Helga Garcia

Dissolution of cork biopolymers in biocompatible ionic liquids

Classically, the best attempts to separate suberin from cork biopolymers have resulted in low efficiency; here, we report a class of biocompatible and biodegradable cholinium-based ionic liquids, the cholinium alkanoates, which show a highly efficient and specific dissolution of the suberin domains from cork biopolymers.

Cholinium-based Supported Ionic Liquid Membranes: A Sustainable Route for Carbon Dioxide Separation

Aiming at full sustainability of CO2 separation processes, a series of supported ionic liquid membranes based on environmentally friendly cholinium carboxylate ionic liquids were successfully prepared. Their gas permeation properties were measured and high permselectivities were obtained for both CO2 /CH4 and CO2 /N2 .

Suberin isolation from cork using ionic liquids: characterisation of ensuing products

Cholinium alkanoates, a class of benign ionic liquids, were demonstrated to efficiently extract suberin domains from cork. A detailed characterisation of the extracted material has yet to be attained. In the present study the significance of the alkylic chain length of the anion and the ionic liquids basicity was investigated. The results obtained emphasise cholinium hexanoates selection; it proved to be a straightforward process, also ensuring the recyclability and reusability of the ionic liquid. The extracted suberinic material has been thoroughly characterised for the first time by ATR-FTIR, NMR, GC-MS and thermal analyses. Data showed that it is mainly composed of oligomeric or polymeric aliphatic esterified structures, resulting from suberin partial cleavage. More than 40 wt% of the extracted suberinic material was found to be cross-linked. Even though, the composing monomeric units were similar to those usually identified in suberin samples obtained by the conventional extraction processes. These data pave the way for advanced studies of suberin monomers/oligomers as building-blocks for the development of novel biopolymers and biomaterials.

Ex Situ Reconstitution of the Plant Biopolyester Suberin as a Film

Biopolymers often have unique properties of considerable interest as a basis for new materials. It is however not evident how to extract them from plants without destroying their chemical skeleton and inherent properties. Here we report the ex situ reconstitution of the biopolyester suberin as a new waterproof and antimicrobial material. In plant cell walls, suberin, a cross-linked network of aromatic and aliphatic monomers, builds up a hydrophobic protective and antimicrobial barrier. Recently we succeeded in extracting suberin from the plant cell wall using the ionic liquid cholinium hexanoate. During extraction the native three-dimensional structure of suberin was partially preserved. In this study, we demonstrate that this preservation is the key for its ex situ reconstitution. Without any chemical additives or purification, the suberin composing macromolecules undergo self-association on the casting surface forming a film. Suberin films obtained show barrier properties similar to those of the suberin barrier in plants, including a potentially broad bactericidal effect.

Unveiling the dual role of the cholinium hexanoate ionic liquid as solvent and catalyst in suberin depolymerisation

Disruption of the three-dimensional network of suberin in cork by cholinium hexanoate leads to its efficient and selective isolation. The reaction mechanism, which likely involves selective cleavage of some inter-monomeric bonds in suberin, was still unanswered. To address this question, the role of the ionic liquid during suberin depolymerisation and during cleavage of standard compounds carrying key chemical functionalities was herein investigated. A clear demonstration that the ionic liquid catalyses the hydrolysis of acylglycerol ester bonds was attained herein, both experimentally and computationally (DFT calculations). This behaviour is related to cholinium hexanoate capacity to activate the nucleophilic attack of water. The data showed also that the most favourable reaction is the hydrolysis of acylglycerol ester bonds, with the C2 position reporting the faster kinetics, whilst most of the linear aliphatic esters remained intact. The study emphasises that the ionic liquid plays the dual role of solvent and catalyst and leads to suberin efficient extraction through a mild depolymerisation. It is also one of the few reports of ionic liquids as efficient catalysts in the hydrolysis of esters.

Investigating Aspergillus nidulans secretome during colonisation of cork cell walls

UNLABELLED Cork, the outer bark of Quercus suber, shows a unique compositional structure, a set of remarkable properties, including high recalcitrance. Cork colonisation by Ascomycota remains largely overlooked. Herein, Aspergillus nidulans secretome on cork was analysed (2DE). Proteomic data were further complemented by microscopic (SEM) and spectroscopic (ATR-FTIR) evaluation of the colonised substrate and by targeted analysis of lignin degradation compounds (UPLC-HRMS). Data showed that the fungus formed an intricate network of hyphae around the cork cell walls, which enabled polysaccharides and lignin superficial degradation, but probably not of suberin. The degradation of polysaccharides was suggested by the identification of few polysaccharide degrading enzymes (β-glucosidases and endo-1,5-α-l-arabinosidase). Lignin degradation, which likely evolved throughout a Fenton-like mechanism relying on the activity of alcohol oxidases, was supported by the identification of small aromatic compounds (e.g. cinnamic acid and veratrylaldehyde) and of several putative high molecular weight lignin degradation products. In addition, cork recalcitrance was corroborated by the identification of several protein species which are associated with autolysis. Finally, stringent comparative proteomics revealed that A. nidulans colonisation of cork and wood share a common set of enzymatic mechanisms. However the higher polysaccharide accessibility in cork might explain the increase of β-glucosidase in cork secretome. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Cork degradation by fungi remains largely overlook. Herein we aimed at understanding how A. nidulans colonise cork cell walls and how this relates to wood colonisation. To address this, the protein species consistently present in the secretome were analysed, as well as major alterations occurring in the substrate, including lignin degradation compounds being released. The obtained data demonstrate that this fungus has superficially attacked the cork cell walls apparently by using both enzymatic and Fenton-like reactions. Only a few polysaccharide degrading enzymes could be detected in the secretome which was dominated by protein species associated with autolysis. Lignin degradation was corroborated by the identification of some degradation products, but the suberin barrier in the cell wall remained virtually intact. Comparative proteomics revealed that cork and wood colonisation share a common set of enzymatic mechanisms.

Elucidating how the saprophytic fungus Aspergillus nidulans uses the plant polyester suberin as carbon source

BackgroundLipid polymers in plant cell walls, such as cutin and suberin, build recalcitrant hydrophobic protective barriers. Their degradation is of foremost importance for both plant pathogenic and saprophytic fungi. Regardless of numerous reports on fungal degradation of emulsified fatty acids or cutin, and on fungi–plant interactions, the pathways involved in the degradation and utilisation of suberin remain largely overlooked. As a structural component of the plant cell wall, suberin isolation, in general, uses harsh depolymerisation methods that destroy its macromolecular structure. We recently overcame this limitation isolating suberin macromolecules in a near-native state.ResultsSuberin macromolecules were used here to analyse the pathways involved in suberin degradation and utilisation by Aspergillus nidulans. Whole-genome profiling data revealed the complex degrading enzymatic machinery used by this saprophytic fungus. Initial suberin modification involved ester hydrolysis and ω-hydroxy fatty acid oxidation that released long chain fatty acids. These fatty acids were processed through peroxisomal β-oxidation, leading to up-regulation of genes encoding the major enzymes of these pathways (e.g. faaB and aoxA). The obtained transcriptome data was further complemented by secretome, microscopic and spectroscopic analyses.ConclusionsData support that during fungal growth on suberin, cutinase 1 and some lipases (e.g. AN8046) acted as the major suberin degrading enzymes (regulated by FarA and possibly by some unknown regulatory elements). Suberin also induced the onset of sexual development and the boost of secondary metabolism.

Microwave assisted extraction of betulin from birch outer bark

In this communication, we report a new method for the isolation of betulin, a triterpenoid with interesting pharmacological activities, from birch outer bark. Remarkably high purity betulin raw extracts were obtained, ca. 95 wt%, through microwave assisted extraction with limonene. This saves time and energy when compared to the conventional methods.