Brønsted acid-catalyzed reactions of α-pinene have been studied because of their ability to produce various types of fragrance molecules. Beyond this application, dimeric hydrocarbon products produced from coupling reactions of α-pinene have been suggested as renewable high-density fuel molecules. In this context, this paper presents the application of a sulfated tin(IV) oxide catalyst for the partial coupling reaction of α-pinene from turpentine. Brønsted acid sites inherent in this solid superacid catalyst calcined at 550 °C successfully catalyzed the reaction, giving the largest yield of dimeric products (49.6%) at 120 °C over a reaction time of 4 h. Given that the low-temperature viscosity of the mentioned dimeric products is too high for their use as a fuel in transportation engines, lowering the viscosity is an important avenue of study. Therefore, our partial coupling reaction of α-pinene provides a possible solution as a considerable amount of the isomers of α-pinene still remained after the reaction, which reduces the low-temperature viscosity. On the basis of a comparison of the reaction products, a plausible mechanism for the reaction involving coinstantaneous isomerization and coupling reaction of α-pinene was elucidated.
The main purpose of this study was simultaneous production of glucose, ethanol organosolv lignin (EOL), and furfural for total utilization of lignocellulosic biomass to improve economics of biorefinery. Progressively, organosolv lignin precipitation and furfural production processes were conducted using the liquid hydrolysates obtained after organosolv pretreatment. 12 g of EOL (at 160 °C, 1% sulfuric acid) was yielded with the remaining residues of soluble lignin-derived compounds in the liquid hydrolysates. Also, 7.9 g of furfural (at 160 °C, 1% sulfuric acid) was observed after additional acid-catalyzed treatment from the liquid hydrolysates. Consequently, a high yield of glucose, EOL and furfural can be obtained simultaneously using ethanol organosolv pretreatment.
- in vivo Modification
- Lignin to succinic acid
- Multienzyme Catabolic system
- Biodegradation
- Biopolymer
Whole cells of the basidiomycete fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium (ATCC 20696) were applied to induce the biomodification of lignin in an in vivo system. Our results indicated that P. chrysosporium has a catabolic system that induces characteristic biomodifications of synthetic lignin through a series of redox reactions, leading not only to the degradation of lignin but also to its polymerization. The reducing agents ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol were used to stabilize the free radicals generated from the ligninolytic process. The application of P. chrysosporium in combination with reducing agents produced aromatic compounds and succinic acid as well as degraded lignin polymers. P. chrysosporium selectively catalyzed the conversion of lignin to succinic acid, which has an economic value. A transcriptomic analysis of P. chrysosporium suggested that the bond cleavage of synthetic lignin was caused by numerous enzymes, including extracellular enzymes such as lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase, and that the aromatic compounds released were metabolized in both the short-cut and classical tricarboxylic acid cycles of P. chrysosporium. In conclusion, P. chrysosporium is suitable as a biocatalyst for lignin degradation to produce a value-added product.
Extractives as Cosmeceutical Resources
- Antifungal activitys
- Essential oil
- Dermatophytes
- Synergy effects of blended components
This study was to investigate the antifungal activity of A. holophylla essential oil against dermatophytes, such as Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum, and to determine the potential effective compound as dermatitis treatment. To evaluate the potential antifungal activities of A. holophylla essential oil and its fractions, paper disc diffusion and agar dilution method tested with morphological observation. Also, their major constituents were analyzed by GC/MS. To determine synergic effects of active ingredient from A. holophylla essential oil were carried out by checkerboard microtiter plate testing. The morphological changes of the dermatophytes exposed to active fraction G4 were observed by electron microscopes. As the results, the highest activities were identified in the fraction containing α-bisabolol. A mixture of α-bisabolol and bornyl acetate showed the synergy effects, expressing high potential effects. Also, morphological observation using electron microscopes showed a dramatic changes of cell membrane of E. floccosum and T. rubrum exposed to fraction G4 containing α-bisabolol. In conclusion, A. holophylla essential oil and its constituents were expected to be used as antifungal agent or raw material for dermatitis therapy.
