Development of a Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Method for Quantifying Nitrogen-Heterocyclic Volatile Aroma Compounds: Application to Spirit and Wood Matrices

Over wood aging, matured spirits developed a complex aromatic bouquet where roasted-like notes were often perceived. Since many nitrogen heterocycles were related to these olfactory nuances, a headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed and validated to quantify them in both spirit and wood matrices. The various parameters affecting the extraction of the analytes from both spirit and wood samples were first investigated (i.e., fiber coating phase, dilution, pH and volume sample, adding salt, extraction time and temperature, and incubation time) to determine the best compromise for a single-run analysis of the whole set of studied compounds. Good linearity (R² > 0.99), repeatability, reproducibility, accuracy and low detection, and quantification limits were obtained, making this analytical method a suitable tool for routine analysis of the selected nitrogen compounds. Fifteen pyrazines, three pyrroles, and three quinolines were quantified in a series of oak wood and commercial spirit samples where some of them were identified for the first time. The significant impact of some barrel features and the spirit in-wood maturation step on the N-heterocycle profile in both matrices were finally discussed.

Cytotoxic Sesquiterpenoid Quinones and Quinols, and an 11-Membered Heterocycle, Kauamide, from the Hawaiian Marine Sponge Dactylospongia elegans

Several known sesquiterpenoid quinones and quinols (1-9), and kauamide (10), a new polyketide-peptide containing an 11-membered heterocycle, were isolated from the extracts of the Hawaiian marine sponge Dactylospongia elegans. The planar structure of 10 was determined from spectroscopic analyses, and its relative and absolute configurations were established from density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the GIAO NMR shielding tensors, and advanced Marfey's analysis of the N-MeLeu residue, respectively. Compounds 1 and 3 showed moderate inhibition of β-secretase 1 (BACE1), whereas 1-9 exhibited moderate to potent inhibition of growth of human glioma (U251) cells. Compounds 1-2 and 4-7 were also active against human pancreatic carcinoma (Panc-1) cells.

Facile synthesis of magnetic zinc metal-organic framework for extraction of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic fungicides from lettuce vegetable samples

We present a simple method for the fabrication of a magnetic amino-functionalized zinc metal-organic framework based on a magnetic graphene oxide composite. The resultant framework exhibited a porous 3D structure, high surface area and good adsorption properties for nitrogen-containing heterocyclic fungicides. The adsorption process and capacity indicated that the primary adsorption mechanism might be hydrogen bonding and π-π conjugation. In addition, an optimized protocol for magnetic solid phase extraction was developed (such as adsorbent content, pH, and desorption solvent), and utilized for the extraction of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic fungicides from vegetable samples. Quantitation by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry offered a detection limit of 0.21-1.0 μg/L (S/N = 3) with correlation coefficients larger than 0.9975. These results demonstrate that magnetic amino-functionalized zinc metal-organic framewor is a promising adsorbent for the extraction and quantitation of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic fungicides.

Subcritical Water Chromatography with Electrochemical Detection

Reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) is a commonly used separation and analysis technique. RPLC typically employs mixtures of organic solvents and water or aqueous buffers as the mobile phase. With RPLC being used on a global scale, enormous quantities of organic solvents are consumed every day. In addition to the purchasing cost of the hazardous solvents, the issue of waste disposal is another concern. At ambient temperature, water is too polar to dissolve many organic substances. Therefore, although water is nontoxic it cannot be used to replace the mobile phase in RPLC since organic analytes will not be eluted. Subcritical water chromatography may be an alternative. The characteristics of water, such as polarity, surface tension, and viscosity, can be altered by manipulating water’s temperature, thus making it behave like an organic solvent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of separation using water mobile phase and detection by an electrochemical (EC) detector. The classes of analytes studied were neurotransmitters/metabolites, nucleic acids/heterocyclic bases, and capsaicinoids. Both isothermal and temperature-programmed separations were carried out. The separation temperature ranged from 25 to 100 °C. For separations of all three classes of solutes, the retention time was decreased with increasing temperature, thus shortening the analysis time. The peaks also became narrower as temperature increased. The limit of detection of neurotransmitters/metabolites ranges from 0.112 to 0.224 ppm.

O-heterocyclic derivatives with antibacterial properties from marine bacterium Bacillus subtilis associated with seaweed, Sargassum myriocystum

The brown seaweed, Sargassum myriocystum associated with heterotrophic bacterium, Bacillus subtilis MTCC 10407 (JF834075) exhibited broad-spectra of potent antibacterial activities against pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. B. subtilis MTCC 10407 was found to be positive for polyketide synthetase (pks) gene, and therefore, was considered to characterize secondary metabolites bearing polyketide backbone. Using bioassay-guided fractionation, two new antibacterial O-heterocyclic compounds belonging to pyranyl benzoate analogs of polyketide origin, with activity against pathogenic bacteria, have been isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of B. subtilis MTCC 10407. In the present study, the secondary metabolites of B. subtilis MTCC 10407 with potent antibacterial action against bacterial pathogens was recognized to represent the platform of pks-1 gene-encoded products. Two homologous compounds 3 (3-(methoxycarbonyl)-4-(5-(2-ethylbutyl)-5,6-dihydro-3-methyl-2H-pyran-2-yl)-butyl benzoate) and 4 [2-(8-butyl-3-ethyl-3,4,4a,5,6,8a-hexahydro-2H-chromen-6-yl)-ethyl benzoate] also have been isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of host seaweed S. myriocystum. The two compounds isolated from ethyl acetate extract of S. myriocystum with lesser antibacterial properties shared similar structures with the compounds purified from B. subtilis that suggested the ecological and metabolic relationship between these compounds in seaweed-bacterial relationship. Tetrahydropyran-2-one moiety of the tetrahydropyrano-[3,2b]-pyran-2(3H)-one system of 1 might be cleaved by the metabolic pool of seaweeds to afford methyl 3-(dihydro-3-methyl-2H-pyranyl)-propanoate moiety of 3, which was found to have no significant antibacterial activity. It is therefore imperative that the presence of dihydro-methyl-2H-pyran-2-yl propanoate system is essentially required to impart the greater activity. The direct involvement of polarisability (Pl) with the target bioactivity in 2 implied that inductive (field/polar) rather than the steric effect (parachor) appears to be the key factor influencing the induction of antibacterial activity. The present work may have a footprint on the use of novel O-heterocyclic polyketide products from seaweed-associated bacterium for biotechnological, food, and pharmaceutical applications mainly as novel antimicrobial secondary metabolites.

Simultaneous Quantitation of Free Amino Acids, Nucleosides and Nucleobases in Sipunculus nudus by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

To evaluate the nutritional and functional value of Sipunculus nudus, a rapid, simple and sensitive analytical method was developed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass detection in multiple-reaction monitoring mode for the simultaneous quantitative determination of 25 free amino acids and 16 nucleosides and nucleobases in S. nudus within 20 min, which was confirmed to be reproducible and accurate. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) were between 0.003–0.229 μg/mL and 0.008–0.763 μg/mL for the 41 analytes, respectively. The established method was applied to analyze 19 batches of S. nudus samples from four habitats with two different processing methods. The results showed that S. nudus contained a variety of free amino acids, nucleosides and nucleobases in sufficient quantity and reasonable proportion. They also demonstrated that the contents of these compounds in different parts of S. nudus were significantly discriminating, which were in the order: (highest) coelomic fluid > body wall > intestine (lowest). The method is simple and accurate, and could serve as a technical support for establishing quality control of S. nudus and other functional seafoods. Moreover, the research results also laid foundation for further exploitation and development of S. nudus.

A Complementary Study of Mechanisms and Behaviors in Chromatography via Modeling

Evolution in preparation of chromatographic columns has created the need for studying and evaluating them with the use of smart software. This research is an attempt to compare the retention mechanism between two stationary phases (butyl and phenyl) with the use of multivariate analysis for a large number of probes. Partial least squares has the ability to spot either major or minor differences in the chromatographic behavior of probes, with regard to changes in the stationary or mobile phases. The models developed refer to a total of 108 miscellaneous chemical compounds, described by 63 X variables (physicochemical properties and structural features) and one Y variable (retention time). The results showed that in both columns and mobile phases (40% methanol or 40% acetonitrile) the retention of an analyte is mainly affected by its lipophilicity, molar volume, and refractivity, which tend to cause delayed elution. On the contrary, solubility in water, polar surface area, and hydrogen bond donor or acceptor properties promote faster elution. The most important difference proved to be the effect of the presence of the carboxylic group and the solubility that affected the retention in a similar way in both columns but not with both mobile phases.

Bioassay-guided isolation of DPP-4 inhibitory fractions from extracts of submerged cultured of Inonotus obliquus

Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal mushroom used in Russian and Eastern European folk medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that the mycelium powders of I. obliquus possess significant antihyperglycemic effects in a mouse model of diabetic disease induced by alloxan. However, the active ingredients of mycelium powders responsible for the diabetes activity have not been identified. This study aims to identify the active ingredients of I. obliquus mycelium powders by a bioassay-guided fractionation approach and explore the mechanism of action of these active ingredients by using a well-established DPP-4 (an important enzyme as a new therapeutic target for diabetes) inhibitory assay model. The results showed the chloroform extract of mycelium was potential inhibitory against DPP-4. Bioactivity guided fractionation led to the identification of 19 compounds using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Molecular docking between the compounds and DPP-4 revealed that compounds 5, 8, 9, 14, 15 may be the active components responsible for the DPP-4 inhibitory activity.

Cytotoxic and antioxidant compounds from the stem bark of Goniothalamus tapisoides Mat Salleh

Eleven compounds:goniomicin A (1), goniomicin B (2), goniomicin C (3), goniomicin D (4), tapisoidin (5), goniothalamin (6), 9-deoxygoniopypyrone (7), pterodondiol (8), liriodenine (9), benzamide (10) and cinnamic acid (11), were isolated from the stem bark of Goniothalamus tapisoides. All compounds were identified by spectroscopic analysis and, for known compounds, by comparison with published data. Goniothalamin (6) exhibited mild cytotoxic activity towards a colon cancer cell line (HT-29), with an IC(50)value of 64.17 ± 5.60 µM. Goniomicin B (2) give the highest antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay among all compounds tested, with an IC(50) of 0.207 µM.

[New-type electrodeless excilamp for advanced treatment on nitrogen-heterocyclic compounds (NHCs) in aqueous solution]

A novel 206 nm excilamp generated by microwave-driven Kr/I2 mixtures was employed for nitrogen-heterocyclic compounds (NHCs) degradation in aqueous solution. The photodissociation efficiencies of indole and quinoline with 206 nm excilamp were estimated on the basis of removal efficiency of targeted compounds and the loss of total organic carbon (TOC). The results indicated that removal efficiency of 20 mg x L(-1) indole was as high as 62.0% after 80 min and TOC loss efficiency of 50.7% for 150 min. The irradiation time, initial concentration and pH value had some influences on quinoline degradation. Indole removal efficiency and TOC loss was markedly higher than that of quinoline under the same condition. The intermediates were identified qualitatively by gas chromatography/mass spectrum (GC/MS) with headspace sampling after they were extracted by rotary evaporator. GC/MS analysis indicated that indole and quinoline underwent ring-open dissociation under 206 nm irradiation, as a result, benzene, xylene, acetate, aldehyde, as well as ester compounds were formed, while indole aggregation reaction occurred during indole photodegradation. At last, degradation mechanisms of quinoline and indole in aqueous media with 206 nm excilamp were proposed on the basis of intermediates.

Antifungal metabolites from fungal endophytes of Pinus strobus

The extracts of five foliar fungal endophytes isolated from Pinus strobus (eastern white pine) that showed antifungal activity in disc diffusion assays were selected for further study. From these strains, the aliphatic polyketide compound 1 and three related sesquiterpenes 2-4 were isolated and characterized. Compound 2 is reported for the first time as a natural product and the E/Z conformational isomers 3 and 4 were hitherto unknown. Additionally, the three known macrolides; pyrenophorol (5), dihydropyrenophorin (6), and pyrenophorin (7) were isolated and identified. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including 2D NMR, HRMS and by comparison to literature data where available. The isolated compounds 1, 2, and 5 were antifungal against both the rust Microbotryum violaceum and Saccharomyces cerevisae.

Maleimido-functionalized NOTA derivatives as bifunctional chelators for site-specific radiolabeling

Two basic and simple synthetic routes for mono- and bis-maleimide bearing 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N’,N’’-triacetic acid (NOTA) chelators as new bifunctional chelators are described. The syntheses are characterized by their simplicity and short reaction times, as well as practical purification methods and acceptable to very good chemical yields. The usefulness of these two synthetic pathways is demonstrated by the preparation of a set of mono- and bis-maleimide functionalized NOTA derivatives. In conclusion, these two methods can easily be expanded to the syntheses of further tailored maleimide-NOTA chelators for diverse applications.

Pretreatment of heterocyclic pesticide wastewater using ultrasonic/ozone combined process

Ultrasonic/O3 combined process was employed to pretreat heterocyclic pesticide wastewater for increasing biodegradability and reducing biological toxicity. Influences of ultrasonic frequency, ultrasonic power, probe diameter, initial pH and O3 dosage on the COD removal were studied. The results showed that the ultrasonic/O3 process significantly improved the biodegradability and reduced the biological toxicity of the wastewater. The ratio of BOD5/COD was increased from 0.03 to 0.55 and the EC50 increased from 11% to 52% under ultrasonic/O3 treatment. Low ultrasonic frequency brought better COD removal. Initial pH was found to have a high influence on the COD removal and alkaline conditions were more favorable. The influences of ultrasonic power and probe diameter were small. With an increase in O3 dosage, COD removal was effectively improved. The optimal operational parameters for the combined process on COD removal were ultrasonic frequency 20 kHz, initial pH 9.00, ultrasonic power 300 W and dosage of O3 454.8 mg/(L min), under which the efficiency of COD removal reached 67.2%.

Separation and identification of heterocyclic nitrogen compounds in biooil derived by fast pyrolysis of chicken manure

N-heterocyclics were separated from a biooil, generated by the pyrolysis of chicken manures by column chromatography over neutral alumina and silica, and identified by Pyrolysis Field Ionization Mass Spectrometry (Py-FIMS) and Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS). Identities of chemical structures, whose presence was indicated by ESI-MS, were confirmed by comparing the Collision-Induced Dissociations (CID's) mass spectra of unknown and standards. The following seven base structures were identified: pyrazine, benzoquinoline, carbazole, phenylpyridine, indole, pyrazole and pyridine. Available hydrogens bonded to ring carbons and nitrogens on the seven N-heterocyclics were increasingly substituted by alkyl groups, mainly methylene groups (m/z 14) to yield mono-, di-, tri- methyl N-heterocyclics. In some instances, longer alkyl chains, such as ethyl, propyl, up to heptyl groups were the substituents.

Some heterocyclic azo dyes derived from thiazolyl derivatives; synthesis; substituent effects and solvatochromic studies

A series of azo disperse dyes were synthesized by coupling reaction of N,N-diethylaniline, 2-anilinoethanol and N-phenyl-2,2'-iminodiethanol with diazotized aminothiazolyl derivatives as diazo components. These dyes have been prepared in good yields, and were characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The effects of solvent polarity and various pH on dyes in the visible absorption spectra were evaluated. All dyes exhibit an excellent correlation coefficient (r>0.92) for the linear solvation energy relationship with π* values calculated by Kamlet et al. The influence of the pH on the dyes with electron-donating group implied that these dyes exist in acid-base equilibrium in acidic environment. The effect of substituents of both coupler and diazo component on the color of dyes was investigated as well.

Chemical epigenetics alters the secondary metabolite composition of guttate excreted by an atlantic-forest-soil-derived Penicillium citreonigrum

Chemical epigenetic manipulation of Penicillium citreonigrum led to profound changes in the secondary metabolite profile of its guttate. While guttate from control cultures exhibited a relatively simple assemblage of secondary metabolites, the guttate collected from cultures treated with 50 muM 5-azacytidine (a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor) was highly enriched in compounds representing at least three distinct biosynthetic families. The metabolites obtained from the fungus included six azaphilones (sclerotiorin (1), sclerotioramine (6), ochrephilone (2), dechloroisochromophilone III (3), dechloroisochromophilone IV (4), and 6-((3E,5E)-5,7-dimethyl-2-methylenenona-3,5-dienyl)-2,4-dihydroxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde (5)), pencolide (7), and two new meroterpenes (atlantinones A and B (9 and 10, respectively)). While pencolide was detected in the exudates of both control and 5-azacytidine-treated cultures, all of the other natural products were found exclusively in the guttates of the epigenetically modified fungus. All of the metabolites from the P. citreonigrum guttate were tested for antimicrobial activity in a disk diffusion assay. Both sclerotiorin and sclerotioramine caused modest inhibition of Staphylococcus epidermidis growth; however, only sclerotioramine was active against a panel of Candida strains.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of rhizoma of Coniogramme japonica]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of Rhizoma of Coniogramme japonica.

METHODS

The Rhizome of C. japonica were extracted with ethanol and the chemical constituents were separated by chromatography technique, and their structures were determined by spectral analysis.

RESULTS

Six compounds were isolated and identified as butyl 2-formyl-5-butoxymethyl-1 H-pyrrole-1-butanoate (1), pterolactam (2), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (3), methyl linoleate (4), trilinolein (5), dehydrovomifoliol (6).

CONCLUSION

All compounds are isolated from the genus for the first time, and the compound 1 is a new compound.

Isolation of a C5-deprotonated imidazolium, a crystalline "abnormal" N-heterocyclic carbene

The discovery two decades ago of metal-free stable carbenes, especially imidazol-2-ylidenes [N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs)], has led to numerous breakthroughs in organic and organometallic catalysis. More recently, a small range of complexes has been prepared in which alternative NHC isomers, namely imidazol-5-ylidenes (also termed abnormal NHCs or aNHCs, because the carbene center is no longer located between the two nitrogens), coordinate to a transition metal. Here we report the synthesis of a metal-free aNHC that is stable at room temperature, both in the solid state and in solution. Calculations show that the aNHC is more basic than its normal NHC isomer. Because the substituent at the carbon next to the carbene center is a nonbulky phenyl group, a variety of substitution patterns should be tolerated without precluding the isolation of the corresponding aNHC.

[Studies on chemical constituents from seed of Psoralea corylifolia]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of Psoralea corylifolia.

METHOD

Chromatographic methods were used to separate compounds, and spectroscopic methods were used to determine the structures.

RESULT

Five compounds were isolated and identified as furano (2", 3", 7, 6)-4'-hydroxyflavanone (1), psoralidin (2), genistein (3), psoralen (4), isopsoralen (5).

CONCLUSION

Compounds 1 was a new compound named psoraleflavanone. And 13C-NMR data of compound 2 were assined for the first time.

Development of a groundwater biobarrier for the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, BTEX, and heterocyclic hydrocarbons

A full scale funnel-and-gate biobarrier has been developed for the removal of tar oil pollutants at an abandoned tar factory site near the city of Offenbach, Germany. Laboratory and on-site column studies were done to determine the operation parameters for microbiological clean-up of the groundwater polluted with 12,000 microg/L mono- aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and the xylenes, 4,800 microg/L polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as naphthalene and acenaphthene, and 4,700 microg/L heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzofuran and benzothiophene. In the laboratory study, a residence time of approx. 70 h proved to be sufficient for aerobic pollutant biodegradation. Up to 180 mg/L H(2)O(2) were added and did not lead to any toxic effects to the degrading bacteria. The feasibility of the concept was confirmed in an on-site pilot study performed with a sedimentation tank (removal of ferric iron) and two bioreactors. In the bioreactors, >99.3% of the pollutants were degraded. Biodegradation activity corresponded to a significant increase in numbers of pollutant degrading bacteria. In the bioreactors, a fast dissociation of H(2)O(2) was observed resulting in losses of oxygen and temporary gas clogging. Therefore, a repeated addition of moderate concentrations of H(2)O(2) proved to be more favourable than the addition of high concentrations at a single dosing port. The full scale biobarrier consists of three separated bioreactors thus enabling extended control and access to the reactors. The operation of the funnel-and-gate biobarrier started in April 2007, and represents the first biological permeable reactive barrier with extended control (EC-PRB) in Germany.

Total synthesis of antheliolide A

The first synthesis of the structurally unique marine natural product antheliolide A (1) has been accomplished by the pathway outlined in Scheme 1. The sequence is stereocontrolled and has led to the synthesis of (+/-)-1, and ent-1 as well as 1. The route contains a number of noteworthy or novel steps including (1) formation of the mixed acetal 7, (2) the diastereoselective bicyclization to form 8 in which stereocenters are correctly established at each carbon of the four-membered ring, (3) the chain extension 8 --> 11, (4) the efficient closure of the nine-membered ring of 12, (5) the mild oxidative cleavage sequence 14 --> 17, and (6) the successful and quick formation of the last three rings of 1 from aldehyde 17 via 18. The synthesis of 1 has also resulted in the clarification of its absolute configuration, which had not been determined previously.

Cell-adhesion Inhibitors Produced by a Sea Hare-derived Periconia sp

Peribysin J and macrosphelide M have been isolated from a strain of Periconia byssoides originally isolated from the sea hare Aplysia kurodai. Their absolute stereostructures have been elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D NMR techniques and some chemical transformations including the modified Mosher's method. These fungal metabolites inhibited the adhesion of human-leukemia HL-60 cells to human-umbilical-vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of heterocyclic amines in food

A new ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed to perform the determination of 16 mutagenic heterocyclic amines (HAs) in complex food samples in less than 2 min. The UPLC separation was carried out using an Acquity BEH C18 column (50 mm x 2.1 mm i.d., 1.7 microm particle size) that provided high efficiency and resolution in combination with high linear velocities. The UPLC system was coupled to the triple quadrupole Waters Micromass Quattro Premier. This system permits high-speed data acquisition without peak intensity degradation which is required to monitor the narrow chromatographic peaks (1-2 s) of HAs. The determination was performed in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The quality parameters of the developed method were established, obtaining instrumental LODs lower than 0.23 pg injected and a repeatability at low concentration level lower than 9.1% CV (n = 6). To evaluate the performance of the method in high throughput analysis of complex samples, the UPLC-MS/MS method was applied to the analysis of HAs in two meat extracts.

Isolation of bioactive natural products from myxomycetes

The Myxomycetes (true slime molds) are an unusual group of primitive organisms that may be assigned to one of the lowest classes of eukaryotes. As their fruit bodies are very small and it is very difficult to collect much quantity of slime molds, few studies have been made on the chemistry of myxomycetes. Cultivation of the plasmodium of myxomycetes in a practical scale for natural products chemistry studies is known only for very limited species. Here is described a review on the recent results on isolation of bioactive natural products from myxomycetes obtained in these two years in the laboratories. Spore germination experiments were studied of hundreds of field-collected myxomycetes collected in Japan and succeeded in laboratory culture of plasmodia of several myxomycetes in a practical scale for natural products chemistry studies. As a result, pyrroloiminoquinones, polyene yellow pigments, and a peptide lactone from cultured plasmodia of Didymium iridis, Physarum rigidum and P. melleum, respectively were isolated. New naphthoquinone pigments, cycloanthranilylprolines, tyrosine-kinase inhibitory bisindoles, and a cytotoxic triterpenoid aldehyde lactone were also isolated from field-collected fruit bodies of Cribraria purpurea, Fuligo candida, Tubifera casparyi, and Tubifera dimorphotheca, respectively.

Development of dinitrophenylated cyclodextrin derivatives for enhanced enantiomeric separations by high-performance liquid chromatography

The synthesis and evaluation of new dinitrophenyl (DNP) substituted beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for the enantioseparation of various classes of chiral analytes by HPLC are presented. The dinitrophenyl substituted beta-CD derivatives are synthesized and covalently bonded to functionalized 5 microm spherical porous silica gel. These are the first reported derivatized cyclodextrin which contains pi-electron deficient substituents (i.e., pi-acidic moieties). The column performance in terms of their ability to separate enantiomers is evaluated. A variety of different dinitro-substituted aryl groups are investigated and compared. The pH of the mobile phase buffers, the buffer composition, the number and position of the dinitro groups on the phenyl ring substituent, the degree of substitution, and the bonding strategy all greatly affect the performance of the CSPs. A large variety of racemic compounds have been separated successfully on these CSPs. The bonded dinitrophenyl-derivatized cyclodextrins are stable in all three mobile phase modes, namely, the reversed-phase, polar organic, and normal phase modes. No degradation in column performance was observed in any mode of operation even after more than 1000 injections. The analytical applicability of these types of CSPs for enantiomeric separations is discussed in detail.

Formation of Mutagenic/Carcinogenic Heterocyclic Amines under Moderate Conditions

More than 10 kinds of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), showing mutagenic and carcinogenic potency, have been isolated from cooked fish and meat. But many researchers say that the contribution ratio of HCAs to human cancer is very low. Our purpose in this experiment was to investigate the possibility of the formation of HCAs under moderate conditions, including in vivo. A mixture of d-glucose, creatinine, and amino acid such as glycine, methionine, threonine, and proline was dissolved in phosphate-buffered solution (pH7.4) and incubated at 37 degrees C, 50 degrees C, 128 degrees C. At an appropriate time, an aliquot of the reaction solution was treated with blue cotton. HCAs were separated from the blue cotton by elution with 2% ammoniacal methanol. The eluates were submitted to the Ames test, the micronucleus test for determination of mutagenicity, and also LC-MS analysis for the detection of HCAs. Nonadsorbates to blue cotton were treated with dichloromethane and then subjected to the mutagenicity test. In the Ames test, the mutagenic activity of the reaction mixture increased with an increase of the reaction temperature. The HCA fraction from 50 degrees C incubated solution showed high frequency in the micronucleus test using HepG2 cells. The dichloromethane fractions contained other type of mutagens different from HCAs. In HCA fractions, IQ, MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, and 7,8-DiMeIQ were identified. It is said that the heating process is an essential factor in the formation of HCAs. But our experiment shows that HCAs are produced not only in the cooking process, but also in moderate conditions such as 37 degrees C and 50 degrees C.

[Chemical components of root exudates from allelopathic rice accession PI312777 seedlings]

In this study, allelopathic rice accession PI312777 seedlings were grown on a paddy soil under near natural condition, and their root exudates were collected by using circulation method, with the solution collected from no seedlings- planted soil as the control. The ether extracts of the root exudates and soil solution were detected by GC-MS, and identified with the mass spectral database of NIST and WILEY Library. The results showed that there were 36 compounds in the rice root exudates, including 9 terpenoids (peak area 10.97%), 8 phenols or quinones (5.87%), 6 esters (10.68%), 3 aldehydes or ketones (1.44%), 4 heterocycles (68.04%), 2 alcohols (1.23%), 2 ethers (0.57%), and 2 others (1.20%). A distinctly similar structure was observed among the terpenoids and among the phenols or quinones. In the soil solution, 39 compounds were detected, and 7 of them were the same of the root exudates. The difference of the compounds in rice root exudates and soil solution, and the possible allelopathic mechanisms of these compounds were discussed in this paper.

Investigation of the separation of heterocyclic aromatic amines by reversed phase ion-pair liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry: The role of ion pair reagents on LC–MS/MS sensitivity

Reversed phase ion-pair chromatography (RP-IPC) of seven heterocyclic aromatic amines encompassing quinoline (IQ, MeIQ), quinoxaline (MeIQx), pyridine (PhIP) and carboline derivatives (AalphaC, Harman, Norharman) was carried out with formate as counter ion in an aqueous eluent with acetonitrile as organic modifier. TSKgel ODS-80TS was used as the stationary phase. With the aim of acquiring a better insight into the mutual influence of ion-pair reagent and the organic modifier upon solute retention, the study was performed by using an experimental design approach able to evidencing the effect of the simultaneous variation of the two factors. A model for the chromatographic behavior of the amines is proposed that includes classical ion-pair mechanism involving formate in the case of MeIQx, PhIP, Harman and Norharman. A competitive ion-exchange mechanism was hypothesized to govern retention of quinoline compounds, whereas electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bond formation with the silanols of the stationary phase were judged to be responsible for the retention of AalphaC. Further, the chromatographic behavior of the analytes using the formic acid-ammonium formate buffer in the mobile phase was compared with that observed using acetic acid-ammonium acetate buffer. The method based on the use of RP IPC with tandem mass spectrometry when the eluent contained formate buffer at pH 2.8 exhibited higher detectability with respect to that achieved using the acetate buffer.

FR177391, A New Anti-hyperlipidemic Agent from Serratia

In the course of screening for a new anti-hyperlipidemic agent from microbial products, we found that FR177391, produced by Serratia liquefaciens No. 1821, alleviated the decrease in lipid droplet formation in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells, induced by the addition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Structural elucidation by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallographic analysis of its propylamide derivative revealed that FR177391 was a chlorinated macrocyclic lactone.

Artificial neural network prediction of retention factors of some benzene derivatives and heterocyclic compounds in micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A 5-4-1 artificial neural network (ANN) was constructed and trained for prediction of the retention factors of some benzene derivatives and heterocyclic compounds in micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) based on quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR). The inputs of this network are theoretically derived descriptors that were chosen by the stepwise variable selection techniques. These descriptors are: molecular surface area, maximum value of electron density on atom in molecule, path four connectivity index, average molecular weight, and sum of atomic polarizability which were selected by using stepwise multiple linear regression as a feature selection technique. The standard errors of training, test, and validation sets for the ANN model are 0.091, 0.119, and 0.114, respectively. Results obtained showed that nonlinear model can simulate the relationship between the structural descriptors and the retention factors of the molecules in data set accurately. Also the appearance of these descriptors in QSPR models reveals the role of electronic and steric interactions in solute retention in MEKC.

Fate of endocrine-disruptor, pharmaceutical, and personal care product chemicals during simulated drinking water treatment processes

The potential occurrence of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) as well as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in drinking water supplies raises concern over the removal of these compounds by common drinking water treatment processes. Three drinking water supplies were spiked with 10 to 250 ng/L of 62 different EDC/ PPCPs; one model water containing an NOM isolate was spiked with 49 different EDC/PPCPs. Compounds were detected by LC/MS/MS or GC/MS/MS. These test waters were subjected to bench-scale experimentation to simulate individual treatment processes in a water treatment plant (WTP). Aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride coagulants or chemical lime softening removed some polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) but removed <25% of most other EDC/ PPCPs. Addition of 5 mg/L of powder activated carbon (PAC) with a 4-h contact time removed 50% to >98% of GC/ MS/MS compounds (more volatile) and 10% to >95% of LC/ MS/MS compounds (more polar); higher PAC dosages improved EDC/PPCP removal. EDC/PPCP percentage removal was independent of the initial compound concentration. Octanol-water partition coefficients served as a reasonable indicator of compound removal under controlled PAC test conditions, except for EDC/PPCPs that were protonated or deprotonated at the test pH and some that contained heterocyclic or aromatic nitrogen. Separate chlorine or ozone experiments decreased the EDC/PPCP initial concentration by <10% to >90%; EDC/PPCPs were likely transformed to oxidation byproducts. Ozone oxidized steroids containing phenolic moieties (estradiol, ethynylestradiol, or estrone) more efficiently than those without aromatic or phenolic moieties (androstenedione, progesterone, and testosterone). EDC/PPCP reactivity with oxidants were separated into three general groups: (1) compounds easily oxidized (>80% reacted) by chlorine are always oxidized at least as efficiently by ozone; (2) 6 of the -60 compounds (TCEP, BHC, chlordane, dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, musk ketone) were poorly oxidized (<20% reacted) by chlorine or ozone; (3) compounds (24 of 60) reacting preferentially (higher removals) with ozone rather than chlorine. Conventional treatment (coagulation plus chlorination) would have low removal of many EDC/PPCPs, while addition of PAC and/or ozone could substantially improve their removals. Existing strategies that predict relative removals of herbicides, pesticides, and other organic pollutants by activated carbon or oxidation can be directly applied for the removal of many EDC/PPCPs, but these strategies need to be modified to account for charged (protonated bases or deprotonated acids) and aliphatic species. Some compounds (e.g., DEET, ibuprofen, gemfibrozil) had low removals unless ozonation was used. Other compounds had low removals by all the WTP processes considered (atrazine, iopromide, meprobamate, TCEP), and removal processes capable of removing these types of compounds should be investigated.

Nitrogen-containing compounds from Salvia miltiorrhiza

Five new N-containing compounds, neosalvianen (1), salvianen (2), salvianan (3), salviadione (4), and 5-(methoxymethyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (5), were isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza. Their structures were mainly established by spectroscopic methods. Neosalvianen (1) and its analogues (6a, 6b) were synthesized for spectroscopic data comparison. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 6a were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against selected cancer cell lines. Among these components, salvianen (2) exhibited the most potent cytotoxicity with a CD50 range of 30.4-39.5 microM against HeLa (cervical epitheloid carcinoma), HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma), and OVCAR-3 (ovarian adenocarcinoma) cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. The cytotoxicities of the tested compounds were not specific and showed similar activities to the selected cancer cell lines.

Macrocycles rapidly produced by multiple multicomponent reactions including bifunctional building blocks (MiBs)

Naturally occurring macrocycles often exhibit remarkable biological activities and, therefore, constitute an attractive starting point for diversity-oriented synthesis for lead discovery in drug development. Multicomponent reactions have been used for the introduction of chemical diversity in strategies towards macrocycle libraries, mostly by combinational synthesis of a linear precursor combined with a subsequent macrocyclization reaction. The Ugi reaction in particular may be used for the macrocyclization itself as well, and a library of natural product-like macrocycles can be constructed in a single step from simple precursors. The efficiency and versatility of both strategies is immense and is exemplarily illustrated by the construction of small libraries of cyclopeptide alkaloid derivatives and biaryl ether macrocycles. The syntheses of the latter compound group are examples of multiple multicomponent macrocyclizations including bifunctional building blocks (M3iB3 or MiB), of which the Ugi-MiBs and their variations are discussed in more detail.

Novel dammarane-type glycosides from Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Three new dammarane glycosides (1-3), together with five known compounds, gypenoside LXIX (4), gylongiposide I (5), gypenoside XLVIII (6), allantion (7) and vitexin (8) were isolated from the MeOH extract of the aerial parts of Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Compounds 5, 7, and 8 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectra interpretation as well as by chemical degradation.

New natural products from the sponge-derived fungus Aspergillus niger

Fractionation of the EtOAc extract of a static culture of Aspergillus niger isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Axinella damicornis yielded eight secondary metabolites, out of which seven compounds (2-8) proved to be new natural products, whereas one was identified as the known fungal pigment cycloleucomelone (1). The new compounds included the 3,3'-bicoumarin bicoumanigrin (2), the structurally unusual 4-benzyl-1H-pyridin-6-one derivatives aspernigrins A and B (3 and 4), and pyranonigrins A-D (5-8), the latter featuring a novel pyrano[3,2-b]pyrrole skeleton hitherto unprecedented in nature. All structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic studies ((1)H, (13)C, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, NOE difference spectra) and mass spectral analysis. For the two chiral molecules 4 and 5, the absolute configurations were established by quantum chemical calculations of their circular dichroism (CD) spectra. In each case, two independent methods, i.e., a molecular dynamics approach taking into consideration the molecular flexibility, and a conformational analysis followed by Boltzmann weighting of the single CD spectra calculated for the conformers thus obtained, led to identical results without the need of any empirical comparison of chiroptical data reported for reference compounds. Bicoumanigrin (2) showed moderate cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines in vitro. In addition, aspernigrin B (4) was found to display a strong neuroprotective effect against glutamic acid.

Occupational Exposure to Aromatic Hydrocarbons at a Coke Plant: Part I. Identification of Hydrocarbons in Air and their Metabolites in Urine by a Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry Method

A method for the qualitative analysis of aromatic hydrocarbons in air and their various urinary metabolites is presented. The air was sampled in charcoal tubes and extracted with carbon disulfide. The hydrocarbons were identified as being aliphatic hydrocarbons (C(9)-C(19)), aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic compounds. The urinary metabolites after enzymatic hydrolysis were analyzed by solid-phase extraction with a styrene-divinylbenzene resin, silylation with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide and GC/MS for separation and detection. Satisfactory separation of all compounds investigated was achieved without interference due to matrix peaks. The following compounds were identified in the urine of workers: dimethylphenol isomers, 4-ethyl-1,3-benzenediol, 2-ethoxybenzoic acid and methoxyphenols. Trimethylsilyl derivatives of aromatic hydroxyacids and hydroxymethoxyacids were found in the urine of occupationally exposed workers by means of a silylation procedure.

Novel spirocyclic trichothecanes, spirotenuipesine A and B, isolated from entomopathogenic fungus, Paecilomyces tenuipes

Entomopathogenic fungi forming fruiting bodies have been employed as tonics and antitussives from ancient times. Paecilomyces tenuipes, which is also called Isaria japonica, is a very popular entomopathogenic fungus and is often considered a health food in northeast Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Japan. We cultivated the fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces tenuipes. Among the large-scale cultivations, fruiting body grown in barley grain contained two novel spirocyclic trichothecane derivatives, spirotenuipesine A (1) and B (2), and known trichothecane mycotoxins. Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent activity in neurotrophic factor biosynthesis in glial cells. The isolation of these compounds indicated that P. tenuipes is a promising source for producing various biologically active substances including trichothecanes. It is noteworthy that trichothecane mycotoxins are present in Paecilomyces tenuipes, which is typically used in medicinal health food.

Monolithic silica columns with chemically bonded ?-cyclodextrin as a stationary phase for enantiomer separations of chiral pharmaceuticals

An enantioselective silica rod type chiral stationary phase (CSP) is presented; a novel combination of the well known enantiomer separation properties of beta-cyclodextrin and the unique properties concerning the flow behavior of silica monoliths. Two different synthesis routes are described, and it was found that the in situ modification of a plain silica rod column turned out to be the best. The chromatographic behaviour of the beta-cyclodextrin silica rod was studied and compared with a very similar commercially available beta-cyclodextrin bonded particulate material (ChiraDex). Even if the amount of beta-cyclodextrin bound to the silica rod was only about half of the amount of beta-cyclodextrin bound to ChiraDex) particles, good resolutions were achieved for a set of chiral test components like Chromakalin, Prominal, Oxazepam, Methadone and some other drugs. By taking advantage of the unique features of the silica rods relating to their flat H/u (Van Deemter) curves, fast enantiomer separations could be demonstrated.

Phenolic and heterocyclic metabolite profiles of the grapevine pathogen Eutypa lata

The ascomycete Eutypa lata is the causative agent of eutypa dieback in grapevines, a serious economic problem in major wine grape producing areas. In order to develop a predictive, non-destructive assay for early detection of fungal infection, the phenolic metabolite profiles of 11 strains of E. lata grown on four different artificial growth media were analyzed by HPLC and their variability compared with growth on Cabernet Sauvignon grapevine wood and wood extracts. Six compounds were generally produced in significant amounts, namely eutypinol, eulatachromene, and eutypine and its benzofuran cyclization product, together with siccayne and eulatinol. The two most widely distributed and abundant metabolites were eutypinol and eulatachromene, which were present in 8 of the strains grown on grapewood aqueous extract fortified with sucrose. Metabolite production on grapevine extract was greatly enhanced relative to the artificial media, indicating that this native substrate provides optimal conditions and a more representative profile of the metabolites produced in the natural disease state. The primary metabolites were tested in a grapeleaf disc bioassay to establish their relative toxicity. Neither eutypinol nor siccayne were phytotoxic; eulatachromene, eulatinol, eutypine, and the benzofuran exhibited necrotic effects in the bioassay. The results indicate that eutypa dieback may be caused by several E. lata metabolites rather than a single compound.

Capillary electrochromatographic separation of enantiomers on chemically bonded type of cellulose derivative chiral stationary phases with a positively charged spacer

Positively charged chiral stationary phases (CSPs) were prepared for capillary electrochromatography (CEC) separation of enantiomers by chemically immobilizing cellulose derivatives onto diethylenetriaminopropylated silica (DEAPS) with tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) as a spacer reagent. Anodic electroosmotic mobility was observed in both nonaqueous and aqueous mobile phases due to the positively charged amines on the surface of the prepared CSPs. For comparison, the traditionally used 3-aminopropyl silica (APS) was also adopted as the base material instead of DEAPS to prepare CSP. It was observed that the EOF on the DEAPS-based CSP was 18%-60% higher than that on the APS-based CSP under nonaqueous mobile phase conditions. Separation of enantiomers in CEC was performed on the positively charged CSPs with the nonaqueous mobile phases of pure ethanol or mixture of hexane-alcohol and the aqueous phases of acetonitrile-water or 95% ethanol. Fast separation of enantiomers was achieved on the newly prepared CSPs.

Production of macrosphelide A by the mycoparasite Coniothyrium minitans

Coniothyrium minitans, a mycoparasite of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Sclerotium cepivorum, produced four closely related metabolites inhibitory to fungal growth. The major metabolite, identified as macrosphelide A, had IG(50) values (the concentration of metabolite to inhibit growth by 50%) of 46.6 and 2.9 microgram ml(-1) against S. sclerotiorum and S. cepivorum, respectively. This is the first report of both antifungal activity due to macrosphelide A as well as isolation of macrosphelide A from C. minitans.

Comparative enantioseparations with native beta-cyclodextrin and heptakis-(2-O-methyl- 3,6-di-O-sulfo)-beta-cyclodextrin in capillary electrophoresis

Twenty-three cationic chiral analytes were resolved in capillary electrophoresis using native beta-cyclodextrin and single isomer heptakis-(2-O-methyl-3,6-di-O-sulfo)-beta-cyclodextrin as chiral selectors. For 12 of 16 chiral analytes resolved with both chiral selectors the enantiomer migration order was opposite. In selected cases the structure of cyclodextrin-analyte complexes in aqueous solution was investigated using one-dimensional transverse rotating frame nuclear Overhauser and exchange spectroscopy. It was found that in contrast to mainly inclusion-type complexes between chiral analytes and beta-cyclodextrin, external complexes are formed between the chiral analytes and structurally crowded, highly charged heptakis-(2-O-methyl-3,6-di-O-sulfo)-beta-cyclodextrin.

Peroxynitrite scavenging activities of aromatic compounds isolated from Konnyaku, Amorphophallus konjac K.Koch

(+/-)-5,5'-Dimethoxysesamin, erythrinasinate, indole-3-carbaldehyde, (7R,8S)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, cis- and trans-N-(p-coumaroyl)serotonin, serotonin, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde have been found in tobiko, a food by-product, and evaluation of their peroxynitrite scavenging activities has been done. Among these compounds, serotonin, trans-N-(p-coumaroyl)serotonin, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid showed stronger activities than that of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) at 200 microM.

Isolation and biological activity of frankiamide

An antibiotic produced by the symbiotic actinomycete Frankia strain AiPs1 was isolated from culture broth using optimized thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. The novel compound that was isolated, dubbed frankiamide, displayed antimicrobial activity against all 14 Gram-positive bacterial strains and six pathogenic fungal strains tested. The pathogenic actinomycete Clavibacter michiganensis and the oomycete Phytophthora were especially susceptible. In addition to displaying antimicrobial activity, frankiamide also strongly inhibited 45Ca(2+) fluxes in clonal rat pituitary GH4C1 tumor cells and was comparable to a frequently used calcium antagonist, verapamil hydrochloride. The results of HPLC analysis, supported by both nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy studies, showed that frankiamide has a high affinity for Na(+) ions.

Use of vancomycin silica stationary phase in packed capillary electrochromatography I. Enantiomer separation of basic compounds

Chiral separation of basic compounds was achieved by using 75 or 100 microm ID fused-silica capillaries packed with a vanoomycin-modified diol silica stationary phase. The capillary was firstly packed for about 12 cm with a slurry mixture composed of diolsilica (3:1) then with the vancomycin modified diol-silica (3:1) (23 cm), and finally with diol-silica (3:1) for about 2 cm. Frits were prepared by a heating wire at the two ends of the capillary; the detector window was prepared at 8.5 cm from the end of the capillary where vancomycin was not present. The influence of the mobile phase composition (pH and concentration, organic modifier type and concentration) on the velocity of the electroosmotic flow, chiral resolution and enantioselectivity was studied. Good enantiomeric resolution was achieved for atenolol, oxprenolol, propranolol, and venlafaxine using a mobile phase composition of 100 mM ammonium acetate solution (pH 6)/water/acetonitrile (5:5:90 v/v/v) while for terbutaline a mixture of 5:15:80 v/v/v provided the best separations. The use of methanol instead of acetonitrile caused a general increase of enantiomer resolution of the studied compounds together with a reduction of efficiency and detector response. However, the combination of acetonitrile and methanol in the mobile phase (as, e.g., 10% methanol and 80% acetonitrile) allowed to improve the enantiomer resolution with satisfactory detector response.

Identification of new heterocyclic nitrogen compounds from glucose-lysine and xylose-lysine maillard model systems

Aqueous sugar (glucose or xylose)-lysine model systems were heated at 80 degrees C for 6 h with the pH maintained at a predetermined value (3, 4, or 5). Selected compounds were isolated by combinations of solvent extraction and semipreparative HPLC, prior to identification by NMR and mass spectrometry. Two compounds were identified from the pH 5 glucose system and were identified as epsilon-[2-formyl-5-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrole-1-yl]-L-norleucine (pyrraline) and the new compound, 1-(5-carboxy-5-aminopentyl)-2-formyl-3-(1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl)pyrrole. A third compound was partially characterized. 2-Acetyl-5-hydroxymethyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyridinone was identified in the pH 3 xylose system, and the new compound, 8-furan-2-yl-methyl-5-hydroxymethyl-5,6-dihydro-indolizine-1,7-dione, was identified in the pH 4 xylose system. 2-Furfurylidene-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone was identified in both xylose systems. Mechanisms of formation are proposed for the novel compounds.

Separation of heteroaromatic amines in food products

In recent years, many studies have dealt with the role of certain heteroaromatic amines (HAs) as mutagenic compounds, and their occurrence in foodstuffs. Here we examine the determination of HAs, focusing on the analytical strategies for their extraction and preconcentration from several matrices. We summarise the properties of heteroaromatic amines and the main drawbacks involved in their analysis, and then concentrate on the separation procedures, sorbents and solvents used in the sample treatment. We discuss the requirements of the analytical techniques and the strategies most frequently followed to achieve accurate results.