Sterols from the Madagascar Sponge Fascaplysinopsis sp

The sponge Fascaplysinopsis sp. (order Dictyoceratida, Family Thorectidae) from the west coast of Madagascar (Indian Ocean) is a particularly rich source of bioactive nitrogenous macrolides. The previous studies on this organism led to the suggestion that the latter should originate from associated microsymbionts. In order to evaluate the influence of microsymbionts on lipid content, 10 samples of Fascaplysinopsis sp. were investigated for their sterol composition. Contrary to the secondary metabolites, the sterol patterns established were qualitatively and quantitatively stable: 14 sterols with different unsaturated nuclei, Δ5, Δ7 and Δ5,7, were identified; the last ones being the main sterols of the investigated sponges. The chemotaxonomic significance of these results for the order Dictyoceratida is also discussed in the context of the literature. The conjugated diene system in Δ5,7 sterols is known to be unstable and easily photo-oxidized during storage and/or experiments to produce 5α,8α-epidioxy sterols. However, in this study, no 5α,8α-epidioxysterols (or only trace amounts) were observed. Thus, it was supposed that photo-oxidation was avoided thanks to the natural antioxidants detected in Fascaplysinopsis sp. by both the DPPH and β-caroten bleaching assays

Production industrielle avec le phosgène: Industrial Production with Phosgene

Phosgene is a highly toxic substance. The industrial production using phosgene can be mastered as long as adequate measures regarding safety and environment protection are taken. The following requirement must be respected at all times: 'Any phosgene leaking out of the plant must be collected and destroyed'.The present case study shows how this requirement is implemented at Novartis Crop Protection Inc. in Monthey by manufacturing and using phosgene in equipment considered intrinsically safe. Indeed, implementation of 'dynamic' reactors for the production of phosgene, manufacturing and delivering the phosgene just-in-time to the users, without intermediate storage, have made it possible to strongly reduce the quantities of phosgene contained in the plant. Furthermore, confinement in a double envelope of the phosgene production, supply and utilization equipment, makes it possible to collect any leakage with ultimate destruction of the phosgene in specific installations