Enzymatic synthesis of 3-O-methyl-4-O-β- -galactopyranosyl- -glucose (3-O-methyl-lactose); a potential agent for the assessment of intestinal lactase activity

Enzymatic synthesis of 3-O-methyl-4-O-β- -galactopyranosyl- -glucose (3-O-methyl-lactose) has been attempted using both galactosyltransferase and galactosidase activities. The transferase-catalysed reaction produces exclusively the desired product in β-1,4-glycosidic linkage whereas the galactosidase-catalysed reactions predominantly form a 1,6-linked disaccharide. With galactosidase, in order to change the regioselectivity, blocking of the 6-position of 3-O-methyl- -glucose and anomeric modification of the acceptor structure were investigated. Although acetylation of the 6-position of 3-O-methyl glucose catalysed by lipase was successful, the synthesis of the desired disaccharide did not occur.     

A rapid gas chromatography method for quantitation of free fatty acids,monoacyl-, diacyl-, and triacylglycerols without derivatization

Summary Quantitative analysis of mixtures of free fatty acids, monoacyl-, diacyl-, and triacylglycerols by a simple and rapid gas chromatography method has been developed. The analysis was carried out on a short capillary column without derivatization. When the triacontane was used as an internal standard, we obtained relative response factors for each lipid class with reproducibility and accuracy. This method could be applied for not only compositional analysis of fats and oils but also monitoring lipase reactions.     

Effects of fluctuating temperature and immersion on asexual reproduction in the intertidal sea anemone Hauplanella luciae (Verrill) in laboratory culture

Haliplanella luciae (Verrill) was maintained in laboratory cultures according to a 2 × 2 factorial design. The factors were 1) constant immersion or continuously alternating periods of 6 h immersion followed by 6 h emersion and 2) 18 °C constant temperature or 24 °C during one 6-h emersion period each day and 18 °C for the remaining 18 h. Significantly different numbers of fissions were observed between both the two immersion and two temperature conditions. A negative correlation was found between the number of fissions and the total dry weight of tissue per bowl. There was a different distribution of individual weights in the two immersion conditions. Some instances of pedal laceration were observed.