Studies in terpenoids-XIII. Magnetic anisotropy2 in and stereochemistry of some gem-dimethylcyclobutanoids related to pinonic acid

The chemical shifts of “axial” vs “equatorial” Me protons of some gem-dimethylcyclobutanoids derived from α-pinene, arising from magnetic anisotropy of the ring and as influenced by vicinal substituents, are discussed. Conformational aspects of some cis- and trans-pinonic, pinononic and pinic acids have been elucidated on the basis of NMR evidence.

Protein content and amino acid composition of some varieties of grain sorghum

Determination of the protein content and lysine levels of a number of nonhybrid varieties of grain sorghum indicates large variations in the protein content. Statistical analysis of data on amounts of lysine shows that a negative correlation exists between per cent lysine in the protein and per cent protein in the seed. The proportion of various protein fractions in endosperm of five varieties of grain sorghum of both low- and high-protein type has been determined. Results show that prolamine and glutelin are the principal protein fractions, and increased protein levels in sorghum varieties are correlated with an increase mainly in the prolamine fraction. Nine high- and low-protein varieties of grain sorghum have been analyzed for their amino acid composition by ion exchange procedures. One of the high-protein genetic varieties of sorghum has a high concentration of lysine in the seed. Amino acid composition of the protein fractions of two varieties is also reported. These data permit an evaluation of the nutritional quality of sorghum protein and factors that influence the quality of the protein.

Catalytic cracking of acetic acid to acetic anhydride

Catalytic cracking of acetic acid using triethyl phosphate and silica gel catalysts was investigated. The desired reaction leading to ketene is accompanied by side reactions: two parallel with respect to acetic acid decomposition and the consecutive ketene decomposition reactions. Effect of temperature, catalyst concentration, space velocity, and pressure was studied in detail. Triethyl phosphate was found to be a much better catalyst than silica gel. The optimum yield of ketene was obtained at 750° C, 100 mm. of Hg pressure, and apparent contact time of 5.687 × 10-4 hour.

Anthranilic acid hydroxylase from Aspergillus niger

The in vivo conversion of radioactive tryptophan to anthranilic acid and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid by submerged cultures of Claviceps paspali was shown by Groeger and his co-workers (1965). More recently, Subba Rao et al. (1967a) reported that washed mycelial felts of Aspergillus niger incorporate the radioactivity from DL-tryptophan-C14 (benzene ring-labeled) into anthranilic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid and catechol. However, the conversion of anthranilic acid to 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid by cell-free preparations has not been demonstrated. In the present paper we report the demonstration of a soluble anthranilic acid hydroxylase from Aspergillus niger which is different from the anthranilic acid hydroxylases reported so far from microbes and higher plants.

Oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetic acid in a sparger reactor

The kinetics of oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetic acid was studied in a sparger reactor using manganese acetate as the catalyst. Data obtained in a stirred tank reactor are used for analyzing the sparger reactor data. The rate of chemical reaction is extremely fast and can be neglected for the rate equation of the sparger reactor. A kinetic model applicable at any temperature and concentration within the range of the variables studied is developed which predicts the performance of the sparger reactor satisfactorily.

Synthetic application of the diels-alder adduct of β-trans-ocimene and maleic anhydride-II. An approach towards the synthesis of valerenic acid

By a series of reactions the Diels-Alder adduct IV of maleic anhydride and β-trans-Ocimene gave 1-hydroxy-1,4-dimethyl-7-hydroxymethyloctahydroindane (XII). Its further synthetic elaboration furnished 1,4-dimethyl-7-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-1-propenyl)-Δ1-octahydroindane of the valerenic acid skeleton.

Studies on the biosynthesis of β-n-oxalyl-l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid, the Lathyrus sativus neurotoxin

The biosynthesis of β-N-oxalyl-l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP), HOOC· CO·NH·CH2·CH(NH2·COOH is of interest, since this neurotoxin has been isolated from the seeds of Lathyrus sativus, the consumption of which causes the disease neurolathyrism in humans. The concentration of this non-protein amino acid in the seeds increases on germination. When the seeds are germinated in the presence of [14C2]- oxalic acid, the isolated ODAP is labelled exclusively in the oxalyl moiety. An oxalyl- CoA synthetase requiring the obligatory presence of ATP, CoA and Mg2+ can be demonstrated in crude extracts of the seedlings. When l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid is incubated with the enzyme in the presence of the components for oxalyl activation, net formation of ODAP can be shown. The enzymic reaction is specific to the β-amino group of l-α,β-diaminopropionic acidm and the higher homologues like α,γ-diaminobutyric acid, ornithine and lysine are inactive in this system. ODAP is not formed with α,β-diaminopropionic acid when the enzyme extract is prepared from Pisum sativum although oxalyl-CoA formation can be demonstrated.

Anthranilic acid oxidase system of Tecomastans—III.: Studies on the conversion of o-aminophenol to catechol

The terminal step in the oxidation of anthranilic acid to catechol by anthranilic acid oxidase system from Tecoma stans, which converts o-aminophenol to catechol has been studied in detail. The reaction catalyses the conversion of one molecule of o-aminophenol to one molecule each of ammonia and catechol. The partially purified enzyme has a pH optimum of 6·2 in citrate-phosphate buffer and a temperature optimum of 45°. The metal ions, Mg2+, Co2+ and Fe3+ were inhibitory to the reaction. Metal chelating agents like 8-hydroxyquinoline, o-phenanthroline, and diethyldithiocarbamate, caused a high degree of inhibition. A sulfhydryl requirement for the reaction was inferred from the inhibition of the reaction by p-chloromercuribenzoate and its reversal with GSH. Atebrin inhibition was reversed by addition of FAD to the reaction mixture.

Biochemical Characterization Of Β-N-Oxalyl-L-Α,Β-Diaminopropionic Acid, The Lathyrus Sativus Neurotoxin As An Excitant Amino Acid

Abstract—β-N-Oxalyl-l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP), the toxin isolated from the seeds of Luthyrus sativus produces head retraction, tremors and convulsions when injected into a variety of experimental animals. In 12-day-old rats, it has been found that the convulsive behaviour is accompanied by profound biochemical changes in the brain. The brain homogenates prepared from ODAP injected animals show a higher rate of respiration. There is a decrease in the brain glucose, glycogen, ATP, phosphocreatine and acetylcholine levels of the convulsing animals. The inorganic phosphate, lactic acid and acetylcholineesterase levels increase. These results establish that ODAP is a typical convulsant.

Biosynthesis of isoleucine and valine in mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv*1: II. Purification and properties of acetohydroxy acid isomerase

Acetohydroxy acid isomerase (AHA isomerase) was purified about 110-fold and separated from reductase and acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase. The AHA isomerase was found to be homogeneous by agar and polyacrylamide gel electrophoreses at different pHs. The properties of AHA isomerase have been studied. The purified enzyme showed requirement for Image -ascorbic acid and sulfate ions for its activity. Synthetic ascorbic acid sulfate could replace Image -ascorbic acid and sulfate. α-Methyllactate and α-ketoisovalerate were found to inhibit AHA isomerase activity competitively whereas Image -valine and Image -isoleucine had no significant inhibitory effect. p-Hydroxymercuribenzoate inhibited AHA isomerase activity and the inhibition was reversed by β-mercaptoethanol.