Aleksandra Grudniewska

Synthesis of piperitone-derived halogenated lactones and their effect on aphid probing, feeding, and settling behavior{{

Five racemic and five enantiomeric pairs of new halolactones with the p-menthane system were obtained in two or three step synthesis from racemic and optically active cis- and trans-piperitols. The key steps of the syntheses were the Claisen-Johnson rearrangement of piperitols to γ,δ-unsaturated esters and haloloctonization of γ,δ-unsaturated esters or acids. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic and crystallographic data. Antifeedant activity of all iodo-, bromo- and chlorolactones and racemic piperitone against Myzus persicae was examinated. The effect of these compounds on probing, feeding, and settling behavior of M. persicae in vivo was studied.

Piperitone-derived saturated lactones: synthesis and aphid behavior-modifying activity.

Two racemic and two enantiomeric pairs of new saturated lactones with the p-menthane system were obtained. The lactones were synthesized from racemic and enantiomerically enriched cis- and trans-piperitols, which were obtained from piperitone. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic data. The antifeedant activity of piperitone to Myzus persicae was studied, and the biological consequences of structural modifications of piperitone, that is, lactonization and chiral center configuration, were examined as well. The behavioral responses of M. persicae to piperitone and piperitone-derived saturated lactones were investigated to reveal the biological background of their deterrent activity. Piperitone appeared rather neutral or weakly deterrent to aphids. The introduction of a lactone moiety into a piperitone molecule dramatically changed its biological activity. All piperitone-derived lactones evoked negative aphid responses. However, the deterrent activity of individual compounds varied in potency, the time of expression, and the duration of the effect, depending on the spatial structure of the lactone. Lactones (1R,3S,6R)-3-isopropyl-6-methyl-9-oxabicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-8-one and trans-3-isopropyl-6-methyl-9-oxabicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-8-one showed the broadest ranges and the highest potencies and durabilities of deterrent activity to M. persicae: they acted immediately after application, caused a cessation of probing before aphids reached phloem elements, and decreased the quality of phloem sap.

Structure-related antifeedant activity of halolactones with a p-menthane system against the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer.

BACKGROUND Feeding deterrent activity of synthetic halogen lactones against larvae and adults of the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, in laboratory choice and no-choice tests was studied. The compounds were synthesised from racemic and enantiomerically enriched (ee = 91-98%) cis- and trans-piperitols, which were obtained from (±)-piperitone. RESULTS Structure-activity relationship studies identified several synthetic halolactones with a very strong feeding deterrent activity. The most active were the enantiomeric chlorolactones with chiral centre configurations (1S,4S,5R,6R) and (1R,4R,5S,6S) and their racemic mixture. The racemic bromo- and iodolactones obtained from cis-piperitol and saturated lactones with a chiral centre configuration (1R,4S,6R) were also very good antifeedants in comparison with piperitone. Most of the studied compounds were better antifeedants against adults than against larvae-among the 21 compounds, only one bromolactone with a chiral centre configuration (1S,4R,5R,6R) was a weaker deterrent for adults. CONCLUSION Chemical transformation of the piperitone molecule by the introduction of a lactone function and a halogen atom strongly changed its antifeedant properties against the lesser mealworm. Optimum activity is dependent on the presence of a chlorine atom at C-5 of the cyclohexane ring. The activity of bromo- and iodolactones depended strongly on the chiral centre configuration and the halogen substituent.

Enantioselectivity of hydroxylation of racemic piperitone by fungi.

The biotransformation of racemic piperitone ((±)-1) was investigated using four strains of fungi selected in the screening procedure. The substrate was transformed by Botrytis cinerea AM235, Absidia cylindrospora AM336, Absidia coerulea AM93, and Absidia glauca AM177 into more polar metabolites. The transformation of racemic piperitone ((±)-1) catalyzed by B. cinerea AM235 gave 7-hydroxypiperitone (2) as the only product. The biotransformation of (±)-1 by A. cylindrospora AM336 afforded mixture of three products: (-)-(R)-7-hydroxypiperitone ((-)-2), (+)-(4S,6R)-trans-6-hydroxypiperitone ((+)-3), and (+)-(4R,6R)-cis-6-hydroxypiperitone ((+)-4). The transformation of this substrate ((±)-1) by A. coerulea AM93 gave (±)-7-hydroxypiperitone ((±)-2), (-)-(4R,6S)-trans-6-hydroxypiperitone (-)-3), and (-)-(4S,6S)-cis-6-hydroxypiperitone ((-)-4). The last strain studied, A. glauca AM177, converted racemic piperitone ((±)-1) to four products: (+)-(S)-7-hydroxypiperitone (2), (+)-(4S,6R)-trans-6-hydroxypiperitone ((+)-3), (±)-cis-6-hydroxypiperitone ((±)-4), and 8-hydroxypiperitone (5).

Synthesis and Antifeedant Activity of Racemic and Optically Active Hydroxy Lactones with the p-Menthane System.

Two racemic and two enantiomeric pairs of new δ-hydroxy-γ-lactones based on the p-menthane system were prepared from racemic and optically active cis- and trans-piperitols. The Johnson-Claisen rearrangement of the piperitols, epoxidation of the γδ-unsaturated esters, and acidic lactonization of the epoxy esters were described. The structures of the compounds were confirmed spectroscopically. The antifeedant activities of the hydroxy lactones and racemic piperitone were evaluated against three insect pests: lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer); Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say); and peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulz.). The chemical transformation of piperitone by the introduction of a lactone moiety and a hydroxy group changed its antifeedant properties. Behavioral bioassays showed that the feeding deterrent activity depended on the insect species and the structure of the compounds. All hydroxy lactones deterred the settling of M. persicae. Among chewing insects, the highest sensitivity showed A. diaperinus adults.

Lipase-Catalyzed Transesterification of Egg-Yolk Phophatidylcholine with Concentrate of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids from Cod Liver Oil

Phospholipids containing PUFAs are important vehicles for their delivering to the targeted tissues. In our research project we established enzymatic methods for the enrichment of natural egg-yolk PC with n-3 PUFAs. Instead of synthetic PUFA ethyl esters, the new strategy was developed using polyunsaturated fatty acids enriched fraction (PUFA-EF) from cod liver oil as the natural acyl donors. PUFA-EF was produced by urea-complexation and contained 86.9% PUFA including 8.5% stearidonic acid (SDA; 18:4(n-3)), 26.7% EPA, and 45.2% DHA. The transesterification of PC with PUFA was catalyzed by lipases. After screening of enzymes the effect of reaction medium; molar ratio of substrates and etc. was investigated. The highest incorporation of PUFA was 45.6%; including 36.8% DHA and 5.8% EPA at the following reaction conditions: hexane; 55 °C; PUFA-EF/PC acyl ratio of 10; 48 h of reaction time and lipase B from Candida antarctica as a biocatalyst (20% of enzyme load).

Microbial transformations of halolactones with p-menthane system

Biologically active piperitone-derived racemic iodo-, bromo- and chlorolactones (1-3) were transformed with the use of microbial enzymatic systems. Four strains of filamentous fungi Absidia glauca AM254, Absidia cylindrospora AM336, Mortierella vinaceae AM149 and Nigrospora oryzae AM8 transformed halolactones (1-3) to four new halohydroxylactones (4-7). In all biotransformations the hydroxy group was incorporated in inactivated methine carbon atom at isopropyl substituent. In N. oryzae AM8 culture the bromolactone with additional hydroxy group in α-position, relative to CO bond in γ-lactone ring, was also formed as a product. The structures of new compounds were established on the basis of spectral data.

Improving of hydrolases biosythesis by solid-state fermentation of Penicillium camemberti on rapeseed cake

The study show usefulness of rapeseed cake, rich in fats and proteins byproduct generated after oil production, which may be used as a microbial medium for lipase and protease biosynthesis. Of 26 different filamentous fungi screened by solid-state fermentation, Penicillium camemberti AM83 was found to abundantly produce lipase and protease. Various process parameters were then optimized to maximize lipase and protease secretion, including carbon and nitrogen source, C/N ratio, metal ions, temperature, moisture content, initial pH, and inoculum size. Lipase production increased approximately 11.2-fold in solid-state cultures on rapeseed cake supplemented with lactose and calcium chloride, alkalinized to pH 8, hydrated to 80%, and inoculated with 1.2 × 106 spores/mL. Similarly, protease production increased approximately 8.4-fold in optimized cultures inoculated with 3.2 × 108 spores/mL, and grown on rapeseed cake with lactose and ammonium sulfate at pH 9 and moisture content 60%. The results highlight the potential economic value of solid-state fermentation on rapeseed cake to produce industrial hydrolases.

A Novel Approach for Microbial Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Whisky Lactones Based on Solid-State Fermentation

In this study, solid-state fermentation (SSF) was proposed as an alternative approach to obtain optically pure forms of one of the most common aroma compounds, whisky lactone. Filamentous fungi were used for enantioselective hydrolysis of a racemate of trans and cis whisky lactones, utilizing rapeseed cake as a growth medium. Among the tested fungi, Fusarium oxysporum AM13 and Papularia rosea AM17 were chosen for further studies. Various process parameters, including temperature, moisture content of solid media, and substrate concentration were optimized to maximize the efficiency of the kinetic resolution process. After optimization of the culture conditions (33 °C temperature, 60% moisture content, and substrate concentration of 3 mg/g oilseed cake), F. oxysporum AM13 resolved a mixture of trans-(+)-(4S,5R) and cis-(+)-(4R,5R) whisky lactones with enantiomeric excess (ee), ee > 99% and ee = 98%, respectively. This study presents an inexpensive and environmentally friendly method for the production of enantiomerically pure aroma lactones via the solid-state fermentation of oilseed cake. The results revealed that SSF is an effective method for acquiring highly valued and industrially demanded compounds with negligible economic cost.

Syntheses and antiproliferative activities of novel phosphatidylcholines containing dehydroepiandrosterone moieties

HIGHLIGHTSNovel phosphocholines containing DHEA were synthesized.The antiproliferative activities of the novel phosphatidylcholines were studied.Incorporating DHEA at the sn‐1 or sn‐2 position reduces drug toxicity against normal cells (Balb/3T3).B16 and HL‐60 cell lines were most sensitive to the tested phospholipids. ABSTRACT Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a natural hormone with many beneficial properties including an anticancer activity. Unfortunately, DHEA is unstable in the body and exhibits cytotoxicity against healthy cells. In this study, a series of new phosphocholines containing DHEA at sn‐1 and/or sn‐2 positions were prepared. Succinic acid was used as a linker between the active drug and sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine. All the compounds were evaluated in vitro for their antiproliferative activities against four cell lines: Balb/3T3, HL‐60, B16, and LNCaP. The results showed that phosphocholines with DHEA at sn‐1 and/or sn‐2 positions did not have cytotoxic effects on the normal cell line (Balb/3T3). Mixed‐chain phospholipids with DHEA and fatty acid residues showed the highest activity against tumor cell lines. The most active compound, 11c, showed a moderate cytotoxic effect against the HL‐60 and B16 cell lines.