Sample records for l-phenylalanine methyl ester

  1. Poly(styrene-co-N-methacryloyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester)-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as sorbents for the analysis of sodium benzoate in beverages.

    PubMed

    Ji, Shilei; Li, Nan; Qi, Li; Wang, Minglin

    2017-01-01

    In this study, poly(styrene-co-N-methacryloyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester)-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were constructed and used as magnetic solid-phase extraction sorbents for analysis of food preservatives in beverages. To prepare the poly(amino acid)-based sorbents, N-methacryloyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester, and styrene served as the functional monomers and modified onto the magnetic nanoparticles via free radical polymerization. Interestingly, compared with propylparaben and potassium sorbate, the proposed poly(amino acid)-based sorbents showed a good selectivity to sodium benzoate. The adsorption capacity of the sorbents to sodium benzoate was 6.08 ± 0.31 mg/g. Moreover, the fast adsorption equilibrium could be reached within 5 min. Further, the resultant poly(amino acid)-based sorbents were applied in the analysis of sodium benzoate in real beverage samples. The results proved that the proposed magnetic solid-phase extraction sorbents have a great potential for the analysis of preservatives in food samples. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  2. Studies on the in vitro and in vivo hydrolysis and intramolecular aminolysis of L-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bouvette, R.E.

    The disposition and metabolism of L-aspartyl-L-(/sup 14/C-phenyl) alanine methyl ester (/sup 14/C-APM) was studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats after a single intragastric injection. Plasma levels of /sup 14/C-activity increased slowly within the first four hours after a 5 ..mu..Ci dose. Within 2 hours after injection 90% of the /sup 14/C-activity observed in the plasma was incorporated into precipitated proteins. HPLC analysis of the deproteinated plasma showed the /sup 14/C-activity present to be in the form of phenylalanine Disposition studies of /sup 14/C-APM 4 hours after a single intragastric dose showed the highest organs of /sup 14/C-accumulation to be the blood,more » liver, stomach, and small intestine. The molecular form of the /sup 14/C-activity in the tissues was not determined.« less

  3. Polymorphism and Modulation of Para-Substituted l-Phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Sögütoglu, Leyla-Cann; Lutz, Martin; Meekes, Hugo; de Gelder, René; Vlieg, Elias

    2017-12-06

    The crystal structure of para -methyl-l-phenylalanine at 230 K resembles that of the para-fluorinated analogue from the literature but is commensurately modulated with seven molecules in the asymmetric unit ( Z ' = 7). At 100 K, the superstructure loses its modulation, leading to a unit cell with Z ' = 1, with clear disorder in the phenyl ring orientations. The methyl-substituent in para -methyl-l-phenylalanine has, in contrast to fluorine, no polar interactions with protons of neighboring molecules, which might allow for the well-defined modulation of the crystal structure at 230 K.

  4. Synthesis of Novel Chiral Sulfonamide-Bearing 1,2,4-Triazole-3-thione Analogs Derived from D- and L-Phenylalanine Esters as Potential Anti-Influenza Agents.

    PubMed

    Başaran, Eyüp; Karaküçük-Iyidoğan, Ayşegül; Schols, Dominique; Oruç-Emre, Emine Elçin

    2016-06-01

    Novel enantiopure 1,2,4-trizole-3-thiones containing a benzensulfonamide moiety were synthesized via multistep reaction sequence starting with D-phenylalanine methyl ester and L-phenylalanine ethyl ester as a source of chirality. The chemical structures of all compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, UV, IR, (1) H NMR, (13) C NMR, 2D NMR (HETCOR), and mass spectral data. All compounds were tested in vitro antiviral activity against a broad variety of DNA and RNA viruses and in vitro cytostatic activity against murine leukemia (L1210), human T-lymphocyte (CEM) and human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines. Although enantiopure 1,2,4-triazole-3-thione analogs in (R) configuration emerged as promising anti-influenza A H1N1 subtype in Madin Darby canine kidney cell cultures (MDCK), their enantiomers exhibited no activity. Especially compounds , , , , and (EC50 : 6.5, 6.1, 2.4, 1.6, 1.7 μM, respectively) had excellent activity against influenza A H1N1 subtype compared to the reference drug ribavirin (EC50 : 8.0 μM). Several compounds have been found to inhibit proliferation of L1210, CEM and HeLa cell cultures with IC50 in the 12-53 μM range. Compound and in (R) configuration were the most active compounds (IC50 : 12-22 μM for and IC50 : 19-23 μM for ). Chirality 28:495-513, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of mixtures of triterpene glycosides with L-phenylalanine

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lekar, A. V.; Vetrova, E. V.; Borisenko, N. I.; Yakovishin, L. A.; Grishkovets, V. I.; Borisenko, S. N.

    2011-09-01

    Electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to investigate for the first time the molecular complexation of L-phenylalanine with hederagenin 3-O- α- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O- α- L-arabinopyranoside ( α-hederin) and its 28-O- α- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-β- D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-O-β- D-glucopyranosyl ester (hederasaponin C). The glycoside/ L-phenylalanine complexes with a 1:1 molar ratio turned out to be most stable. The structures of the glycosides and L-phenylalanine have been concluded to have an impact on the complexation process.

  6. A simple and sensitive fluorescent sensor for methyl parathion based on L-tyrosine methyl ester functionalized carbon dots.

    PubMed

    Hou, Juying; Dong, Jing; Zhu, Haishuang; Teng, Xue; Ai, Shiyun; Mang, Minglin

    2015-06-15

    In this paper, a simple and sensitive fluorescent sensor for methyl parathion is developed based on L-tyrosine methyl ester functionalized carbon dots (Tyr-CDs) and tyrosinase system. The carbon dots are obtained by simple hydrothermal reaction using citric acid as carbon resource and L-tyrosine methyl ester as modification reagent. The carbon dots are characterized by transmission electron microscope, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The carbon dots show strong and stable photoluminescence with a quantum yield of 3.8%. Tyrosinase can catalyze the oxidation of tyrosine methyl ester on the surface of carbon dots to corresponding quinone products, which can quench the fluorescence of carbon dots. When organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are introduced in system, they can decrease the enzyme activity, thus decrease the fluorescence quenching rate. Methyl parathion, as a model of OPs, was detected. Experimental results show that the enzyme inhibition rate is proportional to the logarithm of the methyl parathion concentration in the range 1.0×10(-10)-1.0×10(-4) M with the detection limit (S/N=3) of 4.8×10(-11) M. This determination method shows a low detection limit, wide linear range, good selectivity and high reproducibility. This sensing system has been successfully used for the analysis of cabbage, milk and fruit juice samples. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Kenaf methyl esters

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Additional or alternative feedstocks are one of the major areas of interest regarding biodiesel. In this paper, for the first time, the fuel properties of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed oil methyl esters are comprehensively reported. This biodiesel is also relatively unique by containing small ...

  8. Phenylalanine containing hydrophobic nanospheres for antibody purification.

    PubMed

    Türkmen, Deniz; Denizli, Adil; Oztürk, Nevra; Akgöl, Sinan; Elkak, Assem

    2008-01-01

    In this study, novel hydrophobic nanospheres with an average size of 158 nm utilizing N-methacryloyl-(L)-phenylalanine methyl ester (MAPA) as a hydrophobic monomer were produced by surfactant free emulsion polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and MAPA conducted in an aqueous dispersion medium. MAPA was synthesized using methacryloyl chloride and L-phenylalanine methyl ester. Specific surface area of the nonporous nanospheres was found to be 1874 m2/g. Poly(HEMA-MAPA) nanospheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Average particle size, size distribution, and surface charge measurements were also performed. Elemental analysis of MAPA for nitrogen was estimated as 0.42 mmol/g polymer. Then, poly(HEMA-MAPA) nanospheres were used in the adsorption of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in batch system. Higher adsorption values (780 mg/g) were obtained when the poly (HEMA-MAPA) nanospheres were used from both aqueous solutions and human plasma. The adsorption phenomena appeared to follow a typical Langmuir isotherm. It was observed that IgG could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed without significant loss in adsorption amount. These findings show considerable promise for this material as a hydrophobic support in industrial processes.

  9. Amino acid-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes for improving compatibility with chiral poly(amide-ester-imide) containing L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine linkages

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abdolmaleki, Amir; Mallakpour, Shadpour; Borandeh, Sedigheh

    2013-12-01

    Amino acid functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs)/poly(amide-ester-imide) (PAEI) composites were fabricated by solution mixing method. Proper functionalization and mixing strategy of MWCNTs provides the best opportunity for better distribution and bonding of nanoparticles to the polymer matrix. MWCNTs have been chemically modified with L-phenylalanine to improve their compatibility with L-phenylalanine based PAEI. Field emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs of composite revealed that f-MWCNTs made a good interaction with polymer chains by wrapping the polymer around them, and transmission electron microscopy results confirmed well dispersion with nano size of f-MWCNTs in the polymer matrix. In addition, thermal analysis showed good enhancement in thermal properties of composites compared to pure polymer. Thermal stability of the composites containing f-MWCNTs was enhanced due to their good dispersion and improved interfacial interaction between the amino acid based PAEI matrix and f-MWCNTs.

  10. Isolation and Synthetic Diversification of Jadomycin 4-Amino-l-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Martinez-Farina, Camilo F; Robertson, Andrew W; Yin, Huimin; Monro, Susan; McFarland, Sherri A; Syvitski, Raymond T; Jakeman, David L

    2015-06-26

    Streptomyces venezuelae ISP5230 was grown in the presence of phenylalanine analogues to observe whether they could be incorporated into novel jadomycin structures. It was found that the bacteria successfully produced jadomycins incorporating 4-aminophenylalanine enantiomers. Upon isolation and characterization of jadomycin 4-amino-l-phenylalanine (1), it was synthetically derivatized, using activated succinimidyl esters, to yield a small jadomycin amide library. These are the first examples of oxazolone-ring-containing jadomycins that have incorporated an amino functionality subsequently used for derivatization.

  11. Progesterone up-regulates vasodilator effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide in N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertension.

    PubMed

    Gangula, P R; Wimalawansa, S J; Yallampalli, C

    1997-04-01

    We recently reported that calcitonin gene-related peptide can reverse the hypertension produced by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester in pregnant rats. In the current study we investigated whether these vasodilator effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide were progesterone dependent. Calcitonin gene-related peptide or N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester was infused through osmotic minipumps, either separately or in combination, to groups of five pregnant rats from day 17 of gestation until day 8 post partum or to nonpregnant ovariectomized rats for 8 days. Progesterone was injected during days 1 to 6 post partum and for 6 days after ovariectomy. Systolic blood pressure was measured daily. Animals receiving N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester exhibited significant elevations of blood pressure during pregnancy and post partum. Coadministration of calcitonin gene-related peptide to these rats reversed the hypertension during pregnancy but not during the postpartum period. At the dose used in this study calcitonin gene-related peptide administered alone was without significant effects on blood pressure. However, it reduced both the mortality and growth restriction of the fetus associated with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester in these animals. Calcitonin gene-related peptide reversed the hypertension in N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-infused postpartum rats during the periods of progesterone treatment only, and these effects were lost when progesterone treatment was stopped. Neither progesterone nor calcitonin gene-related peptide alone were effective. To further confirm these observations, progesterone effects were tested in ovariectomized adult rats. Similar to the findings in postpartum rats, calcitonin gene-related peptide completely reversed the elevation in blood pressure in N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-treated rats receiving progesterone injections. The effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide were apparent only during the progesterone treatment

  12. A modern view of phenylalanine ammonia lyase.

    PubMed

    MacDonald, M Jason; D'Cunha, Godwin B

    2007-06-01

    Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL; E.C.4.3.1.5), which catalyses the biotransformation of L-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamic acid and ammonia, was first described in 1961 by Koukol and Conn. Since its discovery, much knowledge has been gathered with reference to the enzyme's catabolic role in microorganisms and its importance in the phenyl propanoid pathway of plants. The 3-dimensional structure of the enzyme has been characterized using X-ray crystallography. This has led to a greater understanding of the mechanism of PAL-catalyzed reactions, including the discovery of a recently described cofactor, 3,5-dihydro-5-methyldiene-4H-imidazol-4-one. In the past 3 decades, PAL has gained considerable significance in several clinical, industrial, and biotechnological applications. The reversal of the normal physiological reaction can be effectively employed in the production of optically pure L-phenylalanine, which is a precursor of the noncalorific sweetener aspartame (L-phenylalanyl-L-aspartyl methyl ester). The enzyme's natural ability to break down L-phenylalanine makes PAL a reliable treatment for the genetic condition phenylketonuria. In this mini-review, we discuss prominent details relating to the physiological role of PAL, the mechanism of catalysis, methods of determination and purification, enzyme kinetics, and enzyme activity in nonaqueous media. Two topics of current study on PAL, molecular biology and crystal structure, are also discussed.

  13. Thermally reversible gels based on acryloyl- L-proline methyl ester as drug delivery systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Martellini, Flavia; Higa, Olga Z.; Takacs, Erzsebet; Safranj, Agneza; Yoshida, Masaru; Katakai, Ryoichi; Carenza, Mario

    1999-06-01

    Thermally reversible hydrogels were synthesized by radiation-induced copolymerization of acryloyl- L-proline methyl ester with hydrophilic or hydrophobic monomers. The swelling behaviour was found to be affected by a proper balance of the latter. In particular, the transition temperature of the different hydrogels shifted to higher or lower values depending on the presence of hydrophilic or hydrophobic moieties in the polymer chain, respectively. Acetaminophen, an analgesic and antipyretic drug, was entrapped into some hydrogels and a wide range of release rates was obtained according to the nature of the comonomers. A novel thermoresponsive hydrogel was also prepared by radiation polymerization of acryloyl- L-proline methyl ester in the presence of 4-acryloyloxy acetanilide, an acrylic derivative of acetaminophen. Again, the swelling curves showed an inverse function of temperature. It was shown that with this hydrogel bearing the drug covalently attached to the polymer backbone, the hydrolysis process was the rate-determining process of the drug release.

  14. Regulation of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase by L-phenylalanine and nitrogen in Neurospora crassa.

    PubMed Central

    Sikora, L A; Marzluf, G A

    1982-01-01

    Neurospora crassa possesses an inducible L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase that is expressed only when cells are derepressed for nitrogen in the presence of L-phenylalanine. Enzyme synthesis requires both induction by L-phenylalanine and simultaneous nitrogen catabolite derepression. Carbon limitation in the presence of phenylalanine does not elicit induction of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Specific induction by L-phenylalanine is required, and other amino acids completely failed to induce any lyase activity. The nit-2 gene is a major regulatory locus which is believed to mediate nitrogen catabolite repression in Neurospora. Mutants of nit-2 fail to express any phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity under conditions of derepression and induction which lead to good enzyme induction in the wild type and in nit-2 revertants. The loss of lyase activity in nit-2 mutants does not result from inducer exclusion, which suggests that the nit-2 gene product has a direct role in controlling the expression of this enzyme. Substantial amounts of the enzyme were detected in the growth medium as well as in cell extracts. Inhibitors of protein synthesis or RNA synthesis block the induction of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, suggesting that expression of this enzyme is controlled at the level of transcription. PMID:6210688

  15. Maternal melatonin or N-acetylcysteine therapy regulates hydrogen sulfide-generating pathway and renal transcriptome to prevent prenatal NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced fetal programming of hypertension in adult male offspring.

    PubMed

    Tain, You-Lin; Lee, Chien-Te; Chan, Julie Y H; Hsu, Chien-Ning

    2016-11-01

    Pregnancy is a critical time for fetal programming of hypertension. Nitric oxide deficiency during pregnancy causes hypertension in adult offspring. We examined whether maternal melatonin or N-acetylcysteine therapy can prevent N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester-induced fetal programming of hypertension in adult offspring. Next, we aimed to identify potential gatekeeper pathways that contribute to N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester -induced programmed hypertension using the next generation RNA sequencing technology. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 4 groups: control, N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester, N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester +melatonin, and N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester+N-acetylcysteine. Pregnant rats received N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester administration at 60 mg/kg/d subcutaneously during pregnancy alone, with additional 0.01% melatonin in drinking water, or with additional 1% N-acetylcysteine in drinking water during the entire pregnancy and lactation. Male offspring (n=8/group) were killed at 12 weeks of age. N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester exposure during pregnancy induced programmed hypertension in adult male offspring, which was prevented by maternal melatonin or N-acetylcysteine therapy. Protective effects of melatonin and N-acetylcysteine against N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester-induced programmed hypertension were associated with an increase in hydrogen sulfide-generating enzymes and hydrogen sulfide synthesis in the kidneys. Nitric oxide inhibition by N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester in pregnancy caused >2000 renal transcripts to be modified during nephrogenesis stage in 1-day-old offspring kidney. Among them, genes belong to the renin-angiotensin system, and arachidonic acid metabolism pathways were potentially involved in the N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester-induced programmed hypertension. However, melatonin and N-acetylcysteine reprogrammed the renin-angiotensin system and arachidonic acid pathway

  16. The influence of L-phenylalanine, methyl jasmonate and sucrose concentration on the accumulation of phenolic acids in Exacum affine Balf. f. ex Regel shoot culture.

    PubMed

    Skrzypczak-Pietraszek, Ewa; Słota, Joanna; Pietraszek, Jacek

    2014-01-01

    Phenolic acids are an important group of plant secondary metabolites with various, valuable therapeutic properties. Apart from plants growing in the open air, tissue cultures can be an alternative source of the secondary metabolites. The yield of their accumulation in in vitro cultures can be increased by different methods, including culture medium supplementation with precursors, elicitors and changing the standard amounts of the medium components. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the precursor (L-phenylalanine), the elicitor (methyl jasmonate) and a higher sucrose concentration on the phenolic acids accumulation in the agitated shoot cultures of Exacum affine Balf. f. ex Regel (Gentianaceae). Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the phenolic acids in methanolic extracts from the biomass were conducted by applying the HPLC method. Fourteen phenolic acids and cinnamic acid were found in all samples. The total content of free phenolic acids increased from approximately 0.242% to 0.635% (2.6-fold) and the total content of the whole phenolic acids (free and bound) - from 0.712% to 1.160% (1.6-fold). The studies show that the best variant for the accumulation of most of the identified phenolic acids contained 6% of sucrose (double the standard amount), L-phenylalanine 1.6 gL(-1) of medium and methyl jasmonate 100 μM. The analysis of the results in the experiment presented here showed that it is possible to increase the accumulation of the phenolic acids in Exacum affine shoot cultures - by adding the precursor (L-phenylalanine), the elicitor (methyl jasmonate) and by increasing the sucrose concentration.

  17. Dietary aspartyl-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester delays osteoarthritis and prevents associated bone loss in STR/ORT mice

    PubMed Central

    Manion, Carl V.; Hochgeschwender, Ute; Edmundson, Allen B.; Hugli, Tony E.

    2011-01-01

    Objective. STR/ORT mice provide a well-known model for murine idiopathic OA, with histological joint lesions resembling those of human OA. This model was used to investigate protective effects of the dipeptide aspartyl-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester (Asp-Phe-OMe or aspartame) via the oral route vs a regular diet. Methods. STR/ORT mice were housed individually and fed diets with or without Asp-Phe-OMe (4 mg/kg), after weaning at the age of 3 weeks, until 15 months of age (average of 20 animals per group). The study groups were kept blinded to the investigators, who measured food consumption and body weight and performed gait mobility tests. Radiographic scans were also performed at regular time intervals to evaluate differential radiographic anomalies associated with progress of OA in response to oral Asp-Phe-OMe therapy. Results. The Asp-Phe-OMe-fed animals presented a pattern of significantly delayed disease onset. In addition, their muscle and bone mass were highly preserved, even at later time points after OA was established. Moreover, control animals presented a higher variability in gait motility in comparison with the Asp-Phe-OMe-fed animals, suggesting a protective effect from movement limitations associated with advanced OA. Conclusion. Asp-Phe-OMe, given orally, delays OA in the spontaneous STR/ORT model, improves bone cortical density and muscle mass, and may contribute to a better quality of life for these diseased animals. PMID:21372000

  18. The influence of cyclomaltooligosaccharides (cyclodextrins) on the enzymatic decomposition of l-phenylalanine catalyzed by phenylalanine ammonia-lyase.

    PubMed

    Gubica, Tomasz; Pełka, Agnieszka; Pałka, Katarzyna; Temeriusz, Andrzej; Kańska, Marianna

    2011-09-27

    Cyclomaltohexaose (α-cyclodextrin) and cyclomaltoheptaose (β-cyclodextrin) as well as their four methyl ether derivatives, that is, hexakis(2,3-di-O-methyl)cyclomaltohexaose, hexakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)cyclomaltohexaose, heptakis(2,3-di-O-methyl)cyclomaltoheptaose, and heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)cyclomaltoheptaose were investigated as the additives in the course of enzymatic decomposition of l-phenylalanine catalyzed by phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Only a few of those additives behaved like classical inhibitors of the enzymatic reaction under investigation because the values of the Michaelis constants that were obtained, as well as the maximum velocity values depended mostly atypically on the concentrations of those additives. In most cases cyclodextrins caused mixed inhibition, both competitive and noncompetitive, but they also acted as activators for selected concentrations. This atypical behaviour of cyclodextrins is caused by three different and independent effects. The inhibitory effect of cyclodextrins is connected with the decrease of substrate concentration and unfavourable influence on the flexibility of the enzyme molecules. On the other hand, the activating effect is connected with the decrease of product concentration (the product is an inhibitor of the enzymatic reaction under investigation). All these effects are caused by the ability of the cyclodextrins to form inclusion complexes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. 21 CFR 172.816 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 172.816... § 172.816 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester may be safely used in food in accordance with the following conditions: (a) It is the methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester...

  20. Ubiquitin vinyl methyl ester binding orients the misaligned active site of the ubiquitin hydrolase UCHL1 into productive conformation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Boudreaux, David A.; Maiti, Tushar K.; Davies, Christopher W.

    Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is a Parkinson disease-associated, putative cysteine protease found abundantly and selectively expressed in neurons. The crystal structure of apo UCHL1 showed that the active-site residues are not aligned in a canonical form, with the nucleophilic cysteine being 7.7 {angstrom} from the general base histidine, an arrangement consistent with an inactive form of the enzyme. Here we report the crystal structures of the wild type and two Parkinson disease-associated variants of the enzyme, S18Y and I93M, bound to a ubiquitin-based suicide substrate, ubiquitin vinyl methyl ester. These structures reveal that ubiquitin vinyl methyl ester binds primarilymore » at two sites on the enzyme, with its carboxy terminus at the active site and with its amino-terminal {beta}-hairpin at the distal site - a surface-exposed hydrophobic crevice 17 {angstrom} away from the active site. Binding at the distal site initiates a cascade of side-chain movements in the enzyme that starts at a highly conserved, surface-exposed phenylalanine and is relayed to the active site resulting in the reorientation and proximal placement of the general base within 4 {angstrom} of the catalytic cysteine, an arrangement found in productive cysteine proteases. Mutation of the distal-site, surface-exposed phenylalanine to alanine reduces ubiquitin binding and severely impairs the catalytic activity of the enzyme. These results suggest that the activity of UCHL1 may be regulated by its own substrate.« less

  1. Therapeutic implication of L-phenylalanine aggregation mechanism and its modulation by D-phenylalanine in phenylketonuria.

    PubMed

    Singh, Virender; Rai, Ratan Kumar; Arora, Ashish; Sinha, Neeraj; Thakur, Ashwani Kumar

    2014-01-27

    Self-assembly of phenylalanine is linked to amyloid formation toxicity in phenylketonuria disease. We are demonstrating that L-phenylalanine self-assembles to amyloid fibrils at varying experimental conditions and transforms to a gel state at saturated concentration. Biophysical methods including nuclear magnetic resonance, resistance by alpha-phenylglycine to fibril formation and preference of protected phenylalanine to self-assemble show that this behaviour of L-phenylalanine is governed mainly by hydrophobic interactions. Interestingly, D-phenylalanine arrests the fibre formation by L-phenylalanine and gives rise to flakes. These flakes do not propagate further and prevent fibre formation by L-phenylalanine. This suggests the use of D-phenylalanine as modulator of L-phenylalanine amyloid formation and may qualify as a therapeutic molecule in phenylketonuria.

  2. Therapeutic implication of L-phenylalanine aggregation mechanism and its modulation by D-phenylalanine in phenylketonuria

    PubMed Central

    Singh, Virender; Rai, Ratan Kumar; Arora, Ashish; Sinha, Neeraj; Thakur, Ashwani Kumar

    2014-01-01

    Self-assembly of phenylalanine is linked to amyloid formation toxicity in phenylketonuria disease. We are demonstrating that L-phenylalanine self-assembles to amyloid fibrils at varying experimental conditions and transforms to a gel state at saturated concentration. Biophysical methods including nuclear magnetic resonance, resistance by alpha-phenylglycine to fibril formation and preference of protected phenylalanine to self-assemble show that this behaviour of L-phenylalanine is governed mainly by hydrophobic interactions. Interestingly, D-phenylalanine arrests the fibre formation by L-phenylalanine and gives rise to flakes. These flakes do not propagate further and prevent fibre formation by L-phenylalanine. This suggests the use of D-phenylalanine as modulator of L-phenylalanine amyloid formation and may qualify as a therapeutic molecule in phenylketonuria. PMID:24464217

  3. Synthesis and analysis of 2-[211At]-L-phenylalanine and 4-[211At]-L-phenylalanine and their uptake in human glioma cell cultures in-vitro.

    PubMed

    Meyer, Geerd J; Walte, Almut; Sriyapureddy, Siva R; Grote, Michaela; Krull, Doris; Korkmaz, Zekiye; Knapp, Wolfram H

    2010-06-01

    2-[211At]-L-phenylalanine and 4-[211At]-L-phenylalanine were prepared from the corresponding iodo and bromo derivatives using the Cu(+)-assisted nucleophilic exchange. 4-[211At]-L-phenylalanine was additionally prepared by destannylation of the BOC-derivatized 4-tributylstannyl-L-phenylalanine. Radiochemical yields of 2-[211At]-L-phenylalanine and 4-[211At]-L-phenylalanine by nucleophilic exchange were 52-74% and 65-85%. Radiochemical yield of 4-[211At]-L-phenylalanine by electrophilic destannylation was 35-50%. HPLC sequence analysis showed that 2-[211At]-L-phenylalanine followed the halogen sequence (FL-phenylalanine eluted between 4-Br-L-phenylalanine and 4-I-L-phenylalanine (FL-phenylalanine and 4-[131I]-L-phenylalanine in DBTRG-05MG glioma cells was inhibited by l-phenylalanine 7-fold and 6-fold, respectively. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. 21 CFR 178.3600 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 178.3600 Section 178.3600 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... Production Aids § 178.3600 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester identified...

  5. 21 CFR 172.816 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 172.816... HUMAN CONSUMPTION Multipurpose Additives § 172.816 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester may be safely used in food in accordance with the following conditions: (a) It is the...

  6. 21 CFR 172.816 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2010-04-01 2009-04-01 true Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 172.816 Section... HUMAN CONSUMPTION Multipurpose Additives § 172.816 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester may be safely used in food in accordance with the following conditions: (a) It is the...

  7. 21 CFR 172.816 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 172.816... HUMAN CONSUMPTION Multipurpose Additives § 172.816 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester may be safely used in food in accordance with the following conditions: (a) It is the...

  8. 21 CFR 172.816 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 172.816... HUMAN CONSUMPTION Multipurpose Additives § 172.816 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester may be safely used in food in accordance with the following conditions: (a) It is the...

  9. 21 CFR 178.3600 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 178.3600... SANITIZERS Certain Adjuvants and Production Aids § 178.3600 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester identified in § 172.816(a) of this chapter may be safely used as a processing...

  10. 21 CFR 178.3600 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2010-04-01 2009-04-01 true Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 178.3600... SANITIZERS Certain Adjuvants and Production Aids § 178.3600 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester identified in § 172.816(a) of this chapter may be safely used as a processing...

  11. 21 CFR 178.3600 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 178.3600... SANITIZERS Certain Adjuvants and Production Aids § 178.3600 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester identified in § 172.816(a) of this chapter may be safely used as a processing...

  12. 21 CFR 178.3600 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 178.3600... SANITIZERS Certain Adjuvants and Production Aids § 178.3600 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester identified in § 172.816(a) of this chapter may be safely used as a processing...

  13. A new approach for quantitative analysis of L-phenylalanine using a novel semi-sandwich immunometric assay.

    PubMed

    Kubota, Kazuyuki; Mizukoshi, Toshimi; Miyano, Hiroshi

    2013-10-01

    Here, we describe a novel method for L-phenylalanine analysis using a sandwich-type immunometric assay approach for use as a new method for amino acid analysis. To overcome difficulties of the preparation of high-affinity and selectivity monoclonal antibodies against L-phenylalanine and the inability to use sandwich-type immunometric assays due to their small molecular weight, three procedures were examined. First, amino groups of L-phenylalanine were modified by "N-Fmoc-L-cysteine" (FC) residues and the derivative (FC-Phe) was used as a hapten. Immunization of mice with bovine serum albumin/FC-Phe conjugate successfully yielded specific monoclonal anti-FC-Phe antibodies. Second, a new derivatization reagent, "biotin linker conjugate of FC-Phe N-succinimidyl ester" (FC(Biotin)-NHS), was synthesized to convert L-phenylalanine to FC-(Biotin)-Phe as a hapten structure. The biotin moiety linked to the thiol group of cysteine formed a second binding site for streptavidin/horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugates for optical detection. Third, a new semi-sandwich-type immunometric assay was established using pre-derivatized L-phenylalanine, the monoclonal anti-FC-Phe antibody, and streptavidin/HRP conjugate (without second antibody). Using the new "semi-sandwich" immunometric assay system, a detection limit of 35 nM (60 amol per analysis) and a detection range of 0.1-20 μM were attained using a standard L-phenylalanine solution. Rat plasma samples were analyzed to test reliability. Intra-day assay precision was within 6% of the coefficient of variation; inter-day variation was 0.1%. The recovery rates were from 92.4 to 123.7%. This is the first report of the quantitative determination of L-phenylalanine using a reliable semi-sandwich immunometric assay approach and will be applicable to the quantitative determination of other amino acids.

  14. Amino Acid Isomerization in the Production of l-Phenylalanine from d-Phenylalanine by Bacteria1

    PubMed Central

    Chibata, Ichiro; Tosa, Tetsuya; Sano, Ryujiro

    1965-01-01

    To establish an advantageous method for the production of l-amino acids, microbial isomerization of d- and dl-amino acids to l-amino acids was studied. Screening experiments on a number of microorganisms showed that cell suspensions of Pseudomonas fluorescens and P. miyamizu were capable of isomerizing d- and dl-phenylalanines to l-phenylalanine. Various conditions suitable for isomerization by these organisms were investigated. Cells grown in a medium containing d-phenylalanine showed highest isomerization activity, and almost completely converted d- or dl-phenylalanine into l-phenylalanine within 24 to 48 hr of incubation. Enzymatic studies on this isomerizing system suggested that the isomerization of d- or dl-phenylalanine is not catalyzed by a single enzyme, “amino acid isomerase,” but the conversion proceeds by a two step system as follows: d-pheylalanine is oxidized to phenylpyruvic acid by d-amino acid oxidase, and the acid is converted to l-phenylalanine by transamination or reductive amination. PMID:14339270

  15. Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for production of 2-Phenylethylacetate from L-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Guo, Daoyi; Zhang, Lihua; Pan, Hong; Li, Xun

    2017-08-01

    In order to meet the need of consumer preferences for natural flavor compounds, microbial synthesis method has become a very attractive alternative to the chemical production. The 2-phenylethanol (2-PE) and its ester 2-phenylethylacetate (2-PEAc) are two extremely important flavor compounds with a rose-like odor. In recent years, Escherichia coli and yeast have been metabolically engineered to produce 2-PE. However, a metabolic engineering approach for 2-PEAc production is rare. Here, we designed and expressed a 2-PEAc biosynthetic pathway in E. coli. This pathway comprised four steps: aminotransferase (ARO8) for transamination of L-phenylalanine to phenylpyruvate, 2-keto acid decarboxylase KDC for the decarboxylation of the phenylpyruvate to phenylacetaldehyde, aldehyde reductase YjgB for the reduction of phenylacetaldehyde to 2-PE, alcohol acetyltransferase ATF1 for the esterification of 2-PE to 2-PEAc. Using the engineered E. coli strain for shake flasks cultivation with 1 g/L L-phenylalanine, we achieved co-production of 268 mg/L 2-PEAc and 277 mg/L 2-PE. Our results suggest that approximately 65% of L-phenylalanine was utilized toward 2-PEAc and 2-PE biosynthesis and thus demonstrate potential industrial applicability of this microbial platform. © 2017 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  16. Regulation of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase from Rhizoctonia solani.

    PubMed Central

    Kalghatgi, K K; Subba Rao, P V

    1976-01-01

    Maximal levels of L-henylalanine ammonia-lyase activity were observed when the mycelial felts of Rhizoctonia solani were grown for 4.5 days on Byrde synthetic medium containing 3.5% glucose and 0.3% L-phenylalanine, Differential centrifugation studies have indicated that the enzyme is localized in the soluble fraction. The time course of induction of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity by L-phenylalanine showed a lag period of 1 to 1.5 h and reached a maximum around 4 to 6 h after the addition of the inducer to the medium. L-Phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, and L-tryptophan were nearly equally efficient inducers of the enzyme. D-Phenylalanine was as efficient as the L-isomer, whereas D-tyrosine was a poor inducer. Light, gibberellic acid, indole 3-acetic acid, and kinetin had no effect on the induction of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity. Cycloheximide did not inhibit the uptake of amino acids by the mycelia but completely blocked the incorporation of radioactive amino acids into soluble proteins and the development of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity. Actinomycin D inhibited both the incorporation of 32P into ribonucleic acid and the enzyme activity. Conclusive evidence for de novo synthesis of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase was obtained by the incorporation of radioactive amino acids into the enzyme. Electrophoretic analysis of the purified preparation showed a single protein band that coincided with radioactivity and L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity. Glucose and intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, like citric acid, alpha-ketoglutaric acid, and succinic acid, and the metabolites of L-phenylalanine, like o-coumaric acid, o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, and protocatechuic acid, significantly repressed L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity. The observed repression was not relieved by cyclic adenosine 5'-triphosphate. Images PMID:1262311

  17. Kinetics and thermodynamics of oxidation mediated reaction in L-cysteine and its methyl and ethyl esters in dimethyl sulfoxide-d6 by NMR spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dougherty, Ryan J.; Singh, Jaideep; Krishnan, V. V.

    2017-03-01

    L-Cysteine (L-Cys), L-Cysteine methyl ester (L-CysME) or L-Cysteine ethyl ester (L-CysEE), when dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide, undergoes an oxidation process. This process is slow enough and leads to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral changes that could be monitored in real time. The oxidation mediated transition is modeled as a pseudo-first order kinetics and the thermodynamic parameters are estimated using the Eyring's formulation. L-Cysteine and their esters are often used as biological models due to the remarkable thiol group that can be found in different oxidation states. This oxidation mediated transition is due to the combination of thiol oxidation to a disulfide followed by solvent-induced effects may be relevant in designing cysteine-based molecular models.

  18. 21 CFR 573.660 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... (CONTINUED) ANIMAL DRUGS, FEEDS, AND RELATED PRODUCTS FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FEED AND DRINKING WATER OF ANIMALS Food Additive Listing § 573.660 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 573.660...

  19. 21 CFR 573.660 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... (CONTINUED) ANIMAL DRUGS, FEEDS, AND RELATED PRODUCTS FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FEED AND DRINKING WATER OF ANIMALS Food Additive Listing § 573.660 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 573.660...

  20. 21 CFR 573.660 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... (CONTINUED) ANIMAL DRUGS, FEEDS, AND RELATED PRODUCTS FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FEED AND DRINKING WATER OF ANIMALS Food Additive Listing § 573.660 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 573.660...

  1. 21 CFR 573.660 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... (CONTINUED) ANIMAL DRUGS, FEEDS, AND RELATED PRODUCTS FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FEED AND DRINKING WATER OF ANIMALS Food Additive Listing § 573.660 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 573.660...

  2. 21 CFR 573.660 - Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... (CONTINUED) ANIMAL DRUGS, FEEDS, AND RELATED PRODUCTS FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FEED AND DRINKING WATER OF ANIMALS Food Additive Listing § 573.660 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. Methyl glucoside-coconut oil... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester. 573.660...

  3. Racemization of aspartic acid and phenylalanine in the sweetener aspartame at 100 degrees C.

    PubMed Central

    Boehm, M F; Bada, J L

    1984-01-01

    The racemization half-lives (i.e., the time required to reach a D/L = 0.33) at pH 6.8 for aspartic acid and phenylalanine in the sweetener aspartame (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) were determined to be 13 and 23 hours, respectively, at 100 degrees C. Racemization at this pH does not occur in aspartame but rather in its diketopiperazine decomposition product. Our results indicate that the use of aspartame to sweeten neutral pH foods and beverages that are then heated at elevated temperature could generate D-aspartic acid and D-phenylalanine. The nutritive consequences of these D-amino acids in the human diet are not well established, and thus aspartame should probably not be used as a sweetener when the exposure of neutral pH foods and beverages to elevated temperatures is required. At pH 4, a typical pH of most foods and beverages that might be sweetened with aspartame, the half-lives are 47 hours for aspartic acid and 1200 hours for phenylalanine at 100 degrees C. Racemization at pH 4 takes place in aspartame itself. Although the racemization rates at pH 4 are slow and no appreciable racemization of aspartic acid and phenylalanine should occur during the normal use of aspartame, some food and beverage components could conceivably act as catalysts. Additional studies are required to evaluate whether the use of aspartame as a sugar substitute might not in turn result in an increased human consumption of D-aspartic acid and D-phenylalanine. PMID:6591191

  4. Novel Strategy of Using Methyl Esters as Slow Release Methanol Source during Lipase Expression by mut+ Pichia pastoris X33

    PubMed Central

    Kumari, Arti; Gupta, Rani

    2014-01-01

    One of the major issues with heterologous production of proteins in Pichia pastoris X33 under AOX1 promoter is repeated methanol induction. To obviate repeated methanol induction, methyl esters were used as a slow release source of methanol in lipase expressing mut+ recombinant. Experimental design was based on the strategy that in presence of lipase, methyl esters can be hydrolysed to release their products as methanol and fatty acid. Hence, upon break down of methyl esters by lipase, first methanol will be used as a carbon source and inducer. Then P. pastoris can switch over to fatty acid as a carbon source for multiplication and biomass maintenance till further induction by methyl esters. We validated this strategy using recombinant P. pastoris expressing Lip A, Lip C from Trichosporon asahii and Lip11 from Yarrowia lipolytica. We found that the optimum lipase yield under repeated methanol induction after 120 h was 32866 U/L, 28271 U/L and 21978 U/L for Lip C, Lip A and Lip 11 respectively. In addition, we found that a single dose of methyl ester supported higher production than repeated methanol induction. Among various methyl esters tested, methyl oleate (0.5%) caused 1.2 fold higher yield for LipA and LipC and 1.4 fold for Lip11 after 120 h of induction. Sequential utilization of methanol and oleic acid by P. pastoris was observed and was supported by differential peroxisome proliferation studies by transmission electron microscopy. Our study identifies a novel strategy of using methyl esters as slow release methanol source during lipase expression. PMID:25170843

  5. Thermal Decomposition of Methyl Esters in Biodiesel Fuel: Kinetics, Mechanisms and Products

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chai, Ming

    Biodiesel continues to enjoy increasing popularity. However, recent studies on carbonyl compounds emissions from biodiesel fuel are inconclusive. Emissions of carbonyl compounds from petroleum diesel fuels were compared to emissions from pure biodiesel fuels and petroleum-biodiesel blends used in a non-road diesel generator. The concentration of total carbonyl compounds was the highest when the engine was idling. The carbonyl emissions, as well as ozone formation potential, from biodiesel fuel blends were higher than those emitted from petroleum diesel fuel. The sulfur content of diesel fuel and the source of biodiesel fuel were not found to have a significant impact on emissions of carbonyl compounds. Mechanism parameters of the thermal decomposition of biodiesel-range methyl esters were obtained from the results of thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The overall reaction orders are between 0.49 and 0.71 and the energies of activation are between 59.9 and 101.3 kJ/mole. Methyl esters in air have lower activation energies than those in nitrogen. Methyl linoleate has the lowest activation energy, followed by methyl oleate, and methyl stearate. The pyrolysis and oxidation of the three methyl esters were investigated using a semi-isothermal tubular flow reactor. The profiles of major products versus reaction temperature are presented. In the pyrolysis of methyl stearate, the primary reaction pathway is the decarboxylic reaction at the methyl ester functional group. Methyl oleate's products indicate more reactions on its carbon-carbon double bond. Methyl linoleate shows highest reactivity among the three methyl esters, and 87 products were detected. The oxidation of three methyl esters resulted in more products in all compound classes, and 55, 114, and 127 products were detected, respectively. The oxidation of methyl esters includes decarboxylation on ester group. The methyl ester's carbon chain could be oxidized as a hydrocarbon compound and form oxidized esters and

  6. Improved synthetic route to methyl 1-fluoroindan-1-carboxylate (FICA Me ester) and 4-methyl derivatives.

    PubMed

    Koyanagi, Jyunichi; Kamei, Tomoyo; Ishizaki, Miyuki; Nakamura, Hiroshi; Takahashi, Tamiko

    2014-01-01

    An improved synthetic route has been developed for the preparation of methyl 1-fluoroindan-1-carboxylate (FICA Me ester) from 1-indanone. Methyl 4-methyl-1-fluoroindan-1-carboxylate (4-Me-FICA Me ester) was also prepared following the same procedure.

  7. Oxygenated N-Acyl Alanine Methyl Esters (NAMEs) from the Marine Bacterium Roseovarius tolerans EL-164.

    PubMed

    Bruns, Hilke; Herrmann, Jennifer; Müller, Rolf; Wang, Hui; Wagner Döbler, Irene; Schulz, Stefan

    2018-01-26

    The marine bacterium Roseovarius tolerans EL-164 (Rhodobacteraceae) can produce unique N-acylalanine methyl esters (NAMEs) besides strucutrally related N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs), bacterial signaling compounds widespread in the Rhodobacteraceae. The structures of two unprecedented NAMEs carrying a rare terminally oxidized acyl chain are reported here. The compounds (Z)-N-16-hydroxyhexadec-9-enoyl-l-alanine methyl ester (Z9-16-OH-C16:1-NAME, 3) and (Z)-N-15-carboxypentadec-9-enoyl-l-alanine methyl ester (16COOH-C16:1-NAME, 4) were isolated, and the structures were determined by NMR and MS experiments. Both compounds were synthesized to prove assignments and to test their biological activity. Finally, non-natural, structurally related Z9-3-OH-C16:1-NAME (18) was synthesized to investigate the mass spectroscopy of structurally related NAMEs. Compound 3 showed moderate antibacterial activity against microorganisms such as Bacillus, Streptococcus, Micrococcus, or Mucor strains. In contrast to AHLs, quorum-sensing or quorum-quenching activity was not observed.

  8. Kapok oil methyl esters

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The increased need for biodiesel feedstocks has caused various vegetable oils to be examined for this purpose. In the present work, the methyl esters of kapok (Ceiba pentandra) oil were prepared. The essential fuel properties were comprehensively determined and evaluated in comparison to specificati...

  9. Molecular Modulation of Inhibitors of Apoptosis as a Novel Approach for Radiosensitization of Human Prostate Cancer

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-11-01

    was purified from natural racemic gossypol. Briefly, racemic gossypol was reacted with L - phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride overnight at room...solution of the resolved (F)-gossypol- phenylalanine methyl ester Schiff’s base was hydrolyzed by a mixture of tetrahydro- furan, glacial acetic acid...suppression of NF-kappaB-regulated antiapoptotic and metastatic gene products. Mol Pharmacol 2007; 71: 209-19. [136]Wang L , Du F, Wang X. TNF- alpha induces

  10. Syntheses of halogen derivatives of L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine labeled with hydrogen isotopes.

    PubMed

    Pająk, Małgorzata; Pałka, Katarzyna; Winnicka, Elżbieta; Kańska, Marianna

    2016-01-01

    Halogenated, labeled with tritium and doubly with deuterium and tritium, derivatives of L-tryptophan, i.e. 5'-bromo-[2-(3)H]-, 5'-bromo-[2-(2)H/(3)H]-, 5'-fluoro-[2-(3)H]-5'-fluoro-[2-(2)H/(3)H]-, 6'-fluoro-[2-(3)H]-, 6'-fluoro-[2-(2)H/(3)H]-L-tryptophan, as well as, L-tyrosine, i.e. 3'-fluoro-[2-(3)H]-, 3'-fluoro-[2-(2)H/(3)H]-, 3'-chloro-[2-(3)H]-, and 3'-chloro-[2-(2)H/(3)H]-L-tyrosine, and also L-phenylalanine, i.e. 2'-fluoro-[(3S)-(3)H]-, 2'-fluoro-[(3S)-(2)H/(3) H]-, 2'-chloro-[(3S)-(3)H]-, 2'-chloro-[(3S)-(2)H/(3)H]-, 4'-chloro-[(3S)-(3)H]-, and 4'-chloro-[(3S)-(2)H/(3)H]-L-phenylalanine were synthesized using enzymatic methods. Isotopomers of L-tryptophan were synthesized by coupling of halogenated indoles with S-methyl-L-cysteine carried out in deuteriated or tritiated incubation media. Labeled halogenated derivatives of L-tyrosine were obtained by the enzymatically supported exchange between halogenated L-tyrosine and isotopic water. Labeled halogenated isotopologues of L-Phe were synthesized by the enzymatic addition of ammonia to halogenated cinnamic acid. As a source of hydrogen tritiated water (HTO) and heavy water (D2O) with addition of HTO were used. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  11. Synthesis and Explosion Hazards of 4-Azido-l-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Richardson, Mark B; Brown, Derek B; Vasquez, Carlos A; Ziller, Joseph W; Johnston, Kevin M; Weiss, Gregory A

    2018-04-20

    A reliable, scalable, cost-effective, and chromatography-free synthesis of 4-azido-l-phenylalanine beginning from l-phenylalanine is described. Investigations into the safety of the synthesis reveal that the Ullman-like Cu(I)-catalyzed azidation step does not represent a significant risk. The isolated 4-azido-l-phenylalanine product, however, exhibits previously undocumented explosive characteristics.

  12. Role of Hydrogen Bonding on Nonlinear Mechano-Optical Behavior of L-Phenylalanine-based Poly(ester urea)s.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Keke; Yu, Jiayi; Guzman, Gustavo; Es-Haghi, S. Shams; Becker, Matthew L.; Cakmak, Miko

    The uniaxial mechano-optical behavior of a series of amorphous L-phenylalanine-based poly(ester urea) (PEU) films was studied in the rubbery state using a custom real-time measurement system. When the materials were subjected to deformation at temperatures near the glass transition temperature (Tg) , the photoelastic behavior was manifested by a small increase in birefringence with a significant increase in true stress. At temperatures above Tg, PEUs with a shorter diol chain length exhibited a liquid-liquid (Tll) transition at about 1.06 Tg (K), above which the material transforms from a heterogeneous ``liquid of fixed-structure'' to a ``true liquid'' state. The initial photoelastic behavior disappears with increasing temperature, as the initial slope of the stress optical curves becomes temperature independent. Fourier transform infrared spectra of PEUs revealed that the average strength of hydrogen bonding diminishes with increasing temperature. For PEUs with the longest diol chain length, the area associated with N-H stretching region exhibits a linear temperature dependence. The presence of hydrogen bonding enhances the ``stiff'' segmental correlations between adjacent chains in the PEU structure. As a result, the photoelastic constant decreases with increasing hydrogen bonding strength. This work was supported by the Ohio Department of Development's Innovation Platform Program and The National Science Foundation.

  13. Hydrogen bond docking site competition in methyl esters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Hailiang; Tang, Shanshan; Du, Lin

    2017-06-01

    The Osbnd H ⋯ O hydrogen bonds in the 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE)-methyl ester complexes in the gas phase have been investigated by FTIR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Methyl formate (MF), methyl acetate (MA), and methyl trifluoroacetate (MTFA) were chosen as the hydrogen bond acceptors. A dominant inter-molecular hydrogen bond was formed between the OH group of TFE and different docking sites in the methyl esters (carbonyl oxygen or ester oxygen). The competition of the two docking sites decides the structure and spectral properties of the complexes. On the basis of the observed red shifts of the OH-stretching transition with respect to the TFE monomer, the order of the hydrogen bond strength can be sorted as TFE-MA (119 cm- 1) > TFE-MF (93 cm- 1) > TFE-MTFA (44 cm- 1). Combining the experimental infrared spectra with the DFT calculations, the Gibbs free energies of formation were determined to be 1.5, 4.5 and 8.6 kJ mol- 1 for TFE-MA, TFE-MF and TFE-MTFA, respectively. The hydrogen bonding in the MTFA complex is much weaker than those of the TFE-MA and TFE-MF complexes due to the effect of the CF3 substitution on MTFA, while the replacement of an H atom with a CH3 group in methyl ester only slightly increases the hydrogen bond strength. Topological analysis and localized molecular orbital energy decomposition analysis was also applied to compare the interactions in the complexes.

  14. Application of ethyl esters and d3-methyl esters as internal standards for the gas chromatographic quantification of transesterified fatty acid methyl esters in food.

    PubMed

    Thurnhofer, Saskia; Vetter, Walter

    2006-05-03

    Ethyl esters (FAEE) and trideuterium-labeled methyl esters (d3-FAME) of fatty acids were prepared and investigated regarding their suitability as internal standards (IS) for the determination of fatty acids as methyl esters (FAME). On CP-Sil 88, ethyl esters of odd-numbered fatty acids eluted approximately 0.5 min after the respective FAME, and only coelutions with minor FAME were observed. Depending on the problem, one or even many FAEE can be added as IS for the quantification of FAME by both GC-FID and GC-MS. By contrast, d3-FAME coeluted with FAME on the polar GC column, and the use of the former as IS requires application of GC-MS. In the SIM mode, m/z 77 and 90 are suggested for d3-methyl esters of saturated fatty acids, whereas m/z 88 and 101 are recommended for ethyl esters of saturated fatty acids. These m/z values give either no or very low response for FAME and can thus be used for the analysis of FAME in food by GC-MS in the SIM mode. Fatty acids in sunflower oil and mozzarella cheese were quantified using five saturated FAEE as IS. Gravimetric studies showed that the transesterification procedure could be carried out without of loss of fatty acids. GC-EI/MS full scan analysis was suitable for the quantitative determination of all unsaturated fatty acids in both food samples, whereas GC-EI/MS in the SIM mode was particularly valuable for quantifying minor fatty acids. The novel GC-EI/MS/SIM method using fatty acid ethyl esters as internal standards can be used to quantify individual fatty acids only, that is, without determination of all fatty acids (the common 100% method), although this is present. This was demonstrated by the exclusive quantification of selected fatty acids including methyl-branched fatty acids, erucic acid (18:1n-9trans), and polyunsaturated fatty acids in cod liver oil and goat's milk fat.

  15. Surface modification of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles by poly( L-phenylalanine) via ROP of L-phenylalanine N-carboxyanhydride (Pha-NCA)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dai, Yanfeng; Xu, Min; Wei, Junchao; Zhang, Haobin; Chen, Yiwang

    2012-01-01

    The surface of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles was modified by poly(L-phenylalanine) via the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of L-phenylalanine N-carboxyanhydride. The preparation procedure was monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the modified hydroxyapatite was characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the surface grafting amounts of poly(L-phenylalanine) on HA ranging from 20.26% to 38.92% can be achieved by tuning the reaction condition. The XRD patterns demonstrated that the crystalline structure of the modified hydroxyapatite was nearly the same with that of HA, implying that the ROP was an efficient surface modification method. The MTT assay proved that the biocompatibility of modified HA was very good, which showed the potential application of modified HA in bone tissue engineering.

  16. Induction of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase during utilization of phenylalanine as a carbon or nitrogen source in Rhodotorula glutinis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Marusich, W.C.; Jensen, R.A.; Zamir, L.O.

    Rhodotorula glutinis is a convenient source of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, an enzyme that is useful as a biochemical reagent in the assay of L-phenylalanine. There have been previous descriptions of induced lyase production in complex medium where induction occurs late in exponential growth, suggesting a role in secondary metabolism such as is the case in higher plants. A higher specific activity of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (sixfold higher than in complex medium) can be obtained during midexponential growth in a defined medium containing L-phenylalanine as the sole source of carbon. L-phenylalanine will also induce lyase synthesis during exponential growth in minimal medium inmore » which L-phenylalanine is the sole source of nitrogen. The appearance of lyase in complex medium supplemented with L-phenylalanine is probably triggered fortuitously by exhaustion late in growth of a prime source of nitrogen. In this study, R. glutinis appeared to express a single lyase enzyme, regardless of whether induction was nitrogen signaled or carbon signaled. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of ether extracts prepared fom cultures induced with doubly labeled (U-/sup 14/C; ring-4-/sup 3/H) L-phenylalanine provided evidence of a catabolic sequence containing cinnamic acid, benzoic acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid as degradative intermediates. 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid was not identified as a catabolic intermediate.« less

  17. Induction of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase during utilization of phenylalanine as a carbon or nitrogen source in Rhodotorula glutinis.

    PubMed Central

    Marusich, W C; Jensen, R A; Zamir, L O

    1981-01-01

    Rhodotorula glutinis is a convenient source of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, an enzyme that is useful as a biochemical reagent in the assay of L-phenylalanine. There have been previous descriptions of induced lyase production in complex medium where induction occurs late in exponential growth, suggesting a role in secondary metabolism such as is the case in higher plants. A higher specific activity of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (sixfold higher than a complex medium) can be obtained during midexponential growth in a defined medium containing L-phenylalanine as the sole source of carbon. L-Phenylalanine will also induce lyase synthesis during exponential growth in minimal in which L-phenylalanine is the sole source of nitrogen. The appearance of lyase in complex medium supplemented with L-phenylalanine is probably triggered fortuitously by exhaustion late in growth of a prime source of nitrogen. In this study, R. glutinis appeared to express a single lyase enzyme, regardless of whether induction was nitrogen signaled or carbon signaled. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of ether extracts prepared from cultures induced with doubly labeled (U-14C; ring-4-3H) L-phenylalanine provided evidence of a catabolic sequence containing cinnamic acid, benzoic acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid as degradative intermediates. 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid was not identified as a catabolic intermediate. PMID:7195398

  18. Binding of indomethacin methyl ester to cyclooxygenase-2. A computational study.

    PubMed

    Sárosi, Menyhárt-Botond

    2018-06-05

    Inhibitors selective towards the second isoform of prostaglandin synthase (cyclooxygenase, COX-2) are promising nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antitumor medications. Methylation of the carboxylate group in the relatively nonselective COX inhibitor indomethacin confers significant COX-2 selectivity. Several other modifications converting indomethacin into a COX-2 selective inhibitor have been reported. Earlier experimental and computational studies on neutral indomethacin derivatives suggest that the methyl ester derivative likely binds to COX-2 with a similar binding mode as that observed for the parent indomethacin. However, docking studies followed by molecular dynamics simulations revealed two possible binding modes in COX-2 for indomethacin methyl ester, which differs from the experimental binding mode found for indomethacin. Both alternative binding modes might explain the observed COX-2 selectivity of indomethacin methyl ester. Graphical abstract Binding of indomethacin methyl ester to cyclooxygenase-2.

  19. Reduction of L-phenylalanine in protein hydrolysates using L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase from Rhodosporidium toruloides.

    PubMed

    Castañeda, María Teresita; Adachi, Osao; Hours, Roque Alberto

    2015-10-01

    L-Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.25) from Rhodosporidium toruloides was utilized to remove L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) from different commercial protein hydrolysates. A casein acid hydrolysate (CAH, L-Phe ~2.28 %) was employed as a model substrate. t-Cinnamic acid resulting from deamination of L-Phe was extracted, analyzed at λ = 290 nm, and used for PAL activity determination. Optimum reaction conditions, optimized using successive Doehlert design, were 35 mg mL(-1) of CAH and 800 mU mL(-1) of PAL, while temperature and pH were 42 °C and 8.7, respectively. Reaction kinetics of PAL with CAH was determined under optimized conditions. Then, removal of L-Phe from CAH was tested. Results showed that more than 92 % of initial L-Phe was eliminated. Similar results were obtained with other protein hydrolysates. These findings demonstrate that PAL is a useful biocatalyst for L-Phe removal from protein hydrolysates, which can be evaluated as potential ingredients in foodstuffs for PKU patients.

  20. Anaerobic biodegradation of methyl esters by Acetobacterium woodii and Eubacterium limosum

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Liu, Shi; Suflita, Joseph M.

    1994-01-01

    The ability ofAcetobacterium woodii andEubacterium limosum to degrade methyl esters of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and isobutyrate was examined under growing and resting-cell conditions. Both bacteria hydrolyzed the esters to the corresponding carboxylates and methanol under either condition. Methanol was further oxidized to formate under growing but not resting conditions. Unlike the metabolism of phenylmethylethers, no H2 requirement was evident for ester biotransformation. The hydrolysis of methyl carboxylates is thermodynamically favorable under standard conditions and the mixotrophic metabolism of ester/CO2 allowed for bacterial growth. These results suggest that the degradation of methyl carboxylates may be a heretofore unrecognized nutritional option for acetogenic bacteria.

  1. Temperature-enhanced alumina HPLC method for the analysis of wax esters, sterol esters, and methyl esters.

    PubMed

    Moreau, Robert A; Kohout, Karen; Singh, Vijay

    2002-12-01

    Previous attempts at separating nonpolar lipid esters (including wax esters, sterol esters, and methyl esters) have achieved only limited success. Among the several normal-phase methods tested, a single recent report of a method employing an alumina column at 30 degrees C with a binary gradient system was the most promising. In the current study, modification of the alumina method by increasing the column temperature to 75 degrees C improved the separation of standards of wax esters and sterol esters. Elevated column temperature also enhanced the separation of FAME with differing degrees of unsaturation. Evidence was also presented to indicate that the method similarly separated phytosterol esters, based on their levels of unsaturation. With the increased interest in phytosterol- and phytostanol-ester enriched functional foods, this method should provide a technique to characterize and compare these products.

  2. Development of an HPLC Method with an ODS Column to Determine Low Levels of Aspartame Diastereomers in Aspartame

    PubMed Central

    Ohtsuki, Takashi; Nakamura, Ryoichiro; Kubo, Satoru; Otabe, Akira; Oobayashi, Yoko; Suzuki, Shoko; Yoshida, Mika; Yoshida, Mitsuya; Tatebe, Chiye; Sato, Kyoko; Akiyama, Hiroshi

    2016-01-01

    α-L-Aspartyl-D-phenylalanine methyl ester (L, D-APM) and α-D-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (D, L-APM) are diastereomers of aspartame (N-L-α-Aspartyl-L-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester, L, L-APM). The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives has set 0.04 wt% as the maximum permitted level of the sum of L, D-APM and D, L-APM in commercially available L, L-APM. In this study, we developed and validated a simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using an ODS column to determine L, D-APM and D, L-APM in L, L-APM. The limits of detection and quantification, respectively, of L, D-APM and D, L-APM were found to be 0.0012 wt% and 0.004 wt%. This method gave excellent accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility in a recovery test performed on five different days. Moreover, the method was successfully applied to the determination of these diastereomers in commercial L, L-APM samples. Thus, the developed method is a simple, useful, and practical tool for determining L, D-APM and D, L-APM levels in L, L-APM. PMID:27015640

  3. Development of an HPLC Method with an ODS Column to Determine Low Levels of Aspartame Diastereomers in Aspartame.

    PubMed

    Ohtsuki, Takashi; Nakamura, Ryoichiro; Kubo, Satoru; Otabe, Akira; Oobayashi, Yoko; Suzuki, Shoko; Yoshida, Mika; Yoshida, Mitsuya; Tatebe, Chiye; Sato, Kyoko; Akiyama, Hiroshi

    2016-01-01

    α-L-Aspartyl-D-phenylalanine methyl ester (L, D-APM) and α-D-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (D, L-APM) are diastereomers of aspartame (N-L-α-Aspartyl-L-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester, L, L-APM). The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives has set 0.04 wt% as the maximum permitted level of the sum of L, D-APM and D, L-APM in commercially available L, L-APM. In this study, we developed and validated a simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using an ODS column to determine L, D-APM and D, L-APM in L, L-APM. The limits of detection and quantification, respectively, of L, D-APM and D, L-APM were found to be 0.0012 wt% and 0.004 wt%. This method gave excellent accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility in a recovery test performed on five different days. Moreover, the method was successfully applied to the determination of these diastereomers in commercial L, L-APM samples. Thus, the developed method is a simple, useful, and practical tool for determining L, D-APM and D, L-APM levels in L, L-APM.

  4. High-effective approach from amino acid esters to chiral amino alcohols over Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst and its catalytic reaction mechanism

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Shuangshuang; Yu, Jun; Li, Huiying; Mao, Dongsen; Lu, Guanzhong

    2016-09-01

    Developing the high-efficient and green synthetic method for chiral amino alcohols is an intriguing target. We have developed the Mg2+-doped Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst for hydrogenation of L-phenylalanine methyl ester to chiral L-phenylalaninol without racemization. The effect of different L-phenylalanine esters on this title reaction was studied, verifying that Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 is an excellent catalyst for the hydrogenation of amino acid esters to chiral amino alcohols. DFT calculation was used to study the adsorption of substrate on the catalyst, and showed that the substrate adsorbs on the surface active sites mainly by amino group (-NH2) absorbed on Al2O3, and carbonyl (C=O) and alkoxy (RO-) group oxygen absorbed on the boundary of Cu and Al2O3. This catalytic hydrogenation undergoes the formation of a hemiacetal intermediate and the cleavage of the C-O bond (rate-determining step) by reacting with dissociated H to obtain amino aldehyde and methanol ad-species. The former is further hydrogenated to amino alcohols, and the latter desorbs from the catalyst surface.

  5. High-effective approach from amino acid esters to chiral amino alcohols over Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst and its catalytic reaction mechanism

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Shuangshuang; Yu, Jun; Li, Huiying; Mao, Dongsen; Lu, Guanzhong

    2016-01-01

    Developing the high-efficient and green synthetic method for chiral amino alcohols is an intriguing target. We have developed the Mg2+-doped Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst for hydrogenation of L-phenylalanine methyl ester to chiral L-phenylalaninol without racemization. The effect of different L-phenylalanine esters on this title reaction was studied, verifying that Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 is an excellent catalyst for the hydrogenation of amino acid esters to chiral amino alcohols. DFT calculation was used to study the adsorption of substrate on the catalyst, and showed that the substrate adsorbs on the surface active sites mainly by amino group (-NH2) absorbed on Al2O3, and carbonyl (C=O) and alkoxy (RO-) group oxygen absorbed on the boundary of Cu and Al2O3. This catalytic hydrogenation undergoes the formation of a hemiacetal intermediate and the cleavage of the C–O bond (rate-determining step) by reacting with dissociated H to obtain amino aldehyde and methanol ad-species. The former is further hydrogenated to amino alcohols, and the latter desorbs from the catalyst surface. PMID:27619990

  6. The thermodynamic parameters of solution of L-phenylalanine in water

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kustov, A. V.; Korolev, V. P.

    2007-02-01

    The heat effects of solution of L-phenylalanine in water were measured over wide concentration and temperature ranges. The enthalpies of solution of L-phenylalanine were found to be independent of the content of the amino acid in solution over the concentration range studied. The standard enthalpies, heat capacities, and entropies of solution of the amino acid and the solubility of L-phenylalanine over the temperature range studied were calculated.

  7. Site-specific incorporation of 4-iodo-L-phenylalanine through opal suppression.

    PubMed

    Kodama, Koichiro; Nakayama, Hiroshi; Sakamoto, Kensaku; Fukuzawa, Seketsu; Kigawa, Takanori; Yabuki, Takashi; Kitabatake, Makoto; Takio, Koji; Yokoyama, Shigeyuki

    2010-08-01

    A variety of unique codons have been employed to expand the genetic code. The use of the opal (UGA) codon is promising, but insufficient information is available about the UGA suppression approach, which facilitates the incorporation of non-natural amino acids through suppression of the UGA codon. In this study, the UGA codon was used to incorporate 4-iodo-l-phenylalanine into position 32 of the Ras protein in an Escherichia coli cell-free translation system. The undesired incorporation of tryptophan in response to the UGA codon was completely repressed by the addition of indolmycin. The minor amount (3%) of contaminating 4-bromo-l-phenylalanine in the building block 4-iodo-l-phenylalanine led to the significant incorporation of 4-bromo-l-phenylalanine (21%), and this problem was solved by using a purified 4-iodo-l-phenylalanine sample. Optimization of the incubation time was also important, since the undesired incorporation of free phenylalanine increased during the cell-free translation reaction. The 4-iodo-l-phenylalanine residue can be used for the chemoselective modification of proteins. This method will contribute to advancements in protein engineering studies with non-natural amino acid substitutions.

  8. L-Leucyl-L-Leucine Methyl Ester Treatment of Canine Marrow and Peripheral Blood Cells: Inhibition of Proliferative Responses with Maintenance of the Capacity for Autologous Marrow Engraftment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-11-01

    Copyright 0 198 by The Winiams & Wilkins Co. Printed in U.S.A. L-LEUCYL-L-LEUCINE METHYL ESTER TREATMENT OF CANINE MARROW AND PERIPHERAL BLOOD CELLS...Reearch CeThs eatetle, Washington 9%104 tInaiyuba on o canine UMrrowt and peripher hi Recently, Thiele and Lipsky have described adipeptide nionon clear...that marrow iincubation with Leu-Leu. Leu-Leu-OMe is a feasible method to deplete canine marrows of aloreactive and cytotoxic T cells prior to OMe

  9. Spectroscopic characterization of Cu(II) complex of L-phenylalanine and D, L-tryptophan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Altun, Özlen; Bilcen, Selin

    2010-02-01

    In this work, the reactions involving L-phenylalanine and D, L-tryptophan in the presence of Cu(II) ion were studied. Optimum conditions for the reactions were established as pH 7 and λ = 641 nm. When the reaction was kinetic, it was observed that the following rate formula was found as dA/ An = k dt and k = 3.2 × 10 -4 s -1, according to absorbance measurements. Using a perpetual change curve, the ratio of [Cu]/[Cu] + L-phenylalanine + [ D, L-tryptophan] was found 1:1:1. According to this result, one molecule of L-phenylalanine and one molecule of D, L-tryptophan react with one molecule Cu(II) ion.

  10. Hydrolyses of alpha-naphthyl acetate, beta-naphthyl acetate, and acetyl-DL-phenylalanine beta-naphthyl ester.

    PubMed

    Kirkeby, S; Moe, D

    1983-01-01

    Using simultaneous coupling azo dye techniques kidney enzymes active against alpha-naphthyl acetate, beta-naphthyl acetate, and acetyl-DL-phenylalanine beta-naphthyl ester are characterized. The enzymes show identical distribution in the section. The banding patterns in zymograms are the same after incubation with the different substrates. The enzymes might, however, be separated by difference in pH optimum, initial velocity and sensitivity to inhibitors and activators.

  11. Effects of high-melting methyl esters on crystallization properties of fatty acid methyl ester mixtures

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Biodiesel is a renewable alternative diesel fuel made from vegetable oils and animal fats. The most common form of biodiesel in the United States are fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from soybean, canola, and used cooking oils, waste greases, and tallow. Cold flow properties of biodiesel depend on th...

  12. 4-Cyano-α-methyl-l-phenylalanine as a spectroscopic marker for the investigation of peptaibiotic-membrane interactions.

    PubMed

    De Zotti, Marta; Bobone, Sara; Bortolotti, Annalisa; Longo, Edoardo; Biondi, Barbara; Peggion, Cristina; Formaggio, Fernando; Toniolo, Claudio; Dalla Bona, Andrea; Kaptein, Bernard; Stella, Lorenzo

    2015-04-01

    Two analogs of the ten-amino acid residue, membrane-active lipopeptaibiotic trichogin GA IV, mono-labeled with 4-cyano-α-methyl-L-phenylalanine, a potentially useful fluorescence and IR absorption probe of the local microenvironment, were synthesized by the solid-phase methodology and conformationally characterized. The single modification was incorporated either at the N-terminus (position 1) or near the C-terminus (position 8) of the peptide main chain. In both cases, the replaced amino acid was the equally helicogenic α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residue. We performed a solution conformational analysis by use of FT-IR absorption, CD, and 2D-NMR spectroscopies. The results indicate that both labeled analogs essentially maintain the overall helical propensity of the naturally occurring lipopeptaibiotic. Peptide-membrane interactions were assessed by fluorescence and ATR-IR absorption techniques. Analogies and differences between the two peptides were highlighted. Taken together, our data confirm literature results that some of the spectroscopic parameters of the 4-cyanobenzyl chromophore are sensitive markers of the local microenvironment. Copyright © 2015 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.

  13. Differential metabolism of L-phenylalanine in the formation of aromatic volatiles in melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit.

    PubMed

    Gonda, Itay; Davidovich-Rikanati, Rachel; Bar, Einat; Lev, Shery; Jhirad, Pliaa; Meshulam, Yuval; Wissotsky, Guy; Portnoy, Vitaly; Burger, Joseph; Schaffer, Arthur A; Tadmor, Yaakov; Giovannoni, James J; Fei, Zhangjun; Fait, Aaron; Katzir, Nurit; Lewinsohn, Efraim

    2018-04-01

    Studies on the active pathways and the genes involved in the biosynthesis of L-phenylalanine-derived volatiles in fleshy fruits are sparse. Melon fruit rinds converted stable-isotope labeled L-phe into more than 20 volatiles. Phenylpropanes, phenylpropenes and benzenoids are apparently produced via the well-known phenylpropanoid pathway involving phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and being (E)-cinnamic acid a key intermediate. Phenethyl derivatives seemed to be derived from L-phe via a separate biosynthetic route not involving (E)-cinnamic acid and PAL. To explore for a biosynthetic route to (E)-cinnamaldehyde in melon rinds, soluble protein cell-free extracts were assayed with (E)-cinnamic acid, CoA, ATP, NADPH and MgSO 4 , producing (E)-cinnamaldehyde in vitro. In this context, we characterized CmCNL, a gene encoding for (E)-cinnamic acid:coenzyme A ligase, inferred to be involved in the biosynthesis of (E)-cinnamaldehyde. Additionally we describe CmBAMT, a SABATH gene family member encoding a benzoic acid:S-adenosyl-L-methionine carboxyl methyltransferase having a role in the accumulation of methyl benzoate. Our approach leads to a more comprehensive understanding of L-phe metabolism into aromatic volatiles in melon fruit. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Stereospecificity of phenylalanine plasma kinetics and hydroxylation in man following oral application of a stable isotope-labelled pseudo-racemic mixture of L- and D-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Lehmann, W D; Theobald, N; Fischer, R; Heinrich, H C

    1983-03-14

    L-[15N]Phenylalanine and D-[2H5]phenylalanine have been administered orally to two healthy adult volunteers as a pseudo-racemic mixture at a dose of 25 mg/kg each. After oral application, the plasma kinetics of phenylalanine and tyrosine have been followed by the combined use of high pressure liquid chromatography and field desorption mass spectrometry. Additional incubation with D-amino acid oxidase was used to determine the enantiomeric composition of the differently labelled species of phenylalanine and tyrosine. D-Phenylalanine plasma levels show a faster rise to higher maximum values compared to L-phenylalanine (D/L ratio at maximum 3.19, 3.26). L-Phenylalanine is efficiently hydroxylated to L-tyrosine. In contrast, conversion of D-phenylalanine to the L-form with subsequent hydroxylation to L-tyrosine was observed. From the plasma kinetics it is estimated that about 1/3 of the applied dose of 25 mg/kg of D-phenylalanine is converted to the L-isomer. Of the administered dose of L-phenylalanine only very small amounts are excreted into urine as such (0.25%, 0.8%), whereas a substantial amount of the D-phenylalanine dose is found in urine (27.4%, 38.0%).

  15. Alternative fuel properties of tall oil fatty acid methyl ester-diesel fuel blends.

    PubMed

    Altiparmak, Duran; Keskin, Ali; Koca, Atilla; Gürü, Metin

    2007-01-01

    In this experimental work, tall oil methyl ester-diesel fuel blends as alternative fuels for diesel engines were studied. Tall oil methyl ester was produced by reacting tall oil fatty acids with methyl alcohol under optimum conditions. The blends of tall oil methyl ester-diesel fuel were tested in a direct injection diesel engine at full load condition. The effects of the new fuel blends on the engine performance and exhaust emission were tested. It was observed that the engine torque and power output with tall oil methyl ester-diesel fuel blends increased up to 6.1% and 5.9%, respectively. It was also seen that CO emissions decreased to 38.9% and NO(x) emissions increased up to 30% with the new fuel blends. The smoke opacity did not vary significantly.

  16. Efficient and scalable synthesis of bardoxolone methyl (cddo-methyl ester).

    PubMed

    Fu, Liangfeng; Gribble, Gordon W

    2013-04-05

    Bardoxolone methyl (2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleane-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid methyl ester; CDDO-Me) (1), a synthetic oleanane triterpenoid with highly potent anti-inflammatory activity (levels below 1 nM), has completed a successful phase I clinical trial for the treatment of cancer and a successful phase II trial for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes patients. Our synthesis of bardoxolone methyl (1) proceeds in ∼50% overall yield in five steps from oleanolic acid (2), requires only one to two chromatographic purifications, and can provide gram quantities of 1.

  17. Synthesis and biological evaluation of N-(carbobenzyloxy)-l-phenylalanine and N-(carbobenzyloxy)-l-aspartic acid-β-benzyl ester derivatives as potent topoisomerase IIα inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Han, Xiaoyan; Zhong, Yifan; Zhou, Guan; Qi, Hui; Li, Shengbin; Ding, Qiang; Liu, Zhenming; Song, Yali; Qiao, Xiaoqiang

    2017-06-15

    A new series of thirteen N-(carbobenzyloxy)-l-phenylalanine and N-(carbobenzyloxy)-l-aspartic acid-β-benzyl ester compounds were synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity against four different human cancer cell lines: cervical cancer (HeLa), lung cancer (A549), gastric cancer (MGC-803) and breast cancer (MCF-7) as well as topoisomerase I and IIα inhibitory activity. Compounds (5a, 5b, 5e, 8a, 8b) showed significant antiproliferative activity with low IC 50 values against the four cancer cell lines. Equally, compounds 5a, 5b, 5e, 5f, 8a, 8d, 8e and 8f showed topoisomerase IIα inhibitory activity at 100μM with 5b, 5e, 8f exhibiting potential topoisomerase IIα inhibitory activity compared to positive control at 100μM and 20μM, respectively. Conversely compounds 5e, 5f, 5g and 8a showed weaker topoisomerase I inhibitory activity compared to positive control at 100μM. Compound 5b exhibited the most potent topoisomerase IIα inhibitory activity at low concentration and better antiproliferative activity against the four human cancer cell lines. The molecular interactions between compounds 5a-5g, 8a-8f and the topoisomerase IIα (PDB ID: 1ZXM) were further investigated through molecular docking. The results indicated that these compounds could serve as promising leads for further optimization as novel antitumor agents. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Convenient synthesis of 6-nor-9,10-dihydrolysergic acid methyl ester.

    PubMed

    Crider, A M; Grubb, R; Bachmann, K A; Rawat, A K

    1981-12-01

    6-Nor-9,10-dihydrolysergic acid methyl ester (IV) was prepared by demethylation of 9,10-dihydrolysergic acid methyl ester (II) with 2,2,2-trichloroethyl chloroformate, followed by reduction of the intermediate carbamate (III) with zinc in acetic acid. The 6-ethyl-V and 6-n-propyl-VI derivatives were prepared by alkylation of IV with the appropriate halide. All of the ergoline derivatives were evaluated for stereotyped behavior in rats, with 6-nor-6-ethyl-9,10-dihydrolysergic acid methyl ester (V) being active but much less potent than apomorphine. Compound VI was evaluated for its effect on blood pressure; at a dose of 30 mg/kg ip, it significantly lowered, diastolic pressure in normotensive rats.

  19. Proteinase K-catalyzed synthesis of linear and star oligo(L-phenylalanine) conjugates.

    PubMed

    Ageitos, Jose M; Baker, Peter J; Sugahara, Michihiro; Numata, Keiji

    2013-10-14

    Chemoenzymatic synthesis of peptides is a green and clean chemical reaction that offers high yields without using organic synthesis and serves as an alternative to traditional peptide synthesis methods. This report describes the chemoenzymatic synthesis of oligo(L-phenylalanine) mediated by proteinase K from Tritirachium album, which is one of the most widely used proteases in molecular biological studies. The synthesized linear oligo-phenylalanine showed a unique self-assembly in aqueous solutions. To further functionalize linear oligo(L-phenylalanine) as a low-molecular-weight gelator, it was cosynthesized with tris(2-aminoethyl)amine to obtain star-oligo(L-phenylalanine), which was bioconjugated to demonstrate its self-assembly into fluorescent fibers. The self-assembled fibers of star-oligo(L-phenylalanine) formed fibrous networks with various branching ratios, which depended on the molecular weights and molecular aspect ratios of star-oligo(L-phenylalanine). This is the first study to demonstrate that proteinase K is a suitable enzyme for chemoenzymatic cosynthesis of oligopeptides and star-shaped heteropeptides.

  20. Experimental Investigations on Diesel engine using Methyl esters of Jatropha oil and fish oil

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karthikeyan, A.; Jayaprabakar, J.; Dude Williams, Richard

    2017-05-01

    The aim of the study is to use fish oil methyl ester (FME) and Jatropha oil methyl ester (JME) as a substitute for diesel in compression ignition engine. Experiments were conducted when the engine was fuelled with Diesel, Fish oil methyl ester and Jatropha oil methyl ester. The experiment covered a range of loads. An AVL smoke meter was used to measure the smoke density in HSU (Hatridge Smoke Unit). The exhaust emissions were measured using exhaust gas analyzer. High volume sampler was employed to measure the particulate matter in exhaust. The performance of the engine was evaluated in terms of brake specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency. The combustion characteristics of the engine were studied in terms of cylinder pressure with respect to crank angle. The emissions of the engine were studied in terms of concentration of CO, NOx, particulate matter and smoke density. The results obtained for Fish oil methyl ester, Jatropha oil methyl ester, were compared with the results of diesel. Bio-diesel, which can be used as an alternate diesel fuel, is made from vegetable oil and animal fats. It is renewable, non-toxic and possesses low emission profiles.

  1. Synthesis of d- and l-Phenylalanine Derivatives by Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyases: A Multienzymatic Cascade Process.

    PubMed

    Parmeggiani, Fabio; Lovelock, Sarah L; Weise, Nicholas J; Ahmed, Syed T; Turner, Nicholas J

    2015-04-07

    The synthesis of substituted d-phenylalanines in high yield and excellent optical purity, starting from inexpensive cinnamic acids, has been achieved with a novel one-pot approach by coupling phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) amination with a chemoenzymatic deracemization (based on stereoselective oxidation and nonselective reduction). A simple high-throughput solid-phase screening method has also been developed to identify PALs with higher rates of formation of non-natural d-phenylalanines. The best variants were exploited in the chemoenzymatic cascade, thus increasing the yield and ee value of the d-configured product. Furthermore, the system was extended to the preparation of those l-phenylalanines which are obtained with a low ee  value using PAL amination.

  2. Synthesis of d- and l-Phenylalanine Derivatives by Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyases: A Multienzymatic Cascade Process**

    PubMed Central

    Parmeggiani, Fabio; Lovelock, Sarah L; Weise, Nicholas J; Ahmed, Syed T; Turner, Nicholas J

    2015-01-01

    The synthesis of substituted d-phenylalanines in high yield and excellent optical purity, starting from inexpensive cinnamic acids, has been achieved with a novel one-pot approach by coupling phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) amination with a chemoenzymatic deracemization (based on stereoselective oxidation and nonselective reduction). A simple high-throughput solid-phase screening method has also been developed to identify PALs with higher rates of formation of non-natural d-phenylalanines. The best variants were exploited in the chemoenzymatic cascade, thus increasing the yield and ee value of the d-configured product. Furthermore, the system was extended to the preparation of those l-phenylalanines which are obtained with a low ee value using PAL amination. PMID:25728350

  3. 21 CFR 201.21 - Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a component of aspartame in over-the-counter and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... acids are so combined to form aspartame (1-methyl N-L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine), they produce an... 21 Food and Drugs 4 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a...: GENERAL LABELING General Labeling Provisions § 201.21 Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a...

  4. 21 CFR 201.21 - Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a component of aspartame in over-the-counter and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... acids are so combined to form aspartame (1-methyl N-L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine), they produce an... 21 Food and Drugs 4 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a...: GENERAL LABELING General Labeling Provisions § 201.21 Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a...

  5. 21 CFR 201.21 - Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a component of aspartame in over-the-counter and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... acids are so combined to form aspartame (1-methyl N-L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine), they produce an... 21 Food and Drugs 4 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a...: GENERAL LABELING General Labeling Provisions § 201.21 Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a...

  6. 21 CFR 201.21 - Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a component of aspartame in over-the-counter and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... acids are so combined to form aspartame (1-methyl N-L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine), they produce an... 21 Food and Drugs 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a...: GENERAL LABELING General Labeling Provisions § 201.21 Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a...

  7. 21 CFR 201.21 - Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a component of aspartame in over-the-counter and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... acids are so combined to form aspartame (1-methyl N-L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine), they produce an... 21 Food and Drugs 4 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a...: GENERAL LABELING General Labeling Provisions § 201.21 Declaration of presence of phenylalanine as a...

  8. An evidence of C16 fatty acid methyl esters extracted from microalga for effective antimicrobial and antioxidant property.

    PubMed

    Davoodbasha, MubarakAli; Edachery, Baldev; Nooruddin, Thajuddin; Lee, Sang-Yul; Kim, Jung-Wan

    2018-02-01

    Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) derived from lipids of microalgae is known to have wide bio-functional materials including antimicrobials. FAME is an ideal super-curator and superior anti-pathogenic. The present study evaluated the efficiency of FAME extracted from microalgae Scenedesmus intermedius as an antimicrobial agent against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Bacillus cereus) Gram negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria and Fungi (Aspergillus parasiticus and Candida albicans). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the gram negative bacteria was determined as 12-24 μg mL -1 , whereas MIC for gram positive bacteria was 24-48 μg mL -1 . MIC for the fungi was as high as 60-192 μg mL -1 . The FAME profiles determined by gas chromatography showed 18 methyl esters. Among them, pharmacologically active FAME such as palmitic acid methyl ester (C16:0) was detected at high percentage (23.08%), which accounted for the bioactivity. FAME obtained in this study exhibited a strong antimicrobial activity at the lowest MIC than those of recent reports. This result clearly indicated that FAME of S. intermedius has a strong antimicrobial and antioxidant property and that could be used as an effective resource against microbial diseases. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  9. Rape oil methyl ester (RME) and used cooking oil methyl ester (UOME) as alternative fuels

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hohl, G.H.

    1995-12-31

    The author presents a review about the fleet tests carried out by the Austrian Armed Forces concerning the practical application of a vegetable oil, i.e Rape Oil Methyl Ester (RME) and Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester (UOME) as alternative fuels for vehicles under military conditions, and reviews other research results carried out in Austria. As a result of over-production in Western European agriculture, the increase in crop yields has led to tremendous surpluses. Alternative agricultural products have been sought. One alternative can be seen in biological fuel production for tractors, whereby the farmer is able to produce his own fuelmore » supply as was the case when he previously provided self-made feed for his horses. For the market introduction different activities were necessary. A considerable number of institutes and organizations including the Austrian Armed Forces have investigated, tested and developed these alternative fuels. The increasing disposal problems of used cooking oil have initiated considerations for its use. The recycling of this otherwise waste product, and its preparation for use as an alternative fuel to diesel oil, seems to be most promising.« less

  10. Synthesis of D- and L-phenylalanine derivatives by phenylalanine ammonia lyases: a multienzymatic cascade process.

    PubMed

    Parmeggiani, Fabio; Lovelock, Sarah L; Weise, Nicholas J; Ahmed, Syed T; Turner, Nicholas J

    2015-04-07

    The synthesis of substituted D-phenylalanines in high yield and excellent optical purity, starting from inexpensive cinnamic acids, has been achieved with a novel one-pot approach by coupling phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) amination with a chemoenzymatic deracemization (based on stereoselective oxidation and nonselective reduction). A simple high-throughput solid-phase screening method has also been developed to identify PALs with higher rates of formation of non-natural D-phenylalanines. The best variants were exploited in the chemoenzymatic cascade, thus increasing the yield and ee value of the D-configured product. Furthermore, the system was extended to the preparation of those L-phenylalanines which are obtained with a low ee value using PAL amination. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  11. Preparation of l-phenylalanine-imprinted solid-phase extraction sorbent by Pickering emulsion polymerization and the selective enrichment of l-phenylalanine from human urine.

    PubMed

    Li, Ji; Hu, Xiaoling; Guan, Ping; Zhang, Xiaoyan; Qian, Liwei; Zhang, Nan; Du, Chunbao; Song, Renyuan

    2016-05-01

    A novel l-phenylalanine molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction sorbent was synthesized by the combination of Pickering emulsion polymerization and ion-pair dummy template imprinting. Compared to other polymerization methods, the molecularly imprinted polymers thus prepared exhibit a high specific surface, large pore diameter, and appropriate particle size. The key parameters for solid-phase extraction were optimized, and the result indicated that the molecularly imprinted polymer thus prepared exhibits a good recovery of 98.9% for l-phenylalanine. Under the optimized conditions of the procedure, an analytical method for l-phenylalanine was well established. By comparing the performance of the molecularly imprinted polymer and a commercial reverse-phase silica gel, the obtained molecularly imprinted polymer as an solid-phase extraction sorbent is more suitable, exhibiting high precision (relative standard deviation 3.2%, n = 4) and a low limit of detection (60.0 ± 1.9 nmol·L(-1) ) for the isolation of l-phenylalanine. Based on these results, the combination of the Pickering emulsion polymerization and ion-pair dummy template imprinting is effective for preparing selective solid-phase extraction sorbents for the separation of amino acids and organic acids from complex biological samples. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  12. 21 CFR 172.829 - Neotame.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ...) Neotame is the chemical N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester (CAS Reg. No... acid (N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine), not more than 1.5 percent. (3) Other... neotame is used as a sugar substitute tablet, L-leucine may be used as a lubricant in the manufacture of...

  13. Gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acid methyl esters of milk fat by an ionic liquid derived from L-phenylalanine as the stationary phase.

    PubMed

    Mendoza, Laura González; González-Álvarez, Jaime; Gonzalo, Carla Fernández; Arias-Abrodo, Pilar; Altava, Belén; Luis, Santiago V; Burguete, Maria Isabel; Gutiérrez-Álvarez, María Dolores

    2015-10-01

    A Gas Chromatography (GC) method has been developed for the separation and characterization of the different fatty acids in anhydrous milk fat (AMF) by means of an ionic liquid stationary phase, characterized by a monocationic imidazolium salt derived from L-phenylalanine. The inner surface of a fused silica capillary column was modified using this ionic liquid functionality and 3-aminopropyldiethoxymethyl silane. This coated GC column, which exhibited good thermal stability (270°C) and good efficiency (2700 plates/m), has been characterized using the Abraham solvation parameter model. The intra-day and inter-day precision of the method have been evaluated, obtaining relative standard deviations (RSD) from 0.99% to 4.0% and from 2.8% to 9.2%, respectively. Furthermore, recoveries from 90% and 99% have been achieved. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Thermal Decomposition of Potential Ester Biofuels. Part I: Methyl Acetate and Methyl Butanoate

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Porterfield, Jessica P.; Bross, David H.; Ruscic, Branko

    2017-06-09

    Two methyl esters have been examined as models for the pyrolysis of biofuels. Dilute samples (0.06 - 0.13%) of methyl acetate (CH 3COOCH 3) and methyl butanoate (CH 3CH 2CH 2COOCH 3) were entrained in (He, Ar) carrier gas and decomposed in a set of flash-pyrolysis micro-reactors. The pyrolysis products resulting from the methyl esters were detected and identified by vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry. Complementary product identification was provided by matrix infrared absorption spectroscopy. Pyrolysis pressures in the pulsed micro-reactor were roughly 20 Torr and residence times through the reactors were approximately 25 - 150 µs. Reactor temperatures ofmore » 300 – 1600 K were explored. Decomposition of CH 3COOCH 3 commences at 1000 K and the initial products are (CH 2=C=O and CH 3OH). As the micro-reactor is heated to 1300 K, a mixture of (CH 2=C=O and CH 3OH, CH 3, CH 2=O, H, CO, CO 2) appears. The thermal cracking of CH 3CH 2CH 2COOCH 3 begins at 800 K with the formation of (CH 3CH 2CH=C=O, CH 3OH). By 1300 K, the pyrolysis of methyl butanoate yields a complex mixture of (CH 3CH 2CH=C=O, CH 3OH, CH 3, CH 2=O, CO, CO 2, CH 3CH=CH 2, CH 2CHCH 2, CH 2=C=CH 2, HCCCH 2, CH 2=C=C=O, CH 2=CH 2, HCΞCH, CH 2=C=O). Based on the results from the thermal cracking of methyl acetate and methyl butanoate, we predict several important decomposition channels for the pyrolysis of fatty acid methyl esters, R CH 2-COOCH 3. The lowest energy fragmentation will be a 4-center elimination of methanol to form the ketene, RCH=C=O. At higher temperatures, concerted fragmentation to radicals will ensue to produce a mixture of species: (RCH 2 + CO 2 + CH 3) and (RCH 2 + CO + CH 2=O + H). Thermal cracking of the β C-C bond of the methyl ester will generate the radicals (R and H) as well as CH 2=C=O + CH 2=O. The thermochemistry of methyl acetate and its fragmentation products have been obtained via the Active Thermochemical Tables (ATcT) approach, resulting in

  15. CFD simulation of fatty acid methyl ester production in bubble column reactor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Salleh, N. S. Mohd; Nasir, N. F.

    2017-09-01

    Non-catalytic transesterification is one of the method that was used to produce the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) by blowing superheated methanol bubbles continuously into the vegetable oil without using any catalyst. This research aimed to simulate the production of FAME from palm oil in a bubble column reactor. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulation was used to predict the distribution of fatty acid methyl ester and other product in the reactor. The fluid flow and component of concentration along the reaction time was investigated and the effects of reaction temperature (523 K and 563 K) on the non-catalytic transesterification process has been examined. The study was carried out using ANSYS CFX 17.1. The finding from the study shows that increasing the temperature leads to higher amount of fatty acid methyl ester can be produced in shorter time. On the other hand, concentration of the component such as triglyceride (TG), glycerol (GL) and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) can be known when reaching the optimum condition.

  16. Herbivore-induced phenylacetonitrile is biosynthesized from de novo-synthesized L-phenylalanine in the giant knotweed, Fallopia sachalinensis.

    PubMed

    Noge, Koji; Tamogami, Shigeru

    2013-06-19

    Plants emit a series of characteristic volatile blends when damaged by insect feeding. Phenylacetonitrile is one of the volatiles from the leaves of the giant knotweed, Fallopia sachalinensis, infested by the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, or treated with exogenous airborne methyl jasmonate (MeJA). We examined the precursor of the nitrile and its origin in this system. L-Phenylalanine was determined to be a precursor of the nitrile in F. sachalinensis leaves, and the phenylalanine was also induced by beetle feeding and MeJA treatment. We also found that exogenous MeJA enhanced the biosynthesis of several amino acids in F. sachalinensis leaves. Copyright © 2013 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. 21 CFR 172.225 - Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2010-04-01 2009-04-01 true Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced... Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils. Methyl esters and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils may be safely used in food, subject to the...

  18. 21 CFR 172.225 - Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced... Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils. Methyl esters and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils may be safely used in food, subject to the...

  19. Hidden overflow pathway to L-phenylalanine in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

    PubMed Central

    Fiske, M J; Whitaker, R J; Jensen, R A

    1983-01-01

    Pseudomonas aeruginosa is representative of a large group of pseudomonad bacteria that possess coexisting alternative pathways to L-phenylalanine (as well as to L-tyrosine). These multiple flow routes to aromatic end products apparently account for the inordinate resistance of P. aeruginosa to end product analogs. Manipulation of carbon source nutrition produced a physiological state of sensitivity to p-fluorophenylalanine and m-fluorophenylalanine, each a specific antimetabolite of L-phenylalanine. Analog-resistant mutants obtained fell into two classes. One type lacked feedback sensitivity of prephenate dehydratase and was the most dramatic excretor of L-phenylalanine. The presence of L-tyrosine curbed phenylalanine excretion to one-third, a finding explained by potent early-pathway regulation of 3-deoxy-D-arabinoheptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAHP) synthase-Tyr (a DAHP synthase subject to allosteric inhibition by L-tyrosine). The second class of regulatory mutants possessed a completely feedback-resistant DAHP synthase-Tyr, the major species (greater than 90%) of two isozymes. Deregulation of DAHP synthase-Tyr resulted in the escape of most chorismate molecules produced into an unregulated overflow route consisting of chorismate mutase (monofunctional), prephenate aminotransferase, and arogenate dehydratase. In the wild type the operation of the overflow pathway is restrained by factors that restrict early-pathway flux. These factors include the highly potent feedback control of DAHP synthase isozymes by end products as well as the strikingly variable abilities of different carbon source nutrients to supply the aromatic pathway with beginning substrates. Even in the wild type, where all allosteric regulation in intact, some phenylalanine overflow was found on glucose-based medium, but not on fructose-based medium. This carbon source-dependent difference was much more exaggerated in each class of regulatory mutants. PMID:6132913

  20. Preparation and Evaluation of Jojoba Oil Methyl Ester as Biodiesel and as Blend Components in Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis L.) produces seeds that contain around 50 to 60 weight percent of inedible long-chain wax esters that are suitable as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production. A Jojoba oil methyl ester (JME) was prepared in effort to evaluate an important fuel propertie...

  1. 21 CFR 172.829 - Neotame.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... percent on a dry basis. (2) Free dipeptide acid (N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine... Multipurpose Additives § 172.829 Neotame. (a) Neotame is the chemical N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester (CAS Reg. No. 165450-17-9). (b) Neotame meets the following specifications when it...

  2. 21 CFR 172.829 - Neotame.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... percent on a dry basis. (2) Free dipeptide acid (N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine... Multipurpose Additives § 172.829 Neotame. (a) Neotame is the chemical N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester (CAS Reg. No. 165450-17-9). (b) Neotame meets the following specifications when it...

  3. 21 CFR 172.829 - Neotame.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... percent on a dry basis. (2) Free dipeptide acid (N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine... Multipurpose Additives § 172.829 Neotame. (a) Neotame is the chemical N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester (CAS Reg. No. 165450-17-9). (b) Neotame meets the following specifications when it...

  4. 21 CFR 172.829 - Neotame.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... percent on a dry basis. (2) Free dipeptide acid (N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine... Multipurpose Additives § 172.829 Neotame. (a) Neotame is the chemical N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester (CAS Reg. No. 165450-17-9). (b) Neotame meets the following specifications when it...

  5. A study of the antibacterial activity of L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine esters in relation to their CMCs and their interactions with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, DPPC as model membrane.

    PubMed

    Joondan, Nausheen; Jhaumeer-Laulloo, Sabina; Caumul, Prakashanand

    2014-01-01

    Cationic amino acid-based surfactants are known to interact with the lipid bilayer of cell membranes resulting in depolarization, lysis and cell death through a disruption of the membrane topology. A range of cationic surfactant analogues derived from L-Phenylalanine (C1-C20) and L-Tyrosine (C8-C14) esters have been synthesized and screened for their antibacterial activity. The esters were more active against gram positive than gram negative bacteria. The activity increased with increasing chain length, exhibiting a cut-off effect at C12 for gram positive and C8/C10 for gram negative bacteria. The cut-off effect for gram negative bacteria was observed at a lower alkyl chain length. The CMC was correlated with the MIC, inferring that micellar activity contribute to the cut-off effect in antibacterial activity. The interaction of the cationic surfactants with the phospholipid vesicles (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, DPPC) in the presence of 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) as fluorescence probes showed that an increase in ionic interaction causes an increase in antibacterial activity. Increase in hydrophobic interaction increases the antibacterial activity only to a certain chain length, attributing to the cut-off effect. Therefore, both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, involving the polar and nonpolar moieties are of paramount importance for the bactericidal properties. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  6. Enantioselective binding of L, D-phenylalanine to ct DNA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Lijin; Xu, Jianhua; Huang, Yan; Min, Shungeng

    2009-10-01

    The enantioselective binding of L, D-phenylalanine to calf thymus DNA was studied by absorption, circular dichroism, fluorescence quenching, viscosity, salt effect and emission experiments. The results obtained from absorption, circular dichroism, fluorescence quenching and viscosity experiments excluded the intercalative binding and salt effect experiments did not support electrostatic binding. So the binding of L, D-phenylalanine to ct DNA should be groove binding. Furthermore, the emission spectra revealed that the binding is enantioselective.

  7. Enantioselective binding of L,D-phenylalanine to ct DNA.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Lijin; Xu, Jianhua; Huang, Yan; Min, Shungeng

    2009-10-15

    The enantioselective binding of L,D-phenylalanine to calf thymus DNA was studied by absorption, circular dichroism, fluorescence quenching, viscosity, salt effect and emission experiments. The results obtained from absorption, circular dichroism, fluorescence quenching and viscosity experiments excluded the intercalative binding and salt effect experiments did not support electrostatic binding. So the binding of l,d-phenylalanine to ct DNA should be groove binding. Furthermore, the emission spectra revealed that the binding is enantioselective.

  8. [Microbial synthesis of deuterium labelled L-phenylalanine with different levels of isotopic enrichment by facultative methylotrophic bacterium Brevibacterium methylicum with RMP assimilation of carbon].

    PubMed

    Mosin, O V; Shvets, V I; Skladnev, D A; Ignatov, I

    2014-01-01

    The preparative microbial synthesis of amino acids labelled with stable isotopes, including deuterium ( 2 H), suitable for biomedical applications by methylotrophic bacteria was studied using L-phenylalanine as example. This amino acid is secreted by Gram-negative aerobic facultative methylotrophic bacteria Brevibacterium methylicum, assimilating methanol via ribulose-5-monophosphate (RMP) cycle of assimilation of carbon, The data on adaptation of L-phenylalanine secreted by methylotrophic bacterium В. methylicum to the maximal concentration of deuterium in the growth medium with 98% 2 Н 2 O and 2% [ 2 Н]methanol, and biosynthesis of deuterium labelled L-phenylalanine With different levels of enrichment are presented. The strain was adapted by means of plating initial cells on firm (2% agarose) minimal growth media with an increasing gradient of 2 Н 2 O concentration from 0; 24.5; 49.0; 73.5 up to 98% 2 Н 2 O followed by subsequent selection of separate colonies stable to the action of 2 Н 2 O. These colonies were capable to produce L-phenylalanine. L-phenylalanine was extracted from growth medium by extraction with isopropanol with the subsequent crystallization in ethanol (output 0.65 g/l). The developed method of microbial synthesis allows to obtain deuterium labelled L-phenylalanine with different levels of isotopic enrichment, depending on concentration of 2 Н 2 O in growth media, from 17% (on growth medium with 24,5% 2 Н 2 O) up to 75% (on growth medium with 98% 2 Н 2 O) of deuterium in the molecule that is confirmed with the data of the electron impact (EI) mass- spectrometry analysis of methyl ethers of N-dimethylamino(naphthalene)-5-sulfochloride (dansyl) phenylalanine in these experimental conditions.

  9. Terahertz spectra of l-phenylalanine and its monohydrate.

    PubMed

    Pan, Tingting; Li, Shaoping; Zou, Tao; Yu, Zheng; Zhang, Bo; Wang, Chenyang; Zhang, Jianbing; He, Mingxia; Zhao, Hongwei

    2017-05-05

    The low-frequency vibrational property of l-phenylalanine (l-Phe) and l-phenylalanine monohydrate (l-Phe·H 2 O) has been investigated by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) at room and low temperature ranging from 0.5 to 4.5THz. Distinctive THz absorption spectra of the two compounds were observed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations based on the crystal structures have been performed to simulate the vibrational modes of l-Phe and l-Phe·H 2 O and the results agree well with the experimental observations. The study indicates that the characterized features of l-Phe mainly originate from the collective vibration of molecules. And the characterized features of l-Phe·H 2 O mainly come from hydrogen bond interactions between l-Phe and water molecules. l-Phe and l-Phe·H 2 O were also verified by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry (DSC-TG) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) examinations. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  10. Terahertz spectra of L-phenylalanine and its monohydrate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pan, Tingting; Li, Shaoping; Zou, Tao; Yu, Zheng; Zhang, Bo; Wang, Chenyang; Zhang, Jianbing; He, Mingxia; Zhao, Hongwei

    2017-05-01

    The low-frequency vibrational property of L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) and L-phenylalanine monohydrate (L-Phe·H2O) has been investigated by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) at room and low temperature ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 THz. Distinctive THz absorption spectra of the two compounds were observed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations based on the crystal structures have been performed to simulate the vibrational modes of L-Phe and L-Phe·H2O and the results agree well with the experimental observations. The study indicates that the characterized features of L-Phe mainly originate from the collective vibration of molecules. And the characterized features of L-Phe·H2O mainly come from hydrogen bond interactions between L-Phe and water molecules. L-Phe and L-Phe·H2O were also verified by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry (DSC-TG) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) examinations.

  11. New bis(alkythio) fatty acid methyl esters

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The addition reaction of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) to mono-unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters is well-known for analytical purposes to determine the position of double bonds by mass spectrometry. In this work, the classical iodine-catalyzed reaction is expanded to other dialkyl disulfides (RSSR), ...

  12. Enzymological Basis for Growth Inhibition by l-Phenylalanine in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. 29108

    PubMed Central

    Hall, Geraldine C.; Jensen, Roy A.

    1980-01-01

    The pattern of allosteric control in the biosynthetic pathway for aromatic amino acids provides a basis to explain vulnerability to growth inhibition by l-phenylalanine (0.2 mM or greater) in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. 29108. We attribute growth inhibition to the hypersensitivity of 3-deoxy-d-arabinoheptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase to feedback inhibition by l-phenylalanine. Hyperregulation of this initial enzyme of aromatic biosynthesis depletes the supply of precursors needed for biosynthesis of l-tyrosine and l-tryptophan. Consistent with this mechanism is the total reversal of phenylalanine inhibition by a combination of tyrosine and tryptophan. Inhibited cultures also contained decreased levels of phycocyanin pigments, a characteristic previously correlated with amino acid starvation in cyanobacteria. l-Phenylalanine is a potent noncompetitive inhibitor (with both substrates) of 3-deoxy-d-arabinoheptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase, whereas l-tyrosine is a very weak inhibitor. Prephenate dehydratase also displays allosteric sensitivity to phenylalanine (inhibition) and to tyrosine (activation). Both 2-fluoro and 4-fluoro derivatives of phenylalanine were potent analog antimetabolites, and these were used in addition to l-phenylalanine as selective agents for resistant mutants. Mutants were isolated which excreted both phenylalanine and tyrosine, the consequence of an altered 3-deoxy-d-arabinoheptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase no longer sensitive to feedback inhibition. Simultaneous insensitivity to l-tyrosine suggests that l-tyrosine acts as a weak analog mimic of l-phenylalanine at a common binding site. Prephenate dehydratase in the regulatory mutants was unaltered. Surprisingly, in view of the lack of regulation in the tyrosine branchlet of the pathway, such mutants excrete more phenylalanine than tyrosine, indicating that l-tyrosine activation dominates l-phenylalanine inhibition of prephenate dehydratase in vivo. In mutant Phe r19 the

  13. 123/125I-labelled 2-iodo-L: -phenylalanine and 2-iodo-D: -phenylalanine: comparative uptake in various tumour types and biodistribution in mice.

    PubMed

    Kersemans, Veerle; Cornelissen, Bart; Kersemans, Ken; Bauwens, Matthias; Dierckx, Rudi A; De Spiegeleer, Bart; Mertens, John; Slegers, Guido

    2006-08-01

    In vitro in the R1M cell model and in vivo in the R1M tumour-bearing athymic model, both [(123)I]-2-iodo-L: -phenylalanine and [(123)I]-2-iodo-D: -phenylalanine have shown promising results as tumour diagnostic agents for SPECT. In order to compare these two amino acid analogues and to examine whether the observed characteristics could be generalised, both isomers were evaluated in various tumour models. Transport type characterisation in vitro in A549, A2058, C6, C32, Capan2, EF43fgf4, HT29 and R1M cells with [(123)I]-2-iodo-L: -phenylalanine was performed using the method described by Shotwell et al. Subsequently, [(123)I]-2-iodo-L: -phenylalanine and [(123)I]-2-iodo-D: -phenylalanine tumour uptake and biodistribution were evaluated using dynamic planar imaging and/or dissection in A549, A2058, C6, C32, Capan2, EF43fgf4, HT29 and R1M inoculated athymic mice. Two-compartment blood modelling of the imaging results was performed. In vitro testing demonstrated that [(123)I]-2-iodo-L: -phenylalanine was transported in all tumour cell lines by LAT1. In all tumour models, the two amino acid analogues showed the same general biodistribution characteristics: high and specific tumour uptake and renal tracer clearance. Two-compartment modelling revealed that the D: -isomer showed a faster blood clearance together with a faster distribution to the peripheral compartment in comparison with [(123)I]-2-iodo-L: -phenylalanine. [(123)I]-2-iodo-L: -phenylalanine and its D: -isomer are promising tumour diagnostic agents for dynamic planar imaging. They showed a high and similar uptake in all tested tumours. [(123)I]-2-iodo-D: -phenylalanine showed better tracer characteristics concerning radiation dose to other organs.

  14. Enhancement of L-phenylalanine production by engineered Escherichia coli using phased exponential L-tyrosine feeding combined with nitrogen source optimization.

    PubMed

    Yuan, Peipei; Cao, Weijia; Wang, Zhen; Chen, Kequan; Li, Yan; Ouyang, Pingkai

    2015-07-01

    Nitrogen source optimization combined with phased exponential L-tyrosine feeding was employed to enhance L-phenylalanine production by a tyrosine-auxotroph strain, Escherichia coli YP1617. The absence of (NH4)2SO4, the use of corn steep powder and yeast extract as composite organic nitrogen source were more suitable for cell growth and L-phenylalanine production. Moreover, the optimal initial L-tyrosine level was 0.3 g L(-1) and exponential L-tyrosine feeding slightly improved L-phenylalanine production. Nerveless, L-phenylalanine production was greatly enhanced by a strategy of phased exponential L-tyrosine feeding, where exponential feeding was started at the set specific growth rate of 0.08, 0.05, and 0.02 h(-1) after 12, 32, and 52 h, respectively. Compared with exponential L-tyrosine feeding at the set specific growth rate of 0.08 h(-1), the developed strategy obtained a 15.33% increase in L-phenylalanine production (L-phenylalanine of 56.20 g L(-1)) and a 45.28% decrease in L-tyrosine supplementation. Copyright © 2014 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Interaction of L-Phenylalanine with a Phospholipid Monolayer at the Water-Air Interface.

    PubMed

    Griffith, Elizabeth C; Perkins, Russell J; Telesford, Dana-Marie; Adams, Ellen M; Cwiklik, Lukasz; Allen, Heather C; Roeselová, Martina; Vaida, Veronica

    2015-07-23

    The interaction of L-phenylalanine with a 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) monolayer at the air-water interface was explored using a combination of experimental techniques and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. By means of Langmuir trough methods and Brewster angle microscopy, L-phenylalanine was shown to significantly alter the interfacial tension and the surface domain morphology of the DPPC film. In addition, confocal microscopy was used to explore the aggregation state of L-phenylalanine in the bulk aqueous phase. Finally, MD simulations were performed to gain molecular-level information on the interactions of L-phenylalanine and DPPC at the interface. Taken together, these results show that L-phenylalanine intercalates into a DPPC film at the air-water interface, thereby affecting the surface tension, phase morphology, and ordering of the DPPC film. The results are discussed in the context of biological systems and the mechanism of diseases such as phenylketonuria.

  16. The effects of plant growth regulators and L-phenylalanine on phenolic compounds of sweet basil.

    PubMed

    Koca, Nülüfer; Karaman, Şengül

    2015-01-01

    The effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), spermine (Spm), epibrassinolide (EBL) and l-phenylalanine on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) were studied to determine the amount of phenolic compounds and enzymatic activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of sweet basils were determined by a spectrophotometer, and individual phenolic compounds and activity of PAL were analysed by HPLC/UV. The highest total phenolic (6.72 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid contents (0.92 mg QE/g) obtained from 1.0 mM Spm+MeJA application. Rosmarinic acid (RA) and caffeic acid contents significantly enhanced after the applications but no such differences observed in chicoric acid content or PAL activity. RA was the main phenolic acid in all samples and its concentration varied from 1.04 to 2.70 mg/gFW. As a result the combinations of Spm+MeJA and EBL+MeJA can induce secondary metabolites effectively and those interactions play important role in the production of phytochemicals in plants. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Processing Of Neem And Jatropha Methyl Esters -Alternative Fuels From Vegetable Oil

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ramasubramanian, S.; Manavalan, S.; Gnanavel, C.; Balakrishnan, G.

    2017-03-01

    Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engine. The methyl esters of vegetable oils, known as biodiesel are becoming increasingly popular because of their low environmental impact and potential as a green alternative fuel for diesel engine. This paper deals with the manufacturing process of Biodiesel from jatropha and neem oil. Biodiesel was prepared from neem oil and jatropha oil, the transestrified having kinematic viscosity of 3 & 2.6 centistokes, methanol ratio is 6:1 & 5.1respectively. The secondary solution is preheated at 65 C & 60 C and reaction temperature is maintained at 60C & 55 C and reaction time is 60 minutes approximately with NaOH catalyst and low viscosity oil is allowed to settle 24 hours. The average yield of neem and jatropha methyl esters was about 85%. These methyl esters shows excellent alternative under optimum condition for fossil fuels.

  18. The genetic incorporation of p-azidomethyl-l-phenylalanine into proteins in yeast.

    PubMed

    Supekova, Lubica; Zambaldo, Claudio; Choi, Seihyun; Lim, Reyna; Luo, Xiaozhou; Kazane, Stephanie A; Young, Travis S; Schultz, Peter G

    2018-05-15

    The noncanonical amino acid p-azidomethyl-l-phenylalanine can be genetically incorporated into proteins in bacteria, and has been used both as a spectroscopic probe and for the selective modification of proteins by alkynes using click chemistry. Here we report identification of Escherichia coli tyrosyl tRNA synthetase mutants that allow incorporation of p-azidomethyl-l-phenylalanine into proteins in yeast. When expressed together with the cognate E. coli tRNA CUA Tyr , the new mutant tyrosyl tRNA synthetases directed robust incorporation of p-azidomethyl-l-phenylalanine into a model protein, human superoxide dismutase, in response to the UAG amber nonsense codon. Mass spectrometry analysis of purified superoxide dismutase proteins confirmed the efficient site-specific incorporation of p-azidomethyl-l-phenylalanine. This work provides an additional tool for the selective modification of proteins in eukaryotic cells. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Cross-linked enzyme aggregates of phenylalanine ammonia lyase: novel biocatalysts for synthesis of L-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Cui, Jian-Dong; Zhang, Si; Sun, Li-Mei

    2012-06-01

    Cross-linked enzyme aggregates of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL-CLEAs) from Rhodotorula glutinis were prepared. The effects of the type of aggregating agent, its concentration, and that of cross-linking agent were studied. PAL-CLEAs production was most effective using ammonium sulfate (40 % saturation), followed by cross-linking for 1 h with 0.2 % (v/v) glutaraldehyde. Moreover, the storage and operational stability of the resulting PAL-CLEAs were also investigated. Compared to the free enzyme, the PAL-CLEAs exhibited the expected increased stability of the enzyme against various deactivating conditions such as pH, temperature, denaturants, and organic solvents and showed higher storage stability than its soluble counterpart. Additionally, the reusability of PAL-CLEAs with respect to the biotransformation of L-phenylalanine was evaluated. PAL-CLEAs could be recycled at least for 12 consecutive batch reactions without dramatic activity loss, which should dramatically increase the commercial potential of PAL for synthesis of L: -phenylalanine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of immobilization of PAL as cross-linked enzyme aggregates.

  20. 40 CFR 721.10136 - 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-hydroxyethyl ester, reaction products with hexakis(alkoxyalkyl...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...-hydroxyethyl ester, reaction products with hexakis(alkoxyalkyl)melamine (generic). 721.10136 Section 721.10136... 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-hydroxyethyl ester, reaction products with hexakis(alkoxyalkyl... substance identified generically as 2-propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-hydroxyethyl ester, reaction products...

  1. 40 CFR 721.10136 - 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-hydroxyethyl ester, reaction products with hexakis(alkoxyalkyl...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...-hydroxyethyl ester, reaction products with hexakis(alkoxyalkyl)melamine (generic). 721.10136 Section 721.10136... 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-hydroxyethyl ester, reaction products with hexakis(alkoxyalkyl... substance identified generically as 2-propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-hydroxyethyl ester, reaction products...

  2. Aspartame and sucrose produce a similar increase in the plasma phenylalanine to large neutral amino acid ratio in healthy subjects.

    PubMed

    Burns, T S; Stargel, W W; Tschanz, C; Kotsonis, F N; Hurwitz, A

    1991-01-01

    Aspartame (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) consumption has been postulated to increase brain phenylalanine levels by increasing the molar ratio of the plasma phenylalanine concentration to the sum of the plasma concentrations of the other large neutral amino acids (Phe/LNAA). Dietary manipulations with carbohydrate or protein can also produce changes in the Phe/LNAA value. To compare the effects of aspartame and carbohydrate on Phe/LNAA, beverages sweetened with aspartame, sucrose, and aspartame plus sucrose, and unsweetened beverage were ingested by 8 healthy, fasted subjects in a randomized, four-way crossover design. The beverages were sweetened with an amount of aspartame (500 mg) and/or sucrose (100 g) approximately equivalent to that used to sweeten 1 liter of soft drink. The baseline-corrected plasma Phe/LNAA values did not differ significantly following ingestion of aspartame or sucrose. Following aspartame alone, the high mean ratio increased 26% over baseline 1 h after ingestion. Following sucrose alone, the high mean ratio increased 19% at 2.5 h. Sucrose increased the Phe/LNAA value due to an insulin-mediated decrease in the plasma LNAA, while aspartame increased the ratio by increasing the plasma Phe concentration. These findings indicate that similar increases in plasma Phe/LNAA occur when healthy, fasting subjects ingest amounts of equivalent sweetness of sucrose or aspartame.

  3. 5-Hydroxyferulic acid methyl ester isolated from wasabi leaves inhibits 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation.

    PubMed

    Misawa, Naoki; Hosoya, Takahiro; Yoshida, Shuhei; Sugimoto, Osamu; Yamada-Kato, Tomoe; Kumazawa, Shigenori

    2018-02-26

    To investigate the compounds present in wasabi leaves (Wasabia japonica Matsumura) that inhibit the adipocyte differentiation, activity-guided fractionation was performed on these leaves. 5-Hydroxyferulic acid methyl ester (1: 5-HFA ester), one of the phenylpropanoids, was isolated from wasabi leaves as a compound that inhibits the adipocyte differentiation. Compound 1 suppressed the intracellular lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 cells without significant cytotoxicity. Gene expression analysis revealed that 1 suppressed the mRNA expression of 2 master regulators of adipocyte differentiation, PPARγ and C/EBPα. Furthermore, 1 downregulated the expression of adipogenesis-related genes, GLUT4, LPL, SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS. Protein expression analysis revealed that 1 suppressed PPARγ protein expression. Moreover, to investigate the relationship between the structure and activity of inhibiting the adipocyte differentiation, we synthesized 12 kinds of phenylpropanoid analog. Comparison of the activity among 1 and its analogs suggested that the compound containing the substructure that possess a common functional group at the ortho position such as a catechol group exhibits the activity of inhibiting the adipocyte differentiation. Taken together, our findings suggest that 1 from wasabi leaves inhibits adipocyte differentiation via the downregulation of PPARγ. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  4. Density of Jatropha curcas Seed Oil and its Methyl Esters: Measurement and Estimations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Veny, Harumi; Baroutian, Saeid; Aroua, Mohamed Kheireddine; Hasan, Masitah; Raman, Abdul Aziz; Sulaiman, Nik Meriam Nik

    2009-04-01

    Density data as a function of temperature have been measured for Jatropha curcas seed oil, as well as biodiesel jatropha methyl esters at temperatures from above their melting points to 90 ° C. The data obtained were used to validate the method proposed by Spencer and Danner using a modified Rackett equation. The experimental and estimated density values using the modified Rackett equation gave almost identical values with average absolute percent deviations less than 0.03% for the jatropha oil and 0.04% for the jatropha methyl esters. The Janarthanan empirical equation was also employed to predict jatropha biodiesel densities. This equation performed equally well with average absolute percent deviations within 0.05%. Two simple linear equations for densities of jatropha oil and its methyl esters are also proposed in this study.

  5. Enzymatic production of L-alanyl-L-glutamine by recombinant E. coli expressing α-amino acid ester acyltransferase from Sphingobacterium siyangensis.

    PubMed

    Hirao, Yoshinori; Mihara, Yasuhiro; Kira, Ikuo; Abe, Isao; Yokozeki, Kenzo

    2013-01-01

    An enzymatic production method for synthesizing L-alanyl-L-glutamine (Ala-Gln) from L-alanine methyl ester hydrochloride (AlaOMe) and L-glutamine (Gln) was developed in this study. The cultivation conditions for an Escherichia coli strain overexpressing α-amino acid ester acyltransferase from Sphingobacterium siyangensis AJ 2458 (SAET) and reaction conditions for Ala-Gln production were optimized. A high cell density culture broth prepared by fed-batch cultivation showed 440 units/mL of Ala-Gln-producing activity. In addition, an Ala-Gln-producing reaction using intact E. coli cells overexpressing SAET under optimum conditions was conducted. A total Ala-Gln yield of 69.7 g/L was produced in 40 min. The molar yield was 67% against both AlaOMe and Gln.

  6. Pentynyl dextran as a support matrix for immobilization of serine protease subtilisin Carlsberg and its use for transesterification of N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine ethyl ester in organic media.

    PubMed

    Tahir, Muhammad Nazir; Cho, Eunae; Mischnick, Petra; Lee, Jae Yung; Yu, Jae-Hyuk; Jung, Seunho

    2014-04-01

    In this study, serine protease (subtilisin Carlsberg) was immobilized on pentynyl dextran (PyD, O-alkynyl ether of dextran, 1) and used for the transesterification of N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine ethyl ester (2) with different aliphatic (1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol) and aromatic (benzyl alcohol, 2-phenyl ethanol, 4-phenyl-1-butanol) alcohols in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The effect of carbon chain length in aliphatic and aromatic alcohols on initial and average transesterification rate, transesterification activity of immobilized enzyme and yield of the reaction under selected reaction conditions was investigated. The transesterification reactivity of the enzyme and yield of the reaction increased as the chain length of the alcohols decreased. Furthermore, almost no change in yield was observed when the immobilized enzyme was repeatedly used for selected alcohols over six cycles. Intrinsic fluorescence analysis showed that the catalytic activity of the immobilized enzyme in THF was maintained due to retention of the tertiary structure of the enzyme after immobilization on PyD (1).

  7. Rational design of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase specific for p-acetyl-L-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Sun, Renhua; Zheng, Heng; Fang, Zhengzhi; Yao, Wenbing

    2010-01-01

    The Methanococcus jannaschii tRNA(Tyr)/tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase pair has been engineered to incorporate unnatural amino acids into proteins in Escherichia coli site-specifically. In order to add other unnatural amino acids into proteins by this approach, the amino acid binding site of M. jannaschii tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase need to be mutated. The crystal structures of M. jannaschii tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase and its mutations were determined, which provided an opportunity to design aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases specific for other unnatural amino acids. In our study, we attempted to design aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases being able to deliver p-acetyl-L-phenylalanine into proteins. p-Acetyl-L-phenylalanine was superimposed on tyrosyl in M. jannaschii tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase-tyrosine complex. Tyr32 needed to be changed to non-polar amino acid with shorter side chain, Val, Leu, Ile, Gly or Ala, in order to reduce steric clash and provide hydrophobic environment to acetyl on p-acetyl-L-phenylalanine. Asp158 and Ile159 would be changed to specific amino acids for the same reason. So we designed 60 aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Binding of these aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases with p-acetyl-L-phenylalanine indicated that only 15 of them turned out to be able to bind p-acetyl-L-phenylalanine with reasonable poses. Binding affinity computation proved that the mutation of Tyr32Leu and Asp158Gly benefited p-acetyl-L-phenylalanine binding. And two of the designed aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases had considerable binding affinities. They seemed to be very promising to be able to incorporate p-acetyl-L-phenylalanine into proteins in E. coli. The results show that the combination of homology modeling and molecular docking is a feasible method to filter inappropriate mutations in molecular design and point out beneficial mutations. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Methyl esters (biodiesel) from Pachyrhizus erosus seed oil

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The search for additional or alternative feedstocks is one of the major areas of interest regarding biodiesel. In this paper, the fuel properties of Pachyrhizus erosus (commonly known as yam bean or Mexican potato or jicama) seed oil methyl esters were investigated by methods prescribed in biodiesel...

  9. Modeling Study of the Low-Temperature Oxidation of Large Methyl Esters from C11 to C19

    PubMed Central

    Herbinet, Olivier; Biet, Joffrey; Hakka, Mohammed Hichem; Warth, Valérie; Glaude, Pierre Alexandre; Nicolle, André; Battin-Leclerc, Frédérique

    2013-01-01

    The modeling of the low temperature oxidation of large saturated methyl esters really representative of those found in biodiesel fuels has been investigated. Models have been developed for these species and then detailed kinetic mechanisms have been automatically generated using a new extended version of software EXGAS, which includes reactions specific to the chemistry of esters. A model generated for a binary mixture of n-decane and methyl palmitate was used to simulate experimental results obtained in a jet-stirred reactor for this fuel. This model predicts very well the reactivity of the fuel and the mole fraction profiles of most reaction products. This work also shows that a model for a middle size methyl ester such as methyl decanoate predicts fairly well the reactivity and the mole fractions of most species with a substantial decrease in computational time. Large n-alkanes such as n-hexadecane are also good surrogates for reproducing the reactivity of methyl esters, with an important gain in computational time, but they cannot account for the formation of specific products such as unsaturated esters or cyclic ethers with an ester function. PMID:23814504

  10. A Lactobacillus plantarum Esterase Active on a Broad Range of Phenolic Esters

    PubMed Central

    Esteban-Torres, María; Landete, José María; Reverón, Inés; Santamaría, Laura; de las Rivas, Blanca

    2015-01-01

    Lactobacillus plantarum is the lactic acid bacterial species most frequently found in the fermentation of food products of plant origin on which phenolic compounds are abundant. L. plantarum strains showed great flexibility in their ability to adapt to different environments and growth substrates. Of 28 L. plantarum strains analyzed, only cultures from 7 strains were able to hydrolyze hydroxycinnamic esters, such as methyl ferulate or methyl caffeate. As revealed by PCR, only these seven strains possessed the est_1092 gene. When the est_1092 gene was introduced into L. plantarum WCFS1 or L. lactis MG1363, their cultures acquired the ability to degrade hydroxycinnamic esters. These results support the suggestion that Est_1092 is the enzyme responsible for the degradation of hydroxycinnamic esters on the L. plantarum strains analyzed. The Est_1092 protein was recombinantly produced and biochemically characterized. Surprisingly, Est_1092 was able to hydrolyze not only hydroxycinnamic esters, since all the phenolic esters assayed were hydrolyzed. Quantitative PCR experiments revealed that the expression of est_1092 was induced in the presence of methyl ferulate, an hydroxycinnamic ester, but was inhibited on methyl gallate, an hydroxybenzoic ester. As Est_1092 is an enzyme active on a broad range of phenolic esters, simultaneously possessing feruloyl esterase and tannase activities, its presence on some L. plantarum strains provides them with additional advantages to survive and grow on plant environments. PMID:25746986

  11. L-Phenylalanine and L-tyrosine catabolism by selected Streptomyces species

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pometto, A.L. III; Crawford, D.L.

    L-Phenylalanine and L-tyrosine were completely catabolized through homogentisate by Streptomyces setonii 75Vi2 but only partially degraded by Streptomyces badius 252, Streptomyces sioyaensis P5, Streptomyces viridosporus T7A, and Streptomyces sp. strain V7. Intermediates of catabolism were confirmed by the thin-layer, gas, and high-pressure liquid chromatography. Homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase was present in all cell extracts.

  12. L-Phenylalanine and L-tyrosine catabolism by selected Streptomyces species.

    PubMed Central

    Pometto, A L; Crawford, D L

    1985-01-01

    L-Phenylalanine and L-tyrosine were completely catabolized through homogentisate by Streptomyces setonii 75Vi2 but only partially degraded by Streptomyces badius 252, Streptomyces sioyaensis P5, Streptomyces viridosporus T7A, and Streptomyces sp. strain V7. Intermediates of catabolism were confirmed by thin-layer, gas, and high-pressure liquid chromatography. Homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase was present in all cell extracts. PMID:3994376

  13. 21 CFR 172.225 - Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... from edible fats and oils. 172.225 Section 172.225 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION... Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils. Methyl esters and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils may be safely used in food, subject to the...

  14. 21 CFR 172.225 - Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... from edible fats and oils. 172.225 Section 172.225 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION... Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils. Methyl esters and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils may be safely used in food, subject to the...

  15. Synthesis and properties of poly(L-lactide)-b-poly (L-phenylalanine) hybrid copolymers.

    PubMed

    Planellas, Marc; Puiggalí, Jordi

    2014-07-29

    Hybrid materials constituted by peptides and synthetic polymers have nowadays a great interest since they can combine the properties and functions of each constitutive block, being also possible to modify the final characteristics by using different topologies. Poly(l-lactide-b-l-phenylalanine) copolymers with various block lengths were synthesized by sequential ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide and the N-carboxyanhydride of l-phenylalanine. The resulting block copolymers were characterized by NMR spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, MALDI-TOF and UV-vis, revealing the successful incorporation of the polyphenylalanine (PPhe) peptide into the previously formed poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) polymer chain. X-ray diffraction and DSC data also suggested that the copolymers were phase-separated in domains containing either crystalline PLLA or PPhe phases. A peculiar thermal behavior was also found by thermogravimetric analysis when polyphenylalanine blocks were incorporated into polylactide.

  16. Low-molecular-weight poly(alpha-methyl beta,L-malate) of microbial origin: synthesis and crystallization.

    PubMed

    Fernández, Carlos E; Mancera, Manuel; Holler, Eggehard; Bou, Jordi J; Galbis, Juan A; Muñoz-Guerra, Sebastián

    2005-02-23

    Low-molecular-weight poly(alpha-methyl beta,L-malate) made of approximately 25-30 units was prepared from microbial poly(beta,L-malic acid) by treatment with diazomethane. The thermal characterization of the polymalate methyl ester was carried out and its crystalline structure was preliminary examined. Its ability to crystallize both from solution and from the melt was comparatively evaluated.

  17. Detection of L-phenylalanine using molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction and flow injection electrochemiluminescence.

    PubMed

    Lu, Juanjuan; Ge, Shenguang; Wan, Fuwei; Yu, Jinghua

    2012-01-01

    A novel flow injection electrochemiluminescence method combined with molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction was developed for the determination of L-phenylalanine, in which ${\\rm{Ru(bpy}})_3^{2 + }$ was used as the luminophor and indium tin oxide glass was modified as the working electrode. Molecularly imprinted polymers, synthesized by self-assembly with functional monomer and crossing linker, were used for the selective extraction of L-phenylalanine. In order to overcome the drawbacks of traditional electrochemiluminescence cells such as high IR drop, high over-potential and so on, a novel electrochemiluminescence cell was developed. The enhanced electrochemiluminescence intensity was linearly related with the concentration of L-phenylalanine in the range from 1.0×10(-7) to 5.0×10(-5) g/mL with a detection limit of 2.59×10(-8) g/mL. The relative standard deviation for the determination of 1.0×10(-6) g/mL L-phenylalanine was 1.2% (n=11). The method showed higher sensitivity and good repeatability, and was successfully applied for the determination of L-phenylalanine in egg white, chicken and serum samples. A possible mechanism for the enhanced electrochemiluminescence response on indium tin oxide glass is proposed. Copyright © 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  18. Preparation of fatty acid methyl esters from hazelnut, high-oleic peanut and walnut oils and evaluation as biodiesel

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Hazelnut, walnut and high-oleic peanut oils were converted into fatty acid methyl esters using catalytic sodium methoxide and evaluated as potential biodiesel fuels. These feedstocks were of interest due to their adaptability to marginal lands and their lipid production potentials (780-1780 L ha-1 y...

  19. Intramolecular interactions of L-phenylalanine revealed by inner shell chemical shift

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ganesan, Aravindhan; Wang, Feng

    2009-07-01

    Intramolecular interactions of the functional groups, carboxylic acid, amino, and phenyl in L-phenylalanine have been revealed through inner shell chemical shift. The chemical shift and electronic structures are studied using its derivatives, 2-phenethylamine (PEA) and 3-phenylpropionic acid (PPA), through substitutions of the functional groups on the chiral carbon Cα, i.e., carboxylic acid (-COOH) and amino (-NH2) groups. Inner shell ionization spectra of L-phenylalanine are simulated using density functional theory based B3LYP/TZVP and LB94/et-pVQZ models, which achieve excellent agreement with the most recently available synchrotron sourced x-ray photoemission spectroscopy of L-phenylalanine (Elettra, Italy). The present study reveals insight into behavior of the peptide bond (CO-NH) through chemical shift of the C1-Cα-Cβ(-Cγ) chain and intramolecular interactions with phenyl. It is found that the chemical shift of the carbonyl C1(=O) site exhibits an apparently redshift (smaller energy) when interacting with the phenyl aromatic group. Removal of the amino group (-NH2) from L-phenylalanine (which forms PPA) brings this energy on C1 close to that in L-alanine (δ <0.01 eV). Chemical environment of Cα and Cβ exhibits more significant differences in L-alanine than in the aromatic species, indicating that the phenyl group indeed affects the peptide bond in the amino acid fragment. No direct evidences are found that the carbonyl acid and amino group interact with the phenyl ring through conventional hydrogen bonds.

  20. Electrode Potentials of l-Tryptophan, l-Tyrosine, 3-Nitro-l-tyrosine, 2,3-Difluoro-l-tyrosine, and 2,3,5-Trifluoro-l-tyrosine.

    PubMed

    Mahmoudi, Leila; Kissner, Reinhard; Nauser, Thomas; Koppenol, Willem H

    2016-05-24

    Electrode potentials for aromatic amino acid radical/amino acid couples were deduced from cyclic voltammograms and pulse radiolysis experiments. The amino acids investigated were l-tryptophan, l-tyrosine, N-acetyl-l-tyrosine methyl ester, N-acetyl-3-nitro-l-tyrosine ethyl ester, N-acetyl-2,3-difluoro-l-tyrosine methyl ester, and N-acetyl-2,3,5-trifluoro-l-tyrosine methyl ester. Conditional potentials were determined at pH 7.4 for all compounds listed; furthermore, Pourbaix diagrams for l-tryptophan, l-tyrosine, and N-acetyl-3-nitro-l-tyrosine ethyl ester were obtained. Electron transfer accompanied by proton transfer is reversible, as confirmed by detailed analysis of the current waves, and because the slopes of the Pourbaix diagrams obey Nernst's law. E°'(Trp(•),H(+)/TrpH) and E°'(TyrO(•),H(+)/TyrOH) at pH 7 are 0.99 ± 0.01 and 0.97 ± 0.01 V, respectively. Pulse radiolysis studies of two dipeptides that contain both amino acids indicate a difference in E°' of approximately 0.06 V. Thus, in small peptides, we recommend values of 1.00 and 0.96 V for E°'(Trp(•),H(+)/TrpH) and E°'(TyrO(•),H(+)/TyrOH), respectively. The electrode potential of N-acetyl-3-nitro-l-tyrosine ethyl ester is higher, while because of mesomeric stabilization of the radical, those of N-acetyl-2,3-difluoro-l-tyrosine methyl ester and N-acetyl-2,3,5-trifluoro-l-tyrosine methyl ester are lower than that of tyrosine. Given that the electrode potentials at pH 7 of E°'(Trp(•),H(+)/TrpH) and E°'(TyrO(•),H(+)/TyrOH) are nearly equal, they would be, in principle, interchangeable. Proton-coupled electron transfer pathways in proteins that use TrpH and TyrOH are thus nearly thermoneutral.

  1. N-(L-2-aminopentanoyl)-L-phenylalanine dihydrate, a hydrophobic dipeptide with a nonproteinogenic residue.

    PubMed

    Görbitz, Carl Henrik; Yadav, Vitthal N

    2013-09-01

    The title dipeptide, better known as L-norvalyl-L-phenylalanine {systematic name: (S)-2-[(S)-2-aminopentanamido]-3-phenylpropanoic acid dihydrate}, C14H20N2O3·2H2O, has a nonproteinogenic N-terminal residue. In the solid state, it takes on a molecular conformation typical for one of the three classes of nanoporous dipeptides, but like two related compounds with a hydrophobic N-terminal residue and a C-terminal L-phenylalanine, it fails to form channels or pores. Instead, the crystal structure is divided into distinct hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers, the latter encompassing cocrystallized water molecules connecting the charged N- and C-terminal groups.

  2. Influence of additive L-phenylalanine on stabilization of metastable α-form of L-glutamic acid in cooling crystallization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Quang, Khuu Chau; Nhan, Le Thi Hong; Huyen, Trinh Thi Thanh; Tuan, Nguyen Anh

    2017-09-01

    The influence of additive amino acid L-phenylalanine on stabilization of metastable α-form of L-glutamic acid was investigated in cooling crystallization. The present study found that the additive L-phenylalanine could be used to stabilize the pure metastable α-form in L-glutamic acid crystallization, where the additive concentration of 0.05-0.1 (g/L) was sufficient to stabilize the 100% wt metastable α-form in solid product at L-glutamic acid concentration of 30-45 (g/L). Additionally, the present results indicated that the adsorption of additive L-phenylalanine on the (001) surface of α-form was more favorable than that of the β-form molecular, so the nucleation sites of stable β-form was occupied by additive molecular, which resulted in inhibition of nucleation and growth of β-form, allowing stabilization of metastable α-form.

  3. Synthesis and Properties of Poly(l-lactide)-b-poly (l-phenylalanine) Hybrid Copolymers

    PubMed Central

    Planellas, Marc; Puiggalí, Jordi

    2014-01-01

    Hybrid materials constituted by peptides and synthetic polymers have nowadays a great interest since they can combine the properties and functions of each constitutive block, being also possible to modify the final characteristics by using different topologies. Poly(l-lactide-b-l-phenylalanine) copolymers with various block lengths were synthesized by sequential ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide and the N-carboxyanhydride of l-phenylalanine. The resulting block copolymers were characterized by NMR spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, MALDI-TOF and UV-vis, revealing the successful incorporation of the polyphenylalanine (PPhe) peptide into the previously formed poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) polymer chain. X-ray diffraction and DSC data also suggested that the copolymers were phase-separated in domains containing either crystalline PLLA or PPhe phases. A peculiar thermal behavior was also found by thermogravimetric analysis when polyphenylalanine blocks were incorporated into polylactide. PMID:25075980

  4. Emissions from diesel engines using fatty acid methyl esters from different vegetable oils as blends and pure fuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schröder, O.; Munack, A.; Schaak, J.; Pabst, C.; Schmidt, L.; Bünger, J.; Krahl, J.

    2012-05-01

    Biodiesel is used as a neat fuel as well as in blends with mineral diesel fuel. Because of the limited availability of fossil resources, an increase of biogenic compounds in fuels is desired. To achieve this goal, next to rapeseed oil, other sustainably produced vegetable oils can be used as raw materials. These raw materials influence the fuel properties as well as the emissions. To investigate the environmental impact of the exhaust gas, it is necessary to determine regulated and non-regulated exhaust gas components. In detail, emissions of aldehydes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), as well as mutagenicity in the Ames test are of special interest. In this paper emission measurements on a Euro III engine OM 906 of Mercedes-Benz are presented. As fuel vegetable oil methyl esters from various sources and reference diesel fuel were used as well as blends of the vegetable oil methyl esters with diesel fuel. PAH were sampled according to VDI Guideline 3872. The sampling procedure of carbonyls was accomplished using DNPH cartridges coupled with potassium iodide cartridges. The carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions of the tested methyl esters show advantages over DF. The particle mass emissions of methyl esters were likewise lower than those of DF, only linseed oil methyl ester showed higher particle mass emissions. A disadvantage is the use of biodiesel with respect to emissions of nitrogen oxides. They increased depending on the type of methyl ester by 10% to 30%. Emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the results of mutagenicity tests correlate with those of the PM measurements, at which for palm oil methyl ester next to coconut oil methyl ester the lowest emissions were detected. From these results one can formulate a clear link between the iodine number of the ester and the emission behaviour. For blends of biodiesel and diesel fuel, emissions changed linearly with the proportion of biodiesel. However, especially in the non

  5. Novel strategy for phenyllactic acid biosynthesis from phenylalanine by whole cell recombinant Escherichia coli coexpressing L-phenylalanine oxidase and L-lactate dehydrogenase.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jianzhi; Li, Xi

    2018-01-01

    To enhance the efficiency of phenyllactic acid (PLA) production from L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) by introducing a novel artificial pathway into Escherichia coli RESULTS: The production of PLA from L-Phe by recombinant E. coli (ldh-lpox) coexpressing L-phenylalanine oxidase and L-lactate dehydrogenase was studied. The new PLA synthesis pathway was confirmed to be efficient in recombinant E. coli. Subsequently, two different biocatalyst processes were carried out and optimized for PLA production. In the whole cell biosynthesis process at high cell density using collected recombinant cells as catalyst, at optimal conditions (L-Phe 6 g/l, pH 7.5, 35 °C, CDW 24.5 g/l and 200 rpm), the recombinant E. coli (ldh-lpox) produced 1.62 g PLA/l with a conversion of 28% from L-Phe. Similarly, during the two-temperature-stage fermentation process in flasks using IPTG-induced cells, the temperature in the second stage was increased to 35 °C to benefit the biocatalyst process, and comparable phenyllactic acid production of 1.47 g/l was obtained from 12 g L-Phe/l. Recombinant E. coli (ldh-lpox) was efficient in PLA production realizing a high titer of several folds compared with studies using L-Phe as substrate.

  6. Gas chromatography-vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy for analysis of fatty acid methyl esters.

    PubMed

    Fan, Hui; Smuts, Jonathan; Bai, Ling; Walsh, Phillip; Armstrong, Daniel W; Schug, Kevin A

    2016-03-01

    A new vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) detector for gas chromatography was recently developed and applied to fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis. VUV detection features full spectral acquisition in a wavelength range of 115-240nm, where virtually all chemical species absorb. VUV absorption spectra of 37 FAMEs, including saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated types were recorded. Unsaturated FAMEs show significantly different gas phase absorption profiles than saturated ones, and these classes can be easily distinguished with the VUV detector. Another advantage includes differentiating cis/trans-isomeric FAMEs (e.g. oleic acid methyl ester and linoleic acid methyl ester isomers) and the ability to use VUV data analysis software for deconvolution of co-eluting signals. As a universal detector, VUV also provides high specificity, sensitivity, and a fast data acquisition rate, making it a powerful tool for fatty acid screening when combined with gas chromatography. The fatty acid profile of several food oil samples (olive, canola, vegetable, corn, sunflower and peanut oils) were analyzed in this study to demonstrate applicability to real world samples. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. A Lactobacillus plantarum esterase active on a broad range of phenolic esters.

    PubMed

    Esteban-Torres, María; Landete, José María; Reverón, Inés; Santamaría, Laura; de las Rivas, Blanca; Muñoz, Rosario

    2015-05-01

    Lactobacillus plantarum is the lactic acid bacterial species most frequently found in the fermentation of food products of plant origin on which phenolic compounds are abundant. L. plantarum strains showed great flexibility in their ability to adapt to different environments and growth substrates. Of 28 L. plantarum strains analyzed, only cultures from 7 strains were able to hydrolyze hydroxycinnamic esters, such as methyl ferulate or methyl caffeate. As revealed by PCR, only these seven strains possessed the est_1092 gene. When the est_1092 gene was introduced into L. plantarum WCFS1 or L. lactis MG1363, their cultures acquired the ability to degrade hydroxycinnamic esters. These results support the suggestion that Est_1092 is the enzyme responsible for the degradation of hydroxycinnamic esters on the L. plantarum strains analyzed. The Est_1092 protein was recombinantly produced and biochemically characterized. Surprisingly, Est_1092 was able to hydrolyze not only hydroxycinnamic esters, since all the phenolic esters assayed were hydrolyzed. Quantitative PCR experiments revealed that the expression of est_1092 was induced in the presence of methyl ferulate, an hydroxycinnamic ester, but was inhibited on methyl gallate, an hydroxybenzoic ester. As Est_1092 is an enzyme active on a broad range of phenolic esters, simultaneously possessing feruloyl esterase and tannase activities, its presence on some L. plantarum strains provides them with additional advantages to survive and grow on plant environments. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

  8. Glycomacropeptide in children with phenylketonuria: does its phenylalanine content affect blood phenylalanine control?

    PubMed

    Daly, A; Evans, S; Chahal, S; Santra, S; MacDonald, A

    2017-08-01

    In phenylketonuria (PKU), there are no data available for children with respect to evaluating casein glycomacropeptide (CGMP) as an alternative to phenylalanine-free protein substitutes [Phe-free L-amino acid (AA)]. CGMP contains a residual amount of phenylalanine, which may alter blood phenylalanine control. In a prospective 6-month pilot study, we investigated the effect on blood phenylalanine control of CGMP-amino acid (CGMP-AA) protein substitute in 22 PKU subjects (13 boys, nine girls), median age (range) 11 years (6-16 years). Twelve received CGMP-AA and nine received Phe-free L-AA, (1 CGMP-AA withdrawal). Subjects partially or wholly replaced Phe-free L-AA with CGMP-AA. If blood phenylalanine exceeded the target range, the CGMP-AA dose was reduced and replaced with Phe-free L-amino acids. The control group remained on Phe-free L-AAs. Phenylalanine, tyrosine and Phe : Tyr ratio concentrations were compared with the results for the previous year. In the CGMP-AA group, there was a significant increase in blood phenylalanine concentrations (pre-study, 275 μmol L -1 ; CGMP-AA, 317 μmol L -1 ; P = 0.02), a decrease in tyrosine concentrations (pre-study, 50 μmol L -1 ; CGMP-AA, 40 μmol L -1 ; P = 0.03) and an increase in Phe : Tyr ratios (pre-study, Phe : Tyr 4.9:1; CGMP-AA, Phe : Tyr 8:1; P = 0.02). In the control group there was a non-significant fall in phenylalanine concentrations (pre-study 325μmol/L: study 280μmol/L [p = 0.9], and no significant changes for tyrosine or phe/tyr ratios [p = 0.9]. Children taking the CGMP-AA found it more acceptable to L-AA. Blood phenylalanine control declined with CGMP-AA but, by titrating the dose of CGMP-AA, blood phenylalanine control remained within target range. The additional intake of phenylalanine may have contributed to the change in blood phenylalanine concentration. CGMP-AA use requires careful monitoring in children. © 2017 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.

  9. The de novo engineering of pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase for genetic incorporation of L-phenylalanine and its derivatives.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yane-Shih; Russell, William K; Wang, Zhiyong; Wan, Wei; Dodd, Lindsey E; Pai, Pei-Jing; Russell, David H; Liu, Wenshe R

    2011-03-01

    Using evolved pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase-tRNA(CUA)(Pyl) pairs, L-phenylalanine, p-iodo-L-phenylalanine and p-bromo-L-phenylalanine have been genetically incorporated into proteins at amber mutation sites in E. coli.

  10. Novel fatty acid methyl esters from the actinomycete Micromonospora aurantiaca

    PubMed Central

    Bruns, Hilke; Riclea, Ramona

    2011-01-01

    Summary The volatiles released by Micromonospora aurantiaca were collected by means of a closed-loop stripping apparatus (CLSA) and analysed by GC–MS. The headspace extracts contained more than 90 compounds from different classes. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) comprised the major compound class including saturated unbranched, monomethyl and dimethyl branched FAMEs in diverse structural variants: Unbranched, α-branched, γ-branched, (ω−1)-branched, (ω−2)-branched, α- and (ω−1)-branched, γ- and (ω−1)-branched, γ- and (ω−2)-branched, and γ- and (ω−3)-branched FAMEs. FAMEs of the last three types have not been described from natural sources before. The structures for all FAMEs have been suggested based on their mass spectra and on a retention index increment system and verified by the synthesis of key reference compounds. In addition, the structures of two FAMEs, methyl 4,8-dimethyldodecanoate and the ethyl-branched compound methyl 8-ethyl-4-methyldodecanoate were deduced from their mass spectra. Feeding experiments with isotopically labelled [2H10]leucine, [2H10]isoleucine, [2H8]valine, [2H5]sodium propionate, and [methyl-2H3]methionine demonstrated that the responsible fatty acid synthase (FAS) can use different branched and unbranched starter units and is able to incorporate methylmalonyl-CoA elongation units for internal methyl branches in various chain positions, while the methyl ester function is derived from S-adenosyl methionine (SAM). PMID:22238549

  11. Enhancement of  l-phenylalanine production in Escherichia coli by heterologous expression of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin.

    PubMed

    Wu, Wei-Bin; Guo, Xiao-Lei; Zhang, Ming-Liang; Huang, Qing-Gen; Qi, Feng; Huang, Jian-Zhong

    2018-05-01

    l-Phenylalanine is an important amino acid that is widely used in the production of food flavors and pharmaceuticals. Generally, l-phenylalanine production by engineered Escherichia coli requires a high rate of oxygen supply. However, the coexpression of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene (vgb), driven bya tac promoter, with the genes encoding 3-deoxy-d-arabinoheptulosonate-7-phosphate synthetase (aroF) and feedback-resistant chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase (pheA fbr ), led to increased productivity and decreased demand for aeration by E. coli CICC10245. Shake-flask studies showed that vgb-expressing strains displayed higher rates of oxygen uptake, and l-phenylalanine production under standard aeration conditions was increased. In the aerobic fermentation process, cell growth, l-phenylalanine production, and glucose consumption by the recombinant E. coli strain PAPV, which harbored aroF, pheA fbr , and tac-vgb genes, were increased compared to that in the strain harboring only aroF and pheA fbr (E. coli strain PAP), especially under oxygen-limited conditions. The vgb-expressing strain PAPV produced 21.9% more biomass and 16.6% more l-phenylalanine, while consuming only approximately 5% more glucose after 48 H of fermentation. This study demonstrates a method to enhance the l-phenylalanine production by E. coli using less intensive and thus more economical aeration conditions. © 2017 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  12. The structure and mechanism of stem bromelain. Evaluation of the homogeneity of purified stem bromelain, determination of the molecular weight and kinetic analysis of the bromelain-catalysed hydrolysis of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-phenylalanyl-l-serine methyl ester

    PubMed Central

    Wharton, Christopher W.

    1974-01-01

    1. Purified stem bromelain (EC 3.4.22.4) was eluted from Sephadex G-100 as a single peak. The specific activity across the elution peak was approximately constant towards p-nitrophenyl hippurate but increased with elution volume with N2-benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester as substrate. 2. The apparent molecular weight, determined by elution analysis on Sephadex G-100, is 22500±1500, an anomalously low value. 3. Purified stem bromelain was eluted from CM-cellulose CM-32 as a single peak and behaved as a single species during column electrophoresis on Sephadex G-100. 4. Purified stem bromelain migrates as a single band during polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis under a wide variety of conditions. 5. The molecular weight determined by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate is 28500±1000. 6. Sedimentation-velocity and equilibrium-ultracentrifugation experiments, under a variety of conditions, indicate that bromelain is an apparently homogeneous single peptide chain of mol.wt. 28400±1400. 7. The N-terminal amino acid composition is 0.64±0.04mol of valine and 0.36±0.04mol of alanine per mol of enzyme of mol.wt. 28500. (The amino acid recovery of the cyanate N-terminal amino acid analysis was standardized by inclusion of carbamoyl-norleucine at the cyclization stage.) 8. The pH-dependence of the Michaelis parameters of the bromelain-catalysed hydrolysis of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-phenylalanyl-l-serine methyl ester was determined. 9. The magnitude and pH-dependence of the Michaelis parameters have been interpreted in terms of the mechanism of the enzyme. 10. The enzyme is able to bind N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-phenylalanyl-l-serine methyl ester relatively strongly but seems unable to make use of the binding energy to promote catalysis. PMID:4462742

  13. 40 CFR 721.10326 - 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethyl 2-propenoate...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethyl 2-propenoate, zinc 2-methyl-2-propenoate (1:2) and zinc 2-propenoate (1:2), 2,2'-(1,2-diazenediyl)bis[2-methylbutanenitrile]- and 2,2'-(1,2-diazenediyl)bis[2-methylpropanenitrile]-initiated. 721.10326...

  14. Chiral discrimination in cyclodextrin complexes of amino acid derivatives: beta-cyclodextrin/N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine and N-acetyl-D-phenylalanine complexes.

    PubMed

    Alexander, Jennifer M; Clark, Joanna L; Brett, Tom J; Stezowski, John J

    2002-04-16

    In a systematic study of molecular recognition of amino acid derivatives in solid-state beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) complexes, we have determined crystal structures for complexes of beta-cyclodextrin/N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine at 298 and 20 K and for N-acetyl-D-phenylalanine at 298 K. The crystal structures for the N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine complex present disordered inclusion complexes for which the distribution of guest molecules at room temperature is not resolvable; however, they can be located with considerable confidence at low temperature. In contrast, the complex with N-acetyl-D-phenylalanine is well ordered at room temperature. The latter complex presents an example of a complex in this series in which a water molecule is included deeply in the hydrophobic torus of the extended dimer host. In an effort to understand the mechanisms of molecular recognition giving rise to the dramatic differences in crystallographic order in these crystal structures, we have examined the intermolecular interactions in detail and have examined insertion of the enantiomer of the D-complex into the chiral beta-CD complex crystal lattice.

  15. 40 CFR 721.10326 - 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethyl 2-propenoate...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethyl 2-propenoate, zinc 2-methyl-2-propenoate (1:2) and zinc 2-propenoate (1:2), 2,2â²-(1,2-diazenediyl)bis[2-methylbutanenitrile]- and 2,2â²-(1,2-diazenediyl)bis[2-methylpropanenitrile]-initiated. 721.10326...

  16. 40 CFR 721.10326 - 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethyl 2-propenoate...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethyl 2-propenoate, zinc 2-methyl-2-propenoate (1:2) and zinc 2-propenoate (1:2), 2,2â²-(1,2-diazenediyl)bis[2-methylbutanenitrile]- and 2,2â²-(1,2-diazenediyl)bis[2-methylpropanenitrile]-initiated. 721.10326...

  17. Reactions of aqueous L-methionine, L-phenylalanine, L-methionyl-L-phenylalanine, L-phenylalanyl-L-methionine and their mixtures with H atoms during steady radiolysis at pH 6. 5. [Gamma radiation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mee, L.K.; Adelstein, S.J.; Steinhart, C.M.

    Phenylalanine, methionine, and their mixtures, methionyl phenylalanine, phenylalnyl methionine, and mixtures of each dipeptide with phenylalanine were reacted with radiolytically generated H atoms in aqueous solution at pH 6.5. When methionine is irradiated alone, G(-methionine) = 2.0; the principal amino acid product is ..cap alpha..-amino-n-butyric acid. The initial destruction of phenylalanine, irradiated alone, is very low, G(-phenylalanine) approximately 0.15, and it decreases with dose. In mixtures of phenylalanine and methionine, radiolytic destruction of phenylalanine is potentiated, with a maximum potentiation at a phenylalanine:methionine ratio of 2 : 1. Repair reactions are postulated to account for the low initial yield ofmore » phenylalanine, its decrease with dose, and potentiation of destruction in mixtures with methionine. The destruction of the phenylalanyl and methionyl residues in the irradiated dipeptides is similar to that found for the loss of phenylalanine and methionine in 1 : 1 mixtures of the free amino acids; the destruction of residues in 1 : 1 mixtures of either dipeptide with phenylalanine is similar to that found in mixtures of phenylalanine:methionine at a ratio of 2 : 1. Thus, it is apparent already in simple mixtures of the divalent sulfur-containing methionine and the aromatic phenylalanine that kinetic interactions occur between these two kinds of amino acids which are not revealed by irradiation of these residues separately. The behavior of the dipeptides does not provide any evidence for intramolecular transfer of radical site.« less

  18. L-Phenylalanine Transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Participation of GAP1, BAP2, and AGP1

    PubMed Central

    Sáenz, Daniel A.; Chianelli, Mónica S.; Stella, Carlos A.

    2014-01-01

    We focused on the participation of GAP1, BAP2, and AGP1 in L-phenylalanine transport in yeast. In order to study the physiological functions of GAP1, BAP2, and AGP1 in L-phenylalanine transport, we examined the kinetics, substrate specificity, and regulation of these systems, employing isogenic haploid strains with the respective genes disrupted individually and in combination. During the characterization of phenylalanine transport, we noted important regulatory phenomena associated with these systems. Our results show that Agp1p is the major transporter of the phenylalanine in a gap1 strain growing in synthetic media with leucine present as an inducer. In a wild type strain grown in the presence of leucine, when ammonium ion was the nitrogen source, Bap2p is the principal phenylalanine carrier. PMID:24701347

  19. A 13C NMR study of the structure of four cinnamic acids and their methyl esters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Silva, A. M. S.; Alkorta, I.; Elguero, J.; Silva, V. L. M.

    2001-09-01

    The 13C NMR spectra, both in DMSO solution and in the solid state of four cinnamic acids (p-methoxy, p-hydroxy, p-methyl, p-chloro) and their corresponding methyl esters have been recorded. The two main results in the solid state are: (i) the only significant difference between acids and esters chemical shifts concerns the Cdbnd O group which, on average, appears at 173 ppm in the acids and 168 ppm in the esters; (ii) the signals of the ortho and meta carbons both in the acids and the esters are splitted. The two 'anomalies' disappear in DMSO solution. These observations can be rationalized using simple GIAO/B3LYP/6-31G∗ calculations.

  20. Novel Scheme for Biosynthesis of Aryl Metabolites from l-Phenylalanine in the Fungus Bjerkandera adusta

    PubMed Central

    Lapadatescu, Carmen; Giniès, Christian; Le Quéré, Jean-Luc; Bonnarme, Pascal

    2000-01-01

    Aryl metabolite biosynthesis was studied in the white rot fungus Bjerkandera adusta cultivated in a liquid medium supplemented with l-phenylalanine. Aromatic compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry following addition of labelled precursors (14C- and 13C-labelled l-phenylalanine), which did not interfere with fungal metabolism. The major aromatic compounds identified were benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde (bitter almond aroma), and benzoic acid. Hydroxy- and methoxybenzylic compounds (alcohols, aldehydes, and acids) were also found in fungal cultures. Intracellular enzymatic activities (phenylalanine ammonia lyase, aryl-alcohol oxidase, aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase, aryl-aldehyde dehydrogenase, lignin peroxidase) and extracellular enzymatic activities (aryl-alcohol oxidase, lignin peroxidase), as well as aromatic compounds, were detected in B. adusta cultures. Metabolite formation required de novo protein biosynthesis. Our results show that l-phenylalanine was deaminated to trans-cinnamic acid by a phenylalanine ammonia lyase and trans-cinnamic acid was in turn converted to aromatic acids (phenylpyruvic, phenylacetic, mandelic, and benzoylformic acids); benzaldehyde was a metabolic intermediate. These acids were transformed into benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, and benzoic acid. Our findings support the hypothesis that all of these compounds are intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway from l-phenylalanine to aryl metabolites. Additionally, trans-cinnamic acid can also be transformed via β-oxidation to benzoic acid. This was confirmed by the presence of acetophenone as a β-oxidation degradation intermediate. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a β-oxidation sequence leading to benzoic acid synthesis has been found in a white rot fungus. A novel metabolic scheme for biosynthesis of aryl metabolites from l-phenylalanine is proposed. PMID:10742235

  1. Identification of the Allosteric Site for Phenylalanine in Rat Phenylalanine Hydroxylase*

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Shengnan; Fitzpatrick, Paul F.

    2016-01-01

    Liver phenylalanine hydroxylase (PheH) is an allosteric enzyme that requires activation by phenylalanine for full activity. The location of the allosteric site for phenylalanine has not been established. NMR spectroscopy of the isolated regulatory domain (RDPheH(25–117) is the regulatory domain of PheH lacking residues 1–24) of the rat enzyme in the presence of phenylalanine is consistent with formation of a side-by-side ACT dimer. Six residues in RDPheH(25–117) were identified as being in the phenylalanine-binding site on the basis of intermolecular NOEs between unlabeled phenylalanine and isotopically labeled protein. The location of these residues is consistent with two allosteric sites per dimer, with each site containing residues from both monomers. Site-specific variants of five of the residues (E44Q, A47G, L48V, L62V, and H64N) decreased the affinity of RDPheH(25–117) for phenylalanine based on the ability to stabilize the dimer. Incorporation of the A47G, L48V, and H64N mutations into the intact protein increased the concentration of phenylalanine required for activation. The results identify the location of the allosteric site as the interface of the regulatory domain dimer formed in activated PheH. PMID:26823465

  2. Co-expression of five genes in E coli for L-phenylalanine in Brevibacterium flavum

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Yong-Qing; Jiang, Pei-Hong; Fan, Chang-Sheng; Wang, Jian-Gang; Shang, Liang; Huang, Wei-Da

    2003-01-01

    AIM: To study the effect of co-expression of ppsA, pckA, aroG, pheA and tyrB genes on the production of L-phenylalanine, and to construct a genetic engineering strain for L-phenylalanine. METHODS: ppsA and pckA genes were amplified from genomic DNA of E. coli by polymerase chain reaction, and then introduced into shuttle vectors between E coli and Brevibacterium flavum to generate constructs pJN2 and pJN5. pJN2 was generated by inserting ppsA and pckA genes into vector pCZ; whereas pJN5 was obtained by introducing ppsA and pckA genes into pCZ-GAB, which was originally constructed for co-expression of aroG, pheA and tyrB genes. The recombinant plasmids were then introduced into B. flavum by electroporation and the transformants were used for L-phenylalanine fermentation. RESULTS: Compared with the original B. flavum cells, all the transformants were showed to have increased five enzyme activities specifically, and have enhanced L-phenylalanine biosynthesis ability variably. pJN5 transformant was observed to have the highest elevation of L-phenylalanine production by a 3.4-fold. Co-expression of ppsA and pckA increased activity of DAHP synthetase significantly. CONCLUSION: Co-expression of ppsA and pckA genes in B. flavum could remarkably increase the expression of DAHP synthetase; Co-expression of ppsA, pckA, aroG, pheA and tyrB of E. coli in B. flavum was a feasible approach to construct a strain for phenylalanine production. PMID:12532463

  3. Ionization state of L-phenylalanine at the air-water interface.

    PubMed

    Griffith, Elizabeth C; Vaida, Veronica

    2013-01-16

    The ionization state of organic molecules at the air-water interface and the related problem of the surface pH of water have significant consequences on the catalytic role of the surface in chemical reactions and are currently areas of intense research and controversy. In this work, infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) is used to identify changes in the ionization state of L-phenylalanine in the surface region versus the bulk aqueous solution. L-phenylalanine has the unique advantage of possessing two different hydrophilic groups, a carboxylic acid and an amine base, which can deprotonate and protonate respectively depending on the ionic environment they experience at the water surface. In this work, the polar group vibrations in the surface region are identified spectroscopically in varying bulk pH solutions, and are subsequently compared with the ionization state of the polar groups of molecules residing in the bulk environment. The polar groups of L-phenylalanine at the surface transition to their deprotonated state at bulk pH values lower than the molecules residing in the bulk, indicating a decrease in their pK(a) at the surface, and implying an enhanced hydroxide ion concentration in the surface region relative to the bulk.

  4. Bioactive Steroids with Methyl Ester Group in the Side Chain from a Reef Soft Coral Sinularia brassica Cultured in a Tank.

    PubMed

    Huang, Chiung-Yao; Su, Jui-Hsin; Liaw, Chih-Chuang; Sung, Ping-Jyun; Chiang, Pei-Lun; Hwang, Tsong-Long; Dai, Chang-Feng; Sheu, Jyh-Horng

    2017-09-01

    A c ontinuing chemical investigation of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of a reef soft coral Sinularia brassica , which was cultured in a tank, afforded four new steroids with methyl ester groups, sinubrasones A-D (1-4) for the first time. In particular, 1 possesses a β-D-xylopyranose. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. The cytotoxicities of compounds 1-4 against the proliferation of a limited panel of cancer cell lines were assayed. The anti-inflammatory activities of these new compounds 1-4 were also evaluated by measuring their ability to suppress superoxide anion generation and elastase release in N -formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB)-induced human neutrophils. Compounds 2 and 3 were shown to exhibit significant cytotoxicity, and compounds 3 and 4 were also found to display attracting anti-inflammatory activities.

  5. Vapor movement of the synthetic auxin herbicides, aminocyclopyrachlor and its methyl ester under laboratory and enclosed chamber environments

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Aminocyclopyrachlor (DPX MAT28) a newly discovered synthetic auxin herbicide and its methyl ester (DPX KJM44) appear to control a number of perennial broadleaf weeds. The potential volatility of this new herbicide and its methyl ester were determined under laboratory conditions and were also compar...

  6. Zeolite/magnetite composites as catalysts on the Synthesis of Methyl Esters (MES) from cooking oil

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sriatun; Darmawan, Adi; Sriyanti; Cahyani, Wuri; Widyandari, Hendri

    2018-05-01

    The using of zeolite/magnetite composite as a catalyst for the synthesis of methyl esters (MES) of cooking oil has been performed. In this study the natural magnetite was extracted from the iron sand of Semarang marina beach and milled by high energy Milling (HEM) with ball: magnetite ratio: 1:1. The composites prepared from natural zeolite and natural magnetite with zeolite: magnetite ratio 1:1; 2:1; 3:1 and 4:1. Preparation of methyl ester was catalyzed by composite of zeolite/magnetite through transeserification reaction, it was studied on variation of catalyst concentration (w/v) 1%, 3%, 5% and 10% to feed volume. The reaction product are mixture of methyl Oleic (MES), methyl Palmitic (MES) and methyl Stearic (MES). Character product of this research include density, viscosity, acid number and iodine number has fulfilled to SNI standard 7182: 2015.

  7. HIGH DOSES OF ASPARTAME HAVE NO EFFECTS ON SENSORIMOTOR FUNCTION OR LEARNING AND MEMORY IN RATS

    EPA Science Inventory

    Acute or repeated (14 days) intragastric administration of L-d-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester suspended in saline and Tween-80 in doses of up to 1,000 mg/kg had no significant effect in male Fischer-344 rats on routine measures of sensorimotor function, including spontaneo...

  8. Complexes of polyadenylic acid and the methyl esters of amino acids

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Khaled, M. A.; Mulins, D. W., Jr.; Swindle, M.; Lacey, J. C., Jr.

    1983-01-01

    A study of amino acid methyl esters binding to polyadenylic acid supports the theory that the genetic code originated through weak but selective affinities between amino acids and nucleotides. NMR, insoluble complex analysis, and ultraviolet spectroscopy are used to illustrate a correlation between the hydrophybicities of A amino acids and their binding constants, which, beginning with the largest, are in the order of Phe (having nominally a hydrophobic AAA anticodon), Ile, Leu, Val and Gly (having a hydrophilic anticodon with no A). In general, the binding constants are twice the values by Reuben and Polk (1980) for monomeric AMP, which suggests that polymer amino acids are interacting with only one base. No real differences are found betwen poly A binding for free Phe, Phe methyl ester or Phe amide, except that the amide value is slightly lower.

  9. Highly efficient drug delivery nanosystem via L-phenylalanine triggering based on supramolecular polymer micelles.

    PubMed

    Dong, Haiqing; Li, Yongyong; Wen, Huiyun; Xu, Meng; Liu, Lijian; Li, Zhuoquan; Guo, Fangfang; Shi, Donglu

    2011-03-16

    An intelligent drug delivery nanosystem has been developed based on biodegradable supramolecular polymer micelles (SMPMs). The drug release can be triggered from SMPMs responsively by a bioactive agent, L-phenylalanine in a controlled fashion. The SMPMs are constructed from ethylcellulose-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone) (EC-g-PCL) and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) derivate via host-guest and hydrophobic interactions. It has been found that these SMPMs have disassembled rapidly in response to an additional L-phenylalanine, due to great affinity discrepancy to α-CD between L-phenylalanine and PCL. Experiments have been carried out on trigger-controlled in vitro drug release of the SMPMs loaded with a model porphyrin based photosensitizer THPP. The result shows that the SMPMs released over 85% THPP in 6 h, which is two orders magnitudes faster than that of control. Also investigated is the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of THPP-loaded SMPMs with and without L-phenylalanine on MCF-7 carcinoma cell line. An effective trigger-concentration dependent lethal effect has been found showing promise in clinical photodynamic therapy. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  10. Calcium Sensing Receptors Mediate Local Inhibitory Reflexes Evoked by L-Phenylalanine in Guinea Pig Jejunum.

    PubMed

    Gwynne, Rachel M; Ly, Kenny D K N; Parry, Laura J; Bornstein, Joel C

    2017-01-01

    Amino acids applied to the mucosa evoke inhibitory reflexes in guinea-pig jejunum, but the receptors involved in sensory transduction are still unclear. One promising candidate is the extracellular calcium sensing receptor (CaSR), which is expressed by mucosal enteroendocrine cells and is preferentially activated by aromatic L-amino acids. We tested this by applying various amino acids to the mucosa and recording the resulting inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) in nearby circular smooth muscle via intracellular recording. The CaSR is stereospecific and L-Phenylalanine evoked a significantly larger response than D-Phenylalanine when both were applied to the same site. The same pattern was seen with L- and D-Tryptophan, another aromatic amino acid. The CaSR is preferentially activated by aromatic amino acids and responses to L-Leucine and L-Lysine were significantly lower than those to L-Phenylalanine applied to the same site. Responses to L-Phenylalanine were dose-dependently suppressed by blockade of the CaSR with NPS2143, a CaSR antagonist, and mimicked by mucosal application of cinacalcet, a CaSR agonist. Responses to cinacalcet had similar pharmacology to that of responses to L-Phenylalanine, in that each requires both P2 purinoreceptors and 5-HT receptors. L-Glutamate evoked IJPs similar to those produced by L-Phenylalanine and these were depressed by blockade of P2 receptors and 5-HT 3 plus 5-HT 4 receptors, but NPS2143 was ineffective. The AMPA receptor antagonists DNQX (10 μM) and CNQX (10 μM) reduced IJPs evoked by L-Glutamate by 88 and 79% respectively, but neither BAY367260 (mGluR5 antagonist) nor 2APV (NMDA antagonist) affected IJPs evoked by L-Glutamate. We conclude that local inhibitory reflexes evoked by aromatic L-amino acids in guinea pig jejunum involve activation of CaSRs which triggers release of ATP and 5-HT from the mucosa. L-Glutamate also evokes inhibitory reflexes, via a pathway that does not involve CaSRs. It is likely there are

  11. Improving the Production of L-Phenylalanine by Identifying Key Enzymes Through Multi-Enzyme Reaction System in Vitro

    PubMed Central

    Ding, Dongqin; Liu, Yongfei; Xu, Yiran; Zheng, Ping; Li, Haixing; Zhang, Dawei; Sun, Jibin

    2016-01-01

    L-Phenylalanine (L-Phe) is an important amino acid used in both food and medicinal applications. We developed an in vitro system that allowed a direct, quantitative investigation of phenylalanine biosynthesis in E. coli. Here, the absolute concentrations of six enzymes (AroK, AroL, AroA, AroC, PheA and TyrB) involved in the shikimate (SHIK) pathway were determined by a quantitative proteomics approach and in vitro enzyme titration experiments. The reconstitution of an in vitro reaction system for these six enzymes was established and their effects on the phenylalanine production were tested. The results showed that the yield of phenylalanine increased 3.0 and 2.1 times when the concentrations of shikimate kinase (AroL) and 5-enolpyruvoyl shikimate 3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase (AroA) were increased 2.5 times. Consistent results were obtained from in vivo via the overexpression of AroA in a phenylalanine-producing strain, and the titer of phenylalanine reached 62.47 g/l after 48 h cultivation in a 5-liter jar fermentor. Our quantitative findings provide a practical method to detect the potential bottleneck in a specific metabolic pathway to determine which gene products should be targeted to improve the yield of the desired product. PMID:27558633

  12. A study of carbobenzoxy-D-phenylalanine-L-phenylalanine-glycine, an inhibitor of membrane fusion, in phospholipid bilayers with multinuclear magnetic resonance.

    PubMed

    Dentino, A R; Westerman, P W; Yeagle, P L

    1995-05-04

    The anti-viral and membrane fusion inhibitor, carbobenzoxy-D-phenylalanine-L-phenylalanine-glycine (ZfFG), was studied in phospholipid bilayers, where earlier studies had indicated this peptide functioned. Multinuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies were performed with isotopically labeled peptide. A peptide labeled in the glycine carboxyl with 13C was synthesized, and the isotropic 13C-NMR chemical shift of that carbon was measured as a function of pH. A pKa of 3.6 for the carboxyl was determined from the peptide bound to a phosphatidylcholine bilayer. ZfFG inhibits the formation by sonication of highly curved, small unilamellar vesicles. Experiments as a function of pH revealed that this ability of ZfFG was governed by a pKa of 3.7. Therefore the protonation state of the carboxyl of ZfFG appeared to regulate the effectiveness of this anti-viral peptide at destabilizing highly curved phospholipid assemblies. Such destabilization had previously been discovered to be related to the mechanism of the anti-fusion and anti-viral activity of this peptide. The location of the carboxyl of ZfFG in the membrane was probed with paramagnetic relaxation enhancement of the 13C spin lattice relaxation of the carboxyl carbon in the glycine of ZfFG (enriched in 13C). Results suggested that this carboxyl is at or above the surface of the phospholipid bilayer. The dynamics of the molecule in the membrane were examined with 2H-NMR studies of ZfFG, deuterated in the alpha-carbon protons of the glycine. When ZfFG was bound to membranes of phosphatidylcholine, a sharp 2H-NMR spectral component was observed, consistent with a disordering of the glycine methylene segment of the peptide. When ZfFG was bound to N-methyl dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (N-methyl DOPE) bilayers at temperatures below 30 degrees C, a large quadrupole splitting was observed. These results suggest that ZfFG likely inhibits membrane fusion from the surface of the lipid bilayer, but not by forming a tight

  13. In vivo PET evaluation in tumour-bearing rats of 2-[ 18F]fluoromethyl- L-phenylalanine as a new potential tracer for molecular imaging of brain and extra-cranial tumours in humans with PET

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kersemans, Ken; Bauwens, Matthias; Lahoutte, Tony; Bossuyt, Axel; Mertens, John

    2007-02-01

    The Na +-independent L-type LAT1 amino acid transport system for large and neutral amino acids has been shown to be expressed higher in tumour tissue relative to normal tissue and has been regarded as a key point for the development of new amino acid based tumour tracers for molecular imaging. We developed a new fluorinated phenylalanine analogue, 2-[ 18F]fluoromethyl- L-phenylalanine, considering that the spatial volume of FCH 3 is comparable with that of the iodine atom in 2-I- L-phenylalanine, of which we have proven that it is taken up excellently in tumours by the LAT1 system. The substrate molecule for radiolabeling, Boc-2-bromomethyl- L-phenylalanine- tButylester, was prepared by radical bromination of Boc-2-methyl- L-phenylalanine- tButylester. [ 18F -] for bromine exchange is performed within 3 min in conditions comparable to the [ 18F]FDG synthesis with a radiochemical yield of at least 85%. After deprotection and semi-preparative HPLC purification, the 2-[ 18F]fluoromethyl- L-phenylalanine is recovered n.c.a. (57%) with a high purity and 3.7 MBq were injected into R1M rhabdomyosarcoma tumour-bearing rats. Imaging was performed with a human PET camera from 5 to 45 min p.i. The tumour/background and tumour/blood ratios obtained from PET acquisition were at least 2.5. DUR values for the tumours were at least about 5. Furthermore, a small tumour implanted near a kidney could be well visualized completely separated from this kidney. Moreover in all tumours the "active" tumour tissue can clearly be differentiated from less active tumour tissue. This proves that 2-[ 18F]fluoromethyl- L-phenylalanine has a great potential as a new tracer for specific tumour diagnosis with PET.

  14. Methyl Ester Production via Heterogeneous Acid-Catalyzed Simultaneous Transesterification and Esterification Reactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Indrayanah, S.; Erwin; Marsih, I. N.; Suprapto; Murwani, I. K.

    2017-05-01

    The heterogeneous acid catalysts (MgF2 and ZnF2) have been used to catalyze the simultaneous transesterification and esterification reactions of crude palm oil (CPO) with methanol. Catalysts were synthesized by sol-gel method (combination of fluorolysis and hydrolysis). The physicochemical, structural, textural, thermal stability of the prepared catalysts was investigated by N2 adsorption-desorption, XRD, FT-IR, SEM and TG/DTG. Both MgF2 and ZnF2 have rutile structures with a different phase. The surface area of ZnF2 is smaller than that of MgF2, but the pore size and volume of ZnF2 are larger than those of MgF2. However, these materials are thermally stable. The performance of the catalysts is determined from the yield of catalysts toward the formation of methyl ester determined based on the product of methyl ester obtained from the reaction. The catalytic activity of ZnF2 is higher than MgF2 amounted to 85.21% and 26.82% with the optimum condition. The high activity of ZnF2 could be attributed to its pore diameter and pore volume but was not correlated with its surface area. The yield of methyl ester decreased along with the increase in molar ratio of methanol/CPO from 85.21 to 80.99 for ZnF2, respectively.

  15. Oxidative stability and ignition quality of algae derived methyl esters containing varying levels of methyl eicosapentaenoate and methyl docosahexaenoate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bucy, Harrison

    Microalgae is currently receiving strong consideration as a potential biofuel feedstock to help meet the advanced biofuels mandate of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act because of its theoretically high yield (gallons/acre/year) in comparison to current terrestrial feedstocks. Additionally, microalgae also do not compete with food and can be cultivated with wastewater on non-arable land. Microalgae lipids can be converted into a variety of biofuels including fatty acid methyl esters (e.g. FAME biodiesel), renewable diesel, renewable gasoline, or jet fuel. For microalgae derived FAME, the fuel properties will be directly related to the fatty acid composition of the lipids produced by the given microalgae strain. Several microalgae species under consideration for wide scale cultivation, such as Nannochloropsis, produce lipids with fatty acid compositions containing substantially higher quantities of long chainpolyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in comparison to terrestrial feedstocks. It is expected that increased levels of LC-PUFA will be problematic in terms of meeting all of the current ASTM specifications for biodiesel. For example, it is known that oxidative stability and cetane number decrease with increasing levels of LC-PUFA. However, these same LC-PUFA fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA: C20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA: C22:6) are known to have high nutritional value thereby making separation of these compounds economically attractive. Given the uncertainty in the future value of these LC-PUFA compounds and the economic viability of the separation process, the goal of this study was to examine the oxidative stability and ignition quality of algae-based FAME with varying levels of EPA and DHA removal. Oxidative stability tests were conducted at a temperature of 110°C and airflow of 10 L/h using a Metrohm 743 Rancimat with automatic induction period determination following the EN 14112 Method from the ASTM D6751 and EN 14214

  16. Lipase catalyzed epoxidation of fatty acid methyl esters derived from unsaturated vegetable oils in absence of carboxylic acid.

    PubMed

    Sustaita-Rodríguez, Alejandro; Ramos-Sánchez, Víctor H; Camacho-Dávila, Alejandro A; Zaragoza-Galán, Gerardo; Espinoza-Hicks, José C; Chávez-Flores, David

    2018-04-11

    Nowadays the industrial chemistry reactions rely on green technologies. Enzymes as lipases are increasing its use in diverse chemical processes. Epoxidized fatty acid methyl esters obtained from transesterification of vegetable oils have recently found applications as polymer plasticizer, agrochemical, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food additives. In this research article, grapeseed, avocado and olive oils naturally containing high percents of mono and poly unsaturations were used as starting materials for the production of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters. The effect of lauric acid as an active oxygen carrier was studied on epoxidation reactions where unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters were converted to epoxy fatty acid methyl esters using immobilized Candida antarctica Lipase type B as catalyst and hydrogen peroxide as oxygen donor at mild temperature and pressure conditions. After this study it was confirmed by 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and GC-MS that the addition of lauric acid to the enzymatic reaction is unnecessary to transform the alkenes in to epoxides. It was found that quantitative conversions were possible in despite of a carboxylic acid absence.

  17. Experimental studies on natural aspirated diesel engine fuelled with corn seed oil methyl ester as a bio-diesel.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rama Krishna Reddy, E.; Dhana Raju, V.

    2018-03-01

    This paper evaluates the possibilities of using corn seed oil methyl ester as a fuel for compression ignition engines. The biodiesels are contained high oxygen content, and high Cetane number, due to this properties efficiency of biodiesel is higher than diesel fuel. The experiments were conducted with different biodiesel blends of (B10, B15, B20 and B25) corn seed oil on single cylinder four stroke natural aspirated diesel engines. Performance parameters and exhaust emissions are investigated in this experimental with the blends of the corn seed oil methyl ester and diesel fuel. The test results showed that the bio-diesel blends gives improved results for brake thermal efficiency and specific fuel consumption when compared with the diesel fuel. The emissions of corn seed methyl esters follow the same trend of diesel but the smoke opacity was reduces for all blends. From the investigation, corn seed methyl ester is also having the properties similar to diesel fuel; it is biodegradable and renewable fuel, so it will be used as an alternative for diesel fuel.

  18. Development of a Widely Usable Amino Acid Tracer: ⁷⁶Br-α-Methyl-Phenylalanine for Tumor PET Imaging.

    PubMed

    Hanaoka, Hirofumi; Ohshima, Yasuhiro; Suzuki, Yurika; Yamaguchi, Aiko; Watanabe, Shigeki; Uehara, Tomoya; Nagamori, Shushi; Kanai, Yoshikatsu; Ishioka, Noriko S; Tsushima, Yoshito; Endo, Keigo; Arano, Yasushi

    2015-05-01

    Radiolabeled amino acids are superior PET tracers for the imaging of malignant tumors, and amino acids labeled with (76)Br, an attractive positron emitter because of its relatively long half-life (16.2 h), could potentially be a widely usable tumor imaging tracer. In this study, in consideration of its stability and tumor specificity, we designed two (76)Br-labeled amino acid derivatives, 2-(76)Br-bromo-α-methyl-l-phenylalanine (2-(76)Br-BAMP) and 4-(76)Br-bromo-α-methyl-l-phenylalanine (4-(76)Br-BAMP), and investigated their potential as tumor imaging agents. Both (76)Br- and (77)Br-labeled amino acid derivatives were prepared. We performed in vitro and in vivo stability studies and cellular uptake studies using the LS180 colon adenocarcinoma cell line. Biodistribution studies in normal mice and in LS180 tumor-bearing mice were performed, and the tumors were imaged with a small-animal PET scanner. Both (77)Br-BAMPs were stable in the plasma and in the murine body. Although both (77)Br-BAMPs were taken up by LS180 cells and the uptake was inhibited by L-type amino acid transporter 1 inhibitors, 2-(77)Br-BAMP exhibited higher uptake than 4-(77)Br-BAMP. In the biodistribution studies, 2-(77)Br-BAMP showed more rapid blood clearance and lower renal accumulation than 4-(77)Br-BAMP. More than 90% of the injected radioactivity was excreted in the urine by 6 h after the injection of 2-(77)Br-BAMP. High tumor accumulation of 2-(77)Br-BAMP was observed in tumor-bearing mice, and PET imaging with 2-(76)Br-BAMP enabled clear visualization of the tumors. 2-(77)Br-BAMP exhibited preferred pharmacokinetics and high LS180 tumor accumulation, and 2-(76)Br-BAMP enabled clear visualization of the tumors by PET imaging. These findings suggest that 2-(76)Br-BAMP could constitute a potential new PET tracer for tumor imaging and may eventually enable the wider use of amino acid tracers. © 2015 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

  19. Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, L-NG-nitroarginine and L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester, on responses to vasodilators of the guinea-pig coronary vasculature.

    PubMed Central

    Vials, A.; Burnstock, G.

    1992-01-01

    1. The effects of L-NG-nitroarginine (L-NOARG) and L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on vasodilatation induced by ATP, substance P, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), bradykinin and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were examined in the guinea-pig coronary bed, by use of a Langendorff technique. The effects of these inhibitors of nitric oxide synthesis were assessed on their ability to inhibit both the amplitude and the area of the vasodilator response. 2. The vasodilator responses evoked by low doses of 5-HT (5 x 10(-10)-10(-8) mol) were almost abolished by L-NAME and L-NOARG (both at 10(-5), 3 x 10(-5) and 10(-4) M), although L-NOARG (3 x 10(-5) M) was significantly less potent than L-NAME (3 x 10(-5) M) as an inhibitor of vasodilator responses to 5-HT (5 x 10(-8) mol). 3. The vasodilator responses evoked by substance P (5 x 10(-12)-5 x 10(-9) mol) were reduced in the presence of L-NAME and L-NOARG (both at 10(-5) and 3 x 10(-5) M). The response to substance P was almost abolished by L-NAME and L-NOARG (both at 10(-4) M). 4. The amplitude of the vasodilator responses to ATP (5 x 10(-11) and 5 x 10(-9)-5 x 10(-7) mol) was little affected by either L-NAME or L-NOARG (both at 10(-5), 3 x 10(-5) and 10(-4) M).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:1384916

  20. Oxidation of L-phenylalanine by diperiodatoargentate(III) in aqueous alkaline medium. A Mechanistic approach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lamani, S. D.; Veeresh, T. M.; Nandibewoor, S. T.

    2009-12-01

    The kinetics of oxidation of L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) by diperiodatoargentate(III) (DPA) in alkaline medium at a constant ionic strength of 0.25 mol/dm-3 has been studied spectrophotometrically. The reaction between DPA and L-phenylalanine in alkaline medium exhibits 1: 1 stoichiometry (L-phenylalanine: DPA). The reaction shows first order in [DPA] and has less than unit order dependence each in both [L-Phe] and [Alkali] and retarding effect of [IO{4/-}] under the reaction conditions. The active species of DPA is understood to be as monoperiodatoargentate(III) (MPA). The reaction is shown to proceed via a MPA-L-Phe complex, which decomposes in a rate-determining step to give intermediates followed by a fast step to give the products. The products were identified by spot and spectroscopic studies. The reaction constants involved in the different steps of the mechanisms were calculated. The activation parameters with respect to slow step of the mechanism were computed and discussed. The thermodynamic quantities were also determined for the reaction.

  1. Cold flow properties of fatty acid methyl esters: Additives versus diluents

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Biodiesel is typically composed of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) converted from agricultural lipids. Common feedstocks include soybean oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and palm oil. Recent debate on the conversion of edible oils into non-food products has created opportunities to deve...

  2. Chemical modification of nanocellulose with canola oil fatty acid methyl ester

    Treesearch

    Liqing Wei; Umesh P. Agarwal; Kolby C. Hirth; Laurent M. Matuana; Ronald C. Sabo; Nicole M. Stark

    2017-01-01

    Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), produced from dissolving wood pulp, were chemically functionalized by transesterification with canola oil fatty acid methyl ester (CME). CME performs as both the reaction reagent and solvent. Transesterified CNC (CNCFE) was characterized for their chemical structure, morphology, crystalline structure, thermal stability, and hydrophobicity...

  3. Molecular view of the structural reorganization of water in DPPC multilamellar membranes induced by L-cysteine methyl ester

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arias, Juan Marcelo; Tuttolomondo, María Eugenia; Díaz, Sonia Beatriz; Altabef, Aida Ben

    2018-03-01

    In order to study the interaction between L-cysteine methyl ester (CM) and multilamellar vesicles (MLV's) of DPPC, an extensive study was made by various techniques such as Infrared and Raman spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Our results revealed by the different techniques used that CM interacts with the DPPC in the region of the polar head, specifying with the phosphate groups, replacing water molecules of hydration by modifying the hydration of the polar head. By Infrared spectroscopy and DSC we observed an increase in the main transition temperature (Tm) and a gradual loss of the pre-transition (Tp) with the increase of the molar ratio CM:DPPC. Of the analyzed, we can conclude that the interaction of CM with DPPC alters the degree of hydration of the membrane altering properties of the same as the transition temperature. Moreover, the results of the thiol site behavior in CM interacting in the CM/DPPC complex will be reveal the possibility of unknown functional roles of the lipidic components of the membrane.

  4. Improvement of constraint-based flux estimation during L-phenylalanine production with Escherichia coli using targeted knock-out mutants.

    PubMed

    Weiner, Michael; Tröndle, Julia; Albermann, Christoph; Sprenger, Georg A; Weuster-Botz, Dirk

    2014-07-01

    Fed-batch production of the aromatic amino acid L-phenylalanine was studied with recombinant Escherichia coli strains on a 15 L-scale using glycerol as carbon source. Flux Variability Analysis (FVA) was applied for intracellular flux estimation to obtain an insight into intracellular flux distribution during L-phenylalanine production. Variability analysis revealed great flux uncertainties in the central carbon metabolism, especially concerning malate consumption. Due to these results two recombinant strains were genetically engineered differing in the ability of malate degradation and anaplerotic reactions (E. coli FUS4.11 ΔmaeA pF81kan and E. coli FUS4.11 ΔmaeA ΔmaeB pF81kan). Applying these malic enzyme knock-out mutants in the standardized L-phenylalanine production process resulted in almost identical process performances (e.g., L-phenylalanine concentration, production rate and byproduct formation). This clearly highlighted great redundancies in central metabolism in E. coli. Uncertainties of intracellular flux estimations by constraint-based analyses during fed-batch production of L-phenylalanine were drastically reduced by application of the malic enzyme knock-out mutants. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. [Inhibition of oxidation of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters by essential oils].

    PubMed

    Misharina, T A; Alinkina, E S; Vorobjeva, A K; Terenina, M B; Krikunova, N I

    2016-01-01

    The essential oils from 16 various spice plants were studied as natural antioxidants for the inhibition of autooxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids methyl esters isolated from linseed oil. The content of methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, and methyl linolenoate after 1, 2, and 4 months of autooxidation were used as criteria to estimate the antioxidant efficiencies of essential oils. In 4 months, 92% of the methyl linolenoate and 79% of the methyl linoleate were oxidized in a control sample of a model system. It was found that the most effective antioxidants were essential oils from clove bud, cinnamon leaves, and oregano. They inhibited autooxidation of methyl linolenoate by 76–85%. The antioxidant properties of these essential oils were due to phenols— eugenol, carvacrol, and thymol. Essential oil from coriander did not contain phenols, but it inhibited methyl linolenoate oxidation by 38%. Essential oils from thyme, savory, mace, lemon, and tea tree inhibited methyl linolenoate oxidation by 17–24%. The other essential oils had no antioxidant properties.

  6. Design of a recombinant Escherichia coli for producing L-phenylalanine from glycerol.

    PubMed

    Thongchuang, Mayura; Pongsawasdi, Piamsook; Chisti, Yusuf; Packdibamrung, Kanoktip

    2012-10-01

    A recombinant Escherichia coli was engineered to produce the commercially important amino acid L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) using glycerol as the carbon source. Compared to the conventionally used glucose and sucrose, glycerol is a less expensive carbon source. As phenylalanine dehydrogenase (PheDH) activity is involved in the last step of L-Phe synthesis in E. coli, a phenylalanine dehydrogenase gene (phedh) from the thermotolerant Bacillus lentus was cloned into pRSFDuet-1 (pPheDH) and expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3). The resulting clone had a limited ability to produce L-Phe from glycerol, possibly because of a poor glycerol uptake by the cell, or an inability to excrete L-Phe, or both. Therefore, yddG gene encoding an aromatic amino acid exporter and glpF gene encoding a glycerol transport facilitator were coexpressed with the phedh in a reengineered E. coli. In a glycerol medium, the maximum L-Phe production rates of the clones pPY (phedh and yddG genes) and pPYF (phedh, yddG and glpF genes) were 1.4- and 1.8-fold higher than the maximum production rate of the pPheDH clone. The better producing pPYF clone was further evaluated in a 5 l stirred-tank fermenter (37 °C, an aeration rate of 1 vvm, an agitation speed of 400 rpm). In the fermenter, the maximum concentration of L-Phe (366 mg/l) was achieved in a much shorter period compared to in the shake flasks. In the latter, the highest titer of L-Phe was only 76 % of the maximum value attained in the fermenter.

  7. Preparation of fatty acid methyl esters for gas-liquid chromatography[S

    PubMed Central

    Ichihara, Ken'ichi; Fukubayashi, Yumeto

    2010-01-01

    A convenient method using commercial aqueous concentrated HCl (conc. HCl; 35%, w/w) as an acid catalyst was developed for preparation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from sterol esters, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and FFAs for gas-liquid chromatography (GC). An 8% (w/v) solution of HCl in methanol/water (85:15, v/v) was prepared by diluting 9.7 ml of conc. HCl with 41.5 ml of methanol. Toluene (0.2 ml), methanol (1.5 ml), and the 8% HCl solution (0.3 ml) were added sequentially to the lipid sample. The final HCl concentration was 1.2% (w/v). This solution (2 ml) was incubated at 45°C overnight or heated at 100°C for 1–1.5 h. The amount of FFA formed in the presence of water derived from conc. HCl was estimated to be <1.4%. The yields of FAMEs were >96% for the above lipid classes and were the same as or better than those obtained by saponification/methylation or by acid-catalyzed methanolysis/methylation using commercial anhydrous HCl/methanol. The method developed here could be successfully applied to fatty acid analysis of various lipid samples, including fish oils, vegetable oils, and blood lipids by GC. PMID:19759389

  8. Intramolecular interactions of L-phenylalanine: Valence ionization spectra and orbital momentum distributions of its fragment molecules.

    PubMed

    Ganesan, Aravindhan; Wang, Feng; Falzon, Chantal

    2011-02-01

    Intramolecular interactions between fragments of L-phenylalanine, i.e., phenyl and alaninyl, have been investigated using dual space analysis (DSA) quantum mechanically. Valence space photoelectron spectra (PES), orbital energy topology and correlation diagram, as well as orbital momentum distributions (MDs) of L-phenylalanine, benzene and L-alanine are studied using density functional theory methods. While fully resolved experimental PES of L-phenylalanine is not yet available, our simulated PES reproduces major features of the experimental measurement. For benzene, the simulated orbital MDs for 1e(1g) and 1a(2u) orbitals also agree well with those measured using electron momentum spectra. Our theoretical models are then applied to reveal intramolecular interactions of the species on an orbital base, using DSA. Valence orbitals of L-phenylalanine can be essentially deduced into contributions from its fragments such as phenyl and alaninyl as well as their interactions. The fragment orbitals inherit properties of their parent species in energy and shape (ie., MDs). Phenylalanine orbitals show strong bonding in the energy range of 14-20 eV, rather than outside of this region. This study presents a competent orbital based fragments-in-molecules picture in the valence space, which supports the fragment molecular orbital picture and building block principle in valence space. The optimized structures of the molecules are represented using the recently developed interactive 3D-PDF technique. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  9. Nucleation kinetics from metastable zone widths for sonocrystallization of l-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Hazi Mastan, T; Lenka, Maheswata; Sarkar, Debasis

    2017-05-01

    This study investigates the effect of ultrasound on metastable zone width (MSZW) during crystallization of l-phenylalanine from aqueous solution. The solubility of l-phenylalanine in water was measured gravimetrically in the temperature range of 293.15-333.15K. The MSZW was measured by conventional polythermal method for four different cooling rates at five different saturation temperatures in absence and presence of ultrasound. The MSZW increased with increase in cooling rates and decreased with increase in saturation temperature. The application of ultrasound considerably reduced the MSZW for all the experiments. The obtained MSZW data are analysed using four different approaches to calculate various nucleation parameters. In presence of ultrasound, the apparent nucleation order decreased and nucleation rate constant increased significantly. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. The thermodynamic characteristics of solution of L-α-histidine and L-α-phenylalanine in water at 273 373 K

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kustov, A. V.; Korolev, V. P.

    2008-11-01

    The solubility of L-phenylalanine and L-histidine in water at 298.15 and 318.15 K and the heat effects of solution of the amino acids at 328.15 K were determined. These results and the data obtained earlier were used to calculate all the standard thermodynamic functions of solution of the amino acids and the solubilities of L-phenylalanine and L-histidine over the temperature range 273 373 K. The selection of the form of the Δsol H o = f( T) dependence had a negligible effect on the free energies of solution and solubilities of the amino acids. This selection primarily influenced the entropy and heat capacity characteristics of the process.

  11. The in vivo anti-fibrotic function of calcium sensitive receptor (CaSR) modulating poly(p-dioxanone-co-l-phenylalanine) prodrug.

    PubMed

    Wang, Bing; Wen, Aiping; Feng, Chengmin; Niu, Lijing; Xiao, Xin; Luo, Le; Shen, Chengyi; Zhu, Jiang; Lei, Jun; Zhang, Xiaoming

    2018-06-01

    In present study, the apoptosis induction and proliferation suppression effects of l-phenylalanine (l-Phe) on fibroblasts were confirmed. The action sites of l-Phe on fibroblasts suppression were deduced to be calcium sensitive receptor (CaSR) which could cause the release of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca 2+ stores; disruption of intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis triggers cell apoptosis via the ER or mitochondrial pathways. The down-regulation of CaSR were observed after the application of l-Phe, and the results those l-Phe triggered the increasing of intracellular Ca 2+ concentration and calcineurin expression, and then the apoptosis and increasing G1 fraction of fibroblasts have verified our deduction. Hence, l-Phe could be seen as a kind of anti-fibrotic drugs for the crucial participation of fibroblast in the occurrence of fibrosis. And then, poly(p-dioxanone-co-l-phenylalanine) (PDPA) which could prolong the in-vivo anti-fibrotic effect of l-Phe for the sustained release of l-Phe during its degradation could be treated as anti-fibrotic polymer prodrugs. Based on the above, the in vivo anti-fibrotic function of PDPA was evaluated in rabbit ear scarring, rat peritoneum lipopolysaccharide, and rat sidewall defect/cecum abrasion models. PDPA reduced skin scarring and suppressed peritoneal fibrosis and post operation adhesion as well as secretion of transforming growth factor-β1 in injured tissue. These results indicate that PDPA is an effective agent for preventing fibrosis following tissue injury. We have previously demonstrated that poly(p-dioxanone-co-l-phenylalanine) (PDPA) could induce apoptosis to fibroblast and deduced that the inhibitory effect comes from l-phenylalanine. In present study, the inhibition mechanism of l-phenylalanine on fibroblast proliferation was demonstrated. The calcium sensitive receptor (CaSR) was found to be the action site. The CaSR was downregulated after the application of l-phenylalanine, and then the ER Ca 2+ stores were released

  12. Efficacy of Myricetin as an Antioxidant in Methyl Esters of Soybean Oil

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The antioxidant activity of myricetin, a natural flavonol found in fruits and vegetables, was determined in soybean oil methyl esters (SME) and compared with alpha-tocopherol and tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) over a 90 day period employing EN 14112, acid value, and kinematic viscosity methods. Myri...

  13. Complementary blending of meadowfoam seed oil methyl esters with biodiesel prepared from soybean and waste cooking oils to enhance fuel properties

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The complementary blending of meadowfoam seed oil methyl esters (MFME) with soybean and waste cooking oil methyl esters (SME and WCME) was investigated. MFME prepared from cold-pressed meadowfoam oil exhibited an exceptionally high induction period (IP) of 66.2 h whereas SME and WCME yielded conside...

  14. Melatonin prevents fibrosis but not hypertrophy development in the left ventricle of NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester hypertensive rats.

    PubMed

    Paulis, Ludovit; Pechanova, Olga; Zicha, Josef; Krajcirovicova, Kristina; Barta, Andrej; Pelouch, Vaclav; Adamcova, Michaela; Simko, Fedor

    2009-08-01

    Melatonin was shown to reduce blood pressure, enhance nitric oxide availability and scavenge free radicals. There is, however, a shortage of data with respect to the effect of melatonin on pathological left ventricular remodelling associated with haemodynamic overload. We investigated whether melatonin was able to prevent left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and fibrosis associated with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertension. Four groups of male Wistar rats were investigated: control, L-NAME (50 mg/kg per day), melatonin (10 mg/kg per day) and L-NAME plus melatonin. Blood pressure was measured non-invasively each week. After 5 weeks of treatment the animals were killed and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, endothelial and inducible NOS expression, the level of collagenous proteins, hydroxyproline and conjugated dienes in the left ventricle were determined. The administration of L-NAME inhibited NOS activity, increased conjugated dienes concentration, elevated blood pressure and induced LVH and fibrosis (indicated by increased collagenous proteins and hydroxyproline levels). The addition of melatonin to L-NAME treatment failed to prevent the attenuation of NOS activity and the development of LVH and prevented hypertension only partly. The administration of melatonin, however, completely prevented the increase in conjugated dienes concentration and the development of left ventricular fibrosis. NOS expression was not different among experimental groups. Melatonin prevented the development of left ventricular fibrosis and the increase in oxidative load in rats with L-NAME-induced hypertension. The antifibrotic effect of melatonin seems to be independent of its effects on NOS activity and might be linked to its antioxidant properties.

  15. Synthesis of fatty acid methyl ester from crude jatropha (Jatropha curcas Linnaeus) oil using aluminium oxide modified Mg-Zn heterogeneous catalyst.

    PubMed

    Olutoye, M A; Hameed, B H

    2011-06-01

    The synthesis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) as a substitute to petroleum diesel was investigated in this study from crude jatropha oil (CJO), a non-edible, low-cost alternative feedstock, using aluminium modified heterogeneous basic oxide (Mg-Zn) catalyst. The transesterification reaction with methanol to methyl esters yielded 94% in 6h with methanol-oil ratio of 11:1, catalyst loading of 8.68 wt.% at 182°C and the properties of CJO fuel produced were determine and found to be comparable to the standards according to ASTM. In the range of experimental parameters investigated, it showed that the catalyst is selective to production of methyl esters from oil with high free fatty acid (FFA) and water content of 7.23% and 3.28%, respectively in a single stage process. Thus, jatropha oil is a promising feedstock for methyl ester production and large scale cultivation will help to reduce the product cost. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Soybean biodiesel methyl esters, free glycerin and acid number quantification by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

    PubMed

    Coral, Natasha; Rodrigues, Elizabeth; Rumjanek, Victor; Zamian, José Roberto; da Rocha Filho, Geraldo Narciso; da Costa, Carlos Emmerson Ferreira

    2013-02-01

    Production of alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, from transesterification of vegetable oil driven by heterogeneous catalysts is a promising alternative to fossil diesel. However, achieving a successful substitution for a new renewable fuel depends on several quality parameters. (1)H NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the amount of methyl esters, free glycerin and acid number in the transesterification of soybean oil with methanol in the presence of hydrotalcite-type catalyst to produce biodiesel. Reaction parameters, such as temperature and time, were used to evaluate soybean oil methyl esters rate conversion. Temperatures of 100 to 180 °C and times of 20 to 240 min were tested on a 1 : 12 molar ratio soybean oil/methanol reaction. At 180 °C/240 min conditions, a rate of 94.5 wt% of methyl esters was obtained, where free glycerin and free fatty acids were not detected. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  17. DNA Methylation Influences Chlorogenic Acid Biosynthesis in Lonicera japonica by Mediating LjbZIP8 to Regulate Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase 2 Expression.

    PubMed

    Zha, Liangping; Liu, Shuang; Liu, Juan; Jiang, Chao; Yu, Shulin; Yuan, Yuan; Yang, Jian; Wang, Yaolong; Huang, Luqi

    2017-01-01

    The content of active compounds differ in buds and flowers of Lonicera japonica (FLJ) and L. japonica var. chinensis (rFLJ). Chlorogenic acid (CGAs) were major active compounds of L. japonica and regarded as measurements for quality evaluation. However, little is known concerning the formation of active compounds at the molecular level. We quantified the major CGAs in FLJ and rFLJ, and found the concentrations of CGAs were higher in the buds of rFLJ than those of FLJ. Further analysis of CpG methylation of CGAs biosynthesis genes showed differences between FLJ and rFLJ in the 5'-UTR of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 2 ( PAL2 ). We identified 11 LjbZIP proteins and 24 rLjbZIP proteins with conserved basic leucine zipper domains, subcellular localization, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that the transcription factor LjbZIP8 is a nuclear-localized protein that specifically binds to the G-box element of the LjPAL2 5'-UTR. Additionally, a transactivation assay and LjbZIP8 overexpression in transgenic tobacco indicated that LjbZIP8 could function as a repressor of transcription. Finally, treatment with 5-azacytidine decreased the transcription level of LjPAL2 and CGAs content in FLJ leaves. These results raise the possibility that DNA methylation might influence the recruitment of LjbZIP8, regulating PAL2 expression level and CGAs content in L. japonica .

  18. Conversion of beet molasses and cheese whey into fatty acid methyl esters by the yeast Cryptococcus curvatus.

    PubMed

    Takakuwa, Naoya; Saito, Katsuichi

    2010-01-01

    Eighty-one yeast isolates from raw milk were surveyed for the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Only one species, identified as Cryptococcus curvatus, produced FAME at a detectable level. Cr. curvatus TYC-19 produced more FAME from beet molasses and cheese whey medium than other strains of the same species. In both media, the major FAME produced were linoleic and oleic acid methyl esters. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA indicated that TYC-19 diverged from the same species.

  19. 4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester derivatives as potent anti-tumor agents.

    PubMed

    Hayakawa, Ichiro; Shioya, Rieko; Agatsuma, Toshinori; Furukawa, Hidehiko; Naruto, Shunji; Sugano, Yuichi

    2004-01-19

    Based on the structure of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1), which exhibits selective cytotoxicity against a tumorigenic cell line, (2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-yl)-methanone (18m) was designed and synthesized as a biologically stable derivative containing no ester group. Although the potency of 18m was almost the same as our initial hit compound 1, 18m is expected to last longer in the human body as an anticancer agent.

  20. Safety Assessment of Methyl Glucose Polyethers and Esters as Used in Cosmetics.

    PubMed

    Johnson, Wilbur; Heldreth, Bart; Bergfeld, Wilma F; Belsito, Donald V; Hill, Ronald A; Klaassen, Curtis D; Liebler, Daniel C; Marks, James G; Shank, Ronald C; Slaga, Thomas J; Snyder, Paul W; Andersen, F Alan

    2016-11-01

    The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) reviewed the safety of methyl glucose polyethers and esters which function in cosmetics as skin/hair-conditioning agents, surfactants, or viscosity increasing agents. The esters included in this assessment are mono-, di-, or tricarboxyester substituted methyl glucosides, and the polyethers are mixtures of various chain lengths. The Panel reviewed available animal and clinical data, including the molecular weights, log K ow s, and other properties in making its determination of safety on these ingredients. Where there were data gaps, similarities between molecular structures, physicochemical and biological characteristics, and functions and concentrations in cosmetics allowed for extrapolation of the available toxicological data to assess the safety of the entire group. The Panel concluded that there likely would be no significant systemic exposure from cosmetic use of these ingredients, and that these ingredients are safe in cosmetic formulations in the present practices of use and concentration. © The Author(s) 2016.

  1. Sensitive, site-specific, and stable vibrational probe of local protein environments: 4-azidomethyl-L-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Bazewicz, Christopher G; Liskov, Melanie T; Hines, Kevin J; Brewer, Scott H

    2013-08-01

    We have synthesized the unnatural amino acid (UAA), 4-azidomethyl-L-phenylalanine (pN₃CH₂Phe), to serve as an effective vibrational reporter of local protein environments. The position, extinction coefficient, and sensitivity to local environment of the azide asymmetric stretch vibration of pN₃CH₂Phe are compared to the vibrational reporters: 4-cyano-L-phenylalanine (pCNPhe) and 4-azido-L-phenylalanine (pN₃Phe). This UAA was genetically incorporated in a site-specific manner utilizing an engineered, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase in response to an amber codon with high efficiency and fidelity into two distinct sites in superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP). This allowed for the dependence of the azide asymmetric stretch vibration of pN₃CH₂Phe to different protein environments to be measured. The photostability of pN₃CH₂Phe was also measured relative to the photoreactive UAA, pN₃Phe.

  2. Catalyzed and Electrocatalyzed Oxidation of l-Tyrosine and l-Phenylalanine to Dopachrome by Nanozymes.

    PubMed

    Hou, Jianwen; Vázquez-González, Margarita; Fadeev, Michael; Liu, Xia; Lavi, Ronit; Willner, Itamar

    2018-06-13

    Catalyzed oxygen insertion into C-H bonds represents a continuous challenge in chemistry. Particularly, driving this process at ambient temperature and aqueous media represents a "holy grail" in catalysis. We report on the catalyzed cascade transformations of l-tyrosine or l-phenylalanine to dopachrome in the presence of l-ascorbic acid/H 2 O 2 as oxidizing mixture and CuFe-Prussian Blue-like nanoparticles, Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles or Au nanoparticles as catalysts. The process involves the primary transformation of l-tyrosine to l-DOPA that is further oxidized to dopachrome. The transformation of l-phenylalanine to dopachrome in the presence of CuFe-Prussian Blue-like nanoparticles and l-ascorbic acid/H 2 O 2 involves in the first step the formation of l-tyrosine and, subsequently, the operation of the catalytic oxidation cascade of l-tyrosine to l-DOPA and dopachrome. Electron spin resonance experiments demonstrate that ascorbate radicals and hydroxyl radicals play cooperative functions in driving the different oxygen-insertion processes. In addition, the aerobic elecrocatalyzed oxidation of l-tyrosine to dopachrome in the presence of naphthoquinone-modified Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and l-ascorbic acid is demonstrated. In this system, magnetic-field attraction of the naphthoquinone-modified Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles onto the electrode allows the quinone-mediated electrocatalyzed reduction of O 2 to H 2 O 2 (bias potential -0.5 V vs SCE). The electrogenerated H 2 O 2 is then utilized to promote the transformation of l-tyrosine to dopachrome in the presence of l-ascorbic acid and Fe 3 O 4 catalyst.

  3. Improving the extraction of l-phenylalanine by the use of ionic liquids as adjuvants in aqueous biphasic systems.

    PubMed

    Yang, Hongpeng; Chen, Li; Zhou, Cunshan; Yu, Xiaojie; Yagoub, Abu ElGasim A; Ma, Haile

    2018-04-15

    Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is widely used in the polymer-salt systems. However, the low polarity of the PEG-rich phase limits the application of aqueous biphasic systems (ABS). To overcome this disadvantage, a small quantity of ionic liquid (IL) was used as an adjuvant in ABS to enlarge the polarity range. Therefore, an innovative study involving addition of 4wt% imidazolium-based ILs to the PEG 600/NaH 2 PO 4 ABS, aiming at controlling the phase behavior and extraction ability, was carried out. The phase diagrams, the tie-lines and the partitioning behavior of l-phenylalanine and ILs were studied in these systems. The results reveal that l-phenylalanine preferentially partitions for the PEG-rich phase. The addition of 4wt% IL to ABS controls the partitioning behavior of l-phenylalanine, which depends on the type of IL employed. Moreover, it is verified that increasing temperature lead to a decrease in the partition coefficient of l-phenylalanine. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. 40 CFR 721.1728 - Benzoic acid, 2-(3-phenylbutylidene)amino-, methyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.1728 Benzoic acid, 2-(3-phenylbutylidene)amino... substance identified as benzoic acid, 2-(3-phenylbutylidene)amino-, methyl ester (PMN P-85-1211) is subject... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Benzoic acid, 2-(3-phenylbutylidene...

  5. 40 CFR 721.1728 - Benzoic acid, 2-(3-phenylbutylidene)amino-, methyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.1728 Benzoic acid, 2-(3-phenylbutylidene)amino... substance identified as benzoic acid, 2-(3-phenylbutylidene)amino-, methyl ester (PMN P-85-1211) is subject... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Benzoic acid, 2-(3-phenylbutylidene...

  6. Methyl esters (biodiesel) from Melanolepis multiglandulosa (alim) seed oil and their properties

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Sufficient supply of feedstock oils is a major issue facing biodiesel in order to increase the still limited amounts available. In this work, the fatty acid methyl esters, also known as biodiesel, of the seed oil of Melanolepsi multiglandulosa, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, were prepared and...

  7. Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of phenylalanine analog interactions with normal and sicklen hemoglobin

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lee, Y.H.

    Several phenylalanine derivatives have been found to inhibit the gelation of deoxygenated sickle hemoglobin (deoxy HbS). Proton and /sup 19/F-NMR techniques were used to monitor the interaction of selected phenylalanine derivatives with the Hb molecule by using fluorine containing phenylalanine derivatives, Hb labeled at the ..beta..93 position with N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) iodoacetamide (IA-F/sub 3/), and by monitoring the relaxation rates of the C2 and C4 histidine protons. The results show that the /sup 19/F spin-spin relaxation times of L-phenylalanin-4-fluorobenzylamide (PheNBz1-F), which has a deoxy HbS antigelling activity comparable to that of the amino acid, tryptophan, are affected much more strongly by interactionmore » with Hb than are those of glycin-4-fluorobenzylamide (GlyNBz1-F). In contrast, it is shown that N-(2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-1-oxy-3-carboxyl)-L-phenylalanine t-butyl ester (SL-Phe) exhibits specific binding to Hb, and an antigelling activity more than two orders of magnitude greater than that of phenylalanine. These results indicate that the fluorine nuclei strongly influenced by the presence of spin label nitroxide are located in a conformation within a few angstroms of the SL-Phe binding site. Proton NMR relaxation measurements of the C2 and C4 proton resonances from the ..beta..2, 4b143 and ..beta..146 histidine residues show significant and selective effects from the binding of SL-Phe to Hb, indicating that the SL-Phe binding site must be close to the side chains of these three residues. The strong antigelation activity of SL-Phe suggests that this binding site may be one of the intermolecular contact sites of importance to the deoxy HbS aggregation process.« less

  8. Stable Isotope-Assisted Metabolic Profiling Reveals Growth Mode Dependent Differential Metabolism and Multiple Catabolic Pathways of l-Phenylalanine in Rubrivivax benzoatilyticus JA2.

    PubMed

    Mekala, Lakshmi Prasuna; Mohammed, Mujahid; Chintalapati, Sasikala; Chintalapati, Venkata Ramana

    2018-01-05

    Anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria are metabolically versatile and survive under different growth modes using diverse organic compounds, yet their metabolic diversity is largely unexplored. In the present study, we employed stable-isotope-assisted metabolic profiling to unravel the l-phenylalanine catabolism in Rubrivivax benzoatilyticus JA2 under varying growth modes. Strain JA2 grows under anaerobic and aerobic conditions by utilizing l-phenylalanine as a nitrogen source. Furthermore, ring-labeled 13 C 6 -phenylalanine feeding followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry exometabolite profiling revealed 60 labeled metabolic features (M + 6, M + 12, and M + 18) derived solely from l-phenylalanine, of which 11 were identified, 7 putatively identified, and 42 unidentified under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. However, labeled metabolites were significantly higher in aerobic compared to anaerobic conditions. Furthermore, detected metabolites and enzyme activities indicated multiple l-phenylalanine catabolic routes mainly Ehrlich, homogentisate-dependent melanin, benzenoid, and unidentified pathways operating under anaerobic and aerobic conditions in strain JA2. Interestingly, the study indicated l-phenylalanine-dependent and independent benzenoid biosynthesis in strain JA2 and a differential flux of l-phenylalanine to Ehrlich and benzenoid pathways under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Additionally, unidentified labeled metabolites strongly suggest the presence of unknown phenylalanine catabolic routes in strain JA2. Overall, the study uncovered the l-phenylalanine catabolic diversity in strain JA2 and demonstrated the potential of stable isotope-assisted metabolomics in unraveling the hidden metabolic repertoire.

  9. Application of AlkBGT and AlkL from Pseudomonas putida GPo1 for Selective Alkyl Ester ω-Oxyfunctionalization in Escherichia coli

    PubMed Central

    Eggink, Gerrit; Weusthuis, Ruud A.

    2016-01-01

    ABSTRACT The enzyme system AlkBGT from Pseudomonas putida GPo1 can efficiently ω-functionalize fatty acid methyl esters. Outer membrane protein AlkL boosts this ω-functionalization. In this report, it is shown that whole cells of Escherichia coli expressing the AlkBGT system can also ω-oxidize ethyl nonanoate (NAEE). Coexpression of AlkBGT and AlkL resulted in 1.7-fold-higher ω-oxidation activity on NAEE. With this strain, initial activity on NAEE was 70 U/g (dry weight) of cells (gcdw), 67% of the initial activity on methyl nonanoate. In time-lapse conversions with 5 mM NAEE the main product was 9-hydroxy NAEE (3.6 mM), but also 9-oxo NAEE (0.1 mM) and 9-carboxy NAEE (0.6 mM) were formed. AlkBGT also ω-oxidized ethyl, propyl, and butyl esters of fatty acids ranging from C6 to C10. Increasing the length of the alkyl chain improved the ω-oxidation activity of AlkBGT on esters of C6 and C7 fatty acids. From these esters, application of butyl hexanoate resulted in the highest ω-oxidation activity, 82 U/gcdw. Coexpression of AlkL only had a positive effect on ω-functionalization of substrates with a total length of C11 or longer. These findings indicate that AlkBGT(L) can be applied as a biocatalyst for ω-functionalization of ethyl, propyl, and butyl esters of medium-chain fatty acids. IMPORTANCE Fatty acid esters are promising renewable starting materials for the production of ω-hydroxy fatty acid esters (ω-HFAEs). ω-HFAEs can be used to produce sustainable polymers. Chemical conversion of the fatty acid esters to ω-HFAEs is challenging, as it generates by-products and needs harsh reaction conditions. Biocatalytic production is a promising alternative. In this study, biocatalytic conversion of fatty acid esters toward ω-HFAEs was investigated using whole cells. This was achieved with recombinant Escherichia coli cells that produce the AlkBGT enzymes. These enzymes can produce ω-HFAEs from a wide variety of fatty acid esters. Medium-chain-length acids (C

  10. Poly(ester amide)s based on (L)-lactic acid oligomers and α-amino acids: influence of the α-amino acid side chain in the poly(ester amide)s properties.

    PubMed

    Fonseca, Ana C; Coelho, Jorge F J; Valente, Joana F A; Correia, Tiago R; Correia, Ilídio J; Gil, Maria H; Simões, Pedro N

    2013-01-01

    Novel biodegradable and low cytotoxic poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) based on α-amino acids and (L)-lactic acid (L-LA) oligomers were successfully synthesized by interfacial polymerization. The chemical structure of the new polymers was confirmed by spectroscopic analyses. Further characterization suggests that the α-amino acid plays a critical role on the final properties of the PEA. L-phenylalanine provides PEAs with higher glass transition temperature, whereas glycine enhances the crystallinity. The hydrolytic degradation in PBS (pH = 7.4) at 37 °C also depends on the α-amino acid, being faster for glycine-based PEAs. The cytotoxic profiles using fibroblast human cells indicate that the PEAs did not elicit an acute cytotoxic effect. The strategy presented in this work opens the possibility of synthesizing biodegradable PEAs with low citotoxicity by an easy and fast method. It is worth to mention also that the properties of these materials can be fine-tuned only by changing the α-amino acid.

  11. Kinetics of the hydrolysis of N-benzoyl-l-serine methyl ester catalysed by bromelain and by papain. Analysis of modifier mechanisms by lattice nomography, computational methods of parameter evaluation for substrate-activated catalyses and consequences of postulated non-productive binding in bromelain- and papain-catalysed hydrolyses

    PubMed Central

    Wharton, Christopher W.; Cornish-Bowden, Athel; Brocklehurst, Keith; Crook, Eric M.

    1974-01-01

    1. N-Benzoyl-l-serine methyl ester was synthesized and evaluated as a substrate for bromelain (EC 3.4.22.4) and for papain (EC 3.4.22.2). 2. For the bromelain-catalysed hydrolysis at pH7.0, plots of [S0]/vi (initial substrate concn./initial velocity) versus [S0] are markedly curved, concave downwards. 3. Analysis by lattice nomography of a modifier kinetic mechanism in which the modifier is substrate reveals that concave-down [S0]/vi versus [S0] plots can arise when the ratio of the rate constants that characterize the breakdown of the binary (ES) and ternary (SES) complexes is either less than or greater than 1. In the latter case, there are severe restrictions on the values that may be taken by the ratio of the dissociation constants of the productive and non-productive binary complexes. 4. Concave-down [S0]/vi versus [S0] plots cannot arise from compulsory substrate activation. 5. Computational methods, based on function minimization, for determination of the apparent parameters that characterize a non-compulsory substrate-activated catalysis are described. 6. In an attempt to interpret the catalysis by bromelain of the hydrolysis of N-benzoyl-l-serine methyl ester in terms of substrate activation, the general substrate-activation model was simplified to one in which only one binary ES complex (that which gives rise directly to products) can form. 7. In terms of this model, the bromelain-catalysed hydrolysis of N-benzoyl-l-serine methyl ester at pH7.0, I=0.1 and 25°C is characterized by Km1 (the dissociation constant of ES)=1.22±0.73mm, k (the rate constant for the breakdown of ES to E+products, P)=1.57×10−2±0.32×10−2s−1, Ka2 (the dissociation constant that characterizes the breakdown of SES to ES and S)=0.38±0.06m, and k′ (the rate constant for the breakdown of SES to E+P+S)=0.45±0.04s−1. 8. These parameters are compared with those in the literature that characterize the bromelain-catalysed hydrolysis of α-N-benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester and

  12. Identification of a plastidial phenylalanine exporter that influences flux distribution through the phenylalanine biosynthetic network

    PubMed Central

    Widhalm, Joshua R.; Gutensohn, Michael; Yoo, Heejin; Adebesin, Funmilayo; Qian, Yichun; Guo, Longyun; Jaini, Rohit; Lynch, Joseph H.; McCoy, Rachel M.; Shreve, Jacob T.; Thimmapuram, Jyothi; Rhodes, David; Morgan, John A.; Dudareva, Natalia

    2015-01-01

    In addition to proteins, L-phenylalanine is a versatile precursor for thousands of plant metabolites. Production of phenylalanine-derived compounds is a complex multi-compartmental process using phenylalanine synthesized predominantly in plastids as precursor. The transporter(s) exporting phenylalanine from plastids, however, remains unknown. Here, a gene encoding a Petunia hybrida plastidial cationic amino-acid transporter (PhpCAT) functioning in plastidial phenylalanine export is identified based on homology to an Escherichia coli phenylalanine transporter and co-expression with phenylalanine metabolic genes. Radiolabel transport assays show that PhpCAT exports all three aromatic amino acids. PhpCAT downregulation and overexpression result in decreased and increased levels, respectively, of phenylalanine-derived volatiles, as well as phenylalanine, tyrosine and their biosynthetic intermediates. Metabolic flux analysis reveals that flux through the plastidial phenylalanine biosynthetic pathway is reduced in PhpCAT RNAi lines, suggesting that the rate of phenylalanine export from plastids contributes to regulating flux through the aromatic amino-acid network. PMID:26356302

  13. Identification of a plastidial phenylalanine exporter that influences flux distribution through the phenylalanine biosynthetic network

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Widhalm, Joshua R.; Gutensohn, Michael; Yoo, Heejin

    In addition to proteins, L-phenylalanine is a versatile precursor for thousands of plant metabolites. Production of phenylalanine-derived compounds is a complex multi-compartmental process using phenylalanine synthesized predominantly in plastids as precursor. The transporter(s) exporting phenylalanine from plastids, however, remains unknown. Here, a gene encoding a Petunia hybrida plastidial cationic amino-acid transporter (PhpCAT) functioning in plastidial phenylalanine export is identified based on homology to an Escherichia coli phenylalanine transporter and co-expression with phenylalanine metabolic genes. Radiolabel transport assays show that PhpCAT exports all three aromatic amino acids. PhpCAT downregulation and overexpression result in decreased and increased levels, respectively, of phenylalanine-derived volatiles,more » as well as phenylalanine, tyrosine and their biosynthetic intermediates. Metabolic flux analysis reveals that flux through the plastidial phenylalanine biosynthetic pathway is reduced in PhpCAT RNAi lines, suggesting that the rate of phenylalanine export from plastids contributes to regulating flux through the aromatic amino-acid network.« less

  14. Identification of a plastidial phenylalanine exporter that influences flux distribution through the phenylalanine biosynthetic network

    DOE PAGES

    Widhalm, Joshua R.; Gutensohn, Michael; Yoo, Heejin; ...

    2015-09-10

    In addition to proteins, L-phenylalanine is a versatile precursor for thousands of plant metabolites. Production of phenylalanine-derived compounds is a complex multi-compartmental process using phenylalanine synthesized predominantly in plastids as precursor. The transporter(s) exporting phenylalanine from plastids, however, remains unknown. Here, a gene encoding a Petunia hybrida plastidial cationic amino-acid transporter (PhpCAT) functioning in plastidial phenylalanine export is identified based on homology to an Escherichia coli phenylalanine transporter and co-expression with phenylalanine metabolic genes. Radiolabel transport assays show that PhpCAT exports all three aromatic amino acids. PhpCAT downregulation and overexpression result in decreased and increased levels, respectively, of phenylalanine-derived volatiles,more » as well as phenylalanine, tyrosine and their biosynthetic intermediates. Metabolic flux analysis reveals that flux through the plastidial phenylalanine biosynthetic pathway is reduced in PhpCAT RNAi lines, suggesting that the rate of phenylalanine export from plastids contributes to regulating flux through the aromatic amino-acid network.« less

  15. Vascular and antioxidant effects of an aqueous Mentha cordifolia extract in experimental N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertension.

    PubMed

    Pakdeechote, Poungrat; Prachaney, Parichat; Berkban, Warinee; Kukongviriyapan, Upa; Kukongviriyapan, Veerapol; Khrisanapant, Wilaiwan; Phirawatthakul, Yada

    2014-01-01

    The effect of an aqueous Mentha cordifolia (MC) extract on the haemodynamic status, vascular remodeling, function, and oxidative status in NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertension was investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given L-NAME [50 mg/(kg body weight (BW) d)] in their drinking water for 5 weeks and were treated by intragastric administration with the MC extract [200 mg/(kgBWd)] for 2 consecutive weeks. Quercetin [25 mg/(kg BW d)] was used as a positive control. The effects of the MC extract on the haemodynamic status, thoracic aortic wall thickness, and oxidative stress markers were determined, and the vasorelaxant activity of the MC extract was tested in isolated mesenteric vascular beds in rats. Significant increases in the mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), hind limb vascular resistance (HVR), wall thickness, and cross-sectional area of the thoracic aorta, as well as oxidative stress markers were found in the L-NAME-treated group compared to the control (P < 0.05). MAP, HVR, wall thickness, cross-sectional area of the thoracic aorta, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), and vascular superoxide anion production were significantly reduced in L-NAME hypersensitive rats treated with the MC extract or quercetin. Furthermore, the MC extract induced vasorelaxation in the pre-constricted mesenteric vascular bed with intact and denuded endothelium of normotensive and hypertensive rats. Our results suggest that the MC extract exhibits an antihypertensive effect via its antioxidant capacity, vasodilator property, and reduced vascular remodeling.

  16. Synthesis of carboxylic acids, esters, alcohols and ethers containing a tetrahydropyran ring derived from 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one.

    PubMed

    Hanzawa, Yohko; Hashimoto, Kahoko; Kasashima, Yoshio; Takahashi, Yoshiko; Mino, Takashi; Sakamoto, Masami; Fujita, Tsutomu

    2012-01-01

    3-hydroxy acids, 3-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloct-6-enoic acid (1) and 3-hydroxy-2,2,3,7-tetramethyloct-6-enoic acid (2), were prepared from 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, and they were subsequently used to prepare (2,6,6-trimethyltetrahydropyran-2-yl)acetic acid (3) and 2-methyl-2-(2,6,6-trimethyltetrahydropyran-2-yl)propanoic acid (4), respectively, via cyclization with an acidic catalyst such as boron trifluoride diethyl etherate or iodine. The reaction of carboxylic acids 3 and 4 with alcohols, including methanol, ethanol, and 1-propanol, produced the corresponding methyl, ethyl, and propyl esters, which all contained a tetrahydropyran ring. Reduction of carboxylic acids 3 and 4 afforded the corresponding alcohols. Subsequent reactions of these alcohols with several acyl chlorides produced novel esters. The alcohols also reacted with methyl iodide and sodium hydride to provide novel ethers. A one-pot cyclization-esterification of 1 to produce esters containing a tetrahydropyran ring, using iodine as a catalyst, was also investigated.

  17. Methyl esters (biodiesel) from and fatty acid profile of Gliricidia sepium seed oil

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Increasing the supply of biodiesel by defining and developing additional feedstocks is important to overcome the still limited amounts available of this alternative fuel. In this connection, the methyl esters of the seed oil of Gliricidia sepium were synthesized and the significant fuel-related prop...

  18. Effects of Blending Alcohols with Poultry Fat Methyl Esters on Cold Flow Properties

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The low temperature operability, kinematic viscosity, and acid value of poultry fat methyl esters were improved with addition of ethanol, isopropanol, and butanol in a linear fashion with increasing alcohol content. The flash point decreased and moisture content increased upon addition of alcohols t...

  19. The Produce of Methyl Ester from Crude Palm Oil (CPO) Using Heterogene Catalyst Ash of Chicken Bone (CaO) using Ethanol as Solvent

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sinaga, M. S.; Fauzi, R.; Turnip, J. R.

    2017-03-01

    Methyl Ester (methyl ester) is generally made by trans esterification using heterogeneous base catalyst. To simplify the separation, the heterogeneous catalyst is used, such as CaO, which in this case was isolated from chicken bones made by softening chicken bones and do calcination process. Some other important variables other than the selection of the catalyst is the catalyst dosage, molar ratio of ethanol to the CPO and the reaction temperature. The best result from this observe is at the molar ratio of ethanol to the CPO is 17: 1, the reaction temperature is 70 ° C and 7% catalyst (w.t) with reaction time for 7 hours at 500 rpm as a constant variable, got 90,052 % purity, so that this result does not get the standard requirements of biodiesel, because of the purity of the biodiesel standard temporary must be achieve > 96.5 %. This study aims to produce methyl ester yield with the influence of the reaction temperature, percent of catalyst and molar ratio of ethanol and CPO. The most influential variable is the temperature of the reaction that gives a significant yield difference of methyl ester produced. It’s been proven by the increasing temperature used will also significantly increase the yield of methyl ester.

  20. The self-assembling zwitterionic form of L-phenylalanine at neutral pH.

    PubMed

    Mossou, Estelle; Teixeira, Susana C M; Mitchell, Edward P; Mason, Sax A; Adler-Abramovich, Lihi; Gazit, Ehud; Forsyth, V Trevor

    2014-03-01

    The title zwitterion (2S)-2-azaniumyl-1-hydroxy-3-phenylpropan-1-olate, C9H11NO2, also known as L-phenylalanine, was characterized using synchrotron X-rays. It crystallized in the monoclinic space group P21 with four molecules in the asymmetric unit. The 0.62 Å resolution structure is assumed to be closely related to the fibrillar form of phenylalanine, as observed by electron microscopy and electron diffraction. The structure exists in a zwitterionic form in which π-π stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions are believed to form the basis of the self-assembling properties.

  1. Thermodynamics of the complex formation of copper(II) with L-phenylalanine in aqueous ethanol solutions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burov, D. M.; Ledenkov, S. F.; Vandyshev, V. N.

    2013-05-01

    Constants of the acid dissociation and complexation of L-phenylalanine (HPhe) with copper(II) ions are determined by potentiometry in aqueous ethanol solutions containing 0 to 0.7 molar fraction of alcohol. Changes in the Gibbs energy for the transfer from water to a binary solvent of L-phenylalanine, Phe- anion, and [CuPhe]+ complex are calculated. It is found that the weakening of solvation of the ligand donor groups in solvents with high ethanol contents is accompanied by an increase in the stability of [CuPhe]+ complex.

  2. Isolation and characterization of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)-producing Streptomyces sp. S161 from sheep (Ovis aries) faeces.

    PubMed

    Lu, Y; Wang, J; Deng, Z; Wu, H; Deng, Q; Tan, H; Cao, L

    2013-09-01

    An actinomycete producing oil-like mixtures was isolated and characterized. The strain was isolated from sheep faeces and identified as Streptomyces sp. S161 based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The strain showed cellulase and xylanase activities. The (1) H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the mixtures showed that the mixtures were composed of fatty acid methyl esters (52·5), triglycerides (13·7) and monoglycerides (9·1) (mol.%). Based on the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, the fatty acid methyl esters were mainly composed of C14-C16 long-chain fatty acids. The results indicated that Streptomyces sp. S161 could produce fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) directly from starch. To our knowledge, this is the first isolated strain that can produce biodiesel (FAME) directly from starch. © 2013 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

  3. 21 CFR 172.225 - Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... from edible fats and oils. 172.225 Section 172.225 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION... acids produced from edible fats and oils. Methyl esters and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils may be safely used in food, subject to the following prescribed conditions: (a) The...

  4. Chronic N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertension : novel molecular adaptation to systolic load in absence of hypertrophy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bartunek, J.; Weinberg, E. O.; Tajima, M.; Rohrbach, S.; Katz, S. E.; Douglas, P. S.; Lorell, B. H.; Schneider, M. (Principal Investigator)

    2000-01-01

    BACKGROUND: Chronic N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), which inhibits nitric oxide synthesis, causes hypertension and would therefore be expected to induce robust cardiac hypertrophy. However, L-NAME has negative metabolic effects on protein synthesis that suppress the increase in left ventricular (LV) mass in response to sustained pressure overload. In the present study, we used L-NAME-induced hypertension to test the hypothesis that adaptation to pressure overload occurs even when hypertrophy is suppressed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male rats received L-NAME (50 mg. kg(-1). d(-1)) or no drug for 6 weeks. Rats with L-NAME-induced hypertension had levels of systolic wall stress similar to those of rats with aortic stenosis (85+/-19 versus 92+/-16 kdyne/cm). Rats with aortic stenosis developed a nearly 2-fold increase in LV mass compared with controls. In contrast, in the L-NAME rats, no increase in LV mass (1. 00+/-0.03 versus 1.04+/-0.04 g) or hypertrophy of isolated myocytes occurred (3586+/-129 versus 3756+/-135 microm(2)) compared with controls. Nevertheless, chronic pressure overload was not accompanied by the development of heart failure. LV systolic performance was maintained by mechanisms of concentric remodeling (decrease of in vivo LV chamber dimension relative to wall thickness) and augmented myocardial calcium-dependent contractile reserve associated with preserved expression of alpha- and beta-myosin heavy chain isoforms and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA-2). CONCLUSIONS: When the expected compensatory hypertrophic response is suppressed during L-NAME-induced hypertension, severe chronic pressure overload is associated with a successful adaptation to maintain systolic performance; this adaptation depends on both LV remodeling and enhanced contractility in response to calcium.

  5. Fertility of male rats treated with 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha methyl ester-containing silastic implants.

    PubMed

    Kimball, F A; Frielink, R D; Porteus, S E

    1978-01-01

    Male Spraque-Dawley rats receiving implants of silicone rubber discs containing 1% or 2% 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha methyl ester (15-Me-PGF 2 alpha) or no prostaglandin were tested in successive breeding trials for potency and fertility. One week after implantation, discs containing 1% 15-Me-PGF2 alpha reduced potency and fertility, which returned 2 weeks after implantation. Animals receiving implants of the 2% discs were apparently impotent the 1st week following implantation; potency returned before full fertility returned 11 weeks after implantation.

  6. DNA Methylation Influences Chlorogenic Acid Biosynthesis in Lonicera japonica by Mediating LjbZIP8 to Regulate Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase 2 Expression

    PubMed Central

    Zha, Liangping; Liu, Shuang; Liu, Juan; Jiang, Chao; Yu, Shulin; Yuan, Yuan; Yang, Jian; Wang, Yaolong; Huang, Luqi

    2017-01-01

    The content of active compounds differ in buds and flowers of Lonicera japonica (FLJ) and L. japonica var. chinensis (rFLJ). Chlorogenic acid (CGAs) were major active compounds of L. japonica and regarded as measurements for quality evaluation. However, little is known concerning the formation of active compounds at the molecular level. We quantified the major CGAs in FLJ and rFLJ, and found the concentrations of CGAs were higher in the buds of rFLJ than those of FLJ. Further analysis of CpG methylation of CGAs biosynthesis genes showed differences between FLJ and rFLJ in the 5′-UTR of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 2 (PAL2). We identified 11 LjbZIP proteins and 24 rLjbZIP proteins with conserved basic leucine zipper domains, subcellular localization, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that the transcription factor LjbZIP8 is a nuclear-localized protein that specifically binds to the G-box element of the LjPAL2 5′-UTR. Additionally, a transactivation assay and LjbZIP8 overexpression in transgenic tobacco indicated that LjbZIP8 could function as a repressor of transcription. Finally, treatment with 5-azacytidine decreased the transcription level of LjPAL2 and CGAs content in FLJ leaves. These results raise the possibility that DNA methylation might influence the recruitment of LjbZIP8, regulating PAL2 expression level and CGAs content in L. japonica. PMID:28740500

  7. Preparation of "dummy" l-phenylalanine molecularly imprinted microspheres by using ionic liquid as a template and functional monomer.

    PubMed

    Li, Ji; Hu, Xiaoling; Guan, Ping; Song, Dongmen; Qian, Liwei; Du, Chunbao; Song, Renyuan; Wang, Chaoli

    2015-07-07

    In this study, dummy imprinting technology was employed for the preparation of l-phenylalanine-imprinted microspheres. Ionic liquids were utilized as both a "dummy" template and functional monomer, and 4-vinylpyridine and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate were used as the assistant monomer and cross-linker, respectively, for preparing a surface-imprinted polymer on poly(divinylbenzene) microspheres. By the results obtained by theoretical investigation, the interaction between the template and monomer complex was improved as compared with that between the template and the traditional l-phenylalanine-imprinted polymer. The batch experiments indicated that the imprinting factor reached 2.5. Scatchard analysis demonstrated that the obtained "dummy" molecularly imprinted microspheres exhibited an affinity of 77.4 M·10 -4 , significantly higher that of a traditional polymer directly prepared by l-phenylalanine, which is in agreement with theoretical results. Competitive adsorption experiments also showed that the molecularly imprinted polymer with the dummy template effectively isolated l-phenylalanine from l-histidine and l-tryptophan with separation factors of 5.68 and 2.68, respectively. All these results demonstrated that the polymerizable ionic liquid as the dummy template could enhance the affinity and selectivity of molecularly imprinted polymer, thereby promoting the development of imprinting technology for biomolecules. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  8. Three new amino acid derivatives from edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus.

    PubMed

    Lu, Xiao-Jie; Feng, Bao-Min; Chen, Shao-Fei; Zhao, Dan; Chen, Gang; Wang, Hai-Feng; Pei, Yue-Hu

    2017-12-01

    Three new amino acid derivatives, oxalamido-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (1), oxalamido-L-leucine methyl ester (2), and lumichrome hydrolyzate (3), together with nine known compounds (4-12), were isolated from the solid culture of edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were established by the chiral synthesis and confirmed by circular dichroism (CD) analysis of their total synthesis products and natural isolates. All new compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant effects, antimicrobial activities, and cytotoxic activity. Compounds 1-3 showed weak antifungal activities against Candida albicans with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 500 μg/ml.

  9. Degradation of cyanidin-3-rutinoside and formation of protocatechuic acid methyl ester in methanol solution by gamma irradiation.

    PubMed

    Lee, Seung Sik; Kim, Tae Hoon; Lee, Eun Mi; Lee, Min Hee; Lee, Ha Yeong; Chung, Byung Yeoup

    2014-08-01

    Anthocyanins are naturally occurring phenolic compounds having broad biological activities including anti-mutagenesis and anti-carcinogenesis. We studied the effects and the degradation mechanisms of the most common type of anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-rutinoside (cya-3-rut), by using gamma ray. Cya-3-rut in methanol (1mg/ml) was exposed to gamma-rays from 1 to 10kGy. We found that the reddish colour of cya-3-rut in methanol disappeared gradually in a dose-dependent manner and effectively disappeared (>97%) at 10kGy of gamma ray. Concomitantly, a new phenolic compound was generated and identified as a protocatechuic acid methyl ester by liquid chromatography, (1)H, and (13)C NMR. The formation of protocatechuic acid methyl ester increased with increasing irradiation and the amount of protocatechuic acid methyl ester formed by decomposition of cya-3-rut (20μg) at 10kGy of gamma ray was 1.95μg. In addition, the radical-scavenging activities were not affected by gamma irradiation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. A Comparison Study: The New Extended Shelf Life Isopropyl Ester PMR Technology versus The Traditional Methyl Ester PMR Approach

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Alston, William B.; Scheiman, Daniel A.; Sivko, Gloria S.

    2005-01-01

    Polymerization of Monomeric Reactants (PMR) monomer solutions and carbon cloth prepregs of PMR II-50 and VCAP-75 were prepared using both the traditional limited shelf life methanol based PMR approach and a novel extended shelf life isopropanol based PMR approach. The methyl ester and isopropyl ester based PMR monomer solutions and PMR prepregs were aged for up to four years at freezer and room temperatures. The aging products formed were monitored using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The composite processing flow characteristics and volatile contents of the aged prepregs were also correlated versus room temperature storage time. Composite processing cycles were developed and six ply cloth laminates were fabricated with prepregs after various extended room temperature storage times. The composites were then evaluated for glass transition temperature (Tg), thermal decomposition temperature (Td), initial flexural strength (FS) and modulus (FM), long term (1000 hours at 316 C) thermal oxidative stability (TOS), and retention of FS and FM after 1000 hours aging at 316 C. The results for each ester system were comparable. Freezer storage was found to prevent the formation of aging products for both ester systems. Room temperature storage of the novel isopropyl ester system increased PMR monomer solution and PMR prepreg shelf life by at least an order of magnitude while maintaining composite properties.

  11. L-phenylalanine binding and domain organization in human phenylalanine hydroxylase: a differential scanning calorimetry study.

    PubMed

    Thórólfsson, Matthías; Ibarra-Molero, Beatriz; Fojan, Peter; Petersen, Steffen B; Sanchez-Ruiz, Jose M; Martínez, Aurora

    2002-06-18

    Human phenylalanine hydroxylase (hPAH) is a tetrameric enzyme that catalyzes the hydroxylation of L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) to L-tyrosine; a dysfunction of this enzyme causes phenylketonuria. Each subunit in hPAH contains an N-terminal regulatory domain (Ser2-Ser110), a catalytic domain (Asp112-Arg410), and an oligomerization domain (Ser411-Lys452) including dimerization and tetramerization motifs. Two partially overlapping transitions are seen in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms for wild-type hPAH in 0.1 M Na-Hepes buffer, 0.1 M NaCl, pH 7.0. Although these transitions are irreversible, studies on their scan-rate dependence support that the equilibrium thermodynamics analysis is permissible in this case. Comparison with the DSC thermograms for truncated forms of the enzyme, studies on the protein and L-Phe concentration effects on the transitions, and structure-energetic calculations based on a modeled structure support that the thermal denaturation of hPAH occurs in three stages: (i) unfolding of the four regulatory domains, which is responsible for the low-temperature calorimetric transition; (ii) unfolding of two (out of the four) catalytic domains, which is responsible for the high-temperature transition; and (iii) irreversible protein denaturation, which is likely responsible for the observed exothermic distortion in the high-temperature side of the high-temperature transition. Stages 1 and 2 do not appear to be two-state processes. We present an approach to the analysis of ligand effects on DSC transition temperatures, which is based on the general binding polynomial formalism and is not restricted to two-state transitions. Application of this approach to the L-Phe effect on the DSC thermograms for hPAH suggests that (i) there are no binding sites for L-Phe in the regulatory domains; therefore, contrary to the common belief, the activation of PAH by L-Phe seems to be the result of its homotropic cooperative binding to the active sites. (ii

  12. Correlating the cold flow and melting properties of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) mixtures

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) mixtures derived from plant oils or animal fats are used to make biodiesel, lubricants, surfactants, plasticizers, ink solvents, paint strippers and other products. Processing requires a precise knowledge of the physico-chemical properties of mixtures with diverse and ...

  13. Low-temperature phase behavior of fatty acid methyl esters by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) mixtures have many uses including biodiesel, lubricants, metal-working fluids, surfactants, polymers, coatings, green solvents and phase-change materials. The physical properties of a FAME mixture depends on the fatty acid concentration (FAC) profile. Some products hav...

  14. Gas chromatographic separation of fatty acid methyl esters on weakly polar capillary columns.

    PubMed

    Yamamoto, Kouhei; Kinoshita, Akemi; Shibahara, Akira

    2008-02-22

    It was found that weakly polar columns, routinely used in capillary GC for analyzing sterols, food additives, etc., can also be used for separating fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). On these columns, FAMEs elute in the order of their unsaturation. The equivalent chain-length value of methyl 22:6 is below 23.00. This means FAMEs within a carbon chain length, having up to six double bonds, elute before the next (one carbon longer) saturated FAME elutes. Peak identification is easy. Weakly polar columns are compatible in both GC and GC/MS systems.

  15. The influence of gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on acute and chronic ethanol administration in mice. The effect of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and L-arginine.

    PubMed

    Boban-Blagaic, Alenka; Blagaic, Vladimir; Romic, Zeljko; Jelovac, Nikola; Dodig, Goran; Rucman, Rudolf; Petek, Marijan; Turkovic, Branko; Seiwerth, Sven; Sikiric, Predrag

    2006-01-01

    Alcohol disturbances, NO stimulation (by the NO-precursor L-arginine), and/or NO-synthesis blockade (by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, i.e. L-NAME) were challenged with stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, which inhibits both acute alcohol intoxication and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Mice received intraperitoneally (i.p.) BPC 157 (10 microg/kg), L-NAME (10 mg/kg), and L-arginine (400 mg/kg), alone or in combination, 5 minutes before or after acute ethanol (4 g/kg i.p.) intoxication or after 0, 3, or 7 hours of withdrawal after drinking 20% alcohol for 13 days. BPC 157 rapidly opposes the strongest disturbance presentations in acute intoxication (sustained ethanol anesthesia, complete loss of righting reflex, no reaction to external stimuli, hypothermia, 25% mortality) and withdrawal (prominent seizures). NO-agents: Aggravation of acute alcohol intoxication and opposition to withdrawal are common, but the later intervals affected by L-arginine and the action throughout the experiment by L-NAME are distinctive. Given together, L-arginine and L-NAME counteract each other, while either the "L-NAME presentation" (acute intoxication) or the "L-arginine presentation" (withdrawal) predominates. BPC157+NO-agent: In acute intoxication (L-NAME predominating in NO-system functioning to aggravate intoxication), both BPC157+L-NAME and BPC157+L-arginine follow the presentation of L-NAME, but without worsened mortality. In withdrawal (L-arginine predominating in NO-system functioning to oppose disturbance symptoms), BPC157+L-NAME follows the presentation of L-NAME, while BPC 157+L-arginine imitates that of L-arginine. The relationships among pentadecapeptide BPC 157, the NO-system, acute alcohol intoxication, and opposed withdrawal may be important, presenting pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as a suitable alcohol antagonist.

  16. Anomalous conformer dependent S 1 lifetime of L-phenylalanine

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hashimoto, Takayo; Takasu, Yuichi; Yamada, Yuji; Ebata, Takayuki

    2006-04-01

    The fluorescence lifetimes were measured for six conformers of L-phenylalanine cooled in a supersonic jet. It was found that the S 1 state lifetimes differ by a factor of three among the conformers. Especially, the most stable conformer (intramolecular hydrogen-bonded form) in S 0 had the shortest lifetime. Time-dependent DFT calculation suggested an importance of the mixing of the nπ ∗ character to S 1(ππ ∗) in this conformer dependent dynamics.

  17. Experimental and numerical investigations on spray characteristics of fatty acid methyl esters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lanjekar, R. D.; Deshmukh, D.

    2018-02-01

    A comparative experimental and numerical study is conducted to establish the significance of the use of single-component over multi-component representatives of biodiesel, diesel and their blend for predicting spray tip penetration. Methyl oleate and methyl laurate are used as single-component representative fuels for biodiesel. The pure components n-heptane, n-dodecane and n-tetradecane are used as single-component representative fuels for diesel. Methyl laurate is found to represent biodiesel of coconut, whereas methyl oleate is found to represent biodiesel having high percentage of long-chain fatty acid esters. The spray tip penetration of methyl oleate is found to be in good agreement with the measured spray tip penetration of karanja biodiesel. The spray tip penetration prediction of n-heptane fuel is closely following diesel spray tip penetration along with that of n-tetradecane and n-dodecane. The study suggests that the knowledge of the single-component representatives of biodiesel, diesel and their blend is sufficient to predict the spray tip penetration of the corresponding biodiesel, diesel and their blend under non-evaporating environment.

  18. Experimental and numerical investigations on spray characteristics of fatty acid methyl esters.

    PubMed

    Lanjekar, R D; Deshmukh, D

    2018-02-01

    A comparative experimental and numerical study is conducted to establish the significance of the use of single-component over multi-component representatives of biodiesel, diesel and their blend for predicting spray tip penetration. Methyl oleate and methyl laurate are used as single-component representative fuels for biodiesel. The pure components n -heptane, n -dodecane and n -tetradecane are used as single-component representative fuels for diesel. Methyl laurate is found to represent biodiesel of coconut, whereas methyl oleate is found to represent biodiesel having high percentage of long-chain fatty acid esters. The spray tip penetration of methyl oleate is found to be in good agreement with the measured spray tip penetration of karanja biodiesel. The spray tip penetration prediction of n -heptane fuel is closely following diesel spray tip penetration along with that of n -tetradecane and n -dodecane. The study suggests that the knowledge of the single-component representatives of biodiesel, diesel and their blend is sufficient to predict the spray tip penetration of the corresponding biodiesel, diesel and their blend under non-evaporating environment.

  19. Experimental and numerical investigations on spray characteristics of fatty acid methyl esters

    PubMed Central

    Deshmukh, D.

    2018-01-01

    A comparative experimental and numerical study is conducted to establish the significance of the use of single-component over multi-component representatives of biodiesel, diesel and their blend for predicting spray tip penetration. Methyl oleate and methyl laurate are used as single-component representative fuels for biodiesel. The pure components n-heptane, n-dodecane and n-tetradecane are used as single-component representative fuels for diesel. Methyl laurate is found to represent biodiesel of coconut, whereas methyl oleate is found to represent biodiesel having high percentage of long-chain fatty acid esters. The spray tip penetration of methyl oleate is found to be in good agreement with the measured spray tip penetration of karanja biodiesel. The spray tip penetration prediction of n-heptane fuel is closely following diesel spray tip penetration along with that of n-tetradecane and n-dodecane. The study suggests that the knowledge of the single-component representatives of biodiesel, diesel and their blend is sufficient to predict the spray tip penetration of the corresponding biodiesel, diesel and their blend under non-evaporating environment. PMID:29515835

  20. Analysis of Chemical Signatures of Alkaliphiles using Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Analysis

    PubMed Central

    Sreenivasulu, Basha; Paramageetham, Chinthala; Sreenivasulu, Dasari; Suman, Bukke; Umamahesh, Katike; Babu, Gundala Prasada

    2017-01-01

    Background: Fatty acids occur in nearly all living organisms as the important predominant constituents of lipids. While all fatty acids have essentially the same chemical nature, they are an extremely diverse group of compounds. Materials and Methods: To test the hypothesis, fatty acids of alkaliphiles isolates, Bacillus subtilis SVUNM4, Bacillus licheniformis SVUNM8, Bacillus methylotrohicus SVUNM9, and Paenibacillus dendritiformis SVUNM11, were characterized compared using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Results: The content of investigated ten fatty acids, 1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid butyl 2-methylpropyl ester, phthalic acid, isobutyl 2-pentyl ester, dibutyl phthalate, cyclotrisiloxane, hexamethyl, cyclotetrasiloxane, octamethyl, dodecamethyl, heptasiloxane 1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7,9,9,11,11,13,13-etradecamethyl, 7,15-dihydroxydehydroabietic acid, methyl ester, di (trimethylsilyl) ether, hentriacontane, 2-thiopheneacetic acid, undec-2-enyl ester, obviously varied among four species, suggesting each species has its own fatty acid pattern. Conclusions: These findings demonstrated that GC-MS-based fatty acid profiling analysis provides the reliable platform to classify these four species, which is helpful for ensuring their biotechnological interest and novel chemotaxonomic. PMID:28717333

  1. Evaluation of antifungal activity of free fatty acids methyl esters fraction isolated from Algerian Linum usitatissimum L. seeds against toxigenic Aspergillus

    PubMed Central

    Abdelillah, Amrouche; Houcine, Benmehdi; Halima, Dalile; Meriem, Chabane sari; Imane, Zaaboub; Eddine, Smahi Djamal; Abdallah, Moussaoui; Daoudi, Chabane sari

    2013-01-01

    Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of the major fraction of fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs) isolated from Linum usitatissimum L. seeds oil collected from Bechar department (Algeria). Methods The assessment of antifungal activity was carried out in terms of percentage of radial growth on solid medium (potatoes dextrose agar PDA) and biomass growth inhibition on liquid medium (potatoes dextrose broth PDB) against two fungi. Results The FAMEs was found to be effective in inhibiting the radial mycelial growth of Aspergillus flavus more than Aspergillus ochraceus on all tested concentrations. The highest antifungal index was found to be (54.19%) compared to Aspergillus ochraceus (40.48%). The results of the antifungal activity of the FAMEs inhibition of biomass on liquid medium gave no discounted results, but this does not exclude the antifungal activity. Conclusions We can assume that the observed antifungal potency may be due to the abundance of linoleic and α-linolenic acids in linseed oil which appears to be promising to treat fungal infections, storage fungi and food spoilage in food industry field. PMID:23730556

  2. Preparation of imprinted cryogel cartridge for chiral separation of l-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Akgönüllü, Semra; Yavuz, Handan; Denizli, Adil

    2017-06-01

    l-Phe-imprinted cryogel cartridge was prepared for the chiral separation of l-Phe. N-Methacryloyl l-phenylalanine (MAPA) was used as a functional monomer for complexing with l-Phe. The selectivity of the membranes was investigated by using d-Phe, l-Trp, and d-Trp as competitor molecules. The PHEMAPA-l-Trp membranes were 6.4, 4.3, and 5.5 times more selective for l-Phe than d-Phe, l-Trp, and d-Trp, respectively. The PHEMAPA-l-Phe cryogel cartridge was incorporated into the fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) equipment and was able to separate D,l-Phe racemic mixture efficiently. The PHEMAPA-l-Phe membranes were shown to be reusable many times without significant loss of the adsorption capacity.

  3. Effect of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester on intestinal permeability following intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model.

    PubMed

    Luo, C C; Chen, H M; Chiu, C H; Lin, J N; Chen, J C

    2001-07-01

    Subclinical intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) causes an increase in mucosal permeability and may represent an early event in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. Previous studies suggested that continuous, endogenous formation of nitric oxide (NO) maintains the mucosal integrity of the intestine, thus protecting the gut from injuries from blood-borne toxins and tissue-destructive mediators. This study was undertaken to assess whether the inhibition of NO production causes an increase in intestinal permeability in rats following IRI. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-300 g were divided into 4 groups: (1) untreated group (normal control); (2) ischemia-reperfusion group; (3) early N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a specific inhibitor of NO production, treatment group, and (4) late L-NAME treatment group. Transient IRI was induced by 30-min occlusion, followed by reperfusion of the isolated ileal loop. The L-NAME was administered 15 min before and after mesenteric ischemia as a 25-mg/kg bolus. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-D) was used to quantitatively assess the alteration in mucosal permeability of the intestine. There was no significant increase in the portal vein FITC-D level among normal controls, ischemia-reperfusion group and late L-NAME-treated group, but there was an approximately 6-fold increase in the early L-NAME treatment group. The pathological features of the intestine following IRI include denudation of the villus epithelium and reduction of villus height, associated with marked inflammatory cell infiltration over the lamina propria. These results suggest that endogenous NO may play a role in the protecting intestinal integrity after IRI. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

  4. Effects of a common worldwide drink (Beer) on L-Phenylalanine and L-Tyrosine fibrillar assemblies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Banik, Debasis; Banerjee, Pavel; Sabeehuddin, Ghazi; Sarkar, Nilmoni

    2017-11-01

    In this letter, small amount of beer [0.42-2.08% (v/v)] is employed to investigate the fibril inhibition kinetics of 1 mM L-Phenylalanine and L-Tyrosine (relevant to disease condition) using Fluorescence Lifetime imaging Microscopy (FLIM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopic (HR-TEM) techniques. Our results indicate that 1.67 and 0.42% of beer is sufficient for effective breakdown of L-Phe and L-Tyr assemblies, respectively. Quantitative information about fibril inhibition is obtained from Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopic (FCS) measurements. We have shown that the morphology of L-Phe changes to L-Tyr in presence of 2,2‧-Bipyridine-3,3‧-diol (BP(OH)2).

  5. The use of a food supplementation with D-phenylalanine, L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytriptophan in the alleviation of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

    PubMed

    Jukić, Tomislav; Rojc, Bojan; Boben-Bardutzky, Darja; Hafner, Mateja; Ihan, Alojz

    2011-12-01

    We described the use of a food supplementation with D-phenylalanine, L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytriptophan in the alleviation of alcohol withdrawal symptoms in patients starting a detoxification therapy. Since abstinence from ethanol causes a hypodopaminergic and a hypoopioidergic environment in the reword system circuits, manifesting with withdrawal symptoms, food supplements that contains D-phenylalanine a peptidase inhibitor (of opioide inactivation) and L-amino-acids (for dopamine synthesis) were used to replenish a lack in neurotransmitters and alleviate the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. 20 patients suffering from alcohol addictions starting a detoxification therapy have been included in a prospective, randomized, double blind study. The patients have been randomly devided in two groups. One group recieved for a period of 40 days a food supplement containing D-phenylalanine, L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytriptophan (investigation group), and the control (placebo) group. On the first day of hospitalization the patients performed a SCL-90-R test, and blood samples were taken for measuring liver enzymes, total bilirubin, unbound cortisol and lymphocyte populations. The same was done on the 40th day of hospitalization. During the therapy a significant decrease in SCL-90-R psychiatric symptoms scores and a significant increase in CD4 lymphocyte count was observed in the investigation group. The cortisol values were significantly, but equally decreased in both groups, the same was with the liver enzymes and the total bilirubin values. We conclude that abstinence causes a major stress for the patients. The use of food supplement containing D-phenylalanine, L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytriptophan alleviates the withdrawal symptoms and causes a rise in CD4 lymphocyte population, but it dose not affect the serum cortisol levels, which are probably more affected by liver inflammation and the liver restitution.

  6. Duodenocutaneous fistula in rats as a model for "wound healing-therapy" in ulcer healing: the effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157, L-nitro-arginine methyl ester and L-arginine.

    PubMed

    Skorjanec, S; Kokot, A; Drmic, D; Radic, B; Sever, M; Klicek, R; Kolenc, D; Zenko, A; Lovric Bencic, M; Belosic Halle, Z; Situm, A; Zivanovic Posilovic, G; Masnec, S; Suran, J; Aralica, G; Seiwerth, S; Sikiric, P

    2015-08-01

    While very rarely reported, duodenocutanenous fistula research might alter the duodenal ulcer disease background and therapy. Our research focused on rat duodenocutaneous fistulas, therapy, stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, an anti-ulcer peptide that healed other fistulas, nitric oxide synthase-substrate L-arginine, and nitric oxide synthase-inhibitor L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The hypothesis was, duodenal ulcer-healing, like the skin ulcer, using the successful BPC 157, with nitric oxide-system involvement, the "wound healing-therapy", to heal the duodenal ulcer, the fistula-model that recently highlighted gastric and skin ulcer healing. Pressure in the lower esophageal and pyloric sphincters was simultaneously assessed. Duodenocutaneous fistula-rats received BPC 157 (10 μg/kg or 10 ng/kg, intraperitoneally or perorally (in drinking water)), L-NAME (5 mg/kg intraperitoneally), L-arginine (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally) alone and/or together, throughout 21 days. Duodenocutaneous fistula-rats maintained persistent defects, continuous fistula leakage, sphincter failure, mortality rate at 40% until the 4(th) day, all fully counteracted in all BPC 157-rats. The BPC 157-rats experienced rapidly improved complete presentation (maximal volume instilled already at 7(th) day). L-NAME further aggravated the duodenocutaneous fistula-course (mortality at 70% until the 4(th) day); L-arginine was beneficial (no mortality; however, maximal volume instilled not before 21(st) day). L-NAME-worsening was counteracted to the control level with the L-arginine effect, and vice versa, while BPC 157 annulled the L-NAME effects (L-NAME + L-arginine; L-NAME + BPC 157; L-NAME + L-arginine + BPC 157 brought below the level of the control). It is likely that duodenocutaneous fistulas, duodenal/skin defect simultaneous healing, reinstated sphincter function, are a new nitric oxide-system related phenomenon. In conclusion, resolving the duodenocutanenous fistulashealing

  7. 40 CFR 721.1731 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1731 Section 721.1731 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  8. 40 CFR 721.1731 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1731 Section 721.1731 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  9. 40 CFR 721.1731 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1731 Section 721.1731 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  10. 40 CFR 721.1731 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1731 Section 721.1731 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  11. 40 CFR 721.1731 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1731 Section 721.1731 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  12. Electrochemical determination of L-phenylalanine at polyaniline modified carbon electrode based on β-cyclodextrin incorporated carbon nanotube composite material and imprinted sol-gel film.

    PubMed

    Hu, Yu-fang; Zhang, Zhao-hui; Zhang, Hua-bin; Luo, Li-juan; Yao, Shou-zhuo

    2011-04-15

    A sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor based on a polyaniline modified carbon electrode for the determination of L-phenylalanine has been proposed by utilizing β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) incorporated multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and imprinted sol-gel film. The electrochemical behavior of the sensor towards L-phenylalanine was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and amperometric i-t curve. The surface morphologies of layer-by-layer assembly electrodes were displayed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The response mechanism of the imprinted sensor for L-phenylalanine was based on the inclusion interaction of β-CD and molecular recognition capacity of the imprinted film for L-phenylalanine. A linear calibration plot was obtained covering the concentration range from 5.0 × 10(-7) to 1.0 × 10(-4) mol L(-1) with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10(-9) mol L(-1). With excellent sensitivity, selectivity, stability, reproducibility and recovery, the electrochemical imprinted sensor was used to detect L-phenylalanine in blood plasma samples successfully. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Olfactory Perception of Oviposition-Deterring Fatty Acids and Their Methyl Esters by the Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia furnacalis

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Lei; Qing Li, Guo

    2009-01-01

    Olfactory perception of myristic, palmitic, stearic and oleic acids and their corresponding methyl esters by Asian corn borer moths, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) was investigated. It was found that mated females with both antennae amputated, in contrast to intact females and females with one antenna removed, could not discriminate between simultaneously provided control filter papers and filters treated with a blend of oviposition-deterring fatty acids. Oviposition by mated females exhibited a very marked periodicity, with all egg masses deposited during the scotophase and most egg masses laid before midnight. According to the peak and trough period of oviposition, electroantennogram (EAG) responses from both mated females and males to the four fatty acids and four methyl esters were tested within two two-hour periods from 3 to 5 hours after the start of darkness and from 1 to 3 hours after light onset, respectively. Significant EAG responses above solvent and background were elicited by all test chemicals from females, and by most of the test compounds from males. EAG values of all test chemicals from mated females were not statistically different between the two test periods except for methyl myristate. Conversely, EAG responses from mated males to myristic acid, stearic acid and their methyl esters significantly differed between the two test periods. PMID:20053122

  14. Improving the Cold Temperature Properties of Tallow-Based Methyl Ester Mixtures Using Fractionation, Blending, and Additives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Elwell, Caleb

    Beef tallow is a less common feedstock source for biodiesel than soy or canola oil, but it can have economic benefits in comparison to these traditional feedstocks. However, tallow methyl ester (TME) has the major disadvantage of poor cold temperature properties. Cloud point (CP) is an standard industry metric for evaluating the cold temperature performance of biodiesel and is directly related to the thermodynamic properties of the fuel's constituents. TME has a CP of 14.5°C compared with 2.3°C for soy methyl ester (SME) and -8.3°C for canola methyl ester (CME). In this study, three methods were evaluated to reduce the CP of TME: fractionation, blending with SME and CME, and using polymer additives. TME fractionation (i.e. removal of specific methyl ester constituents) was simulated by creating FAME mixtures to match the FAME profiles of fractionated TME. The fractionation yield was found to be highest at the eutectic point of methyl palmitate (MP) and methyl stearate (MS), which was empirically determined to be at a MP/(MP+MS) ratio of approximately 82%. Since unmodified TME has a MP/(MP+MS) ratio of 59%, initially only MS should be removed to produce a ratio closer to the eutectic point to reduce CP and maximize yield. Graphs relating yield (with 4:1 methyl stearate to methyl oleate carryover) to CP were produced to determine the economic viability of this approach. To evaluate the effect of blending TME with other methyl esters, SME and CME were blended with TME at blend ratios of 0 to 100%. Both the SME/TME and CME/TME blends exhibited decreased CPs with increasing levels of SME and CME. Although the CP of the SME/TME blends varied linearly with SME content, the CP of the CME/TME blends varied quadratically with CME content. To evaluate the potential of fuel additives to reduce the CP of TME, 11 different polymer additives were tested. Although all of these additives were specifically marketed to enhance the cold temperature properties of petroleum diesel or

  15. Synthesis and characterization of a thermo-sensitive poly( N-methyl acryloylglycine methyl ester) used as a drug release carrier

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Deng, Kui-Lin; Zhong, Hai-Bin; Jiao, Yi-Suo; Fan, Ting; Qiao, Xiao; Zhang, Peng-Fei; Ren, Xiao-Bo

    2010-06-01

    In this article, poly( N-methyl acryloylglycine methyl ester) (PNMAME) was prepared as a novel thermosensitive material with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at around 49.5°C. The chemical structures of the monomer NMAME and PNMAME were characterized by 1H NMR and IR measurements. The LCST was investigated systematically as a function of PNMAME concentration, inorganic salt solution and pH value. The results indicated that LCST of PNMAME was obviously dependent on PNMAME concentration and pH. The LCST was increased with a decrease in pH value and PNMAME concentration. To obtain a thermo-sensitive hydrogel with the phase transition temperature close to human body temperature, the copolymerization was conducted between NMAME and N-acryloylglycine ethyl ester (NAGEE). The release behavior of caffeine was evaluated at different temperatures and contents of cross-linkers ( N, N-methylenebis(acrylamide) (NMBA)). The increase of cross-linker content led to a decrease in the release rate of caffeine due to higher crossing density in the hydrogel network. In addition, a faster release of caffeine from the hydrogel with 3% NMBA at 37°C was found in contrast to that at 18°C.

  16. Bacterial conversion of phenylalanine and aromatic carboxylic acids into dihydrodiols.

    PubMed Central

    Wegst, W; Tittmann, U; Eberspächer, J; Lingens, F

    1981-01-01

    Strain E of chloridazon-degrading bacteria, when grown on L-phenylalanine accumulates cis-2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxyphenylalanine. In experiments with resting cells and during growth the bacterium converts the aromatic carboxylic acids phenylacetate, phenylpropionate, phenylbutyrate and phenyl-lactate into the corresponding cis-2,3-dihydrodiol compounds. The amino acids L-phenylalanine, N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine and t-butyloxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanine were also transformed into dihydrodiols. All seven dihydrodiols, thus obtained, were characterized both by conventional analytical techniques and by the ability to serve as substrates for a cis-dihydrodiol dehydrogenase. PMID:7306016

  17. Phosphoenolpyruvate Transporter Enables Targeted Perturbation During Metabolic Analysis of L-Phenylalanine Production With Escherichia coli.

    PubMed

    Tröndle, Julia; Albermann, Christoph; Weiner, Michael; Sprenger, Georg A; Weuster-Botz, Dirk

    2018-05-01

    Usually perturbation of the metabolism of cells by addition of substrates is applied for metabolic analysis of production organisms, but perturbation studies are restricted to the endogenous substrates of the cells under study. The goal of this study is to overcome this limitation by making phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) available for perturbation studies with Escherichia coli producing L-phenylalanine. A production strain overexpressing a PEP-transporter variant (UhpT-D388C) is applied in a standardized fed-batch production-process on a 42 L-scale. Four parallel short-term perturbation experiments of 20 min are performed with glucose and glycerol as fed-batch carbon sources after rapid media transition of cells from the production-process. PEP is added after 9 min and is immediately consumed by the cells with up to 1.5 mmol g CDW -1  h -1 . L-phenylalanine production rates increased by up to 200% after addition of PEP. This clearly indicates an intracellular PEP-limitation in the L-phenylalanine production strain under study. Thus, it is shown that overexpressing specific transporters for analytical reasons makes exogenous substrates available as perturbation substrates for metabolic analyses of cells sampled from production-processes and thereby allows a very targeted perturbation of whole-cell metabolism. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  18. 40 CFR 721.1725 - Benzoic acid, 3,3′-methyl-enebis [6 amino-, di-2-propenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.1725 Benzoic acid, 3,3′-methyl-enebis [6 amino..., Benzoic acid, 3,3′-methylenebis [6 amino-, di-2-propenyl ester. (2) The significant new uses are: (i) Any... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Benzoic acid, 3,3â²-methyl-enebis [6...

  19. 40 CFR 721.1725 - Benzoic acid, 3,3′-methyl-enebis [6 amino-, di-2-propenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.1725 Benzoic acid, 3,3′-methyl-enebis [6 amino..., Benzoic acid, 3,3′-methylenebis [6 amino-, di-2-propenyl ester. (2) The significant new uses are: (i) Any... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Benzoic acid, 3,3â²-methyl-enebis [6...

  20. Thermodynamic Parameters of the Dissolution of 4-Hydroxy-L-Proline and L-Phenylalanine in Mixed Aqueous Solvents at 298 K

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smirnov, V. I.; Badelin, V. G.

    2018-01-01

    The enthalpies of solution of 4-hydroxy-L-proline and L-phenylalanine in binary mixed aqueous solvents containing acetonitrile (AN), 1,4-dioxane (1,4-DO), or acetone (AC) at mole fractions of 0 to 0.25 are determined at T = 298.15 K via isothermal calorimetry. The standard enthalpies of solution (Δsol H°) and transfer (Δtr H°) of 4-hydroxy-L-proline and L-phenylalanine from water to mixed aqueous solvents are calculated using the experimental calorimetric data, as are the enthalpy coefficients of paired interactions ( h xy ) between the molecules of the investigated amino acids and the organic solvents. The effects the mixed aqueous solvent composition and the structure of the organic solvent molecules have on the enthalpies of solution and transfer for the investigated amino acids are considered. The correlation between the enthalpy of solution of the amino acids and the electron-donating properties of the organic solvents in the mixed aqueous solvent systems is established.

  1. Expanding the utility of 4-cyano-L-phenylalanine as a vibrational reporter of protein environments.

    PubMed

    Bazewicz, Christopher G; Lipkin, Jacob S; Smith, Emily E; Liskov, Melanie T; Brewer, Scott H

    2012-09-06

    The ability to genetically incorporate amino acids modified with spectroscopic reporters site-specifically into proteins with high efficiency and fidelity has greatly enhanced the ability to probe local protein structure and dynamics. Here, we have synthesized the unnatural amino acid (UAA), 4-cyano-L-phenylalanine (pCNPhe), containing the nitrile vibrational reporter and three isotopomers ((15)N, (13)C, (13)C(15)N) of this UAA to enhance the ability of pCNPhe to study local protein environments. Each pCNPhe isotopic variant was genetically incorporated in an efficient, site-specific manner into superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) in response to an amber codon with high fidelity utilizing an engineered, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. The isotopomers of 4-cyano-L-phenylalanine permitted the nitrile symmetric stretch vibration of these UAAs to be unambiguously assigned utilizing the magnitude and direction of the isotopic shift of this vibration. The sensitivity of the nitrile symmetric stretching frequency of each isotopic variant to the local environment was measured by individually incorporating the probes into two distinct local environments of sfGFP. The UAAs were also utilized in concert to probe multiple local environments in sfGFP simultaneously to increase the utility of 4-cyano-L-phenylalanine.

  2. Esterification and transesterification of greases to fatty acid methyl esters with highly active diphanylammonium salts

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    We have conducted an investigation designed to identify alternate catalysts for the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) to be used as biodiesel. Diphenylammonium sulfate (DPAS) and diphenylammonium chloride (DPA-HCl) salts were found to be highly active homogeneous catalysts for the simu...

  3. Mechanistic, Mutational, and Structural Evaluation of a Taxus Phenylalanine Aminomutase

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Feng, Lei; Wanninayake, Udayanga; Strom, Susan

    The structure of a phenylalanine aminomutase (TcPAM) from Taxus canadensis has been determined at 2.4 {angstrom} resolution. The active site of the TcPAM contains the signature 4-methylidene-1H-imidazol-5(4H)-one prosthesis, observed in all catalysts of the class I lyase-like family. This catalyst isomerizes (S)-{alpha}-phenylalanine to the (R)-{beta}-isomer by exchange of the NH{sub 2}/H pair. The stereochemistry of the TcPAM reaction product is opposite of the (S)-{beta}-tyrosine made by the mechanistically related tyrosine aminomutase (SgTAM) from Streptomyces globisporus. Since TcPAM and SgTAM share similar tertiary- and quaternary-structures and have several highly conserved aliphatic residues positioned analogously in their active sites for substrate recognition,more » the divergent product stereochemistries of these catalysts likely cannot be explained by differences in active site architecture. The active site of the TcPAM structure also is in complex with (E)-cinnamate; the latter functions as both a substrate and an intermediate. To account for the distinct (3R)-{beta}-amino acid stereochemistry catalyzed by TcPAM, the cinnamate skeleton must rotate the C{sub 1}-C{sub {alpha}} and C{sub ipso}-C{sub {beta}} bonds 180{sup o} in the active site prior to exchange and rebinding of the NH{sub 2}/H pair to the cinnamate, an event that is not required for the corresponding acrylate intermediate in the SgTAM reaction. Moreover, the aromatic ring of the intermediate makes only one direct hydrophobic interaction with Leu-104. A L104A mutant of TcPAM demonstrated an 1.5-fold increase in k{sub cat} and a decrease in K{sub M} values for sterically demanding 3'-methyl-{alpha}-phenylalanine and styryl-{alpha}-alanine substrates, compared to the kinetic parameters for TcPAM. These parameters did not change significantly for the mutant with 4'-methyl-{alpha}-phenylalanine compared to those for TcPAM.« less

  4. Beyond fatty acid methyl esters: Expanding the renewable carbon profile with alkenones from Isochrysis sp.

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    In addition to characteristic fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), biodiesel produced from Isochrysis sp. contains a significant amount (14% dry weight) of predominantly C37 and C38 longchain alkenones. These compounds are members of a class of lipids known collectively as polyunsaturated long-chain al...

  5. 40 CFR 721.304 - Acetic acid, [(5-chloro-8-quinolinyl)oxy-], 1-methyl hexyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.304 Acetic acid, [(5-chloro-8-quinolinyl)oxy-], 1-methyl hexyl ester. (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The...

  6. Branched-chain dicationic ionic liquids for fatty acid methyl ester assessment by gas chromatography.

    PubMed

    Talebi, Mohsen; Patil, Rahul A; Sidisky, Leonard M; Berthod, Alain; Armstrong, Daniel W

    2017-12-06

    Twelve bis- or dicationic ionic liquids (ILs) including eight based on imidazolium, a single one based on phosphonium, and three based on pyrrolidinium cationic units were prepared with the bis(trifluoromethyl sulfonyl) imide anion. The two identical cationic moieties were attached by different alkyl spacers having three or five carbons and differing alkyl substituents attached to the spacer. The SLB-IL111 column, as the most polar commercial stationary phase known, was included in the study for comparison. Isothermal separations of a rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) sample were used to study and compare the 12 IL-based column performances and selectivities. The retention times of the most retained methyl esters of lignoceric (C24:0) and erucic (C22:1) acids were used to estimate the IL polarity. The phosphonium dicationic IL column was, by far, the least polar. Imidazolium-based dicationic IL columns were the most polar. Polarity and selectivity for the FAME separation were somewhat related. The separation of a 37-FAME standard mixture allowed the investigation of selectivity variations observed on the 12 IL-based columns under temperature gradients up to 230 °C. The remarkable selectivity of the IL-based columns is demonstrated by the detailed analysis of the cis/trans C18:1 isomers of a partially hydrogenated vegetable oil sample on 30-m columns, separations competing with that done following an "official method" performed on a 100-m column. Graphical abstract Separation of fatty acid methyl esters on a 30-m 3m 2 C 5 (mpy) 2 . 2NTf 2 branched-chain dicationic IL-based column. Branched chain dicationic ILs show great selectivity for separation of cis/trans, ω-3/ω-6, and detailed analysis of cis/trans fats.

  7. Synthesis of methyl ester sulfonate surfactant from crude palm oil as an active substance of laundry liquid detergent

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Slamet, Ibadurrohman, Muhammad; Wulandari, Pangiastika Putri

    2017-11-01

    Liquid detergent with combination of MES surfactant and TiO2 nanoparticles to remove and degrade the dirt in the form of methylene blue and produce waste with the lowest surfactant residual concentration has been done. The formation of MES is carried out by esterification and transesterification of crude palm oil, sulfonation, refining, and neutralization. The photocatalyst TiO2 nanoparticles is added as an additive to improve surfactant performance in removing dirt and degrading organic compounds. MES formation is performed by varying the mole ratio of the reactants in the esterification and transesterification reactions, and the mole ratios between methyl esters and NaHSO3 during the sulfonation reaction. Variations of MES surfactant and TiO2 nanoparticles compositions were performed to obtain detergent stability. Data analysis technique in this research is characterization of methyl ester, MES surfactant, and detergent using UV-Vis spectrophotometer instrument, FTIR, GC-MS, and LC-MS. The optimum conditions in the esterification and transesterification process were each mole ratio of 1: 6 between CPO and methanol based on the highest conversion, 99%. The optimum condition of the sulfonation process is the 1: 1.5 mole ratio between methyl ester and NaHSO3 based on the lowest surface tension value, which is about 36 dyne/cm.

  8. A microfluidic device for the automated derivatization of free fatty acids to fatty acid methyl esters.

    PubMed

    Duong, Cindy T; Roper, Michael G

    2012-02-21

    Free fatty acid (FFA) compositions are examined in feedstock for biodiesel production, as source-specific markers in soil, and because of their role in cellular signaling. However, sample preparation of FFAs for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis can be time and labor intensive. Therefore, to increase sample preparation throughput, a glass microfluidic device was developed to automate derivatization of FFAs to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). FFAs were delivered to one input of the device and methanolic-HCl was delivered to a second input. FAME products were produced as the reagents traversed a 29 μL reaction channel held at 55 °C. A Design of Experiment protocol was used to determine the combination of derivatization time (T(der)) and ratio of methanolic-HCl:FFA (R(der)) that maximized the derivatization efficiencies of tridecanoic acid and stearic acid to their methyl ester forms. The combination of T(der) = 0.8 min and R(der) = 4.9 that produced optimal derivatization conditions for both FFAs within a 5 min total sample preparation time was determined. This combination of T(der) and R(der) was used to derivatize 12 FFAs with a range of derivatization efficiencies from 18% to 93% with efficiencies of 61% for tridecanoic acid and 84% for stearic acid. As compared to a conventional macroscale derivatization of FFA to FAME, the microfluidic device decreased the volume of methanolic-HCl and FFA by 20- and 1300-fold, respectively. The developed microfluidic device can be used for automated preparation of FAMEs to analyze the FFA compositions of volume-limited samples.

  9. Non-invasive estimation of 10 B-4-borono-L-phenylalanine-derived boron concentration in tumors by PET using 4-borono-2-18 F-fluoro-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Yoshimoto, Mitsuyoshi; Honda, Natsuki; Kurihara, Hiroaki; Hiroi, Kenta; Nakamura, Satoshi; Ito, Masashi; Shikano, Naoto; Itami, Jun; Fujii, Hirofumi

    2018-05-01

    In boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), 10 B-4-borono-L-phenylalanine (BPA) is commonly used as a 10 B carrier. PET using 4-borono-2- 18 F-fluoro-phenylalanine ( 18 F-FBPA PET) has been performed to estimate boron concentration and predict the therapeutic effects of BNCT; however, the association between tumor uptake of 18 F-FBPA and boron concentration in tumors remains unclear. The present study investigated the transport mechanism of 18 F-FBPA and BPA, and evaluated the utility of 18 F-FBPA PET in predicting boron concentration in tumors. The transporter assay revealed that 2-aminobicyclo-(2.2.1)-heptane-2-carboxylic acid, an inhibitor of the L-type amino acid transporter, significantly inhibited 18 F-FBPA and 14 C-4-borono-L-phenylalanine ( 14 C-BPA) uptake in FaDu and LN-229 human cancer cells. 18 F-FBPA uptake strongly correlated with 14 C-BPA uptake in 7 human tumor cell lines (r = .93; P < .01). PET experiments demonstrated that tumor uptake of 18 F-FBPA was independent of the administration method, and uptake of 18 F-FBPA by bolus injection correlated well with BPA uptake by continuous intravenous infusion. The results of this study revealed that evaluating tumor uptake of 18 F-FBPA by PET was useful for estimating 10 B concentration in tumors. © 2018 The Authors.Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.

  10. A novel chiral separation material: polymerized organogel formed by chiral gelators for the separation of D- and L-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Fu, Xinjian; Yang, Yang; Wang, Ningxia; Wang, Hong; Yang, Yajiang

    2007-01-01

    N-Stearine-N'-stearyl-L-phenylalanine, a chiral compound, was synthesized and used as a gelator for the gelation of polymerizable solvents, such as ss-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), styrene, etc. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the gelator aggregates show fibril-like helices, typical chiral aggregates with diameters of 100-200 nm. The solvent molecules were immobilized by capillary forces in the three-dimensional network structures of the organogels. The HEMA organogels containing crosslinker polyethylene glycol dimethacrylates (PEG200DMA) were subsequently polymerized by in situ UV irradiation. A porous polymerized organogels were obtained after removal of gelator aggregates through ethanol extraction. The chiral separation of D- and L-phenylalanine was carried out by the adsorption of the polymerized organogels. The adsorption efficiency of L-phenylalanine on the polymerized organogels was found to be dependent on the concentration of the gelator and crosslinker. (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  11. Optimization of gas chromatographic method for the enantioseparation of arylpropionic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug methyl esters.

    PubMed

    Petrović, Marinko; Debeljak, Zeljko; Blazević, Nikola

    2005-09-15

    The gas chromatography (GC) method for enantioseparation of well-known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen, fenoprofen and ketoprofen methyl esters mixture was developed. Best enantioseparation was performed on capillary column with heptakis-(2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-t-butyldimethyl-silyl)-beta-cyclodextrin stationary phase and hydrogen used as a carrier gas. Initial temperature, program rate and carrier pressure were optimized to obtain best resolution between enantiomers.

  12. Lipid oxidation. Part 2. Oxidation products of olive oil methyl esters.

    PubMed

    Pokorný, J; Tài, P; Parízková, H; Smidrkalová, E; El-Tarras, M F; Janícek, G

    1976-01-01

    Olive oil was converted into methyl esters which were autoxidized at 60 degrees C. The composition of oxidized products was determined by the comparison of infrared spectra and NMR spectra of the original and acetylated samples, the sample reduced with potassium iodide and the acetylated reduced sample. Oxidized products were separated by preparative thin layer chromatography on silica gel and characterized by selective detection and by infrared spectrometry of the fractions. The oxidation products consisted of hydroperoxido butyl oleate, substituted hydroperoxides, mono- and disubstituted monomeric derivatives and a small amount of oligomers.

  13. 40 CFR 721.304 - Acetic acid, [(5-chloro-8-quinolinyl)oxy-], 1-methyl hexyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Acetic acid, [(5-chloro-8-quinolinyl)oxy-], 1-methyl hexyl ester. 721.304 Section 721.304 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.304 Acetic acid, [(5-chloro-8-quinolinyl)oxy-], 1...

  14. Modeling of the oxidation of methyl esters—Validation for methyl hexanoate, methyl heptanoate, and methyl decanoate in a jet-stirred reactor

    PubMed Central

    Glaude, Pierre Alexandre; Herbinet, Olivier; Bax, Sarah; Biet, Joffrey; Warth, Valérie; Battin-Leclerc, Frédérique

    2013-01-01

    The modeling of the oxidation of methyl esters was investigated and the specific chemistry, which is due to the presence of the ester group in this class of molecules, is described. New reactions and rate parameters were defined and included in the software EXGAS for the automatic generation of kinetic mechanisms. Models generated with EXGAS were successfully validated against data from the literature (oxidation of methyl hexanoate and methyl heptanoate in a jet-stirred reactor) and a new set of experimental results for methyl decanoate. The oxidation of this last species was investigated in a jet-stirred reactor at temperatures from 500 to 1100 K, including the negative temperature coefficient region, under stoichiometric conditions, at a pressure of 1.06 bar and for a residence time of 1.5 s: more than 30 reaction products, including olefins, unsaturated esters, and cyclic ethers, were quantified and successfully simulated. Flow rate analysis showed that reactions pathways for the oxidation of methyl esters in the low-temperature range are similar to that of alkanes. PMID:23710076

  15. Construction of combustion models for rapeseed methyl ester bio-diesel fuel for internal combustion engine applications.

    PubMed

    Golovitchev, Valeri I; Yang, Junfeng

    2009-01-01

    Bio-diesel fuels are non-petroleum-based diesel fuels consisting of long chain alkyl esters produced by the transesterification of vegetable oils, that are intended for use (neat or blended with conventional fuels) in unmodified diesel engines. There have been few reports of studies proposing theoretical models for bio-diesel combustion simulations. In this study, we developed combustion models based on ones developed previously. We compiled the liquid fuel properties, and the existing detailed mechanism of methyl butanoate ester (MB, C(5)H(10)O(2)) oxidation was supplemented by sub-mechanisms for two proposed fuel constituent components, C(7)H(16) and C(7)H(8)O (and then, by mp2d, C(4)H(6)O(2) and propyne, C(3)H(4)) to represent the combustion model for rapeseed methyl ester described by the chemical formula, C(19)H(34)O(2) (or C(19)H(36)O(2)). The main fuel vapor thermal properties were taken as those of methyl palmitate C(19)H(36)O(2) in the NASA polynomial form of the Burcat database. The special global reaction was introduced to "crack" the main fuel into its constituent components. This general reaction included 309 species and 1472 reactions, including soot and NO(x) formation processes. The detailed combustion mechanism was validated using shock-tube ignition-delay data under diesel engine conditions. For constant volume and diesel engine (Volvo D12C) combustion modeling, this mechanism could be reduced to 88 species participating in 363 reactions.

  16. Fatty acid methyl ester profiles of bat wing surface lipids.

    PubMed

    Pannkuk, Evan L; Fuller, Nathan W; Moore, Patrick R; Gilmore, David F; Savary, Brett J; Risch, Thomas S

    2014-11-01

    Sebocytes are specialized epithelial cells that rupture to secrete sebaceous lipids (sebum) across the mammalian integument. Sebum protects the integument from UV radiation, and maintains host microbial communities among other functions. Native glandular sebum is composed primarily of triacylglycerides (TAG) and wax esters (WE). Upon secretion (mature sebum), these lipids combine with minor cellular membrane components comprising total surface lipids. TAG and WE are further cleaved to smaller molecules through oxidation or host enzymatic digestion, resulting in a complex mixture of glycerolipids (e.g., TAG), sterols, unesterified fatty acids (FFA), WE, cholesteryl esters, and squalene comprising surface lipid. We are interested if fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiling of bat surface lipid could predict species specificity to the cutaneous fungal disease, white nose syndrome (WNS). We collected sebaceous secretions from 13 bat spp. using Sebutape(®) and converted them to FAME with an acid catalyzed transesterification. We found that Sebutape(®) adhesive patches removed ~6× more total lipid than Sebutape(®) indicator strips. Juvenile eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) had significantly higher 18:1 than adults, but 14:0, 16:1, and 20:0 were higher in adults. FAME profiles among several bat species were similar. We concluded that bat surface lipid FAME profiling does not provide a robust model predicting species susceptibility to WNS. However, these results provide baseline data that can be used for lipid roles in future ecological studies, such as life history, diet, or migration.

  17. A potentiometric chiral sensor for L-Phenylalanine based on crosslinked polymethylacrylic acid-polycarbazole hybrid molecularly imprinted polymer.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yu; Chen, Lei; Bi, Ruilin; Xu, Lan; Liu, Yan

    2012-11-19

    A novel chiral molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor for L-Phenylalanine has been developed, which is constructed by electrochemically driven cross-linking a pendant polymer precursor, poly[2-(N-carbazolyl)ethyl methacrylate-co-meth-acrylic acid]s (PCEMMAs). In this MIP sensing material, the recognition sites, the insulating polymethylacrylic acid (PMAA), were covalently bonded to the conducting polycarbazole which could be used as signal transfer interface between recognition layer and electrode. The mole ratio of copolymerizing monomers, 2-(N-carbazolyl) ethyl methacrylate:methylacrylic acid (CE:MAA), and the scanning cycles of electropolymerization were adjusted during the preparation of MIP sensing material. The optimized conditions, CE:MAA=3:2 and 20 scanning cycles, were obtained. And then the properties of MIP films were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and water contact angle. Open circuit potential-time technique was used to estimate the enantioselectivity of the MIP sensor. The results indicate that the promising sensor preferentially responses L-Phenylalanine (L-Phe) over D-Phenylalanine (D-Phe) with a selectivity coefficient K(D)(L)=5.75×10(-4) and the limit of detection (LOD) is 1.37μM, which reveals its good enantioselectivity and sensitivity. Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Utilization of crude karanj (Pongamia pinnata) oil as a potential feedstock for the synthesis of fatty acid methyl esters.

    PubMed

    Khayoon, M S; Olutoye, M A; Hameed, B H

    2012-05-01

    Methyl esters were synthesized from crude karanj oil (CKO) by single step esterification with methanol using sulfuric acid (H(2)SO(4)) and phosphoric acid (H(3)PO(4)) as catalysts in a homogeneous batch process. H(3)PO(4) was less active than H(2)SO(4) during the process as it presented very low ester yields (<20%) for the various molar ratios of fatty acid to alcohol studied. With H(2)SO(4) as catalyst, the yield was as high as 89.8% at 65°C after 5h. The fatty acids profile of the oil (palmitic acid: ≈ 12%; stearic acid: ≈ 8%; oleic acid: ≈ 52% and linolenic acid of 17%) and the different reactivities of the acids were responsible for the observed differences in conversion to methyl esters. The findings attained with this study might contribute to the economic utilization of a non-edible feedstock. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Metabolism of DL-(+/-)-phenylalanine by Aspergillus niger.

    PubMed

    Kishore, G; Sugumaran, M; Vaidyanathan, C S

    1976-10-01

    A fungus capable of degrading DL-phenylalanine was isolated from the soil and identified as Aspergillus niger. It was found to metabolize DL-phenylalanine by a new pathway involving 4-hydroxymandelic acid. D-Amino acid oxidase and L-phenylalanine: 2-oxoglutaric acid aminotransferase initiated the degradation of D- and L-phenylalanine, respectively. Both phenylpyruvate oxidase and phenylpyruvate decarboxylase activities could be demonstrated in the cell-free system. Phenylacetate hydroxylase, which required reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, converted phenylacetic acid to 2- and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. Although 4-hydroxyphenylacetate was converted to 4-hydroxymandelate, 2-hydroxyphenylacetate was not utilized until the onset of sporulation. During sporulation, it was converted rapidly into homogentisate and oxidized to ring-cleaved products. 4-Hydroxymandelate was degraded to protocatechuate via 4-hydroxybenzoylformate, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and 4-hydroxybenzoate.

  20. Metabolism of DL-(+/-)-phenylalanine by Aspergillus niger.

    PubMed Central

    Kishore, G; Sugumaran, M; Vaidyanathan, C S

    1976-01-01

    A fungus capable of degrading DL-phenylalanine was isolated from the soil and identified as Aspergillus niger. It was found to metabolize DL-phenylalanine by a new pathway involving 4-hydroxymandelic acid. D-Amino acid oxidase and L-phenylalanine: 2-oxoglutaric acid aminotransferase initiated the degradation of D- and L-phenylalanine, respectively. Both phenylpyruvate oxidase and phenylpyruvate decarboxylase activities could be demonstrated in the cell-free system. Phenylacetate hydroxylase, which required reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, converted phenylacetic acid to 2- and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. Although 4-hydroxyphenylacetate was converted to 4-hydroxymandelate, 2-hydroxyphenylacetate was not utilized until the onset of sporulation. During sporulation, it was converted rapidly into homogentisate and oxidized to ring-cleaved products. 4-Hydroxymandelate was degraded to protocatechuate via 4-hydroxybenzoylformate, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and 4-hydroxybenzoate. PMID:10273

  1. 11C-L-methyl methionine dynamic PET/CT of skeletal muscle: response to protein supplementation compared to L-[ring 13C6] phenylalanine infusion with serial muscle biopsy.

    PubMed

    Arentson-Lantz, Emily J; Saeed, Isra H; Frassetto, Lynda A; Masharani, Umesh; Harnish, Roy J; Seo, Youngho; VanBrocklin, Henry F; Hawkins, Randall A; Mari-Aparici, Carina; Pampaloni, Miguel H; Slater, James; Paddon-Jones, Douglas; Lang, Thomas F

    2017-05-01

    The objective of this study was to determine if clinical dynamic PET/CT imaging with 11 C-L-methyl-methionine ( 11 C-MET) in healthy older women can provide an estimate of tissue-level post-absorptive and post-prandial skeletal muscle protein synthesis that is consistent with the more traditional method of calculating fractional synthesis rate (FSR) of muscle protein synthesis from skeletal muscle biopsies obtained during an infusion of L-[ring 13 C 6 ] phenylalanine ( 13 C 6 -Phe). Healthy older women (73 ± 5 years) completed both dynamic PET/CT imaging with 11 C-MET and a stable isotope infusion of 13 C 6 -Phe with biopsies to measure the skeletal muscle protein synthetic response to 25 g of a whey protein supplement. Graphical estimation of the Patlak coefficient K i from analysis of the dynamic PET/CT images was employed as a measure of incorporation of 11 C-MET in the mid-thigh muscle bundle. Post-prandial values [mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM)] were higher than post-absorptive values for both K i (0.0095 ± 0.001 vs. 0.00785 ± 0.001 min -1 , p < 0.05) and FSR (0.083 ± 0.008 vs. 0.049 ± 0.006%/h, p < 0.001) in response to the whey protein supplement. The percent increase in K i and FSR in response to the whey protein supplement was significantly correlated (r = 0.79, p = 0.015). Dynamic PET/CT imaging with 11 C-MET provides an estimate of the post-prandial anabolic response that is consistent with a traditional, invasive stable isotope, and muscle biopsy approach. These results support the potential future use of 11 C-MET imaging as a non-invasive method for assessing conditions affecting skeletal muscle protein synthesis.

  2. Biomimetic L-aspartic acid-derived functional poly(ester amide)s for vascular tissue engineering.

    PubMed

    Knight, Darryl K; Gillies, Elizabeth R; Mequanint, Kibret

    2014-08-01

    Functionalization of polymeric biomaterials permits the conjugation of cell signaling molecules capable of directing cell function. In this study, l-phenylalanine and l-aspartic acid were used to synthesize poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) with pendant carboxylic acid groups through an interfacial polycondensation approach. Human coronary artery smooth muscle cell (HCASMC) attachment, spreading and proliferation was observed on all PEA films. Vinculin expression at the cell periphery suggested that HCASMCs formed focal adhesions on the functional PEAs, while the absence of smooth muscle α-actin (SMαA) expression implied the cells adopted a proliferative phenotype. The PEAs were also electrospun to yield nanoscale three-dimensional (3-D) scaffolds with average fiber diameters ranging from 130 to 294nm. Immunoblotting studies suggested a potential increase in SMαA and calponin expression from HCASMCs cultured on 3-D fibrous scaffolds when compared to 2-D films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and immunofluorescence demonstrated the conjugation of transforming growth factor-β1 to the surface of the functional PEA through the pendant carboxylic acid groups. Taken together, this study demonstrates that PEAs containing aspartic acid are viable biomaterials for further investigation in vascular tissue engineering. Copyright © 2014 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Ester carbonyl vibration as a sensitive probe of protein local electric field.

    PubMed

    Pazos, Ileana M; Ghosh, Ayanjeet; Tucker, Matthew J; Gai, Feng

    2014-06-10

    The ability to quantify the local electrostatic environment of proteins and protein/peptide assemblies is key to gaining a microscopic understanding of many biological interactions and processes. Herein, we show that the ester carbonyl stretching vibration of two non-natural amino acids, L-aspartic acid 4-methyl ester and L-glutamic acid 5-methyl ester, is a convenient and sensitive probe in this regard, since its frequency correlates linearly with the local electrostatic field for both hydrogen-bonding and non-hydrogen-bonding environments. We expect that the resultant frequency-electric-field map will find use in various applications. Furthermore, we show that, when situated in a non-hydrogen-bonding environment, this probe can also be used to measure the local dielectric constant (ε). For example, its application to amyloid fibrils formed by Aβ(16-22) revealed that the interior of such β-sheet assemblies has an ε value of approximately 5.6. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  4. A hydro/organo/hybrid gelator: a peptide lipid with turning aspartame head groups.

    PubMed

    Mukai, Masaru; Minamikawa, Hiroyuki; Aoyagi, Masaru; Asakawa, Masumi; Shimizu, Toshimi; Kogiso, Masaki

    2013-04-01

    This work presents a novel bola-type peptide lipid which can gelate water, organic solvents, and water/organic-solvent mixtures. In its molecular structure, an amphiphilic dipeptide aspartame (L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) is connected at both ends of an alkylene linker. The different morphologies in the hydrogel (helical nanotapes) and the organogel (tape-like nanostructures) were visualized by energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy (EF-TEM) and energy-filtering scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and the molecular arrangement was examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Possessing a hydrophilic aspartic acid group and a (relatively) hydrophobic phenylalanine methyl ester group, the dipeptide head group can turn about in response to solvent polarity. As a consequence, the solvent condition changed the molecular packing of the gelator and affected the overall supramolecular structure of the gel. It is noted that the peptide lipid gelated mixed solvents of water and organic solvents such as dichloromethane, liquid-paraffin, olive-oil, silicone-oils, and so on. The present hybrid gel can simultaneously hold hydrophilic and hydrophobic functional materials. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Possible neurologic effects of aspartame, a widely used food additive.

    PubMed Central

    Maher, T J; Wurtman, R J

    1987-01-01

    The artificial sweetener aspartame (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanyl-methyl ester), is consumed, primarily in beverages, by a very large number of Americans, causing significant elevations in plasma and, probably, brain phenylalanine levels. Anecdotal reports suggest that some people suffer neurologic or behavioral reactions in association with aspartame consumption. Since phenylalanine can be neurotoxic and can affect the synthesis of inhibitory monoamine neurotransmitters, the phenylalanine in aspartame could conceiveably mediate neurologic effects. If mice are given aspartame in doses that elevate plasma phenylalanine levels more than those of tyrosine (which probably occurs after any aspartame dose in humans), the frequency of seizures following the administration of an epileptogenic drug, pentylenetetrazole, is enhanced. This effect is simulated by equimolar phenylalanine and blocked by concurrent administration of valine, which blocks phenylalanine's entry into the brain. Aspartame also potentiates the induction of seizures by inhaled fluorothyl or by electroconvulsive shock. Perhaps regulations concerning the sale of food additives should be modified to require the reporting of adverse reactions and the continuing conduct of mandated safety research. PMID:3319565

  6. Preparation of fatty acid methyl esters from Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) oil and evaluation as biodiesel

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Fatty acid methyl esters were prepared in high yield by transesterification of Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) oil. Extracted using supercritical CO2, the crude oil was initially treated with mineral acid and methanol to lower its content of free fatty acids, thus rendering it amenable to homogeneou...

  7. Use of MIDI-fatty acid methyl ester analysis to monitor the transmission of Campylobacter during commercial poultry processing.

    PubMed

    Hinton, Arthur; Cason, J A; Hume, Michael E; Ingram, Kimberly D

    2004-08-01

    The presence of Campylobacter spp. on broiler carcasses and in scald water taken from a commercial poultry processing facility was monitored on a monthly basis from January through June. Campylobacter agar, Blaser, was used to enumerate Campylobacter in water samples from a multiple-tank scalder; on prescalded, picked, eviscerated, and chilled carcasses; and on processed carcasses stored at 4 degrees C for 7 or 14 days. The MIDI Sherlock microbial identification system was used to identify Campylobacter-like isolates based on the fatty acid methyl ester profile of the bacteria. The dendrogram program of the Sherlock microbial identification system was used to compare the fatty acid methyl ester profiles of the bacteria and determine the degree of relatedness between the isolates. Findings indicated that no Campylobacter were recovered from carcasses or scald tank water samples collected in January or February, but the pathogen was recovered from samples collected in March, April, May, and June. Processing generally produced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the number of Campylobacter recovered from broiler carcasses, and the number of Campylobacter recovered from refrigerated carcasses generally decreased during storage. Significantly (P < 0.05) fewer Campylobacter were recovered from the final tank of the multiple-tank scald system than from the first tank. MIDI similarity index values ranged from 0.104 to 0.928 based on MIDI-fatty acid methyl ester analysis of Campylobacterjejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates. Dendrograms of the fatty acid methyl ester profile of the isolates indicated that poultry flocks may introduce several strains of C. jejuni and C. coli into processing plants. Different populations of the pathogen may be carried into the processing plant by successive broiler flocks, and the same Campylobacter strain may be recovered from different poultry processing operations. However, Campylobacter apparently is unable to colonize equipment in the

  8. Synthesis of methyl esters from waste cooking oil using construction waste material as solid base catalyst.

    PubMed

    Balakrishnan, K; Olutoye, M A; Hameed, B H

    2013-01-01

    The current research investigates synthesis of methyl esters by transesterification of waste cooking oil in a heterogeneous system, using barium meliorated construction site waste marble as solid base catalyst. The pretreated catalyst was calcined at 830 °C for 4h prior to its activity test to obtained solid oxide characterized by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy, BET surface area and pore size measurement. It was found that the as prepared catalyst has large pores which contributed to its high activity in transesterification reaction. The methyl ester yield of 88% was obtained when the methanol/oil molar ratio was 9:1, reaction temperature at 65 °C, reaction time 3h and catalyst/oil mass ratio of 3.0 wt.%. The catalyst can be reused over three cycles, offer low operating conditions, reduce energy consumption and waste generation in the production of biodiesel. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Direct methylation procedure for converting fatty amides to fatty acid methyl esters in feed and digesta samples.

    PubMed

    Jenkins, T C; Thies, E J; Mosley, E E

    2001-05-01

    Two direct methylation procedures often used for the analysis of total fatty acids in biological samples were evaluated for their application to samples containing fatty amides. Methylation of 5 mg of oleamide (cis-9-octadecenamide) in a one-step (methanolic HCl for 2 h at 70 degrees C) or a two-step (sodium methoxide for 10 min at 50 degrees C followed by methanolic HCl for 10 min at 80 degrees C) procedure gave 59 and 16% conversions of oleamide to oleic acid, respectively. Oleic acid recovery from oleamide was increased to 100% when the incubation in methanolic HCl was lengthened to 16 h and increased to 103% when the incubation in methoxide was modified to 24 h at 100 degrees C. However, conversion of oleamide to oleic acid in an animal feed sample was incomplete for the modified (24 h) two-step procedure but complete for the modified (16 h) one-step procedure. Unsaturated fatty amides in feed and digesta samples can be converted to fatty acid methyl esters by incubation in methanolic HCl if the time of exposure to the acid catalyst is extended from 2 to 16 h.

  10. Synthesis, micellisation and interaction of novel quaternary ammonium compounds derived from l-Phenylalanine with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine as model membrane in relation to their antibacterial activity, and their selectivity over human red blood cells.

    PubMed

    Joondan, Nausheen; Caumul, Prakashanand; Akerman, Matthew; Jhaumeer-Laulloo, Sabina

    2015-02-01

    A series of quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATS) derived from l-Phenylalanine have been synthesized and their antibacterial efficiencies were determined against various strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial activity increased with increasing chain length, exhibiting a cut-off effect at C14 for Gram-positive and C12 for Gram-negative bacteria. The l-Phenylalanine QUATS displayed enhanced antibacterial properties with a higher cut-off point compared to their corresponding l-Phenylalanine ester hydrochlorides. The CMC was correlated with the MIC, inferring that micellar activity contributes to the cut-off effect in antibacterial activity. The hemolytic activities (HC50) of the QUATS against human red blood cells were also determined to illustrate the selectivity of these QUATS for bacterial over mammalian cells. In general, the MIC was lower than the HC50, and assessment of the micellar contribution to the antibacterial and hemolytic evaluation in TBS as a common medium confirmed that these QUATS can act as antibacterial, yet non-toxic molecules at their monomer concentrations. The interaction of the QUATS with the phospholipid vesicles (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, DPPC) in the presence of 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) as fluorescence probes showed that the presence of the quaternary ammonium moiety causes an increase in hydrophobic interactions, thus causing an increase in antibacterial activity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Critical aggregates concentration of fatty esters present in biodiesel determined by turbidity and fluorescence.

    PubMed

    Froehner, Sandro; Sánez, Juan; Dombroski, Luiz Fernando; Gracioto, Maria Paula

    2017-09-01

    Biodiesel for combustible engine is available as mixture of fossil diesel and fatty esters obtained by transesterification of vegetable oils. The use of biodiesel reduces the amount of SO x , mainly. However, it was already observed that biodiesel has a different behavior in environment in cases of accidental spill and groundwater contamination. It was noticed that the biodegradation of hydrocarbons (cyclic and aliphatic) in the presence of biodiesel are speeded, although the mechanism is still unclear. Considering the chemical structure of fatty esters, it was investigated the formation of aggregates in water solution by fatty esters present in commercial biodiesel. In Brazil, biodiesel is composed by 95% of fossil diesel and 5% of fatty esters mixture. In this work, fatty esters were treated as neutral surfactant, i.e., it was treated as a molecule with polar and non-polar part. Turbidity and fluorescence were used to determine the critical aggregates concentration (CAC). Water solutions containing fatty esters were examined exploiting changes in turbidity and fluorescence intensity of pyrene. Abrupt changes were attributed to aggregates formation, following the same behavior of traditional amphiphilic compounds. It was determined the CAC for ethyl palmitate, ethyl stearate, ethyl oleate, and ethyl linoleate. The values of CAC for fatty esters varied from 1.91 to 4.27 μmol/L, while CAC for the mixture of esters (biodiesel) was 2.01 for methyl esters and 1.19 for ethyl esters, both prepared using soybean oil. The aggregates formation was also determined by fluorescence measurements considering the changes in intensity of peaks I and III of pyrene. Pyrene senses the changes in environment polarity. The values found of CAC by fluorescence for individual ethyl esters varied from 1.85 to 3.21 μmol/L, while mixtures of ethyl esters was 2.23 and 2.07 μmol/L for mixture of methyl esters. The results clearly showed that fatty esters form aggregates and might be

  12. The Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor NG-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester Diminishes the Immunomodulatory Effects of Parental Arginine in Rats with Subacute Peritonitis

    PubMed Central

    Lo, Hui-Chen; Hung, Ching-Yi; Huang, Fu-Huan; Su, Tzu-Cheng; Lee, Chien-Hsing

    2016-01-01

    The combined treatment of parenteral arginine and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) have been shown to improve liver function and systemic inflammation in subacute peritonitic rats. Here, we investigated the effects of single and combined parenteral arginine and L-NAME treatments on leukocyte and splenocyte immunity. Male Wistar rats were subjected to cecal punctures and were intravenously given total parenteral nutrition solutions with or without arginine and/or L-NAME supplementations for 7 days. Non-surgical and sham-operated rats with no cecal puncture were given a chow diet and parenteral nutrition, respectively. Parenteral feeding elevated the white blood cell numbers and subacute peritonitis augmented the parenteral nutrition-induced alterations in the loss of body weight gain, splenomegaly, and splenocyte decreases. Parenteral arginine significantly increased the B-leukocyte level, decreased the natural killer T (NKT)-leukocyte and splenocyte levels, alleviated the loss in body weight gain and total and cytotoxic T-splenocyte levels, and attenuated the increases in plasma nitrate/nitrite and interferon-gamma production by T-splenocytes. L-NAME infusion significantly decreased NKT-leukocyte level, tumor-necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production by T-splenocytes and macrophages, and interferon-gamma production by T-leukocytes, monocytes, and T-splenocytes, as well as increased interleukin-6 production by T-leukocytes and monocytes and nitrate/nitrite production by T-leukocytes. Combined treatment significantly decreased plasma nitrate/nitrite, the NKT-leukocyte level, and TNF-alpha production by T-splenocytes. Parenteral arginine may attenuate immune impairment and L-NAME infusion may augment leukocyte proinflammatory response, eliminate splenocyte proinflammatory and T-helper 1 responses, and diminish arginine-induced immunomodulation in combined treatment in subacute peritonitic rats. PMID:27007815

  13. Fatty acid methyl ester from Neurospora intermedia N-1 isolated from Indonesian red peanut cake (oncom merah).

    PubMed

    Priatni, S; Hartati, S; Dewi, P; Kardono, L B S; Singgih, M; Gusdinar, T

    2010-08-01

    The objective of this study was to identify the Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) from Neurospora intermedia N-1 that isolated from Indonesian red peanut cake (oncom). FAME profiles have been used as biochemical characters to study many different groups of organisms, such as bacteria and yeasts. FAME from N. intermedia N-1 was obtained by some stages of extraction the orange spores and fractination using a chromatotron. The pure compound (1) was characterized by 500 mHz NMR (1H and 13C), FTIR and LC-MS. Summarized data's of 1H and 13C NMR spectra of compound 1 contained 19 Carbon, 34 Hydrogen and 2 Oxygen (C19H34O2). The position of the double bonds at carbon number 8 and 12 were indicated in the HMBC spectrum (2D-NMR). LC-MS spectrum indicates molecular weight of the compound 1 as 294 which is visible by the presence of protonated molecular ion [M+H] at m/z 295. Methyl esters of long chain fatty acids was presented by a 3 band pattern of IR spectrum with bands near 1249, 1199 and 1172 cm(-1). We suggested that the structure of the pure compound 1 is methyl octadeca-8,12-dienoate. The presence methyl octadeca-8,12-dienoate in N. intermedia is the first report.

  14. Sonodynamic action of pyropheophorbide-a methyl ester in liver cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Xu, Jing; Xia, Xinshu; Wang, Xinna; Xu, Chuanshan; Wang, Ping; Xiang, Junyan; Jiang, Yuan; Leung, Albert Wingnang

    2010-07-01

    This study aimed to investigate the sonodynamic action of pyropheophorbide-a methyl ester (MPPa) in liver cancer cells to explore a novel therapeutic modality. H22 cells were chosen as model cells to investigate the sonodynamic action of MPPa on liver cancer. The MPPa concentration was kept constant at 2 micromol/L, and the cells were subjected to ultrasound exposure at an intensity of 0.97 W/cm(2). Cytotoxicity was investigated 24 hours after ultrasound exposure. Apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodine staining and nuclear staining with Hoechst 33258. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed using flow cytometry with 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining. No significant dark cytotoxicity of MPPa was shown in the H22 cells at the concentration of 2 micromol/L. The cell death rate induced by ultrasound treatment was significantly higher in the presence of MPPa than in the absence of it (P < .05). Flow cytometry showed that the sonodynamic action of MPPa significantly increased the early and late apoptotic rates of the H22 cells. Nuclear condensation and an ROS increase were found after sonodynamic treatment. Our findings showed that MPPa-mediated sonodynamic action significantly enhanced death of H22 cells and the ROS level, suggesting that MPPa is a novel sonosensitizer and the sonodynamic action of MPPa might be a potential therapeutic modality in the management of liver cancer.

  15. Potential grape-derived contributions to volatile ester concentrations in wine.

    PubMed

    Boss, Paul K; Pearce, Anthony D; Zhao, Yanjia; Nicholson, Emily L; Dennis, Eric G; Jeffery, David W

    2015-04-29

    Grape composition affects wine flavour and aroma not only through varietal compounds, but also by influencing the production of volatile compounds by yeast. C9 and C12 compounds that potentially influence ethyl ester synthesis during fermentation were studied using a model grape juice medium. It was shown that the addition of free fatty acids, their methyl esters or acyl-carnitine and acyl-amino acid conjugates can increase ethyl ester production in fermentations. The stimulation of ethyl ester production above that of the control was apparent when lower concentrations of the C9 compounds were added to the model musts compared to the C12 compounds. Four amino acids, which are involved in CoA biosynthesis, were also added to model grape juice medium in the absence of pantothenate to test their ability to influence ethyl and acetate ester production. β-Alanine was the only one shown to increase the production of ethyl esters, free fatty acids and acetate esters. The addition of 1 mg∙L(-1) β-alanine was enough to stimulate production of these compounds and addition of up to 100 mg∙L(-1) β-alanine had no greater effect. The endogenous concentrations of β-alanine in fifty Cabernet Sauvignon grape samples exceeded the 1 mg∙L(-1) required for the stimulatory effect on ethyl and acetate ester production observed in this study.

  16. Efficient and Scalable Synthesis of 4-Carboxy-Pennsylvania Green Methyl Ester: A Hydrophobic Building Block for Fluorescent Molecular Probes.

    PubMed

    Woydziak, Zachary R; Fu, Liqiang; Peterson, Blake R

    2014-01-01

    Fluorinated fluorophores are valuable tools for studies of biological systems. However, amine-reactive single-isomer derivatives of these compounds are often very expensive. To provide an inexpensive alternative, we report a practical synthesis of 4-carboxy-Pennsylvania Green methyl ester. Derivatives of this hydrophobic fluorinated fluorophore, a hybrid of the dyes Oregon Green and Tokyo Green, are often cell permeable, enabling labeling of intracellular targets and components. Moreover, the low pKa of Pennsylvania Green (4.8) confers bright fluorescence in acidic cellular compartments such as endosomes, enhancing its utility for chemical biology investigations. To improve access to the key intermediate 2,7-difluoro-3,6-dihydroxyxanthen-9-one, we subjected bis-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)methanone to iterative nucleophilic aromatic substitution by hydroxide on scales of > 40 g. This intermediate was used to prepare over 15 grams of pure 4-carboxy-Pennsylvania Green methyl ester in 28% overall yield without requiring chromatography. This compound can be converted into the amine reactive N -hydroxysuccinimidyl ester in essentially quantitative yield for the synthesis of a wide variety of fluorescent molecular probes.

  17. Molecular Characterization of a Recombinant Zea mays Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase (ZmPAL2) and Its Application in trans-Cinnamic Acid Production from L-Phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Zang, Ying; Jiang, Ting; Cong, Ying; Zheng, Zhaojuan; Ouyang, Jia

    2015-06-01

    Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) is one of the most extensively studied enzymes with its crucial role in secondary phenylpropanoid metabolism of plants. Recently, its demand has been increased for aromatic chemical production, but its applications in trans-cinnamic acid production were not much explored. In the present study, a putative PAL gene from Zea mays designated as ZmPAL2 was expressed and characterized in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant ZmPAL2 exhibited a high PAL activity (7.14 U/mg) and a weak tyrosine ammonia-lyase activity. The optimal temperature of ZmPAL2 was 55 °C, and the thermal stability results showed that about 50 % of enzyme activity remained after a treatment at 60 °C for 6 h. The recombinant ZmPAL2 is a good candidate for the production of trans-cinnamic acid. The vitro conversion indicated that the recombinant ZmPAL2 could effectively catalyze the L-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamic acid, and the trans-cinnamic acid concentration can reach up to 5 g/l.

  18. Photodynamic activity of pyropheophorbide methyl ester and pyropheophorbide a in dimethylformamide solution.

    PubMed

    Al-Omari, Saleh; Ali, Ahmad

    2009-03-01

    Comparative spectroscopic study including the photosensitizers of pyropheophorbide methyl ester (PPME) and pyropheophorbide a (PPa) was performed to study their photodynamic activity. The investigated photosensitizers in a homogeneous system of dimethylformamide (DMF) are not photostable upon irradiation. The photobleaching efficiency of PPa is higher than that of PPME. Combining these results with the data obtained by measuring the singlet oxygen quantum yield and the hydroxyl group generation, it was revealed that the photobleaching efficiency could be correlated with the singlet oxygen quantum yield and the hydroxyl group production of the photosensitizer.

  19. Bacillus sp. PS35 Lipase-Immobilization on Styrene-Divinyl Benzene Resin and Application in Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Synthesis.

    PubMed

    Palanisamy, Kanmani; Kuppamuthu, Kumaresan; Jeyaseelan, Aravind

    2015-09-01

    Lipase is an enzyme with immense application potential. Ester synthesis by lipase catalysis in organic media is an area of key industrial relevance. Enzymatic preparations with traits that cater to the needs of this function are hence being intensely researched. The objectives of the study were to immobilize the lipase from Bacillus sp. PS35 by cross-linking and adsorption onto styrene-divinyl benzene (Sty-Dvb) hydrophobic resin and to comparatively characterize the free and immobilized lipase preparations. The work also aimed to apply the immobilized lipase for catalysing the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) synthesis from palm oil and optimize the process parameters for maximizing the yield. In this study, the purified lipase from Bacillus sp. PS35 was immobilized by adsorption onto styrene-divinyl benzene hydrophobic resin with gluteraldehyde cross-linking. The immobilized enzyme showed better pH and temperature stabilities than the free lipase. Organic solvent stability was also enhanced, with the relative activity in the presence of methanol being shifted from 53% to 81%, thereby facilitating the enzyme's application in fatty acid methyl ester synthesis. It exhibited remarkable storage stability over a 30-day period and after 20 repetitive uses. Cross-linking also reduced enzyme leakage by 49%. The immobilized lipase was then applied for biodiesel production from palm oil. Methanol and oil molar ratio of 5:1, three step methanol additions, and an incubation temperature of 50°C were established to be the ideal conditions favoring the transesterification reaction, resulting in 97% methyl ester yield. These promising results offer scope for further investigation and process scale up, permitting the enzyme's commercial application in a practically feasible and economically agreeable manner.

  20. Interactions in L-phenylalanine/L-leucine/L-glutamic Acid/L-proline + 2 M aqueous NaCl/2 M NaNO3 systems at different temperatures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Riyazuddeen, Imran Khan; Afrin, Sadaf

    2012-12-01

    Density (ρ) and speed of sound ( u) in 2 M aqueous NaCl and 2 M NaNO3 solutions of amino acids: L-phenylalanine, L-leucine, L-glutamic acid, and L-proline have been measured for several molal concentrations of amino acids at different temperatures. The ρ and u data have been used to calculate the values of isothermal compressibility and internal pressure at different temperatures. The trends of variations of κ T and P i with an increase in molal concentration of amino acid and temperature have been discussed in terms of solute-solvent and solute-solute interactions in the systems.

  1. Antibacterial and antifungal efficacy of fatty acid methyl esters from the leaves of Sesuvium portulacastrum L.

    PubMed

    Chandrasekaran, M; Senthilkumar, A; Venkatesalu, V

    2011-07-01

    The fatty acid methyl esters (FAME extract) from Sesuvium (S.) portulacastrum was studied for its fatty acid composition and antimicrobial activity against human pathogenic microorganisms. The gas chromatographic analysis of FAME extract revealed the presence of palmitic acid with the highest relative percentage (31.18%), followed by oleic acid (21.15%), linolenic acid (14.18%) linoleic acid (10.63%), myristic acid (6.91%) and behenic acid (2.42%). The saturated fatty acids were higher than the unsaturated fatty acids. FAME extract showed the highest antibacterial and anticandidal activities and moderate antifungal activity against the tested microorganisms. The highest mean zone of inhibition (16.3 mm) and the lowest MIC (0.25 mg/ml) and MBC (0.5 mg/ml) values were recorded against Bacillus subtilis. The lowest mean zone of inhibition (8.8 mm) and the highest MIC (8 mg/ml) and MFC (16 mg/ml) values were recorded against Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger. The results of the present study justify the use of S. portulacastrum in traditional medicine and the FAME extract can be used as a potential antimicrobial agent against the tested human pathogenic microorganisms.

  2. L-leucine, L-methionine, and L-phenylalanine share a Na(+)/K (+)-dependent amino acid transporter in shrimp hepatopancreas.

    PubMed

    Duka, Ada; Ahearn, Gregory A

    2013-08-01

    Hepatopancreatic brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV), made from Atlantic White shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus), were used to characterize the transport properties of (3)H-L-leucine influx by these membrane systems and how other essential amino acids and the cations, sodium and potassium, interact with this transport system. (3)H-L-leucine uptake by BBMV was pH-sensitive and occurred against transient transmembrane concentration gradients in both Na(+)- and K(+)-containing incubation media, suggesting that either cation was capable of providing a driving force for amino acid accumulation. (3)H-L-leucine uptake in NaCl or KCl media were each three times greater in acidic pH (pH 5.5) than in alkaline pH (pH 8.5). The essential amino acid, L-methionine, at 20 mM significantly (p < 0.0001) inhibited the 2-min uptakes of 1 mM (3)H-L-leucine in both Na(+)- and K(+)-containing incubation media. The residual (3)H-L-leucine uptake in the two media were significantly greater than zero (p < 0.001), but not significantly different from each other (p > 0.05) and may represent an L-methionine- and cation-independent transport system. (3)H-L-leucine influxes in both NaCl and KCl incubation media were hyperbolic functions of [L-leucine], following the carrier-mediated Michaelis-Menten equation. In NaCl, (3)H-L-leucine influx displayed a low apparent K M (high affinity) and low apparent J max, while in KCl the transport exhibited a high apparent K M (low affinity) and high apparent J max. L-methionine or L-phenylalanine (7 and 20 mM) were competitive inhibitors of (3)H-L-leucine influxes in both NaCl and KCl media, producing a significant (p < 0.01) increase in (3)H-L-leucine influx K M, but no significant response in (3)H-L-leucine influx J max. Potassium was a competitive inhibitor of sodium co-transport with (3)H-L-leucine, significantly (p < 0.01) increasing (3)H-L-leucine influx K M in the presence of sodium, but having negligible effect on (3)H-L-leucine influx J

  3. Hydrogen bonding pattern in N-benzoyl(- DL-)- L-phenylalanines as revealed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Potrzebowski, M. J.; Schneider, C.; Tekely, P.

    1999-11-01

    The nature of the hydrogen bonding pattern has been investigated in N-benzoyl- DL-phenylalanine ( 1) and N-benzoyl- L-phenylalanine ( 2) polymorphes by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. It has been shown that the multiple resonances of carboxyl carbon in 2 are directly connected to different types of hydrogen bonding. The differences in intermolecular distances of carboxyl groups involved in different types of hydrogen bonding have been visualized by the 2D exchange and 1D ODESSA experiments. Potential applications of such a new approach include the exploration of intermolecular distances in hydrogen bonded compounds with singly labeled biomolecules.

  4. Chiral ligand-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography with copper (II)-L-phenylalanine complexes for separation of 3,4-dimethoxy-α-methylphenylalanine racemes.

    PubMed

    Jia, Dong-Xu; Ai, Zheng-Gui; Xue, Ya-Ping; Zheng, Yu-Guo

    2014-11-01

    L-3, 4-dimethoxy-α-methylphenylalanine (L-DMMD) is an important intermediate for the synthesis of 3-hydroxy-α-methyl-L-tyrosine (L-methyldopa). This paper describes an efficient, accurate, and low-priced method of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using chiral mobile phase and conventional C18 column to separate L-DMMD from its enantiomers. The effects of ligands, copper salts, organic modifiers, pHs of mobile phase, and temperatures on the retention factors (k') and selectivity (α) were evaluated to achieve optimal separation performance. Then, thermal analysis of the optimal separation conditions was investigated as well. It was confirmed that the optimal mobile phase was composed of 20 % (v/v) methanol, 8 mM L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), and 4 mM cupric sulfate in water of pH 3.2, and the column temperature was set at 20 °C. Baseline separation of two enantiomers could be obtained through the conventional C18 column with a resolution (R) of 3.18 in less than 18 min. Thermodynamic data (∆∆H and ∆∆S) obtained by Van't Hoff plots revealed the chiral separation was an enthalpy-controlled process. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the enantioseparation of DMMD by chiral ligand-exchange HPLC.

  5. Efficacy of 3,5-dibromo-L-phenylalanine in rat models of stroke, seizures and sensorimotor gating deficit.

    PubMed

    Cao, W; Shah, H P; Glushakov, A V; Mecca, A P; Shi, P; Sumners, C; Seubert, C N; Martynyuk, A E

    2009-12-01

    Abnormal glutamatergic activity is implicated in neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders. Selective glutamate receptor antagonists were highly effective in animal models of stroke and seizures but failed in further clinical development because of serious side effects, including an almost complete set of symptoms of schizophrenia. Therefore, the novel polyvalent glutamatergic agent 3,5-dibromo-L-phenylalanine (3,5-DBr-L-Phe) was studied in rat models of stroke, seizures and sensorimotor gating deficit. 3,5-DBr-L-Phe was administered intraperitoneally as three boluses after intracerebral injection of endothelin-1 (ET-1) adjacent to the middle cerebral artery to cause brain injury (a model of stroke). 3,5-DBr-L-Phe was also given as a single bolus prior to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) injection to induce seizures or prior to the administration of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801) to cause disruption of prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle (sensorimotor gating deficit). Brain damage caused by ET-1 was reduced by 52%, which is comparable with the effects of MK-801 in this model as reported by others. 3,5-DBr-L-Phe significantly reduced seizures induced by PTZ without the significant effects on arterial blood pressure and heart rate normally caused by NMDA antagonists. 3,5-DBr-L-Phe prevented the disruption of PPI measured 3 days after the administration of ET-1. 3,5-DBr-L-Phe also eliminated sensorimotor gating deficit caused by MK-801. The pharmacological profile of 3,5-DBr-L-Phe might be beneficial not only for developing a therapy for the neurological and cognitive symptoms of stroke and seizures but also for some neuropsychiatric disorders.

  6. Characterization of Feruloyl Esterases Produced by the Four Lactobacillus Species: L. amylovorus, L. acidophilus, L. farciminis and L. fermentum, Isolated from Ensiled Corn Stover.

    PubMed

    Xu, Zhenshang; He, Huiying; Zhang, Susu; Guo, Tingting; Kong, Jian

    2017-01-01

    Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play important roles in silage fermentation, which depends on the production of sufficient organic acids to inhibit the growth of undesirable microorganisms. However, LAB are not able to degrade cellulose and hemicellulose. Bacteria and fibrolytic enzymes are usually used as inoculants to improve the silage quality and digestibility. In the present study, we isolated four Lactobacillus strains ( L. amylovorus CGMCC 11056, L. acidophilus CCTCC AB2010208, L. farciminis CCTCC AB2016237 and L. fermentum CCTCC AB2010204) with feruloyl esterase (FAE) activities from ensiled corn stover (CS) by a plate screening assay. The genes encoding FAEs were cloned and hetero-expressed in Escherichia coli . The optimal temperature and pH of these purified enzymes ranged from 45 to 50°C and from 7.0 to 8.0, respectively. They could hydrolyze hydroxycinnamoyl esters in a substrate-specific manner when methyl ferulate, methyl caffeate, methyl ρ-coumarate and methyl sinapinate were used as substrates. Moreover, these four FAEs were able to hydrolyze CS to release hydroxycinnamic acids. Furthermore, these strains could degrade hydroxycinnamic esters, and L. amylovorus CGMCC 11056 was the most efficient strain among these four isolates. These results provided a new target for the development of inoculants to improve silage quality and digestibility.

  7. Characterization of Feruloyl Esterases Produced by the Four Lactobacillus Species: L. amylovorus, L. acidophilus, L. farciminis and L. fermentum, Isolated from Ensiled Corn Stover

    PubMed Central

    Xu, Zhenshang; He, Huiying; Zhang, Susu; Guo, Tingting; Kong, Jian

    2017-01-01

    Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play important roles in silage fermentation, which depends on the production of sufficient organic acids to inhibit the growth of undesirable microorganisms. However, LAB are not able to degrade cellulose and hemicellulose. Bacteria and fibrolytic enzymes are usually used as inoculants to improve the silage quality and digestibility. In the present study, we isolated four Lactobacillus strains (L. amylovorus CGMCC 11056, L. acidophilus CCTCC AB2010208, L. farciminis CCTCC AB2016237 and L. fermentum CCTCC AB2010204) with feruloyl esterase (FAE) activities from ensiled corn stover (CS) by a plate screening assay. The genes encoding FAEs were cloned and hetero-expressed in Escherichia coli. The optimal temperature and pH of these purified enzymes ranged from 45 to 50°C and from 7.0 to 8.0, respectively. They could hydrolyze hydroxycinnamoyl esters in a substrate-specific manner when methyl ferulate, methyl caffeate, methyl ρ-coumarate and methyl sinapinate were used as substrates. Moreover, these four FAEs were able to hydrolyze CS to release hydroxycinnamic acids. Furthermore, these strains could degrade hydroxycinnamic esters, and L. amylovorus CGMCC 11056 was the most efficient strain among these four isolates. These results provided a new target for the development of inoculants to improve silage quality and digestibility. PMID:28626449

  8. Distinct metabolites for photoreactive L-phenylalanine derivatives in Klebsiella sp. CK6 isolated from rhizosphere of a wild dipterocarp sapling.

    PubMed

    Wang, Lei; Hisano, Wataru; Murai, Yuta; Sakurai, Munenori; Muto, Yasuyuki; Ikemoto, Haruka; Okamoto, Masashi; Murotani, Takashi; Isoda, Reika; Kim, Dongyeop; Sakihama, Yasuko; Sitepu, Irnayuli R; Hashidoko, Yasuyuki; Hatanaka, Yasumaru; Hashimoto, Makoto

    2013-07-16

    Photoaffinity labeling is a reliable analytical method for biological functional analysis. Three major photophores--aryl azide, benzophenone and trifluoromethyldiazirine--are utilized in analysis. Photophore-bearing L-phenylalanine derivatives, which are used for biological functional analysis, were inoculated into a Klebsiella sp. isolated from the rhizosphere of a wild dipterocarp sapling in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, under nitrogen-limiting conditions. The proportions of metabolites were quite distinct for each photophore. These results indicated that photophores affected substrate recognition in rhizobacterial metabolic pathways, and differential photoaffinity labeling could be achieved using different photophore-containing L-phenylalanine derivatives.

  9. Microbial L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Purification, subunit structure and kinetic properties of the enzyme from Rhizoctonia solani.

    PubMed Central

    Kalghatgi, K K; Subba Rao, P V

    1975-01-01

    1. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) was purified to homogeneity from the acetone-dried powders of the mycelial felts of the plant pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani. 2. A useful modification in protamine sulphate treatment to get substantial purification of the enzyme in a single-step is described. 3. The purified enzyme shows bisubstrate activity towards L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine. 4. It is sensitive to carbonyl reagents and the inhibition is not reversed by gel filtration. 5. The molecular weight of the enzyme as determined by Sephadex G-200 chromatography and sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation is around 330000. 6. The enzyme is made up of two pairs of unidentical subunits, with a molecular weight of 70000 (alpha) and 90000 (beta) respectively. 7. Studies on initial velocity versus substrate concentration have shown significant deviations from Michaelis-Menten kinetics. 8. The double-reciprocal plots are biphasic (concave downwards) and Hofstee plots show a curvilinear pattern. 9. The apparent Km value increases from 0.18 mM to as high as 5.0 mM with the increase in the concentration of the substrate and during this process the Vmax, increases by 2-2.5-fold. 10. The value of Hill coefficient is 0.5. 11. Steady-state rates of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase reaction in the presence of inhibitors like D-phenylalanine, cinnamic, p-coumaric, caffeic, dihydrocaffeic and phenylpyruvic acid have shown that only one molecule of each type of inhibitor binds to a molecule of the enzyme. These observations suggest the involvement of negative homotropic interactions in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. 12. The enzyme could not be desensitized by treatment with HgCl2, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid or by repeated freezing and thawing. PMID:1191266

  10. 40 CFR 721.1725 - Benzoic acid, 3,3′-methyl-enebis [6 amino-, di-2-propenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.1725 Benzoic acid, 3,3′-methyl-enebis [6 amino-, di-2-propenyl ester. (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The...

  11. 40 CFR 721.1725 - Benzoic acid, 3,3′-methyl-enebis [6 amino-, di-2-propenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.1725 Benzoic acid, 3,3′-methyl-enebis [6 amino-, di-2-propenyl ester. (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The...

  12. 40 CFR 721.1725 - Benzoic acid, 3,3′-methyl-enebis [6 amino-, di-2-propenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.1725 Benzoic acid, 3,3′-methyl-enebis [6 amino-, di-2-propenyl ester. (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The...

  13. Structural characterization of saturated branched chain fatty acid methyl esters by collisional dissociation of molecular ions generated by electron ionization.

    PubMed

    Ran-Ressler, Rinat R; Lawrence, Peter; Brenna, J Thomas

    2012-01-01

    Saturated branched chain fatty acids (BCFA) are present as complex mixtures in numerous biological samples. The traditional method for structure elucidation, electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometry, sometimes does not unambiguously enable assignment of branching in isomeric BCFA. Zirrolli and Murphy (Zirrolli , J. A. , and R. A. Murphy. 1993. Low-energy tandem mass spectrometry of the molecular ion derived from fatty acid methyl esters: a novel method for analysis of branched-chain fatty acids. J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 4: 223-229.) showed that the molecular ions of four BCFA methyl ester (BCFAME) yield highly characteristic fragments upon collisional dissociation using a triple quadrupole instrument. Here, we confirm and extend these results by analysis using a tabletop 3-D ion trap for activated molecular ion EI-MS/MS to 30 BCFAME. iso-BCFAME produces a prominent ion (30-100% of base peak) for [M-43] (M-C₃H₇), corresponding to the terminal isopropyl moiety in the original iso-BCFAME. Anteiso-FAME yield prominent ions (20-100% of base peak) corresponding to losses on both side of the methyl branch, [M-29] and [M-57], and tend to produce more prominent m/z 115 peaks corresponding to a cyclization product around the ester. Dimethyl and tetramethyl FAME, with branches separated by at least one methylene group, yield fragment on both sides of the sites of methyl branches that are more than 6 C away from the carboxyl carbon. EI-MS/MS yields uniquely specific ions that enable highly confident structural identification and quantification of BCFAME.

  14. Sensitive, Site-Specific, and Stable Vibrational Probe of Local Protein Environments: 4-Azidomethyl-L-Phenylalanine

    PubMed Central

    Bazewicz, Christopher G.; Liskov, Melanie T.; Hines, Kevin J.; Brewer, Scott H.

    2013-01-01

    We have synthesized the unnatural amino acid (UAA), 4-azidomethyl-Lphenylalanine (pN3CH2Phe), to serve as an effective vibrational reporter of local protein environments. The position, extinction coefficient, and sensitivity to local environment of the azide asymmetric stretch vibration of pN3CH2Phe are compared to the vibrational reporters: 4-cyano-L-phenylalanine (pCNPhe) and 4-azido-L-phenylalanine (pN3Phe). This UAA was genetically incorporated in a site-specific manner utilizing an engineered, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase in response to an amber codon with high efficiency and fidelity into two distinct sites in superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP). This allowed for the dependence of the azide asymmetric stretch vibration of pN3CH2Phe to different protein environments to be measured. The photo-stability of pN3CH2Phe was also measured relative to the photoreactive UAA, pN3Phe. PMID:23865850

  15. Effects of Alumina Nano Metal Oxide Blended Palm Stearin Methyl Ester Bio-Diesel on Direct Injection Diesel Engine Performance and Emissions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Krishna, K.; Kumar, B. Sudheer Prem; Reddy, K. Vijaya Kumar; Charan Kumar, S.; Kumar, K. Ravi

    2017-08-01

    The Present Investigation was carried out to study the effect of Alumina Metal Oxide (Al2O3) Nano Particles as additive for Palm Stearin Methyl Ester Biodiesel (B 100) and their blends as an alternate fuel in four stroke single cylinder water cooled, direct injection diesel engine. Alumina Nano Particles has high calorific value and relatively high thermal conductivity (30-1 W m K-1) compare to diesel, which helps to promote more combustion in engines due to their higher thermal efficiency. In the experimentation Al2O3 were doped in various proportions with the Palm Stearin Methyl Ester Biodiesel (B-100) using an ultrasonicator and a homogenizer with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as the cationic surfactant. The test were performed on a Kirsloskar DI diesel engine at constant speed of 1500 rpm using different Nano Biodiesel Fuel blends (psme+50 ppm, psme+150 ppm, and psme+200 ppm) and results were compared with those of neat conventional diesel and Palm Stearin Methyl Ester Bio diesel. It was observed that for Nano Biodiesel Fuel blend (psme+50ppm) there is an significant reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions and Nox emissions compared to diesel and the brake thermal efficiency for (psme+50ppm) was almost same as diesel.

  16. Bacillus sp. PS35 Lipase-Immobilization on Styrene-Divinyl Benzene Resin and Application in Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Synthesis

    PubMed Central

    Palanisamy, Kanmani; Kuppamuthu, Kumaresan; Jeyaseelan, Aravind

    2015-01-01

    Background Lipase is an enzyme with immense application potential. Ester synthesis by lipase catalysis in organic media is an area of key industrial relevance. Enzymatic preparations with traits that cater to the needs of this function are hence being intensely researched. Objective The objectives of the study were to immobilize the lipase from Bacillus sp. PS35 by cross-linking and adsorption onto styrene-divinyl benzene (Sty-Dvb) hydrophobic resin and to comparatively characterize the free and immobilized lipase preparations. The work also aimed to apply the immobilized lipase for catalysing the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) synthesis from palm oil and optimize the process parameters for maximizing the yield. Materials and Methods In this study, the purified lipase from Bacillus sp. PS35 was immobilized by adsorption onto styrene-divinyl benzene hydrophobic resin with gluteraldehyde cross-linking. Results The immobilized enzyme showed better pH and temperature stabilities than the free lipase. Organic solvent stability was also enhanced, with the relative activity in the presence of methanol being shifted from 53% to 81%, thereby facilitating the enzyme’s application in fatty acid methyl ester synthesis. It exhibited remarkable storage stability over a 30-day period and after 20 repetitive uses. Cross-linking also reduced enzyme leakage by 49%. The immobilized lipase was then applied for biodiesel production from palm oil. Methanol and oil molar ratio of 5:1, three step methanol additions, and an incubation temperature of 50°C were established to be the ideal conditions favoring the transesterification reaction, resulting in 97% methyl ester yield. Conclusions These promising results offer scope for further investigation and process scale up, permitting the enzyme’s commercial application in a practically feasible and economically agreeable manner. PMID:28959298

  17. Two-Step Production of Phenylpyruvic Acid from L-Phenylalanine by Growing and Resting Cells of Engineered Escherichia coli: Process Optimization and Kinetics Modeling.

    PubMed

    Hou, Ying; Hossain, Gazi Sakir; Li, Jianghua; Shin, Hyun-Dong; Liu, Long; Du, Guocheng; Chen, Jian

    2016-01-01

    Phenylpyruvic acid (PPA) is widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. Here, a two-step bioconversion process, involving growing and resting cells, was established to produce PPA from l-phenylalanine using the engineered Escherichia coli constructed previously. First, the biotransformation conditions for growing cells were optimized (l-phenylalanine concentration 20.0 g·L-1, temperature 35°C) and a two-stage temperature control strategy (keep 20°C for 12 h and increase the temperature to 35°C until the end of biotransformation) was performed. The biotransformation conditions for resting cells were then optimized in 3-L bioreactor and the optimized conditions were as follows: agitation speed 500 rpm, aeration rate 1.5 vvm, and l-phenylalanine concentration 30 g·L-1. The total maximal production (mass conversion rate) reached 29.8 ± 2.1 g·L-1 (99.3%) and 75.1 ± 2.5 g·L-1 (93.9%) in the flask and 3-L bioreactor, respectively. Finally, a kinetic model was established, and it was revealed that the substrate and product inhibition were the main limiting factors for resting cell biotransformation.

  18. Hydrolysis of Synthetic Esters by the Antibacterial Agent in Serum

    PubMed Central

    Yotis, William W.

    1966-01-01

    Yotis, William W. (Loyola University, Chicago, Ill.). Hydrolysis of synthetic esters by the antibacterial agent in serum. J. Bacteriol. 91:488–493. 1966.—An antistaphylococcal serum agent was assayed colorimetrically, manometrically, and titrimetrically for esterase activity. p-Nitrophenol acetate, triacetin, l-lysine methyl and ethyl ester, and norleucine methyl ester were hydrolyzed by the antistaphylococcal agent. Acetylcholine and benzoylcholine esters, triolein, tristearin, and p-tosylarginine methyl ester were not attacked by this agent. With p-nitrophenol acetate as substrate, optimal activity occurred at pH 7.4. Incubation at 60 C for 30 min reduced drastically the esterase activity of the antistaphylococcal agent, and incubation at 75 C for 30 min abolished the esterase activity of this agent. Almost complete inhibition of esterase activity was observed with 0.001 m HgCl2, ZnSO4, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). EDTA inhibition could be reversed by the addition of CaCl2, but not MgCl2. Cysteine reversed the inhibition of HgCl2. NaF, atoxyl, diisopropyl fluorophosphate, quinine, and physostigmine did not influence the esterase activity of the antibacterial agent. The demonstration of esterase activity of both the antistaphylococcal agent and coagulase may shed further light on the reported ability of coagulase to neutralize the antistaphylococcal activity of this agent, or the prevention of absorption of the agent on the staphylococcal cell surface. In addition, the colorimetric procedure described in this report may be a convenient tool in assaying the potency of the antistaphylococcal agent. Images PMID:4956776

  19. Methyl ester of [Maclura pomifera (Rafin.) Schneider] seed oil: biodiesel production and characterization.

    PubMed

    Saloua, Fatnassi; Saber, Chatti; Hedi, Zarrouk

    2010-05-01

    Oil extracted from seeds of Maclura pomifera fruits grown in Tunisia was investigated as an alternative feedstock for the production of biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel was prepared by transesterification of the crude oil with methanol in the presence of NaOH as catalyst. Maximum oil to ester conversion was 90%. The viscosity of the biodiesel oil (4.66 cSt) is similar to that of petroleum diesel (2.5-3.5 cSt). The density (0.889 g/cm(3)), kinematic viscosity (4.66 cSt), flash point (180 degrees Celsius), iodine number (125 degrees Celsius), neutralization number (0.4), pour point (-9 degrees Celsius), cloud point (-5 degrees Celsius), cetane number (48) are very similar to the values set forth by the ASTM and EN biodiesel standards for petroleum diesel (No. 2). The comparison shows that the methyl esters of M. pomifera oil could be possible diesel fuel replacements. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Quantitative profiling of 4'-geranyloxyferulic acid and its conjugate with l-nitroarginine methyl ester in mononuclear cells by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

    PubMed

    Taddeo, Vito Alessandro; Genovese, Salvatore; Carlucci, Giuseppe; Ferrone, Vincenzo; Patruno, Antonia; Ferrone, Alessio; de Medina, Philippe; Fiorito, Serena; Epifano, Francesco

    2017-01-30

    Oxyprenylated natural products were shown to exert in vitro and in vivo remarkable anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. This paper describes a rapid, selective, and sensitive HPLC method with fluorescence detection for determination of 4'-geranyloxyferulic acid (GOFA) and its conjugate with l-nitroarginine methyl ester (GOFA-L-NAME) in mononuclear cells. Analytes were extracted from cells using methanol and eluted on a GraceSmart RP 18 analytical column (250×4.6mm i.d., 5μm particle size) kept at 25°C. A mixture of formic acid 1% in water (A) and methanol (B) were used as mobile phase, at a flow-rate of 1.2mL/min in gradient elution. A fluorescence detector (excitation/emission wavelength of 319/398nm for GOFA and GOFA-L-NAME), was used for the two analytes. Calibration curves of GOFA and GOFA-L-NAME were linear over the concentration range of 1.0-50μg/mL, with correlation coefficients (r 2 )≥0.9995. Intra- and inter-assay precision do not exceed 6.8%. The accuracy was from 94% to 105% for quality control samples (2.0, 25.0 and 40μg/mL). The mean (RSD%) extraction recoveries (n=5) for GOFA and GOFA-L-NAME from spiked cells at 2.0, 25.0 and 40.0μg/mL were 92.4±1.5%, 94.7±0.9% and 93.8±1.1%, for GOFA and 95.3±1.2%, 94.8±1.0% and 93.9±1.3%, for GOFA-L-NAME. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.3μg/mL and 1.0μg/mL for GOFA and GOFA-L-NAME. This method was successfully applied to measure GOFA and GOFA-L-NAME concentrations in a mononuclear cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Physical and chemical properties of pyropheophorbide-a methyl ester in ethanol, phosphate buffer and aqueous dispersion of small unilamellar dimyristoyl-L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine vesicles.

    PubMed

    Delanaye, Lisiane; Bahri, Mohamed Ali; Tfibel, Francis; Fontaine-Aupart, Marie-Pierre; Mouithys-Mickalad, Ange; Heine, Bélinda; Piette, Jacques; Hoebeke, Maryse

    2006-03-01

    The aggregation process of pyropheophorbide-a methyl ester (PPME), a second-generation photosensitizer, was investigated in various solvents. Absorption and fluorescence spectra showed that the photosensitizer was under a monomeric form in ethanol as well as in dimyristoyl-L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine liposomes while it was strongly aggregated in phosphate buffer. A quantitative determination of reactive oxygen species production by PPME in these solvents has been undertaken by electron spin resonance associated with spin trapping technique and absorption spectroscopy. In phosphate buffer, both electron spin resonance and absorption measurements led to the conclusion that singlet oxygen production was not detectable while hydroxyl radical production was very weak. In liposomes and ethanol, singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radical production increased highly; the singlet oxygen quantum yield was determined to be 0.2 in ethanol and 0.13 in liposomes. The hydroxyl radical production origin was also investigated. Singlet oxygen was formed from PPME triplet state deactivation in the presence of oxygen. Indeed, the triplet state formation quantum yield of PPME was found to be about 0.23 in ethanol, 0.15 in liposomes (too small to be measured in PBS).

  2. On the asymmetric adsorption of phenylalanine enantiomers by kaolin.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bonner, W. A.; Flores, J.

    1973-01-01

    The attempt is described to verify a recent report that kaolin adsorbs D- and L-phenylalanine enantiomers to different extents from aqueous solutions at both pH 5.8 and pH 2. No evidence whatsoever could be found for the differential adsorption of D- versus L-phenylalanine by kaolin from either pH 6 or pH 2 solutions.

  3. Structural characterization of saturated branched chain fatty acid methyl esters by collisional dissociation of molecular ions generated by electron ionization[S

    PubMed Central

    Ran-Ressler, Rinat R.; Lawrence, Peter; Brenna, J. Thomas

    2012-01-01

    Saturated branched chain fatty acids (BCFA) are present as complex mixtures in numerous biological samples. The traditional method for structure elucidation, electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometry, sometimes does not unambiguously enable assignment of branching in isomeric BCFA. Zirrolli and Murphy (Zirrolli , J. A. , and R. A. Murphy. 1993. Low-energy tandem mass spectrometry of the molecular ion derived from fatty acid methyl esters: a novel method for analysis of branched-chain fatty acids. J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 4: 223–229.) showed that the molecular ions of four BCFA methyl ester (BCFAME) yield highly characteristic fragments upon collisional dissociation using a triple quadrupole instrument. Here, we confirm and extend these results by analysis using a tabletop 3-D ion trap for activated molecular ion EI-MS/MS to 30 BCFAME. iso-BCFAME produces a prominent ion (30-100% of base peak) for [M-43] (M-C3H7), corresponding to the terminal isopropyl moiety in the original iso-BCFAME. Anteiso-FAME yield prominent ions (20-100% of base peak) corresponding to losses on both side of the methyl branch, [M-29] and [M-57], and tend to produce more prominent m/z 115 peaks corresponding to a cyclization product around the ester. Dimethyl and tetramethyl FAME, with branches separated by at least one methylene group, yield fragment on both sides of the sites of methyl branches that are more than 6 C away from the carboxyl carbon. EI-MS/MS yields uniquely specific ions that enable highly confident structural identification and quantification of BCFAME. PMID:22021637

  4. Environmental effect of antioxidant additives on exhaust emission reduction in compression ignition engine fuelled with Annona methyl ester.

    PubMed

    Senthil, R; Silambarasan, R

    2015-01-01

    The aim of the present study is to analyse the effect of antioxidant l-ascorbic acid on engine performance and emissions of a diesel engine fuelled with methyl ester of Annona oil (MEAO). The antioxidant is mixed in various concentrations (100-400 mg) with MEAO. Result shows that the antioxidant additive mixture (MEAO+LA200) is effective in control of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbon (HC) emission of MEAO-fuelled engine without doing any engine modification. In this study by using MEAO, the NOx emission is reduced by about 23.38% at full load while compared with neat diesel fuel. Likewise there is a reduction in carbon monoxide, smoke, and HC by about 48%, 28.57% and 29.71% at full load condition compared with neat diesel fuel.

  5. Efficacy of 3,5-dibromo-L-phenylalanine in rat models of stroke, seizures and sensorimotor gating deficit

    PubMed Central

    Cao, W; Shah, HP; Glushakov, AV; Mecca, AP; Shi, P; Sumners, C; Seubert, CN; Martynyuk, AE

    2009-01-01

    Background and purpose: Abnormal glutamatergic activity is implicated in neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders. Selective glutamate receptor antagonists were highly effective in animal models of stroke and seizures but failed in further clinical development because of serious side effects, including an almost complete set of symptoms of schizophrenia. Therefore, the novel polyvalent glutamatergic agent 3,5-dibromo-L-phenylalanine (3,5-DBr-L-Phe) was studied in rat models of stroke, seizures and sensorimotor gating deficit. Experimental approach: 3,5-DBr-L-Phe was administered intraperitoneally as three boluses after intracerebral injection of endothelin-1 (ET-1) adjacent to the middle cerebral artery to cause brain injury (a model of stroke). 3,5-DBr-L-Phe was also given as a single bolus prior to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) injection to induce seizures or prior to the administration of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801) to cause disruption of prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle (sensorimotor gating deficit). Key results: Brain damage caused by ET-1 was reduced by 52%, which is comparable with the effects of MK-801 in this model as reported by others. 3,5-DBr-L-Phe significantly reduced seizures induced by PTZ without the significant effects on arterial blood pressure and heart rate normally caused by NMDA antagonists. 3,5-DBr-L-Phe prevented the disruption of PPI measured 3 days after the administration of ET-1. 3,5-DBr-L-Phe also eliminated sensorimotor gating deficit caused by MK-801. Conclusion and implications: The pharmacological profile of 3,5-DBr-L-Phe might be beneficial not only for developing a therapy for the neurological and cognitive symptoms of stroke and seizures but also for some neuropsychiatric disorders. PMID:20050189

  6. Two groups of phenylalanine biosynthetic operon leader peptides genes: a high level of apparently incidental frameshifting in decoding Escherichia coli pheL

    PubMed Central

    Gurvich, Olga L.; Näsvall, S. Joakim; Baranov, Pavel V.; Björk, Glenn R.; Atkins, John F.

    2011-01-01

    The bacterial pheL gene encodes the leader peptide for the phenylalanine biosynthetic operon. Translation of pheL mRNA controls transcription attenuation and, consequently, expression of the downstream pheA gene. Fifty-three unique pheL genes have been identified in sequenced genomes of the gamma subdivision. There are two groups of pheL genes, both of which are short and contain a run(s) of phenylalanine codons at an internal position. One group is somewhat diverse and features different termination and 5′-flanking codons. The other group, mostly restricted to Enterobacteria and including Escherichia coli pheL, has a conserved nucleotide sequence that ends with UUC_CCC_UGA. When these three codons in E. coli pheL mRNA are in the ribosomal E-, P- and A-sites, there is an unusually high level, 15%, of +1 ribosomal frameshifting due to features of the nascent peptide sequence that include the penultimate phenylalanine. This level increases to 60% with a natural, heterologous, nascent peptide stimulator. Nevertheless, studies with different tRNAPro mutants in Salmonella enterica suggest that frameshifting at the end of pheL does not influence expression of the downstream pheA. This finding of incidental, rather than utilized, frameshifting is cautionary for other studies of programmed frameshifting. PMID:21177642

  7. Synthesis of CuPF6 -(S)-BINAP loaded resin and its enantioselectivity toward phenylalanine enantiomers.

    PubMed

    Liu, Xiong; Zhou, Wenqi; Xu, Longqi

    2017-09-01

    A type of resin-anchored CuPF 6 -(S)-BINAP was synthesized and identified. The PS-CuPF 6 -(S)-BINAP resin was used to adsorb the phenylalanine enantiomers. The results showed that the adsorption capacity of PS-CuPF 6 -(S)-BINAP resin toward L-phenylalanine was higher than that of resin toward D-phenylalanine. PS-CuPF 6 -(S)-BINAP resin exhibited good enantioselectivity toward L-phenylalanine and D-phenylalanine. The influence of phenylalanine concentration, pH, adsorption time, and temperature on the enantioselectivity of the resin were investigated. The results showed that the enantioselectivity of the resin increased with increasing the phenylalanine concentration, pH, and adsorption time, while it decreased with an increase in temperature. The causes for these influences are discussed. The highest enantioselectivity (α = 2.81) was obtained when the condition of phenylalanine concentration was 0.05 mmol/mL, pH was 8, adsorption time was 12 h, and temperature 5°C. The desorption test for removing D/L-phenylalanine on PS-CuPF 6 -(S)-BINAP resin was also investigated. The desorption ratios of D-phenylalanine and L-phenylalanine at pH of 1 were 95.7% and 94.3%, respectively. This result indicated that the PS-CuPF 6 -(S)-BINAP resin could be regenerated by shaking with an acidic solution. The reusability of the PS-CuPF 6 -(S)-BINAP resin was also assessed and the resin exhibited considerable reusability. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  8. Simultaneous and selective decarboxylation of L-serine and deamination of L-phenylalanine in an amino acid mixture--a means of separating amino acids for synthesizing biobased chemicals.

    PubMed

    Teng, Yinglai; Scott, Elinor L; Witte-van Dijk, Susan C M; Sanders, Johan P M

    2016-01-25

    Amino acids (AAs) obtained from the hydrolysis of biomass-derived proteins are interesting feedstocks for the chemical industry. They can be prepared from the byproduct of biofuel production and agricultural wastes. They are rich in functionalities needed in petrochemicals, providing the opportunity to save energy, reagents, and process steps. However, their separation is required before they can be applied for further applications. Electrodialysis (ED) is a promising separation method, but its efficiency needs to be improved when separating AAs with similar isoelectric points. Thus, specific conversions are required to form product with different charges. Here we studied the enzymatic conversions which can be used as a means to aid the ED separation of neutral AAs. A model mixture containing L-serine, L-phenylalanine and L-methionine was used. The reactions of L-serine decarboxylase and L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase were employed to specifically convert serine and phenylalanine into ethanolamine and trans-cinnamic acid. At the isoelectric point of methionine (pH 5.74), the charge of ethanolamine and trans-cinnamic acid are +1 and -1, therefore facilitating potential separation into three different streams by electrodialysis. Here the enzyme kinetics, specificity, inhibition and the operational stabilities were studied, showing that both enzymes can be applied simultaneously to aid the ED separation of neutral AAs. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Treatment of attention deficit disorder with DL-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Wood, D R; Reimherr, F W; Wender, P H

    1985-09-01

    Nineteen patients meeting the criteria for attention deficit disorder, residual type (adult hyperactivity), were given a 2-week double-blind crossover of DL-phenylalanine versus placebo. Thirteen subjects completed the study; the mean global rating of improvement approached significance as compared with placebo. A significant improvement was noted on mood and mood lability. The phenylalanine responders were then continued on open drug, but lost all positive benefits within 3 months. A later open trial of L-phenylalanine produced no clinical effect.

  10. Effects of aqueous leaf extract of Tridax procumbens on contractile activity of corpus cavernosum in N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertensive male rats.

    PubMed

    Salami, Shakiru Ademola; Salahdeen, Hussein Mofomosara; Ugbebor, Evangelshane Chukwudubem; Murtala, Babatunde Adekunle; Raji, Yinusa

    2018-01-01

    This study investigated the effects of aqueous leaf extract of Tridax procumbens (ALETP) on contractile activity of corpus cavernosum in N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)-induced hypertensive male rats. Twenty normal, adult male rats (130-150 g) were divided into four groups of five rats each. Group I (control) was given normal saline (0.6 mL/kg) and group II was given l-NAME (40 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. Groups III and IV also received l-NAME (40 mg/kg) for 6 weeks but were further co-treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg of ALETP, respectively, from week 4 to week 6. All treatments were given orally. Strips of corpus cavernosum from each of the four groups were exposed to increasing concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (10 -9 -10 -5 mol/L) after contraction with phenylephrine (10 -7  mol/L) to test for a dose-response effect. Response to potassium and calcium was also measured after cumulatively adding potassium and calcium (10-50 mmol/L) to potassium- and calcium-free organ chamber. Isometric contractions were recorded through an Ugo Basile data capsule acquisition system. Mean arterial blood pressure was significantly reduced in the ALETP co-treated group compared to the control and l-NAME-only groups (P < 0.05). Cavernosa strips from ALETP co-treated rats exhibited significant inhibition of contraction in response to phenylephrine, potassium chloride, and calcium chloride (P < 0.05). Relaxation in response to Ach and SNP was also significantly impaired in cavernosa strips from the l-NAME-only treated group (P < 0.05), while ALETP co-treated groups showed enhanced percentage relaxation. ALETP treatment of l-NAME-induced hypertensive rats promotes a relaxant effect on isolated cavernosa strips. ALETP shows potential in correcting erectile dysfunction in hypertension. Copyright © 2017 Shanghai Changhai Hospital. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. [Preparation of L-phenylalanine chiral ligand-exchange chromatographic stationary phase by atom transfer radical polymerization and resolution of racemates].

    PubMed

    Sun, Yang; Xu, Fei; Gong, Bolin

    2011-09-01

    A novel stationary phase was synthesized for chiral ligand-exchange chromatography via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was grafted onto the surface of the silica by ATRP using bromoisobutyryl bromide as an initiator, and the organic metal compound formed in the CuCl/2,2'-bipyridine(Bpy) system as a catalyst at room temperature. The chiral stationary phase was then synthesized by grafting L-phenylalanine on the surface of the silica. The stationary phase was characterized by means of elementary analysis and evaluated in detail to determine its separability. The amount of L-phenylalanine on the surface of silica was calculated to be 4.32 mg/m2. The results showed that the good enantioseparations of some DL-amino acids were obtained using ligand-exchange chromatography on the synthesized chiral stationary phase (50 degrees C) with 0.05 mol/L KH2PO4 and 0.1 mmol/L Cu(Ac)2 solution (pH 4.5) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and a wavelength of 223 nm. The influences of the mobile phase pH, concentration of Cu (II), and temperature of column on the resolution of DL-amino acids by ligand-exchange chromatography were investigated. The results showed that these conditions could affect the resolution of racemates. Compared with the column prepared by radical method using L-phenylalanine directly bonded onto the surface of the silica, the synthesized stationary phase showed a better separation ability, and the DL-aspartic acids and DL-asparagines could be separated at baseline.

  12. N-Acetyl-D- and L-esters of 5'-AMP hydrolyze at different rates

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wickramasinghe, N. S.; Lacey, J. C. Jr; Lacey JC, J. r. (Principal Investigator)

    1993-01-01

    Studies of the properties of aminoacyl derivatives of 5'-AMP are aimed at understanding the origin of the process of protein synthesis. Aminoacyl (2',3') esters of 5'-AMP can serve as models of the 3'-terminus of aminoacyl tRNA. We report here on the relative rates of hydrolysis of Ac-D- and L-Phe AMP esters as a function of pH. At all pHs above 3, the rate constant of hydrolysis of the Ac-L-Phe ester is 1.7 to 2.1 times that of Ac-D-Phe ester. The D-isomer seems partially protected from hydrolysis by a stronger association with the adenine ring of the 5'-AMP.

  13. Determination of Total Lipids as Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) by in situ Transesterification: Laboratory Analytical Procedure (LAP)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Van Wychen, Stefanie; Ramirez, Kelsey; Laurens, Lieve M. L.

    2016-01-13

    This procedure is based on a whole biomass transesterification of lipids to fatty acid methyl esters to represent an accurate reflection of the potential of microalgal biofuels. Lipids are present in many forms and play various roles within an algal cell, from cell membrane phospholipids to energy stored as triacylglycerols.

  14. Genetic engineering of Escherichia coli to improve L-phenylalanine production.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yongfei; Xu, Yiran; Ding, Dongqin; Wen, Jianping; Zhu, Beiwei; Zhang, Dawei

    2018-01-30

    L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) is an essential amino acid for mammals and applications expand into human health and nutritional products. In this study, a system level engineering was conducted to enhance L-Phe biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. We inactivated the PTS system and recruited glucose uptake via combinatorial modulation of galP and glk to increase PEP supply in the Xllp01 strain. In addition, the HTH domain of the transcription factor TyrR was engineered to decrease the repression on the transcriptional levels of L-Phe pathway enzymes. Finally, proteomics analysis demonstrated the third step of the SHIK pathway (catalyzed via AroD) as the rate-limiting step for L-Phe production. After optimization of the aroD promoter strength, the titer of L-Phe increased by 13.3%. Analysis of the transcriptional level of genes involved in the central metabolic pathways and L-Phe biosynthesis via RT-PCR showed that the recombinant L-Phe producer exhibited a great capability in the glucose utilization and precursor (PEP and E4P) generation. Via systems level engineering, the L-Phe titer of Xllp21 strain reached 72.9 g/L in a 5 L fermenter under the non-optimized fermentation conditions, which was 1.62-times that of the original strain Xllp01. The metabolic engineering strategy reported here can be broadly employed for developing genetically defined organisms for the efficient production of other aromatic amino acids and derived compounds.

  15. Production of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters via the In Situ Transesterification of Soybean Oil in Carbon Dioxide-Expanded Methanol

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) by direct alkali- and acid-catalyzed in situ transesterification of soybean flakes in CO2-expanded methanol was examined at various temperatures and pressures. Attempts to synthesize FAME from soy flakes via alkaline catalysis, using sodium methoxid...

  16. Antimicrobial activity of fatty acid methyl esters of some members of Chenopodiaceae.

    PubMed

    Chandrasekaran, Manivachagam; Kannathasan, Krishnan; Venkatesalu, Venugopalan

    2008-01-01

    Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) extracts of four halophytic plants, viz. Arthrocnemum indicum, Salicornia brachiata, Suaeda maritima and Suaeda monoica belonging to the family Chenopodiaceae, were prepared and their composition was analyzed by GC-MS. The FAME extracts were also screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of more saturated fatty acids than unsaturated fatty acids. Among the fatty acids analyzed, the relative percentage of lauric acid was high in S. brachiata (61.85%). The FAME extract of S. brachiata showed the highest antibacterial and antifungal activities among the extracts tested. The other three extracts showed potent antibacterial and moderate anticandidal activities.

  17. N-valproyl-L-phenylalanine as new potential antiepileptic drug: synthesis, characterization and in vitro studies on stability, toxicity and anticonvulsant efficacy.

    PubMed

    De Caro, Viviana; Scaturro, Anna Lisa; Sutera, Flavia Maria; Avellone, Giuseppe; Schiera, Gabriella; Ferrantelli, Evelina; Carafa, Maria; Rizzo, Valerio; Carletti, Fabio; Sardo, Pierangelo; Giannola, Libero Italo

    2014-01-01

    Valproic acid (VPA) is considered first-line drug in treatment of generalized idiopathic seizures such as absence, generalized tonic-clonic and myoclonic seizures. Among major antiepileptic drugs, VPA is also considered effective in childhood epilepsies and infantile spasms. Due to its broad activity, VPA acts as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder and it is useful in migraine prophylaxis. Despite its long-standing usage, severe reactions to VPA, such as liver toxicity and teratogenicity, are reported. To circumvent side effects due to structural characteristics of VPA, we synthesized in good yield a new VPA-aminoacid conjugate, the N-valproyl-L-Phenylalanine, and characterized by FT-IR, MS, (13)C and (1)H- NMR analyses. The Log D(pH7.4) value (0.19) indicated that new molecule was potentially able to cross biological membranes. The resistance to chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis of N-valproyl-L-phenylalanine was also assessed. All trials suggested that the compound, at the pH conditions of the entire gastro-intestinal tract, remained unmodified. Furthermore, the new compound did not undergo enzymatic cleavage both in plasma and in cerebral medium up to 24 h. The toxicity assay on primary cultures of astrocytes indicated that the synthetized conjugate was less toxic than both free VPA and L-Phenylalanine. In this paper, the anticonvulsant activity of the new compound against epileptic burst discharges evoked in vitro in rat hippocampal slices was also evaluated. These preliminary results underline that N-valproyl-L-phenylalanine as new potential antiepileptic agent could represent a good candidate to further investigations.

  18. A new precursor for the preparation of 6-[18F]-fluoro-L-m-tyrosine (FMT): Efficient synthesis and comparison of radiolabeling

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    VanBrocklin, Henry F.; Blagoev, Milan; Hoepping, Alexander

    For the electrophilic preparation of 6-[18F]-Fluoro-L-m-tyrosine (FMT), a PET tracer for measuring changes in dopaminergic function in movement disorders, a novel precursor, N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(tert-butoxycarbonyloxy)-6-trimethylstannnyl-L-phenylalanine ethyl ester, was synthesized in four steps and 26 percent yield starting from L-m-tyrosine. FMT produced by two methods at two institutions was comparable in decay corrected yield, 25-26 percent, and quality (chemical, enantiomeric, and radiochemical purity and specific activity) as that obtained with the original N-trifluoroacetyl-3-acetyl-6-trimethylstannyl-L-m-tyrosine ethyl ester FMT precursor.

  19. Metal-Ion-Mediated Supramolecular Chirality of l-Phenylalanine Based Hydrogels.

    PubMed

    Wang, Fang; Feng, Chuan-Liang

    2018-05-14

    For chiral hydrogels and related applications, one of the critical issues is how to control the chirality of supramolecular systems in an efficient way, including easy operation, efficient transfer of chirality, and so on. Herein, supramolecular chirality of l-phenylalanine based hydrogels can be effectively controlled by using a broad range of metal ions. The degree of twisting (twist pitch) and the diameter of the chiral nanostructures can also be efficiently regulated. These are ascribed to the synergic effect of hydrogen bonding and metal ion coordination. This study may develop a method to design a new class of electronically, optically, and biologically active materials. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  20. The effects of bupivacaine, L-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester, and phenylephrine on cardiovascular adaptations to asphyxia in the preterm fetal lamb.

    PubMed

    Santos, A C; Yun, E M; Bobby, P D; Noble, G; Arthur, G R; Finster, M

    1997-12-01

    The preterm fetal lamb that is exposed to clinically relevant plasma concentrations of lidocaine loses its cardiovascular adaptations to asphyxia, and its condition deteriorates further. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important regulator of vascular tone, and local anesthetics are known to inhibit endothelium-dependent vasodilation. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the adverse effects of lidocaine noted in the preterm fetal lamb also occur with bupivacaine and whether the inhibition of NO results in effects similar to those of bupivacaine. Thirty-two chronically prepared pregnant sheep were studied at 117-119 days' gestation. Maternal and fetal blood pressure, heart rate, and acid-base state were evaluated. Fetal organ blood flows were determined using 15-microM diameter dye-labeled microspheres. After a control period, mild to moderate asphyxia (fetal PaO2 15 mm Hg) was induced by partial umbilical cord occlusion and maintained throughout the experiment. Ewes in Group I (n = 13) were given a two-step intravenous infusion of bupivacaine for 180 min. Fetuses in Group II (n = 12) received an intravenous injection of L-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) (25 mg/kg), and measurements were taken 10 and 30 min after the injection. A third group (Group III) of fetuses (n = 7) were given an intravenous infusion of phenylephrine to mimic the blood pressure increases noted in L-NAME-treated fetuses. At 90 min of stable asphyxia, there was a significant decrease in fetal PaO2 and pHa and an increase in PaCO2 and mean arterial blood pressure. There was also an increase in blood flow to the adrenals, myocardium, and cerebral cortex, whereas blood flow to the placenta decreased. Administration of bupivacaine during asphyxia did not affect the changes in mean arterial blood pressure and acid-base state but did abolish the increases in blood flows to the myocardium and cerebral cortex. Injection of L-NAME to the asphyxiated fetus resulted in an increase in

  1. Studies of the acidic components of the Colorado Green River formation oil shale-Mass spectrometric identification of the methyl esters of extractable acids.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haug, P.; Schnoes, H. K.; Burlingame, A. L.

    1971-01-01

    Study of solvent extractable acidic constituents of oil shale from the Colorado Green River Formation. Identification of individual components is based on gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric data obtained for their respective methyl esters. Normal acids, isoprenoidal acids, alpha, omega-dicarboxylic acids, mono-alpha-methyl dicarboxylic acids and methyl ketoacids were identified. In addition, the presence of monocyclic, benzoic, phenylalkanoic and naphthyl-carboxylic acids, as well as cycloaromatic acids, is demonstrated by partial identification.

  2. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis to identify sources of soil in surface water.

    PubMed

    Banowetz, Gary M; Whittaker, Gerald W; Dierksen, Karen P; Azevedo, Mark D; Kennedy, Ann C; Griffith, Stephen M; Steiner, Jeffrey J

    2006-01-01

    Efforts to improve land-use practices to prevent contamination of surface waters with soil are limited by an inability to identify the primary sources of soil present in these waters. We evaluated the utility of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles of dry reference soils for multivariate statistical classification of soils collected from surface waters adjacent to agricultural production fields and a wooded riparian zone. Trials that compared approaches to concentrate soil from surface water showed that aluminum sulfate precipitation provided comparable yields to that obtained by vacuum filtration and was more suitable for handling large numbers of samples. Fatty acid methyl ester profiles were developed from reference soils collected from contrasting land uses in different seasons to determine whether specific fatty acids would consistently serve as variables in multivariate statistical analyses to permit reliable classification of soils. We used a Bayesian method and an independent iterative process to select appropriate fatty acids and found that variable selection was strongly impacted by the season during which soil was collected. The apparent seasonal variation in the occurrence of marker fatty acids in FAME profiles from reference soils prevented preparation of a standardized set of variables. Nevertheless, accurate classification of soil in surface water was achieved utilizing fatty acid variables identified in seasonally matched reference soils. Correlation analysis of entire chromatograms and subsequent discriminant analyses utilizing a restricted number of fatty acid variables showed that FAME profiles of soils exposed to the aquatic environment still had utility for classification at least 1 wk after submersion.

  3. Soluble lipase-catalyzed synthesis of methyl esters using a blend of edible and nonedible raw materials.

    PubMed

    Wancura, João H C; Rosset, Daniela V; Brondani, Michel; Mazutti, Marcio A; Oliveira, J Vladimir; Tres, Marcus V; Jahn, Sérgio L

    2018-04-26

    This work investigates the use of blends of edible and nonedible raw materials as an alternative feedstock to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) production through enzymatic catalysis. As biocatalyst, liquid lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (Callera™ Trans L), was used. Under reaction conditions of 35 °C, methanol to feedstock molar ratio of 4.5:1 and 1.45% of catalyst load, the best process performance was reached using 9% of water concentration in the medium-yield of 79.9% after 480 min of reaction. In terms of use of tallow mixed with soybean oil, the best yield was obtained when 100% of tallow was used in the process-84.6% after 480 min of reaction-behavior that was associated with the degree of unsaturation of the feedstock, something by that time, not addressed in papers of the area. The results show that tallow can be used as an alternative to FAME production, catalyzed by soluble lipase.

  4. Adsorption mechanism of physiologically active L-phenylalanine phosphonodipeptide analogues: Comparison of colloidal silver and macroscopic silver substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Podstawka, E.; Kudelski, A.; Proniewicz, L. M.

    2007-11-01

    Here we present SERS spectra of several L-phenylalanine (Phe) phosphonodipeptides, i.e., L-Phe- L-Ala-PO 3H 2 ( MD1), L-Phe- L-Va L-PO 3H 2 ( MD2), L-Phe-β-Ala-CH(OH)-PO 3H 2 ( MD3), L-Phe- L-Ala-CH(OH)-PO 3H 2 ( MD4), L-Ala-(3,4-dimethoxy)- L-Phe-PO 3H 2 ( MD5), and L-Ala-(3,4-dimethoxy)-(des-CH 2)- L-Phe-PO 3H 2 ( MD6), immobilized on electrochemically roughened silver electrodes. These spectra are analyzed by theoretical calculations using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP level with 6-31++G∗∗ basis set. In addition, these spectra are compared with SERS spectra of these species adsorbed on a colloidal silver surface. We showed that on the macroscopic silver substrate, the Phe aromatic ring of MD3 and MD4 is oriented vertically, while for MD1 it almost "stands up" on this surface. In the other three cases, the Phe ring adopts a tilted orientation in regard to the substrate. We also find that the phosphonate (-PO32-), methyl/methane, or dimethoxy groups of MD1, MD2, MD3, MD5, and MD6 are involved in the interaction of these phosphonodipeptides with the electrochemically roughened surface. This phenomenon is clearly seen for -CH 2-/-CH 3/-OCH 3 moieties as well as for the PO32- group that adsorbs on the macroscopic silver substrates mainly via the P dbnd O fragment. We also showed that MD4 binds to the macroscopic silver substrate through the hydroxyl, amine, and phosphonate groups, while the methylene/methane moieties are remote from this surface. We found that studied phosphonodipeptides often adsorb differently on the macroscopic silver substrate and on the colloidal silver nanoparticles. For example, MD1 adopts an almost vertical orientation on the electrochemically roughened silver substrate and is tilted or close to flat on the silver nanoparticles.

  5. Global Metabolic Profiling of Plasma Shows that Three-Year Mild-Caloric Restriction Lessens an Age-Related Increase in Sphingomyelin and Reduces L-leucine and L-phenylalanine in Overweight and Obese Subjects.

    PubMed

    Kim, Minjoo; Lee, Sang-Hyun; Lee, Jong Ho

    2016-12-01

    The effect of weight loss from long-term, mild-calorie diets (MCD) on plasma metabolites is unknown. This study was to examine whether MCD-induced weight reduction caused changes in the extended plasma metabolites. Overweight and obese subjects aged 40-59 years consumed a MCD (approximately 100 kcal/day deficit, n =47) or a weight-maintenance diet (control, n =47) in a randomized, controlled design with a three-year clinical intervention period and plasma samples were analyzed by using UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. The three-year MCD intervention resulted in weight loss (-8.87%) and significant decreases in HOMA-IR and TG. The three-year follow-up of the MCD group showed reductions in the following 13 metabolites: L-leucine; L-phenylalanine; 9 lysoPCs; PC (18:0/20:4); and SM (d18:0/16:1). The three-year MCD group follow-up identified increases in palmitic amide, oleamide, and PC (18:2/18:2). Considering the age-related alterations in the identified metabolites, the MCD group showed a greater decrease in L-leucine, L-phenylalanine, and SM (d18:0/16:1) compared with those of the control group. Overall, the change (Δ) in BMI positively correlated with the ΔTG, ΔHOMA-IR, ΔL-leucine, and ΔSM (d18:0/16:1). The ΔHOMA-IR positively correlated with ΔTG, ΔL-leucine, ΔL-phenylalanine, and ΔSM (d18:0/16:1). The weight loss resulting from three-year mild-caloric restriction lessens the age-related increase in SM and reduces L-leucine and L-phenylalanine in overweight and obese subjects. These changes were coupled with improved insulin resistance (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02081898).

  6. One-Pot Enzymatic Synthesis of D-Arylalanines Using Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase and L-Amino Acid Deaminase.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Longbao; Feng, Guoqiang; Ge, Fei; Song, Ping; Wang, Taotao; Liu, Yi; Tao, Yugui; Zhou, Zhemin

    2018-06-08

    The phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (AvPAL) from Anabaena variabilis catalyzes the amination of substituent trans-cinnamic acid (t-CA) to produce racemic D,L-enantiomer arylalanine mixture owing to its low stereoselectivity. To produce high optically pure D-arylalanine, a modified AvPAL with high D-selectivity is expected. Based on the analyses of catalytic mechanism and structure, the Asn347 residue in the active site was proposed to control stereoselectivity. Therefore, Asn347 was mutated to construct mutant AvPAL-N347A, the stereoselectivity of AvPAL-N347A for D-enantiomer arylalanine was 2.3-fold higher than that of wild-type AvPAL (WtPAL). Furthermore, the residual L-enantiomer product in reaction solution could be converted into the D-enantiomer product through stereoselective oxidation by PmLAAD and nonselective reduction by reducing agent NH 3 BH 3 . At optimal conditions, the conversion rate of t-CA and optical purity (enantiomeric excess (ee D )) of D-phenylalanine reached 82% and exceeded 99%, respectively. The two enzymes displayed activity toward a broad range of substrate and could be used to efficiently synthesize D-arylalanine with different groups on the phenyl ring. Among these D-arylalanines, the yield of m-nitro-D-phenylalanine was highest and reached 96%, and the ee D exceeded 99%. This one-pot synthesis using AvPAL and PmLAAD has prospects for industrial application.

  7. Influence of reagents reacting with metal, thiol and amino sites of catalytic activity and l-phenylalanine inhibition of rat intestinal alkaline phosphatase

    PubMed Central

    Fishman, William H.; Ghosh, Nimai K.

    1967-01-01

    1. Studies on the inactivation of rat intestinal alkaline phosphatase by several metal-binding agents, namely EDTA, 8-hydroxyquinoline, pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, αα′-bipyridyl, o-phenanthroline and sodium cyanide, indicated the functional role of a metal, probably zinc, in the catalysis. The metal ligands lowered stereospecific uncompetitive inhibition of the enzyme by l-phenylalanine by an extent that paralleled the decline in enzyme activity. 2. The thiol reagents p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, iodoacetamide and iodine inactivated rat intestinal phosphatase. The enzyme could be protected from inactivation by either cysteine or substrate. The l-phenylalanine inhibition remained unchanged only in the presence of moderately inactivating concentrations of the thiol reagents. 3. Inactivation of the enzyme by the amino-group-blocking reagent, O-methylisourea, provided ample evidence for the participation in the catalysis of the ∈-amino group of lysine. At the same time, l-phenylalanine inhibition remained unaltered even when the enzyme was strongly inactivated. This ∈-amino-group-blocked enzyme exhibited no change in migration in starch gel, in contrast with enzyme treated with acetic anhydride, formaldehyde or succinic anhydride. The Michaelis constant of the enzyme was enhanced by such modifications, but the optimum pH remained the same. 4. d-Phenylalanine acted as a competitive or `co-operative' activator for intestinal alkaline phosphatase after it had been modified by acetylation. PMID:16742542

  8. Influence of fatty acid methyl esters from hydroxylated vegetable oils on diesel fuel lubricity.

    PubMed

    Goodrum, John W; Geller, Daniel P

    2005-05-01

    Current and future regulations on the sulfur content of diesel fuel have led to a decrease in lubricity of these fuels. This decreased lubricity poses a significant problem as it may lead to wear and damage of diesel engines, primarily fuel injection systems. Vegetable oil based diesel fuel substitutes (biodiesel) have been shown to be clean and effective and may increase overall lubricity when added to diesel fuel at nominally low levels. Previous studies on castor oil suggest that its uniquely high level of the hydroxy fatty acid ricinoleic acid may impart increased lubricity to the oil and its derivatives as compared to other vegetable oils. Likewise, the developing oilseed Lesquerella may also increase diesel lubricity through its unique hydroxy fatty acid composition. This study examines the effect of castor and Lesquerella oil esters on the lubricity of diesel fuel using the High-Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) test and compares these results to those for the commercial vegetable oil derivatives soybean and rapeseed methyl esters.

  9. [Simultaneous determination of cocaine and its metabolite ecgonine methyl ester in human blood using microwave extraction-gas chromatography].

    PubMed

    Wang, Xiaobo; Ye, Nengsheng; Wang, Jifen; Gu, Xuexin

    2010-07-01

    A method was developed for the simultaneous determination of cocaine (COC) and its metabolite ecgonine methyl ester (EME) in human blood using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The blood sample was prepared by microwave extraction (MWE). The optimal parameters of MWE were as follows: 6 mL of chloroform-isopropanol (9: 1, v/v) mixture as extraction solvent, the pH value of the sample was adjusted at 10.0 with 0.05 mol/L Na2CO3-NaHCO3 buffer, the extraction was performed at 40 degrees C for 6 min. The COC and EME in the extract were qualified using GC-MS and quantitated using GC-FID. The average recoveries of COC and EME were from 79.91% to 99.85%, the relative standard deviations were less than 3.10%, and the limits of detection (LOD) were 60 and 40 mg/L, respectively. In the method COC and EME were detected without derivatization. The method is rapid, accurate and sensitive, and can be used for the simultaneous determination of COC and EME in blood samples.

  10. Two-Step Production of Phenylpyruvic Acid from L-Phenylalanine by Growing and Resting Cells of Engineered Escherichia coli: Process Optimization and Kinetics Modeling

    PubMed Central

    Hou, Ying; Hossain, Gazi Sakir; Li, Jianghua; Shin, Hyun-dong; Liu, Long; Du, Guocheng; Chen, Jian

    2016-01-01

    Phenylpyruvic acid (PPA) is widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. Here, a two-step bioconversion process, involving growing and resting cells, was established to produce PPA from l-phenylalanine using the engineered Escherichia coli constructed previously. First, the biotransformation conditions for growing cells were optimized (l-phenylalanine concentration 20.0 g·L−1, temperature 35°C) and a two-stage temperature control strategy (keep 20°C for 12 h and increase the temperature to 35°C until the end of biotransformation) was performed. The biotransformation conditions for resting cells were then optimized in 3-L bioreactor and the optimized conditions were as follows: agitation speed 500 rpm, aeration rate 1.5 vvm, and l-phenylalanine concentration 30 g·L−1. The total maximal production (mass conversion rate) reached 29.8 ± 2.1 g·L−1 (99.3%) and 75.1 ± 2.5 g·L−1 (93.9%) in the flask and 3-L bioreactor, respectively. Finally, a kinetic model was established, and it was revealed that the substrate and product inhibition were the main limiting factors for resting cell biotransformation. PMID:27851793

  11. Classification of bacteria by simultaneous methylation-solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of fatty acid methyl esters.

    PubMed

    Lu, Yao; Harrington, Peter B

    2010-08-01

    Direct methylation and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) were used as a sample preparation technique for classification of bacteria based on fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles. Methanolic tetramethylammonium hydroxide was applied as a dual-function reagent to saponify and derivatize whole-cell bacterial fatty acids into FAMEs in one step, and SPME was used to extract the bacterial FAMEs from the headspace. Compared with traditional alkaline saponification and sample preparation using liquid-liquid extraction, the method presented in this work avoids using comparatively large amounts of inorganic and organic solvents and greatly decreases the sample preparation time as well. Characteristic gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of FAME profiles was achieved for six bacterial species. The difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was clearly visualized with the application of principal component analysis of the GC/MS data of bacterial FAMEs. A cross-validation study using ten bootstrap Latin partitions and the fuzzy rule building expert system demonstrated 87 +/- 3% correct classification efficiency.

  12. Oral and topical L-phenylalanine, clobetasol propionate, and UVA/sunlight--a new study for the treatment of vitiligo.

    PubMed

    Camacho, Francisco; Mazuecos, José

    2002-09-01

    Vitiligo is a hypopigmented skin condition that usually requires a combination of treatment options. To demonstrate the effectiveness of topical and oral L-phenylalanine in combination with light plus 0.025% clobetasol propionate at night. We have performed an open trial on a group of 70 patients with evolutive vitiligo. Participants were treated with oral (100 mg/Kg/day) and topical (gel at 10%) L-phenylalanine, exposed to sunlight (spring-summer) or UVA lamps (autumn-winter), and given 0.025% clobetasol propionate at night. All patients were revisited every 6 months while in the study, with a maximum of 4 revisits. Biochemical studies were performed at the beginning of the treatment and at each revisit. Overall, 90.9% of participants showed improvement, with 68.5% of patients achieving an improvement of 75% or more. This 75% improvement rate was reached 87.9% of the time on the face, 60.4% on the trunk, and 54.6% on the limbs. However, there was a moderate response to the treatment in patients with focal and segmental vitiligo. There was a slight additional improvement in patients receiving UVA lamp light. No biochemical abnormalities were found in any patients. L-phenylalanine in combination with 0.025% clobetasol propionate and sunlight during sunny months or UVA lamps in winter, appears to improve evolutive vitiligo without side effects, and therefore is especially recommended on the face or for children.

  13. A monolithic lipase reactor for biodiesel production by transesterification of triacylglycerides into fatty acid methyl esters

    PubMed Central

    Urban, Jiri; Svec, Frantisek; Fréchet, Jean M.J.

    2011-01-01

    An enzymatic reactor with lipase immobilized on a monolithic polymer support has been prepared and used to catalyze the transesterification of triacylglycerides into the fatty acid methyl esters commonly used for biodiesel. A design of experiments procedure was used to optimize the monolithic reactor with variables including control of the surface polarity of the monolith via variations in the length of the hydrocarbon chain in alkyl methacrylate monomer, time of grafting of 1-vinyl-4,4-dimethylazlactone used to activate the monolith, and time used for the immobilization of porcine lipase. Optimal conditions involved the use of a poly(stearyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith, grafted first with vinylazlactone, then treated with lipase for 2 h to carry out the immobilization of the enzyme. Best conditions for the transesterification of glyceryl tributyrate included a temperature of 37°C and a 10 min residence time of the substrate in the bioreactor. The reactor did not lose its activity even after pumping through it a solution of substrate equaling 1,000 reactor volumes. This enzymatic reactor was also used for the transesterification of triacylglycerides from soybean oil to fatty acid methyl esters thus demonstrating the ability of the reactor to produce biodiesel. PMID:21915852

  14. A monolithic lipase reactor for biodiesel production by transesterification of triacylglycerides into fatty acid methyl esters.

    PubMed

    Urban, Jiri; Svec, Frantisek; Fréchet, Jean M J

    2012-02-01

    An enzymatic reactor with lipase immobilized on a monolithic polymer support has been prepared and used to catalyze the transesterification of triacylglycerides into the fatty acid methyl esters commonly used for biodiesel. A design of experiments procedure was used to optimize the monolithic reactor with variables including control of the surface polarity of the monolith via variations in the length of the hydrocarbon chain in alkyl methacrylate monomer, time of grafting of 1-vinyl-4,4-dimethylazlactone used to activate the monolith, and time used for the immobilization of porcine lipase. Optimal conditions involved the use of a poly(stearyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith, grafted first with vinylazlactone, then treated with lipase for 2 h to carry out the immobilization of the enzyme. Best conditions for the transesterification of glyceryl tributyrate included a temperature of 37°C and a 10 min residence time of the substrate in the bioreactor. The reactor did not lose its activity even after pumping through it a solution of substrate equaling 1,000 reactor volumes. This enzymatic reactor was also used for the transesterification of triacylglycerides from soybean oil to fatty acid methyl esters thus demonstrating the ability of the reactor to produce biodiesel. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  15. Performance of Surfactant Methyl Ester Sulphonate solution for Oil Well Stimulation in reservoir sandstone TJ Field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Eris, F. R.; Hambali, E.; Suryani, A.; Permadi, P.

    2017-05-01

    Asphaltene, paraffin, wax and sludge deposition, emulsion and water blocking are kinds ofprocess that results in a reduction of the fluid flow from the reservoir into formation which causes a decrease of oil wells productivity. Oil well Stimulation can be used as an alternative to solve oil well problems. Oil well stimulation technique requires applying of surfactant. Sodium Methyl Ester Sulphonate (SMES) of palm oil is an anionic surfactant derived from renewable natural resource that environmental friendly is one of potential surfactant types that can be used in oil well stimulation. This study was aimed at formulation SMES as well stimulation agent that can identify phase transitions to phase behavior in a brine-surfactant-oil system and altered the wettability of rock sandstone and limestone. Performance of SMES solution tested by thermal stability test, phase behavioral examination and rocks wettability test. The results showed that SMES solution (SMES 5% + xylene 5% in the diesel with addition of 1% NaCl at TJformation water and SMES 5% + xylene 5% in methyl ester with the addition of NaCl 1% in the TJ formation water) are surfactant that can maintain thermal stability, can mostly altered the wettability toward water-wet in sandstone reservoir, TJ Field.

  16. Bacterial Production of Site Specific 13C Labeled Phenylalanine and Methodology for High Level Incorporation into Bacterially Expressed Recombinant Proteins

    PubMed Central

    Ramaraju, Bhargavi; McFeeters, Hana; Vogler, Bernhard; McFeeters, Robert L.

    2016-01-01

    Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies of ever larger systems have benefited from many different forms of isotope labeling, in particular, site specific isotopic labeling. Site specific 13C labeling of methyl groups has become an established means of probing systems not amenable to traditional methodology. However useful, methyl reporter sites can be limited in number and/or location. Therefore, new complementary site specific isotope labeling strategies are valuable. Aromatic amino acids make excellent probes since they are often found at important interaction interfaces and play significant structural roles. Aromatic side chains have many of the same advantages as methyl containing amino acids including distinct 13C chemical shifts and multiple magnetically equivalent 1H positions. Herein we report economical bacterial production and one-step purification of phenylalanine with 13C incorporation at the Cα, Cγ and Cε positions, resulting in two isolated 1H-13C spin systems. We also present methodology to maximize incorporation of phenylalanine into recombinantly overexpressed proteins in bacteria and demonstrate compatibility with ILV-methyl labeling. Inexpensive, site specific isotope labeled phenylalanine adds another dimension to biomolecular NMR, opening new avenues of study. PMID:28028744

  17. Integration of E. coli aroG-pheA tandem genes into Corynebacterium glutamicum tyrA locus and its effect on L-phenylalanine biosynthesis

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Dong-Xin; Fan, Chang-Sheng; Tao, Ju-Hong; Liang, Guo-Xin; Gao, Shan-E; Wang, Hai-Jiao; Li, Xin; Song, Da-Xin

    2004-01-01

    AIM: To study the effect of integration of tandem aroG-pheA genes into the tyrA locus of Corynebacterium glutamicum (C. glutamicum) on the production of L-phenylalanine. METHODS: By nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis, five p-fluorophenylalanine (FP)-resistant mutants of C.glutamicum FP were selected. The tyrA gene encoding prephenate dehydrogenase (PDH) of C.glutamicum was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned on the plasmid pPR. Kanamycin resistance gene (Km) and the PBF-aroG-pheA-T (GA) fragment of pGA were inserted into tyrA gene to form targeting vectors pTK and pTGAK, respectively. Then, they were transformed into C.glutamicum FP respectively by electroporation. Cultures were screened by a medium containing kanamycin and detected by PCR and phenotype analysis. The transformed strains were used for L-phenylalanine fermentation and enzyme assays. RESULTS: Engineering strains of C.glutamicum (Tyr-) were obtained. Compared with the original strain, the transformed strain C. glutamicum GAK was observed to have the highest elevation of L-phenylalanine production by a 1.71-fold, and 2.9-, 3.36-, and 3.0-fold in enzyme activities of chorismate mutase, prephenate dehydratase and 3-deoxy-D-arabinoheptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase, respectively. CONCLUSION: Integration of tandem aroG-pheA genes into tyrA locus of C. glutamicum chromosome can disrupt tyrA gene and increase the yield of L-phenylalanine production. PMID:15534933

  18. Phenylalanine Is Required to Promote Specific Developmental Responses and Prevents Cellular Damage in Response to Ultraviolet Light in Soybean (Glycine max) during the Seed-to-Seedling Transition

    PubMed Central

    Sullivan, Joe H.; Muhammad, DurreShahwar; Warpeha, Katherine M.

    2014-01-01

    UV-radiation elicits a suite of developmental (photomorphogenic) and protective responses in plants, but responses early post-germination have received little attention, particularly in intensively bred plants of economic importance. We examined germination, hypocotyl elongation, leaf pubescence and subcellular responses of germinating and/or etiolated soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seedlings in response to treatment with discrete wavelengths of UV-A or UV-B radiation. We demonstrate differential responses of germinating/young soybean seedlings to a range of UV wavelengths that indicate unique signal transduction mechanisms regulate UV-initiated responses. We have investigated how phenylalanine, a key substrate in the phenylpropanoid pathway, may be involved in these responses. Pubescence may be a key location for phenylalanine-derived protective compounds, as UV-B irradiation increased pubescence and accumulation of UV-absorbing compounds within primary leaf pubescence, visualized by microscopy and absorbance spectra. Mass spectrometry analysis of pubescence indicated that sinapic esters accumulate in the UV-irradiated hairs compared to unirradiated primary leaf tissue. Deleterious effects of some UV-B wavelengths on germination and seedling responses were reduced or entirely prevented by inclusion of phenylalanine in the growth media. Key effects of phenylalanine were not duplicated by tyrosine or tryptophan or sucrose, nor is the specificity of response due to the absorbance of phenylalanine itself. These results suggest that in the seed-to-seedling transition, phenylalanine may be a limiting factor in the development of initial mechanisms of UV protection in the developing leaf. PMID:25549094

  19. Molecular complexes of L-phenylalanine with substituted 1,4-benzoquinones in aqueous medium: Spectral and theoretical investigations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ganesh, K.; El-Mossalamy, E. H.; Satheshkumar, A.; Balraj, C.; Elango, K. P.

    2013-12-01

    Various spectral techniques such as UV-Vis, FT-IR, and fluorescence have been employed to investigate the charge transfer interaction of L-phenylalanine (LPA) with substituted 1,4-benzoquinones (MQ1-4). Kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the complexes were determined in aqueous medium at physiological condition (pH = 7). The interaction of MQ1-4 with L-phenylalanine (LPA) was found to proceed through the formation of donor-acceptor complex, yielding a radical anion. The stoichiometry of the complexes was determined by Jobs continuous variation method and was found to be 1:1 in all the cases. Fluorescence quenching studies showed that the interaction between the donor and the acceptors is spontaneous. The results indicated that the progressive replacement of chlorine atom (-I effect) by methoxy group (+M effect) in the quinone decreased the electron acceptor property of the quinone. The order of the experimentally measured association constant of these complexes was well supported by DFT/B3LYP calculations.

  20. Bioconcentration of haloxyfop-methyl in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Murphy, P.G.; Lutenske, N.E.

    1990-01-01

    Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque) were exposed to a {sup 14}C haloxyfop-methyl (methyl 2-(4-((3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl)oxy)phenoxy)propanoate) concentration averaging 0.29 {mu}g/L under flow-through conditions for 28 days. At the end of 28 days, the fish were transferred to clean water for a 4-day flow-through clearance period. Bluegill were found to rapidly absorb the ester from water which was then biotransformed at an extremely fast rate within the fish, such that essentially no haloxyfop-methyl was detected in the fish. The estimated bioconcentration factor for haloxyfop-methyl in whole fish was <17, based upon the detection limit for the ester in fish (0.005 {mu}g/g) and the averagemore » concentration of haloxyfop-methyl in exposure water (0.29 {mu}g/L). The principal component of the {sup 14}C residue within whole fish was haloxyfop acid (2-(4-((3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl)oxy)phenoxy)propanoic acid) which accounted for an average of about 60% of the total radioactivity. The high rate of biotransformation of the parent compound within the fish demonstrates the importance of basing the bioconcentration factor upon the actual concentration of parent material within the organism rather than the total radioactive residue levels for bioconcentration studies with radiolabeled compounds.« less

  1. Evaluation of peanut fatty acid methyl ester sprays, combustion, and emissions, for use in an indirect injection diesel engine

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The paper provides an analysis of 100% peanut fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and peanut FAME/ULSD#2 blends (P20, P35, and P50) in an indirect injection (IDI) diesel engine (for auxiliary power unit applications) in comparison to ultralow sulfur diesel no. 2 (ULSD#2) at various speeds and 100% load...

  2. The Amino Acid Specificity for Activation of Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Matches the Specificity for Stabilization of Regulatory Domain Dimers

    PubMed Central

    2016-01-01

    Liver phenylalanine hydroxylase is allosterically activated by phenylalanine. The structural changes that accompany activation have not been identified, but recent studies of the effects of phenylalanine on the isolated regulatory domain of the enzyme support a model in which phenylalanine binding promotes regulatory domain dimerization. Such a model predicts that compounds that stabilize the regulatory domain dimer will also activate the enzyme. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and analytical ultracentrifugation were used to determine the ability of different amino acids and phenylalanine analogues to stabilize the regulatory domain dimer. The abilities of these compounds to activate the enzyme were analyzed by measuring their effects on the fluorescence change that accompanies activation and on the activity directly. At concentrations of 10–50 mM, d-phenylalanine, l-methionine, l-norleucine, and (S)-2-amino-3-phenyl-1-propanol were able to activate the enzyme to the same extent as 1 mM l-phenylalanine. Lower levels of activation were seen with l-4-aminophenylalanine, l-leucine, l-isoleucine, and 3-phenylpropionate. The ability of these compounds to stabilize the regulatory domain dimer agreed with their ability to activate the enzyme. These results support a model in which allosteric activation of phenylalanine hydroxylase is linked to dimerization of regulatory domains. PMID:26252467

  3. 21 CFR 573.637 - Methyl esters of conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12-octadecadienoic...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... RELATED PRODUCTS FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FEED AND DRINKING WATER OF ANIMALS Food Additive Listing...-octadecadienoic acids). The food additive, methyl esters of conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10... conditions: (a) The food additive is manufactured by the reaction of refined sunflower oil with methanol to...

  4. 21 CFR 573.637 - Methyl esters of conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12-octadecadienoic...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... RELATED PRODUCTS FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FEED AND DRINKING WATER OF ANIMALS Food Additive Listing...-octadecadienoic acids). The food additive, methyl esters of conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10... conditions: (a) The food additive is manufactured by the reaction of refined sunflower oil with methanol to...

  5. 21 CFR 573.637 - Methyl esters of conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12-octadecadienoic...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... RELATED PRODUCTS FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FEED AND DRINKING WATER OF ANIMALS Food Additive Listing...-octadecadienoic acids). The food additive, methyl esters of conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10... conditions: (a) The food additive is manufactured by the reaction of refined sunflower oil with methanol to...

  6. 21 CFR 573.637 - Methyl esters of conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12-octadecadienoic...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... RELATED PRODUCTS FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FEED AND DRINKING WATER OF ANIMALS Food Additive Listing...-octadecadienoic acids). The food additive, methyl esters of conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10... conditions: (a) The food additive is manufactured by the reaction of refined sunflower oil with methanol to...

  7. 21 CFR 573.637 - Methyl esters of conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12-octadecadienoic...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... RELATED PRODUCTS FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FEED AND DRINKING WATER OF ANIMALS Food Additive Listing...-octadecadienoic acids). The food additive, methyl esters of conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10... conditions: (a) The food additive is manufactured by the reaction of refined sunflower oil with methanol to...

  8. Determination of selected fate and aquatic toxicity characteristics of acrylic acid and a series of acrylic esters.

    PubMed

    Staples, C A; Murphy, S R; McLaughlin, J E; Leung, H W; Cascieri, T C; Farr, C H

    2000-01-01

    Acrylic acid, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and butyl acrylate are commercially important and widely used materials. This paper reports the results of a series of fate and aquatic toxicity studies. The mobility in soil of acrylic acid and its esters ranged from 'medium' to 'very high'. Calculated bioconcentration factors ranged from 1 to 37, suggesting a low bioconcentration potential. Acrylic acid and methyl acrylate showed limited biodegradability in the five day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) test, while ethyl acrylate and butyl acrylate were degraded easily (77% and 56%, respectively). Using the OECD method 301D 28-d closed bottle test, degradability for acrylic acid was 81% at 28 days, while the acrylic esters ranged from 57% to 60%. Acrylic acid degraded rapidly to carbon dioxide in soil (t1/2 < 1 day). Toxicity tests were conducted using freshwater and marine fish, invertebrates, and algae. Acrylic acid effect concentrations for fish and invertebrates ranged from 27 to 236 mg/l. Effect concentrations (LC50 or EC50) for fish and invertebrates using methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and butyl acrylate ranged from 1.1 to 8.2 mg/l. The chronic MATC for acrylic acid with Daphnia magna was 27 mg/l based on length and young produced per adult reproduction day and for ethyl acrylate was 0.29 mg/l based on both the reproductive and growth endpoints. Overall these studies show that acrylic acid and the acrylic esters studied can rapidly biodegrade, have a low potential for persistence or bioaccumulation in the environment, and have low to moderate toxicity.

  9. Gallic acid attenuates hypertension, cardiac remodeling, and fibrosis in mice with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertension via regulation of histone deacetylase 1 or histone deacetylase 2.

    PubMed

    Jin, Li; Lin, Ming Quan; Piao, Zhe Hao; Cho, Jae Yeong; Kim, Gwi Ran; Choi, Sin Young; Ryu, Yuhee; Sun, Simei; Kee, Hae Jin; Jeong, Myung Ho

    2017-07-01

    Gallic acid, a natural chemical found in plants, has been reported to show antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated the efficacy of a short-term or long-term treatment with gallic acid in N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive mice and the underlying regulatory mechanism. Hypertension was sufficiently induced after 2 weeks of L-NAME administration. Cardiac remodeling was assessed by echocardiography. Hypertrophic markers, transcription factors, and fibrosis-related gene expression were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Gallic acid effectively lowered SBP, regardless of the administration route (intraperitoneal or oral). L-NAME increased the left ventricular (LV) thickness without an increase in the total heart weight. Weekly echocardiography demonstrated that gallic acid significantly reduced LV posterior wall and septum thickness in chronic L-NAME mice from 3 to 7 weeks. The administration of gallic acid to mice showed a dual preventive and therapeutic effect on the L-NAME-induced LV remodeling. The effect was associated with the suppression of the gene expression of hypertrophy markers and the GATA-binding factor 6 (GATA6) transcription factor. Short-term or long-term treatment with gallic acid attenuated cardiac fibrosis and reduced the expression of histone deacetylase 1 and 2 in H9c2 cells and in rat primary cardiac fibroblasts, as well as in vivo. Small interfering RNA knockdown confirmed the association of these enzymes with L-NAME-induced cardiac remodeling and fibrosis. These results suggested that gallic acid may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases with hypertension and cardiac fibrosis.

  10. Protein conformation by EPR spectroscopy using gadolinium tags clicked to genetically encoded p-azido-L-phenylalanine.

    PubMed

    Abdelkader, E H; Feintuch, A; Yao, X; Adams, L A; Aurelio, L; Graham, B; Goldfarb, D; Otting, G

    2015-11-14

    Quantitative cysteine-independent ligation of a Gd(3+) tag to genetically encoded p-azido-L-phenylalanine via Cu(I)-catalyzed click chemistry is shown to deliver an exceptionally powerful tool for Gd(3+)-Gd(3+) distance measurements by double electron-electron resonance (DEER) experiments, as the position of the Gd(3+) ion relative to the protein can be predicted with high accuracy.

  11. 21 CFR 175.210 - Acrylate ester copolymer coating.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2010-04-01 2009-04-01 true Acrylate ester copolymer coating. 175.210 Section... COATINGS Substances for Use as Components of Coatings § 175.210 Acrylate ester copolymer coating. Acrylate...) The acrylate ester copolymer is a fully polymerized copolymer of ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate...

  12. Indomethacin-5-fluorouracil-methyl ester dry emulsion: a potential oral delivery system for 5-fluorouracil.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jing; Hu, Yanchen; Li, Ling; Jiang, Tongying; Wang, Siling; Mo, Fengkui

    2010-06-01

    To produce a combined effect of indomethacin (IDM) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) for cancer therapy, the side effects of IDM on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract were reduced and the oral adsorption of 5FU was improved. Indomethacin-5-fluorouracil-methyl ester (IFM) dry emulsion was prepared and evaluated as a potential oral delivery system for 5FU. IFM was synthesized by formation of an ester between IDM and 5FU intermediate and then characterized by structure, melting point, solubility, apparent partition coefficient, and incubation with GI tract contents and plasma. Gum acacia and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) were applied as the adsorbent and solid carrier to prepare IFM dry emulsion. IFM dry emulsion was then characterized by reconstitution in water and in situ intestinal perfusion experiment. Physicochemical properties of the new synthesized compound confirmed the formation of IFM. Incubation of IFM in the contents of the GI tract and plasma revealed that IFM was not relatively stable in GI contents during the time period of transit through the GI tract, whereas it was very unstable in plasma and released 5FU rapidly. The IFM dry emulsion could be easily reconstituted in water, and the mean particle size was 2.416 microm. The absorption rate constant (K) for IFM with concentration of 2, 5, and 10 microg/mL in the in situ perfusion experiment were 0.473, 0.423, and 0.433/h, respectively, demonstrating passive diffusion of IFM across the biological membranes. This study indicates that the IFM dry emulsion may represent a potentially useful oral delivery system for 5FU.

  13. Simultaneous production of fatty acid methyl esters and diglycerides by four recombinant Candida rugosa lipase's isozymes.

    PubMed

    Chang, Shu-Wei; Huang, Myron; Hsieh, Yu-Hsun; Luo, Ying-Ting; Wu, Tsung-Ta; Tsai, Chia-Wen; Chen, Chin-Shuh; Shaw, Jei-Fu

    2014-07-15

    In this study, the catalytic efficiency of four recombinant CRL (Candida rugosa lipase) isozymes (LIP1-LIP4) towards the production of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) was compared and evaluated as an alternative green method for industrial applications. The results indicated that the recombinant C. rugosa LIP1 enzyme exhibited the highest catalytic efficiency for FAME production compared to the recombinant C. rugosa LIP2-LIP4 enzymes. The optimal conditions were as follows: pH 7.0, methanol/soybean oil molar ratio: 3/1, enzyme amount: 2U (1.6 μL), reaction temperature: 20°C, 22 h of reaction time, and 3 times of methanol addition (1 mol/6h), and resulted in 61.5 ± 1.5 wt.% of FAME conversion. The reaction product contained also 10 wt.% of DAG with a ratio of 1,3-DAG to 1,2-DAG of approximately 4:6, and can be potentially used in industrial applications as a food emulsifier. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Efficient preparation of enantiopure D-phenylalanine through asymmetric resolution using immobilized phenylalanine ammonia-lyase from Rhodotorula glutinis JN-1 in a recirculating packed-bed reactor.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Longbao; Zhou, Li; Huang, Nan; Cui, Wenjing; Liu, Zhongmei; Xiao, Ke; Zhou, Zhemin

    2014-01-01

    An efficient enzymatic process was developed to produce optically pure D-phenylalanine through asymmetric resolution of the racemic DL-phenylalanine using immobilized phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (RgPAL) from Rhodotorula glutinis JN-1. RgPAL was immobilized on a modified mesoporous silica support (MCM-41-NH-GA). The resulting MCM-41-NH-GA-RgPAL showed high activity and stability. The resolution efficiency using MCM-41-NH-GA-RgPAL in a recirculating packed-bed reactor (RPBR) was higher than that in a stirred-tank reactor. Under optimal operational conditions, the volumetric conversion rate of L-phenylalanine and the productivity of D-phenylalanine reached 96.7 mM h⁻¹ and 0.32 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. The optical purity (eeD) of D-phenylalanine exceeded 99%. The RPBR ran continuously for 16 batches, the conversion ratio did not decrease. The reactor was scaled up 25-fold, and the productivity of D-phenylalanine (eeD>99%) in the scaled-up reactor reached 7.2 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹. These results suggest that the resolution process is an alternative method to produce highly pure D-phenylalanine.

  15. Efficient Preparation of Enantiopure D-Phenylalanine through Asymmetric Resolution Using Immobilized Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase from Rhodotorula glutinis JN-1 in a Recirculating Packed-Bed Reactor

    PubMed Central

    Huang, Nan; Cui, Wenjing; Liu, Zhongmei; Xiao, Ke; Zhou, Zhemin

    2014-01-01

    An efficient enzymatic process was developed to produce optically pure D-phenylalanine through asymmetric resolution of the racemic DL-phenylalanine using immobilized phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (RgPAL) from Rhodotorula glutinis JN-1. RgPAL was immobilized on a modified mesoporous silica support (MCM-41-NH-GA). The resulting MCM-41-NH-GA-RgPAL showed high activity and stability. The resolution efficiency using MCM-41-NH-GA-RgPAL in a recirculating packed-bed reactor (RPBR) was higher than that in a stirred-tank reactor. Under optimal operational conditions, the volumetric conversion rate of L-phenylalanine and the productivity of D-phenylalanine reached 96.7 mM h−1 and 0.32 g L−1 h−1, respectively. The optical purity (ee D) of D-phenylalanine exceeded 99%. The RPBR ran continuously for 16 batches, the conversion ratio did not decrease. The reactor was scaled up 25-fold, and the productivity of D-phenylalanine (ee D>99%) in the scaled-up reactor reached 7.2 g L−1 h−1. These results suggest that the resolution process is an alternative method to produce highly pure D-phenylalanine. PMID:25268937

  16. Synthesis, structural and conformational study of some esters derived from 3-methyl-3-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8(α and β)-ols

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Iriepa, I.; Bellanato, J.

    2014-09-01

    A series of α and β-esters bearing a 3-methyl-3-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane moiety as well as methyl and aryl substituents were synthesized and studied by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies. In CDCl3 solution, at room temperature, a chair-envelope conformation for the bicycle moiety with the N-CH3 group in equatorial position with respect to the chair ring is proposed for both, α and β-esters. The chair conformation of the piperidine ring is puckered at C8 in the α-epimers and it is flattened at N3, in the β-epimers. Free rotation of the acyloxy group around the C8sbnd O bond has also been deduced. Analgesic activity of four of these substances was studied. 8β-Benzoyloxy-3-methyl-3-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane demonstrated significant analgesic activity in the hot plate test compared to morphine. By measuring the rectal temperature in mice, results also showed a significant antipyretic activity of this compound.

  17. 40 CFR 721.8485 - 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, (octahydro-4,7-methano-1H- indene-5-diyl)bis(methylene) ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.8485 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, (octahydro-4,7-methano-1H- indene-5-diyl)bis(methylene) ester. (a) Chemical substance and...

  18. Solvent-Tuned Self-Assembled Nanostructures of Chiral l/d-Phenylalanine Derivatives of Protoporphyrin IX

    PubMed Central

    Bobe, Mr Sharad R; Al Kobaisi, Mohammad; Bhosale, Sheshanath V; Bhosale, Sidhanath V

    2015-01-01

    Protoporphyrin IX is a naturally occurring amphiphilic porphyrin with a rigid hydrophobic nonpolar core and two polar propionic acid substitutions on the porphyrin ring. This molecule can be modified on the hydrophilic group, which can lead to strengthened π–π-stacking and spontaneous self-assembly into novel nanostructures. Herein, we use l- phenylalanine and d-phenylalanine to modify protoporphyrin IX, and use the two derivatives for solvophobic-controlled self-assembly. Both derivatives possess two important features: 1) the aromatic core of the porphyrin for dispersive interactions and 2) a chiral amino acid to maximize the influence of chirality on selfassembly. These derivatives lead to the formation of a variety of nanostructure morphologies, such as spheres, nanofibers, lamellar structures, and thread-like and spherical shells. Solution-based self-assembly was determined by UV/Vis, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy, and the formed nanostructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Such engineered porphyrin derivatives could have potential applications in energy transport and storage, supramolecular chemistry, materials science, and medicine. PMID:26478848

  19. Solvent-Tuned Self-Assembled Nanostructures of Chiral l/d-Phenylalanine Derivatives of Protoporphyrin IX.

    PubMed

    Bobe, Mr Sharad R; Al Kobaisi, Mohammad; Bhosale, Sheshanath V; Bhosale, Sidhanath V

    2015-08-01

    Protoporphyrin IX is a naturally occurring amphiphilic porphyrin with a rigid hydrophobic nonpolar core and two polar propionic acid substitutions on the porphyrin ring. This molecule can be modified on the hydrophilic group, which can lead to strengthened π-π-stacking and spontaneous self-assembly into novel nanostructures. Herein, we use l- phenylalanine and d-phenylalanine to modify protoporphyrin IX, and use the two derivatives for solvophobic-controlled self-assembly. Both derivatives possess two important features: 1) the aromatic core of the porphyrin for dispersive interactions and 2) a chiral amino acid to maximize the influence of chirality on selfassembly. These derivatives lead to the formation of a variety of nanostructure morphologies, such as spheres, nanofibers, lamellar structures, and thread-like and spherical shells. Solution-based self-assembly was determined by UV/Vis, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy, and the formed nanostructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Such engineered porphyrin derivatives could have potential applications in energy transport and storage, supramolecular chemistry, materials science, and medicine.

  20. 21 CFR 73.3100 - 1,4-Bis[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-9,10-anthracenedione bis(2-methyl-2-propenoic)ester copolymers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false 1,4-Bis[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-9,10-anthracenedione bis(2-methyl-2-propenoic)ester copolymers. 73.3100 Section 73.3100 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL LISTING OF COLOR ADDITIVES EXEMPT FROM...

  1. Molecular complexes of l-phenylalanine with substituted 1,4-benzoquinones in aqueous medium: spectral and theoretical investigations.

    PubMed

    Ganesh, K; El-Mossalamy, E H; Satheshkumar, A; Balraj, C; Elango, K P

    2013-12-01

    Various spectral techniques such as UV-Vis, FT-IR, and fluorescence have been employed to investigate the charge transfer interaction of L-phenylalanine (LPA) with substituted 1,4-benzoquinones (MQ(1-4)). Kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the complexes were determined in aqueous medium at physiological condition (pH=7). The interaction of MQ(1-4) with L-phenylalanine (LPA) was found to proceed through the formation of donor-acceptor complex, yielding a radical anion. The stoichiometry of the complexes was determined by Jobs continuous variation method and was found to be 1:1 in all the cases. Fluorescence quenching studies showed that the interaction between the donor and the acceptors is spontaneous. The results indicated that the progressive replacement of chlorine atom (-I effect) by methoxy group (+M effect) in the quinone decreased the electron acceptor property of the quinone. The order of the experimentally measured association constant of these complexes was well supported by DFT/B3LYP calculations. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. [Synthesis and monolayer behaviors of 4-methyl-5-hydroxy-ethyl isothiazole stearic ester].

    PubMed

    Shen, Yu-hua; Kong, Lin; Yang, Jia-xiang; Xie, An-jian; Qian, Jia-sheng; Ouyang, Jian-ming; Xia, Bing

    2002-12-01

    4-methyl-5-hydroxy-ethyl isothiazole stearic ester (HISE) was synthesized and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, 1H NMR and MS. The monolayer-forming ability of HISE was studied in subphases with different pH values using isotherms of surface pressure-area per molecule (pi-A). It was observed that the collapse pressure and the film-forming ability of the monolayers of HISE increased gradually as pH values ascended. Research of differentiated pi-A curves (d pi(/dA-A) indicated that there were one or two phase change points during the compressing process, and the incompressibility and the stability of HISE monolayers on alkalescent subphases were better than on acid subphases.

  3. PKU: high plasma phenylalanine concentrations are associated with increased prevalence of mood swings.

    PubMed

    Anjema, Karen; van Rijn, Margreet; Verkerk, Paul H; Burgerhof, Johannes G M; Heiner-Fokkema, M Rebecca; van Spronsen, Francjan J

    2011-11-01

    In phenylketonuria, knowledge about the relation between behavior and plasma phenylalanine is scarce. The aim of this study was to determine whether high phenylalanine is associated with disturbed behavior noticed by the patient and or close environment (parents or partners). 48 early treated PKU patients (median age 8.5, range 0-35 years) participated (median phenylalanine concentration in total sample 277 (range 89-1171) μmol/l; and in patients <12 years 238 (range 89-521) μmol/l). After sending blood samples, patients or close environment were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire whether they noticed hyperactivity, annoying behavior, mood swings and introvert or extravert behavior. The interviewer as well as the respondents were blinded with regard to the phenylalanine concentration. Patients reported less deviant behavior compared to close environment. Mood swings were positively associated with phenylalanine concentrations in the total group (P=0.039) and patients <12 years (P=0.042). The relationships between temporary high phenylalanine concentrations and hyperactivity, annoying behavior, introvert and extravert behavior were not statistically significant. there is a positive association between phenylalanine concentrations and mood swings. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. [Preparation of poly(methyl acrylate) microfluidic chips surface-modified by hyperbranched polyamide ester and their application in the separation of biomolecules].

    PubMed

    Liu, Bing; Lin, Donge; Xu, Lin; Lei, Yanhui; Bo, Qianglong; Shou, Chongqi

    2012-05-01

    The surface of poly (methyl acrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic chips were modified using hyperbranched polyamide ester via chemical bonding. The contact angles of the modified chips were measured. The surface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and stereo microscope. The results showed that the surface of the modified chips was coated by a dense, uniform, continuous, hydrophilic layer of hyperbranched polyamide ester. The hydrophilic of the chip surface was markedly improved. The contact angle of the chips modified decreased from 89.9 degrees to 29.5 degrees. The electro osmotic flow (EOF) in the modified microchannel was lower than that in the unmodified microchannel. Adenosine and L-lysine were detected and separated via the modified PMMA microfluidic chips. Compared with unmodified chips, the modified chips successfully separated the two biomolecules. The detection peaks were clear and sharp. The separation efficiencies of adenosine and L-lysine were 8.44 x 10(4) plates/m and 9.82 x 10(4) plates/m respectively, and the resolutions (Rs) was 5.31. The column efficiencies and resolutions of the modified chips were much higher than those of the unmodified chips. It was also observed that the modified chips possessed good reproducibility of migration time. This research may provide a new and effective method to improve the hydrophilicity of the PMMA surface and the application of PMMA microfluidic chips in the determination of trace biomolecules.

  5. D- and L-[123I]-2-I-phenylalanine show a long tumour retention compared with D- and L-[123I]-2-I-tyrosine in R1M rhabdomyosarcoma tumour-bearing Wag/Rij rats.

    PubMed

    Bauwens, Matthias; Lahoutte, Tony; Kersemans, Ken; Caveliers, Vicky; Bossuyt, Axel; Mertens, John

    2007-07-01

    The aim of this study was the comparison of the tumour uptake and the long-term retention of [(123)I]-2-I-L-phenylalanine and [(123)I]-2-I-D-phenylalanine with those of [(123)I]-2-I-L-tyrosine and [(123)I]-2-I-D-tyrosine in R1M rhabdomyosarcoma tumour-bearing rats. The biodistribution of the radioactivity as a function of time in R1M tumour-bearing rats was measured by planar gamma camera imaging (dynamic and static). If dissection was applied, the activity in the tumours and tissues of interest was measured by gamma counting. [(123)I]-2-iodo-L-phenylalanine, [(123)I]-2-iodo-D-phenylalaine, [(123)I]-2-I-L-tyrosine showed a considerable tumour uptake reaching a maximum between 10 and 30 min. At 30 min p.i. the differential uptake ratio values of this uptake were, respectively, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5 and 1.7. The activity in the tumour was shown to be related to a tumour cell uptake and not to an increased blood pool activity. All the tracers showed a clearance from the blood to the bladder without renal retention. At longer times both L- and D- [(123)I]-2-I-tyrosine were cleared for a large part from the tumours and the body. [(123)I]-2-I-L-Phe and [(123)I]-2-I-D-Phe showed a considerable and equal retention in the tumours: as compared with 0.5 h, 91% at 24 h and 80% at 48 h. This was related to the longer retention of activity in the blood pool noticed for these compounds (81% at 24 h and 65% at 48 h). The tumour-to-background ratio increased with 25% at those longer times. At short times all the tracers were taken up to a considerable extent in the tumours. In the R1M-bearing Wag/Rij rat model only [(123)I]-2-I-L-phenylalanine and [(123)I]-2-I-D-phenylalanine showed an especially high retention at long times without any significant difference between the enantiomers. Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  6. An enhanced procedure for measuring organic acids and methyl esters in PM2.5

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, F.; Duan, F. K.; He, K. B.; Ma, Y. L.; Rahn, K. A.; Zhang, Q.

    2015-11-01

    A solid-phase extraction (SPE) pretreatment procedure allowing organic acids to be separated from methyl esters in fine aerosol has been developed. The procedure first separates the organic acids from fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and other nonacid organic compounds by aminopropyl-based SPE cartridge and then quantifies them by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The procedure prevents the fatty acids and dimethyl phthalate from being overestimated, and so allows us to accurately quantify the C4-C11 dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) and the C8-C30 monocarboxylic acids (MCAs). Results for the extraction of DCAs, MCAs, and AMAs in eluate and FAMEs in effluate by SAX and NH2 SPE cartridges exhibited that the NH2 SPE cartridge gave higher extraction efficiency than the SAX cartridge. The recoveries of analytes ranged from 67.5 to 111.3 %, and the RSD ranged from 0.7 to 10.9 %. The resulting correlations between the aliphatic acids and FAMEs suggest that the FAMEs had sources similar to those of the carboxylic acids, or were formed by esterifying carboxylic acids, or that aliphatic acids were formed by hydrolyzing FAMEs. Through extraction and cleanup using this procedure, 17 aromatic acids in eluate were identified and quantified by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, including five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH): acids 2-naphthoic, biphenyl-4-carboxylic, 9-oxo-9H-fluorene-1-carboxylic, biphenyl-4,4´-dicarboxylic, and phenanthrene-1-carboxylic acid, plus 1,8-naphthalic anhydride. Correlations between the PAH acids and the dicarboxylic and aromatic acids suggested that the first three acids and 1,8-naphthalic anhydride were secondary atmospheric photochemistry products and the last two mainly primary.

  7. Triphenyltin derivatives of sulfanylcarboxylic esters.

    PubMed

    Casas, José S; Couce, María D; Sánchez, Agustín; Seoane, Rafael; Sordo, José; Perez-Estévez, Antonio; Vázquez-López, Ezequiel

    2018-03-01

    The reaction of 3-(aryl)-2-sulfanylpropenoic acids [H 2 xspa; x: p=3-phenyl-, f=3-(2-furyl)-, t=3-(2-thienyl)-] with methanol or ethanol gave the corresponding methyl (Hxspme) or ethyl (Hxspee) esters. The reaction of these esters (HL) with triphenyltin(IV) hydroxide gave compounds of the type [SnPh 3 L], which were isolated and characterized as solids by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and in solution by multinuclear ( 1 H, 13 C and 119 Sn) NMR spectroscopy. The structures of [SnPh 3 (pspme)], [SnPh 3 (fspme)] and [SnPh 3 (fspee)] were determined by X-ray diffractometry and the antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, Resistant P. aeruginosa (a strain resistant to 'carbapenem'), and C. albicans was tested and the in vitro cytotoxic activity against the HeLa-229, A2780 and A2780cis cell lines was determined for all compounds. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. An Experimental and Kinetic Modeling Study of Methyl Decanoate Combustion

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sarathy, S M; Thomson, M J; Pitz, W J

    2009-12-04

    Biodiesel is a mixture of long chain fatty acid methyl esters derived from fats and oils. This research study presents opposed-flow diffusion flame data for one large fatty acid methyl ester, methyl decanoate, and uses the experiments to validate an improved skeletal mechanism consisting of 648 species and 2998 reactions. The results indicate that methyl decanoate is consumed via abstraction of hydrogen atoms to produce fuel radicals, which lead to the production of alkenes. The ester moiety in methyl decanoate leads to the formation of low molecular weight oxygenated compounds such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and ketene.

  9. Isolation and screening of heterocystous cyanobacterial strains for biodiesel production by evaluating the fuel properties from fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles.

    PubMed

    Anahas, Antonyraj Matharasi Perianaika; Muralitharan, Gangatharan

    2015-05-01

    This study reports on the biodiesel quality parameters of eleven heterocystous cyanobacterial strains based on fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) profiles. The biomass productivity of the tested cyanobacterial strains ranged from 9.33 to 20.67 mg L(-1) d(-1) while the lipid productivity varied between 0.65 and 2.358 mg L(-1) d(-1). The highest biomass and lipid productivity was observed for Calothrix sp. MBDU 013 but its lipid content is only 11.221 in terms of percent dry weight, next to the Anabaena sphaerica MBDU 105, whose lipid content is high. To identify the most competent isolate, a multi-criteria decision analyses (MCDA) was performed by including the key chemical and physical parameters of biodiesel calculated from FAME profiles. The isolate A.sphaerica MBDU 105 is the most promising biodiesel feed stock based on decision vector through Preference Ranking Organisation Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE) and Graphical Analysis for Interactive Assistance (GAIA) analysis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Comparison of different mass spectrometry techniques in the measurement of L-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine incorporation into mixed muscle proteins

    PubMed Central

    Zabielski, Piotr; Ford, G. Charles; Persson, X. Mai; Jaleel, Abdul; Dewey, Jerry D.; Nair, K Sreekumaran

    2013-01-01

    Precise measurement of low enrichment of stable isotope labeled amino-acid tracers in tissue samples is a prerequisite in measuring tissue protein synthesis rates. The challenge of this analysis is augmented when small sample size is a critical factor. Muscle samples from human participants following an 8 hour intravenous infusion of L-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine and a bolus dose of L-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine in a mouse were utilized. Liquid Chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), Gas Chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) and Gas Chromatography/Mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were compared to the Gas Chromatography-Combustion-Isotope Ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS), to measure mixed muscle protein enrichment of [ring13C6]phenylalanine enrichment. The sample isotope enrichment ranged from 0.0091 to 0.1312 Molar Percent excess (MPE). As compared with GC/C/IRMS, LC/MS/MS, GC/MS/MS and GC/MS showed coefficients of determination of R2 = 0.9962 and R2 = 0.9942, and 0.9217 respectively. However, the precision of measurements (coefficients of variation) for intra-assay are 13.0%, 1.7%, 6.3% and 13.5% and for inter-assay are 9.2%, 3.2%, 10.2% and 25% for GC/C/IRMS, LC/MS/MS, GC/MS/MS and GC/MS respectively. The muscle sample sizes required to obtain these results were 8μg, 0.8μg, 3μg and 3μg for GC/C/IRMS, LC/MS/MS, GC/MS/MS, and GC/MS respectively. We conclude that LC/MS/MS is optimally suited for precise measurements of L-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine tracer enrichment in low abundance and in small quantity samples. PMID:23378099

  11. Mis-Regulation of 3-Deoxy-d-Arabino-Heptulosonate 7-Phosphate Synthetase Does Not Account for Growth Inhibition by Phenylalanine in Agmenellum quadruplicatum

    PubMed Central

    Jensen, Roy A.; Stenmark-Cox, S.; Ingram, Lonnie O.

    1974-01-01

    The growth of the blue-green bacterium, Agmenellum quadruplicatum, is inhibited in the presence of l-phenylalanine. This species has a single, constitutively synthesized 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAHP) synthetase. l-Phenylalanine inhibits DAHP synthetase non-competitively with respect to both substrate reactants. Other aromatic amino acids do not inhibit the activity of DAHP synthetase. A common expectation for branch-point enzymes such as DAHP synthetase is a balanced pattern of feedback control by all of the ultimate end products. It seemed likely that growth inhibition might equate with defective regulation within the branched aromatic pathway. Accordingly, the possibility was examined that mis-regulation of DAHP synthetase by l-phenylalanine in wild-type cells causes starvation for precursors of the other aromatic end products. However, the molecular basis for growth inhibition cannot be attributed to l-phenylalanine inhibition of DAHP synthetase for the following reasons: (i) DAHP synthetase enzymes from l-phenylalanine-resistant mutants are more, rather than less, sensitive to feedback inhibition by l-phenylalanine. (ii) Shikimate not only fails to antagonize inhibition, but is itself inhibitory. (iii) Neither the sensitivity nor the completeness of l-phenylalanine inhibition of the wild-type enzyme in vitro appears sufficient to account for the potent inhibition of growth in vivo by l-phenylalanine. The dominating effect of l-phenylalanine in the control of DAHP synthetase appears to reflect a mechanism that prevents rather than causes growth inhibition by l-phenylalanine. The alteration of the control of DAHP synthetase in mutants selected for resistance to growth inhibition by l-phenylalanine did indicate that the cause for this metabolite vulnerability can be localized within the aromatic amino acid pathway. Apparently, an aromatic intermediate (between shikimate and the end products) accumulates in the presence of l-phenylalanine

  12. Esterification Reaction of Glycerol and Palm Oil Oleic Acid Using Methyl Ester Sulfonate Acid Catalyst as Drilling Fluid Formulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sari, V. I.; Hambali, E.; Suryani, A.; Permadi, P.

    2017-02-01

    Esterification reaction between glycerol with palm oil oleic acid to produce glycerol ester and one of the utilization of glycerol esters is as ingredients of drilling fluids formula for oil drilling needs. The purpose of this research is to get the best conditions of the esterification process. The esterification reaction does with the reactants is glycerol with purity of 97.6%, palm oil oleic acid with the molar ratio is 1:1, Methyl Ester Sulfonate Acid (MESA) catalyst 0.5%, and stirring speed 400 rpm. The temperature range of 180°C to 240°C and the processing time between 120 to 180 minutes. The results showed that the best conditions of the esterification reaction at the temperature 240°C and time process are 180 minute. The increasing temperature resulted that the acid number decreases and causing the conversion increased. The maximum conversion is 99.24%, density 0.93 g/cm3, flash point 241°C, pour point -3°C, the boiling point of 244 °C, the acid value of 1.90 mg KOH/g sample, kinematic viscosity 31.51 cSt (40°C), surface tension 37.0526 dyne/cm and GCMS identification, glycerol ester at 22,256 retention time (minutes) and wide area 73.75 (%). From the research results obtained glycerol ester with characteristics suitable for drilling fluid formulations.

  13. Visualizing morphogenesis in transgenic zebrafish embryos using BODIPY TR methyl ester dye as a vital counterstain for GFP.

    PubMed

    Cooper, Mark S; Szeto, Daniel P; Sommers-Herivel, Greg; Topczewski, Jacek; Solnica-Krezel, Lila; Kang, Hee-Chol; Johnson, Iain; Kimelman, David

    2005-02-01

    Green fluorescent protein (GFP) technology is rapidly advancing the study of morphogenesis, by allowing researchers to specifically focus on a subset of labeled cells within the living embryo. However, when imaging GFP-labeled cells using confocal microscopy, it is often essential to simultaneously visualize all of the cells in the embryo using dual-channel fluorescence to provide an embryological context for the cells expressing GFP. Although various counterstains are available, part of their fluorescence overlaps with the GFP emission spectra, making it difficult to clearly identify the cells expressing GFP. In this study, we report that a new fluorophore, BODIPY TR methyl ester dye, serves as a versatile vital counterstain for visualizing the cellular dynamics of morphogenesis within living GFP transgenic zebrafish embryos. The fluorescence of this photostable synthetic dye is spectrally separate from GFP fluorescence, allowing dual-channel, three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) confocal image data sets of living specimens to be easily acquired. These image data sets can be rendered subsequently into uniquely informative 3D and 4D visualizations using computer-assisted visualization software. We discuss a variety of immediate and potential applications of BODIPY TR methyl ester dye as a vital visualization counterstain for GFP in transgenic zebrafish embryos. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  14. Inhibition of Fibrillar Assemblies of l-Phenylalanine by Crown Ethers: A Potential Approach toward Phenylketonuria.

    PubMed

    Banik, Debasis; Dutta, Rupam; Banerjee, Pavel; Kundu, Sangita; Sarkar, Nilmoni

    2016-08-11

    In this article, our aim is to investigate the interaction of l-phenylalanine (l-Phe) fibrils with crown ethers (CEs). For this purpose, two different CEs (15-Crown-5 (15C5) and 18-Crown-6 (18C6)) were used. Interestingly, we have observed that both CEs have the ability to arrest fibril formation. However, 18C6 was found to be a better candidate compared to 15C5. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy were used to monitor the fibril-arresting kinetics of CEs. The arresting process was further confirmed by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance studies.

  15. A comparative study of the vibrational spectra of the anticancer drug melphalan and its fundamental molecules 3-phenylpropionic acid and L-phenylalanine

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Badawi, Hassan M.; Khan, Ibrahim

    2016-04-01

    The structural stability and the vibrational spectra of the anticancer drug melphalan and its parent compounds 3-phenylpropionic acid and L-phenylalanine were investigated by the DFT B3LYP/6-311G** calculations. Melphalan and its fundamental compounds were predicted to exist predominantly in non-planar structures. The vibrational frequencies of the low energy structures of melphalan, 3-phenylpropionic acid, and phenylalanine were computed at the DFT B3LYP level of theory. Complete vibrational assignments of the normal modes of melphalan, 3-phenylpropionic acid, and phenylalanine were provided by combined theoretical and experimental data of the molecules. The experimental infrared spectra of phenylalanine and melphalan show a significantly different pattern of the Cdbnd O stretching mode as compared to those of normal carboxylic acids. A comparison of the 3700-2000 cm-1 infrared spectral region of the three molecules suggests the presence of similar intermolecular H-bonding in their condensed phases. The observed infrared and Raman spectra are consistent with the presence of one predominant melphalan conformation at room temperature.

  16. Evaluation of D-isomers of 4-borono-2-18F-fluoro-phenylalanine and O-11C-methyl-tyrosine as brain tumor imaging agents: a comparative PET study with their L-isomers in rat brain glioma.

    PubMed

    Kanazawa, Masakatsu; Nishiyama, Shingo; Hashimoto, Fumio; Kakiuchi, Takeharu; Tsukada, Hideo

    2018-06-13

    The potential of the D-isomerization of 4-borono-2- 18 F-fluoro-phenylalanine ( 18 F-FBPA) to improve its target tumor to non-target normal brain tissue ratio (TBR) was evaluated in rat brain glioma and compared with those of L- and D- 11 C-methyl-tyrosine ( 11 C-CMT). The L- or D-isomer of 18 F-FBPA was injected into rats through the tail vein, and their whole body kinetics and distributions were assessed using the tissue dissection method up to 90 min after the injection. The kinetics of L- and D- 18 F-FBPA or L- and D- 11 C-CMT in the C-6 glioma-inoculated rat brain were measured for 90 or 60 min, respectively, using high-resolution animal PET, and their TBRs were assessed. Tissue dissection analyses showed that D- 18 F-FBPA uptake was significantly lower than that of L- 18 F-FBPA in the brain and abdominal organs, except for the kidney and bladder, reflecting the faster elimination rate of D- 18 F-FBPA than L- 18 F-FBPA from the blood to the urinary tract. PET imaging using 18 F-FBPA revealed that although the brain uptake of D- 18 F-FBPA was significantly lower than that of L- 18 F-FBPA, the TBR of the D-isomer improved to 6.93 from 1.45 for the L-isomer. Similar results were obtained with PET imaging using 11 C-CMT with a smaller improvement in TBR to 1.75 for D- 11 C-CMT from 1.33 for L- 11 C-CMT. The present results indicate that D- 18 F-FBPA is a better brain tumor imaging agent with higher TBR than its original L-isomer and previously reported tyrosine-based PET imaging agents. This improved TBR of D- 18 F-FBPA without any pre-treatments, such as tentative blood-brain barrier disruption using hyperosmotic agents or sonication, suggests that the D-isomerization of BPA results in the more selective accumulation of 10 B in tumor cells that is more effective and less toxic than conventional L-BPA.

  17. L-Phenylalanine functionalized silver nanoparticles: Photocatalytic and nonlinear optical applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nidya, M.; Umadevi, M.; Sankar, Pranitha; Philip, Reji; Rajkumar, Beulah J. M.

    2015-04-01

    An extensive study on the behavior of L-Phenylalanine capped silver nanoparticles (Phe-Ag NPs) in the aqueous phase and in a sol-gel thin film showed different UV/Vis, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering and Zeta potential profiles. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of the samples in the sol gel film showed Ag embedded in the SiO2 matrix. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectra (SERS) confirmed that both in the aqueous media and in the sol gel film, the attachment of Phe to the Ag NP surface was through the benzene ring, with the sol-gel film showing a better enhancement. Photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet was measured spectrophotometrically using Phe-Ag NPs as a nanocatalyst under visible light illumination. Intensity-dependent nonlinear optical absorption of Phe-Ag measured using the open aperture Z-scan technique revealed that the material is an efficient optical limiter with potential applications.

  18. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Induction and purification from yeast and clearance in mammals.

    PubMed

    Fritz, R R; Hodgins, D S; Abell, C W

    1976-08-10

    Yeast phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) catalyzes the deamination of L-phenylalanine to form trans-cinnamic acid and tyrosine to trans-coumaric acid. Maximal enzyme activity in Rhodotorula glutinis (2 units/g, wet weight, of yeast) was induced in late-log phase (12 to 14 hours) of growth in a culture medium containing 1.0% malt extract, 0.1% yeast extract, and 0.1% L-phenylalanine. A highly purified enzyme was obtained by fractionation with ammonium sulfate and sodium citrate followed by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-200. The active preparation yielded a major component on three different polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic systems. Antisera to phenylalanine ammonia-lyase was raised in rabbits and detected by double immunodiffusion. The antigen-antibody complex was enzymatically active in vitro. The biological half-life of the enzyme was approximately 21 hours in several mammalian species (mice without and with BW10232 adenocarcinoma and B16 melanoma, rats, and monkeys) after a single injection; however, upon repeated administration, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase had a much shorter biological half-life. The onset of rapid clearance occurred earlier in tumor-bearing than in nontumor-bearing mice indicating a direct or indirect influence by the tumor on the biological half-life of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase.

  19. Electron Affinity of Phenyl-C61-Butyric Acid Methyl Ester (PCBM)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Larson, Bryon W.; Whitaker, James B.; Wang, Xue B.

    2013-07-25

    The gas-phase electron affinity (EA) of phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), one of the best-performing electron acceptors in organic photovoltaic devices, is measured by lowtemperature photoelectron spectroscopy for the first time. The obtained value of 2.63(1) eV is only ca. 0.05 eV lower than that of C60 (2.68(1) eV), compared to a 0.09 V difference in their E1/2 values measured in this work by cyclic voltammetry. Literature E(LUMO) values for PCBM that are typically estimated from cyclic voltammetry, and commonly used as a quantitative measure of acceptor properties, are dispersed over a wide range between -4.3 and -3.62 eV; themore » reasons for such a huge discrepancy are analyzed here, and the protocol for reliable and consistent estimations of relative fullerene-based acceptor strength in solution is proposed.« less

  20. In vitro and in vivo degradation of potential anti-adhesion materials: Electrospun membranes of poly(ester-amide) based on l-phenylalanine and p-(dioxanone).

    PubMed

    Wang, Bing; Dong, Jun; Niu, Lijing; Chen, Wenyan; Chen, Dongliang; Shen, Chengyi; Zhu, Jiang; Zhang, Xiaoming

    2017-08-01

    Electrospun membranes of poly(p-dioxanone-co-l-phenylalanine) (PDPA) hold potential as an anti-adhesion material. Since adjustable degradation properties are important for anti-adhesion materials, in this study, the in vitro and in vivo degradation processes of PDPA electrospun membranes were investigated in detail. The morphological analysis of these membranes revealed the main degradation conditions of PDPA membranes. The weight remaining and molecular weight variation showed that the overall degradation rate of the membranes could be adjusted by modulating the molecular structure of the PDPAs. Especially, α-chymotrypsin could catalyze the degradation process of PDPAs. Based on these results, the in vitro degradation mechanism was demonstrated, and confirmed by 1 H NMR of the hydrolysis products. Finally, the in vivo degradation and biocompatibility of different PDPAs were investigated. The kinetic study showed that the in vitro and in vivo molecular weight loss of PDPAs have the first-order characteristics. The in vivo degradation rate of the most Phe-containing PDPA-3 is the slowest, and this result relates to the biocompatibilities of PDPAs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1369-1378, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  1. Clearance of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase from normal and tumor-bearing mice.

    PubMed

    Shen, R S; Fritz, R R; Abell, C W

    1977-04-01

    Yeast phenylalanine ammonia-lyase was administered i.p. to normal and tumor-bearing mice, and its clearance from plasma was studied. Single and multiple weekly injections at dosages of 10,20,50 and 100 units/kg were administered to C57BL female, C57BL X DBA/2F1 male, and A/J female mice. L5178Y murine lymphoblastic leukemia, B16 melanoma, BW10232 adenocarcinoma, and 15091A anaplastic carcinoma were implanted 7 to 11 days prior to enzyme injection in the appropriate host. After a single injection, the average plasma half-lives of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase were 18 to 24 hr in all groups studied. While the other tumors had no effect on the plasma level of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase after a single injection, L5178Y murine lymphoblastic leukemia and 15091A anaplastic carcinoma significantly depressed the maximal level of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase attained in the plasma. After repeated injections of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, the initial plasma enzyme level was significantly reduced when 20 units/kg were administered, and the clearance of the enzyme from the plasma was greatly accelerated regardless of the amount administered. Furthermore, in tumor-bearing mice, the rate of clearance was significantly more rapid than in the appropriate non-tumor-bearing control.

  2. Activation of phenylalanine hydroxylase by phenylalanine does not require binding in the active site.

    PubMed

    Roberts, Kenneth M; Khan, Crystal A; Hinck, Cynthia S; Fitzpatrick, Paul F

    2014-12-16

    Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PheH), a liver enzyme that catalyzes the hydroxylation of excess phenylalanine in the diet to tyrosine, is activated by phenylalanine. The lack of activity at low levels of phenylalanine has been attributed to the N-terminus of the protein's regulatory domain acting as an inhibitory peptide by blocking substrate access to the active site. The location of the site at which phenylalanine binds to activate the enzyme is unknown, and both the active site in the catalytic domain and a separate site in the N-terminal regulatory domain have been proposed. Binding of catecholamines to the active-site iron was used to probe the accessibility of the active site. Removal of the regulatory domain increases the rate constants for association of several catecholamines with the wild-type enzyme by ∼2-fold. Binding of phenylalanine in the active site is effectively abolished by mutating the active-site residue Arg270 to lysine. The k(cat)/K(phe) value is down 10⁴ for the mutant enzyme, and the K(m) value for phenylalanine for the mutant enzyme is >0.5 M. Incubation of the R270K enzyme with phenylalanine also results in a 2-fold increase in the rate constants for catecholamine binding. The change in the tryptophan fluorescence emission spectrum seen in the wild-type enzyme upon activation by phenylalanine is also seen with the R270K mutant enzyme in the presence of phenylalanine. Both results establish that activation of PheH by phenylalanine does not require binding of the amino acid in the active site. This is consistent with a separate allosteric site, likely in the regulatory domain.

  3. Activation of Phenylalanine Hydroxylase by Phenylalanine Does Not Require Binding in the Active Site

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PheH), a liver enzyme that catalyzes the hydroxylation of excess phenylalanine in the diet to tyrosine, is activated by phenylalanine. The lack of activity at low levels of phenylalanine has been attributed to the N-terminus of the protein’s regulatory domain acting as an inhibitory peptide by blocking substrate access to the active site. The location of the site at which phenylalanine binds to activate the enzyme is unknown, and both the active site in the catalytic domain and a separate site in the N-terminal regulatory domain have been proposed. Binding of catecholamines to the active-site iron was used to probe the accessibility of the active site. Removal of the regulatory domain increases the rate constants for association of several catecholamines with the wild-type enzyme by ∼2-fold. Binding of phenylalanine in the active site is effectively abolished by mutating the active-site residue Arg270 to lysine. The kcat/Kphe value is down 104 for the mutant enzyme, and the Km value for phenylalanine for the mutant enzyme is >0.5 M. Incubation of the R270K enzyme with phenylalanine also results in a 2-fold increase in the rate constants for catecholamine binding. The change in the tryptophan fluorescence emission spectrum seen in the wild-type enzyme upon activation by phenylalanine is also seen with the R270K mutant enzyme in the presence of phenylalanine. Both results establish that activation of PheH by phenylalanine does not require binding of the amino acid in the active site. This is consistent with a separate allosteric site, likely in the regulatory domain. PMID:25453233

  4. Esterification of oil adsorbed on palm decanter cake into methyl ester using sulfonated rice husk ash as heterogeneous acid catalyst

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hindryawati, Noor; Erwin, Maniam, Gaanty Pragas

    2017-02-01

    Palm Decanter cake (PDC) which is categorized as the waste from palm oil mill has been found to contain residual crude palm oil. The oil adsorbed on the PDC (PDC-oil) can be extracted and potentially used as feedstock for biodiesel production. Feedstock from waste like PDC-oil is burdened with high free fatty acids (FFAs) which make the feedstock difficult to be converted into biodiesel using basic catalyst. Therefore, in this study, a solid acid, RHA-SO3H catalyst was synthesized by sulfonating rice husk ash (RHA) with concentrated sulfuric acid. The RHA-SO3H prepared was characterized with TGA, FTIR, BET, XRD, FE-SEM, and Hammett indicators (methyl red, bromophenol blue, and crystal violet). PDC was found to have about 11.3 wt. % oil recovered after 1 hour extraction using ultrasound method. The presence of sulfonate group was observed in IR spectrum, and the surface area of RHA-SO3H was reduced to 37 m2.g-1 after impregnation of sulfonate group. The RHA-SO3H catalyst showed that it can work for both esterification of free fatty acid which is present in PDC-oil, and transesterification of triglycerides into methyl ester. The results showed highest methyl ester content of 70.2 wt.% at optimal conditions, which was 6 wt.% catalyst amount, methanol to oil molar ratio of 17:1 for 5 hours at 120 °C.

  5. Synthesis of fatty acid methyl ester from used vegetable cooking oil by solid reusable Mg 1-x Zn 1+x O2 catalyst.

    PubMed

    Olutoye, M A; Hameed, B H

    2011-02-01

    Fatty acid methyl ester was produced from used vegetable cooking oil using Mg(1-)(x) Zn(1+)(x)O(2) solid catalyst and the performance monitored in terms of ester content obtained. Used vegetable cooking oil was employed to reduce operation cost of biodiesel. The significant operating parameters which affect the overall yield of the process were studied. The highest ester content, 80%, was achieved with the catalyst during 4h 15 min reaction at 188°C with methanol to oil ratio of 9:1 and catalyst loading of 2.55 wt% oil. Also, transesterification of virgin oil gave higher yield with the heterogeneous catalyst and showed high selectivity towards ester production. The used vegetable cooking oil did not require any rigorous pretreatment. Catalyst stability was examined and there was no leaching of the active components, and its performance was as good at the fourth as at the first cycle. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. The adsorption of L-phenylalanine on oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes.

    PubMed

    Piao, Lingyu; Liu, Quanrun; Li, Yongdan; Wang, Chen

    2009-02-01

    A simple and green approach was proceeded to obtain a stable single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs)/L-phenylalanine (Phe) solution. The oxidized SWNTs (OSWNT) were used in this work. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectrometer, Fourier transform-infrared resonance (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were joined together to investigate the interaction between OSWNT and Phe. The OSWNT became soluble in the water and formed a stable solution since the Phe was adsorbed. The absorbed amount of Phe on the OSWNT is around 33 wt%. Adsorption of the Phe was mainly carried out on the OSWNT with smaller diameters. The Phe molecules were absorbed on the OSWNT by conjunct interaction of the pi-pi stacking, hydrogen bond and part of covalent bond.

  7. Anti-oedematous activities of the main triterpendiol esters of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.).

    PubMed

    Zitterl-Eglseer, K; Sosa, S; Jurenitsch, J; Schubert-Zsilavecz, M; Della Loggia, R; Tubaro, A; Bertoldi, M; Franz, C

    1997-07-01

    Separation and isolation of the genuine faradiol esters (1, 2) from flower heads of Marigold (Calendula (officinalis L., Asteraceae) could be achieved by means of repeated column chromatography (CC) and HPLC for the first time. Structure elucidation of faradiol-3-myristic acid ester 1, faradiol-3-palmitic acid ester 2 and psi-taraxasterol 3 has been also performed, without any previous degradation by means of MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and 2D-NMR experiments. The anti-oedematous activities of these three compounds were tested by means of inhibition of Croton oil-induced oedema of the mouse ear. Both faradiol esters showed nearly the same dose dependent anti-oedematous activity and no significant synergism appeared with their mixture. The free monol, psi-taraxasterol, had a slightly lower effect. Furthermore, faradiol was more active than its esters and than psi-taraxasterol and showed the same effect as an equimolar dose of indomethacin.

  8. Serum phenylalanine screening

    MedlinePlus

    ... phenylalanine. If PKU is not detected early, increasing phenylalanine levels in the baby will cause intellectual disability. When discovered early, changes in the diet can help prevent the severe side effects of PKU.

  9. Diffusion coefficients in systems with inclusion compounds. 1. alpha. -Cyclodextrin-L-phenylalanine-water at 25 degree C

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Paduano, L.; Sartorio, R.; Vitagliano, V.

    Diffusion coefficients in the ternary system {alpha}-cyclodextrin (at one concentration)-L-phenylalanine (at four concentrations)-water have been measured by using the Gouy interferometric technique. The effect of the inclusion equilibrium on the cross-term diffusion coefficients was observed. The measured diffusion coefficients in the ternary systems were used to calculate values of the binding constants. These values are in good agreement with the value obtained from calorimetric studies.

  10. The effects of ionizing radiations on L-, DL-phenylalanine and L-, DL- tryptophase studied by ultra-violet and infra-red spectrophotometry

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Korgaonkar, K S; Donde, R B

    Aqueous solutions of L-, DL-phenylalanlne and L-, DLtryptophane were irradiated with Co 60 gamma rays. Marked changes in the ultraviolet spectra of the samples and in the infra-red spectra of their solid residues were noted. The radiosensitivities of these irradiated molecules in terms of G-values were determined, and the modes of action and the nature of irradiation products are discussed. A common order of radiosensitivities among the three aromatic amino acids both L-, and DL-forms is observed. Apparent differences In the ultraviolet spectral responses of tryptophane on the one hand and phenylalanine and tyrosine on the other are explained. Evidencemore » is presented suggesting some common radiation end-product of a cellulose or sugar type from these aromatic amino acids.« less

  11. Photoelectron spectroscopy of a series of acetate and propionate esters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Śmiałek, Małgorzata A.; Guthmuller, Julien; MacDonald, Michael A.; Zuin, Lucia; Delwiche, Jacques; Hubin-Franskin, Marie-Jeanne; Lesniewski, Tadeusz; Mason, Nigel J.; Limão-Vieira, Paulo

    2017-10-01

    The electronic state and photoionization spectroscopy of a series of acetate esters: methyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, butyl acetate and pentyl acetate as well as two propionates: methyl propionate and ethyl propionate, have been determined using vacuum-ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. These experimental investigations are complemented by ab initio calculations. The measured first adiabatic and vertical ionization energies were determined as: 10.21 and 10.45 eV for methyl acetate, 9.99 and 10.22 eV for isopropyl acetate, 10.07 and 10.26 eV for butyl acetate, 10.01 and 10.22 eV for pentyl acetate, 10.16 and 10.36 eV for methyl propionate and 9.99 and 10.18 eV for ethyl propionate. For the four smaller esters vibrational transitions were calculated and compared with those identified in the photoelectron spectrum, revealing the most distinctive ones to be a Csbnd O stretch combined with a Cdbnd O stretch. The ionization energies of methyl and ethyl esters as well as for a series of formates and acetates were compared showing a clear dependence of the value of the ionization energy on the size of the molecule with very little influence of its conformation.

  12. Fatty acid methyl esters are detectable in the plasma and their presence correlates with liver dysfunction.

    PubMed

    Aleryani, Samir Lutf; Cluette-Brown, Joanne E; Khan, Zia A; Hasaba, Hasan; Lopez de Heredia, Luis; Laposata, Michael

    2005-09-01

    Methanol is a component of certain alcoholic beverages and is also an endogenously formed product. On this basis, we have proposed that methanol may promote synthesis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) in the same way that ethanol promotes fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) synthesis. We tested the hypothesis that FAMEs appear in the blood after ethanol intake. Patient plasma samples obtained from our laboratory (n=78) were grouped according to blood ethanol concentrations (intoxicated, blood ethanol >800 mg/l) and non-intoxicated. These samples were further subdivided into groups based on whether the patient had normal or abnormal liver function tests (abnormal, defined as > or =1 abnormality of plasma alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase). A separate set of plasma samples were also divided into normal and abnormal groups based on pancreatic function tests (amylase and lipase). There were no patients with detectable ethanol in this group. Patients with abnormalities in pancreatic function tests were included upon recognition of endogenously produced FAMEs by patients with liver function test abnormalities. FAMEs were extracted from plasma and individual species of FAMEs quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Increased concentrations of FAME were found in patient samples with evidence of liver dysfunction, regardless of whether or not they were intoxicated (n=21, p=0.01). No significant differences in plasma FAME concentrations were found between patients with normal (n=15) versus abnormal pancreatic function tests (n=22, p=0.72). The presence of FAMEs in human plasma may be related to the existence of liver disease, and not to blood ethanol concentrations or pancreatic dysfunction. The metabolic pathways associated with FAME production in patients with impaired liver function remain to be identified.

  13. Thermal, optical, mechanical and electrical properties of a novel NLO active L-phenylalanine L-phenylalaninium perchlorate single crystals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cyrac Peter, A.; Vimalan, M.; Sagayaraj, P.; Madhavan, J.

    2010-01-01

    Single crystals of L-phenylalanine L-phenylalaninium perchlorate (LPAPCl), a semiorganic nonlinear (NLO) material have been successfully grown up to a size of 14 mm×5 mm×3 mm. The lattice parameters of the grown crystals are determined by single crystal XRD. The UV-Vis-NIR spectrum of LPAPCl show less optical absorption in the entire visible region. Nonlinear optical study reveals that the SHG efficiency of LPAPCl is nearly 1.4 times that of KDP. The laser damage density is found to be 7.4 GW/cm 2. The crystals are subjected to microhardness studies and the variation of the microhardness with the applied load is studied. The response of dielectric constant in the frequency region of 50 Hz to 5 MHz has been investigated. AC and DC conductivity and photoconductivity experiments are also carried out and the results are discussed.

  14. Preparation of polyol esters based on vegetable and animal fats.

    PubMed

    Gryglewicz, S; Piechocki, W; Gryglewicz, G

    2003-03-01

    The possibility of using some natural fats: rapeseed oil, olive oil and lard, as starting material for the preparation of neopentyl glycol (NPG) and trimethylol propane (TMP) esters is reported. The syntheses of final products were performed by alcoholysis of fatty acid methyl esters, obtained from natural fats studied, with the appropriate polyhydric alcohol using calcium methoxide as a catalyst. The basic physicochemical properties of the NPG and TMP esters synthesized were the following: viscosity at 40 degrees C in the range of 13.5-37.6 cSt, pour point between -10.5 and -17.5 degrees C and very high viscosity indices, higher than 200. Generally, the esters of neopentyl alcohols were characterized by higher stability in thermo-oxidative conditions in comparison to native triglycerides. Due to the low content of polyunsaturated acids, the olive oil based esters showed the highest thermo-oxidative resistance. Also, methyl esters of fatty acids of lard would constitute a good raw material for the synthesis of lubricating oils, provided that their saturated acids content was lowered. This permits synthesis of NPG and TMP esters with a lower pour point (below -10 degrees C) than natural lard (+33 degrees C).

  15. Enhanced biosynthesis of chiral phenyllactic acid from L-phenylalanine through a new whole-cell biocatalyst.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Zhaojuan; Xia, Meijuan; Fang, Xuchao; Jiang, Ting; Ouyang, Jia

    2018-06-22

    Phenyllactic acid (PLA) is a high-value compound, which was usually produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as biocatalysts and glucose or phenylpyruvic acid (PPA) as starting materials for PLA synthesis in previous studies. However, the PLA produced using LAB is a racemic mixture. Besides, both glucose and PPA were unsatisfactory substrates, as the former could not produce high concentrations of PLA while the latter is not a renewable and green substrate. To overcome these drawbacks, in this study, a new biotransformation process was developed for chiral PLA production from L-phenylalanine via the intermediate PPA using recombinant Escherichia coli co-expressing L-amino acid deaminase, NAD-dependent L-lactate dehydrogenase or NAD-dependent D-lactate dehydrogenase, and formate dehydrogenase. After optimization, the recombinant E. coli produced L- and D-PLA at concentrations of 59.9 and 60.3 mM in 6 h, respectively. Hence, this process provides an effective and promising alternative method for chiral PLA production.

  16. Isolation of an N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine beta-naphthyl esterase from rabbit peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

    PubMed

    Tsung, P; Kegeles, S W; Showell, H J; Becker, E L

    1975-09-22

    An N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine beta-naphthyl esterase has been purified 26-fold from rabbit peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The purified enzyme was inhibited by 10(-7) M p-nitrophenylethyl-5-chloropentylphosphonate. The apparent Km for hydrolysis of N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine beta-naphthyl ester is 71 muM. Optimal reaction rates were observed at pH 6-8. No divalent cation requirement for the activation of the enzyme activity was observed. The esterase activity was neither inhibited nor stimulated by bacterial factor, complement component C5a, guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) which are attractants or repellents for polymorphonuclear leukocytes. High chemotactic activity was observed in the partially purified fraction of the enzyme. The chemotactic activity, like the enzyme activity, was completely inhibited by 10(-7) M phosphonate.

  17. New dicyclopeptides from Dianthus chinensis.

    PubMed

    Han, Jing; Wang, Zhe; Zheng, Yu-Qing; Zeng, Guang-Zhi; He, Wen-Jun; Tan, Ning-Hua

    2014-05-01

    One new dicyclopeptide cyclo-(L-N-methyl Glu-L-N-methyl Glu) (1), together with one new natural dicyclopeptide cyclo-(L-methyl Glu ester-L-methyl Glu ester) (2), and two known dicyclopeptides cyclo-(L-methyl Glu ester-L-Glu) (3), and cyclo-(L-Glu-L-Glu) (4), were isolated from the aerial parts of Dianthus chinensis L. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods.

  18. Selective time-resolved binding of copper(II) by pyropheophorbide-a methyl ester.

    PubMed

    Ghosh, Indrajit; Saleh, Na'il; Nau, Werner M

    2010-05-01

    The complexation behavior of pyropheophorbide-a methyl ester (PPME) with transition metal ions as well as other biologically relevant metal ions has been investigated in water-DMF (2 : 1 v/v) solution. PPME was found to selectively complex Cu(2+) ions, which leads to a distinct change in its absorption spectrum as well as efficient fluorescence quenching. The degree of fluorescence quenching by Cu(2+) depended on concentration and time. Upon addition of Cu(2+), the fluorescence showed a time-resolved decay on the time scale of minutes to hours, with the decay rate being dependent on the cation concentration. Fitting according to a bimolecular reaction rate law provided a rate constant of 650 +/- 90 M(-1) s(-1) at 298 K for metallochlorin formation. The potential implications of Cu(2+) binding for the use of PPME in photodynamic therapy are discussed, along with its use as a fluorescent sensor for detection of micromolar concentrations of Cu(2+).

  19. Electronic properties of electron-doped [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester and silylmethylfullerene

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Furutani, Sho; Okada, Susumu

    2017-06-01

    Electronic properties of electron-doped chemically decorated C60 fullerenes, [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and silylmethylfullerene (SIMEF), by a planar electrode were studied using density functional theory combined with the effective screening medium method to simulate the heterointerface between the chemically decorated C60 and cationic counter materials. We find that the distribution of accumulated electrons and induced electric field depend on the molecular arrangement with respect to the external electric field of the electrode. We also show that the quantum capacitance of the molecule is sensitive to molecular arrangement owing to the asymmetric distribution of the accumulated electrons.

  20. Effects of L-histidine depletion and L-tyrosine/L-phenylalanine depletion on sensory and motor processes in healthy volunteers

    PubMed Central

    van Ruitenbeek, P; Sambeth, A; Vermeeren, A; Young, SN; Riedel, WJ

    2009-01-01

    Background and purpose: Animal studies show that histamine plays a role in cognitive functioning and that histamine H3-receptor antagonists, which increase histaminergic function through presynaptic receptors, improve cognitive performance in models of clinical cognitive deficits. In order to test such new drugs in humans, a model for cognitive impairments induced by low histaminergic functions would be useful. Studies with histamine H1-receptor antagonists have shown limitations as a model. Here we evaluated whether depletion of L-histidine, the precursor of histamine, was effective in altering measures associated with histamine in humans and the behavioural and electrophysiological (event-related-potentials) effects. Experimental approach: Seventeen healthy volunteers completed a three-way, double-blind, crossover study with L-histidine depletion, L-tyrosine/L-phenylalanine depletion (active control) and placebo as treatments. Interactions with task manipulations in a choice reaction time task were studied. Task demands were increased using visual stimulus degradation and increased response complexity. In addition, subjective and objective measures of sedation and critical tracking task performance were assessed. Key results: Measures of sedation and critical tracking task performance were not affected by treatment. L-histidine depletion was effective and enlarged the effect of response complexity as measured with the response-locked lateralized readiness potential onset latency. Conclusions and implications: L-histidine depletion affected response- but not stimulus-related processes, in contrast to the effects of H1-receptor antagonists which were previously found to affect primarily stimulus-related processes. L-histidine depletion is promising as a model for histamine-based cognitive impairment. However, these effects need to be confirmed by further studies. PMID:19413574

  1. Comparison of in vitro and in vivo phototoxicity tests with S-(-)-10,11-dihydroxyfarnesic acid methyl ester produced by Beauveria bassiana KACC46831.

    PubMed

    Kim, Min-A; Son, Hyeong-U; Yoon, Cheol-Sik; Nam, Sung-Hee; Choi, Young-Cheol; Lee, Sang-Han

    2014-09-01

    Beauveria bassiana is a fungi that is well-known for demonstrating a resistance to environmental change. To confirm whether S-(-)-10,11-dihydroxyfarnesic acid methyl ester (DHFAME) produced by Beauveria bassiana KACC46831 causes phototoxicity when used for cosmetic purposes due to its anti-tyrosinase activity, we conducted in vitro and in vivo phototoxicity tests. There were no significant changes or damage observed in the compound-treated group with regards to skin phototoxicity, while 8-methoxypsoralen, which served as a positive control, induced toxic effects. The in vitro 3T3 neutral red uptake assay, an alternative assessment, was used for further confirmation of the phototoxicity. The results showed that DHFAME did not exhibit phototoxicity at the designated concentrations, with or without UV irradiation in the 3T3 cells. These results indicated that the methyl ester produced by Beauveria bassiana KACC46831 does not induce phototoxicity in the skin. Therefore, the results of the present study indicate that DHFAME shows potential for use as a cosmetic ingredient that does not cause skin phototoxicity.

  2. A library synthesis of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester derivatives as anti-tumor agents.

    PubMed

    Hayakawa, Ichiro; Shioya, Rieko; Agatsuma, Toshinori; Furukawa, Hidehiko; Naruto, Shunji; Sugano, Yuichi

    2004-09-06

    As a result of a hit-to-lead program using a technique of solution-phase parallel synthesis, a highly potent (2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-[6-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzofuran-2-yl]methanone (15b) was synthesized as an optimized derivative of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1), which was discovered as a screening hit from small-molecule libraries and exhibited selective cytotoxicity against a tumorigenic cell line.

  3. Tandem mass spectrometric analysis of aspergillus niger pectin methylesterase: mode of action on fully methyl-esterified oligogalacturonates.

    PubMed

    Kester, H C; Benen, J A; Visser, J; Warren, M E; Orlando, R; Bergmann, C; Magaud, D; Anker, D; Doutheau, A

    2000-03-01

    The substrate specificity and the mode of action of Aspergillus niger pectin methylesterase (PME) was determined using both fully methyl-esterified oligogalacturonates with degrees of polymerization (DP) 2-6 and chemically synthesized monomethyl trigalacturonates. The enzymic activity on the different substrates and a preliminary characterization of the reaction products were performed by using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography at neutral pH. Electrospray ionization tandem MS (ESI-MS/MS) was used to localize the methyl esters on the (18)O-labelled reaction products during the course of the enzymic reaction. A. niger PME is able to hydrolyse the methyl esters of fully methyl-esterified oligogalacturonates with DP 2, and preferentially hydrolyses the methyl esters located on the internal galacturonate residues, followed by hydrolysis of the methyl esters towards the reducing end. This PME is unable to hydrolyse the methyl ester of the galacturonate moiety at the non-reducing end.

  4. The electron transport mechanism in ester and its influence on bioactivity in the anticancer drug N-(6-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl)-L-alanine-glycine ethyl ester(FNLAGEE)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sudhi, Geethu; Rajina, S. R.; Praveen, S. G.; Xavier, T. S.; Kenny, Peter T. M.; Binoy, J.

    2018-05-01

    The reactivity of ester group plays key role in inducing bioactivity of many ferrocenyl biconjugated compounds. The ester reactivity can be explained, based on electron transport mechanism using vibrational spectroscopy, aided by DFT simulation. The FT IR and FT Raman spectral measurements have been carried out for N-(6-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl)-L-alanine-glycine ethyl ester (FNLAGEE) and the optimized geometry and vibrational spectra have been computed using DFT method, at B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of theory. The cis conformation of ester and electron transport mechanism, thus analyzed, has been correlated to the geometry and the spectral characteristics of ester. To investigate the bioactivity and binding interactions of the molecule, molecular docking simulations and UV-Vis absorption studies of FNLAGEE with BSA and DNA has been performed.

  5. Determination of fatty acid methyl esters derived from algae Scenedesmus dimorphus biomass by GC-MS with one-step esterification of free fatty acids and transesterification of glycerolipids.

    PubMed

    Avula, Satya Girish Chandra; Belovich, Joanne M; Xu, Yan

    2017-05-01

    Algae can synthesize, accumulate and store large amounts of lipids in its cells, which holds immense potential as a renewable source of biodiesel. In this work, we have developed and validated a GC-MS method for quantitation of fatty acids and glycerolipids in forms of fatty acid methyl esters derived from algae biomass. Algae Scenedesmus dimorphus dry mass was pulverized by mortar and pestle, then extracted by the modified Folch method and fractionated into free fatty acids and glycerolipids on aminopropyl solid-phase extraction cartridges. Fatty acid methyl esters were produced by an optimized one-step esterification of fatty acids and transesterification of glycerolipids with boron trichloride/methanol. The matrix effect, recoveries and stability of fatty acids and glycerolipids in algal matrix were first evaluated by spiking stable isotopes of pentadecanoic-2,2-d 2 acid and glyceryl tri(hexadecanoate-2,2-d 2 ) as surrogate analytes and tridecanoic-2,2-d 2 acid as internal standard into algal matrix prior to sample extraction. Later, the method was validated in terms of lower limits of quantitation, linear calibration ranges, intra- and inter-assay precision and accuracy using tridecanoic-2,2-d 2 acid as internal standard. The method developed has been applied to the quantitation of fatty acid methyl esters from free fatty acid and glycerolipid fractions of algae Scenedesmus dimorphus. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  6. A direct and fast method to monitor lipid oxidation progress in model fatty acid methyl esters by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography.

    PubMed

    Márquez-Ruiz, G; Holgado, F; García-Martínez, M C; Dobarganes, M C

    2007-09-21

    A new method based on high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) is proposed to quantitate primary and secondary oxidation compounds in model fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). The method consists on simply injecting an aliquot sample in HPSEC, without preliminary isolation procedures neither addition of standard internal. Four groups of compounds can be quantified, namely, unoxidised FAME, oxidised FAME monomers including hydroperoxides, FAME dimers and FAME polymers. Results showed high repeatability and sensitivity, and substantial advantages versus determination of residual substrate by gas-liquid chromatography. Applicability of the method is shown through selected data obtained by numerous oxidation experiments on pure FAME, mainly methyl linoleate, at ambient and moderate temperatures.

  7. Anti-Aspergillus activity of green coffee 5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid and its alkyl esters.

    PubMed

    Suárez-Quiroz, M L; Alonso Campos, A; Valerio Alfaro, G; González-Ríos, O; Villeneuve, P; Figueroa-Espinoza, M C

    2013-01-01

    The antifungal activities of 5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid (5-CQA) and of methyl, butyl, octyl, and dodecyl esters or 5-CQA, were tested on five toxigenic moulds from the Aspergillus genus (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus nomius, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus westerdijkiae). These mycotoxin producers' moulds may contaminate many types of food crops throughout the food chain posing serious health hazard to animals and humans. The use of chemical methods to decrease mycotoxin producer moulds contamination on food crops in the field, during storage, and/or during processing, has been proved to be efficient. In this work, the antifungal effect of 5-CQA and a homologous series of 5-CQA esters (methyl, butyl, octyl, dodecyl), was investigated using the microdilution method and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC50 and MIC80). All molecules presented antifungal activity, and two esters showed a MIC for all fungi: octyl (MIC50 ≤ 0.5-0.75 mg/mL, MIC80 = 1.0-1.5 mg/mL) and dodecyl (MIC50 = 0.75-1.25 mg/mL) chlorogenates. Dodecyl chlorogenate showed a MIC80 (1.5 mg/mL) only for A. parasiticus. The maximum percent of growth inhibition on aspergillii was observed with octyl (78.4-92.7%) and dodecyl (54.5-83.7%) chlorogenates, being octyl chlorogenate the most potent antifungal agent. It was thus concluded that lipophilization improved the antifungal properties of 5-CQA, which increased with the ester alkyl chain length, exhibiting a cut-off effect at 8 carbons. As far as we know, it is the first report demonstrating that lipophilization may improve the antifungal activity of 5-CQA on five toxigenic moulds from the Aspergillus genus. Lipophilization would be a novel way to synthesize a new kind of antifungal agents with a good therapeutic value or a potential use as preservative in food or cosmetics. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Effect of methyl jasmonate application to grapevine leaves on grape amino acid content.

    PubMed

    Garde-Cerdán, Teresa; Portu, Javier; López, Rosa; Santamaría, Pilar

    2016-07-15

    Over the last few years, considerable attention has been paid to the application of elicitors to vineyard. However, research about the effect of elicitors on grape amino acid content is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of foliar application of methyl jasmonate on must amino acid content. Results revealed that total amino acid content was not modified by the application of methyl jasmonate. However, the individual content of certain amino acids was increased as consequence of methyl jasmonate foliar application, i.e., histidine, serine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine, asparagine, methionine, and lysine. Among them, phenylalanine content was considerably increased; this amino acid is precursor of phenolic and aromatic compounds. In conclusion, foliar application of methyl jasmonate improved must nitrogen composition. This finding suggests that methyl jasmonate treatment might be conducive to obtain wines of higher quality since must amino acid composition could affect the wine volatile composition and the fermentation kinetics. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Electrochemical preparation of polyaniline-polypyrrole solid-phase microextraction coating and its application in the GC determination of several esters.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Shasha; Wu, Mian; Zhao, Faqiong; Zeng, Baizhao

    2013-12-15

    A novel polyaniline-polypyrrole (PANI-PPY) composite film coated stainless steel wire was prepared by cyclic voltammetry. Firstly, PANI was electrodeposited on a stainless steel wire from a solution containing 0.1 M aniline and 1M HNO3, after the PANI coating was dried in air PPY was electrodeposited on it from a solution containing 0.1 M pyrrole and 0.1 M p-methylbenzene sulfonic acid. The resulting PANI-PPY fiber showed reticulate structure and had large specific surface area. When it was used for the headspace solid-phase microextraction of several esters (i.e. methyl anthranilate, ethyl-o-aminobenzoate, dimethyl phthalate, methyl laurate, and diethyl phthalate), followed by gas chromatographic determination, it presented higher extraction capability in comparison with PPY and PANI coatings. Under the optimized conditions, the linear ranges were 0.07-300 μg L(-1) and the detection limits were 0.05-0.38 μg L(-1) for different esters. The PANI-PPY fiber also showed high durability, after being used for about 160 times its extraction capacity only changed a little. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of these esters in real samples and the recoveries were 90-102%. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Modeling the Concentrations and Efficiencies for the Interacting Species of Pyropheophorbide Methyl Ester-Copper Association

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Al-Omari, S.

    2013-07-01

    The interaction between pyropheophorbide methyl ester (PPME) and Cu2+ was investigated using UV-vis and fluorescence spectrscopy. Study of the binding interaction between PPME and Cu2+ could contribute to understanding of its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Parameters of the static and dynamic fluorescence quenching of PPME-Cu2+ association were calculated at different temperatures. For binding site of 1:1 at 299 K, the static binding constant (kS), the static isosbestic concentration (CS{ iso}), the dynamic binding constant (kD), and the dynamic isosbestic concentration (CD{ iso }) are, respectively, 61 M-1, 0.0164 M, 75 M-1, and 0.0133 M. The concentrations and efficiencies of the intermediates species were modeled. Satisfactory correspondence between the experimental and calculated results was found.

  11. Production of FAME biodiesel in E. coli by direct methylation with an insect enzyme.

    PubMed

    Sherkhanov, Saken; Korman, Tyler P; Clarke, Steven G; Bowie, James U

    2016-04-07

    Most biodiesel currently in use consists of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) produced by transesterification of plant oils with methanol. To reduce competition with food supplies, it would be desirable to directly produce biodiesel in microorganisms. To date, the most effective pathway for the production of biodiesel in bacteria yields fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) at up to ~1.5 g/L. A much simpler route to biodiesel produces FAMEs by direct S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) dependent methylation of free fatty acids, but FAME production by this route has been limited to only ~16 mg/L. Here we employ an alternative, broad spectrum methyltransferase, Drosophila melanogaster Juvenile Hormone Acid O-Methyltransferase (DmJHAMT). By introducing DmJHAMT in E. coli engineered to produce medium chain fatty acids and overproduce SAM, we obtain medium chain FAMEs at titers of 0.56 g/L, a 35-fold increase over titers previously achieved. Although considerable improvements will be needed for viable bacterial production of FAMEs and FAEEs for biofuels, it may be easier to optimize and transport the FAME production pathway to other microorganisms because it involves fewer enzymes.

  12. Production of FAME biodiesel in E. coli by direct methylation with an insect enzyme

    DOE PAGES

    Sherkhanov, Saken; Korman, Tyler P.; Clarke, Steven G.; ...

    2016-04-07

    Here, most biodiesel currently in use consists of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) produced by transesterification of plant oils with methanol. To reduce competition with food supplies, it would be desirable to directly produce biodiesel in microorganisms. To date, the most effective pathway for the production of biodiesel in bacteria yields fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) at up to ~1.5 g/L. A much simpler route to biodiesel produces FAMEs by direct S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) dependent methylation of free fatty acids, but FAME production by this route has been limited to only ~16 mg/L. Here we employ an alternative, broad spectrum methyltransferase,more » Drosophila melanogaster Juvenile Hormone Acid O-Methyltransferase ( DmJHAMT). By introducing DmJHAMT in E. coli engineered to produce medium chain fatty acids and overproduce SAM, we obtain medium chain FAMEs at titers of 0.56 g/L, a 35-fold increase over titers previously achieved. Although considerable improvements will be needed for viable bacterial production of FAMEs and FAEEs for biofuels, it may be easier to optimize and transport the FAME production pathway to other microorganisms because it involves fewer enzymes.« less

  13. Production of FAME biodiesel in E. coli by direct methylation with an insect enzyme

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sherkhanov, Saken; Korman, Tyler P.; Clarke, Steven G.

    Here, most biodiesel currently in use consists of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) produced by transesterification of plant oils with methanol. To reduce competition with food supplies, it would be desirable to directly produce biodiesel in microorganisms. To date, the most effective pathway for the production of biodiesel in bacteria yields fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) at up to ~1.5 g/L. A much simpler route to biodiesel produces FAMEs by direct S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) dependent methylation of free fatty acids, but FAME production by this route has been limited to only ~16 mg/L. Here we employ an alternative, broad spectrum methyltransferase,more » Drosophila melanogaster Juvenile Hormone Acid O-Methyltransferase ( DmJHAMT). By introducing DmJHAMT in E. coli engineered to produce medium chain fatty acids and overproduce SAM, we obtain medium chain FAMEs at titers of 0.56 g/L, a 35-fold increase over titers previously achieved. Although considerable improvements will be needed for viable bacterial production of FAMEs and FAEEs for biofuels, it may be easier to optimize and transport the FAME production pathway to other microorganisms because it involves fewer enzymes.« less

  14. Production of FAME biodiesel in E. coli by direct methylation with an insect enzyme

    PubMed Central

    Sherkhanov, Saken; Korman, Tyler P.; Clarke, Steven G; Bowie, James U.

    2016-01-01

    Most biodiesel currently in use consists of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) produced by transesterification of plant oils with methanol. To reduce competition with food supplies, it would be desirable to directly produce biodiesel in microorganisms. To date, the most effective pathway for the production of biodiesel in bacteria yields fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) at up to ~1.5 g/L. A much simpler route to biodiesel produces FAMEs by direct S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) dependent methylation of free fatty acids, but FAME production by this route has been limited to only ~16 mg/L. Here we employ an alternative, broad spectrum methyltransferase, Drosophila melanogaster Juvenile Hormone Acid O-Methyltransferase (DmJHAMT). By introducing DmJHAMT in E. coli engineered to produce medium chain fatty acids and overproduce SAM, we obtain medium chain FAMEs at titers of 0.56 g/L, a 35-fold increase over titers previously achieved. Although considerable improvements will be needed for viable bacterial production of FAMEs and FAEEs for biofuels, it may be easier to optimize and transport the FAME production pathway to other microorganisms because it involves fewer enzymes. PMID:27053100

  15. Aspartame Attenuates 2, 4-Dinitrofluorobenzene-Induced Atopic Dermatitis-Like Clinical Symptoms in NC/Nga Mice.

    PubMed

    Kim, Gun-Dong; Park, Yong Seek; Ahn, Hyun-Jong; Cho, Jeong-Je; Park, Cheung-Seog

    2015-11-01

    Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common multifactorial chronic skin disease that has a multiple and complex pathogenesis. AD is gradually increasing in prevalence globally. In NC/Nga mice, repetitive applications of 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) evoke AD-like clinical symptoms similar to human AD. Aspartame (N-L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester) is a methyl ester of a dipeptide, which is used as an artificial non-nutritive sweetener. Aspartame has analgesic and anti-inflammatory functions that are similar to the function of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin. We investigated whether aspartame can relieve AD-like clinical symptoms induced by DNFB treatment in NC/Nga mice. Sucrose did not relieve AD-like symptoms, whereas aspartame at doses of 0.5 μg kg(-1) and 0.5 mg kg(-1) inhibited ear swelling and relieved AD-like clinical symptoms. Aspartame inhibited infiltration of inflammatory cells including eosinophils, mast cells, and CD4(+) T cells, and suppressed the expression of cytokines including IL-4 and IFN-γ, and total serum IgE levels. Aspartame may have therapeutic value in the treatment of AD.

  16. Regulation of Phenylalanine Hydroxylase: Conformational Changes Upon Phenylalanine Binding Detected by H/D Exchange and Mass Spectrometry†

    PubMed Central

    Li, Jun; Dangott, Lawrence J.; Fitzpatrick, Paul F.

    2010-01-01

    Phenylalanine acts as an allosteric activator of the tetrahydropterin-dependent enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange monitored by mass spectrometry has been used to gain insight into local conformational changes accompanying activation of rat phenylalanine hydroxylase by phenylalanine. Peptides in the regulatory and catalytic domains that lie in the interface between these two domains show large increases in the extent of deuterium incorporation from solvent in the presence of phenylalanine. In contrast, the effects of phenylalanine on the exchange kinetics of a mutant enzyme lacking the regulatory domain are limited to peptides surrounding the binding site for the amino acid substrate. These results support a model in which the N-terminus of the protein acts as an inhibitory peptide, with phenylalanine binding causing a conformational change in the regulatory domain that alters the interaction between the catalytic and regulatory domains. PMID:20307070

  17. Multicomponent Synthesis of a N-Protected Alpha-Amino Ester: Ethyl 2-((4-Methoxyphenyl)Amino)-3-Phenylpropanoate

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Le Gall, Erwan; Pignon, Antoine

    2012-01-01

    This laboratory experiment describes the preparation of a N-protected phenylalanine ethyl ester by a zinc-mediated Mannich-like multicomponent reaction between benzyl bromide, "p"-anisidine, and ethyl glyoxylate. The one-step reaction involves the in situ metallation of benzyl bromide into a benzylzinc reagent and its addition onto imine (Barbier…

  18. Rational engineering of multiple module pathways for the production of L-phenylalanine in Corynebacterium glutamicum.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Chuanzhi; Zhang, Junli; Kang, Zhen; Du, Guocheng; Chen, Jian

    2015-05-01

    Microbial production of L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) from renewable sources has attracted much attention recently. In the present study, Corynebacterium glutamicum 13032 was rationally engineered to produce L-Phe from inexpensive glucose. First, all the L-Phe biosynthesis pathway genes were investigated and the results demonstrated that in addition to AroF and PheA, the native PpsA, TktA, AroE and AroA, and the heterologous AroL and TyrB were also the key enzymes for L-Phe biosynthesis. Through combinational expression of these key enzymes, the L-Phe production was increased to 6.33 ± 0.13 g l(-1) which was about 1.48-fold of that of the parent strain C. glutamicum (pXM-pheA (fbr)-aroF (fbr)) (fbr, feedback-inhibition resistance). Furthermore, the production of L-Phe was improved to 9.14 ± 0.21 g l(-1) by modifying the glucose and L-Phe transport systems and blocking the acetate and lactate biosynthesis pathways. Eventually, the titer of L-Phe was enhanced to 15.76 ± 0.23 g l(-1) with a fed-batch fermentation strategy. To the best of our knowledge, this was the highest value reported in rationally engineered C. glutamicum 13032 strains. The results obtained will also contribute to rational engineering of C. glutamicum for production of other valuable aromatic compounds.

  19. Apoptosis and autophagy induced by pyropheophorbide-α methyl ester-mediated photodynamic therapy in human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells.

    PubMed

    Huang, Qiu; Ou, Yun-Sheng; Tao, Yong; Yin, Hang; Tu, Ping-Hua

    2016-06-01

    Pyropheophorbide-α methyl ester (MPPa) was a second-generation photosensitizer with many potential applications. Here, we explored the impact of MPPa-mediated photodynamic therapy (MPPa-PDT) on the apoptosis and autophagy of human osteosarcoma (MG-63) cells as well as the relationships between apoptosis and autophagy of the cells, and investigated the related molecular mechanisms. We found that MPPa-PDT demonstrated the ability to inhibit MG-63 cell viability in an MPPa concentration- and light dose-dependent manner, and to induce apoptosis via the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Additionally, MPPa-PDT could also induce autophagy of MG-63 cell. Meanwhile, the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and the Jnk inhibitor SP600125 were found to inhibit the MPPa-PDT-induced autophagy, and NAC could also inhibit Jnk phosphorylation. Furthermore, pretreatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine or chloroquine showed the potential in reducing the apoptosis rate induced by MPPa-PDT in MG-63 cells. Our results indicated that the mitochondrial pathway was involved in MPPa-PDT-induced apoptosis of MG-63 cells. Meanwhile the ROS-Jnk signaling pathway was involved in MPPa-PDT-induced autophagy, which further promoted the apoptosis in MG-63 cells.

  20. Separation of the fatty acids in menhaden oil as methyl esters with a highly polar ionic liquid gas chromatographic column and identification by time of flight mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Fardin-Kia, Ali Reza; Delmonte, Pierluigi; Kramer, John K G; Jahreis, Gerhard; Kuhnt, Katrin; Santercole, Viviana; Rader, Jeanne I

    2013-12-01

    The fatty acids contained in marine oils or products are traditionally analyzed by gas chromatography using capillary columns coated with polyethylene glycol phases. Recent reports indicate that 100 % cyanopropyl siloxane phases should also be used when the analyzed samples contain trans fatty acids. We investigated the separation of the fatty acid methyl esters prepared from menhaden oil using the more polar SLB-IL111 (200 m × 0.25 mm) ionic liquid capillary column and the chromatographic conditions previously optimized for the separation of the complex mixture of fatty acid methyl esters prepared from milk fat. Identifications of fatty acids were achieved by applying Ag(+)-HPLC fractionation and GC-TOF/MS analysis in CI(+) mode with isobutane as the ionization reagent. Calculation of equivalent chain lengths confirmed the assignment of double bond positions. This methodology allowed the identification of 125 fatty acids in menhaden oil, including isoprenoid and furanoid fatty acids, and the novel 7-methyl-6-hexadecenoic and 7-methyl-6-octadecenoic fatty acids. The chromatographic conditions applied in this study showed the potential of separating in a single 90-min analysis, among others, the short chain and trans fatty acids contained in dairy products, and the polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in marine products.

  1. Optical properties of conjugated poly(3-hexylthiophene)/[6,6]-phenylC61-butyric acid methyl ester composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lioudakis, Emmanouil; Othonos, Andreas; Alexandrou, Ioannis; Hayashi, Yasuhiko

    2007-10-01

    In this work, we present the evolution of optical constants as a function of [6,6]-phenylC61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) concentration for conjugated poly(3-hexylthiophene)/[6,6]-phenylC61-butyric acid methyl ester composites. The PCBM concentration of the utilized samples varies from 1to50wt%. The dielectric functions for all these composites reveal electronic structural changes as a result of the addition of PCBM. We have deconvoluted the contribution of the substrate using a two-layer Fabry-Pérot structural model. The extracted optical properties contain crucial absorption peaks of singlet exciton states and vibronic sidebands for poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) conjugated polymer as well as two PCBM-related states at higher energies. With the addition of PCBM, we have observed a limit of 20wt% PCBM beyond which two discrete energy levels (3.64 and 4.67eV) appear in the spectrum. For the highest concentration composite, the results suggest that the interchain interactions provide a small excitonic contribution in the absorption spectrum at energies where the conjugated polymer absorbs (1.85-2.7eV) and a strong rise of PCBM states (3.64 and 4.67eV) which are responsible for the subsequent exciton dissociation. In addition, the energy gap between the higher occupied molecular orbitals and the lower unoccupied molecular orbitals of the highest concentration composite (50wt%) is 1.85eV. The tuning of the optical properties of P3HT with the addition of PCBM shows that ellipsometry can be used to monitor layer concentration toward optimization of plastic solar cells.

  2. Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of fatty acid methyl ester of Quercus leucotrichophora fruits.

    PubMed

    Sati, Ankita; Sati, Sushil Chandra; Sati, Nitin; Sati, O P

    2017-03-01

    Natural fats and dietary oils are chief source of fatty acids and are well known to have antimicrobial activities against various microbes. The chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of fatty acids from fruits of white Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) are yet unexplored and therefore the present study for the first time determines the fatty acid composition, and the antibacterial and antifungal activities of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) of the white Oak plant found along the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India. The GCMS analysis revealed the presence of higher amount of saturated fatty acids than unsaturated fatty acids. FAME extract of fruits of Q. leucotrichophora demonstrated better antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria than the Gram-negative bacteria. The present studies clearly establish the potential of the fruits of Q. leucotrichophora for use in soap, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

  3. Photoactive ligands probing the sweet taste receptor. Design and synthesis of highly potent diazirinyl D-phenylalanine derivatives.

    PubMed

    Masuda, Katsuyoshi; Koizumi, Ayako; Misaka, Takumi; Hatanaka, Yasumaru; Abe, Keiko; Tanaka, Takaharu; Ishiguro, Masaji; Hashimoto, Makoto

    2010-02-01

    Some D-amino acids such as d-tryptophan and D-phenylalanine are well known as naturally-occurring sweeteners. Photoreactive D-phenylalanine derivatives containing trifluoromethyldiazirinyl moiety at 3- or 4-position of phenylalanine, were designed as sweeteners for functional analysis with photoaffinity labeling. The trifluoromethyldiazirinyl D-phenylalanine derivatives were prepared effectively with chemo-enzymatic methods using L-amino acid oxidase and were found to have potent activity toward the human sweet taste receptor. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. A resolution approach of racemic phenylalanine with aqueous two-phase systems of chiral tropine ionic liquids.

    PubMed

    Wu, Haoran; Yao, Shun; Qian, Guofei; Yao, Tian; Song, Hang

    2015-10-30

    Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) based on tropine type chiral ionic liquids and inorganic salt solution were designed and prepared for the enantiomeric separation of racemic phenylalanine. The phase behavior of IL-based ATPS was comprehensive investigated, and phase equilibrium data were correlated by Merchuk equation. Various factors were also systematically investigated for their influence on separation efficiency. Under the appropriate conditions (0.13g/g [C8Tropine]pro, 35mg/g Cu(Ac)2, 20mg/g d,l-phenylalanine, 0.51g/g H2O and 0.30g/g K2HPO4), the enantiomeric excess value of phenylalanine in solid phase (mainly containing l-enantiomer) was 65%. Finally, the interaction mechanism was studied via 1D and 2D NMR. The results indicate that d-enantiomer of phenylalanine interacts more strongly with chiral ILs and Cu(2+) based on the chiral ion-pairs space coordination mechanism, which makes it tend to remain in the top IL-rich phase. By contrast, l-enantiomer is transferred into the solid phase. Above chiral ionic liquids aqueous two-phase systems have demonstrated obvious resolution to racemic phenylalanine and could be promising alterative resolution approach for racemic amino acids in aqueous circumstance. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  5. Thielavin B methyl ester: a cytotoxic benzoate trimer from an unidentified fungus (MSX 55526) from the Order Sordariales.

    PubMed

    Ayers, Sloan; Ehrmann, Brandie M; Adcock, Audrey F; Kroll, David J; Wani, Mansukh C; Pearce, Cedric J; Oberlies, Nicholas H

    2011-11-02

    As part of our ongoing investigation of filamentous fungi for anticancer leads, an active fungal extract was identified from the Mycosynthetix library (MSX 55526; from the Order Sordariales). Bioactivity-directed fractionation yielded the known ergosterol peroxide (2) and 5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,9(11),22-trien-3β-ol(3), and a new benzoate trimer, termed thielavin B methyl ester (1). The structure elucidation of 1 was facilitated by the use of HRMS coupled to an APPI (atmospheric pressure photoionization) source. Compound 1 proved to be moderately active against a panel of three cancer cell lines.

  6. Pyrogenic transformation of Nannochloropsis oceanica into fatty acid methyl esters without oil extraction for estimating total lipid content.

    PubMed

    Kim, Jieun; Jung, Jong-Min; Lee, Jechan; Kim, Ki-Hyun; Choi, Tae O; Kim, Jae-Kon; Jeon, Young Jae; Kwon, Eilhann E

    2016-07-01

    This study fundamentally investigated the pseudo-catalytic transesterification of dried Nannochloropsis oceanica into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) without oil extraction, which was achieved in less than 5min via a thermo-chemical pathway. This study presented that the pseudo-catalytic transesterification reaction was achieved in the presence of silica and that its main driving force was identified as temperature: pores in silica provided the numerous reaction space like a micro-reactor, where the heterogeneous reaction was developed. The introduced FAME derivatization showed an extraordinarily high tolerance of impurities (i.e., pyrolytic products and various extractives). This study also explored the thermal cracking of FAMEs derived from N. oceanica: the thermal cracking of saturated FAMEs was invulnerable at temperatures lower than 400°C. Lastly, this study reported that N. oceanica contained 14.4wt.% of dried N. oceanica and that the introduced methylation technique could be applicable to many research fields sharing the transesterification platform. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Supported phosphate and carbonate salts for heterogeneous catalysis of triglycerides to fatty acid methyl esters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Britton, Stephanie Lynne

    Fatty acid methyl esters made from vegetable oil, or biodiesel, have been identified as a substitute for diesel derived from crude oil. Biodiesel is currently made using a homogeneous base catalyst to perform the transesterification of triglycerides with methanol to generate fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The use of a homogeneous catalyst necessitates additional purification of the product and byproducts before sale, and the catalyst is consumed and discarded. The development of a heterogeneous basic catalyst for the production of FAME is desirable. Tribasic phosphate salts and dibasic carbonate salts are active for the production of FAME but generally operate as homogeneous catalysts. Supporting these phosphate and carbonate salts on mesoporous MCM-41, microporous silica gel, and nonporous a-alumina proved successful to greater or lesser degrees depending on the identity of the support and pretreatment of the support. Although these salts were supported and were active for the production of FAME from canola oil, they proved to be operating as homogeneous catalysts due to leaching of the active species off the surface of the support. Further investigation of the active species present in the tribasic phosphate catalysts identified the active support as orthophosphate, and NMR studies revealed the phosphorus to be present as orthophosphate and diphosphate in varying proportions in each catalyst. Evaluation of the acid-washing support pretreatment process revealed that the exposure of the support to acid plays a large role in the development of activity on the surface of the catalyst, but manipulation of these parameters did not prevent leaching of the active site off the surface of the catalyst. Alternate methods of support pretreatment were no more effective in preventing leaching. Tribasic phosphate supported on silica gel is not effective as a heterogeneous catalyst for FAME production from triglycerides because of the lack of stability of the phosphate on the

  8. Thermal, mechanical, optical and conductivity studies of a novel NLO active L-phenylalanine L-phenylalaninium dihydrogenphosphate single crystal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sujatha, T.; Cyrac Peter, A.; Vimalan, M.; Merline Shyla, J.; Madhavan, J.

    2010-08-01

    An efficient, novel, semi-organic, nonlinear optical (NLO) material L-phenylalanine L-phenylalaninium dihydrogenphosphate (LPADHP), single crystal of dimension 11×5×2 mm 3, has been grown by the slow evaporation solution growth technique. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirm that the grown crystal belongs to monoclinic system with the space group P2 1. The functional groups present in the crystal were confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared technique. Optical absorption spectrum shows that the material possesses very low absorption in the entire visible region. Thermal analysis confirmed that the crystal is thermally stable up to 161 °C. The frequency dependent dielectric properties of the grown crystal were studied for various temperatures. The second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the grown crystal is 1.2 times greater than that of the potassium dihydrogenphosphate (KDP) single crystal. The laser induced surface damage threshold for the grown crystal was found to be 6.3 GW cm -2 with Nd:YAG laser assembly AC and DC conductivity and photoconductivity experiments are also carried out and the results are discussed.

  9. l-phenylalanine modulates gut hormone release and glucose tolerance, and suppresses food intake through the calcium-sensing receptor in rodents.

    PubMed

    Alamshah, A; Spreckley, E; Norton, M; Kinsey-Jones, J S; Amin, A; Ramgulam, A; Cao, Y; Johnson, R; Saleh, K; Akalestou, E; Malik, Z; Gonzalez-Abuin, N; Jomard, A; Amarsi, R; Moolla, A; Sargent, P R; Gray, G W; Bloom, S R; Murphy, K G

    2017-11-01

    High-protein diets (HPDs) are associated with greater satiety and weight loss than diets rich in other macronutrients. The exact mechanisms by which HPDs exert their effects are unclear. However, evidence suggests that the sensing of amino acids produced as a result of protein digestion may have a role in appetite regulation and satiety. We investigated the effects of l-phenylalanine (L-Phe) on food intake and glucose homeostasis in rodents. We investigated the effects of the aromatic amino-acid and calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) agonist l-phenylalanine (L-Phe) on food intake and the release of the gastrointestinal (GI) hormones peptide YY (PYY), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and ghrelin in rodents, and the role of the CaSR in mediating these effects in vitro and in vivo. We also examined the effect of oral l-Phe administration on glucose tolerance in rats. Oral administration of l-Phe acutely reduced food intake in rats and mice, and chronically reduced food intake and body weight in diet-induced obese mice. Ileal l-Phe also reduced food intake in rats. l-Phe stimulated GLP-1 and PYY release, and reduced plasma ghrelin, and also stimulated insulin release and improved glucose tolerance in rats. Pharmacological blockade of the CaSR attenuated the anorectic effect of intra-ileal l-Phe in rats, and l-Phe-induced GLP-1 release from STC-1 and primary L cells was attenuated by CaSR blockade. l-Phe reduced food intake, stimulated GLP-1 and PYY release, and reduced plasma ghrelin in rodents. Our data provide evidence that the anorectic effects of l-Phe are mediated via the CaSR, and suggest that l-Phe and the CaSR system in the GI tract may have therapeutic utility in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. Further work is required to determine the physiological role of the CaSR in protein sensing in the gut, and the role of this system in humans.

  10. Preparation of fatty acid methyl esters for gas-chromatographic analysis of marine lipids: insight studies.

    PubMed

    Carvalho, Ana P; Malcata, F Xavier

    2005-06-29

    Assays for fatty acid composition in biological materials are commonly carried out by gas chromatography, after conversion of the lipid material into the corresponding methyl esters (FAME) via suitable derivatization reactions. Quantitative derivatization depends on the type of catalyst and processing conditions employed, as well as the solubility of said sample in the reaction medium. Most literature pertinent to derivatization has focused on differential comparison between alternative methods; although useful to find out the best method for a particular sample, additional studies on factors that may affect each step of FAME preparation are urged. In this work, the influence of various parameters in each step of derivatization reactions was studied, using both cod liver oil and microalgal biomass as model systems. The accuracies of said methodologies were tested via comparison with the AOCS standard method, whereas their reproducibility was assessed by analysis of variance of (replicated) data. Alkaline catalysts generated lower levels of long-chain unsaturated FAME than acidic ones. Among these, acetyl chloride and BF(3) were statistically equivalent to each other. The standard method, which involves alkaline treatment of samples before acidic methylation with BF(3), provided equivalent results when compared with acidic methylation with BF(3) alone. Polarity of the reaction medium was found to be of the utmost importance in the process: intermediate values of polarity [e.g., obtained by a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of methanol with diethyl ether or toluene] provided amounts of extracted polyunsaturated fatty acids statistically higher than those obtained via the standard method.

  11. Fast comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography method for fatty acid methyl ester separation and quantification using dual ionic liquid columns.

    PubMed

    Nosheen, Asia; Mitrevski, Blagoj; Bano, Asghari; Marriott, Philip J

    2013-10-18

    Safflower oil is a complex mixture of C18 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids amongst other fatty acids, and achieving separation between these similar structure components using one dimensional gas chromatography (GC) may be difficult. This investigation aims to obtain improved separation of fatty acid methyl esters in safflower oil, and their quantification using comprehensive two-dimensional GC (GC×GC). Here, GC×GC separation is accomplished by the coupling of two ionic liquid (IL) column phases: the combination of SLB-IL111 with IL59 column phases was finally selected since it provided excellent separation of a FAME standard mixture, as well as fatty acids in safflower and linseed oil, compared to other tested column sets. Safflower oil FAME were well separated in a short run of 16min. FAME validation was demonstrated by method reproducibility, linearity over a range up to 500mgL(-1), and limits of detection which ranged from 1.9mgL(-1) to 5.2mgL(-1) at a split ratio of 20:1. Quantification was carried out using two dilution levels of 200-fold for major components and 20-fold for trace components. The fatty acids C15:0 and C17:0 were not reported previously in safflower oil. The SLB-IL111/IL59 column set proved to be an effective and novel configuration for separation and quantification of vegetable and animal oil fatty acids. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Constituents of Mediterranean Spices Counteracting Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation: Identification and Characterization of Rosmarinic Acid Methyl Ester as a Novel Inhibitor.

    PubMed

    Liu, Rongxia; Heiss, Elke H; Waltenberger, Birgit; Blažević, Tina; Schachner, Daniel; Jiang, Baohong; Krystof, Vladimir; Liu, Wanhui; Schwaiger, Stefan; Peña-Rodríguez, Luis M; Breuss, Johannes M; Stuppner, Hermann; Dirsch, Verena M; Atanasov, Atanas G

    2018-04-01

    Aberrant vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is involved in atherosclerotic plaque formation and restenosis. Mediterranean spices have been reported to confer cardioprotection, but their direct influence on VSMCs has largely not been investigated. This study aims at examining rosmarinic acid (RA) and 11 related constituents for inhibition of VSMC proliferation in vitro, and at characterizing the most promising compound for their mode of action and influence on neointima formation in vivo. RA, rosmarinic acid methyl ester (RAME), and caffeic acid methyl ester inhibit VSMC proliferation in a resazurin conversion assay with IC 50 s of 5.79, 3.12, and 6.78 µm, respectively. RAME significantly reduced neointima formation in vivo in a mouse femoral artery cuff model. Accordingly, RAME leads to an accumulation of VSMCs in the G 0 /G 1 cell-cycle phase, as indicated by blunted retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation upon mitogen stimulation and inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 in vitro. RAME represses PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation in vitro and reduces neointima formation in vivo. These results recommend RAME as an interesting compound with VSMC-inhibiting potential. Future metabolism and pharmacokinetics studies might help to further evaluate the potential relevance of RAME and other spice-derived polyphenolics for vasoprotection. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  13. Amonia gas: an improved reagent for chemical ionization mass spectrometry of bile acid methyl ester acetates

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    DeMark, B.R.; Klein, P.D.

    1981-01-01

    The ammonia chemical ionization mass spectra of 28 methyl ester acetate derivatives of bile acids and related compounds have been determined by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Advantages of ammonia ionization over the previously studied isobutane ionization include a 130 to 270% enhancement in the sensitivity of base peak monitoring, and direct determination of molecular weight from the base peak (M + NH/sub 4//sup +/) in the mass spectrum of any of the derivatives. Minor ions in the ammonia spectra also allow selective detection of 3-keto compounds and can indicate unsaturation or double bond conjugation in the molecule. The significance of thesemore » studies for the detection and quantitation of bile acids is discussed. 2 tables.« less

  14. Synthesis, biological evaluation, and 3D QSAR study of 2-methyl-4-oxo-3-oxetanylcarbamic acid esters as N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Ponzano, Stefano; Berteotti, Anna; Petracca, Rita; Vitale, Romina; Mengatto, Luisa; Bandiera, Tiziano; Cavalli, Andrea; Piomelli, Daniele; Bertozzi, Fabio; Bottegoni, Giovanni

    2014-12-11

    N-(2-Oxo-3-oxetanyl)carbamic acid esters have recently been reported to be noncompetitive inhibitors of the N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) potentially useful for the treatment of pain and inflammation. In the present study, we further explored the structure-activity relationships of the carbamic acid ester side chain of 2-methyl-4-oxo-3-oxetanylcarbamic acid ester derivatives. Additional favorable features in the design of potent NAAA inhibitors have been found together with the identification of a single digit nanomolar inhibitor. In addition, we devised a 3D QSAR using the atomic property field method. The model turned out to be able to account for the structural variability and was prospectively validated by designing, synthesizing, and testing novel inhibitors. The fairly good agreement between predictions and experimental potency values points to this 3D QSAR model as the first example of quantitative structure-activity relationships in the field of NAAA inhibitors.

  15. DNA methylation and methylation polymorphism in ecotypes of Jatropha curcas L. using methylation-sensitive AFLP markers.

    PubMed

    Mastan, Shaik G; Rathore, Mangal S; Bhatt, Vacha D; Chikara, J; Ghosh, A

    2014-12-01

    We investigated DNA methylation and polymorphism in the methylated DNA using AFLP based methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MS-AFLP) markers in ecotypes of Jatropha curcas L. growing in similar and different geo-ecological conditions. Three ecotypes growing in different geo-ecological conditions with environmental heterogeneity (Group-1) and five ecotypes growing in similar environmental conditions (Group-2) were assessed. In ecotypes growing in group-1, 44.32 % DNA was methylated and of which 93.59 % DNA was polymorphic. While in group-2, 32.27 % DNA was methylated, of which 51.64 % DNA was polymorphic. In site 1 and site 2 of group-1, overall methylation was 18.94 and 22.44 % respectively with difference of 3.5 %, while overall polymorphism was 41.14 and 39.23 % with a difference of 1.91 %. In site 1 and site 2 of group-2, overall methylation was 24.68 and 24.18 % respectively with difference of 0.5 %, while overall polymorphism was 12.19 and 12.65 % with a difference of 0.46 %. The difference of methylation percentage and percentage of methylation polymorphism throughout the genome of J. curcas at site 1 and 2 of group-1 is higher than that of J. curcas at site 1 and 2 of group-2. These results correlated the physico-chemical properties of soil at these sites. The variations of physico-chemical properties of soil at Chorwadla (site 1 in group-1 and site 2 in group-2) compared to the soil at Brahmapur (site 2 in group-1) is higher than that of soil at Neswad (site 1 in group-2). The study suggests that these homologous nucleotide sequences probably play important role in ecotype adaptation to environmental heterogeneity by creating epiallelic variations hence in evolution of ecotypes/clines or forms of species showing phenotypic/genotypic differences in different geographical areas.

  16. 40 CFR 721.10271 - 3′H-Cyclopropa[1,9][5,6]fullerene-C60-Ih-3′-butanoic acid, 3′-phenyl-, methyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.10271 3′H-Cyclopropa[1,9][5,6]fullerene-C60-Ih-3′-butanoic acid, 3′-phenyl-, methyl ester. (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as 3′H-Cyclopropa[1,9][5,6...

  17. 40 CFR 721.10271 - 3′H-Cyclopropa[1,9][5,6]fullerene-C60-Ih-3′-butanoic acid, 3′-phenyl-, methyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.10271 3′H-Cyclopropa[1,9][5,6]fullerene-C60-Ih-3′-butanoic acid, 3′-phenyl-, methyl ester. (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as 3′H-Cyclopropa[1,9][5,6...

  18. Determination of L-phenylalanine on-line based on molecularly imprinted polymeric microspheres and flow injection chemiluminescence

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qiu, Huamin; Xi, Yulei; Lu, Fuguang; Fan, Lulu; Luo, Chuannan

    2012-02-01

    A novel molecular imprinting-chemiluminescence (MIP-CL) sensor for the determination of L-phenylalanine (Phe) using molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as recognition element is reported. The Phe-MIP was synthesized using acrylamide (AM) as functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as cross-linker, 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator and the polymers' properties were characterized. Then the synthesized MIP was employed as recognition element by packing into flow cell to establish a novel flow injection CL sensor. The CL intensity responded linearly to the concentration of Phe in the range 1.3 × 10 -6 to 5.44 × 10 -4 mol/L with a detection limit of 6.23 × 10 -7 mol/L (3 σ), which is lower than that of conventional methods. The sensor is reusable and has a great improvement in sensitivity and selectivity for CL analysis. As a result, the new MIP-CL sensor had been successfully applied to the determination of Phe in samples.

  19. Influence of functional groups on the C α-C β chain of L-phenylalanine and its derivatives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ganesan, Aravindhan; Brunger, Michael; Wang, Feng

    2010-07-01

    L-phenylalanine ( L-phe) consists of three different functional groups, i.e., phenyl, carboxyl (-COOH) and amino (-NH 2), joining through the C α-C β bridge. Substitution of these groups produces 2-phenethylamine (PEA) and 3-phenylpropionic acid (PPA). Electronic structures of L-phe, PEA and PPA together with smaller "fragments" L-alanine and benzene were determined using density functional theory (DFT), from which core and valence shell ionization spectra were simulated. Comparison of the spectra reveals that core shell ionization energies clearly indicate that the carbon bridge is significantly affected by their functional group substitutions particularly at the C α site. In the valence space, quite unexpectedly, the frontier orbitals are concentrated on the benzene group although some energy splitting is observed. The orbitals which significantly affect the C α-C β carbon backbone are from the inner valence shell in the ionization energy region of 20-26 eV of the molecules.

  20. Trapping Phyllophaga spp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) in the United States and Canada using sex attractants.

    PubMed Central

    Robbins, Paul S.; Alm, Steven R.; Armstrong, Charles. D.; Averill, Anne L.; Baker, Thomas C.; Bauernfiend, Robert J.; Baxendale, Frederick P.; Braman, S. Kris; Brandenburg, Rick L.; Cash, Daniel B.; Couch, Gary J.; Cowles, Richard S.; Crocker, Robert L.; DeLamar, Zandra D.; Dittl, Timothy G.; Fitzpatrick, Sheila M.; Flanders, Kathy L.; Forgatsch, Tom; Gibb, Timothy J.; Gill, Bruce D.; Gilrein, Daniel O.; Gorsuch, Clyde S.; Hammond, Abner M.; Hastings, Patricia D.; Held, David W.; Heller, Paul R.; Hiskes, Rose T.; Holliman, James L.; Hudson, William G.; Klein, Michael G.; Krischik, Vera L.; Lee, David J.; Linn, Charles E.; Luce, Nancy J.; MacKenzie, Kenna E.; Mannion, Catherine M.; Polavarapu, Sridhar; Potter, Daniel A.; Roelofs, Wendell L.; Royals, Brian M.; Salsbury, Glenn A.; Schiff, Nathan M.; Shetlar, David J.; Skinner, Margaret; Sparks, Beverly L.; Sutschek, Jessica A.; Sutschek, Timothy P.; Swier, Stanley R.; Sylvia, Martha M.; Vickers, Neil J.; Vittum, Patricia J.; Weidman, Richard; Weber, Donald C.; Williamson, R. Chris; Villani, Michael G

    2006-01-01

    The sex pheromone of the scarab beetle, Phyllophaga anxia, is a blend of the methyl esters of two amino acids, L-valine and L-isoleucine. A field trapping study was conducted, deploying different blends of the two compounds at 59 locations in the United States and Canada. More than 57,000 males of 61 Phyllophaga species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) were captured and identified. Three major findings included: (1) widespread use of the two compounds [of the 147 Phyllophaga (sensu stricto) species found in the United States and Canada, males of nearly 40% were captured]; (2) in most species intraspecific male response to the pheromone blends was stable between years and over geography; and (3) an unusual pheromone polymorphism was described from P. anxia. Populations at some locations were captured with L-valine methyl ester alone, whereas populations at other locations were captured with L-isoleucine methyl ester alone. At additional locations, the L-valine methyl ester-responding populations and the L-isoleucine methyl ester-responding populations were both present, producing a bimodal capture curve. In southeastern Massachusetts and in Rhode Island, in the United States, P. anxia males were captured with blends of L-valine methyl ester and L-isoleucine methyl ester. PMID:19537965

  1. Optimized Carbonate and Ester-Based Li-Ion Electrolytes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smart, Marshall; Bugga, Ratnakumar

    2008-01-01

    To maintain high conductivity in low temperatures, electrolyte co-solvents have been designed to have a high dielectric constant, low viscosity, adequate coordination behavior, and appropriate liquid ranges and salt solubilities. Electrolytes that contain ester-based co-solvents in large proportion (greater than 50 percent) and ethylene carbonate (EC) in small proportion (less than 20 percent) improve low-temperature performance in MCMB carbon-LiNiCoO2 lithium-ion cells. These co-solvents have been demonstrated to enhance performance, especially at temperatures down to 70 C. Low-viscosity, ester-based co-solvents were incorporated into multi-component electrolytes of the following composition: 1.0 M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC) + ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) + X (1:1:8 volume percent) [where X = methyl butyrate (MB), ethyl butyrate EB, methyl propionate (MP), or ethyl valerate (EV)]. These electrolyte formulations result in improved low-temperature performance of lithium-ion cells, with dramatic results at temperatures below 40 C.

  2. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of alkylphosphonic acids from aqueous samples by ion-pair solid-phase extraction on activated charcoal and methylation.

    PubMed

    Vijaya Saradhi, U V R; Prabhakar, S; Jagadeshwar Reddy, T; Murty, M R V S

    2007-07-20

    In the present paper, we report an improved ion-pair solid-phase extraction (IP-SPE) method for the analysis of alkylphosphonic acids, namely, methyl, ethyl and propylphosphonic acids, present in the aqueous sample. The aqueous sample was mixed with an ion-pair reagent, phenyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (PTMAH) and passed through activated charcoal SPE cartridge. The retained chemicals in the cartridge were extracted with methanol and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) under the electron impact ionization (EI) mode. The analytes were converted to their methyl esters by pyrolytic methylation in the hot GC injection port. The recoveries of alkylphosphonic acids were above 95% and the minimum detection limits were as low as 10 ng/mL. The recovery of the test chemicals was tested with solvents, dichloromethane, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, acetonitrile and methanol. The chemicals could be efficiently extracted by the hydrophilic solvents. The method did not work at the highly acidic pH (when acidified with dilute HCl) but worked well from pH 4.0 to 14.0. The present method was also tested with other tetra-(methyl, ethyl, propyl and n-butyl)ammonium hydroxides. The test chemicals were not converted to their methyl and ethyl esters with tetramethyl and tetraethylammonium hydroxides, whereas they were converted to their corresponding propyl and n-butyl esters with tetrapropyl and tetra(n-butyl)ammonium hydroxides. The method was also applied to two highly cross-linked polymeric sorbents DSC-6S and Oasis HLB. The recovery of the chemicals on these sorbents was observed to be poor. Methylation using phenyltrimethylammonium hydroxide is non-hazardous and advantageous over methylation using diazomethane. The method was applied to the analysis of aqueous samples given in one of the official proficiency tests conducted by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and all the spiked chemicals were identified as methyl esters.

  3. Synthesis of d‐ and l‐Phenylalanine Derivatives by Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyases: A Multienzymatic Cascade Process†

    PubMed Central

    Parmeggiani, Fabio; Lovelock, Sarah L.; Weise, Nicholas J.; Ahmed, Syed T.

    2015-01-01

    Abstract The synthesis of substituted d‐phenylalanines in high yield and excellent optical purity, starting from inexpensive cinnamic acids, has been achieved with a novel one‐pot approach by coupling phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) amination with a chemoenzymatic deracemization (based on stereoselective oxidation and nonselective reduction). A simple high‐throughput solid‐phase screening method has also been developed to identify PALs with higher rates of formation of non‐natural d‐phenylalanines. The best variants were exploited in the chemoenzymatic cascade, thus increasing the yield and ee value of the d‐configured product. Furthermore, the system was extended to the preparation of those l‐phenylalanines which are obtained with a low ee value using PAL amination. PMID:27478261

  4. Optimization of oligomeric enzyme activity in ionic liquids using Rhodotorula glutinis yeast phenylalanine ammonia lyase.

    PubMed

    Barron, Christiaan C; Sponagle, Brandon J D; Arivalagan, Pugazhendhi; D'Cunha, Godwin B

    2017-01-01

    Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (E.C.4.3.1.24, PAL) activity of Rhodotorula glutinis yeast has been demonstrated in four commonly used ionic liquids. PAL forward reaction was carried out in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methyl sulfate ([BMIM][MeSO 4 ]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF 4 ]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF 6 ]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium lactate ([BMIM][lactate]). Our experiments have revealed that PAL is catalytically active in ionic liquids and the enzyme activity in ([BMIM][PF 6 ]) is comparable to that obtained in aqueous buffer medium. Different conditions were optimized for maximal PAL forward activity including time of incubation (30.0min) L -phenylalanine substrate concentration (30.0mM), nature of buffer (50.0mM Tris-HCl), pH (9.0), temperature (37°C), and speed of agitation (100 rev min -1 ). Under these optimized conditions, about 83% conversion of substrate to product was obtained for the PAL forward reaction that was determined using UV spectroscopy at 290nm. PAL reverse reaction in ([BMIM][PF 6 ]) was determined spectrophotometrically at 520nm; and about 59% substrate conversion was obtained. This data provides further knowledge in enzyme biocatalysis in non-aqueous media, and may be of importance when studying the function of other oligomeric/multimeric proteins and enzymes in ionic liquids. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Effects of 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha methyl ester-containing silastic discs in male rats.

    PubMed

    Kimball, F A; Frielink, R D; Porteus, S E

    1978-01-01

    Silicone rubber discs containing 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha ester (15-Me-PGF2 alpha) in the matrix were implanted in the left side of the scrotums of Sprague-Dawley rats. The effect of 1% and 2% drug concentration was examined for 10, 20, or 28 days and compared with the effects of Silastic discs containing no prostaglandin. The discs containing prostaglandin reduced mean testicular and accessory gland weights. Histologically the testes and epididymides showed decreased or absent spermatogenic elements and hypertrophy of the interstitial cell masses in comparison with other cells. Implanted prostaglandin significantly depressed serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations when 15-Me-PGF2 alpha plasma concentrations exceeded 2 ng/ml. Hormone concentrations returned to control values as drug concentrations declined. FSH concentrations significantly exceeded control values 10 and 20 days after implantation, when prostaglandin concentration was nondetectable. The acute suppression of all three hormones suggest that 15-Me-PGF2 alpha either may act directly on the tests to suppress testosterone production or may suppress testosterone production or may suppress gonadotropin secretion, resulting in depressed testosterone output.

  6. Fluorometric and theoretical studies on inclusion complexes of β-cyclodextrin and D-, L-phenylalanine

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aree, Thammarat; Arunchai, Rungthiwa; Koonrugsa, Narongsak; Intasiri, Amarawan

    2012-10-01

    Inclusion complexes of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with L- and D-phenylalanine (Phe) have been characterized in solution by fluorometry and in gas phase by semiempirical PM3 calculations. The unimolar stoichiometric ratio of both β-CD-L-Phe and β-CD-D-Phe complexes and the stability constants (K) were deduced from fluorometric titrations. The β-CD-L-Phe complex is more stable than the β-CD-D-Phe complex as indicated by the larger K values, 21.1 vs. 6.86 M-1. This is consistent with the stabilization energies (ΔEstb) and inclusion geometries obtained from PM3 calculations. The β-CD-L-Phe complex with L-Phe residing in the central β-CD cavity and pointing its COOH group downwards to the O6 end has ΔEstb = -62.7 kJ mol-1, whereas the β-CD-D-Phe complex with D-Phe placing at 3 Å beneath the β-CD O4-plane and pointing its COOH group upwards to the O2/O3 end has ΔEstb = -53.3 kJ mol-1. The unison of host-guest intermolecular hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions and molecular deformations plays an essential role in forming and stabilizing the inclusion complexes. Our results show that the β-CD-L-Phe and β-CD-D-Phe inclusion complexes are relatively stable and differentiable, suggesting the applications of CDs in foods and drugs.

  7. Solvation of Esters and Ketones in Supercritical CO2.

    PubMed

    Kajiya, Daisuke; Imanishi, Masayoshi; Saitow, Ken-ichi

    2016-02-04

    Vibrational Raman spectra for the C═O stretching modes of three esters with different functional groups (methyl, a single phenyl, and two phenyl groups) were measured in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). The results were compared with Raman spectra for three ketones involving the same functional groups, measured at the same thermodynamic states in scCO2. The peak frequencies of the Raman spectra of these six solute molecules were analyzed by decomposition into the attractive and repulsive energy components, based on the perturbed hard-sphere theory. For all solute molecules, the attractive energy is greater than the repulsive energy. In particular, a significant difference in the attractive energies of the ester-CO2 and ketone-CO2 systems was observed when the methyl group is attached to the ester or ketone. This difference was significantly reduced in the solute systems with a single phenyl group and was completely absent in those with two phenyl groups. The optimized structures among the solutes and CO2 molecules based on quantum chemical calculations indicate that greater attractive energy is obtained for a system where the oxygen atom of the ester is solvated by CO2 molecules.

  8. Crosslinking hydroxylated reduced graphene oxide with RAFT-CTA: A nano-initiator for preparation of well-defined amino acid-based polymer nanohybrids.

    PubMed

    Namvari, Mina; Biswas, Chandra S; Wang, Qiao; Liang, Wenlang; Stadler, Florian J

    2017-10-15

    Here, we demonstrate a novel reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer agent (RAFT-CTA)-modified reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (CTA-rGONSs) by crosslinking rGONSs with a RAFT-CTA via esterification reaction. These nano CTA-rGONSs were used to polymerize a hydrophobic amino acid-based methacrylamide (N-acryloyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester) monomer with different monomer/initiator ratios. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the polymer-graphene composites were thermally more stable than GO itself. M n of the polymers increased with increasing monomer/initiator ratio, while the polydispersity index decreased, indicating controlled polymerization. The composites were stable in DMF even after two months. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. IFI44L promoter methylation as a blood biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus

    PubMed Central

    Zhao, Ming; Zhou, Yin; Zhu, Bochen; Wan, Mengjie; Jiang, Tingting; Tan, Qiqun; Liu, Yan; Jiang, Juqing; Luo, Shuaihantian; Tan, Yixin; Wu, Haijing; Renauer, Paul; Gutiérrez, Maria del Mar Ayala; Palma, Maria Jesús Castillo; Castro, Rafaela Ortega; Fernández-Roldán, Concepción; Raya, Enrique; Faria, Raquel; Carvalho, Claudia; Alarcón-Riquelme, Marta E; Xiang, Zhongyuan; Chen, Jinwei; Li, Fen; Ling, Guanghui; Zhao, Hongjun; Liao, Xiangping; Lin, Youkun; Sawalha, Amr H; Lu, Qianjin

    2016-01-01

    Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a clinically heterogeneous disease with limited reliable diagnostic biomarkers. We investigated whether gene methylation could meet sensitivity and specificity criteria for a robust biomarker. Methods IFI44L promoter methylation was examined using DNA samples from a discovery set including 377 patients with SLE, 358 healthy controls (HCs) and 353 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two independent sets including 1144 patients with SLE, 1350 HCs, 429 patients with RA and 199 patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) were used for validation. Results Significant hypomethylation of two CpG sites within IFI44L promoter, Site1 (Chr1: 79 085 222) and Site2 (Chr1: 79 085 250; cg06872964), was identified in patients with SLE compared with HCs, patients with RA and patients with pSS. In a comparison between patients with SLE and HCs included in the first validation cohort, Site1 methylation had a sensitivity of 93.6% and a specificity of 96.8% at a cut-off methylation level of 75.5% and Site2 methylation had a sensitivity of 94.1% and a specificity of 98.2% at a cut-off methylation level of 25.5%. The IFI44L promoter methylation marker was also validated in an European-derived cohort. In addition, the methylation levels of Site1 and Site2 within IFI44L promoter were significantly lower in patients with SLE with renal damage than those without renal damage. Patients with SLE showed significantly increased methylation levels of Site1 and Site2 during remission compared with active stage. Conclusions The methylation level of IFI44L promoter can distinguish patients with SLE from healthy persons and other autoimmune diseases, and is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic marker for SLE. PMID:26787370

  10. Enzymatic catalysis of formation of Z-aspartame in ionic liquid - An alternative to enzymatic catalysis in organic solvents.

    PubMed

    Erbeldinger, M; Mesiano, A J; Russell, A J

    2000-01-01

    We present the first report of enzymatic catalysis in an ionic liquid. The virtually nonexistent vapor pressure makes ionic liquids an exciting new alternative for enzyme-catalyzed syntheses in environmentally friendly environments. Z-aspartame was synthesized in a thermolysin-catalyzed reaction of carbobenzoxy-L-aspartate and L-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BP6). Ionic liquids such as BP6 are thermally stable and have a remarkable range of temperatures over which they remain liquid (300 degrees C). With an initial rate of 1.2 +/- 0.1 nmol min(-)(1) mg(-)(1), we observed a competitive rate in comparison to that of enzymatic synthesis in organic solvent. Additionally, the enzyme exhibits outstanding stability, which would normally require immobilization.

  11. Vibrational spectra, optical properties, NBO and HOMO-LUMO analysis of L-Phenylalanine L-Phenylalaninium Perchlorate: DFT calculations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Elleuch, Nabil; Ben Ahmed, Ali; Feki, Habib; Abid, Younes; Minot, Christian

    2014-03-01

    In this work, we report a combined experimental and theoretical study of a nonlinear optical material, L-Phenylalanine L-Phenylalaninium Perchlorate. Single crystals of the title compound have been grown by slow evaporation of an aqueous solution at room temperature. Theoretical calculations were preceded by redetermination of the crystal X-ray structure. The compound crystallizes in the non-centro symmetric space group P212121 of the orthorhombic system. The FT-IR and Raman spectra of the crystal were recorded and analyzed. The density functional theory (DFT) computations have been performed at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level to derive equilibrium geometry, vibrational wavenumbers, intensity and NLO properties. All observed vibrational bands have been discussed and assigned to normal mode or to combinations on the basis of our DFT calculations as a primary source of attribution and also by comparison with the previous results for similar compounds. Natural bond orbital analysis was carried out to demonstrate the various inter-and intramolecular interaction that are responsible of the stabilization of the compound. The lowering of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap appears to be the cause of its enhanced charge transfer interaction leading to high NLO activity.

  12. Experimental determination of the carboxylate oxygen electric-field-gradient and chemical shielding tensors in L-alanine and L-phenylalanine

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yamada, Kazuhiko; Asanuma, Miwako; Honda, Hisashi; Nemoto, Takahiro; Yamazaki, Toshio; Hirota, Hiroshi

    2007-10-01

    We report a solid-state 17O NMR study of the 17O electric-field-gradient (EFG) and chemical shielding (CS) tensors for each carboxylate group in polycrystalline L-alanine and L-phenylalanine. The magic angle spinning (MAS) and stationary 17O NMR spectra of these compounds were obtained at 9.4, 14.1, and 16.4 T. Analyzes of these 17O NMR spectra yielded reliable experimental NMR parameters including 17O CS tensor components, 17O quadrupole coupling parameters, and the relative orientations between the 17O CS and EFG tensors. The extensive quantum chemical calculations at both the restricted Hartree-Fock and density-functional theories were carried out with various basis sets to evaluate the quality of quantum chemical calculations for the 17O NMR tensors in L-alanine. For 17O CS tensors, the calculations at the B3LYP/D95 ∗∗ level could reasonably reproduce 17O CS tensors, but they still showed some discrepancies in the δ11 components by approximately 36 ppm. For 17O EFG calculations, it was advantageous to use calibrated Q value to give acceptable CQ values. The calculated results also demonstrated that not only complete intermolecular hydrogen-bonding networks to target oxygen in L-alanine, but also intermolecular interactions around the NH3+ group were significant to reproduce the 17O NMR tensors.

  13. A simplified and efficient method for the analysis of fatty acid methyl esters suitable for large clinical studies.

    PubMed

    Masood, Athar; Stark, Ken D; Salem, Norman

    2005-10-01

    Conventional sample preparation for fatty acid analysis is a complicated, multiple-step process, and gas chromatography (GC) analysis alone can require >1 h per sample to resolve fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). Fast GC analysis was adapted to human plasma FAME analysis using a modified polyethylene glycol column with smaller internal diameters, thinner stationary phase films, increased carrier gas linear velocity, and faster temperature ramping. Our results indicated that fast GC analyses were comparable to conventional GC in peak resolution. A conventional transesterification method based on Lepage and Roy was simplified to a one-step method with the elimination of the neutralization and centrifugation steps. A robotics-amenable method was also developed, with lower methylation temperatures and in an open-tube format using multiple reagent additions. The simplified methods produced results that were quantitatively similar and with similar coefficients of variation as compared with the original Lepage and Roy method. The present streamlined methodology is suitable for the direct fatty acid analysis of human plasma, is appropriate for research studies, and will facilitate large clinical trials and make possible population studies.

  14. Intraparticle diffusion limitations in the hydrogenation of monounsaturated edible oils and their fatty acid methyl esters

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jonker, G.H.; Veldsink, J.W.; Beenackers, A.A.C.M.

    1998-12-01

    Intraparticle diffusion limitation in the hydrogenation and isomerization of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and edible oils (triacylglycerol, TAG) in porous nickel catalyst was investigated both under reactive and under inert conditions. Under reactive conditions, the diffusion coefficients were determined from the best fits of the model simulations applying the intrinsic reacting kinetics of monounsaturated FAME hydrogenation to experiments under diffusion limited conditions. Due to the absence of reaction (hydrogenation of double bonds), the obtained effective H{sub z} diffusion coefficient (D{sub e}) with the HPLC technique is volume averaged and thereby determined by the larger intercrystalline pores (<30% of themore » total pore volume) only. Moreover, D{sub e} measured under reaction conditions reflected the influence of the micropores, resulting in a 10-fold lower value.« less

  15. Development of l-Tyrosine-Based Enzyme-Responsive Amphiphilic Poly(ester-urethane) Nanocarriers for Multiple Drug Delivery to Cancer Cells.

    PubMed

    Aluri, Rajendra; Jayakannan, Manickam

    2017-01-09

    New classes of enzymatic-biodegradable amphiphilic poly(ester-urethane)s were designed and developed from l-tyrosine amino acid resources and their self-assembled nanoparticles were employed as multiple drug delivery vehicles in cancer therapy. The amine and carboxylic acid functional groups in l-tyrosine were converted into dual functional ester-urethane monomers and they were subjected to solvent free melt polycondensation with hydrophilic polyethylene glycols to produce comb-type poly(ester-urethane)s. The phenolic unit in the l-tyrosine was anchored with hydrophobic alkyl side chain to bring appropriate amphiphilicity in the polymer geometry to self-assemble them as stable nanoscaffolds in aqueous medium. The topology of the polymer was found to play a major role on the glass transition, crystallinity, and viscoelastic rheological properties of l-tyrosine poly(ester-urethane)s. The amphiphilic polymers were self-assembled as 200 ± 10 nm nanoparticles and they exhibited excellent encapsulation capabilities for anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX) and camptothecin (CPT). In vitro drug release studies revealed that the drug-loaded l-tyrosine nanoparticles were stable at extracellular conditions and they underwent enzymatic-biodegradation exclusively at the intracellular level to release the drugs. Cytotoxicity studies in the cervical cancer (HeLa) and normal WT-MEFs cell lines revealed that the nascent l-tyrosine nanoparticles were nontoxic, whereas the CPT and DOX drug-loaded polymer nanoparticles exhibited excellent cell killing in cancer cells. Confocal microscopic imaging confirmed the cellular internalization of drug-loaded nanoparticles. The drugs were taken up by the cells much higher quantity while delivering them from l-tyrosine nanoparticle platform compared to their free state. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the DOX-loaded polymer nanoscaffolds internalized the drugs 8-10× higher compared to free DOX. Both the synthesis of new classes of

  16. Bioconversion of L-phenylalanine to 2-phenylethanol by the novel stress-tolerant yeast Candida glycerinogenes WL2002-5

    PubMed Central

    Lu, Xinyao; Wang, Yuqin; Zong, Hong; Ji, Hao; Zhuge, Bin; Dong, Zhuoli

    2016-01-01

    ABSTRACT 2-Phenylethanol (2-PE) is a high value aromatic alcohol with a rose-like odor that is utilized in the cosmetics and other industries. Although the chemical routes of 2-PE production have been altered by some microbial transformation processes, the poor tolerance to organic solvents of these microorganisms has limited the 2-PE yield. In this study, the stress-tolerant yeast Candida glycerinogenes WL2002-5 showed a 2-PE tolerance to 4 g/l, which is the highest reported to date. Moreover, the 2-PE titer in a batch fermentation from L-phenylalanine reached 5g/l, which is the highest level achieved by fermentation without in situ product recovery. These results suggest C. glycerinogenes WL2002-5 is a robust strain for the bioproduction of 2-PE with potential for commercial exploitation. PMID:27435817

  17. Bioconversion of L-phenylalanine to 2-phenylethanol by the novel stress-tolerant yeast Candida glycerinogenes WL2002-5.

    PubMed

    Lu, Xinyao; Wang, Yuqin; Zong, Hong; Ji, Hao; Zhuge, Bin; Dong, Zhuoli

    2016-11-01

    2-Phenylethanol (2-PE) is a high value aromatic alcohol with a rose-like odor that is utilized in the cosmetics and other industries. Although the chemical routes of 2-PE production have been altered by some microbial transformation processes, the poor tolerance to organic solvents of these microorganisms has limited the 2-PE yield. In this study, the stress-tolerant yeast Candida glycerinogenes WL2002-5 showed a 2-PE tolerance to 4 g/l, which is the highest reported to date. Moreover, the 2-PE titer in a batch fermentation from L-phenylalanine reached 5g/l, which is the highest level achieved by fermentation without in situ product recovery. These results suggest C. glycerinogenes WL2002-5 is a robust strain for the bioproduction of 2-PE with potential for commercial exploitation.

  18. L-arginine and arginine analogues: effects on isolated blood vessels and cultured endothelial cells.

    PubMed Central

    Schmidt, H. H.; Baeblich, S. E.; Zernikow, B. C.; Klein, M. M.; Böhme, E.

    1990-01-01

    1. The present study examined effects of arginine (Arg) and various Arg analogues on the vascular tone of rabbit and rat aortic rings, the release of nitrite from cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells and the metabolism of L-Arg in bovine and porcine endothelial cell homogenates. The respective D-enantiomers or N-alpha-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester did not substitute for L-Arg. 2. In bovine aortic endothelial cells, the release of nitrite was only observed in the presence of L-Arg or L-Arg methyl ester in the cell culture medium. 3. In dialyzed homogenates of porcine and bovine aortic endothelial cells, L-Arg was metabolized independently of NADPH and Ca2+ to yield L-ornithine (L-Orn) and L-citrulline (L-Cit). No concomitant nitrite formation was detected. 4. Pretreatment of rabbit and rat aortic rings with L-canavanine (L-Can) or NG-monomethyl-L-Arg (L-NMMA) inhibited ATP- and acetylcholine-induced relaxations (endothelium-dependent) but not glyceryltrinitrate-induced relaxations (endothelium-independent). 5. In rabbit aortic rings, Arg and monomeric Arg analogues induced endothelium-independent relaxations. L-Arg methyl ester induced an endothelium-independent contraction, and L-NMMA induced a relaxation in the absence of endothelium and a contraction in the presence of endothelium. Polymeric basic amino acids such as poly L-Arg induced endothelium-dependent relaxations (inhibited by L-Can), a subsequent refractoriness to endothelium-dependent vasodilators (not prevented by L-Can) and endothelial cell death.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:2282457

  19. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase catalyzed synthesis of amino acids by an MIO-cofactor independent pathway.

    PubMed

    Lovelock, Sarah L; Lloyd, Richard C; Turner, Nicholas J

    2014-04-25

    Phenylalanine ammonia lyases (PALs) belong to a family of 4-methylideneimidazole-5-one (MIO) cofactor dependent enzymes which are responsible for the conversion of L-phenylalanine into trans-cinnamic acid in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Under conditions of high ammonia concentration, this deamination reaction is reversible and hence there is considerable interest in the development of PALs as biocatalysts for the enantioselective synthesis of non-natural amino acids. Herein the discovery of a previously unobserved competing MIO-independent reaction pathway, which proceeds in a non-stereoselective manner and results in the generation of both L- and D-phenylalanine derivatives, is described. The mechanism of the MIO-independent pathway is explored through isotopic-labeling studies and mutagenesis of key active-site residues. The results obtained are consistent with amino acid deamination occurring by a stepwise E1 cB elimination mechanism. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  20. The impact of electrolyte on the adsorption of the anionic surfactant methyl ester sulfonate at the air-solution interface: Surface multilayer formation.

    PubMed

    Xu, H; Thomas, R K; Penfold, J; Li, P X; Ma, K; Welbourne, R J L; Roberts, D W; Petkov, J T

    2018-02-15

    The methyl ester sulfonates represent a promising group of anionic surfactants which have the potential for improved performance and biocompatibility in a range of applications. Their solution properties, in particular their tolerance to hard water, suggests that surface ordering may occur in the presence of multi-valent counterion. Understanding their adsorption properties in a range of different circumstances is key to the exploitation of their potential. Neutron reflectivity and surface tension have been used to characterise the adsorption at the air-aqueous solution interface of the anionic surfactant sodium tetradecanoic 2-sulfo 1-methyl ester, C 14 MES, in the absence of electrolyte and in the presence of mono, di, and tri-valent counterions, Na + , Ca 2+ , and Al 3+ . In particular the emphasis has been on exploring the tendency to form layered structures at the interface. In the absence of electrolyte and in the presence of NaCl and CaCl 2 and AlCl 3 at low concentrations monolayer adsorption is observed, and the addition of electrolyte results in enhanced adsorption. In the presence of NaCl and CaCl 2 only monolayer adsorption is observed. However at higher AlCl 3 concentrations surface multilayer formation is observed, in which the number of bilayers at the surface depends upon the surfactant and AlCl 3 concentrations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Microwave Energy Increases Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Yield in Human Whole Blood Due to Increased Sphingomyelin Transesterification.

    PubMed

    Metherel, Adam H; Aristizabal Henao, Juan J; Ciobanu, Flaviu; Taha, Ameer Y; Stark, Ken D

    2015-09-01

    Dried blood spots (DBS) by fingertip prick collection for fatty acid profiling are becoming increasingly popular due to ease of collection, minimal invasiveness and its amenability to high-throughput analyses. Herein, we assess a microwave-assisted direct transesterification method for the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from DBS. Technical replicates of human whole blood were collected and 25-μL aliquots were applied to chromatography strips prior to analysis by a standard 3-h transesterification method or microwave-assisted direct transesterification method under various power (variable vs constant), time (1-5 min) and reagent (1-10% H2SO4 in methanol) conditions. In addition, a standard method was compared to a 5-min, 30-W power microwave in 1% H2SO4 method for FAME yield from whole blood sphingomyelin, and sphingomyelin standards alone and spiked in whole blood. Microwave-assisted direct transesterification yielded no significant differences in both quantitative (nmol/100 µL) and qualitative (mol%) fatty acid assessments after as little as 1.5- and 1-min reaction times, respectively, using the variable power method and 5% H2SO4 in methanol. However, 30-W power for 5 min increased total FAME yield of the technical replicates by 14%. This increase appears largely due to higher sphingomyelin-derived FAME yield of up to 109 and 399% compared to the standard method when determined from whole blood or pure standards, respectively. In conclusion, microwave-assisted direct transesterification of DBS achieved in as little as 1-min, and 5-min reaction times increase total fatty acids primarily by significantly improving sphingomyelin-derived fatty acid yield.

  2. Crystal growth, structural, optical, dielectric and thermal studies of an amino acid based organic NLO material: L-phenylalanine L-phenylalaninium malonate.

    PubMed

    Prakash, M; Geetha, D; Caroline, M Lydia; Ramesh, P S

    2011-12-01

    Good transparent single crystals of L-phenylalanine L-phenylalaninium malonate (LPPMA) have been grown successfully by slow evaporation technique from aqueous solution. Single crystal X-ray diffractometer was utilized to measure unit cell parameter and to confirm the crystal structure. The chemical structure of compound was established by FT-NMR technique. The vibrational modes of the molecules of elucidated from FTIR spectra. Its optical behaviour has been examined by UV-vis spectral analysis, which shows the absence of absorbance in the visible region. Thermal properties of the LPPMA crystal were carried out by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques, which indicate that the material does not decompose before melting. The melting point of grown crystal was observed as 180°C by melting point apparatus. The NLO property was confirmed by the powder technique of Kurtz and Perry. The dielectric behaviour of the sample was also studied for the first time. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Crystal growth, structural, optical, dielectric and thermal studies of an amino acid based organic NLO material: L-Phenylalanine L-phenylalaninium malonate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Prakash, M.; Geetha, D.; Lydia Caroline, M.; Ramesh, P. S.

    2011-12-01

    Good transparent single crystals of L-phenylalanine L-phenylalaninium malonate (LPPMA) have been grown successfully by slow evaporation technique from aqueous solution. Single crystal X-ray diffractometer was utilized to measure unit cell parameter and to confirm the crystal structure. The chemical structure of compound was established by FT-NMR technique. The vibrational modes of the molecules of elucidated from FTIR spectra. Its optical behaviour has been examined by UV-vis spectral analysis, which shows the absence of absorbance in the visible region. Thermal properties of the LPPMA crystal were carried out by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques, which indicate that the material does not decompose before melting. The melting point of grown crystal was observed as 180 °C by melting point apparatus. The NLO property was confirmed by the powder technique of Kurtz and Perry. The dielectric behaviour of the sample was also studied for the first time.

  4. Organic Reference Materials for Hydrogen, Carbon, and Nitrogen Stable Isotope-Ratio Measurements: Caffeines, n-Alkanes, Fatty Acid Methyl Esters, Glycines, L-Valines, Polyethylenes, and Oils.

    PubMed

    Schimmelmann, Arndt; Qi, Haiping; Coplen, Tyler B; Brand, Willi A; Fong, Jon; Meier-Augenstein, Wolfram; Kemp, Helen F; Toman, Blaza; Ackermann, Annika; Assonov, Sergey; Aerts-Bijma, Anita T; Brejcha, Ramona; Chikaraishi, Yoshito; Darwish, Tamim; Elsner, Martin; Gehre, Matthias; Geilmann, Heike; Gröning, Manfred; Hélie, Jean-François; Herrero-Martín, Sara; Meijer, Harro A J; Sauer, Peter E; Sessions, Alex L; Werner, Roland A

    2016-04-19

    An international project developed, quality-tested, and determined isotope-δ values of 19 new organic reference materials (RMs) for hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen stable isotope-ratio measurements, in addition to analyzing pre-existing RMs NBS 22 (oil), IAEA-CH-7 (polyethylene foil), and IAEA-600 (caffeine). These new RMs enable users to normalize measurements of samples to isotope-δ scales. The RMs span a range of δ(2)H(VSMOW-SLAP) values from -210.8 to +397.0 mUr or ‰, for δ(13)C(VPDB-LSVEC) from -40.81 to +0.49 mUr and for δ(15)N(Air) from -5.21 to +61.53 mUr. Many of the new RMs are amenable to gas and liquid chromatography. The RMs include triads of isotopically contrasting caffeines, C16 n-alkanes, n-C20-fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), glycines, and l-valines, together with polyethylene powder and string, one n-C17-FAME, a vacuum oil (NBS 22a) to replace NBS 22 oil, and a (2)H-enriched vacuum oil. A total of 11 laboratories from 7 countries used multiple analytical approaches and instrumentation for 2-point isotopic normalization against international primary measurement standards. The use of reference waters in silver tubes allowed direct normalization of δ(2)H values of organic materials against isotopic reference waters following the principle of identical treatment. Bayesian statistical analysis yielded the mean values reported here. New RMs are numbered from USGS61 through USGS78, in addition to NBS 22a. Because of exchangeable hydrogen, amino acid RMs currently are recommended only for carbon- and nitrogen-isotope measurements. Some amino acids contain (13)C and carbon-bound organic (2)H-enrichments at different molecular sites to provide RMs for potential site-specific isotopic analysis in future studies.

  5. PD-L1 (CD274) promoter methylation predicts survival in colorectal cancer patients.

    PubMed

    Goltz, Diane; Gevensleben, Heidrun; Dietrich, Jörn; Dietrich, Dimo

    2017-01-01

    This study evaluates promoter methylation of the programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) as a biomarker in a cohort of 383 colorectal cancer patients. PD-L1 methylation (m PD-L1 ) was inversely correlated with PD-L1 mRNA expression ( p = 0.001) and was associated with significantly shorter overall survival (OS, p = 0.003) and recurrence-free survival (RFS, p < 0.001). In age-stratified multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses including sex, tumor, nodal, distant metastasis categories, microsatellite instability (MSI)-status, and PD-L1 mRNA, m PD-L1 is classified as an independent prognostic factor (OS: p = 0.030; RFS: p < 0.001). Further studies are needed to evaluate PD-L1 methylation as a biomarker for response prediction of immunotherapies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis.

  6. O-Alkylated heavy atom carbohydrate probes for protein X-ray crystallography: Studies towards the synthesis of methyl 2-O-methyl-L-selenofucopyranoside.

    PubMed

    Sommer, Roman; Hauck, Dirk; Varrot, Annabelle; Imberty, Anne; Künzler, Markus; Titz, Alexander

    2016-01-01

    Selenoglycosides are used as reactive glycosyl donors in the syntheses of oligosaccharides. In addition, such heavy atom analogs of natural glycosides are useful tools for structure determination of their lectin receptors using X-ray crystallography. Some lectins, e.g., members of the tectonin family, only bind to carbohydrate epitopes with O-alkylated ring hydroxy groups. In this context, we report the first synthesis of an O -methylated selenoglycoside, specifically methyl 2- O -methyl-L-selenofucopyranoside, a ligand of the lectin tectonin-2 from the mushroom Laccaria bicolor . The synthetic route required a strategic revision and further optimization due to the intrinsic lability of alkyl selenoglycosides, in particular for the labile fucose. Here, we describe a successful synthetic access to methyl 2- O -methyl-L-selenofucopyranoside in 9 linear steps and 26% overall yield starting from allyl L-fucopyranoside.

  7. Comparative Studies on Performance Characteristics of CI Engine Fuelled with Neem Methyl Ester and Mahua Methyl Ester and Its Respective Blends with Diesel Fuel.

    PubMed

    Ragit, S S; Mohapatra, S K; Kundu, K

    2014-01-01

    In the present investigation, neem and mahua methyl ester were prepared by transesterification using potassium hydroxide as a catalyst and tested in 4-stroke single cylinder water cooled diesel engine. Tests were carried out at constant speed of 1500 rev/min at different brake mean effective pressures. A series of tests were conducted which worked at different brake mean effective pressures, OkPa, 1kPa, 2kPa, 3kPa, 4kPa, 5kPa, 6kPa and 6.5kPa. The performance and exhaust emission characteristics of the diesel engine were analyzed and compared with diesel fuel. Results showed that BTE of NME was comparable with diesel and it was noted that the BTE of N0100 is 63.11% higher than that of diesel at part load whereas it reduces 11.2% with diesel fuel at full load. In case of full load, NME showed decreasing trend with diesel fuel. BTE of diesel was 15.37% and 36.89% at part load and full load respectively. The observation indicated that BTE for MME 100 was slightly higher than diesel at part loads. The specific fuel consumption (SFC) was more for almost all blends at all loads, compared to diesel. At part load, the EGT of MME and its blends were showing similar trend to diesel fuel and at full load, the exhaust gas temperature of MME and blends were higher than diesel. Based on this study, NME could be a substitute for diesel fuel in diesel engine.

  8. Precise side-chain conformation analysis of L-phenylalanine in α-helical polypeptide by quantum-chemical calculation and 13C CP-MAS NMR measurement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Niimura, Subaru; Suzuki, Junya; Kurosu, Hiromichi; Yamanobe, Takeshi; Shoji, Akira

    2010-04-01

    To clarify the positive role of side-chain conformation in the stability of protein secondary structure (main-chain conformation), we successfully calculated the optimization structure of a well-defined α-helical octadecapeptide composed of L-alanine (Ala) and L-phenylalanine (Phe) residues, H-(Ala) 8-Phe-(Ala) 9-OH, based on the molecular orbital calculation with density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP/6-31G(d)). From the total energy and the precise secondary structural parameters such as main-chain dihedral angles and hydrogen-bond parameters of the optimized structure, we confirmed that the conformational stability of an α-helix is affected dominantly by the side-chain conformation ( χ1) of the Phe residue in this system: model A ( T form: around 180° of χ1) is most stable in α-helix and model B ( G + form: around -60° of χ1) is next stable, but model C ( G - form: around 60° of χ1) is less stable. In addition, we demonstrate that the stable conformation of poly( L-phenylalanine) is an α-helix with the side-chain T form, by comparison of the carbonyl 13C chemical shift measured by 13C CP-MAS NMR and the calculated one.

  9. IFI44L promoter methylation as a blood biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Ming; Zhou, Yin; Zhu, Bochen; Wan, Mengjie; Jiang, Tingting; Tan, Qiqun; Liu, Yan; Jiang, Juqing; Luo, Shuaihantian; Tan, Yixin; Wu, Haijing; Renauer, Paul; Del Mar Ayala Gutiérrez, Maria; Castillo Palma, Maria Jesús; Ortega Castro, Rafaela; Fernández-Roldán, Concepción; Raya, Enrique; Faria, Raquel; Carvalho, Claudia; Alarcón-Riquelme, Marta E; Xiang, Zhongyuan; Chen, Jinwei; Li, Fen; Ling, Guanghui; Zhao, Hongjun; Liao, Xiangping; Lin, Youkun; Sawalha, Amr H; Lu, Qianjin

    2016-11-01

    Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a clinically heterogeneous disease with limited reliable diagnostic biomarkers. We investigated whether gene methylation could meet sensitivity and specificity criteria for a robust biomarker. IFI44L promoter methylation was examined using DNA samples from a discovery set including 377 patients with SLE, 358 healthy controls (HCs) and 353 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two independent sets including 1144 patients with SLE, 1350 HCs, 429 patients with RA and 199 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) were used for validation. Significant hypomethylation of two CpG sites within IFI44L promoter, Site1 (Chr1: 79 085 222) and Site2 (Chr1: 79 085 250; cg06872964), was identified in patients with SLE compared with HCs, patients with RA and patients with pSS. In a comparison between patients with SLE and HCs included in the first validation cohort, Site1 methylation had a sensitivity of 93.6% and a specificity of 96.8% at a cut-off methylation level of 75.5% and Site2 methylation had a sensitivity of 94.1% and a specificity of 98.2% at a cut-off methylation level of 25.5%. The IFI44L promoter methylation marker was also validated in an European-derived cohort. In addition, the methylation levels of Site1 and Site2 within IFI44L promoter were significantly lower in patients with SLE with renal damage than those without renal damage. Patients with SLE showed significantly increased methylation levels of Site1 and Site2 during remission compared with active stage. The methylation level of IFI44L promoter can distinguish patients with SLE from healthy persons and other autoimmune diseases, and is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic marker for SLE. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

  10. Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase-catalyzed synthesis of natural flavor esters in a continuous flow microreactor.

    PubMed

    Gumel, Ahmad Mohammed; Annuar, M S M

    2016-06-01

    Enzymatic catalysis is considered to be among the most environmental friendly processes for the synthesis of fine chemicals. In this study, lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (Lecitase Ultra™) was used to catalyze the synthesis of flavor esters, i.e., methyl butanoate and methyl benzoate by esterification of the acids with methanol in a microfluidic system. Maximum reaction rates of 195 and 115 mM min -1 corresponding to catalytic efficiencies (k cat /K M ) of 0.30 and 0.24 min -1  mM -1 as well as yield conversion of 54 and 41 % were observed in methyl butanoate and methyl benzoate synthesis, respectively. Catalytic turnover (k cat ) was higher for methyl butanoate synthesis. Rate of synthesis and yield decreased with increasing flow rates. For both esters, increase in microfluidic flow rate resulted in increased advective transport over molecular diffusion and reaction rate, thus lower conversion. In microfluidic synthesis using T. lanuginosus lipase, the following reaction conditions were 40 °C, flow rate 0.1 mL min -1 , and 123 U g -1 enzyme loading found to be the optimum operating limits. The work demonstrated the application of enzyme(s) in a microreactor system for the synthesis of industrially important esters.

  11. Chiral zinc phenylalanine nanofibers with fluorescence.

    PubMed

    Chen, Erdan; Guo, Beidou; Zhang, Baohong; Gan, Li-Hua; Gong, Jian Ru

    2011-09-01

    Chiral Zn(II)/D-,L-phenylalanine (Phe) bio-coordination polymer nanofibers with fluorescence were prepared by fast coordination-assisted assembly. The synthetic strategy is based on the fact that the Zn2+ ions were linked to oxygen atoms from carboxylate groups of the D- or L-amino acid by coordination interactions to form the chiral polymers. The Zn(II)/D-,L-Phe nanofibers had homogeneous diameters in the range of 700-900 nm and ultra-long length in several hundred micrometers, and the surface of the fiber was extremely smooth. In addition, the enantiomers of Zn(II)/Phe nanofibers exhibited both optical activity and fluorescent property in the solid state, which has great potential for application in the field of biomimetic nanofabrication and micro-/nano-optoelectronics.

  12. Photodynamic effects of pyropheophorbide-a methyl ester in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

    PubMed

    Xu, Chuan Shan; Leung, Albert Wing Nang

    2006-08-01

    Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common cancers, and exploring novel therapeutic modalities will improve the clinical outcomes. It has been confirmed that photodynamic therapy can efficiently deactivate malignant cells. The aim of the present study was to explore the photodynamic effects of pyropheophorbide-a methyl ester (MPPa) in CNE2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. CNE2 cells were subjected to photodynamic therapy with MPPa, in which the drug concentration was 0.25 to 4 microM and light energy 1 to 8 J/cm(2). Photodynamic toxicity was investigated 24 h after treatment. Apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC and propidum iodine staining and with nuclear staining with Hoechst 33258. The mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) was evaluated by Rhodamine 123 assay. There was no dark cytotoxicity of MPPa in the CNE2 cells at doses of 0.25-4 microM, and MPPa resulted in dose- and light-dependent phototoxicity. The apoptotic rate 8 h after PDT with MPPa (2 microM) increased to 16.43% under a light energy of 2 J/cm(2). Mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) collapsed when the CNE2 cells were exposed to 2 microM MPPa for 20 h and then 2 J/cm(2) irradiation. Photodynamic therapy with MPPa significantly enhanced apoptosis and the collapse of DeltaPsim. This can be developed for treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

  13. Process for the generation of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acids and esters using niobium catalyst

    DOEpatents

    Gogate, Makarand Ratnakav; Spivey, James Jerome; Zoeller, Joseph Robert

    1999-01-01

    A process using a niobium catalyst includes the step of reacting an ester or carboxylic acid with oxygen and an alcohol in the presence a niobium catalyst to respectively produce an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ester or carboxylic acid. Methanol may be used as the alcohol, and the ester or carboxylic acid may be passed over the niobium catalyst in a vapor stream containing oxygen and methanol. Alternatively, the process using a niobium catalyst may involve the step of reacting an ester and oxygen in the presence the niobium catalyst to produce an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid. In this case the ester may be a methyl ester. In either case, niobium oxide may be used as the niobium catalyst with the niobium oxide being present on a support. The support may be an oxide selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide and mixtures thereof. The catalyst may be formed by reacting niobium fluoride with the oxide serving as the support. The niobium catalyst may contain elemental niobium within the range of 1 wt % to 70 wt %, and more preferably within the range of 10 wt % to 30 wt %. The process may be operated at a temperature from 150 to 450.degree. C. and preferably from 250 to 350.degree. C. The process may be operated at a pressure from 0.1 to 15 atm. absolute and preferably from 0.5-5 atm. absolute. The flow rate of reactants may be from 10 to 10,000 L/kg.sub.(cat) /h, and preferably from 100 to 1,000 L/kg.sub.(cat) /h.

  14. Phenylalanine and Phenylglycine Analogues as Arginine Mimetics in Dengue Protease Inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Weigel, Lena F; Nitsche, Christoph; Graf, Dominik; Bartenschlager, Ralf; Klein, Christian D

    2015-10-08

    Dengue virus is an increasingly global pathogen. One of the promising targets for antiviral drug discovery against dengue and related flaviviruses such as West Nile virus is the viral serine protease NS2B-NS3. We here report the synthesis and in vitro characterization of potent peptidic inhibitors of dengue virus protease that incorporate phenylalanine and phenylglycine derivatives as arginine-mimicking groups with modulated basicity. The most promising compounds were (4-amidino)-L-phenylalanine-containing inhibitors, which reached nanomolar affinities against dengue virus protease. The type and position of the substituents on the phenylglycine and phenylalanine side chains has a significant effect on the inhibitory activity against dengue virus protease and selectivity against other proteases. In addition, the non-natural, basic amino acids described here may have relevance for the development of other peptidic and peptidomimetic drugs such as inhibitors of the blood clotting cascade.

  15. 21 CFR 862.1555 - Phenylalanine test system.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... measure free phenylalanine (an amino acid) in serum, plasma, and urine. Measurements of phenylalanine are... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Phenylalanine test system. 862.1555 Section 862.1555 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED...

  16. 21 CFR 862.1555 - Phenylalanine test system.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... measure free phenylalanine (an amino acid) in serum, plasma, and urine. Measurements of phenylalanine are... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Phenylalanine test system. 862.1555 Section 862.1555 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED...

  17. Vapor Pressure of Methyl Salicylate and n-Hexadecane

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-01-01

    VAPOR PRESSURE OF METHYL SALICYLATE AND N-HEXADECANE ECBC-TR-1184 David E. Tevault Leonard C. Buettner...REPORT TYPE Final 3. DATES COVERED (From - To) Mar 2000-Dec 2001 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Vapor Pressure of Methyl Salicylate and n-Hexadecane 5a...ABSTRACT Vapor pressure data are reported for O-hydroxybenzoic acid, methyl ester, more commonly known as methyl salicylate (MeS), and n-hexadecane in

  18. Growth and characterization of an efficient new NLO single crystal L-phenylalanine D-methionine for frequency conversion and optoelectronic applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sangeetha, P.; Jayaprakash, P.; Nageshwari, M.; Rathika Thaya Kumari, C.; Sudha, S.; Prakash, M.; Vinitha, G.; Lydia Caroline, M.

    2017-11-01

    Optically active single crystals of L-phenylalanine D-methionine (LPDM) were grown by slow evaporation technique by co-crystallization of amino acids L-phenylalanine and D-methionine in water. The unit cell dimensions have been identified from single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The existences of various hydrocarbyls were examined by FTIR and FT-Raman spectroscopy. The carbon and hydrogen environment of the grown crystals were analyzed by FT NMR spectrum. The optical absorption studies show that the crystal is transparent in the visible region with a lower cut-off wavelength of 259 nm and there by optical band gap energy Eg is calculated to be 5.35 eV. The Urbach energy, extinction coefficient, reflectance were calculated from UV-absorption data. Further, the thermal stability and accurate melting point has been investigated by TG/DSC techniques. The Kurtz powder SHG was confirmed using Nd:YAG laser with fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm. The dielectric behavior of the specimen has been determined for various temperatures (313 K, 333 K, 353 K, 373 K) at different frequencies. Fluorescence study and the time resolved decay calculation was also performed for the LPDM crystal. Optical nonlinear susceptibility was measured in LPDM and the real and imaginary part of χ3 was evaluated by Z-scan technique using open and closed apertures.

  19. Effective methylation of phosphonic acids related to chemical warfare agents mediated by trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate for their qualitative detection and identification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Valdez, Carlos A.; Leif, Roald N.; Alcaraz, Armando

    The effective methylation of phosphonic acids related to chemical warfare agents (CWAs) employing trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate (TMO·BF 4) for their qualitative detection and identification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is presented. The methylation occurs in rapid fashion (1 h) and can be conveniently carried out at ambient temperature, thus providing a safer alternative to the universally employed diazomethane-based methylation protocols. Optimization of the methylation parameters led us to conclude that methylene chloride was the ideal solvent to carry out the derivatization, and that even though methylated products can be observed surfacing after only 1 h, additional time was not found tomore » be detrimental but beneficial to the process particularly when dealing with analytes at low concentrations (~10 μg mL -1). Due to its insolubility in methylene chloride, TMO·BF 4 conveniently settles to the bottom during the reaction and does not produce additional interfering by-products that may further complicate the GC-MS analysis. We demonstrated the method to successfully methylate a variety of Schedule 2 phosphonic acids, including their half esters, resulting in derivatives that were readily detected and identified using the instrument's spectral library. Most importantly, the method was shown to simultaneously methylate a mixture of the organophosphorus-based nerve agent hydrolysis products: pinacolyl methylphosphonate (PMPA), cyclohexyl methylphosphonate (CyMPA) and ethyl methylphosphonate (EMPA) (at a 10 μg mL -1 concentration each) in a fatty acid ester-rich organic matrix (OPCW-PT-O 3) featured in the 38th Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Proficiency Test. Additionally, the protocol was found to effectively methylate N,N-diethylamino ethanesulfonic acid and N,N-diisopropylamino ethanesulfonic acid that are products arising from the oxidative degradation of the V-series agents VR and VX respectively

  20. Effective methylation of phosphonic acids related to chemical warfare agents mediated by trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate for their qualitative detection and identification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

    DOE PAGES

    Valdez, Carlos A.; Leif, Roald N.; Alcaraz, Armando

    2016-06-01

    The effective methylation of phosphonic acids related to chemical warfare agents (CWAs) employing trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate (TMO·BF 4) for their qualitative detection and identification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is presented. The methylation occurs in rapid fashion (1 h) and can be conveniently carried out at ambient temperature, thus providing a safer alternative to the universally employed diazomethane-based methylation protocols. Optimization of the methylation parameters led us to conclude that methylene chloride was the ideal solvent to carry out the derivatization, and that even though methylated products can be observed surfacing after only 1 h, additional time was not found tomore » be detrimental but beneficial to the process particularly when dealing with analytes at low concentrations (~10 μg mL -1). Due to its insolubility in methylene chloride, TMO·BF 4 conveniently settles to the bottom during the reaction and does not produce additional interfering by-products that may further complicate the GC-MS analysis. We demonstrated the method to successfully methylate a variety of Schedule 2 phosphonic acids, including their half esters, resulting in derivatives that were readily detected and identified using the instrument's spectral library. Most importantly, the method was shown to simultaneously methylate a mixture of the organophosphorus-based nerve agent hydrolysis products: pinacolyl methylphosphonate (PMPA), cyclohexyl methylphosphonate (CyMPA) and ethyl methylphosphonate (EMPA) (at a 10 μg mL -1 concentration each) in a fatty acid ester-rich organic matrix (OPCW-PT-O 3) featured in the 38th Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Proficiency Test. Additionally, the protocol was found to effectively methylate N,N-diethylamino ethanesulfonic acid and N,N-diisopropylamino ethanesulfonic acid that are products arising from the oxidative degradation of the V-series agents VR and VX respectively