A Short Double-Stapled Peptide Inhibits Respiratory Syncytial Virus Entry and Spreading.

Synthetic peptides derived from the heptad repeat (HR) of fusion (F) proteins can be used as dominant negative inhibitors to inhibit the fusion mechanism of class I viral F proteins. Here, we have performed a stapled-peptide scan across the HR2 domain of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F protein with the aim to identify a minimal domain capable of disrupting the formation of the postfusion six-helix bundle required for viral cell entry. Constraining the peptides with a single staple was not sufficient to inhibit RSV infection.

Quantification of the production of hydrogen peroxide H2O2 during accelerated wine oxidation.

Understanding how wines react towards oxidation is of primary importance. Here, a novel approach was developed based on the quantitative determination of the key intermediate H2O2 produced during accelerated oxidation by ambient oxygen. The assay makes use of the conversion of the non-fluorescent Amplex Red substrate into a fluorescent product in presence of H2O2.

Monitoring labeling reactions using fluorescence polarization.

Fluorescence techniques are widely applied in protein research owing to their specificity and sensitivity, but require prior fluorescent labeling. Here we show a novel approach to optimize labeling protocols by monitoring labeling reactions using fluorescence polarization: the larger molecular mass of the fluorescent protein conjugate compared to the dye alone results in an increase in fluorescence anisotropy during the reaction. Thereby, labeling of lysozyme with fluorescein isothiocyanate or carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester could be monitored and the influence of parameters such as the pH could be quantitatively assessed.

Characterisation of Aronia powders obtained by different drying processes.

Nowadays, food industry is facing challenges connected with the preservation of the highest possible quality of fruit products obtained after processing. Attention has been drawn to Aronia fruits due to numerous health promoting properties of their products. However, processing of Aronia, like other berries, leads to difficulties that stem from the preparation process, as well as changes in the composition of bioactive compounds.

Determination of catechins and flavonol glycosides in Chinese tea varieties.

A standardised profiling method based on high performance liquid chromatography combined with ultraviolet (UV) and mass spectrometric detection (MS) was established to analyse the phenolic compounds of selected tea varieties used for manufacturing of green, black and oolong teas. The composition and content of 24 tea constituents were analysed, including catechins, flavonol and flavones glycosides, phenolic acids and purine alkaloids. Each tea variety had a unique chemical profile.

UV-ABC screens of luteolin derivatives compared to edelweiss extract.

Pure luteolin is a remarkably heat (200°C/6 days) and UV stable UV-A screen, however, native luteolin enriched to 37% in an edelweiss extract lost its UV-A screen properties upon UV irradiation (∼4MJm(-2)). This contrasting behavior led to the examination of a series of purified luteolin derivatives as UV screen candidates. 3',4',5,7-Tetralipoyloxyflavones were synthesized from luteolin (3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone) and fatty acid chlorides.

Synthesis and sensorial properties of 2-alkylalk-2-enals and 3-(acetylthio)-2-alkyl alkanals.

Parallel synthesis was applied to prepare a series of 3-(acetylthio)-2-alkyl alkanals by Michael addition of thioacetic acid under alkaline conditions to alpha,beta-unsaturated 2-alkyl-substituted aldehydes, which were obtained by aldol condensation of the corresponding primary aldehydes as starting materials. The target compounds were characterized in terms of GC, MS, and NMR data. The sensory properties of the odorants, such as odor quality and odor detection threshold value, were determined with a trained panel.