Development of a GC-FID method for quantitative characterisation of polyglycerols in polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) present in a lipid matrix

PGPR is an emulsifier (E476) widely used in the food industry. In this study, a gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) method was developed for the quantitative characterisation of the polyglycerol composition of PGPR. The method was validated to analyse quantitatively the polyglycerol species in neat PGPR products and in PGPR samples present in a lipid matrix. This method consists of saponification, acidification and petroleum ether extraction to remove interfering fatty acids, neutralisation, silylation and finally GC-FID analysis. Phenyl β-D-glucopyranoside was used as internal standard as sorbitol proved unsuitable due to its susceptibility to interference from Na/K chloride during silylation. The response factors of glycerol and diglycerol towards phenyl β-D-glucopyranoside were determined using pure standards, while response factors of polyglycerols with a degree of polymerisation of at least 3 could be reliably estimated according to an effective carbon number (ECN) approach. The validity of the method applied to PGPR samples was further supported on the basis of a mass balance considering the experimentally determined polyglycerol and fatty acid content. Moreover, recoveries of di-, tri-, tetra- and pentaglycerol were more than 95% for various PGPR samples added to two different lipid matrices at 2 wt% and 5 wt% concentrations. Furthermore, the method proved to be very repeatable (with relative standard deviation values below 2.2%). On the other hand, the inevitable presence of glycerol in the lipid samples caused fouling of the detector and column overloading, requiring frequent cleaning of the detector and trimming off part of the column.

Analytics and applications of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR)-Current research progress

Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) is a synthetic food additive containing a complex mixture of various esters. In recent years, there has been a growing trend to use PGPR-stabilized water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions to replace fat in order to produce low-calorie food products. In this respect, it is essential to comprehensively characterize the PGPR molecular species composition, which might enable to reduce its required amount in emulsions and foods based on a better understanding of the structure-activity relationship. This review presents the recent research progress on the characterization and quantitative analysis of PGPR. The influencing factors of the emulsifying ability of PGPR in W/O emulsions are further illustrated to provide new insights on the total or partial replacement of PGPR. Moreover, the latest progress on applications of PGPR in food products is described. Current studies have revealed the complex structure of PGPR. Besides, recent research has focused on the quantitative determination of the composition of PGPR and the quantification of the PGPR concentration in foods. However, research on the quantitative determination of the (poly)glycerol composition of PGPR and of the individual molecular species present in PGPR is still limited. Some natural water- or oil-soluble surfactants (e.g., proteins or lecithin) have been proven to enable the partial replacement of PGPR in W/O emulsions. Additionally, water-dispersible phytosterol particles and lecithin have been successfully used as a substitute of PGPR to create stable W/O emulsions.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin-loaded gel-like W/O/W emulsion stabilized by genipin-crosslinked alkaline soluble polysaccharides-whey protein isolate conjugates: Fabrication, stability, and in vitro digestion

The present work aims to fabricate the genipin-crosslinked alkaline soluble polysaccharides-whey protein isolate conjugates (G-AWC) to stabilize W/O/W emulsions for encapsulation and delivery of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP). After crosslinking reaction, the molecular weight was increased and surface hydrophobicity was decreased. Then, the G-AWC and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR, a lipophilic emulsifier) were employed to prepare a GSP-loaded W/O/W emulsion with the addition of gelatin and sucrose in W₁ phase via a two-step procedure. Creamed emulsion could be fabricated at W₁/O volume fraction (Φ) of 10%-70% and further increased Φ to 75% or even up to 90% could obtain gel-like emulsion with notably elastic behaviors. In the W₁/O/W₂ emulsion with Φ of 80%, the encapsulation efficiency (EE) of GSP reached up to 95.86%, and decreased by ca. 10% after a week of storage. Moreover, the encapsulated GSP in the emulsion showed a remarkably higher bioaccessibility (40.72%) compared to free GSP (13.11%) in the simulated gastrointestinal digestion. These results indicated that G-AWC-stabilized W/O/W emulsions could be an effective carrier to encapsulate water-soluble bioactive compounds with enhanced stability and bioaccessibility.

Characterization of a PLDζ2 Homology Gene from Developing Castor Bean Endosperm

Castor oil contains approximately 90% ricinoleic acid (RA) which is stored mainly in the form of tri-ricinoleic acid containing triacylglycerols (TAG). Ricinoleate is synthesized from oleate (18:1n-9) esterified to the sn-2 position of phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) catalyzed by oleoyl-12-hydroxylase. PtdCho-derived diacylglycerol (DAG) is an important substrate pool for TAG synthesis, and the interconversion between PtdCho and DAG has been shown to play a critical role in channeling hydroxy fatty acids (HFA) to TAG. Although phospholipase D (PLD) has been reported to catalyze the hydrolysis of PtdCho to produce phosphatidic acid which can then be converted to DAG, its potential functions in the channeling of RA from PtdCho to DAG and the assembly of RA on TAG is largely unknown. In the present study, 11 PLD genes were identified from the Castor Bean Genome Database. Gene expression analysis indicated that RcPLD9 is expressed at relatively high levels in developing seeds compared to other plant tissues. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses revealed that RcPLD9 is a homolog of Arabidopsis PLDζ2. Overexpression of RcPLD9 in the Arabidopsis CL7 line producing C18-HFA resulted in RA content reductions in the polar lipid fraction (mainly PtdCho) and mono-HFA-TAG, but increased RA content in di-HFA-TAG. Since part of RA in di-HFA-TAG is derived from HFA-DAG, the results indicated that RcPLD9 facilitates the channeling of RA from PtdCho to DAG for its assembly on TAG in developing seeds.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Four New Ricinoleic Acid-Derived 1-O-alkylglycerols

A series of novel substituted 1-O-alkylglycerols (AKGs) containing methoxy (8), gem-difluoro (9), azide (10) and hydroxy (11) group at 12 position in the alkyl chain were synthesized from commercially available ricinoleic acid (12). The structures of these new synthesized AKGs were established by NMR experiments as well as from the HRMS and elementary analysis data. The antimicrobial activities of the studied AKGs 8-11 were evaluated, respectively, and all compounds exhibited antimicrobial activity to different extents alone and also when combined with some commonly used antibiotics (gentamicin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin). AKG 11 was viewed as a lead compound for this series as it exhibited significantly higher antimicrobial activity than compounds 8-10.

Dynamic Aroma Release from Complex Food Emulsions

In vitro dynamic aroma release over oil-in-water (o/w) and water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsions stabilized with Tween 20 or octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) starch as a hydrophilic emulsifier and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) as a hydrophobic emulsifier was investigated. The equal-molecular-weight hydrophilic aroma diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) or relatively more-hydrophobic 3-pentanone was added to the emulsions prepared by high speed mixing, or membrane emulsification followed by thickened with xanthan gum removing droplet size distribution and creaming as variables affecting dynamic release. Results showed the differences of w/o/w emulsions in the dynamic release compared to o/w emulsions mainly depended on aroma hydrophobicity, emulsion type, emulsifier-aroma interactions, and creaming. Xanthan led to a reduced headspace replenishment. Interfacially adsorbed OSA starch and xanthan-OSA starch interaction influenced on diacetyl release over emulsions. OSA starch alone interacted with 3-pentanone. This study demonstrates the potential impact of emulsifying and thickening systems on aroma release systems and highlights that specific interactions may compromise product quality.

Double emulsions for iron encapsulation: is a high concentration of lipophilic emulsifier ideal for physical and chemical stability?

BACKGROUND

Worldwide iron deficiency in diets has led to a growing interest in the development of food-compatible encapsulation systems for soluble iron, which are able to prevent iron's undesirable off-taste and pro-oxidant activity. Here, we explore the use of double emulsions for this purpose, and in particular, how the lipophilic emulsifier (polyglycerol polyricinoleate, PGPR) concentration influences the physicochemical stability of water-in-oil-in-water (W₁ /O/W₂ ) double emulsions containing ferrous sulphate in the inner water droplets. Double emulsions were prepared with sunflower oil containing 10 to 70 g kg^-1 PGPR in the oil phase, and were monitored for droplet size distribution, morphology, encapsulation efficiency (EE) and oxidative stability over time.

RESULTS

Fresh double emulsions showed an initial EE higher than 88%, but EE decreased upon storage, which occurred particularly fast and to a high extent in the emulsions prepared with low PGPR concentrations. All double emulsions underwent lipid oxidation, in particular those with the highest PGPR concentration, which could be due to the small inner droplet size and thus promoted contact between oil and the internal water phase.

CONCLUSION

These results show that a too high PGPR concentration is not needed, and sometimes even adverse, when developing double emulsions as iron encapsulation systems. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Interfacial ordering of tristearin induced by glycerol monooleate and PGPR: A coarse-grained molecular dynamics study

We use coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to study the effect of surfactant structure on the ordering of bulk tristearin at an oil-water interface. In the absence of surfactant, tristearin acyl chains are marginally aligned normal to the interface. The surfactant glycerol monooleate (GMO), a common small-molecule monoacylglycerol (MW: 357 g/mol), preferentially adsorbs to the oil-water interface, displacing more of the tristearin as its concentration increases. The tristearin that remains at the interface is closely aligned normal to the interface. Adjacent to the interface, bulk tristearin increasingly aligns with its acyl chains entwined with the GMO acyl chain, which also preferentially aligns normal to the interface. In contrast, polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), a bulkier, polymeric surfactant (MW: 1398 g/mol for a molecule with five monomers), both displaces tristearin from the interface and reduces the alignment of the molecules that remain. We suggest that the similar fatty acid moieties of GMO (oleic acid) and tristearin (stearic acid) lead to liquid-state association and alignment, the latter of which can then serve as a template onto which tristearin crystals can nucleate. Conversely, by both displacing tristearin from the interface and reducing alignment below that of the surfactant-free system, PGPR eliminates the possibility of tristearin interfacial crystallisation.

Phytochemical Analysis and Potential Biological Activities of Essential Oil from Rice Leaf

Although many investigations on phytochemicals in rice plant parts and root exudates have been conducted, information on the chemical profile of essential oil (EO) and potent biological activities has been limited. In this study, chemical compositions of rice leaf EO and in vitro biological activities were investigated. From 1.5 kg of fresh rice leaves, an amount of 20 mg EO was obtained by distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), electrospray ionization (ESI), and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) to reveal the presence of twelve volatile constituents, of which methyl ricinoleate (27.86%) was the principal compound, followed by palmitic acid (17.34%), and linolenic acid (11.16%), while 2-pentadecanone was the least (2.13%). Two phytoalexin momilactones A and B were first time identified in EO using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-MS) (9.80 and 4.93 ng/g fresh weight, respectively), which accounted for 7.35% and 3.70% of the EO, respectively. The assays of DPPH (IC50 = 73.1 µg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 198.3 µg/mL), FRAP (IC50 = 700.8 µg/mL) and β-carotene oxidation (LPI = 79%) revealed that EO possessed an excellent antioxidant activity. The xanthine oxidase assay indicated that the anti-hyperuricemia potential was in a moderate level (IC50 = 526 µg/mL) as compared with the standard allopurinol. The EO exerted potent inhibition on growth of Raphanus sativus, Lactuca sativa, and two noxious weeds Echinochloa crus-galli, and Bidens pilosa, but in contrast, the growth of rice seedlings was promoted. Among the examined plants, the growth of the E. crus-galli root was the most inhibited, proposing that constituents found in EO may have potential for the control of the problematic paddy weed E. crus-galli. It was found that the EO of rice leaves contained rich phytochemicals, which were potent in antioxidants and gout treatment, as well as weed management. Findings of this study highlighted the potential value of rice leaves, which may provide extra benefits for rice farmers.

Coencapsulation of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate and Quercetin in Particle-Stabilized W/O/W Emulsion Gels: Controlled Release and Bioaccessibility

Particle-stabilized W₁/O/W₂ emulsion gels were fabricated using a two-step procedure: ( i) a W₁/O emulsion was formed containing saccharose (for osmotic stress balance) and gelatin (as a gelling agent) in the aqueous phase and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (a lipophilic surfactant) in the oil phase; ( ii) this W₁/O emulsion was then homogenized with another water phase (W₂) containing wheat gliadin nanoparticles (hydrophilic emulsifier). The gliadin nanoparticles in the external aqueous phase aggregated at pH 5.5, which led to the formation of particle-stabilized W₁/O/W₂ emulsion gels with good stability to phase separation. These emulsion gels were then used to coencapsulate a hydrophilic bioactive (epigallocatechin-3-gallate, EGCG) in the internal aqueous phase (encapsulation efficiency = 65.5%) and a hydrophobic bioactive (quercetin) in the oil phase (encapsulation efficiency = 97.2%). The emulsion gels improved EGCG chemical stability and quercetin solubility under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, which led to a 2- and 4-fold increase in their effective bioaccessibility, respectively.

Screening for Ricinoleic Acid as a Chemical Marker for Secale cornutum in Rye by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection

Ricinoleic acid as the characteristic fatty acid of Secale cornutum oil is a good marker for Secale cornutum impurities in cereal. The presented screening for ricinoleic acid in rye by high-performance thin-layer chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPTLC-FLD) offers a selective and sensitive method for the determination of Secale cornutum and is very different from existing gas chromatographic analyses. Lipid extraction was followed by transesterification and solid-phase extraction cleanup; thereafter, extracts were selectively derivatized with 2-naphthoyl chloride and analyzed by HPTLC-FLD with silica gel plates and cyclohexane/diisopropyl ether/formic acid (86:14:1, v/v/v) as mobile phase. For quantitation, the enhanced fluorescence was scanned at 280/>340 nm. Limits of detection and quantitation of 0.1 and 0.4 mg ricinoleic acid/kg of rye were obtained, which enables the determination of Secale cornutum far below the maximum admitted level. With near-100% recoveries and low standard deviations at relevant spiking levels, reliable results were guaranteed.

Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of methyl ricinoleate for continuous production of undecylenic acid methyl ester (UAME)

Undecylenic acid methyl ester (UAME) was continuously produced from methyl ricinoleate using a microwave-assisted pyrolysis system with atomization feeding. The UAME yield of 77 wt.% was obtained at 500°C using SiC as the microwave absorbent and heating medium. The methyl ricinoleate conversion and UAME yield from microwave-assisted pyrolysis process were higher than those from conventional pyrolysis. The effect of temperature on the pyrolysis process was also investigated. The methyl ricinoleate conversion increased but the cracking liquid yield decreased when the temperature increased from 460°C to 560°C. The maximum UAME yield was obtained at the temperature of 500°C.

Designing inhibitors of cytochrome c/cardiolipin peroxidase complexes: mitochondria-targeted imidazole-substituted fatty acids

Mitochondria have emerged as the major regulatory platform responsible for the coordination of numerous metabolic reactions as well as cell death processes, whereby the execution of intrinsic apoptosis includes the production of reactive oxygen species fueling oxidation of cardiolipin (CL) catalyzed by cytochrome (Cyt) c. As this oxidation occurs within the peroxidase complex of Cyt c with CL, the latter represents a promising target for the discovery and design of drugs with antiapoptotic mechanisms of action. In this work, we designed and synthesized a new group of mitochondria-targeted imidazole-substituted analogs of stearic acid TPP-n-ISAs with various positions of the attached imidazole group on the fatty acid (n = 6, 8, 10, 13, and 14). By using a combination of absorption spectroscopy and EPR protocols (continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance and electron spin echo envelope modulation) we demonstrated that TPP-n-ISAs indeed were able to potently suppress CL-induced structural rearrangements in Cyt c, paving the way to its peroxidase competence. TPP-n-ISA analogs preserved the low-spin hexa-coordinated heme-iron state in Cyt c/CL complexes whereby TPP-6-ISA displayed a significantly more effective preservation pattern than TPP-14-ISA. Elucidation of these intermolecular stabilization mechanisms of Cyt c identified TPP-6-ISA as an effective inhibitor of the peroxidase function of Cyt c/CL complexes with a significant antiapoptotic potential realized in mouse embryonic cells exposed to ionizing irradiation. These experimental findings were detailed and supported by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Based on the experimental data and computation predictions, we identified TPP-6-ISA as a candidate drug with optimized antiapoptotic potency.

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of a pluronic lecithin organogel containing ricinoleic acid for transdermal delivery

The present study deals with the preparation and in vitro evaluation of a Pluronic lecithin organogel gel containing ricinoleic acid for transdermal delivery. Blank Pluronic lecithin organogel gels were prepared using ricinoleic acid as the oil phase and characterized for pH, viscosity, gelation temperature, and microscopic structure. The optimized Pluronic lecithin organogel gel formulation was further evaluated using ketoprofen (10%) and dexamethasone (0.5%) as model drugs. The stability and in vitro permeability of ketoprofen and dexamethasone was evaluated and compared with the corresponding control formulation (Pluronic lecithin organogel gel made with isopropyl palmitate as the oil phase). The pH and viscosity of blank Pluronic lecithin organogel gel prepared with ricinoleic acid was comparable with the isopropyl palmitate Pluronic lecithin organogel gel. The thixotropic property of ricinoleic acid Pluronic lecithin organogel gel was found to be better than the control. Drug-loaded Pluronic lecithin organogel gels behaved in a similar manner and all formulations were found to be stable at 25 degrees C, 35 degrees C, and 40 degrees C for up to 35 days. The penetration profile of dexamethasone was similar from both the Pluronic lecithin organogel gels, while the permeability for ketoprofen from Pluronic lecithin organogel gel containing ricinoleic acid was found to be three times higher as compared to the control formulation.

Characterisation of the FAD2 gene family from Hiptage benghalensis: a ricinoleic acid accumulating plant

We have characterised the FAD2 gene family from Hiptage benghalensis, a tropical plant that accumulates high levels of ricinoleic acid in its seeds. Functional characterisation of six FAD2 gene family members showed that two of them were capable of functioning as Δ12-hydroxylases while the other FAD2 members were confirmed to be Δ12-desaturases. The Δ12-hydroxylation function of these two genes was confirmed in yeast cells, using C16:1(Δ9) and C18:1(Δ9) monounsaturated fatty acids as substrates. These Δ12-hydroxylases, like the other Δ12-hydroxylases previously cloned from plants Ricinus communis (castor), Physaria fendleri and fungus Claviceps purpurea, also showed some Δ12-desaturase activity. The hydroxylation activity of the two Hiptage hydroxylases was further confirmed by their expression in the Arabidopsis fad2/fae1 double mutant where they were able to produce equivalent or higher levels hydroxylated fatty acids in the seed oil when compared with the other known hydroxylases.

Methyl ricinoleate as platform chemical for simultaneous production of fine chemicals and polymer precursors

The modification of methyl ricinoleate by etherification of the hydroxyl group was accomplished by using a nonclassical ruthenium-catalyzed allylation reaction and also by esterification. Methyl ricinoleate derivatives were engaged in ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions leading to biosourced 3,6-dihydropyran and α,β-unsaturated lactone derivatives with concomitant production of polymer precursors. Sequential RCM/hydrogenation and RCM/cross-metathesis were also implemented as a straightforward method for the synthesis of tetrahydropyran and lactone derivatives as well as valuable monomers (i.e., polyamide precursors).

Tough blends of polylactide and castor oil

Poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) is a renewable resource polymer derived from plant sugars with several commercial applications. Broader implementation of the material is limited due to its inherent brittleness. We show that the addition of 5 wt % castor oil to PLLA significantly enhances the overall tensile toughness with minimal reductions in the modulus and no plasticization of the PLLA matrix. In addition, we used poly(ricinoleic acid)-PLLA diblock copolymers, synthesized entirely from renewable resources, as compatibilizers for the PLLA/castor oil blends. Ricinoleic acid, the majority fatty acid comprising castor oil, was polymerized through a lipase-catalyzed condensation reaction. The resulting polymers contained a hydroxyl end-group that was subsequently used to initiate the ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide. The binary PLLA/castor oil blend exhibited a tensile toughness seven times greater than neat PLLA. The addition of block copolymer allowed for control over the morphology of the blends, and even further improvement in the tensile toughness was realized-an order of magnitude larger than that of neat PLLA.

Metathesis of fatty acid ester derivatives in 1,1-dialkyl and 1,2,3-trialkyl imidazolium type ionic liquids

The self-metathesis of methyl oleate and methyl ricinoleate was carried out in the presence of ruthenium alkylidene catalysts 1-4 in [bmim] and [bdmim][X] type ionic liquids (RTILs) (X = PF(6) (-), BF(4) (-) and NTf(2) (-)) using the gas chromatographic technique. Best catalytic performance was obtained in [bdmim][X] type ionic liquids when compared with [bmim][X] type ionic liquids. Catalyst recycling studies were also carried out in the room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) with catalysts 1-4 in order to explore their possible industrial application.

A design-of-experiments approach for the optimization and understanding of the cross-metathesis reaction of methyl ricinoleate with methyl acrylate

A design-of-experiments approach for the investigation of the cross-metathesis of methyl ricinoleate with methyl acrylate is described. Two second-generation metathesis initiators were studied using different reaction conditions, revealing optimal reaction conditions for each catalyst. Interestingly, the two catalysts showed completely different temperature response profiles. As a result of these investigations, suitable reaction conditions for the sustainable production of two value-added chemical intermediates were derived. Moreover, the design-of-experiments approach provided valuable information for a thorough understanding of catalytic reactions that would be more difficult to obtain by classic approaches.

Preparation and Controlled Self-Assembly of Janus Magnetic Nanoparticles

Janus magnetic nanoparticles (~20 nm) were prepared by grafting either polystyrene sodium sulfonate (PSSNa) or polydimethylamino ethylmethacrylate (PDMAEMA) to the exposed surfaces of negatively charged poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)-coated magnetite nanoparticles adsorbed onto positively charged silica beads. Individually dispersed Janus nanoparticles were obtained by repulsion from the beads on reversal of the silica surface charge when the solution pH was increased. Controlled aggregation of the Janus nanoparticles was observed at low pH values, with the formation of stable clusters of approximately 2-4 times the initial size of the particles. Cluster formation was reversed, and individually dispersed nanoparticles recovered, by restoring the pH to high values. At intermediate pH values, PSSNa Janus nanoparticles showed moderate clustering, while PDMAEMA Janus nanoparticles aggregated uncontrollably due to dipolar interactions. The size of the stable clusters could be controlled by increasing the molecular weight of the grafted polymer, or by decreasing the magnetic nanoparticle surface availability for grafting, both of which yielded larger cluster sizes. The addition of small amounts of PAA-coated magnetic nanoparticles to the Janus nanoparticle suspension resulted in a further increase in the final cluster size. Monte Carlo simulation results compared favorably with experimental observations and showed the formation of small, elongated clusters similar in structure to those observed in cryo-TEM images.

The structure of OMCI, a novel lipocalin inhibitor of the complement system

The complement (C) system is a potent innate immune defence system against parasites. We have recently characterised and expressed OmCI, a 16 kDa protein derived from the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata that specifically binds C5, thereby preventing C activation. The structure of recombinant OmCI determined at 1.9 A resolution confirms a lipocalin fold and reveals that the protein binds a fatty acid derivative that we have identified by mass spectrometry as ricinoleic acid. We propose that OmCI could sequester one of the fatty acid-derived inflammatory modulators from the host plasma, thereby interfering with the host inflammatory response to the tick bite. Mapping of sequence differences between OmCI and other tick lipocalins with different functions, combined with biochemical investigations of OmCI activity, supports the hypothesis that OmCI acts by preventing interaction with the C5 convertase, rather than by blocking the C5a cleavage site.

Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis and Curing of High-Molecular-Weight Polyricinoleate

High-molecular-weight polyricinoleate, with an M(w) of 100,600, was enzymatically prepared by the polycondensation of methylricinoleate using immobilized lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia (IM-PC) in bulk in the presence of 4 A molecular sieves at 80 degrees C for 7 d. Polyricinoleate was a viscous liquid at room temperature with a glass transition temperature (T(g)) of -74.8 degrees C, showed no crystallinity and was biodegraded by activated sludge. Polyricinoleate was readily cured using a dicumyl peroxide at 170 degrees C for 30 min to produce a chloroform insoluble crosslinked polyricinoleate with a hardness of 50A using durometer A.

Metabolism of fatty acid in yeast: addition of reducing agents to the reaction medium influences β-oxidation activities, γ-decalactone production, and cell ultrastructure inSporidiobolus ruineniicultivated on ricinoleic acid methyl ester

The sensitivity of Sporidiobolus ruinenii yeast to the use of reducing agents, reflected in changes in the oxidoreduction potential at pH 7 (Eh7) environment, ricinoleic acid methyl ester catabolism, γ-decalactone synthesis, cofactor level, β-oxidation activity, and ultrastructure of the cell, was studied. Three environmental conditions (corresponding to oxidative, neutral, and reducing conditions) were fixed with the use of air or air and reducing agents (hydrogen and dithiothreitol). Lowering Eh7to neutral conditions (Eh7 = +30 mV and +2.5 mV) favoured the production of lactone more than the more oxidative condition (Eh7 = +350 mV). In contrast, when a reducing condition was used (Eh7= –130 mV), the production of γ-decalactone was very low. These results were linked to changes in the cofactor ratio during lactone production, to the β-oxidation activity involved in decanolide synthesis, and to ultrastructural modification of the cell.

Regiospecific analysis of diricinoleoylacylglycerols in castor (Ricinus communis L.) oil by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry

HPLC fractions of diricinoleoylacylglycerols containing one non-ricinoleoyl chain from castor oil were used to identify the regiospecific location of this non-ricinoleoyl chain on the glycerol backbone using electrospray ionization-MS3 of lithium adducts. The regiospecific ions used were from the loss of alpha,beta-unsaturated fatty acid specific at the sn-2 position. The content of 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerols (ROR) among the three stereospecific isomers, RRO, ROR and ORR, was about 91%. The contents of other 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-acyl-glycerols among the three stereospecific isomers were as follows: 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol, 95%; 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-linolenoyl-sn-glycerol, 96%; 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-stearoyl-sn-glycerol, 96%; 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycerol, 78%; and 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-lesqueroloyl-sn-glycerol, 31%. These non-hydroxyl fatty acids were mostly at the sn-2 position of triacylglycerols in castor oil. These results suggest that phospholipase A2 hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) containing non-hydroxyl fatty acid at the sn-2 position is either blocked or partially blocked in vivo. Phospholipase A2 hydrolysis of 2-lesqueroloyl-PC is not blocked and is similar to that of 2-ricinoleoyl-PC. Transgenic inhibition of phospholipase C hydrolysis of PC might be used to block the incorporation of non-hydroxyl fatty acids into triacylglycerols, thus increasing the content of ricinoleate in seed oil.

Preparation and characterization of water/oil and water/oil/water emulsions containing biopolymer-gelled water droplets

The purpose of this study was to create water-in-oil (W/O) and water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions containing gelled internal water droplets. Twenty weight percent W/O emulsions stabilized by a nonionic surfactant (6.4 wt % polyglycerol polyricinoleate, PGPR) were prepared that contained either 0 or 15 wt % whey protein isolate (WPI) in the aqueous phase, with the WPI-containing emulsions being either unheated or heated (80 degrees C for 20 min) to gel the protein. Optical microscopy and sedimentation tests did not indicate any significant changes in droplet characteristics of the W/O emulsions depending on WPI content (0 or 15%), shearing (0-7 min at constant shear), thermal processing (30-90 degrees C for 30 min), or storage at room temperature (up to 3 weeks). W/O/W emulsions were produced by homogenizing the W/O emulsions with an aqueous Tween 20 solution using either a membrane homogenizer (MH) or a high-pressure valve homogenizer (HPVH). For the MH the mean oil droplet size decreased with increasing number of passes, whereas for the HPVH it decreased with increasing number of passes and increasing homogenization pressure. The HPVH produced smaller droplets than the MH, but the MH produced a narrower particle size distribution. All W/O/W emulsions had a high retention of water droplets (>95%) within the larger oil droplets after homogenization. This study shows that W/O/W emulsions containing oil droplets with gelled water droplets inside can be produced by using MH or HPVH.

Poly(sebacic acid-co-ricinoleic acid) Biodegradable Injectable in Situ Gelling Polymer

The investigated polymers, poly(sebacic acid-co-ricinoleic acid) containing > or =70% ricinoleic acid, may be injected via a 22 gauge needle and become gel upon contact with aqueous medium, both in vitro and in vivo. Various properties of the polymers including viscosity, thermal analysis, and in vivo behavior, before and after exposure to aqueous medium, were determined. These polymers were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at dry and wet states. It was found that the viscosity and melting temperature of P(SA:RA) increased after exposure to buffer. The viscosity at 37 degrees C of P(SA:RA)3:7 had the highest increase: from 4200 cP before to 8940 cP after exposure to buffer; in the case of P(SA:RA)25:75 before exposure to buffer the viscosity was 1150 cP while after it raised to 3200 cP. The viscosity of P(SA:RA)2:8 also increased from 400 cP before exposure to buffer to 1000 cP after. On the other hand polymer without sebacic acid, (poly(ricinoleic acid)), did not show gelation properties. Thermal analysis also showed an increase in the melting point of the polymers exposed to the aqueous medium during the first 24 h of incubation. Images obtained by SEM showed formation of a three-dimensional network in polymers exposed to buffers. When injected into animals, P(SA:RA) forms a solid implant in the injection site already at 8 h postinjection.

Poly(sebacic acid-co-ricinoleic acid) biodegradable carrier for paclitaxel—effect of additives

Injectable polymeric formulation for paclitaxel was studied. Poly ricinoleic acid and sebacic acid were synthesized. The effect of additives on the viscosity of polymer, paclitaxel release, and polymer degradation was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Additives that were used in this study were ricinoleic acid, phospholipid, PEG 400, and PEG 2000. Addition of 20% ricinoleic acid to P(SA:RA)3:7 liquefied the formulation and allowed injection of the formulation containing paclitaxel via a 22-G needle at room temperature with no effect on paclitaxel release rate. Addition of PEG 400, PEG 2000, and phospholipid to the formulation did not affect the paclitaxel release from the formulation. The degradation of modified formulations with paclitaxel and additives was examined in vitro and by subcutaneous injection of liquid formulations to the backspace via a 22-G needle into seven groups of four C3H mice. In vivo formulations with additives (20% ricinoleic acid and PEG or phospholipid) and 5% paclitaxel content degraded faster than the formulation with only 20% ricinoleic acid and the same paclitaxel content: 51% and 54% versus 43%. The slowest degradation (26% in 1 week) was of the formulation containing 10% paclitaxel. The release rate in vivo was affected by the paclitaxel content; the higher the content, the slower was the release. By using additives, we could adjust the physical characteristics of the surgical paste while maintaining a desirable system for sustained paclitaxel release.

Hydrolytic Degradation of Ricinoleic-Sebacic-Ester-Anhydride Copolymers

The degradation process of poly(ricinoleic-co-sebacic-ester-anhydride)s in buffer solution was investigated by following the composition of the degradation products released into the degradation medium and the degraded polymer. The first week of degradation was characterized by the hydrolysis of the anhydride bonds and significant release of sebacic acid (SA). The remaining oligoesters of SA and ricinoleic acid (RA) degraded into shorter oligoesters composed of RA ester dimers, trimers, and tetramers as well as dimers of RA-SA. To confirm and determine the hydrolytic behavior of the degradation products, short oligoesters of sebacic and ricinoleic acid were synthesized and degraded. It was established that during the hydrolysis under physiological conditions the degradation products have a composition and water absorption similar to those of the synthesized oligoesters.

Deuterium NMR used to indicate a common mechanism for the biosynthesis of ricinoleic acid by Ricinus communis and Claviceps purpurea

Previous studies have shown that ricinoleic acid from castor bean oil of Ricinus communis is synthesized by the direct hydroxyl substitution of oleate, while it has been proposed that ricinoleate is formed by hydration of linoleate in the ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea. The mechanism of the enzymes specific to ricinoleate synthesis has not yet been established, but hydroxylation and desaturation of fatty acids in plants apparently involve closely related mechanisms. As mechanistic differences in the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of natural products can lead to different isotopic distributions in the product, we could expect ricinoleate isolated from castor or ergot oil to show distinct (2)H distribution patterns. To obtain information concerning the substrate and isotope effects that occur during the biosynthesis of ricinoleate, the site-specific natural deuterium distributions in methyl ricinoleate isolated from castor oil and in methyl ricinoleate and methyl linoleate isolated from ergot oils have been measured by quantitative (2)H NMR. First, the deuterium profiles for methyl ricinoleate from the plant and fungus are equivalent. Second, the deuterium profile for methyl linoleate from ergot is incompatible with this chemical species being the precursor of methyl ricinoleate. Hence, it is apparent that 12-hydroxylation in C. purpurea is consistent with the biosynthetic mechanisms proposed for R. communis and is compatible with the general fundamental mechanistic similarities between hydroxylation and desaturation previously proposed for plant fatty acid biosynthesis.

Mixture additives inhibit the dermal permeation of the fatty acid, ricinoleic acid

Ricinoleic acid (RA) like many of the ingredients in machine cutting fluids and other industrial formulations are potential dermal irritants, yet very little is known about its permeability in skin. 3H-ricinoleic acid mixtures were formulated with three commonly used cutting fluid additives; namely, triazine (TRI), linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), and triethanolamine (TEA) and topically applied to inert silastic membranes and porcine skin in vitro as aqueous mineral oil (MO) or polyethylene glycol (PEG) mixtures. These additives significantly decreased ricinoleic acid partitioning from the formulation into the stratum corneum (SC) in PEG-based mixtures. Except for LAS, all other additives produced a more basic formulation (pH = 9.3-10.3). In silastic membranes and porcine skin, individual additives or combination of additives significantly reduced ricinoleic permeability. This trend in ricinoleic acid disposition in both membranes suggests that the mixture interaction is more physicochemical in nature and probably not related to the chemical-induced changes in the biological membrane as may be assumed with topical exposures to potentially irritant formulations.

Catabolism of hydroxyacids and biotechnological production of lactones by Yarrowia lipolytica

The gamma- and delta-lactones of less than 12 carbons constitute a group of compounds of great interest to the flavour industry. It is possible to produce some of these lactones through biotechnology. For instance, gamma-decalactone can be obtained by biotransformation of methyl ricinoleate. Among the organisms used for this bioproduction, Yarrowia lipolytica is a yeast of choice. It is well adapted to growth on hydrophobic substrates, thanks to its efficient and numerous lipases, cytochrome P450, acyl-CoA oxidases and its ability to produce biosurfactants. Furthermore, genetic tools have been developed for its study. This review deals with the production of lactones by Y. lipolytica with special emphasis on the biotransformation of methyl ricinoleate to gamma-decalactone. When appropriate, information from the lipid metabolism of other yeast species is presented.

Increased electron donor and electron acceptor characters enhance the adhesion between oil droplets and cells of Yarrowia lipolytica as evaluated by a new cytometric assay

The adhesion of methyl ricinoleate droplets to cells of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica was investigated. A new cytometric method, relying on the double staining of fatty globules with Nile Red and of cells with Calcofluor, enabled us to quantify methyl ricinoleate droplet adhesion to cells precultured on a hydrophilic or on a hydrophobic carbon source. In this last case, droplet adsorption was enhanced and a MATS (microbial adhesion to solvents) test revealed that this increase was due to Lewis acid-base interactions and not to an increase in the hydrophobic properties of the cell surface. These preliminary results demonstrate that the developed cytometric method is promising for various applications concerning the study of interactions between microorganisms and an emulsified hydrophobic substrates.

Nonlinear fatty acid terminated polyanhydrides

A systemic study on the synthesis, characterization, degradation, drug release, and stability of nonlinear fatty acid terminated poly(sebacic anhydride) (PSA) is reported. Ricinoleic acid was transformed into a nonlinear fatty acid by esterification with fatty acid chlorides of C8-C18 chain length in the presence of pyridine. Pure nonlinear fatty acids were obtained by purification of the reaction product using column chromatography. Poly(sebacic acid)s terminated with 30 wt % of various nonlinear fatty acids were synthesized by melt condensation to yield waxy off-white materials with molecular weights in the range of 5000-9000. The terminated polymers are soluble in common organic solvents and melt at temperatures between 70 and 79 degrees C, which allow their fabrication into microspheres and implants. These polymers degrade into their counterparts during a period of a few weeks while constantly releasing an incorporated drug. The incorporation of nonlinear fatty acid terminals to poly(sebacic anhydride) increased the polymer hydrophobicity and decreased polymer crystallinity when compared to PSA or to linear fatty acid terminated PSA. The hydrophobic nonlinear side chains retard water from penetrating into the polymer mass, which resulted in higher stability and surface erosion front mechanism of polymer degradation and drug release.

Production of conjugated linoleic acids through KOH-catalyzed dehydration of ricinoleic acid

Production of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) using castor oil as starting material involves conversion of ricinoleic acid to methyl 12-mesyloxy-octadec-9-enoate (MMOE) followed by dehydration. This process usually uses 1,8-diazabicyclo-(5.4.0)-undec-7-ene (DBU) as an expensive dehydrating reagent. The present study reports that potassium hydroxide (KOH) can serve as a dehydrating reagent in replacement of DBU. The results showed that conversion of MMOE to CLA catalyzed by KOH was an efficient reaction, with a 77% conversion efficiency at 80 degrees C. The CLA isomeric profile produced in KOH-catalyzed dehydration reaction was similar to that catalyzed by DBU. The CLA mixture produced in KOH-catalyzed dehydration of MMOE at 80 degrees C contained 72% 9c,11t-18:2 and 26% 9c,11c-18:2 while in that catalyzed by DBU, 9c,11t-18:2 and 9c,11c-18:2 accounted for 78 and 16%, respectively. It was found that the temperature of dehydration was an important factor in the determination of CLA isomer composition and yield of conversion. Elevating the temperature from 78 to 180 degrees C decreased not only the conversion efficiency but also production of total c,t-18:2 and c,c-18:2 isomers regardless of dehydration catalyzed by either DBU or KOH. It is concluded that KOH may replace DBU as a dehydrating reagent in conversion of MMOE to CLA when the reaction conditions are optimized.

Effect of emulsifiers on surface properties of sucrose by inverse gas chromatography

Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) was employed to characterize the changes in surface properties of sucrose particles coated with either lecithin or polyglycerol polyricinoleate. IGC was performed using polar and non-polar adsorbates at infinite dilution with the sucrose particles as the solid stationary phase. Coating the sugar surface with emulsifiers induced an increase in the lipophilicity of the sugar particles, i.e. a sharp decrease in the acidity of the surface. Yet the two emulsifiers induced a slightly different increase in the surface basicity. It was hypothesized that this observation was due to a difference in the molecular structure of the emulsifiers.

Gamma-irradiation stability of saturated and unsaturated aliphatic polyanhydrides--ricinoleic acid based polymers

The effect of terminal sterilization by gamma-irradiation on several ricinoleic acid based polyanhydrides was investigated. The following polymers were used: poly(ricinoleic acid maleate) [P(RAM)], poly(ricinoleic acid succinate) [P(RAS)], poly(hydroxy stearic acid succinate) [P(HSAS)], poly(hydroxy stearic acid maleate) [P(HSAM)], and their copolymers with sebacic acid. The polymers were irradiated with an absorbed dose of 2.5 or 10 Mrad by means of a 60Co source under dry ice or at room temperature. No differences were found between samples irradiated under dry ice and at room temperature. Polymers prepared from monomers containing maleate residues, which contain double bonds adjusted to the anhydride linkage along the polymer chain, decreased in molecular weight, became insoluble, and showed fast hydrolytic degradation. For example, p(RAM), p(HSAM), and their copolymers with sebacic acid decreased in Mw from about 10,000 to about 2000, and from about 30,000 to about 5000, respectively, while polymers based on RAS and HSAS remained stable. This phenomenon was explained by an anhydride interchange-self-depolymerization process of the unsaturated anhydride bonds induced by gamma-irradiation. This explanation was supported by the depolymerization of another class of polymers having an anhydride bond between two double bonds, fumaric acid anhydride polymers. The anhydride bond that lies between two double bonds was found to be more sensitive to gamma-irradiation. This anhydride bond may be cleaved to form two radicals that further react with aliphatic anhydride bonds along the polymer chain to form inter- and/or intracyclization products.

Residue mass plot and abundance plot: detection of isobaric interferences in DE-MALDI-TOF-mass spectra of complex polymer mixtures

Mass spectra of complex polymer mixtures often disturbed by overlapping homologue peak series have been interpreted by means of the novel techniques of the residue mass plot and the abundance plot. The model substance used for the investigations is so far poorly characterized non-ionic emulsifier Cremophor EL (polyoxyl 35 castor oil) (CrEL), a heterogeneous polyethoxylate mixture. Because of its high amount of hydrophobic and hydrophilic components, CrEL was separated into two fractions, aqueous and methanolic, by cation exchange (CCaEx) chromatography. CrEL was then subjected to delayed extraction matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (DE-MALDI-TOF-MS). Evaluation of the mass spectra was performed by comparing the residue masses of the homologue peak series with the calculated residue masses of potential components of the excipient cationized with Na+ and K+. A number of these series are overlapping because they differ in their theoretical residue masses by about 0.05 Da. The detection of these isobaric interferences was the basic requirement for our analysis method. This goal was achieved by high mass accuracy of the measurements (obtained by internal calibration) in combination with two newly developed evaluation methods, the residue mass plot and the abundance plot. Using this combined technique, generally applicable for complex polymer mixtures, it was shown that the aqueous CCaEx fraction contains hydrophobic components such as di- and triesters of ricinoleic acid and polyethylene glycol as well as glycerol polyoxyethylene di- and triricinoleates, whereas the methanolic fraction contains hydrophilic components, mainly polyethylene glycol (PEG) and glycerol polyoxyethylene ether. Moreover, free PEG was shown to consist of PEG 800 in contrast to the value of 600 Da described so far in literature.

Metabolism of 1-acyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine in castor oil biosynthesis

We have examined the role of 2-oleoyl-PE (phosphatidylethanolamine) in the biosynthesis of triacylglycerols (TAG) by castor microsomes. In castor microsomal incubation, the label from 14C-oleate of 1-palmitoyl-2-[1-(14)C]oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine is incorporated into TAG containing ricinoleate. The enzyme characteristics, such as optimal pH, and the effect of incubation components of the oleoyl-12-hydroxylase using 2-oleoyl-PE as incubation substrate are similar to those for 2-oleoyl-PC (phosphatidylcholine). However, compared to 2-oleoyl-PC, 2-oleoyl-PE is a less efficient incubation substrate of oleoyl-12-hydroxylase in castor microsomes. Unlike 2-oleoyl-PC, 2-oleoyl-PE is not hydroxylated to 2-ricinoleoyl-PE by oleoyl-12-hydroxylase and is not desaturated to 2-linoleoyl-PE by oleoyl-12-desaturase. We have demonstrated the conversion of 2-oleoyl-PE to 2-oleoyl-PC and vice versa. The incorporation of label from 2-[14C]oleoyl-PE into TAG occurs after its conversion to 2-oleoyl-PC, which can then be hydroxylated or desaturated. We detected neither PE-N-monomethyl nor PE-N,N-dimethyl, the intermediates from PE to PC by N-methylation. The conversion of 2-oleoyl-PE to 2-oleoyl-PC likely occurs via hydrolysis to 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol by phospholipase C and then by cholinephosphotransferase. This conversion does not appear to play a key role in driving ricinoleate into TAG.

Ricinoleic acid-based biopolymers

Polyanhydrides synthesized from pure ricinoleic acid half-esters with maleic and succinic anhydrides possess desired physicochemical and mechanical properties for use as drug carriers. Ricinoleic acid maleate or succinate diacid half-esters were prepared from the reaction of crude ricinoleic acid (85% content) with succinic or maleic anhydride. The pure diacid monomers were obtained by chromatography purification through silica gel using petroleum ether/ethyl acetate/acetic acid (80/30/1 v/v/v) mixture as eluent. The pure diacid monomers (>99%) were polymerized by melt condensation to yield film-forming polymers with molecular weights exceeding 40,000 with a polydispersity of 2. Extensive biocompatibility study demonstrated their toxicological inertness and biodegradability. Their rate of elimination from rats in the course of about 4-6 weeks was faster than that found for similar fatty acid-based polyanhydrides previously tested. In vitro studies showed that these polymers underwent rapid hydrolytic degradation in 10 days. Methotrexate release from the polymers was not affected by the initial polymer molecular weight in the range of 10,000-35,000. The in vitro drug release correlated with the degradation of the polymers. The fatty acid ester monomers were further degraded to its counterparts, ricinoleic acid and succinic or maleic acid.

Overview of the preparation, use and biological studies on polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR)

The esterification of condensed castor oil fatty acids with polyglycerol gives a powerful water-in-oil emulsifier which is used by the food industry in tin-greasing emulsions and as an emulsifier with lecithin in chocolate couverture and block chocolate. A safety evaluation programme was undertaken in the late 1950s and early 1960s to determine whether this food emulsifier polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR). (Quest International trade name ADMUL WOL) presented any health implications for consumers. This programme included acute toxicity tests, subacute rat and chicken toxicity studies, a rat chronic toxicity/multigeneration reproduction study, rodent metabolism, carcinogenicity testing in rat and mouse and a human clinical evaluation. PGPR was found to be 98% digested by rats and utilized as a source of energy superior to starch and nearly equivalent to groundnut oil. There was no interference with normal fat metabolism in rats or in the utilization of fat-soluble vitamins. Despite the intimate relationship with fat metabolism, no evidence was found of any adverse effects on such vital processes as growth, reproduction and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. PGPR was not carcinogenic in either 2-year rat or 80-week mouse feeding studies. The human studies showed no adverse effects on tolerance, liver and kidney function, and fat balance at levels up to 10 g/day PGPR. The acceptable daily intake for PGPR which was set by JECFA in 1974 and the EC/SCF in 1979 is 7.5 mg/kg body weight/day. The UK FAC in 1992 estimated that the maximum per capita mean daily intake of PGPR is 2.64 mg/kg body weight/day. It can be concluded that the use of ADMUL WOL brand of PGPR in tin-greasing emulsions or in chocolate couverture does not constitute a human health hazard.

Production of lactones and peroxisomal beta-oxidation in yeasts

Among aroma compounds interesting for the food industry, lactones may be produced by biotechnological means using yeasts. These microorganisms are able to synthesize lactones de novo or by biotransformation of fatty acids with higher yields. Obtained lactone concentrations are compatible with industrial production, although detailed metabolic pathways have not been completely elucidated. The biotransformation of ricinoleic acid into gamma-decalactone is taken here as an example to better understand the uptake of hydroxy fatty acids by yeasts and the different pathways of fatty acid degradation. The localization of ricinoleic acid beta-oxidation in peroxisomes is demonstrated. Then the regulation of the biotransformation is described, particularly the induction of peroxisome proliferation and peroxisomal beta-oxidation and its regulation at the genome level. The nature of the biotransformation product is then discussed (4-hydroxydecanoic acid or gamma-decalactone), because the localization and the mechanisms of the lactonization are still not properly known. Lactone production may also be limited by the degradation of this aroma compound by the yeasts which produced it. Thus, different possible ways of modification and degradation of gamma-decalactone are described.

Ultrasound in fatty acid chemistry: synthesis of a 1-pyrroline fatty acid ester isomer from methyl ricinoleate

A novel 1-pyrroline fatty acid ester isomer (viz. 8-5-hexyl-1-pyrrolin-2-yl) octanoate) has been synthesized from methyl ricinoleate by two routes with an overall yield of 42 and 30%, respectively. Most of the reactions are carried out under concomitant ultrasonic irradiation (20 KHz, ca. 53 watts/cm2). Under such a reaction condition, the reaction time is considerably shortened, and product yields are high. Dehydrobromination under concomitant ultrasonic irradiation of methyl 9, 10-dibromo-12-hydroxyoctadecanoate with KOH in EtOH furnishes methyl 12-hydroxy-9-octadecynoate (66%) within 15 min. Hydration of the latter under ultrasound with mercury(II)acetate in aqueous tetrahydrofuran yields exclusively methyl 12-hydroxy-9-oxo-octadecanoate (95%) in 30 min. The hydroxy group in the latter compound is transformed to the azido function via the mesylate, and treatment of the azido-oxo intermediate (methyl 12-azido-9-oxooctadecanoate) with Ph3P under ultrasonic irradiation furnishes the requisite 1-pyrroline fatty acid ester (77%). The same azido-oxo intermediate has also been obtained by the oxidation of methyl 12-azido-9-cis-octadecenoate using benzoquinone and a catalytic amount of Pd(II)chloride in aqueous tetrahydrofuran under concomitant ultrasonic irradiation (90 min) to give the product in 45% yield. The latter reaction does not take place even under prolonged silent stirring of the reaction mixture.

Transformations of hydroxy cyclic sulfates: stereospecific conversion into 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans

1,2-Cyclic sulfates have been prepared from O-protected ricinoleate and ricinelaidate esters. Upon deprotection of the 12-hydroxy moiety, the resulting 12-hydroxy-9,10-cyclic sulfates underwent stereospecific cyclization to the corresponding 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans. The cyclization occurs by backside attack of the hydroxy oxygen on the distal carbon of the 1,2-cyclic sulfate, with inversion at that center.

Preparation and properties of gem-dichlorocyclopropane derivatives of long-chain fatty esters

Methyl oleate (18:1) and linoleate (18:2) were readily transformed to the corresponding gem-dichlorocyclopropane derivatives in high yield, using triethylbenzylammonium chloride as the phase-transfer catalyst in the presence of aqueous NaOH and CHCl3. Reaction of dichlorocarbene with methyl 12-hydroxystearate furnished methyl 12-chlorostearate (49%) and 12-O-formylstearate (19%). The hydroxy group in methyl ricinoleate was protected (O-tetrahydropyran-2'-yl) prior to dichlorocyclopropanation of the ethylenic bond. Removal of the protecting group allowed the hydroxy group to be converted to a chloride, O-acetyl, azido or O-formyl function. Treatment of methyl ricinoleate with thionyl chloride, followed by the reaction with dichlorocarbene gave the corresponding 12-chloro-dichlorocyclopropane derivative. The dichlorocyclopropane derivative of oleic acid was transformed to a C19 allenic fatty acid when treated with t-butyl lithium. However, the remaining dichlorocyclopropane derivatives containing an additional functional group in the alkyl chain, failed to yield the corresponding allenic derivatives. All derivatives were characterized by a combination of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques, including infrared, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and 13C NMR spectroscopy.