Abstract  We report the use of the ionic liquid tetrabutylphosphonium bromide as a solvent and catalyst for dehydration of diols to conjugated dienes. This system combines stability, high reaction rates, and easy product separation. A reaction mechanism for the model compound 1,2-hexanediol is proposed and experimentally corroborated. This particular mechanism allows for the selective formation of conjugated dienes, in contrast with purely acidic catalysis. Next, the reaction is also performed on various other diols. As a first application, we assessed the biobased production of 1,3-butadiene. With 1,4-butanediol as the starting material, a 94% yield of butadiene was reached at 100% conversion.

Abstract  Sorbitol can be selectively transformed into liquid alkanes over a bifunctional catalytic system Pt/ZrO2 + TiO2-WOx. In this paper, we investigated the reaction mechanism by carefully analyzing the numerous products issued from sorbitol and by studying the reactivity of some identified intermediates (1-hexanol 2-hexanol, 2-hexanone, 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran, 1,2-hexanediol and 1,2,6-hexanetriol). This led us to propose that C-C cleavage reactions occur on terminal C-C bonds and mainly consist of dehydrogenation-decarbonylation reactions. The limiting steps of the sorbitol transformation are the isosorbide and mono-oxygenated intermediate transformations, especially the hydrogenation of ketones. It is also assessed that diols or triols with n carbon atoms are mainly converted in compounds with n - 1 carbon atoms. Short compounds (1 to 3 carbon atoms) are obtained via a dehydrogenation-retro-aldol reaction pathway and not from isosorbide conversion. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Abstract  The α-proteobacterium Sphingomonas wittichii RW1 is known for its ability to degrade dioxins and related toxic substances. Bioinformatic analysis of the genome indicated that this organism may contain the largest number of pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent dehydrogenases of any bacteria sequenced so far. Sequence analysis also showed that one of these genes (swit_4395) encodes an enzyme that belongs to the class of periplasmic glucose dehydrogenases. This gene was fused to a pelB signal sequence and a strep-tag coding region at the 5' and 3' ends, respectively. The fusion product was cloned into the broad-host range expression vector pBBR1p264-Streplong and the corresponding protein was heterologously produced in Escherichia coli, purified via Strep-Tactin affinity chromatography, and characterized. The protein Swit_4395 had a subunit mass of 39.3 kDa and formed active homooctamers and homododecamers. The enzyme showed the highest activities with short- and medium-chain aldehydes (chain length C1-C6) and ketoaldehydes, such as methylglyoxal and phenylglyoxal. Butyraldehyde was the best substrate, with V max and apparent K M values of 3,970 U/mg protein and 12.3 mM, respectively. Pyrroloquinoline quinone was detected using UV-Vis spectroscopy and was found to be a prosthetic group of the purified enzyme. Therefore, Swit_4395 was identified as a pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase. The enzyme could be purified from the native host when the expression vector was introduced into S. wittichii RW1, indicating homologous protein production. Overproduction of Swit_4395 in S. wittichii RW1 dramatically increased the tolerance of the bacterium toward butyraldehyde and thus might contribute to the detoxification of toxic aldehydes.

Abstract  BACKGROUND/AIMS: The research on the treatment of "dry skin syndrome" is hampered by the lack of a suitable animal model. Formerly, we developed a validated guinea pig in vivo model in which the dry skin syndrome persists at least for 1 week. We can, therefore, compare the pharmacological effectiveness of known and potential moisturizers for the treatment of dry skin syndrome. Our aim is to study whether the moisturizing efficiency of humectants depends on the solvents in which they are dissolved.

METHODS: "Dry skin syndrome" was induced on the shaved skin on one side of guinea pigs by daily application of 2% sodium lauryl sulphate in deionized water (SLS) for 3 days. The other shaved side was used as control. After ascertaining skin dryness, that side was treated for 6 days with glycerol or 1,2-hexanediol in different solvents: water, or medium chain triglycerides (MCT) or mixtures of MCT with isopropyl alcohol in different proportions. Measurement of the in vivo moisturizing effect was carried out by a Comeometer CM 825; erythema was measured by a Mexameter MX 16.

RESULTS: Treatments with glycerol (1M) in water reversed the skin dryness shown by both instruments. When dissolving glycerol in MCT, no moisturizing effect was found, probably because glycerol does not dissolve in the oil. No moisturizing effect was found with different combinations of glycerol in the mixtures of MCT and isopropyl alcohol. No moisturizing effect was found using another polyol moisturizer: 1,2 hexanediol (1M) dissolved in MCT oil. Glycerol or 1,2-hexanediol abolished the erythema only when they were dissolved in water alone.

CONCLUSION: Polyol moisturizers such as glycerol or 1,2-hexanediol do not act in the presence of oils against the sodium lauryl sulphate-induced dry skin in our guinea pig model. Since in an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion, the water evaporates within several minutes, one has to question the ability of moisturizing emulsions to treat dry skin. In such instances, one cannot draw conclusions about the moisturizing efficiency of the preparation merely from the presence of the humectant. One has to study the effect of the finished preparation.

Abstract  A series of novel pentacoordinated germanium(IV) complexes (I) has been prepared by the reaction of germanium dioxide with diols, such as 1,2-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol ,1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-butanediol in an aqueous sodium hydroxide medium. The general molecular formula can be represented as NaGe(OH)L2 where L is the deprotonated diol The reaction of germanium dioxide with catechol in distilled water gives Ge(C6H4O2)2.2H2O (II). Further treatment of this complex (II) with methanol, ethanol or 2-propanol gives hexacoordinated germanium (IV) complexes (III), Ge(C6H4O2)2.2ROH (where R = CH3, C2H5, (CH3)2CH, respectively). These complexes, which have been characterized by elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analyses, infrared, H-1 and C-13 NMR spectral studies, reveal that the pentacoordinated germanium(IV) complexes (I) have a slightly distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. However, the suitable structure of the hexacoordinated complexes (II-III) are octahedral.

Abstract  The ceria-supported rhenium catalyst modified with palladium (ReOx-Pd/CeO2 (Re = 2 wt %, Pd/Re = 0.25)) is still the best catalyst for simultaneous hydrodeoxygenation. Higher Re loading amount decreased the activity. The simultaneous hydrodeoxygenation of cyclic vicinal diols occurs with high cis-stereoselectivity. ReOx-Pd/CeO2 catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, TEM, H-2-TPR, XAFS, XPS, Raman, and DFT calculations. The Re species on ReOx-Pd/CeO2 (Re = 2 wt %, Pd/Re = 0.25) catalyst after reduction and after stoichiometric reaction of 1,2-hexanediol to 1-hexene were Re-IV and Re-VI, and the Re-IV species were converted to Re-VI through the stoichiometric reaction. The Re species on ReOx-Pd/CeO2 are proposed to be randomly located on the CeO2 surface, and probably only monomeric Re species have catalytic activity for simultaneous hydrodeoxygenation. This model can explain the higher activity of Re = 2 wt % catalyst than those of higher Re loading catalysts. The reaction is proposed to proceed by the tetra/hexavalent redox cycle of the Re center in the catalysis followed by hydrogenation.

Abstract  Surface tension of aqueous solutions of 1,2-hexanediol (1,2HD), 1,5-hexanediol (1,5HD), 1,6-hexanediol (1,6HD), and 2,5-hexanediol (2,5HD) was measured as a function of composition using the method of capillary rise at 283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15 and 308.15 K with emphasis in the very dilute region.

The experimental data were used according to the model proposed by Connors for liquid solutes. Binding constants were determined for 1,2-hexanediol (1,2HD), 1,5-hexanediol (1,5HD) and 2,5-hexanediol (2,5HD). Infinite dilution activity coefficients were evaluated using the procedure suggested by Gracia-Fadrique and the results are discussed in terms of temperature and the size of the alkyl chain exposed to the solvent.

Pure 1,6-hexanediol (1,6HD) is a solid at the selected temperatures so the models mentioned before were not used with this solute.

The surface tension data, the binding constants and the infinite dilution activity coefficients were correlated with the position of hydroxyl groups in the solute and the results were used to evaluate the effect of hexanediols on the water structure. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  Enantiospecific syntheses of methyl 2,3,4-trideoxy-alpha-D- and -beta-D-glycero-hexopyranoside (10 and 11), methyl-alpha-D- and beta-D-amicetopyranoside (24 and 25), (2S)-1,2-hexanediol (36), (2S)-1,2,6-hexanetriol (37), and some derivatives thereof from D-glucono-1,5-lactone are described.

Abstract  A green synthesis of silver nanoparticles was developed, using a low-toxic system of microemulsion and nano emulsion with castor oil as the oily phase, Brij 96 V and 1,2-hexanediol as the surfactant and co-surfactant respectively. Geranium (P. hortorum) leaf aqueous extract was employed as a reducing agent. The content and concentration of a metallic precursor and geranium leaf extract (GLE) in the systems used makes it possible to obtain different sizes of silver nanoparticles from 25 to 150 nm. The characterization by FTIR and Z potential shows that the biomolecules of the plant extract act as a reducing and capping agent, giving negative charges to the nanoparticle surface. The present study represents a contribution to the green synthesis of silver nano particles that can be extended to other metals.

Abstract  The purpose of this study was to develop tretinoin-loaded phospholipid vesicles, namely conventional liposomes, hexosomes, glycerosomes and ethosomes, and to investigate their efficacy on croton oil induced rosacea. Vesicles were prepared with soy phospholipid, sodium deoxycholate and tretinoin; 1,2-hexanediol, glycerol and ethanol were added to obtain hexosomes, glycerosomes and ethosomes, respectively. The prepared formulations were characterized in terms of size distribution, morphology, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency. All vesicles were spherical in shape with a mean diameter ranging between 60 and 132 nm and a fairly narrow distribution (0.23-0.29), negative zeta potential values (from -19 to -29 mV) and entrapment efficiency between 32 and 63%. Furthermore, vesicles were evaluated for an in vitro model of dermal delivery, and their mode of action was studied by performing confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analyses. In addition, in vivo skin penetration was also investigated. The results of in vitro and in vivo studies showed that vesicular formulations, especially hexosomes, promoted the drug deposition into the skin stratums and reduced the permeation into the blood. Finally, administration of vesicular tretinoin on croton oil-induced skin resulted in marked attenuation of oedema and inflammatory cells, especially using hexosomes. The proposed approach based on tretinoin vesicular formulations may be of value in the treatment of rosacea.

Abstract  n-Alkanol inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors exhibits a "cutoff" effect: alcohols with up to eight to nine carbon atoms inhibit the receptor, whereas larger alcohols do not. This phenomenon was originally proposed to result from size exclusion; i.e., alcohols above the cutoff are too large to bind to an amphiphilic site on the receptor. In the present study, 1,Omega-diols with 3 to 14 carbon atoms inhibited NMDA-activated current in Chinese hamster ovary and human embryonic kidney 293 cells transiently expressing NR1 and NR2B NMDA receptor subunits. Results of fluctuation analysis experiments were consistent with a similar mechanism of inhibition of NMDA-activated current by alcohols and diols. The average change in apparent energy of binding of the diols caused by addition of a methylene group was 2.1 kJ/mol, which is consistent with an important role of hydrophobic interactions. Because 1,Omega-diols with 9 to 14 carbons inhibited NMDA-activated current, despite having molecular volumes exceeding that at the cutoff point for 1-alkanols, a size exclusion mechanism seems inadequate to explain the cutoff effect. A disparity in hydrophobicity values at the cutoff for alcohols and diols, however, revealed that hydrophobicity could also not entirely explain the cutoff phenomenon. From these results, it seems that the cutoff effect on NMDA receptors results primarily from the inability of long-chain alcohols to achieve adequate concentrations at their site of action due to low aqueous solubility, although other factors may also contribute to the effect.

Abstract  During the recovery of recombinant proteins from gram negative bacteria, many of the methods used to extract proteins from cells release lipopolysaccharides (LPS, endotoxin) along with the protein of interest. In many instances, LPS will co-purify with the target protein due to specific or non-specific protein-LPS interactions. We have investigated the ability of alkanediols to effect the separation of LPS from protein-LPS complexes while the complexes are immobilized on ion exchange chromatographic resins. Proteins were complexed with fluorescently labeled LPS and bound to ion exchange resin. Alkanediol washes of the resins were preformed and the proteins eluted. Column eluates were monitored for LPS and protein by fluorescence and UV spectroscopy, respectively. Alkanediols were effective agents for dissociating LPS from protein-LPS complexes. The efficiency of LPS removal increased with increasing alkanediol chain length. The 1,2-alkanediol isomers were more effective than terminal alkanediol isomers in the separation of LPS from protein-LPS complexes, while the separation of LPS from protein-LPS complexes was more efficient on cation exchangers than on anion exchangers. In addition, it was noted during these investigations that the 1,2-alkanediols increased the retention time of the proteins on the ion exchange resins. Alkanediols provide a safer alternative to the use of other organics such as alcohols or acetonitrile for the separation of LPS from protein due to their lower toxicity and decreased inflammability. In addition, they are less costly than many of the detergents that have been used for similar purposes.

Abstract  The objective of this study was to investigate the percutaneous absorption of metronidazole (MTZ) in the topical formulations containing a combination of 1,4-cyclohexanediol and 1,2-hexanediol. Six formulations were studied in an in vitro hairless mouse skin model using Franz Diffusion Cell. MTZ was applied at infinite doses (50mg and 100mg of the formulations, which correspond to 375 and 750 μg of MTZ, respectively). Based on the flux values and retardation ratio (RR), a synergistic retardation effect on percutaneous absorption of MTZ was observed for the formulations containing a combination of 1,4-cyclohexanediol and 1,2-hexanediol (RRs are 0.40 for 375 μg dose and 0.69 for 750 μg dose, respectively). Interestingly, retention of MTZ in epidermis and dermis layer showed no significant differences (p>0.05) between the formulations containing the retardant combination and control formulations. In other words, the retardant combination in the formulation decreases MTZ fluxes while maintaining similar level of retention in epidermis and dermis layer when compared to the control formulations. These observations provide insight in formulating superior topical formulations with minimized potential systematic toxicity while maintaining therapeutic efficiency. A mechanistic explanation of the observed synergistic effect is proposed.

Abstract  Several studies have reported that 1,2-alkanediols show increasing anti-microbial activity as their alkane chain length increases. However, there are no reports on the influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols. To investigate the influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols. The objective and subjective (sensory) skin irritation potentials of five 1,2-alkanediols - 1,2-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-octanediol and 1,2-decanediol - were evaluated. We also estimated percutaneous absorption by measuring in vitro skin penetration using a Franz diffusion cell system. Like anti-microbial activity, sensory irritation potential increased as alkane chain length increased, most likely due to increasing membrane interference and/or intrinsic toxicity of 1,2-alkanediols. 1,2-Hexanediol showed the lowest objective skin irritation potential, which increased when the alkane chain length decreased or increased. Furthermore, percutaneous absorption negatively correlated with the alkane chain length of 1,2-alkanediols. These results show that a lower skin absorption potential is not indicative of a low skin irritation potential. Our results suggest that the factors and processes involved in skin irritation potential are complex and that skin irritation potential is influenced by intrinsic toxicity and the potential for penetration or integration in the lipid bilayer.

Abstract  Optically active alcohol is an important building block as a versatile chiral synthon for the asymmetric synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. We purified and characterized glycerol dehydrogenase from Hansenula ofunaensis and prepared optically active 1,2-octanediol using a recombinant Escherichia coli harboring the glycerol dehydrogenase gene. The deduced amino acid sequence was investigated for identities with those of other alcohol dehydrogenases in the NCBI databank. The identification of the unknown product of a resting-cell reaction was performed by GC-MS. In the deduced amino acid sequence composed of 376 residues, the NAD(H) binding pattern and cysteine residues that correspond to the cysteine ligands at the zinc atom were conserved as they are in alcohol dehydrogenases from other origins. Glycerol dehydrogenase from Hansenula polymorpha DL-1 (Pichia angusta, DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank accession no. BAD32688) had the highest identity to our enzyme, showing 73% identity. Our glycerol dehydrogenase catalyzed the NAD(+)-dependent oxidation of long-chain secondary alcohols such as 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-heptanediol, and 1,2-octanediol. Activities toward 2,4-pentanediol and 2,5-hexanediol were hardly detected. From these results, it was confirmed that our enzyme requires two hydroxyl groups on adjacent carbon atoms for oxidation. 2,3-Pentanedione, 2,3-hexanedione, and 3,4-hexanedione were significantly reduced. The transformants oxidized only (R)-1,2-octanediol in 50 mM racemate (R:S=52:48), and produced (S)-1,2-octanediol (24 mM, <99.9% e.e.) after 24 h of incubation. The reaction product was suggested to be 1-hydroxy-2-octanone by GC-MS, which showed secondary hydroxyl groups oxidized. Glycerol dehydrogenase from H. ofunaensis could be useful for the production of long-chain optically active secondary alcohols.

Abstract  Strontium phenylphosphonate intercalates with 1,2-diols (from 1,2-ethanediol to 1,2-hexanediol) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, chemical analysis, and molecular simulation methods. Prepared samples exhibit a very good stability at ambient conditions. Structural arrangement calculated by simulation methods suggested formation of cavities surrounded by six benzene rings. Each cavity contained one molecule of diol and one molecule of water for the 1,2-ethanediol to 1,2-butanediol intercalates. In the case of 1,2-pentanediol two types of cavities alternated: one with diol molecules and another one with two water molecules. In the 1,2-hexanediol intercalate the benzene rings created two types of cavities containing one or two diol molecules, respectively, and this conformational variability led to a more disordered arrangement with respect to the models with shorter alkyl chains. Coordination of the oxygen atoms of the diols to the strontium atoms of the host follows the same pattern for all 1,2-diol intercalates except the 1,2-hexanediol intercalate, where these oxygen atoms can be mutually exchanged at their positions. The calculated basal spacings and structural models are in good agreement with experimental basal spacings obtained from X-ray powder diffraction and with other experimental results.

Abstract  Diols with short aliphatic chains were known to exhibit antimicrobial activities, which were found to depend on the chain length and the position of the hydroxyl groups. We carried out the conformational preferences of 1,n-hexanediols (n = 2-6) and (S)-3-alkoxypropane-1,2-diols in the gas phase and in water using density functional methods and explored the factors important to exhibit antimicrobial activities. In the case of 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-hexanediols, intramolecular H-bonds played a role in stabilizing their preferred conformers in the gas phase, whereas they were remarkably depopulated in water. For 1,5-, and 1,6-hexanediols, no H-bonded conformers were favored both in the gas phase and in water. The C-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions appeared to be of consequence in determining the preferred structures of 1,n-hexanediols (n = 3-6) in water. The stabilization of the preferred conformers of (S)-3-alkoxyprop ane-1,2-diols could be ascribed to the bifurcated H-bonds both in the gas phase and in water. However, their populations were decreased and the -CH2-O-(CH2)(m)-CH3 chain became more extended in water. In the optimized structures of dimers and trimers of 1,2-hexanediol and (S)-3-(hexyloxy)propane-1,2-diol in water, the head OH groups are oriented to each other to form intermolecular H-bonds and the aliphatic tails are stretched out away from the head groups, which are likely to form micelle-like structures in water. When two hydroxyl groups become closer and the aliphatic chain becomes longer, the amphipathicity of alkanediol is increased and thus, it is likely to penetrate more easily into membrane bilayers of the microbial cell and may disrupt the membrane structure. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  The design, synthesis and self‐assembly of new symmetrical 3,6‐bis(4‐(3,4,5‐tris(dodecyloxy)benzoate)phenyl)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine were described. The novel gelator, sym‐tetrazine, was prepared by addition reaction of 4‐cyanophenol with hydrazine monohydrate followed by oxidation reaction to afford the corresponding 3,6‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine which was then subjected to esterification reaction with 3,4,5‐tris(dodecyloxy)benzoic acid. The chemical structure of the sym‐tetrazine gelator was confirmed by elemental analysis, fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐ and 13C‐NMR) spectral measurements. It was confirmed to exhibit relatively strong gelation ability to produce supramolecular assemblies in several polar alcoholic organic solvents, such as butanol, octanol, and 1,6‐dihydroxyhexane. The π‐π stacking and van der Waals mediated self‐assembly of tetrazine‐based organogelator were studied by scanning electron microscopy images of the xerogel to reveal that the obtained organogel consists of fibrillar aggregates. Investigation of FT‐IR and concentration‐dependent 1H‐NMR spectra confirm that the intermolecular van der Waals interactions and π‐π stacking were the key driving forces for self‐assembly during gelation process of s‐tetrazine molecules.

Abstract    The results on changes in the apparent hydrodynamic diameter (D^sub h^) of micelles in a solution containing 5% of a moderately hydrophobic/hydrophilic triblock PEO-PPO-PEO copolymer in the presence of several hydroxyl compounds at 23 °C from dynamic light scattering (DLS) are reported. Distribution plots show micelles with hydrodynamic diameter ~ 17 nm and low polydispersity (<0.1) except at low concentrations where a unimer peak (~ 4 nm) was also noticed. These additives increase/decrease the micelle size and show micellar transition depending upon their hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity. The results are discussed in terms of the effect of the additives on altering water structure and their partitioning in micelle. Short chain alcohols (C^sub 1^-C^sub 3^) increase solvation of PEO and thus increase micelle hydrodynamic size while higher alcohols, initially reduce D^sub h^ due shrinkage of PEO followed by micellar growm at higher concentrations. Among αω-alkanediols, C^sub 2^ and C^sub 4^ diols increase micelle size by immobilizing water sphere around the micelles whereas higher diols form wicket like structures and reside in palisade layer. Isomeric hexanediols (1,2; 1,5; 2,5 and 1,6) alter micelle size in different ways depending on their hydrophobicity. In C^sub 6^EO^sub m^ (m = 0, 1, 2), as the number of EO group increases, it becomes more hydrophilic and increases D^sub h^ at higher concentration. Addition of a hydrophobic triblock copolymer leads to unfavorable mixing with a moderately hydrophobic/hydrophilic triblock copolymer which results in increase in size, while the addition of a hydrophilic counterpart increases the average hydrodynamic size and follows appearance of unimer peak. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Abstract  The present study was aimed at the encapsulation of ketoconazole (KCZ) in the novel modified nanovesicles for dermal targeting delivery. To this purpose, innovative modified vesicles were prepared with soy phospholipid and aqueous solutions containing different concentrations of two targeting modifiers, 1,2-hexanediol and 1,4-cyclohexanediol. Conventional liposomes, with soy phospholipid and cholesterol, were used as control. The prepared formulations were characterized in terms of entrapment efficiency, size distribution, morphology, and stability. Dermal KCZ targeting delivery from modified vesicles was investigated in vitro and in vivo through newborn pig and rat skin, respectively. All vesicles showed a mean size ranging from 58 to 147 nm with fairly narrow size distribution and drug entrapment efficiency between 20 and 75 %. Results of in vitro and in vivo studies indicated that modified vesicles provided an improved KCZ targeting delivery into skin layers. Images of the confocal laser scanning microscopy analyses supported the conclusion that modified vesicles could enhance the drug deposition into the skin strata and reduce the drug permeation into the blood, due to a synergic effect of phospholipid and modifiers. Finally, histological evaluation showed that KCZ-loaded modified vesicles caused no irritation to the skin. The results obtained encouraged the use of the KCZ-loaded modified vesicles as the formulation for the potential topical treatment of fungal infections.

Abstract    Aspects of enzymatic catalysis in lipase-catalyzed reactions of organic synthesis are discussed in the review. The data on modern methods of protein engineering and enzyme modification allowing a broader range of used substrates are briefly summarized. The application of lipase in the preparation of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals containing no inactive enantiomers and in the synthesis of secondary alcohol enantiomers and optically active amides is demonstrated. The subject of lipase involvement in the C-C bond formation in the Michael reaction is discussed. Data on the enzymatic synthesis of construction materials--polyesters, siloxanes, etc.--are presented. Examples demonstrating the application of lipase enzymatic catalysis in industry are given.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]