Regioselective Synthesis of Lactulose Esters by Candida antarctica and Thermomyces lanuginosus Lipases

The interest in sugar esters as emulsifiers has been increasing in recent years because they have tunable surfactant properties that depend on the chain length of the fatty acid and the type of the sugar, covering a wide range of hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB). In this work, ten biocatalysts were used for the transesterification reaction screening of lactulose, a prebiotic sugar, with vinyl laurate. The reactions were followed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis, identifying two major monoesters mixtures defined as monoester fraction 1 and monoester fraction 2. Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435) produces “monoester fraction 1”, while Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (Lipozyme® TL IM) and Mucor miehei lipase (Lipozyme®) seem to produce the same “monoester fraction 2”. These three enzymes were selected as model biocatalysts for a kinetic study, and monoester fractions 1 and 2 from Novozym 435 and Lipozyme® TL IM, respectively, were used for product characterization. Monoester fraction 1 contained 86.9% of the major monoester in position 1-O-, and monoester fraction 2 contained 91.4% of 6′-O-. Although these lipases acylated three positions of lactulose, they mainly synthesize a monoester presenting regioselectivity. These results contribute to the study of the chemical structure diversity of biosurfactants to enhance their applications in foods, pharmaceutical products, and cosmetics

First Evidence of Gastroprotection by Schinus molle: Roles of Nitric Oxide, Prostaglandins, and Sulfhydryls Groups in Its Mechanism of Action

Schinus molle is a plant traditionally used in Mexico to treat gastric disorders. However, no scientific evidence has been reported on its gastroprotective effect. The aim of the current contribution was to conduct a bioassay-guided study on S. molle to evaluate its gastroprotective activity in a model of Wistar rats given ethanol orally to induce gastric lesions. The hexane and dichloromethane extracts from the tested plant showed over 99% gastroprotection at a dose of 100 mg/kg. From the hexane extract, two of the three fractions (F1 and F2) afforded over 99% gastroprotection. The F1 fraction was subjected to column chromatography, which revealed a white solid. Based on the ESI-MS analysis, the two main compounds in this solid were identified. The predominant compound was probably a triterpene. This mixture of compounds furnished about 67% gastroprotection at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Pretreatment with L-NAME, indomethacin, and NEM was carried out to explore the possible involvement of nitric oxide, prostaglandins, and/or sulfhydryl groups, respectively, in the gastroprotective activity of the white solid. We found evidence for the participation of all three factors. No antisecretory activity was detected (tested by pylorus ligation). In conclusion, evidence is herein provided for the first time of the gastroprotective effect of S. molle

Production of carbohydrate fatty acid esters from Agave tequilana fructans by enzymatic acylation

Trabajo presentado en el VII Workshop on Biocatalysis and Biotransformations - 1º Simposio Latinoamericano de Biocatalisis y Biotransformaciones, celebrado en Búzios (Brasil) del 23 al 26 de septiembre de 2014.Peer Reviewe

Derivatives of 10,16-Dihydroxyhexadecanoic Acid Isolated from Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as Potential Material for Aliphatic Polyesters

The main monomer of tomato cuticle, 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid (or 10,16-dihydroxypalmitic acid; 10,16-DHPA), was isolated and used to efficiently synthesize two different monomers (16-hydroxy-10-oxo-hexadecanoic and 7-oxohexa-decanedioic acids) in addition to a dimer and linear and branched trimers. These compounds were fully characterized using NMR and MS techniques and could be used as starting materials for the synthesis of a wide range of chemicals and bio-polyesters, particularly the latter due to their physical properties, non-toxicity, and relative abundance among raw materials

Derivatives of 10,16-Dihydroxyhexadecanoic Acid Isolated from Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as Potential Material for Aliphatic Polyesters

The main monomer of tomato cuticle, 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid (or 10,16-dihydroxypalmitic acid; 10,16-DHPA), was isolated and used to efficiently synthesize two different monomers (16-hydroxy-10-oxo-hexadecanoic and 7-oxohexa-decanedioic acids) in addition to a dimer and linear and branched trimers. These compounds were fully characterized using NMR and MS techniques and could be used as starting materials for the synthesis of a wide range of chemicals and bio-polyesters, particularly the latter due to their physical properties, non-toxicity, and relative abundance among raw materials

Estudio preliminar fitoquímico y de la actividad antimicrobiana de Salvia amarissima Ort

Salvia amarissima is a mexican plant with special use in the traditional medicine that has showed biological activity against hypoglycemic, antiulcerant and antihelmintic diseases. In this study we evaluated for the first time its antimicrobial activity. A hexanic, methanolic and aqueous extracts of the plant were tested against 8 strains of standard microorganisms by the techniques of Kirby-Bauer and the antimicrobial dilution in agar. There was not antimicrobial activity detected on different extracts. Finally, a preliminary spectroscopic analysis of the compounds in each extract was done.Salvia amarissima es una planta mexicana a la que se le atribuyen actividades hipoglicemiantes, anti ulcerosas y anti helmínticas. En el presente trabajo se evaluó por primera vez la actividad antimicrobiana de los extractos hexánico, metanólico y acuoso obtenidos de la planta, los cuales se probaron en 8 cepas de microorganismos de referencia por las técnicas de Kirby- Bauer y la de dilución del antimicrobiano en agar. No se detectó actividad antimicrobiana de los extractos con las técnicas ensayadas. Por último, se llevó a cabo un análisis preliminar espectroscópico de los compuestos presentes en cada extracto

Aliphatic Diacidic Long-Chain C16 Polyesters from 10,16-Dihydroxyhexadecanoic Acid Obtained from Tomato Residual Wastes

10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid obtained from agroresidual tomato waste, was oxidized to produce 7-oxohexadecanedioic acid in good yield (>70%) and purified without oxidation side products in one step. Polycondensation with 1,8-octanediol, yielded the polyester (poly(ω-carboxyl PA-co-OD)) with Mw = 2155.15 and Mn = 1637.27. The best enzymatic reaction conditions to get the polyester were using lipase CAL-B (%-by-wt relative to monomer) in toluene as a solvent for 1 h at 60 °C. The poly(ω-carboxyl PA-co-OD) was characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR, mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and the polyester film formed with a Langmuir-Blodgett Trough was analyzed by means of spectroscopic ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy