Identification of the Volatile Components of Galium verum L. and Cruciata leavipes Opiz from the Western Italian Alps

The chemical composition of the volatile fraction from Galium verum L. (leaves and flowers) and Cruciata laevipes Opiz (whole plant), Rubiaceae, was investigated. Samples from these two plant species were collected at full bloom in Val di Susa (Western Alps, Turin, Italy), distilled in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. A total of more than 70 compounds were identified, making up 92%–98% of the total oil. Chemical investigation of their essential oils indicated a quite different composition between G. verum and C. laevipes, both in terms of the major constituents and the dominant chemical classes of the specialized metabolites. The most abundant compounds identified in the essential oils from G. verum were 2-methylbenzaldheyde (26.27%, corresponding to 11.59 μg/g of fresh plant material) in the leaves and germacrene D (27.70%; 61.63 μg/g) in the flowers. C. laevipes essential oils were instead characterized by two sesquiterpenes, namely β-caryophyllene (19.90%; 15.68 μg/g) and trans-muurola-4(15),5-diene (7.60%; 5.99 μg/g); two phenylpropanoids, benzyl alcohol (8.30%; 6.71 μg/g), and phenylacetaldehyde (7.74%; 6.26 μg/g); and the green-leaf alcohol cis-3-hexen-1-ol (9.69%; 7.84 μg/g). The ecological significance of the presence of such compounds is discussed.

Identification of leaf volatiles from olive (Olea europaea) and their possible role in the ovipositional preferences of olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), is a monophagous pest that displays an oviposition preference among cultivars of olive (Olea europaea L.). To clarify the oviposition preference, the olive leaf volatiles of three olive cultivars (Cobrançosa, Madural and Verdeal Transmontana) were assessed by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS) at six different periods of olive fruit maturation and degrees of infestation. A total of 39 volatiles were identified, mainly esters and alcohols, with a minor percentage of aldehydes, ketones and terpenic compounds, including sesquiterpenes. At sampling dates with higher degrees of infestation, cv. Cobrançosa had, simultaneously, significantly lower infestation degrees and higher volatile amounts than the other two cultivars, with a probable deterrent effect for oviposition. The green leaf volatiles (GLVs) (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol acetate) were the main compounds identified in all cultivars, together with toluene. The abundance of GLVs decreased significantly throughout maturation, without significant differences among cultivars, while toluene showed a general increase and positive correlation with olive fly infestation levels. The results obtained could broaden our understanding of the roles of various types and amounts of olive volatiles in the environment, especially in olive fly host selection and cultivar preference.

Butanol and hexanol production in Clostridium carboxidivorans syngas fermentation: Medium development and culture techniques

Clostridium carboxidivorans was grown on model syngas (CO:H2:CO2 [70:20:10]) in a defined nutrient medium with concentrations of nitrogen, phosphate and trace metals formulated to enhance production of higher alcohols. C. carboxidivorans was successfully grown in a limited defined medium (no yeast extract, no MES buffer and minimal complex chemical inputs) using an improved fermentation protocol. Low partial pressure of CO in the headspace, coupled with restricted mass transfer for CO and H2, was required for successful fermentation. In the absence of substrate inhibition (particularly from CO), growth limitation increased production of alcohols, especially butanol and hexanol. Concentrations of butanol (over 1.0g/L), hexanol (up to 1.0g/L) and ethanol (over 3.0g/L) were achieved in bottle fermentations. Minimal medium and controlled supply of CO and H2 should be used in characterizing candidate butanol and hexanol producing strains to select for commercial potential.

A comparative study of fungal and bacterial biofiltration treating a VOC mixture

Bacterial biofilters usually exhibit a high microbial diversity and robustness, while fungal biofilters have been claimed to better withstand low moisture contents and pH values, and to be more efficient coping with hydrophobic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, there are only few systematic evaluations of both biofiltration technologies. The present study compared fungal and bacterial biofiltration for the treatment of a VOC mixture (propanal, methyl isobutyl ketone-MIBK, toluene and hexanol) under the same operating conditions. Overall, fungal biofiltration supported lower elimination capacities than its bacterial counterpart (27.7 ± 8.9 vs 40.2 ± 5.4 gCm(-3) reactor h(-1)), which exhibited a final pressure drop 60% higher than that of the bacterial biofilter due to mycelial growth. The VOC mineralization ratio was also higher in the bacterial bed (≈ 63% vs ≈ 43%). However, the substrate biodegradation preference order was similar for both biofilters (propanal>hexanol>MIBK>toluene) with propanal partially inhibiting the consumption of the rest of the VOCs. Both systems supported an excellent robustness versus 24h VOC starvation episodes. The implementation of a fungal/bacterial coupled system did not significantly improve the VOC removal performance compared to the individual biofilter performances.

Composition and electrophysiological activity of constituents identified in male wing gland secretion of the bumblebee parasite Aphomia sociella

Male wing gland secretion and volatiles emanating from calling males were investigated in the bumble bee wax moth, Aphomia. sociella, using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCxGC-TOF-MS), gas chromatography-infrared spectroscopy (GC-FTIR), enantioselective gas chromatography, electroantennography (EAG), gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), and NMR. GC-EAD analysis of the male wing gland secretion revealed seven active areas, corresponding to 1-hexanol (1), 2-phenylethanol (2), [(R),(Z)]-nona-2,6-dien-4-olide (3), [(S),(Z)]-nona-6-en-4-olide (4), mellein (5), phytone (6), and a mixture of C(18) fatty acids (7). Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) confirmed the presence of 2-phenylethanol, nona-2,6-dien-4-olide, nona-6-en-4-olide, mellein, and phytone in volatiles emanating from a calling male. Though the abundance of these compounds slightly differed in SPME and gland secretion analysis, nona-2,6-dien-4-olide and mellein dominated in both samples, followed by 2-phenylethanol, nona-6-en-4-olide, and phytone. The strong antennal responses elicited by components of the secretion suggest that one or more of these compounds constitute the sex pheromone. Both sexes perceived male wing gland secretion, with females being significantly more sensitive compared to males.

Two-chiral-component microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography–chiral surfactant and chiral oil: Part 1. Dibutyl tartrate

The first simultaneous use of a chiral surfactant and a chiral oil for microemulsion EKC (MEEKC) is reported. Six stereochemical combinations of dodecoxycarbonylvaline (DDCV: R, S, or racemic, 2.00% w/v), racemic 2-hexanol (1.65% v/v), and dibutyl tartrate (D, L, or racemic, 1.23% v/v) were examined as chiral pseudostationary phases (PSPs) for the separation of six pairs of pharmaceutical enantiomers: pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, N-methyl ephedrine, metoprolol, synephrine, and atenolol. Subtle differences were observed for three chromatographic figures of merit (alpha(enant), alpha(meth), k) among the chiral microemulsions; a moderate difference was observed for efficiency (N) and elution range. Dual-chirality microemulsions provided both the largest and smallest enantioselectivities, due to small positive and negative synergies between the chiral microemulsion components. For the ephedrine family of compounds, dual-chiral microemulsions with surfactant and oil in opposite stereochemical configurations provided higher enantioselectivities than the single-chiral component microemulsion (RXX), whereas dual-chiral microemulsions with surfactant and oil in the same stereochemical configurations provided lower enantioselectivities than RXX. Slight to moderate enantioselective synergies were confirmed using a thermodynamic model. Efficiencies observed with microemulsions comprised of racemic dibutyl tartrate or dibutyl-D-tartrate were significantly higher than those obtained with dibutyl-L-tartrate, with an average difference in plate count of about 25 000. Finally, one two-chiral-component microemulsion (RXS) provided significantly better resolution than the remaining one- and two-chiral-component microemulsions for the ephedrine-based compounds, but only slightly better or equivalent resolution for non-ephedrine compounds.

Effect of surfactants on plasticizer biodegradation by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633

The biodegradation of plasticizers has been previously shown to result in the accumulation of metabolites that are more toxic than the initial compound. The present work shows that the pattern of degradation of di-2-ethylhexyl adipate by Bacillus subtilis can be significantly altered by the presence of biosurfactants, such as surfactin, or synthetic surfactants, such as Pluronic L122. In particular, this work confirms that the monoester, mono-2-ethylhexyl adipate, is a metabolite in the breakdown of the plasticizer. This metabolite was proposed but not observed in earlier studies. Toxicity measurements showed it to be significantly more toxic than the plasticizer. Thus, the effect of the surfactants was to significantly increase the accumulation of one or both of the two most toxic metabolites; i.e., the monoester and 2-ethylhexanol. It was proposed that the most likely cause of the effect of the surfactants was the sequestering of these two metabolites into mixed micelles, resulting in their reduced availability for further degradation.

[Study on the chemical constituents in herb of Hypericum attenuatum]

OBJECTIVE

To study the constituents of Hypericum attenatum.

METHOD

The compounds were isolated by chromatography on silica gel, the structures were identified by their physical, chemical properties and IR, NMR and MS spectral data respectively.

RESULT

Nine compounds were isolated and identified as p-hydroxybenzoic acid (1), 6, 9-dihydroxy-4, 7-megastigmadien-3-one (2), butyl alcohol-O-alpha-D-fructoside (3), 24-ethyl-cholest-7-ene-3 beta, 5 alpha, 6 beta-thtroil (4), hexanol (5), 1 beta, 6 alpha-dihydroxyeudesmane-4(14)-ene (6), beta-sitosterol (7), 5, 5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-tetrahydrofuran-2-one (8), beta-daucosterol (9).

CONCLUSION

All of the compounds were isolated from H. attenuatum for the first time.

[Study on the chemical constituents of the volatile oil from aerial parts of Isodon eriocalyx var. laxiflora]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of the volatile oil from the aerial parts of Isodon eriocalyx var. laxiflora.

METHOD

The oil was obtained by hydrodistillation. The chemical compositions were separated and identified by GC-MS. The relative contents in the oil were determined by area normalization.

RESULT

163 peaks were separated and 105 compounds were identified, constituting 85.68% of the total peak area.

CONCLUSION

105 compounds characterized by GC-MS analysis were found from I. eriocalyx var. laxiflora for the first time.

Characterization of a Behaviorally Active, Gender-Specific Volatile Compound from the Male Asparagus Fly Plioreocepta poeciloptera

Adult male asparagus flies exhibit typical calling behaviors (suggestive of pheromone production) during which they emit a single volatile compound that was identified as isopropyl (S)-5-hydroxyhexanoate. In laboratory bioassays, synthetic samples elicited an arrestant response in females, but did not appear to attract females. On the other hand, the synthetic material attracted conspecific males in olfactometer bioassays.

3-Methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol as a Major Descriptor for the Human Axilla-Sweat Odour Profile

This study sets out to redress the lack of knowledge in the area of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in axillary sweat malodour. Sterile odourless underarm sweat (500 ml) was collected from 30 male volunteers after excessive sweating. Five strains of bacteria, Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum, Corynebacterium minutissimum, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Bacillus licheniformis, were isolated and characterised for their ability to generate an authentic axillary odour from the sweat material collected. As expected, all of the five bacterial strains produced strong sweat odours. Surprisingly, after extensive olfactive evaluation, the strain of Staphylococcus haemolyticus produced the most sulfury sweat character. This strain was then chosen as the change agent for the 500 ml of odourless underarm sweat collected. After bacterial incubation, the 500-ml sample was further processed for GC-olfactometry (GC-O), GC/MS analysis. GC-O of an extract free of organic acids provided three zones of interest. The first was chicken-sulfury, the second zone was onion-like, and the third zone was sweat, clary sage-like. From the third zone, a new impact molecule, (R)- or (S)-3-methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol, was isolated and identified by GC/MS, MD-GC, and GC AED (atomic emission detector). (S)-3-methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol was sniff-evaluated upon elution from a chiral GC column and was described as sweat and onion-like; its opposite enantiomer, (R)-3-methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol, was described as fruity and grapefruit-like. The (S)-form was found to be the major enantiomer (75%).