Fabio Temussi

Biodegradation of phenols by microalgae

Two green microalgae, Ankistrodesmus braunii and Scenedesmus quadricauda, degraded phenols (each tested at 400 mg ml−1) selected from olive-oil mill wastewaters, within 5 days, with a removal greater than 70%. Green algae may, therefore, represent an alternative to other biological treatment used for the biodegradation of phenol-containing wastewaters.

Effects of ranitidine and its photoderivatives in the aquatic environment.

This study was designed to assess the overall ecotoxicity of ranitidine, a histamine H(2)-receptor antagonist that inhibits stomach acid production. Hence, in addition to ranitidine, its main two photoderivatives, obtained by solar simulator irradiation in water, were investigated. The photoproducts were identified by their physical features. Bioassays were performed on rotifers and microcrustaceans to assess acute and chronic toxicity, while SOS Chromotest and Ames test were utilized to detect the genotoxic potential of the investigated compounds. The results showed that ranitidine did not show any acute toxicity at the highest concentration tested (100 mg/L) for all the organisms utilized in the bioassays. Chronic exposure to these compounds caused inhibition of growth population on rotifers and crustaceans. Genotoxic and mutagenic effects were especially found for one photoproduct suggesting that transformation products, as frequently demonstrated, may show effects higher than the respective parental compound.

Unusual products of the aqueous chlorination of atenolol

The reaction of the drug atenolol with hypochlorite under conditions that simulate wastewater disinfection was investigated. The pharmaceutical reacted in 1h yielding three products that were separated by chromatographic techniques and characterized by spectroscopic features. Two unusual products 2-(4-(3-(chloro(2-chloropropan-2-yl)amino)-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl) acetamide and 2-(4-(3-formamido-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl) acetamide were obtained along with 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide. When the reaction was stopped at shorter times only 2-(4-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl) acetamide and the dichlorinated product were detected. Tests performed on the seeds of Lactuca sativa show that chlorinated products have phytotoxic activity.

Antialgal furano-diterpenes from Potamogeton natans L.

Six furano-ent-labdanes, 19-acetoxy-15,16-epoxy-8(17),13(16),14-ent-labdatrien-20-al, 15,16-epoxy-12-oxo-8(17),13(16),14-ent-labdatrien-20,19-olide, 12(S)-hydroxy-15,16-epoxy-8(17),13(16),14-ent-labdatrien-20,19-olide, 10alpha,19-dihydroxy-15,16-epoxy-8(17),13(16),14-nor-ent-labdatriene, 19,20-dihydroxy-15,16-epoxy-8(17),13(16),14-ent-labdatriene, 15,16-epoxy-12-oxo-8(17),13(16),14-ent-labdatrien-19,20-olide, were isolated, together with the known potamogetonin, from the aquatic plant Potamogeton natans. Their structures were determined on the basis of their chemical and spectral data. The compounds showed in vitro phytotoxicity against Raphidocelis subcapitata, a microalga used in aquatic tests.

New dimeric phenanthrenoids from the rhizomes of Juncus acutus. Structure determination and antialgal activity

In a study of the allelochemical interactions between the wetland plant Juncus acutus and microalgae some dimeric dihydrophenanthrenoids have been isolated. The structures have been determined on the basis of their spectroscopic properties and their phytotoxicity was evaluated on Selenastrum capricornutum.

Lumiestrone is Photochemically Derived from Estrone and may be Released to the Environment without Detection.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are adversely affecting the reproductive health and metabolic status of aquatic vertebrates. Estrone is often the dominant natural estrogen in urban sewage, yet little is known about its environmental fate and biological effects. Increased use of UV-B radiation for effluent treatments, and exposure of effluents to sunlight in holding ponds led us to examine the effects of environmentally relevant levels of UV-B radiation on the photodegradation potential of estrone. Surprisingly, UV-B-mediated degradation leads to the photoproduction of lumiestrone, a little known 13α-epimer form of estrone. We show for the first time that lumiestrone possesses novel biological activity. In vivo treatment with estrone stimulated estrogen receptor (ER) α mRNA production in the male goldfish liver, whereas lumiestrone was without effect, suggesting a total loss of estrogenicity. In contrast, results from in vitro ER-dependent reporter gene assays indicate that lumiestrone showed relatively higher estrogenic potency with the zebrafish ERβ2 than zfERα, suggesting that it may act through an ERβ-selectivity. Lumiestrone also activated human ERs. Microarray analysis of male goldfish liver following in vivo treatments showed that lumiestrone respectively up- and down-regulated 20 and 69 mRNAs, which was indicative of metabolic upsets and endocrine activities. As a photodegradation product from a common estrogen of both human and farm animal origin, lumiestrone is present in sewage effluent, is produced from estrone upon exposure to natural sunlight and should be considered as a new environmental contaminant.

Biotransformation of sinapic acid by the green algae Stichococcus bacillaris 155LTAP and Ankistrodesmus braunii C202.7a

Sinapic acid was bioconverted by the green alga Stichococcus bacillaris into 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzylic alcohol. Incubation of sinapic acid in a culture of the alga Ankistrodesmus braunii gave 3,6-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-7H-benzocyclohepten-7-one, a new compound formed by bioconversion of thomasidioic acid, the primary oxidative product of sinapic acid.

Determination of photostability and photodegradation products of indomethacin in aqueous media

Photochemical behaviour of indomethacin in aqueous media at 254nm, 310nm and sunlight was studied by HPLC. The drug exhibited a similar behaviour in all the irradiation experiments affording eight photoproducts that were separated and identified. The main photochemical routes are suggested to proceed via decarboxylation, followed by oxygenation to give an alcohol and an aldehyde and/or by solvent trapping to produce the alcohol. Photoinduced hydrolysis of CO-N bond and oxidative C2-C3 bond breakage also occur.

Nitration of Cinnamic Acids Using Cerium (IV) Ammonium Nitrate Immobilized on Silica

Abstract Treatment of cinnamic acids with cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate supported on silica (CAN/SiO2) was used to synthesize nitro derivative and ipso substitution products. The position of the substituents defines the type and the yields of the products. This is the first example of an ipso substitution reaction by solid‐phase approach.

Benzocoumarins from the rhizomes of Juncus acutus

Abstract Investigation of the ethyl acetate extract of Juncus acutus rhizomes revealed seven benzocoumarins, probably derived from oxidation of phenanthrenes already isolated from the plant. The structures were determined by means of spectroscopic methods. The anti-algal activity of the isolated compounds tested on the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata are reported here.