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Abstract: Although remarkable advances have been made over the last decade in organic synthesis, catalysis, and biotechnology, there is still a need to introduce and develop new processes for chemical production to achieve sustainable and cleaner approaches to support the increasing global pharmaceutical/chemical industry. There is a growing need to produce optically active compounds in high yields to maintain and support areas such as pharmaceutical and natural product synthesis. Thus, chemists today are looking for alternative reactions carried out under green conditions. In this context, we describe β-carboline imine reductions employing cell-free extracts from red Californian earthworms (Eisenia foetida) in high yields and enantiomeric excesses. The enantiomeric excess values of the bioreduction showed no dependence on the imine 1a–g substituents to afford amines with an (R)-configuration. Based on these data, a model for the cell-free extract from the earthworm is proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A concise diastereotioselective strategy for the synthesis of noscapine, bicuculline, and egenine (1a–c), as well as capnoidine and corytensine (2a,b), was developed using diastereoselective addition of 1-siloxy-isobenzofurans 4a and 4b to iminium ion 5 in a one-pot approach. The synthesis features the use of imine 13 obtained through Bischler–Napieralsky reaction from amine 11. The addition of ionic liquids as addictives in the reactions afforded erythro configuration in major adduct compounds. The synthetic route can also be applied in the total synthesis of promising tubulin binding agent EM105 (3). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copao (Eulychnia acida Phil., Cactaceae) is an endemic species occurring in arid areas of northern Chile. The fruits are commercialized by peasants within the Elqui and Limari valleys and are appreciated for its acidic and refreshing taste. We now report the total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) content, antioxidant activity, phenolic composition and main phenolic distribution in pulp and epicarp of copao fruits from different harvesting places from both valleys. The ascorbic acid content was determined in fresh fruit pulp, epicarp and juice. The phenolic-enriched extract was analyzed for antioxidant effect and composition. Ferulic acid, 9,10-dihydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3-one hexoside, isorhamnetin and quercetin glycosides were identified by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis. The main compounds were isolated and fully characterized by NMR techniques. The main phenolic in the samples was isorhamnetin-3-O-[ॅ-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-glucopyranoside]. The HPLC pattern of the phenolic-enriched extracts of the fruits allows a differentiation of samples from the Elqui and Limari valleys. All fruit extracts and Amberlite-retained fraction from the methanolic extract were devoid of toxicity against human gastric AGS cells and human lung fibroblasts, with IC50 values >400μg/mL for AGS and 344 to >400μg/mL for fibroblasts, respectively. The compound identification, associated with the antioxidant activity and insignificant cell toxicity, adds relevant information for the possible development of this native fruit into a new crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]