Monika Kalinowska

Apples: Content of phenolic compounds vs. variety, part of apple and cultivation model, extraction of phenolic compounds, biological properties

Apples are among the most popular fruits in the world. They are rich in phenolic compounds, pectin, sugar, macro- and microelements. Applying different extraction techniques it is possible to isolate a particular group of compounds or individual chemicals and then test their biological properties. Many reports point to the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and many other beneficial effects of apple components that may have potential applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. This paper summarizes and compiles information about apple phenolic compounds, their biological properties with particular emphasis on health-related aspects. The data are reviewed with regard to different apple varieties, part of apple, cultivation model and methods of extraction.

The role of natural polyphenols in cell signaling and cytoprotection against cancer development

The cytoprotective and anticancer action of dietary in-taken natural polyphenols has for long been attributed only to their direct radical scavenging activities. Currently it is well supported that those compounds display a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological outcomes mediated by their complex metabolism, interaction with gut microbiota as well as direct interactions of their metabolites with key cellular signaling proteins. The beneficial effects of natural polyphenols and their synthetic derivatives are extensively studied in context of cancer prophylaxis and therapy. Herein we focus on cell signaling to explain the beneficial role of polyphenols at the three stages of cancer development: we review the recent proceedings about the impact of polyphenols on the cytoprotective antioxidant response and their proapoptotic action at the premalignant stage, and finally we present data showing how phenolic acids (e.g., caffeic, chlorogenic acids) and flavonols (e.g., quercetin) hamper the development of metastatic cancer.

Spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, 1H and 13C NMR) and theoretical studies of p-coumaric acid and alkali metal p-coumarates

The evaluation of the electronic charge distribution in metal complexes enables more precise interpretation of mechanism by which particular metal ions affect biochemical properties of ligands [J. Inorg. Biochem. 99 (2005), 1407–1423, J. Mol. Struct. 919 (2009), 284–289]. In this paper we investigated the influence of alkali metal cations (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium) on the electronic structure of p-coumaric acid (p-CA). It allowed to observe the systematic changes in the spectra of investigated complexes depending on the position of the element in the periodic table. p-Coumaric acid is a derivative of cinnamic acid that occurs in several plant species. Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs p-coumarates were synthesized and the experimental and theoretical FT-IR, FT-Raman, 1H and 13C NMR spectra of p-coumaric acid and its salts were registered and analyzed. The structures, atomic charges, infrared and NMR spectra of p-coumaric acid and Li, Na, K salts were calculated by B3LYP/6-311

Spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, 1H, 13C NMR, UV/VIS), thermogravimetric and antimicrobial studies of Ca(II), Mn(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes of ferulic acid.

The molecular structure of Mn(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Ca(II) ferulates (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamates) was studied. The selected metal ferulates were synthesized. Their composition was established by means of elementary and thermogravimetric analysis. The following spectroscopic methods were used: infrared (FT-IR), Raman (FT-Raman), nuclear magnetic resonance ((13)C, (1)H NMR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV/VIS). On the basis of obtained results the electronic charge distribution in studied metal complexes in comparison with ferulic acid molecule was discussed. The microbiological study of ferulic acid and ferulates toward Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris was done.

Alkali metal salts of rutin - Synthesis, spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV-VIS), antioxidant and antimicrobial studies

In this work several metal salts of rutin with lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium were synthesized. Their molecular structures were discussed on the basis of spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV-VIS) studies. Optimized geometrical structure of rutin was calculated by B3LYP/6-311++G(∗∗) method and sodium salt of rutin were calculated by B3LYP/LanL2DZ method. Metal chelation change the biological properties of ligand therefore the antioxidant (FRAP and DPPH) and antimicrobial activities (toward Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) of alkali metal salts were evaluated and compared with the biological properties of rutin.

Spectroscopic and magnetic properties of Cu(II) complexes with selected biologically important ligands

The aim of this work was to study the spectroscopic and magnetic properties of copper(II) o-, m-, p-aminobenzoates, o-, m-, p-methoxybenzoates and o-, m- and p-nitrobenzoates. The complexes were synthesized and their compositions were evaluated by elementary analysis. The infrared and Raman spectra for Cu(II) aminobenzoates, methoxybenzoates and nitrobenzoates were recorded and assigned. The obtained data were compared with those previously published for aminobenzoic, methoxybenzoic and nitrobenzoic acids and their sodium salts. The structures of Cu(II) o-, m-, p-aminobenzoates, o-, m-, p-methoxybenzoates and o-, m- and p-nitrobenzoates as well as the change in the electronic charges distribution caused by Cu(II) complex formation were discussed.

Theoretical (in B3LYP/6-3111++G** level), spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman) and thermogravimetric studies of gentisic acid and sodium, copper(II) and cadmium(II) gentisates.

The DFT calculations (B3LYP method with 6-311++G(d,p) mixed with LanL2DZ for transition metals basis sets) for different conformers of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (gentisic acid), sodium 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate (gentisate) and copper(II) and cadmium(II) gentisates were done. The proposed hydrated structures of transition metal complexes were based on the results of experimental findings. The theoretical geometrical parameters and atomic charge distribution were discussed. Moreover Na, Cu(II) and Cd(II) gentisates were synthesized and the composition of obtained compounds was revealed by means of elemental and thermogravimetric analyses. The FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of gentisic acid and gentisates were registered and the effect of metals on the electronic charge distribution of ligand was discussed.

Mn(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) p-coumarates: FT-IR, FT-Raman, 1H and 13C NMR and thermogravimetric studies

Manganese(II), copper(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of p-coumaric acid (p-hydroxycinnamic acid) were synthesized. Their composition was established by means of elementary and thermogravimetric analysis. To study the molecular structure of synthesized compounds many miscellaneous analytical methods, which complement one another, were used: infrared (FT-IR), Raman (FT-Raman) and nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H, (13)C NMR). The spectroscopic studies lead to conclusions concerning the distribution of the electronic charge in complexes in comparison with p-coumaric acid molecule and the type of metal ion coordination.

Relationship between chemical structure and biological activity of alkali metal o-, m- and p-anisates. FT-IR and microbiological studies

In this work we investigated relationship between molecular structure of alkali metal o-, m-, p-anisate molecules and their antimicrobial activity. For this purpose FT-IR spectra for lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and caesium anisates in solid state and solution were recorded, assigned and analysed. Microbial activity of studied compounds was tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris. In order to evaluate the dependency between chemical structure and biological activity of alkali metal anisates the statistical analysis (multidimensional regression and principal component) was performed for selected wavenumbers from FT-IR spectra and parameters that describe microbial activity of anisates. The obtained statistical equations show the existence of correlation between molecular structure of anisates and their biological properties.

Spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman and 1H and 13C NMR) and theoretical in MP2/6-311++G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) levels study of benzenesulfonic acid and alkali metal benzenesulfonates

The FT-IR, FT-Raman and NMR ((1)H and (13)C) spectra of benzenesulfonic acid as well as lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and caesium benzenesulfonates were registered, assigned and compared. The molecular structures of ligand and alkali metal salts were discussed. On the basis of quantum mechanical calculations in MP2/6-311++G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) levels the geometric parameters, infrared spectra, NMR spectra, the magnetic and geometric aromaticity indices for acid and alkali metal benzenesulfonates and benzoates were obtained. The effect of alkali metal ions on the electronic charge distribution of benzenesulfonic acid was studied and compared with the alkali metal benzoates and benzoic acid.