Direct production of L-tagatose from L-psicose by Enterobacter aerogenes 230S.

L-tagatose was produced directly from L-psicose by subjecting the same biomass suspension to microbial reduction followed by oxidation using a newly isolated bacteria Enterobacter aerogenes 230S. After various optimizations, it was observed that cells grown on xylitol have the best conversion potential. Moreover, E.

6-De-oxy-α-l-talopyran-ose.

X-ray crystallography showed that the title compound, C(6)H(12)O(5), crystallizes in the α-pyran-ose form with the six-membered ring in a chair conformation. The crystal structure exists as a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network of mol-ecules with each mol-ecule acting as a donor and aceptor for four hydrogen bonds. The absolute configuration was determined by the use of l-fucose as starting material.

1-De-oxy-l-mannitol (6-de-oxy-l-mannitol or l-rhamnitol).

The crystalline form of 1-de-oxy-l-mannitol, C(6)H(14)O(5), exists as an extensively hydrogen-bonded structure with each mol-ecule acting as a donor and acceptor for five hydrogen bonds. There are no unusual crystal-packing features; the absolute configuration was determined from the use of 6-de-oxy-l-mannose (l-rhamnose) as the starting material.

Bioproduction of D-psicose from allitol with Enterobacter aerogenes IK7: a new frontier in rare ketose production.

D-psicose, a new alternative sweetener, was produced from allitol by microbial oxidation of the newly isolated strain Enterobacter aerogenes IK7. Cells grown in tryptic soy broth medium (TSB) supplemented with D-mannitol at 37 degrees C were found to have the best oxidation potential. The cells, owing to broad substrate specificity, oxidized various polyols (tetritol, pentitol, and hexitol) to corresponding rare ketoses.

Taurine prevents ethanol-induced alterations in lipids and ATPases in rat tissues.

The study investigates the cytoprotective effect of taurine on ethanol-induced alterations in lipids and enzymes involved in ion-transport in rat tissues. Male albino rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 8) and maintained for 28 days as follows: control group, ethanol (6 g/kg/day) group, ethanol plus taurine (10 g/kg diet/day) group and control plus taurine group. Ethanol administration caused significant increases in the lipids in plasma and tissues, such as liver, kidney and brain, together with reductions in the activities of ATPases in tissues as compared to control animals.

Taurine prevents acrylonitrile-induced oxidative stress in rat brain.

Acrylonitrile (ACN) is a volatile, toxic liquid used as a monomer in the manufacture of synthetic rubber, styrene plastics, acrylic fiber and adhesives. ACN is a potent neurotoxin and a carcinogen, which produces tumors in rats, particularly gliomas of the brain. A role for free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation in the toxicity of ACN has been suggested.