At low water activity α-chymotrypsin is more active in an ionic liquid than in non-ionic organic solvents

The kinetics of the -chymotrypsin catalysed transesterification of N-acetyl-l-phenylalanine ethyl ester with 1-butanol and the competing hydrolysis were evaluated at fixed water activity in two ionic liquids and two non-ionic organic solvents. In most respects the four solvents behaved similarly. However, at a water activity of 0.33, higher catalytic activity was observed in the ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amide, than in the other solvents, and at a_w=0.11 catalysis was only observed in this solvent.     

Chloroperoxidase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caldariomyces fumago</Emphasis> is active in the presence of an ionic liquid as co-solvent

Chloroperoxidase from Caldariomyces fumago catalyses the oxidation of 1,2-dihydronaphthalene to (1R,2R)-(+)-dihydroxytetrahydronaphthalene in homogenous citrate buffer/ionic liquid mixtures, using t-butyl hydroperoxide as O<>₂<> donor. It tolerates up to 30 (v/v) 1,3-dimethylimidazolium methylsulfate or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate. The enzyme activity in these ionic liquid co-solvent systems is retained for 24h, but it falls to 3h using non-ionic organic solvents such as t-BuOH or acetone.     

Catalytic activity of α-chymotrypsin in enzymatic peptide synthesis in ionic liquids

The catalytic activity of α-chymotrypsin in the enzymatic peptide synthesis of N-acetyl-l-tryptophan ethyl ester with glycyl glycinamide was examined in ionic liquids and organic solvents. The water content in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide ([emim][FSI]) affected the initial rates of peptide synthesis and hydrolysis. The activity of α-chymotrypsin was influenced by a kind of anions consisting of the same cation, [emim], when an ionic liquid was used as a solvent. The initial rate of peptide synthesis was improved 16-fold by changing from an organic solvent, acetonitrile, to an ionic liquid, [emim][FSI], at 25 °C. The activity of α-chymotrypsin in the peptide synthesis in [emim][FSI] was 17 times greater than that in acetonitrile at 60 °C, although the activity of α-chymotrypsin in the peptide synthesis gradually decreased with an increase in reaction temperature in [emim][FSI], similar to organic solvents. Moreover, α-chymotrypsin exhibited activity in [emim][FSI] and [emim][PF₆] at 80 °C.     

Properties of an ionic liquid-tolerant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">amyloliquefaciens</Emphasis> CMW1 and its extracellular protease

An ionic liquid-tolerant bacterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CMW1, was isolated from a Japanese fermented soybean paste. Strain CMW1 grew in the presence of 10 % (v/v) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl), a commonly used ionic liquid. Additionally, strain CMW1 grew adequately in the presence of the hydrophilic ionic liquids 10 % (v/v) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([EMIM]CF₃SO₃) or 2.5 % (v/v) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([BMIM]CF₃SO₃). Strain CMW1 produced an extracellular protease (BapIL) in the culture medium. BapIL was stable in the presence of 80 % (v/v) ionic liquids, [EMIM]CF₃SO₃, [BMIM]Cl, [BMIM]CF₃SO₃, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and functioned in 10 % (v/v) these ionic liquids. BapIL was stable at pH 4.0–12.6 or in 4004 mM NaCl solution, and exhibited activity in the presence of 50 % (v/v) hydrophilic or hydrophobic organic solvents. BapIL was completely inhibited by 1 mM PMSF and partially by 5 mM EDTA. BapIL belongs to the true subtilisins according to analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence. We showed that BapIL from the ionic liquid-tolerant B. amyloliquefaciens CMW1 exhibited tolerance to ionic liquid and halo, alkaline, and organic solvents.     

Synthesis of kyotorphin precursor from eutectic mixtures catalysed by α-chymotrypsin

The kyotorphin precursor, N-carbobenzoxyl-l-tyrosine-l-arginine amide (N-CBZ-l-Tyr-l-ArgNH₂), was synthesized from N-CBZ-l-tyrosine ethyl ester (N-CBZ-l-TyrOEt) and l-arginine amide (l-ArgNH₂) by using -chymotrypsin. Eutectic mixtures were formed by mixing the substrates in the presence of water and/or organic solvents as adjuvants. The eutectic temperature was obtained with a 0.45 l-ArgNH₂ mole fraction. It was lowered to 23 °C by addition of 10% (v/w) water and 5% (v/w) dimethyl formamide, thus maintaining homogeneous liquid states at the reaction temperature of 30 °C. After 9 h the solutions became solidified and no further reaction took place. Approximately 90% (mol/mol) conversion was achieved from the substrate mixtures with substrate contents responsible for more than 80% (w/w) of the total mixture.     

A cone disk atomizer for production of biocompatible magnetic microcapsules for culture of anchorage-dependent mammalian cells

A cone disk atomizer has been designed for preparation of gelatin/polystyrene magnetic microcapsules for use as microcarriers in anchorage-dependent mammalian cell culture. This apparatus facilitates continuous production of microcapsules and ignores surfactants or organic solvents in traditional emulsion. Compared with the flat-disk atomizer, the feeding flow is subjected to a normal pressure provided by the special cone-shaped disk and liquid slide is dramatically decreased in the cone-disk atomizer. A flow-rate-limitation is observed in both flat-disk atomization and cone-disk atomization. A 36% increase in flow-rate limitation was observed in cone-disk atomization than in flat-disk atomization indicating the potential of this method for large-scale preparations. Nomenclature d _p average diameter of solid cores (m)D disk diameter (m)g gravity acceleration (9.8 m s^–2) Ga Galileo number defined by Equation (3) Q flow rate of feeding slurry (m³ s^–1) Re Q flow rate Reynolds number defined by Equation (2)Re rotating speed Reynolds number defined by Equation (1) angular speed of rotating disk (rad s^–1) _l density of liquid (kg m^–3) _s density of the mixing slurry (kg m^–3) density difference between solid cores and liquid (kg m^–3) viscosity of the mixing slurry (Pa s)     

Structure and dynamics of Candida rugosa lipase: the role of organic solvent

The effect of organic solvent on the structure and dynamics of proteins was investigated by multiple molecular dynamics simulations (1 ns each) of Candida rugosa lipase in water and in carbon tetrachloride. The choice of solvent had only a minor structural effect. For both solvents the open and the closed conformation of the lipase were near to their experimental X-ray structures (C rms deviation 1–1.3 Å). However, the solvents had a highly specific effect on the flexibility of solvent-exposed side chains: polar side chains were more flexible in water, but less flexible in organic solvent. In contrast, hydrophobic residues were more flexible in organic solvent, but less flexible in water. As a major effect solvent changed the dynamics of the lid, a mobile element involved in activation of the lipase, which fluctuated as a rigid body about its average position. While in water the deviations were about 1.6 Å, organic solvent reduced flexibility to 0.9 Å. This increase rigidity was caused by two salt bridges (Lys85–Asp284, Lys75–Asp79) and a stable hydrogen bond (Lys75–Asn 292) in organic solvent. Thus, organic solvents stabilize the lid but render the side chains in the hydrophobic substrate-binding site more mobile. Figure Superimposition of open (black, PDB entry 1CRL) and closed (gray, PDB entry 1TRH) conformers of C. rugosa lipase. The mobile lid is indicatedThis revised version was published online in October 2004 with corrections to the Graphical Abstract.     

Oxidative enzymes possess catalytic activity in systems with ionic liquids

Oxidative enzymes, laccase C from Trametes sp. and horseradish and soybean peroxidases, catalyzed oxidation reactions in systems with ionic liquids whose content varied from several volume percent to almost total non-aqueous ionic liquids. Similar to the effects produced by standard organic solvents used in non-aqueous enzymology, catalytic activity of the enzymes was decreased by adding a water-miscible ionic liquid, 4-methyl-N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate, or by suspending the enzyme in a water-immiscible ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimdizaolium hexafluorophosphate. For the oxidation of anthracene, catalyzed by laccase C and assisted by a number of mediators, addition of 4-methyl-N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate, instead of tert-butanol, increased the yield of the oxidation product several-fold.     

Binding of chloride and a disulfonic stilbene transport inhibitor to red cell band 3

Summary The effect of chloride on 4,4-dibenzamido-2,2-disulfonic stilbene (DBDS) binding to band 3 in unsealed red cell ghost membranes was studied in buffer [NaCl (0 to 500mm) + Na citrate] at constant ionic strength (160 or 600mm). pH 7.4, 25°C. In the presence of chloride, DBDS binds to a single class of sites on band 3. At 160mm ionic strength, the dissociation constant of DBDS increases linearly with chloride concentration in the range [Cl]=450mm. The observed rate of DBDS binding to ghost membranes, as measured by fluorescence stopped-flow kinetic experiments, increases with chloride concentration at both 160 and 600mm ionic strength. The equilibrium and kinetic results have been incorporated into the following model of the DBDS-band 3 interaction: The equilibrium and rate constants of the model at 600mm ionic strength areK ₁=0.67±0.16 m,k ₂=1.6±0.7 sec^–1,k _–2=0.17±0.09 sec^–1,K ₁=6.3±1.7 m,k ₂=9±4 sec^–1 andk _–2=7±3 sec^–1. The apparent dissociation constants of chloride from band 3,K _Cl, are 40±4mm (160mm ionic strength) and 11±3mm (600mm ionic strength). Our results indicate that chloride and DBDS have distinct, interacting binding sites on band 3.     

Separation of proteins by ion-exchange chromatography using gradient elution

Chromatographic separation of proteins by the gradient elution method using DEAE Toyopearl 650^® was carried through. The concentration gradient was effected by changing the ionic strength of NaCl in the carrier buffer solution. Bovine serum albumin and hemoglobin were used as model proteins for separation. The experimental chromatogram was compared with theoretical results of Yamamoto et al. [1, 2]. Adsorption equilibria of the proteins onto the carrier were measured and expressed by a function of the ionic strength. The retention volume and peak width of the resulting chromatogram can be calculated from the equilibrium data using the Yamamoto theory. The calculated results agreed well with the experimental data.The method presented in this paper will be useful to predict the viability of ion-exchange chromatography in protein separation.List of Symbols c kg m^–3 concentration in the liquid phase - c _s kg m^–3 concentration in the solid phase - D _s m² s^–1 intraparticle diffusivity - d _p m particle diameter - E _z m² s^–1 longitudinal diffusivity of the protein - E _{z I} m² s^–1 longitudinal diffusivity of ionic strength - H /(1 – ) - I kmol m^–3 ionic strength - I _O kmol m^–3 initial ionic strength - I _p kmol m^–3 ionic strength at the peak - I _s kmol m^–3 ionic strength in the solid phase - I/V mol (dm³)^–2 slope of the ionic gradient elution - m distribution coefficient - m distribution coefficient at I - m _I distribution coefficient for ionic strength - Q cm³s^–1 flow rate - R m particle radius - R _s degree of separation - r m radial position inside particles - t s time - u m s^–1 linear velocity - V cm³ eluted volume of liquid - V _p cm³ eluted volume of liquid at the peak - V _T cm³ volume of the packed bed - W cm³ peak width - Z m bed height - z m vertical position in the bed - z _p m peak position from the inlet of the bed - (t) delta input at time - void fraction - ₁ s first moment - ₂ s² second central moment - s superficial space time     

Lipase-catalyzed transesterification in several reaction systems: An application of room temperature lonic liquids for bi-phasic production ofn-butyl acetate

Organic solvents are widely used in biotransformation systems. There are many efforts to reduce the consumption of organic solvents because of their toxicity to the environment and human health. In recent years, several groups have started to explore novel organic solvents called room temperature ionic liquids in order to substitute conventional organic solvents. In this work, lipase-catalyzed transesterification in several uni-and bi-phasic systems was studied. Two representative hydrophobic ionic liquids based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolum coupled with hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF₆]) and bis[(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide] ([BMIM] [Tf₂N]) were employed as reaction media for the transesterification ofn-butanol. The commercial lipase, Novozym 435, was used for the transesterification reaction with vinyl acetate as an acyl donor, The conversion yield was increased around 10% in a water/[BMIM][Tf₂N], bi-phasic system compared with that in a water/hexane system. A higher distribution of substrates into the water phase is believed to enhance the conversion yield in a water/[BMIM][Tf₂N] system. Partion coefficients of the substrates in the water/[BMIM][Tf₂N] bi-phasic system were higher than three times that found in the water/hexane system, while n-butyl acetate showed a similar distribution in both systems. Thus, RTILs appear to be a promising substitute of organic solvents in some biotransformation systems.     

Enhanced activity,enantioselectivity and stability of papain in asymmetric hydrolysis of d,l-p-hydroxyphenylglycine methyl ester with ionic liquid

Papain-mediated asymmetric hydrolysis of D,L-p-hydroxyphenylglycine methyl ester (D,L-HPGME) was examined in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIM·BF₄) and different solvents. The activity of the enzyme varied widely with change in BMIM·BF₄ concentration, with 12.5% (v/v) being the optimum BMIM·BF₄ concentration for the reaction. Papain displayed much higher hydrolytic activity and enantioselectivity in phosphate buffer solution of 12.5% (v/v) BMIM·BF₄ (pH 7.0) than in other media examined. Comparative studies on the kinetics and activation energy (E_a) of this reaction performed in different media showed a higher V_max, a lower K_m and a lower E_a for the reaction taking place in phosphate buffer solution of 12.5% (v/v) BMIM·BF₄ than in other media tested. The stability of papain at 45°C was considerably enhanced in BMIM·BF₄ as compared with aqueous buffer, 2-propanol and acetonitrile. A half-life time of 169 h was observed with BMIM·BF₄ in the presence of substrate, which was 9.2–16.8-fold higher than those with the other solvents. These results suggested that BMIM·BF₄ is an excellent reaction medium for this reaction.     

Enzyme Catalysed Synthesis in Ambient Temperature Ionic Liquids

The activity of three different lipases, a glycosidase and a protease in ionic liquids has been studied. Ambient temperature ionic liquids are a new class of solvents that are nonvolatile and nonflammable and thus an interesting alternative to classical organic solvents. Monitoring the synthesis of a simple ester, all lipases were found to exhibit both excellent activity and stability in the non-polar ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazohum hexaflurophosphate ([bmin][PF₆], 1). Furthermore, β-galactosidase from E. coli and the Subtilisin protease Savinase^TM were both found to exhibit a hydrolytic activity in a 50% aqueous solution of the water-miscible ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methyhmidazoUum tetra-fluoroborate ([bmin][BF₄], 2) comparable to the activity observed in 50% aqueous solutions of ethanol and acetonitrile.     

A study of the nutritional requirements of a selectedHaemophilus ducreyi strain by impedance and conventional methods

The growth and nutritional requirements ofHaemophilus ducreyi (CIP 542^T) were determined in liquid media by impedance technology. We found thatH. ducreyi grew in a liquid mixture of Proteose Peptone No. 3, hemin,l-serine, glucose,l-glutamine, and inorganic salts. The peptone in the medium was essential forH. ducreyi growth, and the growth factor (or factors) in the peptone was stable to autoclaving (15 min, 121°C) and could not be extracted with organic solvents (21 chloroform/methanol) from either acidic (1N CH₃COOH), neutral (pH 7.1), or basic (1N NaOH) solutions. Hemin was also an essential component for the growth ofH. ducreyi, but a much lower concentration of hemin (5.0 g/ml) was required than has been previously reported in the literature (25 g/ml). Using impedance technology to measureH. ducreyi doubling times, we showed that bovine albumin enhancesH. ducreyi growth.     

A criterion for proper cosolvents used for ionic liquids: The Lewis acidic and basic dual nature of propylene carbonate

Probe of the Lewis acidic property of propylene carbonate (PC) has been initiated by temperature-dependent ¹⁹F chemical shifts recorded for 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate/PC (BMIPF₆/PC) mixtures. Investigation of hyperconjugative interactions by natural bond orbital method reveals the trend of electron-accepting capabilities from anion, PC > dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) > N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) > acetonitrile (AN). Comparison of solvent-induced ionic association of BMIPF₆ in the four basic aprotic organic solvents, made by monitoring concentration- and temperature-dependent-ratios of solvent diffusion coefficients to BMI⁺-containing components, D_sol/D_BMI, shows that the extent of original ionic association can be reduced by solvent dilution in the same decreasing order, PC ∼ DMSO > DMF > AN. In DMF and AN, two basic solvents having similar dielectric constants, the greater Lewis acid of DMF accounts for its better ability to dissociate aggregates of BMIPF₆. By replacing ethanol with 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), the poor miscibility of BMIPF₆ with ethanol can be greatly enhanced due to the CF₃ group, capable of adapting electron density from anions via hyperconjugative interactions. In BMIPF₆/TFE mixtures, values of measured on ¹⁹F resonances show larger aggregates than measured on ¹H resonances, indicating charged clusters prefer anionic to cationic states. This observation can be explained by varying ionic states concerning with unbalanced charged aggregates between positive and negative ones.     

Polyethylene glycol-modified lipase catalyzes asymmetric alcoholysis of δ-decalactone in n-decanol

Summary Lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia was modified with 2,4-bis[O-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)]-6-chloro-s-triazine(activated PEG₂) to form PEG-lipase. The PEG-lipase, soluble and active in organic solvents, catalyzes asymmetric alcoholysis of racemic -decalactone in alcohols to form (R)-5-hydroxydecanoic acid alkyl esters. The yield was 69% with 83% enantiomeric excess after 3 hr-reaction in n-decanol at 50°C. The advantage of this reaction is that the alcoholysis proceeds efficiently in straight hydrophobic substrates without any organic solvents.     

Characterization of gibberellins from dark-grown Phaseolus coccineus seedlings by gas-liquid chromatography and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Summary An extract from 6000 dark-grown Phaseolus coccineus seedlings was purified by countercurrent distribution and G-10 Sephadex followed by gradient elution from a silicic acid partition column with increasing amounts of ethyl actetate in n-hexane. 25 fractions were collected and tested with the barley-aleurone, Tan-ginbozu dwarf-rice, lettuce, cucumber, dwarf-pea, d-1, d-2, d-3 and d-5 maize, oat first-internode, and sugarcane-spindle bioassays. Major gibberellin (GA)-like activity was detected in fractions 4 (500g GA₃-equivalents) and 12–13 (270 g GA₃-equivalents) with smaller amounts in fractions 6, 8–9, 15–16, 18, 20, 23 and 25. The extracts were also applied to AMO-1618=dwarfed Ph.-coccineus seedlings. Fractions 4, 8 and 12 promoted the growth of both light- and dark-grown seedlings. GA₁, GA₃, GA₄ and GA₈ were active in the Phaseolus bioassay but GA₈-glucoside was inactive.The biological and chromatographic properties of fractions 4, 8–9 and 12–13 correspond with those of GA₄, GA₁₉ and GA₁. The identity of GA₄ in fraction 4 was conclusively established by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of the methyl ester and the trimethylsilyl ether of the methyl ester. Gasliquid-chromatography peaks corresponding to these derivatives of GA₁₉ and GA₁ were detected on QF-1 and SE-33 columns but their intensities were too weak to permit conclusive identification by GC-MS.Supported by an S.R.C. StudentshipSupported by a NATO Grant.Supported by NRC Grant A-5727.     

Ionic liquids as a reaction medium for lipase-catalyzed methanolysis of sunflower oil

Ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIm][PF₆]) and 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([EMIm][PF₆]), were used for the methanolysis of sunflower oil using Candida antarctica lipase (Novozyme 435) and gave yields of fatty acid methyl esters at 98–99% within 10 h. The optimum conditions of methanolysis in hydrophobic ionic liquids are 2% (w/w) lipase, 1:1 (w/w) oil/ionic liquid and 1:8 (mol/mol) oil/methanol at 58–60°C. Methanolysis using hydrophilic ionic liquids, 3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([HMIm][BF₄]) and 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF₄]), gave very poor yields. A hydrophobic ionic liquid thus protects the lipase from methanol. Recovered ionic liquids and lipase were used for four successive reaction cycles without any significant loss of activity.     

Catalytic activity of α-chymotrypsin in enzymatic peptide synthesis in ionic liquids

The catalytic activity of α-chymotrypsin in the enzymatic peptide synthesis of N-acetyl-l-tryptophan ethyl ester with glycyl glycinamide was examined in ionic liquids and organic solvents. The water content in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide ([emim][FSI]) affected the initial rates of peptide synthesis and hydrolysis. The activity of α-chymotrypsin was influenced by a kind of anions consisting of the same cation, [emim], when an ionic liquid was used as a solvent. The initial rate of peptide synthesis was improved 16-fold by changing from an organic solvent, acetonitrile, to an ionic liquid, [emim][FSI], at 25 °C. The activity of α-chymotrypsin in the peptide synthesis in [emim][FSI] was 17 times greater than that in acetonitrile at 60 °C, although the activity of α-chymotrypsin in the peptide synthesis gradually decreased with an increase in reaction temperature in [emim][FSI], similar to organic solvents. Moreover, α-chymotrypsin exhibited activity in [emim][FSI] and [emim][PF₆] at 80 °C.     

Novozym 435-catalyzed regioselective benzoylation of 1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine in a co-solvent mixture of C4MIm·PF6 and pyridine

Regioselective acylation of 1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C), using vinyl benzoate (VB) as acyl donor and Novozym 435 as catalyst, was carried out in various reaction media including pure organic solvents, organic solvent mixtures, and ionic liquid (IL)-containing systems. Although the reaction was highly regioselective in all the media assayed, remarkable enhancement of substrate conversion was achieved with a co-solvent mixture of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (C₄MIm·PF₆) and pyridine as the reaction medium, compared with other media tested. Additionally, the results demonstrated that the anions of ILs had a significant effect on the initial rate and substrate conversion. To better understand the reaction performed in IL-containing system, several variables were examined. The optimum molar ratio of VB to ara-C, initial water activity, temperature and shaking rate were 25:1, 0.11, 40°C and 250rpm, respectively. Under these optimum reaction conditions, the initial rate, substrate conversion, and regioselectivity were 0.49mMmin^?1, 99.4 and 99%, respectively. The product of the lipase-catalyzed reaction was characterized by ¹³C NMR and was shown to be 5′-O-benzoyl ara-C.