Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Meroterpenoids Isolated from the Marine-Derived Fungus Talaromyces sp. M27416.

Three novel meroterpenoids, taladrimanins B-D (1-3), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Talaromyces sp. M27416, alongside three biogenetically related compounds (4-6). We delineated taladrimanin B's (1) structure using HRESIMS and NMR, confirmed its configuration via quantum chemical NMR analysis and DP4+ methodology, and verified it through X-ray crystallography. ECD calculations determined the absolute configuration of compound 1, while comparative NMR and ECD analyses elucidated the absolute configurations of 2 and 3. These compounds are drimane-type meroterpenoids with a C10 polyketide unit (8R-configuration). We proposed a biosynthetic pathway and noted that compound 1 showed cytotoxic activity against MKN-45 and 5637 cell lines and selective antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus CICC 10384.

Structural characteristics of pineapple pulp polysaccharides and their antitumor cell proliferation activities.

BACKGROUND: Pineapple has a delicious taste and good health benefits. Bioactive polysaccharides are important components of pineapple that might contribute to its health benefits. Since little structural information on these polysaccharides is currently available, the aim of this study was to investigate their structural characteristics and bioactivities. RESULTS: The polysaccharides of pineapple pulp were fractionated into three fractions (PAPs 1-3) by anion exchange chromatography. Their structural characteristics were first identified, including molecular weights and glycosidic linkages. The monosaccharide compositions were revealed as PAP 1 (Ara, Xyl, Man, Glc and Gal), PAP 2 (Rha, Ara, Xyl, Man, Glc and Gal) and PAP 3 (Rha, Ara, Xyl, Man and Gal). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra suggested that PAP 2 had a backbone of → 4)-α-d-Manp-(1 → 2,4)-α-d-Manp-(1 → with branches attached to O-4 of Manp. The NMR data of α-l-Araf-(1→, →3)-α-l-Araf-(1→, →4)-ß-d-Galp-(1 → and → 4)-α-d-GalpAMe-(1 → were assigned. PAPs 1 and 2 showed significant antitumor cell proliferation activities against breast carcinoma cell line and strong antioxidant activities. CONCLUSION: The above findings indicated that PAPs 1-3 contributed much to the health benefits of pineapple. They could be used as health-beneficial food additives in functional foods.

Towards a safe lithium-sulfur battery with a flame-inhibiting electrolyte and a sulfur-based composite cathode.

Of the various beyond-lithium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries were recently reported as possibly being the closest to market. However, its theoretically high energy density makes it potentially hazardous under conditions of abuse. Therefore, addressing the safety issues of Li-S cells is necessary before they can be used in practical applications. Here, we report a concept to build a safe and highly efficient Li-S battery with a flame-inhibiting electrolyte and a sulfur-based composite cathode. The flame retardant not only makes the carbonates nonflammable but also dramatically enhances the electrochemical performance of the sulfur-based composite cathode, without an apparent capacity decline over 750 cycles, and with a capacity greater than 800 mA h(-1) g(-1) (sulfur) at a rate of 10 C.

TPPi as a flame retardant for rechargeable lithium batteries with sulfur composite cathodes.

Triphenyl phosphite (TPPi) is adopted as a flame retardant to improve the safety of rechargeable lithium batteries with sulfur composite cathodes. The thermal stability of the electrolyte is greatly enhanced after the addition of TPPi, which also has a positive impact on the electrochemical performance of the Li-S batteries. TPPi facilitates the formation of SEI, resulting in a smaller interfacial impedance and a better rate performance. The addition of about 5 wt% TPPi greatly reduces the polarization voltage, stabilizing the cycle performance of the battery. This indicates that an optimized addition of TPPi is a favorable additive in conventional liquid electrolytes for rechargeable Li-S batteries with high performances and good safety.