ABSTRACT
Monoacylglycerols are eco-friendly and inexpensive emulsifiers with a range of applications. The traditional synthetic route is not eco-friendly, while enzymatic catalysis offers milder reaction conditions and higher selectivity. However, its application still is limited due to the costs. In this context, endophytic fungi can be source to new biocatalysts with enhanced catalytic activity. Based on this perspective, the aim of this study was perform the synthesis of MAG's through transesterification reactions of solketal and different vinyl esters, using crude and immobilized lipolytic extracts from the endophytic fungi Stemphylium lycopersici, isolated from Humiria balsamifera. The reactions were conducted using 100â mg of biocatalyst, 1â mmol of substrates, 9 : 1 n-heptane/acetone, at 40 °C, 200â rpm for 96 h. In the reactions using the ILE and stearate, laureate and decanoate vinyl esters it was possible to obtain the correspondent products with conversion rates of 52-75 %. Also, according to the structure drivers used in MCM-48 synthesis, different morphologies and conversions rates were observed. Employing [C16MI] Cl, [C14MI] Cl and [C4MI] Cl, the 1-lauroyl- glycerol conversion was 36 %, 79 % and 44 %, respectively. This is the first work involving the immobilization of an endophytic fungi and its utilization as a biocatalyst in the production of MAG's.
Subject(s)
Biocatalysis , Monoglycerides , Monoglycerides/chemistry , Monoglycerides/metabolism , Porosity , Ascomycota/metabolismABSTRACT
ABSTRACT In general, Passiflora species have been reported for their folk medicinal use as sedative and anti-inflammatory. However, P. caerulea has already been reported to treat pulmonary diseases. Severe pulmonary tuberculosis, generally caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains resistant to multiple drugs, can lead to deleterious inflammation and high mortality, encouraging new approaches in drug discovery. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the Passiflora mucronata Lam., Passifloraceae, potential for tuberculosis treatment. Specifically, related to antimycobacterial activity and anti-inflammatory related effects (based on inhibition of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha production and antioxidant potential), as well as the chemical profile of P. mucronata. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array ultraviolet and mass spectrometer analyses of crude hydroalcoholic extract and ethyl acetate fraction showed the presence of flavonoids. Ethyl acetate fraction showed to be as antioxidant as Ginkgo biloba standard extract with EC50 of 14.61 ± 1.25 µg/ml. One major flavonoid isolated from ethyl acetate fraction was characterized as isoorientin. The hexane fraction and its main isolated compound, the triterpene β-amyrin, exhibited significant growth inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium bovis BCG (MIC50 1.61 ± 1.43 and 3.93 ± 1.05 µg/ml, respectively). In addition, Passiflora mucronata samples, specially hexane and dichloromethane fractions, as well as pure β-amyrin, showed a dose-related inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production. In conclusion, Passiflora mucronata presented relevant biological potential and should be considered for further studies using in vivo pulmonary tuberculosis model.
ABSTRACT
In order to validate the Bumelia sartorum Mart., Sapotaceae, traditional use for infection diseases, this study evaluates the antibacterial activity of the stem bark fractions against methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA) Staphylococcus aureus strains by using the agar dilution method and reported as MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration). In addition, the DPPH scavenging activity of these fractions was measured and the chemical composition and acute toxicity of the active fraction were also determined. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract was chemically analyzed by LC/MS, direct ionization APCI/MS, ¹H NMR and 13C-NMR. All fractions, except butanol extract, presented high antioxidant activity, especially the methanol and the EtOAc extracts, which showed EC50 values (5.67 and 5.30 µg/mL, respectively) considerably lower than the Gingko-standard EGb 761® (38.58 µg/mL). The antibacterial activity against S. aureus strains was observed in EtOAc (MIC 256-512 µg/mL), which showed a very low toxicity. The chemical study of this fraction revealed the abundant presence of polyphenolic compounds. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities reported in this paper for EtOAc extract from B. sartorum and the low toxicity of this fraction opens the possibility that it could be helpful for the developing of new antibacterial agents for treating S. aureus infections.