopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-β-D-(2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl) galactopyranoside and kaempferol 3-O-β-D-(2,6-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl) galactopyronoside, suggesting that these compounds or some of them may be concerned with mitigation of diabetes.     

Glucosylation of Quercetin by a Cell Suspension Culture of Vitis sp.

A cell suspension culture of a Vitis hybrid converted quercetin to six glucosides. Their structures were identified as quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, quercetin 3,4′-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, quercetin 3,7-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, isorhamnetin 3,4′-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, and isorhamnetin 3,7-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside by UV, FD-MS, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and TLC analysis.

The course of conversion was also investigated and it was shown that quercetin 3-O-glucoside reached the maximum yield of 31% in 24 hr and then gradually disappeared accompanied by the production of quercetin 3,4′- and 3,7-di-O-glucosides. Although the same rise and fall relationship was observed between isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside and isorhamnetin 3,4′- or 3,7-di-O-glucoside, their conversion ratios were much lower than those of quercetin glucosides.     

Structural Studies on New,Non-reducing Oligosaccharides Produced by Rhizobium meliloti J7017

Three non-reducing oligosaccharides were isolated from the fraction of cyclic (1→2)-β-d-glucan of Rhizobium meliloti J7017 by reversed-phase chromatography and paper chromatography. Methylation and ¹H-NMR analyses indicated that they were α-d-glucopyranosyl α-kojitrioside, α-d-glucopyranosyl α-kojitetraoside, and α-d-glucopyranosyl α-kojipentaoside.     

Methylation Analysis of Fractions from the Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1299 Dextran

Methylation analysis of five fractions of the dextran elaborated by Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1299 has shown that each fraction was a highly branched dextran with the branches being joined mainly through C-2. Detection of a small amount of 4-O-mono-methyl-d-glucose has suggested that parts of the d-glucose residues were doubly branched at both C-2 and C-3. Detection of a larger amount of 2,4,6-tri-O-methyl-d-glucose in the hydrolyzates of the methylated products of the borate insoluble fractions has shown a greater percentage of linear α-1,3-linked d-glucose residues in these fractions. It is suggested that the solubility of the dextran is closely related to the content of linear α-1,3-linked d-glucose residues.     

The Mutational Effect of Ile58 at Subsite C in Hen Egg-White Lysozyme on Substrate Binding,Enzymatic Activity,and Protein Stability

Partial acid hydrolysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan gave 2-O-α-d-Manp-d-Man (1), 3-O-α-d-Manp-d-Man (2), 6-O-α-d-Manp-d-Man (3), O-α-d Manp-(1→2)O-α-d-Manp-(1→2)-d-Man (4), O-α-d-Manp-(1→2)-O-α-d-Manp-(1→6)-d-Man (5), O-α-d Manp-(1→6)-6-O-α-d-Manp-(1→6)-d-Man (6), O-α-d Manp-(1→2)-O-α-d-Manp-(1→2)-6-O-α-d-Manp-(1→6)-d-Man (7), O-α-d-Manp-(1→2)-O-α-d-Manp-(1→6)-O-α-d-Manp-(1→6)-d-Man (8), and O-α-d-Manp-(1→6)-O-[α-d-Manp-(1→2)]-O-α-d-Manp-(1→6)-d-Man (9).     

A Growth Factor for Malo-lactic Fermentation Bacteria

A growth factor (TJF) for a malo-lactic fermentation bacterium has been isolated from tomato juice, and found to be a β-glucoside. The NMR spectra of TJF and its acetate revealed that the glucosyl residue linked to the hydroxyl group at C-2′ or C-4′ of d- or l-pantothenic acid moiety. Then, 2′-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-dl-pantothenic acid (I), 4′-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-dl-pantothenic acid (II) and 4′-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-d(R)-pantothenic acid (II-a) were synthesized, and Il-a and 4′-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-l-pantothenic acid (II-b) were obtained by the optical resolution of the acetate of II. Among the above compounds, II-a was identical with natural TJF regarding to the biological activity, NMR and ORD spectra, and thin-layer chromatography.