Enhanced activity of 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase by addition of the co-solvent 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (L)-lactate in aqueous phase of biphasic systems for reductive production of steroids.

The enzyme activity of 3alpha-hydrosteroid dehydrogenase (HSDH) was enhanced by the addition of the co-solvent 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (L)-lactate ([Bmim][lactate]) to 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer. When utilizing [Bmim][lactate], the reaction velocity of HSDH increased. Also, reductive production of androsterone was investigated in an aqueous-organic solvent biphasic system containing 5% [Bmim][lactate] as the co-solvent of aqueous phase.

Enhanced accumulation of anthocyanin in cultured strawberry cells by repetitive feeding of L-phenylalanine into the medium.

L-Phenylalanine (Phe), biosynthetic precursor of anthocyanin, was repetitively added into a suspension culture of strawberry cells, constantly producing anthocyanins. In the repetitive feeding culture, the maximum anthocyanin accumulation per culture was 30% and 81% higher than those in a single Phe-feeding culture and non-feeding culture, respectively. This means that the inhibitory effect of Phe on cell growth was successfully avoided and its intracellular free-state concentration was maintained at a higher level by the repetitive feeding of L-phenylalanine at relatively lower intra-medium concentration.

Lanthanoid element recognition on surface-imprinted polymers containing dioleylphosphoric acid as a functional host.

Surface-imprinted polymers have been newly developed for the separation of lanthanoid elements: i.e. La(III), Ce(III), and Dy(III).

Activation of lignin peroxidase in organic media by reversed micelles.

Activation of lignin peroxidase (LIP) in an organic solvent by reversed micelles was investigated. Bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) was used as a surfactant to form a reversed micelle. Lyophilized LIP from an optimized aqueous solution exhibited no enzymatic activity in any organic solvents examined in this study; however, LIP was catalytically active by being entrapped in the AOT reversed micellar solution.

Inhibitory effects of extracts from peels of Citrus natsudaidai encapsulated in hybrid liposomes on the growth of tumor cells in vitro.

Inhibitory effects of extracts from peels of Citrus natsudaidai (natsumikan) encapsulated in hybrid liposomes (HL) composed of L-alpha-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate on the growth of tumor cells were examined. The extracts with lower polar solvents inhibited the growth of B-16 mouse melanoma and human lung carcinoma cells, although the extracts with higher polar solvents showed no antitumor activity. In particular, the inhibitory effects of extracts with lower polar solvents encapsulated in HL were enhanced as compared with those of free extracts.

Complex formation of cytochrome C with a calixarene carboxylic acid derivative: a novel solubilization method for biomolecules in organic media.

A calixarene carboxylic acid derivative has been found to form a complex with the cationic protein cytochrome c. The solubilized cytochrome c was stable and showed peroxidase activity in chloroform. The calix[6]arene and the calix[8]arene achieved quantitative extraction of the protein.

Remarkably enhanced inhibitory effects of three-component hybrid liposomes including sugar surfactants on the growth of lung carcinoma cells.

Sugar parts play important roles in recognizing molecules on the cell membranes. We successfully produced sugar-type micellar surfactants, lactonoalkylamide (LacCn), for the first time. Spherical vesicles, three-component hybrid liposomes, were obtained after the sonication of the mixture of L-alpha-dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC), Tween 20 and LacCn (DMPC:Tween 20:LacCn=65:7:28).

Formation and Characterization of Reversed Micelles Composed of Phospholipids and Fatty Acids.

The formation of reversed micellar systems composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and fatty acid was newly demonstrated by a significant increase in water content in the organic ethyl oleate phase when the micelles were prepared by the contact method. The solubilized water concentration in the reversed micellar organic phase reached 3 wt%. The new systems are expected to be used as highly biocompatible reversed micellar systems.