Catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane by a binuclear Fe(III) complex biomimetic to methane monooxygenase.

A novel binuclear Fe(III) complex [Fe(III)(BPMP)Cl(mu-O)Fe(III)Cl3] (1) was prepared from the reaction between (bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-piperazine) and [Fe(OH2)6]Cl3, in acetonitrile. The title compound was characterized by spectroscopic, electrochemical and X-ray crystallography analysis. The catalytic activity of the complex was evaluated through cyclohexane oxidation, using hydrogen peroxide as the terminal oxidant. Reaction products were identified by gas chromatography. Conversions up to 19.2% were observed (12.6% and 6.6% yields for cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, respectively). The catalytic activity exhibited by 1 suggests that it can be considered as a functional biomimetic analog to methane monooxygenase.

Optimization of α-Terpineol production by the biotransformation of R-(+)-limonene and (-)-ß-pinene.

The main objective of this work is to present the optimization of the biotransformation of R-(+)-limonene and (-)-ß-pinene aiming at the production of α-terpineol by strains of fungal and yeasts previously isolated by our research group using the methodology of experimental design. New optimized experimental data on α-terpineol production by the biotransformation of R-(+)-limonene and (-)-ß-pinene using newly isolated microorganisms are reported in this work. Conversion of about 1,700 mg/L was achieved when R-(+)-limonene was used as substrate and the newly isolated strain 05.01.35 as microorganism at the central point of the experimental design, corresponding to a substrate concentration of 1.75%, mass of inoculum of 2 g, and substrate to ethanol volume ratio of 1:1. The same experimental condition led to higher conversions when (-)-ß-pinene was used as substrates and the strains coded as 04.05.08 and 01.04.03 as microorganism. Here, conversions of about 770 mg/L were achieved.

Enzymatic synthesis of ascorbyl palmitate in ultrasound-assisted system: process optimization and kinetic evaluation.

This work is focused on the optimization of reaction parameters for the synthesis of ascorbyl palmitate catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase in different organic solvents under ultrasound irradiation. The sequential strategy of experimental design proved to be useful in determining the optimal conditions for reaction conversion in tert-butanol system using Novozym 435 as catalyst. The optimum production was achieved at 70°C, ascorbic acid to palmitic acid molar ratio of 1:9, enzyme concentration of 5 wt% at 3h of reaction, resulting in an ascorbyl palmitate conversion of about 27%. Reaction kinetics for ascorbyl palmitate production in ultrasound device showed that satisfactory reaction conversions (∼26%) could be achieved in short reaction times (2h). The empirical kinetic model proposed is able to satisfactorily represent and predict the experimental data.

Microbial oxidation of (-)-α-pinene to verbenol production by newly isolated strains.

Verbenol is a bicyclicbicycle secondary allylic alcohol, with pronounced camphor and mint flavor notes, mainly used as food flavoring. This compound is also used to control harmful insects, and hence has potential for using in agriculture, and is an intermediate in the synthesis of valuable perfume and medicinal substances. This work is focused on the microbial oxidation of (-)-α-pinene to verbenol production. To carry out the present study, 405 microorganisms were tested for their ability to bioconvert the substrate. From the isolated microorganisms, 193 were selected in the pre-screening using mineral medium for limonene degradation. At the screening step, 31 strains were able to convert (-)-α-pinene in verbenol. The highest concentration in verbenol from (-)-α-pinene was about 125.6 mg/L for yeast isolated from orange juice industrial residue.

Isolation and screening of microorganisms for R-(+)-limonene and (-)-beta-pinene biotransformation.

This work is focused on the biotransformation of R-(+)-limonene and (-)-beta-pinene to bioflavor production. To carry out the present study, 405 microorganisms were tested for their ability to bioconvert the substrates. From the isolated microorganisms, 193 were selected in the prescreening using mineral medium for limonene degradation. At the screening step, eight strains were able to convert R-(+)-limonene and 15 to transform (-)-beta-pinene, both in alpha-terpineol. The highest concentration in alpha-terpineol from R-(+)-limonene was about 3,450 mg/L for Penicillium sp. isolated from eucalyptus steam. From (-)-beta-pinene, the highest product concentration of 675.5 mg/L was achieved using an Aspergillus sp. strain isolated from orange tree stem.

Optimization of extraction of lipase from wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum) by response surface methodology.

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of particle size, solid/solvent ratio (w/v), and reaction time on hydrolytic and esterification activities of a lipase extract from wheat seeds. The higher hydrolytic activity was 5.9 U/g with a particle size of 425 microm, solid/solvent ratio of 30:60 (w/v), and reaction time of 15 h, with maximum hydrolytic activity of 14.47 U/g after 24 h of precipitation. For esterification activity the best result was 57.88 U/g with a particle size of 425 microm and solid/solvent ratio of 30:120 (w/v) for 5 h, with a maximum value after 10 h of precipitation reaching 208.20 U/g. The partial characterization showed that the optimal pH and temperature were found to be 5.5 and 32-37 degrees C, respectively. The extract stability at low temperatures was kept after 48 h of storage in terms of esterification activity. The hydrolytic activity was kept constant at -10 degrees C during 72 h and diminished considerably after 24 h at 4 degrees C.