Quantitative Analysis of Organic Liquid Three-Component Systems: Near-Infrared Transmission versus Raman Spectroscopy, Partial Least Squares versus Classical Least Squares Regression Evaluation and Volume versus Weight Percent Concentration Units.

The band shapes and band positions of near-infrared (NIR) and Raman spectra change depending on the concentrations of specific chemical functionalities in a multicomponent system. To elucidate these effects in more detail and clarify their impact on the analytical measurement techniques and evaluation procedures, NIR transmission spectra and Raman spectra of two organic liquid three-component systems with variable compositions were analyzed by two different multivariate calibration procedures, partial least squares (PLS) and classical least-squares (CLS) regression. Furthermore, the effect of applying different concentration units (volume percent (%V) and weight percent (%W) on the performance of the two calibration procedures have been tested. While the mixtures of benzene/cyclohexane/ethylbenzene (system 1) can be regarded as a blended system with comparatively low molecular interactions, hydrogen bonding plays a dominant role in the blends of ethyl acetate/1-heptanol/1,4-dioxane (system 2). Whereas system 1 yielded equally good calibrations by PLS and CLS regression, for system 2 acceptable results were only obtained by PLS regression. Additionally, for both sample systems, Raman spectra generally led to lower calibration performance than NIR spectra. Finally, volume and weight percent concentration units yielded comparable results for both chemometric evaluation procedures.

Identification of Novel Gymnodimines and Spirolides from the Marine Dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii.

Cyclic imine toxins are neurotoxic, macrocyclic compounds produced by marine dinoflagellates. Mass spectrometric screenings of extracts from natural plankton assemblages revealed a high chemical diversity among this toxin class, yet only few toxins are structurally known. Here we report the structural characterization of four novel cyclic-imine toxins (two gymnodimines (GYMs) and two spirolides (SPXs)) from cultures of Alexandrium ostenfeldii. A GYM with m/z 510 (1) was identified as 16-desmethylGYM D. A GYM with m/z 526 was identified as the hydroxylated degradation product of (1) with an exocyclic methylene at C-17 and an allylic hydroxyl group at C-18. This compound was named GYM E (2). We further identified a SPX with m/z 694 as 20-hydroxy-13,19-didesmethylSPX C (10) and a SPX with m/z 696 as 20-hydroxy-13,19-didesmethylSPX D (11). This is the first report of GYMs without a methyl group at ring D and SPXs with hydroxyl groups at position C-20. These compounds can be conceived as derivatives of the same nascent polyketide chain, supporting the hypothesis that GYMs and SPXs are produced through common biosynthetic genes. Both novel GYMs 1 and 2 were detected in significant amounts in extracts from natural plankton assemblages (1: 447 pg; 2: 1250 pg; 11: 40 pg per mL filtered seawater respectively).

Upregulation and Identification of Antibiotic Activity of a Marine-Derived Streptomyces sp. via Co-Cultures with Human Pathogens.

Marine natural product drug discovery has begun to play an important role in the treatment of disease, with several recently approved drugs. In addition, numerous microbial natural products have been discovered from members of the order Actinomycetales, particularly in the genus Streptomyces, due to their metabolic diversity for production of biologically active secondary metabolites. However, many secondary metabolites cannot be produced under laboratory conditions because growth conditions in flask culture differ from conditions in the natural environment. Various experimental conditions (e.g., mixed fermentation) have been attempted to increase yields of previously described metabolites, cause production of previously undetected metabolites, and increase antibiotic activity. Adult ascidians-also known as tunicates-are sessile marine invertebrates, making them vulnerable to predation and therefore are hypothesized to use host-associated bacteria that produce biologically active secondary metabolites for chemical defense. A marine-derived Streptomyces sp. strain PTY087I2 was isolated from a Panamanian tunicate and subsequently co-cultured with human pathogens including Bacillus subtilis, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by extraction. Co-culture of Streptomyces sp. PTY087I2 with each of these human pathogens resulted in increased production of three antibiotics: granaticin, granatomycin D, and dihydrogranaticin B, as well as several analogues seen via molecular networking. In addition, co-cultures resulted in strongly enhanced biological activity against the Gram positive human pathogens used in these experiments. Expanded utilization of co-culture experiments to allow for competitive interactions may enhance metabolite production and further our understanding of these microbial interactions.

Biological profiling of novel tricyclic inhibitors of bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to characterize the in vitro and in vivo biological properties of a novel series of small-molecule bacterial type IIA topoisomerase inhibitors. METHODS: Bacterial susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution. Resistance frequencies were determined by plating bacteria onto agar containing test compound and enumerating mutants. Bacteria were passaged using subinhibitory concentrations of antibacterials to generate resistance. Target enzyme inhibition was determined by exposure to antibacterials and DNA; topoisomers were visualized by gel electrophoresis. Oral and intravenous pharmacokinetic profiles were determined in mice. In vivo efficacy was determined using a mouse model of septicaemia and thigh infection with MSSA and MRSA, respectively. RESULTS: Representative compounds REDX04139, REDX05604 and REDX05931 demonstrated in vitro potency against a range of Gram-positive and fastidious Gram-negative pathogens. Clinical isolate testing revealed REDX04139 and REDX05931 had MIC90 values of 0.25 and 0.5 mg/L, respectively, for MRSA and MIC90 values of 2 mg/L for streptococci. REDX04139 was bactericidal in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus at 8× MIC over 6 h. Pharmacokinetic profiling of REDX04139 and REDX05604 in mice revealed low clearance and excellent bioavailability (≥71%). REDX04139 provided 100% survival against S. aureus in a mouse septicaemia model, while REDX05604 reduced bacterial load by up to 3.7 log units in the MRSA mouse thigh infection model. CONCLUSIONS: Redx Pharma has discovered a novel series of topoisomerase inhibitors that are being further developed for drug-resistant bacteria.

Identification of gymnodimine D and presence of gymnodimine variants in the dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii from the Baltic Sea.

Gymnodimines are lipophilic toxins produced by the marine dinoflagellates Karenia selliformis and Alexandrium ostenfeldii. Currently four gymnodimine analogues are known and characterized. Here we describe a novel gymnodimine and a range of gymnodimine related compounds found in an A. ostenfeldii isolate from the northern Baltic Sea. Gymnodimine D (1) was extracted and purified from clonal cultures, and characterized by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) experiments. The structure of 1 is related to known gymnodimines (2-5) with a six-membered cyclic imine ring and several other fragments typical of gymnodimines. However, the carbon chain in the gymnodimine macrocyclic ring differs from the known gymnodimines in having two tetrahydrofuran rings in the macrocyclic ring.

Differences in the toxin profiles of Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Dinophyceae) strains isolated from different geographic origins: Evidence of paralytic toxin, spirolide, and gymnodimine.

Among toxin-producing dinoflagellates of the genus Alexandrium, Alexandrium ostenfeldii is the only species able to produce paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins, spirolides (SPXs) and gymnodimines (GYMs). In this study we characterized and compared three A. ostenfeldii strains isolated from the Baltic, Mediterranean, and southern Chile Seas with respect to their toxin profiles, morphology, and phylogeny. Toxin analyses by HPLC-FD and LC-HRMS revealed differences in the toxin profiles of the three strains. The PSP toxin profiles of the southern Chile and Baltic strains were largely the same and included gonyautoxin (GTX)-3, GTX-2, and saxitoxin (STX), although the total PSP toxin content of the Chilean strain (105.83 ± 72.15 pg cell(-1)) was much higher than that of the Baltic strain (4.04 ± 1.93 pg cell(-1)). However, the Baltic strain was the only strain that expressed detectable amounts of analogues of GYM-A and GYM-B/-C (48.27 ± 26.12 pg GYM-A equivalents cell(-1)). The only toxin expressed by the Mediterranean strain was 13-desmethyl SPX-C (13dMeC; 2.85 ± 4.76 pg cell(-1)). Phylogenetic analysis based on the LSU rRNA showed that the studied strains belonged to distinct molecular clades. The toxin profiles determined in this study provide further evidence of the taxonomic complexity of this species.

Graphene based pipette tip solid phase extraction of marine toxins in shellfish muscle followed by UPLC-MS/MS analysis.

Graphene is a novel carbonic material with great potentials for the use as sorbent due to its ultrahigh surface area. Herein, we report the use of graphene as sorbent in solid-phase extraction (SPE) using pipette tip as cartridge namely GPT-SPE, together with ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), for the analysis of lipophilic marine toxins (LMTs), including yessotoxins (YTX), okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1), gymnodimine (GYM), spirolides-1 (SPX1), pectenotoxin-2 (PTX2) and azaspiracid-1 (AZA1) in shellfish. The GPT-SPE procedure was optimized and the performance of graphene was fully validated. Results with high-sensitivity and good reproducibility was obtained and compared with that of other sorbents like C18 silica, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), commercial Oasis HLB, and Strata-X for the extraction of LMTs, which showed superiority and advantages of graphene, such as good recoveries, stability and compatibility with various solvents. In order to exhibit the potentials of graphene as an excellent sorbent material, 67 mussel samples from six coastal cities of China were analyzed. OA was found to be the dominant contaminant, while YTX was also detected with low level.

Sending mixed messages: a trophic cascade produced by a belowground herbivore-induced cue.

Plants defend themselves against herbivores both directly (chemical toxins and physical barriers) and indirectly (attracting natural enemies of their herbivores). Previous work has shown that plant roots of citrus defend against root herbivores by releasing an herbivore-induced plant volatile (HIPV), pregeijerene (1,5-dimethylcyclodeca-1,5,7-triene), that attracts naturally occurring entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) to Diaprepes abbreviatus larvae when applied in the field. However, the soil community is complex and contains a diversity of interspecific relationships that modulate food web assemblages. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that other nematode types beyond EPNs, as well as, nematophagous fungi are affected by the same HIPV that attracts EPNs to herbivore-damaged roots. We employed molecular probes designed to detect and quantify nematodes from the Acrobeloides-group (free-living bacterivorous nematodes, FLBNs), some of which compete with EPNs by 'hyperparasitizing' insect cadavers, and five species of nematophagous fungi (NF), which attack and kill EPNs. In two different agricultural systems (citrus and blueberry), we detected diverse species of nematodes and fungi; however, only the behavior of FLBNs was affected in a manner similar to that reported previously for EPNs. Although detected, NF abundance was not statistically affected by the presence of the belowground HIPV. We provide the first evidence showing subterranean HIPVs behave much the same as those aboveground, attracting not only parasitoids, but also hyperparasites and other food web members.

First report on the detection of pectenotoxin groups in Chinese shellfish by LC-MS/MS.

Chinese shellfish samples were harvested from different locations along the Chinese coast. These shellfish were analyzed by liquid chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry to detect the following toxins: okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxins (DTXs), petenotoxins (PTXs), azaspiracids (AZAs), yessotoxins (YTXs), spirlides (SPXs) and gymnodimines (GYM). The results revealed the lipophilic toxin profiles varied with shellfish sampling locations. In addition to OA, GYM and YTX derivatives, PTX-2 and its derivatives were found for the first time in the following Chinese shellfish: Crassostrea gigas, Mactra chinensis and Mytilus galloprovincialis. The presence of GYM, YTXs, OA and PTXs in Chinese shellfish collected from regions where no previous record of DSP-neutral toxic compounds was reported. Serious efforts should therefore be made to conduct a phycotoxin monitoring program to detect the presence of lipophilic toxins in biological materials of marine origin, which may ensure that Chinese seafood products do not present a health risk. With respect to suspected carcinogenicity, further research on the distribution and concentrations of toxic compounds are needed, in order to carry out long-term risk assessments, particularly sub-acute and chronic toxicity tests associated with of lower doses.

Isoprenylated cyclohexanoids from the basidiomycete Hexagonia speciosa.

Nine oxygenated cyclohexanoids, speciosins L-T (1-9) as well as a 5H-furan-2-one metabolite, 5'-O-acetylaporpinone A (10), together with known analogs, speciosins A, B, D, E, F, I and K (11-17), and aporpinone A (18), were isolated from a scale-up cultures of the basidiomycete Hexagonia speciosa. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR. Speciosin B (12) showed significant cytotoxicity against several tumor cell lines with IC50 values in the range 0.23-3.30 µM.

Elimination of persistent organic pollutants from fish oil with solid adsorbents.

Fish oils are one of the main sources of ω-3 fatty acids in animal and human diet. However, they can contain high concentrations of persistent organic pollutants due to their lipophilic properties. The aim of this study is the reduction of persistent organic pollutants in fish oil using silicon-based and carbon-based solid adsorbents. A wide screening study with different commercially available adsorbents was carried out, in order to determine their capacity of pollutant removal from fish oil. Moreover, adsorption conditions were evaluated and optimized with using an experimental design and adjustment of the experimental results to response surfaces, obtaining removals rates of more than 99% of PCDD/Fs, 81% of dioxin-like PCBs, 70% of HCB, 41% of DDTs, 16% of marker PCBs and 10% of PBDEs. Finally, fish oil fatty acids were analyzed before and after the treatment with solid adsorbents, confirming that it did not affect its nutritive properties.

[Cyclic imine toxin gymnodimine: a review].

Gymnodimine (GYM), an algal toxin first detected from New Zealand oysters in 1994, is identified as a cyclic imine toxin and produced by Karenia selliformis, with imino nitrogen attached on loop-coil. Imine is the poisonous functional group of the toxin. GYM has a low oral toxicity, but its acute lethal toxicity of intra-peritoneal injection for mice is very high. Up to now, few reports have been published on the detailed information about the toxicity mechanism of GYM. Based on limited literatures, this paper reviewed the GYM's structure, producer, toxicity mechanism, carrying animals, geological distribution, degradation metabolism, dose-effect relation, and risk evaluation, and proposed the further research directions on algal toxin.

Toxin screening in phytoplankton: detection and quantitation using MALDI triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

The investigation of a MALDI triple quadrupole instrument for the analysis of spirolide toxins in phytoplankton samples is described in this study. A high-frequency (kHz) laser was employed for MALDI, generating a semicontinuous ion beam, thus taking advantage of the high duty cycle obtained in sensitive triple quadrupole MRM experiments. Initially, several experimental parameters such as type of organic matrix and concentration, solvent composition, and matrix-to-analyte ratio were optimized, and their impact on sensitivity and precision of the obtained ion currents for a reference spirolide, 13-desmethyl-C, was studied. In all quantitative experiments, excellent linearities in the concentration range between 0.01 and 1.75 microg/mL were obtained, with R2 values of 0.99 or higher. The average precision of the quantitative MALDI measurements was 7.4+/-2.4% RSD. No systematic errors were apparent with this method as shown by a direct comparison to an electrospray LC/MS/MS method. Most importantly, the MALDI technique was very fast; each sample spot was analyzed in less than 5 s as compared to several minutes with the electrospray assay. To demonstrate the potential of the MALDI triple quadrupole method, its application to quantitative analysis in several different phytoplankton samples was investigated, including crude extracts and samples from mass-triggered fractionation experiments. 13-Desmethyl spirolide C was successfully quantified in these complex samples at concentration levels from 0.05 to 90.4 microg/mL (prior to dilution to have samples fall within the dynamic range of the method) without extensive sample preparation steps. The versatility of the MALDI triple quadrupole method was also exhibited for the identification of unknown spirolide analogues. Through the use of dedicated linked scan functions such as precursor ion and neutral loss scans, several spirolide compounds were tentatively identified directly from the crude extract, without the usual time-consuming chromatographic preseparation steps. Moreover, high-quality CID spectra were obtained for low-abundant spirolides present in the phytoplankton samples.

Pentacyclic triterpenes from Euphorbia stygiana.

Two pentacyclic triterpenes, D-friedomadeir-14-en-3beta-yl acetate and D:C-friedomadeir-7-en-3beta-yl acetate, named madeiranyl acetate and isomadeiranyl acetate, respectively, were isolated from leaves of Euphorbia stygiana, together with the two known madeiranes, D-friedomadeir-14-en-3-one and D:C-friedomadeir-7-en-3-one, which were obtained from the stem bark. In addition, four known lupane and taraxerane-type triterpenes, namely lupenyl acetate, lupenone, taraxeryl acetate and taraxerone, were also isolated from the same source. Structures were elucidated by physical, chemical and spectroscopic methods (1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and mass spectra) and by comparison with literature data, and in the case of D:C-friedomadeir-7-en-3beta-yl acetate by X-ray analysis as well.

A pregeijerene isomer from Juniperus erectopatens foliage.

A hydrocarbon that is widespread in Juniperus foliage was isolated from Juniperus erectopatens (Cheng and L. K. Fu) R. P. Adams and identified as (E,E,E)-1,7-dimethylcyclodeca-1,4,7-triene (pregeijerene B). Geometry of the disubstituted double bond was determined by IR and NMR spectroscopy, while that of the trisubstituted double bonds was proven by comparison of the products of selective hydrogenation of the title compound and of pregeijerene. Common biosynthesis of pregeijerene B and a germacrane sesquiterpenoid, 8alpha-acetoxyhedycaryol, is inferred from their co-occurrence in foliage of 24 Juniperus species.

Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by soil fungi

Thirteen deuteromycete ligninolytic fungal strains were grown in media containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), for 6 and 10 days. The PAHs were added directly with the inocula or on the third day of cultivation. A selection of the best strains was carried out based on the levels of degradation of the PAHs and also on the ligninolytic activities produced by the fungi. The selected strains were cultivated for 3,6,9,12 and 15 days in the PAHs-containing media. Degradation of PAHs, as measured by reversed-phase HPLSC on a C18 column, varied with each strain as did the ligninolytic enzymes present in the culture supernatants. Highest degradation of naphthalene 69 (per cent) was produced by the strain 984, having Mn-peroxidase activity, followed by strain 870 17 per cente showing lignin peroxidase and laccase activities. The greatest degradation of phenanthrene 12 (per cent) was observed with strain 870 containing Mn-peroxidase and laccase activities. When anthracene was used, the strain 710 produced a good level of degradation 65 per cente.

Influencia de la contaminación atmosférica en la calidad de aire de interiores / Influence of outdoor pollution on indoor air quality

The influence of outdoor pollution on indoor air quality was studied in downtown Santiago (Bandera street). Carbon monoxide (CO), nicotine, particulate matter, respirable fraction (PM5) and total and carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were simultaneously monitores indoors and outdoors and indoors in restaurants, offices and other places. The levels of CO changed simultaneously outdoors and indoors (r=0.89) specially during traffic rush hours, demonstrating the importance of outdoor infiltration into the indoor air quality and masking the contribution of other CO indoor sources. The maximun CO concentrations were over 800 percent and over 1000 percent higher indoors and outdoors respectively than the 9 ppm CO National Ambient Air Quality. The PM5 concentrations were very high and showed no significant differences (p>0.05) from indoor to outdoors, or between indoor levels in restaurants, offices and other places. Total ans carcinogenic PAHs levels were also very high, outdoors and indoors, outodoor levels being generally higher than those indoors and no significant; differences (p>0.05) were found for the indoor levels between restaurants, offices and other places. Nicotine levels showed significant differences (p<0.05) between indoor and outdoor levels. In addition, great differences (p<0.05) in indoor levels, were found between offices and restaurants, and offices and other places. Among indoor sources cigarrete smoke seems to be a minor source since nicotine concentrations, bieng 2.3 times higher in restaurants and other places than in offices, do not contribute to enhance significantly PM5 and total and carcinogenic HAPs in the first ones. These results suggest that in downtown Santiago, infiltration might be the main source of indoor pollution. This is supported by 2 evidences: a) coronene, a tracer of vehicle emissions was found in high concentraion indoors and b) in restaurants (in wich PAHs emissions might be higher indoor) a correlation coefficient of 0.987 for the indoor and outdoor concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs was found. Furthermore a survey asking for different symptoms and effects probably related to air pollution was made to people working in Bandera and in a rural area located 40 Km from Santiago. The results showed that excluding smoking as a confounded factor, people working in Bandera showed a significantly greater (p<0.05) risk of ill effects on their health than people working in the rural area