Domenico Acquotti

Lewis Acid Assisted Vinylogous Mannich and Mukaiyama Aldol Reactions: A Route to Densely Hydroxylated Indolizidine Alkaloid Analogues

The hydroxymethyl-substituted indolizidines 6 and 7, representative members of a ring-B-expanded alexine–australine subclass, are readily accessible by starting with furan-based silyloxydiene 12 and hydroxymethyl hemiaminal 11, through a synthesis sequence involving a scantily exploited vinylogous version of the Mannich reaction. The key iminium electrophilic acceptor 11 is, in turn, available through a vinylogous intermolecular Mukaiyama aldolization process between pyrrole-based silyloxydiene 8 and (S)-glyceraldehyde 9.

1H NMR study of fermented cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) beans.

This study reports for the first time the metabolic profile of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) beans using the (1)H NMR technique applied to polar extracts of fermented cocoa beans. The simultaneous detection and quantification of amino acids, polyalcohols, organic acids, sugars, methylxanthines, catechins, and phenols were obtained by assigning the major signals of the spectra for different varieties of cocoa beans (Forastero, Criollo, and Trinitario) from different countries (Ecuador, Ghana, Grenada, and Trinidad). The data set obtained, representative of all classes of soluble compounds of cocoa, was useful to characterize the fermented cocoa beans as a function of the variety and geographic origin.

Application of 1H NMR for the characterisation of cocoa beans of different geographical origins and fermentation levels.

This study reports for the first time the use of (1)H NMR technique combined with chemometrics to study the metabolic profile of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) beans of different varieties, origin and fermentation levels. Results of PCA applied to cocoa bean (1)H NMR dataset showed that the main factor influencing the cocoa bean metabolic profile is the fermentation level. In fact well fermented brown beans form a group clearly separated from unfermented, slaty, and underfermented, violet, beans, independently of the variety or geographical origin. Considering only well fermented beans, the metabolic profile obtained by (1)H NMR permitted to discriminate between some classes of samples. The National cocoa of Ecuador, known as Arriba, showed the most peculiar characteristics, while the samples coming from the African region showed some similar traits. The dataset obtained, representative of all the classes of soluble compounds of cocoa, was therefore useful to characterise fermented cocoa beans as a function of their origin and fermentation level.

HR MAS 1H NMR and chemometrics as useful tool to assess the geographical origin of cocoa beans – Comparison with HR 1H NMR

Chocolate and cocoa-based products are among the goods with higher added value. A current trend of the cocoa market is to offer to the consumers high quality cocoa products, namely mono-origin cocoa. However, a reliable analytical method able to trace the geographical origin of cocoa is lacking. In this work we tested the capability of HR MAS 1H NMR combined with chemometrics to assess the geographical origins of 60 fermented and dried cocoa beans of 23 different cocoa producing countries from the three major crop-growing areas (Africa, Central/South America, Asia/Oceania). Metabolic profiling was determined by HR MAS 1H NMR directly on cocoa powder after the method optimization. The same samples were also subjected to extraction and analysis with HR 1H NMR. HR MAS 1H NMR, as 1H NMR analysis, allowed the simultaneous detection of amino acids, polyalcohols, organic acids, sugars, methylxanthines, catechins. Moreover, HR MAS allows the detection of lipids, not present in the aqueous extract utilized for 1H NMR. The data set obtained is therefore representative of all classes of cocoa compounds. Untargeted HR MAS 1H NMR and 1H NMR datasets were utilized as fingerprint of the samples and elaborated with multivariate statistical methods. A targeted quantitative approach of selected metabolites was possible only with HR 1H NMR data, because HR MAS 1H NMR does not give reliable quantitative results. All the approaches adopted showed a discrimination of the cocoa origins. HR MAS presents the advantages to obtain a very rapid picture of the samples, comprising both lipophilic and hydrophilic components, avoiding any sample manipulation.

Synthesis of a Small Repertoire of Non-Racemic 5a-Carbahexopyranoses and 1-Thio-5a-carbahexopyranoses (‡)

A short and practical entry to optically pure 5a-carbahexopyranose and 1-thio-5a-carbahexopyranose representatives is described. Besides a few functional group and protecting group manipulations, the synthetic scheme counts on two fundamental carbon−carbon bond-forming reactions, namely (i) a regio- and stereoselective aldol addition between heterocyclic (silyloxy)diene donors (6 or 13) and D-glyceraldehyde as the acceptor (7) and (ii) a chemo- and stereoselective silylative cycloaldolization involving bifunctional aldehydes (10, 16, and 21). The 1H NMR based configurational and conformational assignment of target structures 1−5 and bicyclic intermediates 11, 12, 17, 18, and 22 is discussed. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2002)

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of Gangliosides

Structure, conformation, and dynamics of sphingolipids can provide substantial help in better understanding sphingolipid-ligand interaction mechanisms. Both the oligosaccharide structure and the ceramide moiety of native glycosphingolipid can be established directly by NMR spectroscopic analysis without the necessity to resort to any other chemical or spectroscopic methods. NMR is a powerful technique to investigate interaction between small ligand, such as ganglioside, and membrane protein.