Masahiro Shimoda

Effect of cyclopropane treatment of Methylosinzis trichosporium (OB3b) for lower alkane oxidation

Abstract Alcohol formation was studied by the hydroxylation of alkanes with Methylosinus trichosporium (OB3b). When M. trichosporium was treated with cyclopropane, accumulation of primary alcohol (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol) was observed from the respective lower alkane (methane, ethane, propane, n-butane). It was found that cyclopropane was a selective inhibitor for the alcohol dehydrogenase contained in the same bacterium, and that alcohol oxidation with this enzyme was inhibited. The inhibition mechanism is also discussed.

Epoxidation of allyl compounds with Methylosinus trichosporium (OB3b): Stereoselectivity of methane monooxygenase

Abstract Oxidation of halogenated allyl compounds was carried out with Methylosinus trichosporium and gave the relevant 1,2-epoxy-3-halopropane. Stereoselectivity was found to depend strongly on the type and size of the functional group at the allyl position.

Purification and characterization of methanol dehydrogenase from Methylosinus trichosporium (OB3b)

Abstract Methanol dehydrogenase from Methylosinus trichosporium (OB3b) was purified and characterized. The substrates of this enzyme were non-branched primary alcohols. Secondary alcohols were hardly oxidized by the enzyme. The enzyme was deactivated by cyclopropanol because of complex formation.

Oxidation of halogenated propanes with Methylosinus trichosporium (OB3b)

Abstract Halogenated propanes (1-chloropropane, 1-bromopropane, 2-chloropropane, and 2-bromopropane) were oxidized with Methylosinus trichosporium (OB3b). 1-Propanol, 1-halogenated-2-propanol, and 1-halogenated-3-propanol were produced from 1-halogenated propane, and 2-halogenated-1-propanol and acetone were produced from 2-halogenated propane, showing that all the carbon atoms of the halogenated propanes were attacked by activated oxygen. The optical purity of halohydrin obtained from halogenated propane with M. trichosporium was independent of halogen type.

Further study on the reaction mechanism of propane hydroxylation with Methylosinus trichosporium (OB3b)

Abstract Propane and deuterated propane hydroxylation were carried out with Methylosinus trichosporium (OB3b). From the hydroxylation rate and the product selectivity observed, a reaction mechanism for propane hydroxylation is discussed.

NADP-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase in Methylosinus trichosporium (OB3b)

Abstract NADP-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase was partially purified from Methylosinus trichosporium (OB3b). In this bacterium there were two kinds of alcohol dehydrogenases, PQQ-dependent and NADP-dependent dehydrogenases. For NADP-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase, secondary alcohols were suitable substrates.

Effect of cyclopropane treatment of Methylosinus trichosporium(OB3b) for methane hydroxylation

Methanol accumulation was observed by methane hydroxylation when Methylosinus trichosporium(OB3b) was treated with cyclopropane.

Prevention from Moth-Eating Damage by Respiration of Yeast Adsorbed by a Water-Absorbing Polymer.

With the objective to prevent moth-eating damage caused by insects, the system containing bakers yeast adsorbed by a water-absorbing polymer, Diawet US60, was prepared. The moth-eating damage caused by Attagenus unicolor japonicus was evaluated by use of a woolen cloth (2 cm2, 40 mg) with or without the system in 1 L glass vessel at 25 °C for 7 days. The moth-eating damage rates with and without the system were 3.3% and 54%, respectively, and the death rate of insect reached 100% with the system due to the respiration of yeasts.