Utilization of Alcohols by Rhodopseudomonas sp. No. 7 Isolated from n-Propanol–Enrichment Cultures

A purple non-sulfur bacterium, Rhodopseudomonas sp. No. 7, was isolated from n-propanol–enrichment cultures under anaerobic-light conditions. Strain No. 7 can produce hydrogen from alcohols. The rate of hydrogen production from n-propanol was 34 μl/hr/mg dry cells. Strain No. 7 showed multiplication by budding and the best growth on n-propanol among other organic compounds tested. But its growth on n-propanol was poor under aerobic-dark conditions. NAD-linked alcohol dehydrogenase, NAD-linked aldehyde dehydrogenase, acyl-CoA synthetase and malate synthetase were found in strain No. 7. These enzymes were constitutive. On the other hand, isocitrate lyase was induced in cells grown on ethanol but not on n-propanol. No activity of phenazine methosulfate-linked alcohol dehydrogenase was detected in strain No. 7.     

Volatile Components of Quince Fruit (Cydonia oblonga Mill.)

Steam distilled oil of quince fruit (Cydonia oblonga Mill.=C. vulgaris Pers., marmelo in Japanese) was analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sixty-two compounds, 2 hydrocarbons, 13 esters, 11 alcohols, 11 aldehydes, 11 ketones, 5 lactones and 9 miscellaneous compounds, were identified. Of them, the chemical structures of two new oxide compounds, trans- and cis-3-methyl-5-[(E)-3′-methyl-13′-butadien-1′-yl]tetrahydrofuran, were elucidated by instrumental analyses.     

Physicochemical Parameters for Structure-Activity-Studies of Substituted Phenyl N-Methylcarbamates

The electronic and hydrophobic substituent parameters of a number of o-, m- and p- substituted phenyl N-methylcarbamates were estimated by measuring the alkaline catalyzed hydrolysis rate constant and 1-octanol/water partition coefficient. Since some o-substituted derivatives are very potent insecticides, emphasis was placed on determining the ortho substituent effects in terms of the existing free-energy related parameters. The information obtained should be useful in structure-activity studies of carbamate insecticides.     

The Effect of Riboflavin on Hypertension induced by High Salt Diet in the Rat

The effect of riboflavin on development of hypertension in rats given a high salt diet was studied. Large doses of riboflavin prevented both elevation of blood pressure and rise of cholesterol levels in the serum. The increase in liver monoamine oxidase activity of the rats fed riboflavin was confirmed.     

Purification and Properties of Methanol Dehydrogenase and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase from Methylobacillus glycogenes

Methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were purified to a homogenous state from Methylobacillus glycogenes, an obligate methylotroph. MDH (M_r 140,000) was composed of two different subunits (M_r 60,000 and 9,000) forming an α₂β₂ structure. MDH was indicated as a metalloquinoprotein containing one atom of calcium (Ca) per enzyme molecule. Binding of Ca was so tight that it was hard to remove Ca completely without denaturation of enzyme protein. A partially resolved enzyme resumed its original enzyme activity upon exogenous addition of Ca. Purified ALDH (M_r 144,000) was composed of two identical subunits of molecular mass of 72,000. ALDH was proved to be a quinoprotein in which PQQ is bound covalently.     

Availability of Energy in Alcohols,Aldehydes and Ketones by Growing Chicks

Biological availability of 23 alcohols, 16 aldehydes and 2 ketones was compared by the mini-test with chicks. Chicks can utilize methanol and ethanol, but not the alcohols of carbon chain from 3 to 9. Lauryl and myristyl alcohols were well utilized but those of higher carbon chain than 14 were not, mainly due to low digestibility. Glycerol and D-sorbitol were well utilized but not 4 other poly alcohols tested. Aldehydes and ketones with free carbonyl group showed low availability or even toxicity, but their derivatives with masked group showed no detrimental effect. Acetaldehyde, acetal and aldehydes of carbon chain longer than 9 were partially utilized.     

Availability of Energy in Ester and Ether Derivatives of Glycols by Growing Chicks

Biological availability of 33 esters, 17 ethers and 2 acetals of ethanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol and 1,4-butanediol was compared by mini-test with chicks. Chicks can utilize esters of ethanediol, 1,2-propanediol and 1,3-butanediol with acetic acid and fatty acids of carbon chain length from 5 to 12 with more improved palatability than that of free acids, while availability of esters of these glycols with propionic and butyric acids was low. Esters of 1,4-butanediol and ether derivatives of these glycols was not available, except ethyl ether of di-ethanediol which was partially available. Acetacetal of ethanediol was partially available but n-butyracetal was not.     

Syntheses and Biological Activities of New Plant Growth Inhibitors Structurally Related to Abscisic Acid

Several analogs of abscisic acid (ABA) were prepared and their biological activities were assayed. Among the compounds tested, 5-(l, 2-epoxy-2, 6, 6-trimethyl-l-cyclohexyl)-, 5-(l-hydroxy-2, 6, 6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-l-yl)- and 5-(l-hydroxy-2-methylene-6, 6-dimethyl-l-cyclohexyl)-3-methyl-cis, trans-2, 4-pentadienoic esters (V, IX, XXIII and XXV) were found to be potent plant growth inhibitors. Their activities were superior or comparable to that of ABA.