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Notes: The potential of using indigenous microorganisms in beach sediments to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons emanating from marine oil spillages in the Straits of Singapore was investigated. A field trial was conducted using oil contaminated beach sediments from Pulau Semakau - a small island 15 km south of Singapore. The results clearly show that the addition of inorganic nutrients to beach sediments significantly enhanced the activity of indigenous microorganisms (measured using the dehydrogenase enzyme assay and viable cell count techniques), as well as the removal of total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons (TRPH) over a 50-day study period (with up to 44% in the case of nutrient addition). The potential of exploiting in-situ bioremediation techniques for oil spill clean-up operations in tropical marine environments is discussed.

Notes: The biosynthesis of bacterial cellulose by Acetobacter xylinum was optimized by numerically finding the maximum of an arbitrarily chosen second order polynomial model function of several variables (describing the dependence of the cellulose production on the concentrations of the medium components), using multivariable linear regression analysis. The chosen function appeared to describe the analyzed correlation sufficiently well. Consequently, three to six stages of optimization made the determination of the optimum medium compositions possible for 16 days of fermentation at 30°C in a medium based on fructose (wt%: fructose, 3.68; yeast extract, 5.02; (NH4)2NO3, 0.001; KH2PO4, 0.3; MgSO4 × 7 H2O, 0.05; resulting in a cellulose production equal to 0.505 wt.% - namely 5.6 times higher than before the optimization) and for 7 days fermentations at 30°C in a medium based on sucrose and ethanol (wt.%: sucrose, 5.0; ethanol, 1.36; yeast extract, 1.27; (NH4)2SO4, 0.5; KH2PO4, 0.3; MgSO4 × 7 H2O, 0.05; resulting in a cellulose production equal to 0.251 wt.% - namely 1.5 times higher than before the optimization).

Notes: The stability of a polyphenol oxidase (PPO) preparation from the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor during a process for the enzymatic decrease of the phenolic content of commercial canola meal (CM) was investigated. The effects of temperature, pH, protein origin and concentration, and meal particles were considered. The results showed that the thermal stability of the enzyme preparation was significantly increased in the presence of CM. The half-life times for the enzyme preparation, pre-incubated with CM at 50, 60, 70 and 75°C, were 45, 10.5, 3.5 and 1.5 hours, respectively; this represents an increase in the thermal stability of the enzyme preparation of up to four times in the presence of CM compared to the stability in the absence of CM. This effect was caused by the protective actions of both the CM particles and CM proteins, with the former responsible for 90% of the observed effect. The thermal stability of the enzyme in the presence of CM, from which 20% of the extractable proteins was extracted, was 5% lower compared to the stability in the presence of untreated CM. Changes in pH level from 5.0 to 3.2 resulted in a loss of stability comparable to that observed when the pre-incubation temperature was increased from 50 to 70°C.A semi-empirical model describing the changes in the concentration of the active enzyme pre-incubated in the presence and absence of CM at various incubation temperatures was proposed. A very good agreement between the model and experimental data was obtained. The proposed model, together with a general set of model parameters, can be used as a tool for the optimization of a process for the upgrade of CM by enzymatically decreasing the meal's phenolic content.

Notes: A non-comprehensive review of several technical developments in the field of aerobic biological waste-water treatment engineering is carried out, considering the active role the engineers have to play in this field. This paper brings together conventional and advanced problems in the field of aerobic biological waste-water treatment.Such an overview of biological waste-water treatment also precedes comments on some important aspects concerning the microorganisms responsible for waste-water treatment as well as considerations of the application of fundamentals and kinetics to the analysis of the biological processes used most commonly for aerobic biological waste-water treatment.A survey of the development of the biological activated-sludge process and some modifications are given. Some problems implied in the conventional activated-sludge waste-water treatment are analyzed, considering conventional processes and bioreactor models (the continuous stirred-tank reactor model and the plug-flow reactor models of the activated-sludge process) as well as aerated lagoons.Further, modifications of the activated-sludge process are presented. These include additional details on the bioreactor progress and applications, with emphasis on aspects concerning airlift bioreactors and their variants, deep-shaft bioreactors and reciprocating jet bioreactors which are considered as the third generation of bioreactors owing to their important advantages in design, operation and performance in waste-water treatment. Sequencing-batch reactors and aerobic digestion processes, including conventional aerobic digestion, high-purity oxygen digestion, thermophilic aerobic digestion and cryophylic aerobic digestion are also reviewed.Finally, some aspects regarding the operational factors that are involved in the selection of the reactor type are included.

Notes: In the first part of the experiments, the mechanical properties of 1%, 2% and 3% carrageenan and 1%, 2% and 3% carrageenan/locust bean gum (LBG) gels stored in various concentrations of propionic and acetic acids and their mixtures were examined. The stability of these materials was measured by uniaxial compression between two parallel plates using the Instron Universal Testing Machine. A mathematical model explaining the dependence of the destroying force on the storage time was chosen for data analysis. Using this model, the average rate of gel deterioration was calculated. The structural properties of the examined gels were most influenced by the highest concentration of propionic and acetic acids and their mixtures (1% acetic acid and 2% propionic acid). The addition of LBG to carrageenan decreased the gel destroying force and increased its resistance to acids.In the second part of the experiments, the Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii NCFB 1081 and NCFB 566 were immobilized in a living state in 1%, 2% and 3% carrageenan and 1%, 2% and 3% carrageenan/LBG gels. The ammonia consumption, glucose utilization, production of propionic and acetic acids and the biosynthesis of vitamin B12 were examined. An increase in the productivity of propionic acid and a significant decrease in the vitamin B12 produced in the biosynthesis were observed when immobilized cells were used. The immobilization of cells enhanced the productivity of propionic acid by up to 40% compared to free cells. The best results were obtained for the second and third applications of immobilized cells in all concentrations of carrageenan gels and 2% and 3% carrageenan/LBG gels The results showed that carrageenan/LBG is a better support material for the immobilization of propionic acid bacteria than the pure carrageenan.

Notes: The bioaccumulation of cadmium by the white rot fungus Pleurotus sajor-caju onto dry biomass was investigated using aqueous media with concentrations in the range of 0.125 mM-1.0 mM The highest cadmium uptake (between 88.9 and 91.8%) was observed with aerobic fungal biomass from the exponential growth phase. Up to 1.0 mM cadmium gradually inhibited mycelium development, but never blocked it completely. Freeze-dried, oven-dried and non-metabolizing live Pleurotus sajor-caju biomass types were tested for their capacity to adsorb the test ion Cd2+ within the pH range of 4.5 to 6.0. Freeze-dried biomass proved to be the most efficient biomass type for Cd2+ metal adsorption. Therefore, Pleurotus sajor-caju may be used for heavy metal removal and bioremediation.

Notes: The kinetics of cellobiose hydrolysis was studied using β-glucosidase from Penicillium funiculosum, both free and immobilized on nylon powder, at different temperatures, pH values, enzymatic activities and initial cellobiose and glucose concentrations.The experimental results were fitted to a kinetic model by considering the substrate and product inhibitions as well as the thermal deactivation of β-glucosidase with a mean deviation of less than 10%. The immobilization of β-glucosidase led to an increase in the stability of the enzyme against changes in the pH value.

Notes: Ethanol has been reported to be a gaseous pollutant, originating from the agricultural industry. Interest in its biodegradation has increased over the last two decades. Most of the current studies have focused on its elimination by mixed cultures. This study is part of a broader project intended to utilize Candida utilis strains for gaseous ethanol elimination and to eventually bioconvert them into biomass and/or volatile metabolites. We present here the study of six strains (one from the ATCC and five from the ICIDCA collection) cultivated in a liquid medium, with initial ethanol concentrations of 16 g/l and 32 g/l. At 16 g/l, a maximum ethanol elimination rate of 0.13 g/l × h was obtained in four of the six strains (ATCC 9950, L/375-1, L/375-5 and L/375-10). This rate increased to 0.21 g/l × h with an initial ethanol concentration of 32 g/l. The L/375-5 strain was the best biomass producer (3.3 g/l) at 32 g/l, while the highest ethyl acetate production (0.80 g/l) was obtained with the L/375-1 strain. The L/375-25 and L/375-26 strains which showed very low ethyl acetate production were, by way of contrast, efficient acetaldehyde producers, with 0.54 g/l and 0.66 g/l measured in the broth. While biomass production reached its maximum after two days of culture, the production of acetic acid and ethyl acetate continued during the third day. The results for biomass and metabolite production obtained with the ICIDCA collection strains (L/375-1, L/375-5 and L/375-10) were better than those obtained with the ATCC 9950 strain, although the latter often has been reported to be particularly suitable for metabolite production.

Notes: The ability of the Rhizobium sp., isolated from the root nodules of the leguminous pulse yielding shrub Cajanus cajan, to produce extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) was checked. A large amount of EPS (1, 128 μg/ml) was produced by the bacteria in yeast extract mannitol medium. Growth and EPS production started simultaneously, but the production reached its maximum level in the stationary phase of growth at 28 h. The EPS production by this Rhizobium sp. was much higher than by many other strains from nodules of Cajanus cajan which took a much longer time to reach maximum EPS production than this strain. The maximum EPS production (2,561 μg/ml) was obtained when the medium was supplemented with mannitol (1%), cetyl pyridinium chloride (2 μg/ml) and KNO3 (0.2%), in which the production was increased by 276% compared to the control. The EPS production rose in the period up to 65 h with increased mannitol concentration. The EPS contained arabinose, xylose and rhamnose monomers. The possible role of rhizobial EPS production in root nodule symbiosis is discussed.

Notes: The Rhizobium sp., isolated from the root nodules of the leguminous fodder herb Melilotus alba, produced large amounts of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) (963.5 μg/ml) in a yeast extract mannitol medium. Growth and EPS production started simultaneously, but EPS production reached its maximum during the stationary phase of growth of the bacteria, at 20 hours. EPS production was increased with all of the thirteen sugars tested. Different nitrogen sources, such as nitrates, glutamic acid, casamino acid and L-asparagine, increased the EPS production although it was inhibited by glycine, nitrite and ammonium salts. Among the vitamins and metal ions, only pyridoxal phosphate and ZnSO4 promoted EPS production. Attempts were made to optimize the cultural requirements for growth and maximum EPS production. Maximum EPS production (1457.0 μg/ml) was obtained when the medium was supplemented with glucose (1%), pyridoxal phosphate (2 μ g/ml), ZnSO4 × 7 H2O (10 μg/ml) and glutamic acid (0.1%). Under these conditions, the production was increased by 254.3% compared to the control. The EPS contained arabinose, xylose and rhamnose monomers. The presence of arabinose and xylose in the EPS produced by a Rhizobium sp. was uncommon.

Notes: In the present work, the use of flame-burned WS as carriers of Z. mobilis and extracellular levansucrase and the effect of the cell fixation method by dehydration on system productivity were investigated. Lyophilization and convective drying of Z. mobilis biomass at 30°C to a moisture content of 10-14% gave the best results for the repeated batch fermentations of a sucrose medium to obtain levan and ethanol. Significant correlation between the product formation and the concentration of free cells in the fermentation medium was established. Clearly, the cells were weakly bound to the newly generated WS and were washed out into the medium during fermentation. Here the hypothesis is presented that components excreted from damaged cells during dehydration can intensify the reactivation of damaged living cells and influence the interactions between the cells and the wire surface.The passive immobilization of extracellular levansucrase in oxidized WS was also observed. The superiority of oxidized WS in comparison with non-treated WS is related to an increase in the number of OH groups. The potential regeneration of WS by burning after the termination of fermentation cycles was also considered.

Notes: A xylanase was removed from crude extract of the fungus Penicillium janthinellum under optimized conditions: 0.10M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, 0.2 M BDBAC (N-benzyl-N-dodeceyl-N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride), 7.5% hexanole, 30°C and an agitation time of 1 minute. At 1.42 mg per ml protein concentration, 73% of the xylanase activity was recovered and a 7-fold enrichment factor was obtained. The enzyme had a molecular weight (MW) of 20.1 kDa and the isoelectric point (PI) revealed the presence of two protein bands with a PI of 6.0 and 6.5. The optimum pH and optimum temperature were 4.2 and 50°C, respectively. The low pH differential between the aqueous medium and the protein PI seemed to influence the xylanase transportation into the reversed micelles.

Notes: The morphogenetic response of Hypericum perforatum seedlings to different auxin and cytokinin concentrations was studied. A stimulation of the concentration-dependent rooting ability was observed under the influence of indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-butyric acid. Rooting was not enhanced by the effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 1-naphtaleneacetic acid. Differentiated roots were isolated and cultured in liquid media with the same combination of growth-promoting auxins. Chromosome counts in root tip cells after long-term cultivation indicated a high degree of chromosomal instability. Multiple shoot formation occurred under the influence of 6-benzylaminopurine and kinetin. Adenine and 6-(γ,γ-dimethylallylamino)-purine did not stimulate shoot differentiation. No differences in the morphogenetic response to auxins and cytokinis were detected between diploid and tetrapoloid plants.

Notes: Spores of Aspergillus niger were exposed to a pulsed electric field. After treatment by the electric field, the viability of the conidia of A. niger varied depending on the field strength, pulse width and frequency. In all cases, these parameters reduced the viability rate of the conidia from 2.0 × 107 to a range from 6.2 × 106 to 8.5 × 106 spores/ml (3.1 to 42.6%). After pulse treatment, the conidia were used as the inoculum for citric acid fermentation in shake flasks. The highest increase in citric acid yield (about 1.4-fold) was reached at a field strength of 2.85 kV/cm, a frequency of 1 Hz and a pulse width of 1 ms. When the parameters of the electric field increased there were important changes in the respiration rate of the Aspergillus niger mycelium (48-h-old) after electric shock treatment. The highest consumption of dissolved oxygen (22.9%) in the medium by Aspergillus niger mycelium was observed at an electric field strength of 2.85 kV/cm, a 1 Hz frequency, a pulse width of 1 ms and a 1-min exposure period. It seems that an electric-field stimulation of the conidia prior to inoculation may offer an important method of improving the efficiency of citric acid. The treatment of the conidia is both simple from the technical point of view and extremely rapid.

Notes: The effects of adding some inducers of lignolytic activity to semi-solid-state cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium BKM-F-1767 (ATCC 24725) were investigated. The inducers assayed were veratryl alcohol and solid manganese (IV) oxide. The microorganism was cultured on corncob, which functioned both as physical support and source of nutrients.Supplementing the cultures with veratryl alcohol created the situation where manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP) activities of approximately 1,500 U/l and 200 U/l, respectively, could be attained. These activities were considerably higher than those obtained in the reference cultures (about 5 and 4-fold).In the same way, the addition of manganese (IV) oxide led to MnP and LiP activity levels of about 2,000 U/l and 300 U/l, respectively. These activities were also notably above (about 6 and 5-fold, respectively) those achieved in the reference cultures.Moreover, laccase activity (around 200 U/l) was only detected in veratryl alcohol or manganese (IV) oxide supplemented cultures.

Notes: The culture behaviour of Thermus aquaticus was characterized. The response of the bacterium to various carbon (tryptone, glucose, glycerol) and nitrogen sources (yeast extract, NaNO3, (NH4)2SO4, leucine, thymine, thiamine, glutamic acid) was studied. Amino acids did not support growth, but CASTENHOLZ salt medium supplemented with yeast extract and glucose or tryptone resulted in good growth and production. A suitable medium composition giving the highest biomass concentration and enzyme yield was developed. The simple medium containing TYE-NaCl resulted in the highest biomass concentration, whereas CASTENHOLZ mineral medium supplemented with tryptone and yeast extract gave the highest specific activity and enzyme yield. The effect of inoculum age and size on growth was also investigated in order to improve the yield and process consistency. The use of shake flasks inoculated with precultures at their early or late stationary phase resulted in the same biomass concentration (0.56 ± 0.015 g/l) and similar maximum specific growth rates (0.258 ± 0.003 h-1). Inoculum sizes between 1 and 2.5 per cent were optimal for cell growth. As the other papers on thermophilic microorganisms, including the T. aquaticus YT-1 strain, gave qualitative information on growth, the results presented here cannot be compared with others on a quantitative basis. TaqI endonuclease was purified using a 5 step protocol including cell disruption, adsorption, precipitation, column chromatography and final dialysis. The enriched fraction had a specific activity of 33,600 U TaqI endonuclease per mg protein.

Notes: Methylobacterium rhodesianum MB 126, a pink-pigmented facultatively methylotrophic bacterium that uses that serine pathway for the assimilation of reduced C1 compounds, is able to produce poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) under certain limitation conditions. Mutants of this bacterium, which were isolated after the treatment with sodium nitrite, are impaired in their ability to synthesize PHB, but produce another polymer in addition to PHB, namely an exopolysaccharide (EPS). This paper attempts to explain this surprising behaviour.

Notes: Agar-agar, agarose, carrageenan and calcium alginate were used for the immobilization of Dunaliella salina cells. Out of the four, agar-agar was found to be the most effective and therefore the study was carried out on it using different pH values ranging from 6 to 10 and cell densities from 0.1 to 0.8 μg chlorophyll (chl, a) per bead to find which are is best suited for glycerol production. The maximum glycerol production of 9.2 μM/mg chl a was recorded in agar-agar immobilized algae and this was followed by 8.4 μM/mg chl a in calcium alginate. The maximum cell number 6.2 × 109/ml and the specific growth rate (μ) of 0.80 l/day were reached at pH 8 in agar-agar immobilized algae. It was shown that the maximum amount of glycerol was produced when the cell density was 0.8 μg chl a/ block. Changing the medium after 24 hours affected the rate of glycerol production at different pH values. Using a cell density of 0.8 μg chl a/block at 16 W/m2 light intensity increased the glycerol production in comparison with the use of free living cells.

Notes: A new low-cost β-galactosidase (lactase) preparation for whey permeate saccharification was developed and characterized. A biocatalyst with a lactase activity of 10 U/mg, a low transgalactosylase activity and a protein content of 0.22 mg protein/mg was obtained from a fermenter culture of the fungus Penicillium notatum. Factors influencing the enzymatic hydrolysis of lactose, such as reaction time, pH, temperature and enzyme and substrate concentration were standardized to maximize sugar yield from whey permeate. Thus, a 98.1% conversion of 5% lactose in whey permeate to sweet (glucose-galactose) syrup was reached in 48 h using 650 β-galactosidase units/g hydrolyzed substrate. After the immobilization of the acid β-galactosidase from Penicillium notatum on silanized porous glass modified by glutaraldehyde binding, more than 90% of the activity was retained. The marked shifts in the pH value (from 4.0 to 5.0) and optimum temperatures (from 50°C to 60°C) of the solid-phase enzyme were observed and discussed. The immobilized preparation showed high catalytic activity and stability at wider pH and temperature ranges than those of the free enzyme, and under the best operating conditions (lactose, 5%; β-galactosidase, 610-650 U/g lactose; pH 5.0; temperature 55°C), a high efficiency of lactose saccharification (84-88%) in whey permeate was achieved when lactolysis was performed both in a batch process and in a recycling packed-bed bioreactor. It seems that the promising results obtained during the assays performed on a laboratory scale make this immobilizate a new and very viable preparation of β-galactosidase for application in the processing of whey and whey permeates.

Notes: An acid α-amylase hyperproducing strain, designated as MIR-61, was isolated in a screening procedure from South American soil samples. MIR-61, a 60°C thermoresistant strain, was identified using 98 biochemical and morphological tests and characterized as Bacillus licheniformis by numerical taxonomy. Batch cultures of B. licheniformis MIR-61 showed extracellular α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities during the exponential growth phase.The production of α-amylase was studied at free and constant pH values at 37 and 45°C. Maximum α-amylase activity (4,767 kU/dm3 in a liquid medium) was detected at 45°C at a constant pH (7.0) in the late exponential phase. The α-amylase production by B. licheniformis MIR-61 is 10 to 300 times higher than the enzyme production reported in strains of the same species.Optimum α-amylase activity was found at 50 to 67°C in an acid pH range from 5.5 to 6.0. These properties would allow its use in starch industry processes.

Notes: The continuous aerobic degradation of phenoxyalkanoate herbicides by Sphingomonas herbicidovorans MH was investigated in a bubble reactor filled with modified polyurethane-foam (PU 90/51) as a carrier for the adsorptive immobilization of the bacterial cells. The PU-foam was applied in the form of plates (5 × 10 × 10 mm) and the amount added was equivalent to a PU-load of 1.25% [w/v]. Strain MH is capable of detoxifying the dichloro-substituted phenoxyalkanoates 2,4-DP, 2,4-D and 2,4-DB and the methylchloro-substituted phenoxyalkanoates MCPA, MCPP and MCPB. Degradation of the respective substrate was followed by HPLC analyses and by determination of the chloride release. No intermediates of the degradation pathways or “dead end” products were detected by HPLC analyses. The PU-bubble reactor with immobilized 2,4-DP-pre-grown cells was run continuously at 30°C at the high dilution rate of D = 0.5h-1 with 2,4-DP (0.2 g/l), and with subsequent changes to each of the other phenoxyalkanoates as a single substrate in the feed and with an intermittent return to 2,4-DP. Finally, after an intermediate substrate accumulation, 2,4-D, 2,4-DP, MCPA and MCPP could be degraded under the aforementioned conditions corresponding to a maximum degradation rate of Qphen = 100 mg/l × h. In the case of 2,4-DB, a slightly reduced conversion rate of about 94% could be calculated. In contrast to these results, 0.2 g/l of the more recalcitrant MCPB could not be metabolized at this high dilution rate of D = 0.5 h-1 by the biofilm of Sphingomonas herbicidovorans MH, but it was degradable at a reduced dilution rate of D = 0.25 h-1. Complete detoxification of a stoichiometric mixture of the dichloro- and the methylchloro-substituted phenoxyalkanoates including MCPB, respectively, at a total concentration of 0.2 g/l was achieved at D = 0.25 h-1, corresponding to a degradation rate of Qtot = 50 mg/l × h. Finally, the efficiency of the PU-immobilized cells of Sphingomonas herbicidovorans MH in detoxifying mixtures of all six herbicides could be increased to Qtot = 75 mg/l × h by the further addition of PU-foam particles corresponding to a final PU-load of 2.5% [w/v]. This PU-bubble reactor was successfully operated for more than 12 months to clean up synthetically concocted waste waters with fluctuations in phenoxyalkanoate concentration and composition.

Notes: The biodesulphurization of Mengen lignite by a mesophilic bacterium, Rhodococcus rhodochrus ATCC 53968, was investigated in a batch stirred and aerated reactor. The experiments were carried out at 28°C with an inoculum percentage, initial pH, initial sodium acetate and lignite concentration of the biodesulphurization medium of 8% [v/v], 6.5 mM, 20 mM and 20 g/l, respectively. Variations in the sulphur contents of the lignite relative to the biodesulphurization period were monitored. The effects of the stirring and aeration rates on the removal of different sulphur forms from coal were investigated in the ranges 450-1,200 rpm and 0.1-0.53 vvm and the optimum values were found to be 500 rpm and 0.18 vvm, respectively. An increase in the total sulphur reduction with increasing biodesulphurization time was observed. The maximum total sulphur removal percentage was found to be 15.2% at 1,200 rpm after four days of incubation. The highest total sulphur removal rate was calculated on the second day of microbial desulphurization for each run. The total and organic sulphur contents of the coal after biodesulphurization were correlated with the stirring and aeration rates by using the non-linear least squares regression method. In the experimental runs lasting 8 days, the highest organic sulphur reducing percentage of 10.1% was obtained at a stirring rate of 500 rpm and an aeration rate of 0.40 vvm.

Notes: Selected strains of basidiomycetes (Abortiporus biennis, Trametes versicolor and Cerrena unicolor) were shown to produce enhanced extracellular peroxidase (EP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and laccase activities following the exposure of 10-day-old fungal cultures to separate high and low temperature stress. The stressful conditions also caused an increase in the concentrations of phenol compounds and superoxide anion radicals in these cultures. At first, peroxidase activity was observed at 12 hours from the moment of temperature stress application. Laccase activity appeared at 96 hours after the maximum levels of superoxide anion radicals (48 h) and SOD activity (36-72 h). The concentration of phenolic substances grew steadily during the period of cultivation. These relations between laccase, SOD and EP as well as superoxide radicals and phenol levels in the environment of ligninolytic fungi seems to be important in the course of the biosynthesis or biodegradation of lignin, as the consequence of adaptation of these basidiomycetes to environmental temperature conditions.

Notes: Comamonas acidovorans MC1, which is capable of degrading the chiral phenoxypropionate herbicides 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionate [dichlorprop, (RS)-2,4-DP] and 2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propionate [mecoprop, (RS)-MCPP] and of degrading the phenoxyacetate herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D) and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetate (MCPA), was investigated with respect to the enzymatic basis of this broad substrate specificity. The initial steps of the degradation pathway of (RS)-2,4-DP and 2,4-D were studied. By applying either ion exchange chromatography or hydrophobic interaction chromatography it was possible to separate two enzyme fractions with etherolytic activity, which exhibited pronounced substrate specificity. One enzyme fraction was highly specific for the degradation of the R-enantiomer of 2,4-DP and did not essentially attack the S-configuration. The other enzyme fraction showed pronounced activity toward the cleavage of the S-enantiomer and additionally utilized 2,4-D with almost equal velocity; (R)-2,4-DP was even cleaved at a low rate by this enzyme. These results confirm the existence of phenoxyalkanoatedegrading enzymes with enantiospecific properties in strain MC1.

Notes: The population of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-degrading microorganisms and the biodegradation of PHB in local landfill soils were examined in vitro and in vivo. Forty-two PHB-degraders consisting of 12 bacteria, 25 actinomycetes and 5 moulds were isolated. The total PHB-degraders averaged 4.7 × 107 and 20 × 104 colony forming units (cfu)/g for San Mateo wet and dry soils, respectively, and 2.3 × 107 and 8.5 × 104 cfu/g for Carmona wet and dry samples, respectively. The PHB-degraders formed 0-59% of the total microbial population in San Mateo and 8-42% in Carmona. Complete (100%) degradation of PHB powder was observed for Chryseomonas-27 and Aspergillus-39 on day 5 in shake flask culture and for Streptomyces-4 on day 7. Burial test in landfill soils showed a 90-91% weight loss of PHB film strips within four weeks; the weight loss of polypropylene film strips was up to 0.12% only. Scanning electron micrographs of degraded films revealed the attachment of microbial cells and fungal mycelium and spores on the surfaces. Holes and cavities were also noted due to the microbial degradation processes.

Notes: The application of biotechnology in environmental processes is an enormous subject that could remain the topic of a university lecture course for many years. For this reason I wish to limit my lecture to a few examples and to attempt to sketch out particularly promising opportunities for future development.

Notes: The Acinetobacter sp. E11, isolated from Port Dickson Beach, Malaysia, was able to grow in media containing crude oil as the sole carbon and energy source. Substrate specificity studies showed that the bacterium exhibited substrate preference as growth was observed only in media containing aliphatic hydrocarbons, while aromatic and cyclic hydrocarbons inhibited growth. With the aliphatic hydrocarbons, growth was seen only in the long-chain alkanes tested (pentadecane, dodecane and hexadecane). No growth was recorded in the short-chain alkanes (pentane, hexane and heptane) tested. With complex hydrocarbons, only crude oil and 4T SHELL engine oil supported growth. No growth was observed in kerosene and PETRONAS gasoline. The isolate could grow in up to 10% and 20% [v/v] of the crude oil and alkanes tested, respectively. Among the long-chain alkanes tested, hexadecane was the most preferred, followed by pentadecane and dodecane. Nitrogen and phosphorous supplements were essential for growth and the best growth was achieved with 3% nitrogen/phosphorous additions. Microscopic observation revealed that the bacterium adhered to the hexadecane and crude oil droplets. GC analysis showed that the bacterium was able to degrade more than 60% of the hydrocarbons in the crude oil in 15 days at 37°C compared to the uninoculated media.

Notes: The mineralization of a non-ionic alcohol ethoxylate (AEO) surfactant was investigated over the concentration range occurring in rinsing water from surfactant production processes. For this, an experimental set-up for respirometric batch experiments was developed. The set-up and the method were validated by experiments with glucose as the single carbon source. It was possible to calculate substrate decay from the time course of exogenously consumed oxygen during respirometric batch experiments. The kinetic coefficients calculated by respirometry showed a lower standard deviation than those calculated from emasured glucose concentrations.The degradation mechanism of AEO was investigated by identification of metabolities, occurring during the mineralization process of AEO, using Flow Injection Mass spectrometry (FI-MS). It was concluded that the degradation of AEO occurs in two main steps. First, the enzymatic hydrolysis of AEO into alcohol and polythylene glycol (PEG) is performed. Second, the mineralization of both substances takes place, while the mineralization of the alcohol is faster than that of the PEG. The mineralization kinetics were investigated in respirometric batch experiments. The model used is based on double MONOD kinetics for the substrates being produced by hydrolysis (μmax1 = 0.047 h-1, Ks1 = 15 mg/l DOC for alcohol; μmax2 = 0.027 h-1, KS2 = 4 mg/l DOC for PEG). The validation of the model by calculating the results obtained from measurements in a continuously operated lab scale CSTR with bacteria recycle was successful.

Notes: An increase in the molar growth yield (YX/S = 14.3-20.3 g/mol) on glucose (25 mM) was achieved after the transition of Zymomonas mobilis ATCC 29191 from anaerobic to aerobic steady state growth at dilution rates of D = 0.31-0.40 1/h and under oxygen-unlimited conditions. The transfer of anaerobically or aerobically grown steady state cells into a fresh medium resulted in the higher values of YX/S. A positive correlation was established between biomass and acetaldehyde yield within the range of 5-9 mM acetaldehyde in the medium. An inhibitory effect of the exogenously added acetaldehyde (Ki = 16.7 ± 2.8 mM) on the ATPase activity was observed in vitro, using cell-free extracts of anaerobically grown Z. mobilis. The results obtained provide evidence that the increased values of biomass yield could be explained by the redirection of ATP usage during aerobic growth of Z. mobilis.

Notes: Pleurotus sajor-caju (FR.) SINGER was cultivated on different organic wastes, namely sericulture waste, Populus deltoides MARSH, and Eupatorium adenophorum SPRENG. Paddy straw was taken as the control and all the data were compared with it. The mineral contents of the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus sajor-caju and the substrates on which the mushroom was grown were analyzed. Among the eight minerals determined (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese and zinc), the potassium content was highest followed by phosphorus, magnesium and sodium. Analysis of the mineral contents of the substrates before cultivation had also been carried out. The mineral contents of the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus sajor-caju were found to be different on different substrates. It was also observed that the mineral contents of the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus sajor-caju increase when cultivated on substrates with higher mineral contents. The maximum mineral contents per 100 g of the substrates before cultivation were Ca - 347 mg; P - 151 mg; K - 1,805 mg; Na - 127 mg; Mg - 227 mg; Fe - 53 mg; Mn - 10 mg and zn - 3.1 mg. The mineral contents of the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus sajor-caju per 100 g ranged as follows: Ca - 25.1 mg to 35.3 mg; P - 448 mg to 602 mg; K - 2,146 mg to 2350 mg; Na - 139 mg to 229 mg; Mg - 153 mg to 224 mg; Fe - 9.74 mg to 20.75 mg; Mn - 2.5 mg to 4.0 mg and Zn - 2.2 mg to 3.1 mg.

Notes: An alternative microbiological method for the production of malate from fumarate is presented. The yeast Dipodascus magnusii was used for this bioconversion.The optimum cell growth temperature was 28°C and the working volume 120 ml. The highest level of fumarase activity during bioconversion was achieved at a pH of 7.5 and a temperature of 37°C. These conditions were determined as optimal. Using sodium fumarate (1M), the maximum specific productivity of malic acid obtained was 1.72 g/(gDCW × h) for intact cells. In the case of ammonium fumarate, it was 2.25 g/(gDCW × h).

Notes: The title compound, an analogue of [Leu5]-enkephalin with L-o-carboranylalanine replacing L-phenylalanine in position 4, was prepared by fragment condensation. The analogue has a 3-fold higher affinity for rat brain opiate receptors in the [3H]naloxone competition assay than natural [Leu5]-enkephalin. Like [Leu5]-enkephalin and Na-acetyl-[Leu5]-enkephalin, the N-terminal tripeptide fragment, H · Tyr-Gly-Gly · OH, had no melanotropic activity in the Rana pipiens frog skin assay.A convenient, direct synthesis of methyl t-butoxycarbonyl-L-propargylglycinate is described, and the 13C-NMR. spectra of L-o-carboranylalanine recorded. The procedure was extended to the preparation of BOC · Car-Leu · OMe from BOC · Pra-Leu · OMe. A number of new propargylglycine derivatives are reported.

Notes: The conversion of primary, secondary and vinylic halides to the two C-atoms homologated phenylselenomethyl ketones 8 is described. The method involves addition of the readily available phenylselenoacetaldehyde 5 to the Grignard reagents 9 and oxidation of the resulting β-hydroxy-selenides 10 (Scheme 3).

Notes: Preparation of Stilbenyl Derivatives of 1,2,4-OxadiazolesSchiffs bases derived from 3- and 5-(p-formylphenyl)-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and chloroanilines are reacted with various p-tolyl substituted aromatic heterocycles in the presence of dimethylformamide and potassium hydroxide to yield the corresponding heterocyclic substituted stilbenes (‘Anil synthesis’). The reactivity of 5-[4-(chlorophenylimino-methyl)phenyl]-3-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles is very low and side reactions will predominate.

Notes: (Perhalomethylthio)heterocycles. XIX. Mitt.: s. [1]. . Acid-catalyzed substitutions on (perchlorofluoromethylthio)pyrroles and their agro-biological activitiesIn the presence of C4F9SO3H the (perhalomethylthio)pyrroles 1a-c react with Cl3-nFnCSCl (n = 1-3) to give mixtures of the 2,5- and 2,4-disubstituted pyrroles 2a-f and 3a-h. 2a and 3a react with CF3SCl (catalyst CF3SO3H) yielding 2,3,5-tris (trifloromethylthio)pyrrole (4a), which under similar conditions reacts further to give 2,3,4,5-tetrakis (trifluoromethylthio)pyrrole (5). As a by-product during the conversion of 3a to 4a 2,3,4-tris (trifluoromethylthio)pyrrole (4b) is formed. The pyrroles 2a, 4a and 5 form the mercury salts 6a-c; compound 5 yields also a silver salt 7. The 1H- and 19F-NMR. spectra are discussed and the agro-biological properties of the compounds investigated.

Notes: A new way to vinylic ethers from acetalsAcetals react at low temperatures in presence of a Lewis acid (aluminium chloride or magnesium bromide) with tertiary amine to give in good yields the vinylic ethers corresponding to the elimination of one molecule of alcohol.

Notes: Addition Reaction of 3-Dimethylamino-2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirine with Phenylisocyanate and Diphenylketene3-Dimethylamino-2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirine (1a) reacts with carbon disulfide and isothiocyanates with splitting of the azirine N(1), C(3)-double bond to give dipolar, fivemembered heterocyclic 1:1 adducts. In some cases, these products can undergo secondary reactions to yield 1:2 and 1:3 adducts. In this paper it is shown that the reaction of 1a with phenylisocyanate also takes place by cleavage of the N(1), C(3)-bond, whereas with diphenylketene N(1), C(2)-splitting is observed.The reaction of 1a and phenylisocyanate in hexane at room temperature yields the 1:3 adduct 2 in addition to the trimeric isocyanate 3 (Scheme 1). A mechanism for the formation of 2 is given in Scheme 5. Hydrolysis experiments with the 1:3 adduct 2, yielding the hydantoins 4-6 and the ureas 7 and 8 (Schemes 3 and 5), show that the formation of this adduct via the intermediates d, e and f is a reversible reaction.The aminoazirines 1a and 1b undergo an addition reaction with diphenylketene to give the 3-oxazolines 14 (Scheme 8), the structure of which has been established by spectral data and oxidative degradation of 14a to the 3-oxazolin-2-one 15 (R1 — R2 — CH3, Scheme 9).

Notes: 1H-NMR. Spectroscopic Analysis of Prochiral Allenic Esters Using Optically Active Europium Shift ReagentsThe prochiral allenic methyl esters 1-4 (cf. Scheme) show in the presence of 1 mol-equiv. tris[3-(heptafluorobutyryl)-(+)-camphorato]europium (III) (Eu (hfc)3) in 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (TCFE) induced unlike 1H-NMR. shift differences (ΔΔδ) for the enantiotopic protons and methyl groups on C(4), respectively (cf. Fig. 2 and 3). This effect allows to determine directly the 2JH,H coupling constants of the geminal protons on C(4) of the allenic esters 1 (15.5 Hz) and 2 (14.5 Hz) (cf. Table 2).

Notes: Heterocyclic anellated derivatives of strychnine: Imidazo-, oxazolo- and (1,3-dioxolo)strychnineThe synthesis of imidazo-, oxazolo- and dioxolo-strychnine derivatives, anellated at the 2,3-position of the aromatic nucleus is described. The spectroscopic properties of these compounds and of some intermediates are given.

Notes: UV.-irradiation of pivalic and isobutyric acid and their methyl esters as well as of α-hydroxy isobutyric and malonic acid in solution lead to chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (CIDNP.) of parent compounds and of various reaction products. CIDNP.-effects and product distributions confirm α-cleavage of the C(α), CO bond to be the major mode of photodecomposition. Scavenger experiments indicate that decomposition of the molecules from a triplet excited state is roughly equally or more probable than from a singlet excited state. Quantum yields of educt disappearance are also given for the methyl esters of pivalic and isobutyric acid.

Notes: Sodiumthiophenoxide and sodiumphenylselenide react with N-benzyl- and N-hexyl-di-p-toluenesulfonamides (1 and 2) via displacement at the C-atom to afford the corresponding organosulfides and selenides in yields of 68-96%. In contrast, sodium cyanide converts disulfonamides to monosulfonamides by attack on the S-atom. The different selectivities of phenylsulfide and selenide as compared to cyanide anions with respect to attack on the C- and S-atoms are rationalized on the grounds of the HSAB (hard and soft acids and bases) principle of Pearson.

Notes: The recently proposed structure of the carotenoid pigment prolycopene as the 7,9,7′,9′-tetra-cis isomer of lycopene has been unambiguously confirmed by a series of homonuclear Overhauser 1H-NMR. experiments at 270 MHz. Comparative measurements are reported for lycopene.

Notes: The racemic sesquiterpene isocomene (1) has been synthesized starting from 1,7-octadien-3-one (2) in a stereoselective manner (Scheme 2). In the key step 4 → 5 the C(7), C(8)-bond was formed by an intramolecular thermal ene reaction. Further elaboration of 5 involved the ring contraction 6 → 7, the elimination 8 → 9 and the final olefin isomerization 9 → 1.

Notes: Metabolites of Microorganisms. The Aspochalasins A, B, C, and DThe structures of the antibiotic aspochalasin B (asposterol) and its inactive co-metabolites aspochalasin A, C, and D from Aspergillus microcysticus (Tü 502) were elucidated by extended spectroscopic studies and chemical degradation. The structures are: aspochalasin A = 10-isopropyl-14-methyl[11]cytochalasa-6, 13-dien-1, 17, 18, 21-tetrone (32), aspochalasin B = 17-hydroxy-10-isopropyl-14-methyl-[11]cytochalasa-6, 13, 19-trien-1, 18, 21-trione (11), and aspochalasin C = 17, 18-dihydroxy-10-isopropyl-14-methyl[11]cytochalasa-6, 13, 19-trien-1, 21-dione (29). Aspochalasin D (1) is a diastereomer of aspochalasin C (different configuration at C (17) or C (18)).

Notes: Metabolites of Microorganisms. Synthesis of 3-Isobutyl-4,5-dimethylisoindolin-1-one, a Degradation Product of Aspochalasin D3-Isobutyl-4,5-dimethylisoindolin-1-one (1) and 3-isobutyl-6, 7-dimethyl-isoindolin-1-one (6) were synthesized in a non-regioselective way. The structures could be assigned unequivocally by spectroscopic means. Compound 1 was identical with a degradation product of Aspochalasin D.

Notes: Complexation in anhydrous methanol of Cu (II) and Zn (II) with diaza-polyoxamacrocyclic ligandsProtonation of five diaza-polyoxamacrocyclic ligands, (L = [2.1], [2.2], [2.1.1.], [2.2.1], [2.2.2]), and their complexing properties towards Cu2+ and Zn2+ cations have been studied in anhydrous methanolic solutions.Potentiometric measurements have been carried out at 25°, using 5 · 10-2MEt4N+ClO4- as support-electrolyte, in order to determine the nature of the species formed upon complexation and their stability constants. The results were confirmed by spectrophotometry, for the cupric complexes of [2.1] and [2.2.2], and the electronic spectra of the different complexes were calculated.Comparison between complexation in aqueous and methanolic solutions have been made: as in water, ML2+ species and sometimes protonated MHL3+ species, with higher stability constants, are present in methanol; but the main difference is the formation of dinuclear complexes M2L4+, between Cu2+ and all ligands except [2.1]. In these complexes the Cu2+ cations cannot be both ‘encaged’ in the ligand cavity because of its small size. The different possible structures are discussed in terms of the stability constants values. The protonation constants values and the existence of the binuclear complexes may indicate a possible conformational change in the complexing ligand on changing the solvent from water to methanol.

Notes: rac-1,2,10-Trimethoxy-aporphine (14) and rac-2-ethoxy-10,11-dimethoxyaporphine (27) have been synthesized from the 3-phenylphenethylamines 9 and 22 by a new route. The 8-phenyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines 11 and 24, the oxo-aporphines 12 and 25 and the rac-nor-aporphines 13 and 26 were obtained as intermediates.

Notes: (6aR)-1,2-(Methylenedioxy)aporphine-10, 11-diol (8) and (6aR)-aporphine-1, 1, 10, 11-tetrol (16) have been prepared from natural (S)-bulbocapnine (4). For both compounds, the partial synthesis included racemic intermediates which have been resolved into their enantiomers. Both compounds 8 and 16 showed dopaminergic activity in rats, although to a lower extent than (R)-apomorphine (1) itself.

Notes: The self-ordered supramolecular structures formed by 5′-guanosine monophosphate (disodium salt) in aqueous solution at pH 7.8 show pronounced interaction with ammonium ions. Rather than competing with potassium ions for the central cavity in hydrogen-bonded guanine tetramers, ammonium ions bring about - in synergism with potassium ions - further aggregation. Glycine appears to destroy the aggregates, by competing with potassium ions for the core positions within the tetramers. Conversely, alanine does not interact significantly with the system. These conclusions follow from analysis, at various concentrations, of the microdynamics and of the mole fractions of sodium ions bound to self-assembled 5′-GMP--, obtained from relaxation rate measurements for the 23Na nucleus, as the 5′-GMP-- counter-ion.

Notes: Synthetic application of epoxynitrones. II. Syntheses of steroidal α-methylidene-γ-lactonesThis communication describes the application of the epoxynitrone/CF3SO3SiR3 → 1,2-oxazine annelation-reaction [1] to the syntheses of steroidal α-methylidene-γ-lactones from olefines, e.g. 12 → 14a/b → 16a/b → 18a/b → 20 → 22 (Scheme 2).

Notes: Evidence is presented which demonstrates that 13C-NMR. spectroscopy can be used with confidence in evaluating the configuration of R1R2CHOH centers at C(6) and C(8) of iridoid glucosides.

Notes: XPS. and 1H-NMR. spectra of 1,3-diaryltriazenes complexes of Hg(II)The core binding energies C 1s, N 1s, Hg 4f7/2, Hg 4f5/2 in 7 symmetrical p-substituted 1,3-diphenyltriazenes complexes of Hg(II) have been measured by XPS. Within the limits of experimental error (± 0.2 eV) only one N 1s signal could be detected. This indicates the equivalence of the 3 N-atoms. Invariance of C 1s, N 1s, Hg 4f7/2, Hg 4d5/2 signals with the para substituents on the phenyl ring is explained on the basis of ionic character in the Hg, N bond. These results are corroborated by the 1H-NMR. spectra.

Notes: Synthesis and reactivity of 3-aryl-1-(3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl)-triazenes and 4-arylazo-3,4-dimethylisoxazol-5-onesAccording to the experimental conditions and the nature of the substituents on the aromatic ring, aryldiazonium salts react with 5-amino-3,4-dimethylisoxazole (3) leading to either 3-aryl-1 (3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl)-triazenes (1A) or 4-arylazo-3,4-dimethylisoxazol-5-ones (4). Analyses of the products resulting from thermal decomposition of these triazenes in aromatic substrates and in DMSO and their behaviour in acidic medium show that it is essentially the arylazo form 1B which is reactive.

Notes: The neurotoxin α-kainic acid (7) was synthesized from 1 via the thermal key step 5 → 6 in 41% overall yield.

Notes: Stereospecific synthesis of 6β,7β-methylene-20-spirox-4-ene-3,21-dioneA stereospecific synthesis of the highly active 6β,7β-methylene-20-spirolactone 4 (Prorenone) is described.

Notes: Chiral 2,2′-polyoxaalkano-9,9′-spirobifluorenesFrom 2,2′-diacetyl-9,9′-spirobifluorene (2), twelve chiral polyethers have been prepared as potential ion- and enantiomer-selective ionophores. The absolute configuration of the polyethers 15-17, 19-22, and 25 has been determined by chemical correlation with vespirenes [11] [29], by circular dichroism, and by X-ray analysis. The circular dichroism of 15-17, 19 and 21 depends on the size of the macrocycle and indicates that the fluorene chromophores of 19 and 21 with 13- and 16-membered rings respectively deviate considerably from orthogonality.

Notes: Favorskii-rearrangement in the presence of 3,4-dimethoxyfuran: preparation of 3,4-dimethoxy 11endo-oxo-tricyclo [4.3.1.12,5]undec-3-en-10-one and any derivativesOn treatment with sodiumhydride of 2-chloro-cyclohexanone in the presence of 3,4-dimethoxyfuran, a possible intermediate of the Favorskii-rearrangement has been trapped as 3,4-dimethoxy-11endo-oxa-tricyclo [4.3.1.12,5]undec-3-en-10-one (3). This new compound contains a highly nucleophilic double bond. It can be cleaved in high yield by ozonolysis to 2exo, 4exo-bis (methoxycarbonyl)-3-oxabicyclo [3.3.1]nonan-9-one (4). Addition of chlorine to 3 occurs in stereoselective exo-cis-manner to the crystalline 3exo, 4exo-dichloro-3endo,4endo-dimethoxy 11endo-oxa-tricyclo [4.3.1.12,5]undecan-10-one (5). Silver ion assisted hydrolysis of 5, followed by thermal treatment of the intermediate hydrates, leads to the red 11endo-oxa-tricyclo [4.3.1.12,5]undecan-3,4, 10-trione (6), and methanolysis to 3,3,4,4-tetramethoxy-11endo-oxa-tricyclo [4.3.1.12,5]undecan-10-one (8). By photolytic decarbonylation, 8 is converted into 3,3,4,4-tetramethoxy-10-oxa-tricyclo-[4.3.12,5.0]decan (9).

Notes: Activated quinones: O- versus C-addition of phenols. New regiospecific syntheses of xanthones, thioxanthones and N-methyl-9-acridonesThe acid catalyzed reaction of phenols with activated quinones, e.g. 2-methoxycarbonyl-1, 4-benzoquinone or 2-acetyl-1, 4-benzoquinone, leads to substituted biphenylderivatives (C, C-addition) as has been previously described [1]. O, C-Addition of phenols has now been achieved by using 2-methoxypyridin or 4-dimethyl-aminopyridin [4] as basic catalysts. The resulting substituted diphenylethers can serve as convenient starting materials for regiospecific syntheses of substituted xanthones, especially for 1, 4-dimethoxyxanthones.Arylthiols and N-methyl-N-arylamines also react readily with activated quinones to give substituted di-aryl-thioethers and N-methyl-N, N-diarylamines respectively; both types of compounds are convenient materials for regiospecific syntheses of substituted thioxanthones and N-methyl-9-acridones.

Notes: Cob(I)alamin as Catalyst. 5. Communication [1]. Enantioselective Reduction of α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl DerivativesThe cob(I)alamin-catalyzed reduction of an α,β-unsaturated ethyl ester in aqueous acetic acid produced the (S)-configurated saturated derivative 2 with an enantiomeric excess of 21%. The starting material 1 is not reduced at pH = 7.0 in the presence of catalytic amounts of cob(I)alamin (see Scheme 2). It is shown that the attack of cob(I)alamin and not of cob(II)alamin, also present in Zn/CH3COOH/H2O, accounts for the enantioselective reduction observed. All the (Z)-configurated starting materials 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 have been transformed to the corresponding (S)-configurated saturated derivatives 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, respectively. The highest enantiomeric excess revealed to be present in the saturated product 12 (32,7%, S) derived from the (Z)-configurated methyl ketone 11 (see Scheme 3 and Table 1). The reduction of the (E)-configurated starting materials led mainly to racemic products. A saturated product having the (R)-configuration with a rather weak enantiomeric excess (5.9%) has been obtained starting from the (E)-configurated methyl ketone 23 (see Scheme 5 and Table 2). The allylic alcohols 16 and 24 have been reduced to the saturated racemic derivative 17.

Notes: Total Synthesis of Natural α-TocopherolTwo independent syntheses of (S)-6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-yl-methanol (8b), (Scheme 6 resp. 9) as optically active chroman moiety for the preparation of natural vitamin E via (S)-6-acetoxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboaldehyde (2a) (Scheme 1) and a corresponding side chain are described. Both reaction sequences use trimethyl-hydroquinone as starting material; one approach employs an optically active C4 unit (10a) (Schemes 5 and 6) to introduce the required configuration at C(2), the other uses an optically active C5-synthon (11a) (Schemes 8 and 9) to build the optically active chroman unit. The correct configuration and optical purity of the chroman synthesized is established by correlation with optically pure material of known configuration from which natural vitamin E had already been derived [2].

Notes: The crystal structure of the antibiotic hedamycin (1) has been solved by direct method and refined by least squares techniques to R = 0.091 for 2289 of 2643 independent reflexions. Crystals of C41H50N2O11 are orthorhombic, space group P212121 with lattice parameters a = 24.239 (12), b = 21.440 (10), c = 7.369 (4) Å, Z = 4. The structural features of hedamycin derived earlier by chemical and spectroscopical means are confirmed. Optical rotation and circular dichroism indicate that hedamycin (1) has the absolute configuration of the related antibiotic kidamycin (3). The conformation of ring F is a chair form with the aryl substituent almost axial. The bioxirane part of the antibiotic is in a synclinal conformation.

Notes: Synthesis and Chirality of (5R, 6R)-5,6-Dihydro-β, ψ-carotene-5,6-diol, (5R, 6R, 6′R)-5,6-Dihydro-β, ε-carotene-5,6-diol, (5S, 6R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,ψ-carotene and (5S, 6R, 6′R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,ε-caroteneWittig-condensation of optically active azafrinal (1) with the phosphoranes 3 and 6 derived from all-(E)-ψ-ionol (2) and (+)-(R)-α-ionol (5) leads to the crystalline and optically active carotenoid diols 4 and 7, respectively. The latter behave much more like carotene hydrocarbons despite the presence of two hydroxylfunctions. Conversion to the optically active epoxides 8 and 9, respectively, is smoothly achieved by reaction with the sulfurane reagent of Martin [3]. These syntheses establish the absolute configurations of the title compounds since that of azafrin is known [2].

Notes: ESR. and ENDOR. studies are reported for the radical anions of 1,2-diphenylcyclopentene (3) and its di(pe+deuteriophenyl)-derivative (3-D10). Comparison of the coupling constants of the phenyl protons in 3\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}. with the analogous values for the radical anions of 1,2-diphenyl substituted cyclopropene (1) and cyclobutene (2) reveals regular changes in the sequence 1\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}, 2\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}, 3\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}, which are caused by an increasing twist of the phenyl groups about the C(1), C(1′)- and C(2), C(1″)-bonds linking them to the ethylene fragment. Such a twist is shown to be also responsible for the large difference in the coupling constants of the methylene β-protons in 3\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}. (0.659 and 0.293 mT). It is suggested that - in order to minimize the losses caused by this twist in the π-delocalization energy - the 2 pz-axes at the centres 1 and 2 deviate from a perpendicular orientation to the mean plane of the cyclopentene ring. A deviation by 19° from such an orientation is required to account for the observed β-proton coupling constants in terms of their conventional cos2-dependence on the dihedral angles θ.

Notes: Sorelline and Hobartine, Two New Indole Alkaloids from Aristotelia peduncularis (LABILL.) HOOK. F.From Aristotelia peduncularis (LABILL.) HOOK. F. two new indole alkaloids, sorelline (1) and hobartine (2), have been isolated. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data (the formulae represent their relative configurations). The alkaloids 1 and 2 have closely related structures with a monosubstituted indole moiety and an unrearranged monoterpene unit in the aliphatic part.

Notes: Synthesis and configuration of some spiro [indan-2,2′-pyrrolidine] and spiro [pyrrolidine-2,2′-tetraline] derivativesCatalytic hydrogenation of the nitrosoindan and nitrosotetralin derivatives 8 yielded trans-1-hydroxy-spiro [indan-2,2′-pyrrolidin]-5′-one (9) and trans-1′-hydroxy-spiro [pyrrolidine-2,2′-tetralin]-5-one (10) respectively, whilst the corresponding cis compounds 12 and 15 were prepared via the chlorides 11 and 14.The configurations of 10 and 13 were determined by X-Ray analysis.

Notes: Reactions of valencepolaromeric ketenes of mesoionic heterocyles with 3-dimethylamino-2H-azirinesReactions of the 3-dimethylamino-2H-azirines 1a and 1b with the mesoionic oxazole 5 and the mesoionic dithiole 6 in acetonitrile at room temperature yield the 1:1 adducts 11, 12, 19 and 20, respectively (Schemes 5 and 8). These products can be formulated as adducts of the aminoazirines and the ketenes 5a and 6a, which are valence polaromeric forms of the mesoionic heterocycles 5 and 6 (Scheme 2).The structure of the adducts has been elucidated by spectral data and their comparison with the data of (Z)-11, the structure of which has been established by X-ray [19]. Oxidation of the 1:1 adducts with KMnO4 in a two-phase system yields 4-dimethylamino-3-oxazolin-2-ones (cf. Scheme 6) by clevage of the exocyclic C,C-double bond. A mechanism for the formation of the adducts is given in Scheme 9: Nucleophilic attack of 1 on the ketene leads to a primary adduct of type a, which undergoes clevage of the former N(1), C(2)-azirine bond to give adducts of type 11 or 19. The N(1), C(2)-ring opening of 1a in the reaction with ketenes contrasts with the N(1), C(3)-opening of 1a in the addition with, for instance, isothiocyanates. These different ring openings are explained by the difference in nucleophilicity of the heteroatoms X and Y in a′ (Scheme 10).

Notes: The spironaphthalen-2-ones 2, 10 and 18 were prepared by N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) oxidation of 1, 9 and 17 respectively, whereas spironaphthalen-1-ones 24 and 25 were obtained by treating 23 with NBS.The stereoisomeric reduction products 29, 30 and 32 obtained from 24 and 25, gave the pentacyclic compound 33 on treatment with polyphosphoric acid.

Notes: Cyclopeptide antibiotics from Aspergillus species. Structure of echinocandins C and DThe echinocandins B, C and D are antifungal antibiotics produced by a strain of Aspergillus rugulosus. All three metabolites are closely related representing cyclic oligopeptides composed of six amino acids and a linolic acid residue in an amide linkage. The complete structure of echinocandin B (1) has recently been established by X-ray analysis. Structural assignments to the new minor metabolites C and D have now been made by hydrolytic and oxidative cleavage reactions, formation of N-acyl-α-aminoethers as well as by chemical correlations and extensive NMR. examinations. Echinocandin C (2), C52H81N7O15, contains 3-hydroxyhomotyrosine in the place of 3, 4-dihydroxyhomotyrosine present in 1. Echinocandin D (3), C52H81N7O13, differs in two amino acids: 3, 4-dihyroxyhomotyrosine and 4, 5-dihydroxyornithine, unusual units of 1 being replaced by 3-hydroxyhomotyrosine and ornithine.

Notes: Compounds 2, 5 and 9 represent the first examples of isolable dichlorooxiranes formed by formal addition of dichloro carbene to a carbonyl group under phase transfer conditions. On heating, 2, 5 and 9 rearrange into α-chloroacid chlorides 3, 6 and 10, respectively.

Notes: Aminoisoxazoles C-nucleosidesUpon treatment with bromocyanomethylenetriphenylphosphorane, a series of aldehydosugar derivatives gave in good to excellent yields the corresponding terminal gem-bromocyanoenoses 3, 7-10 and 16. Reacted with hydroxylamine, these unsaturated sugars led to the expected [3] 5-amino-3-glycosylisoxazoles 4, 11, 12 and 17, whereas using hydroxyurea as a binucleophile they gave the corresponding 3-amino-5-glycosylisoxazoles 13 and 14 as previously described in other series [3]. The major interest of these compounds rests in their being close analogs (or enantiomers of analogs) of important biological compounds as f.e. AICAR.

Notes: Irradiation of 4-Allylated 2,6-Dimethylanilines in Methanol4-Allyl-, 4-(1′-methylallyl)-, 4-(2′-butenyl)-, and 4-(1′,1′-dimethylallyl)-2,6-dimethylaniline (14-17; cf. Scheme 3) were obtained by the acid catalysed, thermal rearrangement of the corresponding N-allylated anilines in good yields. Aniline 14, when irradiated with a high pressure mercury lamp through quartz in methanol, yielded as main product 4-(2′-methoxypropyl)-2,6-dimethylaniline (22; cf. Scheme 4) and, in addition, 2,6-dimethyl-4-propylaniline (18) and 4-cyclopropyl-2,6-dimethylaniline (23). The analogous products, namely erythro- and threo-4-(2′-methoxy-1′-methylpropyl)-2,6-dimethylaniline (erythro- and threo-24), 2,6-dimethyl-4-(1′-methylpropyl)aniline (19), trans- and cis-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2′-methylcyclopropyl)aniline (trans- and cis-25), as well as small amounts of 4-ethyl-2,6-dimethylaniline (26), were formed by irradiation of 15 in methanol (cf. Scheme 5). When this photoreaction was carried out in O-deuteriomethanol, erythro- and threo-24 showed an up-take of one deuterium atom in the side chain. The mass spectra of erythro- and threo-24 revealed that in 50% of the molecules the deuterium was located at the methyl group at C(1′) and in the other 50% at the methyl group at C(2′) (cf. Scheme 6). This is a good indication that the methanol addition products arise from methanolysis of intermediate spiro[2.5]octa-4,7-dien-6-imines (cf. Scheme 7). This assumption is further supported by the photoreaction of 17 in methanol (cf. Scheme 8) which led to the formation of 4-(2′-methoxy-1′,2′-dimethylpropyl)-2,6-dimethylaniline (28) as main product. The occurrence of a rearranged side chain in 28 can again be explained by the intervention of a spirodienimine 31 (cf. Scheme 9). In comparison with 14, 15 and 17, the 2′-butenylaniline 16 reacted only sluggishly on irradiation in methanol (cf. Scheme 10). It is suggested that all photoproducts - except for the cyclopropyl derivatives which are formed presumably via a triplet di-π-methane rearrangement - arise from an intramolecular singlet electron-donor-acceptor complex between the aniline and ethylene chromophor of the side chain. Protonation of this complex at C(3′) or C(2′) will lead to diradicals (e.g. 33 and 34, respectively, in Scheme 11). The diradicals of type 33 undergo ring closure to the corresponding spirodienimine intermediates (e.g. 31) whereas the diradicals of type 34 take up two hydrogen atoms to yield the photo-hydrogenated compounds (e.g. 21) or undergo to a minor extent fragmentation to side chain degraded products (e.g. 30; see also footnote 7).-Irradiation of 4-ally-2,6-dimethylaniline (14) in benzene or cyclohexane yielded the corresponding azo compound 38 (cf. Scheme 12), whereas its N,N-dimethyl derivative 41 was transformed into the cyclopropyl derivative 42. The allyl moiety in 14 is not necessary for the formation of azo compounds since 2,4,6-trimethylaniline (39) exhibited the same type of photoreaction in benzene solution.