Carotenoids with two chromophores: carotenoid retinoates.

In this study, carotenoid retinoates are described for the first time. The preparation was achieved by the azolide method. Various sec carotenols reacted with N-retinoylimidazol in the presence of catalytic amounts of sodium hydride. Mono- and diretinoates of (3R,3'R)-zeaxanthin and its (3S,3'S)-enantiomer, (9Z,9'Z; 3R,3'R)-alloxanthin, (3R,3'R)-7,8,7',8'-tetrahydro-3,3'-dihydroxy-ß,ß-carotene-8,8'-dione and (3R,6R,3'R,6'R)-ε,ε-carotene-3,3'-diol (lactucaxanthin), as well as monoretinoates of (3R,3'RS,6'R)-3'-methoxy-ß,ε-caroten-3-ol, (3R,3'RS,6'R)-3-methoxy-ß,ε-caroten-3'-ol, (2R,6'RS)-ß,ε-caroten-2-ol, (3R,3'S; meso)-astaxanthin and (2'R)-aleuriaxanthin are reported in this study. Spectroscopic properties ((1)H-NMR mass spectrometry, visible and circular dichroism spectra) are discussed. Studies on other carotenoid derivatives with two chromophores are referred to here.

Polymerization of lignosulfonates by the laccase-HBT (1-hydroxybenzotriazole) system improves dispersibility.

The ability of laccases from Trametes villosa (TvL), Myceliophthora thermophila (MtL), Trametes hirsuta (ThL) and Bacillus subtilis (BsL) to improve the dispersion properties of calcium lignosulfonates 398 in the presence of HBT as a mediator was investigated. Size exclusion chromatography showed an extensive increase in molecular weight of the samples incubated with TvL and ThL by 107% and 572% from 28400 Da after 17h of incubation, respectively. Interestingly, FTIR spectroscopy, (13)C NMR and Py-GC/MS analysis of the treated samples suggested no substantial changes in the aromatic signal of the lignosulfonates, a good indication of the ability of TvL/ThL-HBT systems to limit their effect on functional groups without degrading the lignin backbone. Further, the enzymatic treatments led to a general increase in the dispersion properties, indeed a welcome development for its application in polymer blends.

Propionibacterium jensenii produces the polyene pigment granadaene and has hemolytic properties similar to those of Streptococcus agalactiae.

The red polyene pigment granadaene was purified and identified from Propionibacterium jensenii. Granadaene has previously been identified only in Streptococcus agalactiae, where the pigment correlates with the hemolytic activity of the bacterium. A connection between hemolytic activity and the production of the red pigment has also been observed in P. jensenii, as nonpigmented strains are nonhemolytic. The pigment and hemolytic activity from S. agalactiae can be extracted from the bacterium with a starch extraction solution, and this solution also extracts the pigment and hemolytic activity from P. jensenii. A partial purification of the hemolytic activity was achieved, but the requirement for starch to preserve its activity made the purification unsuccessful. Partially purified hemolytic fractions were pigmented, and the color intensity of the fractions coincided with the hemolytic titer. The pigment was produced in a soluble form when associated with starch, and the UV-visual spectrum of the extract gave absorption peaks of 463 nm, 492 nm, and 524 nm. The pigment could also be extracted from the cells by a low-salt buffer, but it was then aggregated. The purification of the pigment from P. jensenii was performed, and mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed that P. jensenii indeed produces granadaene as seen in S. agalactiae.

Archaeal C80 isoprenoid tetraacids responsible for naphthenate deposition in crude oil processing.

The structure of a novel class of octaterpene tetracarboxylic acids which is responsible for naphthenate deposition in crude oil processing has been determined by NMR and mass spectroscopy.

Torularhodin and torulene are the major contributors to the carotenoid pool of marine Rhodosporidium babjevae (Golubev).

A carotenoid-producing yeast strain, isolated from the sub-arctic, marine copepod Calanus finmarchicus, was identified as Rhodosporidium babjevae (Golubev) according to morphological and biochemical characteristics and phylogenetic inference from the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence. The total carotenoids content varied with cultivation conditions in the range 66-117 microg per g dry weight. The carotenoid pool, here determined for the first time, was dominated by torularhodin and torulene, which collectively constituted 75-91% of total carotenoids under various regimes of growth. Beta-carotene varied in the range 5-23%. A high-peptone/low-yeast extract (weight ratio 38:1) marine growth medium favoured the production of torularhodin, the carotenoid at highest oxidation level, with an average of 63% of total carotenoids. In standard yeast medium (YM; ratio 1.7:1), torularhodin averaged 44%, with increased proportions of the carotenes, torulene and beta-carotene. The anticipated metabolic precursor gamma-carotene (beta,psi-carotene) constituted a minor fraction (

Characterization of monofluorinated polycyclic aromatic compounds by 1H, 13C and 19F NMR spectroscopy.

Monofluorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (F-PAHs) have attracted much attention in analytical, environmental, toxicological and mechanistic studies because of their physico-chemical properties, which are closely similar to those of the parent PAHs. Because of this, full NMR characterization has become of interest. Complete 1H, 13C and 19F NMR chemical shifts, and also 1J(H,C), (n)J(C,F), (n)J(H,F) and (n)J(H,H) coupling constants, have been assigned for the F-PAHs 1-fluoronaphthalene, 2-fluorofluorene, 5-fluoroacenaphthylene, 2-fluorophenanthrene, 3-fluorophenanthrene, 3-fluorofluoranthene, 1-fluoropyrene, 1-fluorochrysene, 2-fluorochrysene, 3-fluorochrysene and 9-fluorobenzo[k]fluoranthene. To allow comparison with the corresponding parent PAHs, the 1H and 13C chemical shifts of acenaphthylene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene and benzo[k]fluoranthene were determined. Chemical shift increments and the effects on the coupling constants from the fluorine substitution are discussed.

On the structure of carotenoid iodine complexes.

Previous work on carotenoid-iodine complexes is briefly reviewed. The formation of iodine complexes of beta,beta-carotene and of (3R,3' R )-beta,beta-carotene-3,3'-diol (zeaxanthin) has been studied by modern methods including UV/VIS/NIR, IR MS, EPR, ENDOR and NMR (1H, 1H-1H COSY, TOCSY, 2D ROESY, 1H-13C HSQC and 1H-13C HMBC) spectroscopy, and chemical reactions monitored by HPLC, TLC and spectral analysis (VIS, MS, 1H NMR). beta,beta-Carotene formed a solid complex C40H56 x 4I with iodine in hexane and a solvent complex with lambdamax 1010 nm in chlorinated solvents. Iodine was not covalently bound to the carotene. Spectroscopic and chemical evidence is consistent with the representation of the beta,beta-carotene-iodine complex containing iodine in a pi complex with cationic/radical cationic properties. Extensive E/Z isomerisation was noted for all quenching products obtained in acetone, with thiosulfate, by dilution, or by reaction with nucleophile (MeOH). Key products obtained from the beta,beta-carotene-iodine complex were 4',5'-didehydro-4,5'-retro-beta,beta-carotene (isocarotene) and 4-methoxy-beta,beta-carotene. The zeaxanthin-iodine complex was not suitable for a practical synthesis of (3S,3'S)-4',5'-didehydro-4,5'-retro-beta,beta-carotene-3,3'-diol (eschscholtzxanthin).

Nucleophilic reactions of charge delocalised carotenoid mono- and dications.

In the present study insight was gained on the larger complexity of cationic mixtures of diaryl (phi,phi-carotene, isorenieratene) and aliphatic (psi,psi-carotene, lycopene) carotenes, prepared by reaction with BF3-etherate, compared with beta,beta-carotene. Chemical reactions of the mono- and dications prepared in situ from the allylic carotenols beta,beta-caroten-4-ol (isocryptoxanthin) and beta,beta-carotene-4,4'-diol (isozeaxanthin), and from isorenieratene and lycopene were investigated using selected O, N and S nucleophiles; water, methanol, azide and thioacetate. In total 22, including 18 new, neutral carotenoid products were isolated and identified by VIS, MS and NMR (in part) spectroscopy. Their structures were compatible with the structures of the cationic intermediates. The formal addition of hydride to the various dications, required to rationalise minor reaction products, is discussed in terms of more likely hydrogen radical or proton transfer in cationic reactions. Extensive E/Z isomerisation was observed for all quenching products. The potential use of carotenoid cations for the synthesis of 4,(4')-substituted beta,beta-carotenes and 7-oxabicyclo[2,2,1]heptane derivatives is discussed.

Delocalized carotenoid cations in relation to the soliton model.

A series of charge-delocalized carotenoid mono- and dications have been prepared by treatment of selected carotenoids with Brønsted and Lewis acids. The detailed structures of the carbocations were established by NMR studies in the temperature range from -10 to -20 degrees C. The general strategy for structure elucidation by NMR of several cationic components in a mixture is outlined. Bond type and regions of bond inversion were established, as well as the charge distribution, which was determined from the difference in (13)C chemical shift at each carbon. This method gave a more accurate estimate for the partial charges than by using the Spiesecke-Schneider relationship. The resulting charge distribution was used as models for the structure of charged solitons. These carotenoid cations have the most delocalized charge so far determined, and the monocations represent the first experimental structure determination of positively charged solitons. The soliton width determined here is in good agreement with the results of previous AM1 calculations.

(22S)-6-O-acetyl-21betaH-hopane-3beta,6beta,22,29-tetrol from oakmoss (Evernia prunastri).

A novel hopanoid triterpene, (22S)-6-O-acetyl-21betaH-hopane-3beta,6beta,22,29-tetraol, was isolated from oakmoss (Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach.), as identified from 1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY, NOESY, HSQC and HMBC NMR, MS and IR spectroscopy. During recrystallisation a new compound, 30-nor-6-O-acetyl-3beta,6beta-dihydroxy-21alphaH-hopan-22-one, was formed by a formal loss of methanol from the dihydroxypropyl moiety. No biological activity was found for the naturally occurring compound upon testing against a series of fish and human pathogenic bacteria.

Protonated canthaxanthins as models for blue carotenoproteins.

It has been suggested that astaxanthin (3,3'-dihydroxy-beta,beta-carotene-4,4'-dione) in the carotenoprotein alpha-crustacyanin occurs in the diprotonated form. As a model system for protonated astaxanthin in [small alpha]-crustacyanin the reactions of canthaxanthin ([small beta],[small beta]-carotene-4,4[prime or minute]-dione) with Bronsted acids (CF(3)COOH and CF(3)SO(3)H) and the Lewis acid BF(3)-etherate have been investigated. Structures of C-5 protonated, C-7 protonated, enolised O-4 protonated and O-4,4[prime or minute], C-7 triprotonated canthaxanthin have been established by VIS-NIR and NMR spectroscopy. The charge distribution in the cations has been considered by comparison of the (13)C chemical shift difference relative to neutral relevant carotenoid models. The experimental evidence for protonated canthaxanthins differs significantly from previous AM1 calculations. Experimental data for O-4,4[prime or minute], C-7 triprotonated canthaxanthin relative to C-7 protonated canthaxanthin is considered a relevant model for O-4,4[prime or minute] diprotonated canthaxanthin, in comparison with neutral canthaxanthin. The positive charge was mainly located at C-6/6[prime or minute][dbl greater-than] C-8/8[prime or minute] > C-10/10[prime or minute] > C-12/12[prime or minute] > C-14/14[prime or minute][similar] C-15/15[prime or minute] in the polyene chain. Moreover, it was inferred that only 14% of the positive charge is delocalised to the polyene chain, the remaining charge must therefore be located at the protonated carbonyl moiety. The results are discussed in relation to previous solid state NMR studies of (13)C labelled astaxanthin in [small alpha]-crustacyanin and recent X-ray analysis of [small beta]-crustacyanin.

The charge delocalised beta,beta-carotene dication--preparation, structure elucidation by NMR and reactions with nucleophiles.

The reaction between beta,beta-carotene and BF3-etherates has been investigated, leading to structural elucidation of the blue product, formed in appropriate organic solvents, as a symmetrical charge delocalised dication (lambda(max) 985 nm at room temperature in CHCl3) with considerable stability. The reaction, monitored by EPR studies at -25 degrees C, occurred via free radical intermediates. A C40H56BF3 intermediate was captured by EIMS. The detailed structure of the dication was established by COSY, HSQC, HMBC and 1D and 2D ROESY NMR techniques (600 MHz, CDCl3, -20 degrees C) leading to complete assignments of 1H and 13C chemical shifts and 3J(H,H) coupling constants. The effects of the two delocalised charges on chemical shift (charge distribution) and bond distance (3J(H,H)) were considered. The results are consistent with charge delocalisation mainly in the C-5-C-9 and C-5'-C-9' regions and with bond inversion to retro shifted double bonds in the central C-13-C-13' region. A convention for denoting the charge delocalisation and bond types is presented. The experimental results are discussed relative to previous theoretical calculations of the beta,beta-carotene dication structure. (All-E) and (15-Z)-beta,beta-carotene provided the same dication. The NIR spectra and stability of dications prepared in the same manner from the related carotenes 20,20'-dinor-beta,beta-carotene, heptapreno-beta,beta-carotene and nonapreno-beta,beta-carotene were examined for comparison. Reactions of the beta,beta-carotene dication with selected nucleophiles provided products including isocryptoxanthin, isocarotene and mutatochrome with H2O as nucleophile, and isocryptoxanthin methyl ether, 8-methoxy-7,8-dihydro-beta,beta-carotene and isocarotene with CH3ONa as nucleophile. The formation of these products is rationalised from the structure assigned to the dication.

Structure elucidation of polyene systems with extensive charge delocalization-carbocations from allylic carotenols.

[structure: see text] The structures of two diastereomeric cations, readily prepared from beta, beta-caroten-4-ol (1) by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid, have been determined by NIR and NMR spectroscopy, resulting in the complete structure elucidation of the most extensively delocalized carbocations so far described. Higher partial charge was observed toward the center of the polyene chain (larger filled red circles). Bond reversion occurs in the central region of the molecule.

New C(40)-carotenoid acyl glycoside as principal carotenoid in Salinibacter ruber, an extremely halophilic eubacterium.

The principal (>96% of total) carotenoid in the novel, extremely halophilic eubacterium Salinibacter ruber, here called salinixanthin (1), has been assigned the structure (all-E,2'S)-2'-hydroxy-1'-[6-O-(13-methyltetradecanoyl)-beta-D-glycopyranosyloxy]-3',4'-didehydro-1',2'-dihydro-beta,psi-caroten-4-one by spectrometric (vis, EIMS, (1)HNMR, CD, GCMS) and chemical methods.