Hunteriasines A - D, tryptamine-derived alkaloids from Hunteria umbellata.

Four undescribed tryptamine-derived alkaloids, hunteriasines A - D, were isolated and identified from Hunteria umbellata (Apocynaceae), together with fifteen known indole alkaloids. The chemical structure and absolute configuration of hunteriasine A were determined by spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic data analyses. Hunteriasine A, featuring with a unique scaffold comprised of tryptamine and an unprecedented "12-carbon unit" moiety, is a zwitterionic indole-derived and pyridinium-containing alkaloid. Hunteriasines B - D were identified by spectroscopic data analyses and theoretical calculations. A plausible biogenetic pathway for hunteriasines A and B was proposed. The lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line J774A.1 cell-based bioactivity assays revealed that (+)-eburnamine, strictosidinic acid, and (S)-decarbomethoxydihydrogambirtannine enhance the release of interleukin-1ß.

A new antibacterial denitroaristolochic acid from the tubers of Stephania succifera.

A new denitroaristolochic acid, demethylaristofolin C (1), together with six known alkaloids, crebanine N-oxide (2), (-)-sukhodianine-ß-N-oxide (3), palmatine (4), corydalmine (5), dehydrocorydalmine (6), and corynoxidine (7), was isolated from the tubers of Stephania succifera. The structure of demethylaristofolin C was elucidated by spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, 1D, and 2D NMR) and HR-ESI-MS analyses. These compounds exhibited antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains in different degrees.

A new prenylated xanthone from the branches of Calophyllum inophyllum.

The investigation of chemical constituents from the branches of Calophyllum inophyllum Linn led to the isolation of a new prenylated xanthone, named caloxanthone Q (1), together with three known compounds, 2-deprenylrheediaxanthone B (2), jacareubin (3), and 6-deoxyjacareubin (4). Their structures were completely elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR).

Enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction of oleosomes from soybeans (Glycine max).

Oleosomes, with their unique structural proteins, the oleosins, are known to be useful in cosmetics and other emulsion applications. A procedure to fractionate intact oleosomes to produce soybean oil without the use of organic solvents was investigated. Process parameters, enzyme treatment, filtration, cell lysis, and centrifugation, were studied. Successive extractions of the residue, eliminating the filtration step, pressurization, or ultrasonication of soybean flour prior to enzyme treatment and enzyme treatment on the residue, were the key steps. A mixture of Multifect Pectinase FE, Cellulase A, and Multifect CX 13L in equal proportion gave 36.42-63.23% of the total soybean oil from oleosomes, respectively, for 45 and 180 s of blending time, compared to the conventional method with lower yields (34.24 and 28.65%, respectively, for 45 and 180 s of blending time). Three successive extractions of the residue increased the oil yield to a maximum of 84.65% of the total soybean oil recovered in intact oleosomes. The percentage of lipid in the supernatant fraction decreased to a minimum value of 0.33% with the use of the enzymes at a 3% dosage. The results are considered to be useful for developing large-scale and efficient extraction of oleosomes from soybean.