ORCID Profile
0000-0003-4530-6348
Current Organisations
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
,
University of Western Australia
,
Curtin University
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In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Organometallic Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | Natural Products Chemistry | Organic Chemical Synthesis
Expanding Knowledge in the Environmental Sciences | Expanding Knowledge in the Chemical Sciences | Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences |
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-02-2022
Abstract: Truffles are considered one of the world's most highly prized foods mainly due to their desirable organoleptic properties and rarity. However, truffles are seasonal (harvested mostly in winter from June to August in the Southern Hemisphere and from December to February in the Northern Hemisphere) and extremely perishable. Truffles deteriorate rapidly showing undesirable changes within 10 days from harvest in aroma and visual appearance after harvest. The very short postharvest shelf life (about 7–10 days) limits the potential for export and domestic consumption all year round. Several preservation methods have been studied to prolong their shelf life without the loss of aroma. However, all traditional preservation techniques have their own shortcomings and remain challenging. The extraction of natural truffle aroma volatiles for food applications could be a potential alternative to replace the existing synthetic flavoring used for processed truffle products. Four commonly used extraction methods for recovering volatile compounds from plants, namely, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, Soxhlet extraction, distillation, and cold pressing, are critically analyzed. Up to date, existing research about the extraction of aroma volatiles from truffles is limited in the literature but based on the volatility of the key truffle volatile compounds, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction may offer the best possibility so that a natural truffle‐based product that can be used in food applications throughout the year can be made available.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2015
DOI: 10.1071/CH14430
Abstract: Activation enthalpies for a series of five 1,3,8-nonatriene intramolecular Diels–Alder (IMDA) reactions involving substrates 1–5 have been determined experimentally and Singleton’s natural abundance method has been employed to determine kinetic isotope effects in the IMDA reaction of fumarate 3. The activation enthalpies for the IMDA reactions of the systems possessing a –CH2OCH2– diene/dienophile tether are significantly smaller than their counterparts possessing the –CH2OC(=O)– tether. The experimental activation enthalpies have been used to benchmark computed values from four model chemistries, namely two density functional theory functionals, B3LYP and M06-2X, and two generally very accurate composite ab initio wave function methods, CBS-QB3 and G4(MP2). G4(MP2) outperformed the computationally more expensive CBS-QB3 method, but the vastly cheaper M06-2X/6-31G(d)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) method was sufficiently accurate to be the recommended method of choice for calculating activation parameters. Experimental 2H kinetic isotope effects for the IMDA reaction of fumarate 3 confirmed the computational predictions that this Diels–Alder reaction is concerted but asynchronous.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 29-01-2023
Abstract: The first synthesis of all five possible monomethylated [4]dendralenes has been achieved via two distinct synthetic strategies. The Diels-Alder chemistry of these new dendralenes (as multidienes) with an electron poor dienophile, N-methylmaleimide (NMM), has been studied. Thus, simply upon mixing the dendralene and an excess of dienophile at ambient temperature in a common solvent, sequences of cycloadditions result in the rapid generation of complex multicyclic products. Distinct product distributions are obtained with differently substituted dendralenes, demonstrating that dendralene substitution influences the pathway followed, when a matrix of mechanistic possibilities exists. Dendralene site selectivities are traced to electronic, steric and conformational effects, thereby allowing predictive tools for applications of substituted dendralenes in future synthetic endeavors.
Publisher: Southern Cross Publishing
Date: 20-09-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-2016
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1039/C9RA10663D
Abstract: Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of arylcarboxamide derivatives based on an antimycobacterial indole-2-carboxamide scaffold. The most active compounds demonstrated activities against MDR and XDR M. tb strains.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-11-2017
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-017-01898-2
Abstract: Current interest in barocaloric effects has been stimulated by the discovery that these pressure-driven thermal changes can be giant near ferroic phase transitions in materials that display magnetic or electrical order. Here we demonstrate giant inverse barocaloric effects in the solid electrolyte AgI, near its superionic phase transition at ~420 K. Over a wide range of temperatures, hydrostatic pressure changes of 2.5 kbar yield large and reversible barocaloric effects, resulting in large values of refrigerant capacity. Moreover, the peak values of isothermal entropy change (60 J K −1 kg −1 or 0.34 J K −1 cm −3 ) and adiabatic temperature changes (18 K), which we identify for a starting temperature of 390 K, exceed all values previously recorded for barocaloric materials. Our work should therefore inspire the study of barocaloric effects in a wide range of solid electrolytes, as well as the parallel development of cooling devices.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
Publisher: Southern Cross Publishing
Date: 20-12-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-01-2008
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-07-2022
Abstract: This study aimed to develop a novel technique to retain and stabilize compounds contributing to truffle aroma by encapsulation using β‐cyclodextrin. Two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, the key volatile profile and microbial population of products resulting from three different encapsulation methods, namely direct mixing method (M1), direct mixing followed by ethanol addition method (M2), and paste method (M3), were compared with untreated truffles (positive control) over a 90‐day period. The M2‐derived product was the least optimal for retaining key volatile compounds despite showing the lowest microbial population. There was no significant difference in the volatile profile of products derived from M1 and M3 on day 0. However, it was observed that the M3‐derived product could retain its volatile profile better than the M1‐derived product by day 90. M3 was compared with freeze‐drying in the second experiment. Freeze‐dried truffles showed an overall higher relative percentage of volatiles than the M3‐derived product on day 0. However, by day 90, some volatile changes occurred in the freeze‐dried truffles but not in the M3‐derived product. The findings indicate that while freeze‐drying could adequately conserve truffle volatiles, the encapsulation of volatile compounds in β‐cyclodextrin could improve the volatile stability of truffle products and allow for longer storage times. Microbes were found in all encapsulated truffle products and freeze‐dried truffles on days 0 and 90, suggesting the need to explore the possibility of incorporating a decontamination step in the process prior to either encapsulation or freeze‐drying. A technique to capture and stabilize compounds responsible for truffle aroma by encapsulation using β‐cyclodextrin was developed and compared with freeze‐drying in this study. The overall finding suggests that while freeze‐drying of truffle could sufficiently preserve volatiles, encapsulating truffle volatiles with β‐cyclodextrin may improve its stability, extending its shelf life, which can be applied in the development of a natural truffle ingredient that can be applied in food product development.
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2021
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2012
DOI: 10.1071/CH12044
Abstract: N-Heterocyclic carbene–nickel complexes with five- and four-coordinate geometries [(CNC)NiBr2] and [(CNC)NiBr]X (X = PF6 or BPh4) have been prepared with the pincer ligands 2,6-bis(N-octylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene)pyridine and 2,6-bis(N-butyl-5,6-dimethoxybenzimidazolin-2-ylidene)pyridine. The addition of the n-octyl substituent significantly extends the solubility of the complexes and has allowed UV-vis solution studies of the complexes in dichloromethane and methanol. The four- and five-coordinate species exist in equilibrium in solution and this equilibrium has been explored by UV-vis studies. The complexes have also been characterized by NMR studies, and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been performed on [(CNC)NiBr2] (where CNC = 2,6-bis(N-octylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene)pyridine) and [(CNC)NiBr]BPh4 (where CNC = 2,6-bis(N-butyl-5,6-dimethoxybenzimidazolin-2-ylidene)pyridine).
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-02-2007
Abstract: This paper describes synthetic approaches to potential precursors to cyclopropazulenes, a novel class of nonbenzenoid cycloproparenes. The acid‐catalysed transannular aldol reaction of 1,10‐dibromobicyclo[8.1.0]undecane‐3,8‐dione ( 10 ) gives a single ketol 13 possessing the cyclopropane moiety fused to the five‐membered ring. Similar behaviour is observed in the aldol reaction of 27 , a benzo‐fused analogue of 10 . In the transannular aldol reaction of dione 45 , the epoxy bridge forces the reaction in the desired sense to give a ring system ( 47 and 48 ) in which the cyclopropane ring is fused to the seven‐membered ring. The α,β‐unsaturated ketone 47 was elaborated into the benzofulvene derivative 51 but conversion of this into the benzocyclopropazulene 58 by overall deoxygenation and debromination could not be achieved. The diones used in this study were generally obtained in good yield by ozonolysis of an appropriate cyclic alkene. In the case of 1a,9a‐dibromo‐1a,2,3,8,9,9a‐hexahydro‐1 H ‐cycloprop[ b ]anthracene ( 26 ), an alkene possessing methylene groups that are both allylic and benzylic, ozone effected overall dehydrogenation instead of cleavage of the alkene. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-06-2009
Abstract: Back from obscurity: The practical synthesis of the first six members of the fundamental class of acyclic branched oligoalkenes has been achieved. The syntheses allow access to the target compounds on multigram scales in good yields. Members of the family with even numbers of double bonds are significantly more stable than those with odd numbers (see picture), and exhibit different chemical reactivities in Diels-Alder reactions.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2001
DOI: 10.1039/B104346N
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-02-2022
DOI: 10.1002/JSF2.32
Abstract: Black truffle ( Tuber melanosporum ) is usually available in a form of a whole, offcut pieces (sliced to remove defects or broken from larger truffles) or freeze‐dried (one of the preservation methods), but there is insufficient knowledge about microbial spoilage of these products. The changes in the microbiology of whole, sliced, and freeze‐dried black truffles ( Tuber melanosporum ) were determined in this study. All truffle s les were vacuum‐packaged and stored at 4°C for 30 days and evaluated on day 0, 4, 8, 15, and 30. The total plate count, Pseudomonas spp. count, yeast, and mold count, as well as the presence of Listeria spp., Salmonella spp., and Bacillus spp., were examined. The main finding of this study was that the total microbial count, Pseudomonas spp. count, and yeasts count associated with the freeze‐dried truffles were generally lower than that of the whole and sliced truffles. While mold, Listeria spp., and Salmonella spp. were not detected ( .00 log CFU/g), Bacillus spp. were detected at a very low count in all s le types ( .48 log CFU/g). Overall, the results suggest the need to establish an effective decontamination treatment before packaging and storage to delay microbial spoilage.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 03-08-2018
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.ANALCHEM.8B01710
Abstract: The electrochemical behavior and detection of sulfated carbohydrates were investigated at an array of microinterfaces between two immiscible electrolyte solutions where the organic phase was gelled. It was found that the electrochemical signal was dependent on the organic phase electrolyte cation. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) of sucrose octasulfate (SOS) with bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ammonium BTPPA
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2011
DOI: 10.1039/C0SC00500B
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2013
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-10-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.EJMECH.2021.113861
Abstract: Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a neglected tropical disease caused by the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei (T. b.), and affects communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Previously, analogues of a tetrahydroisoquinoline scaffold were reported as having in vitro activity (IC
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 16-06-2005
DOI: 10.1021/JO0505829
Abstract: [structures: see text] Penta-1,3-dienyl acrylates undergo kinetically controlled intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reactions and DFT calculations (B3LYP/6-31+G(d)) predict stereoselectivities that are in very good agreement with the experimental values. The nature of the diene C1 substituent has virtually no influence upon reactivity or trans/cis-stereoselectivity whereas terminal C9 dienophile substituents have a substantial effect on both the reactivity and stereoselectivity of these IMDA reactions. The TSs highlight contributions from strain in the developing tether-containing ring, and steric and electronic effects between tether and dienophile substituents, thus providing insight into the origins of IMDA reactivity and stereoselectivity.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 11-10-2007
DOI: 10.1021/OL7021998
Abstract: The parent [3]dendralene and 2-substituted [3]dendralenes are made easily through cross-coupling reactions. Contrary to some earlier reports, [3]dendralene is sufficiently stable to be handled using standard synthetic methods. These compounds allow the one-step stereoselective construction of polycyclic frameworks through reactions with dienophiles. Site selectivity and stereoselectivity in Diels-Alder reactions with dienophiles are generally not influenced by the nature of the [3]dendralene's 2-substituent these features can, however, be influenced with Lewis acids.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 1999
DOI: 10.1071/CH98177
Abstract: Treatment of 1,10-dibromobicyclo[8.1.0]undecane-3,8-dione (3) with triethylamine in dichloromethane results in the formation of a deep red compound formulated as 1,4,5,6,7,10,11,12,13,15b-decahydroazuleno- [1′,2′-e]cyclopropa[3,4]cyclodeca[1,2-b]pyran-3,14-dione (13) on the basis of its spectral properties.
Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Date: 13-07-2023
DOI: 10.2174/0929867331666230713165407
Abstract: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are the cause of warts, lesions and cancer, with different types of HPV causing different symptoms. HPV infections are the primary cause of cervical cancer. There are over 220 different types of HPV, and only nine of these can currently be vaccinated. There is a need to treat these viral infections without just treating the symptoms of the infection, as is currently the main method. There is a wide range of small molecules that have been used to inhibit various stages of the HPV infectious cycle. This review examined 132 small molecules from 121 studies that specifically target aspects of HPV infections. HPV DNA encodes for six early genes (E1 to E7, skipping E3) and two late genes (L1 and L2). According to the results, these targets for small molecule inhibitors fall into three categories: those targeting E1 and E2, targeting E6 and E7 and, finally, targeting L1 and L2. Inhibitors of E6 and E7 are the most widely studied targets, with the majority of HPV inhibition in this area. While compounds targeting both E1/E2 and E6/E7 have made it to clinical trials, there has been no significant advancement on the topic.
Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Date: 11-01-2019
DOI: 10.2174/1874467211666181025141114
Abstract: Mycolic acids (MAs) are the characteristic, integral building blocks for the mycomembrane belonging to the insidious bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). These C60-C90 long α-alkyl-β-hydroxylated fatty acids provide protection to the tubercle bacilli against the outside threats, thus allowing its survival, virulence and resistance to the current antibacterial agents. In the post-genomic era, progress has been made towards understanding the crucial enzymatic machineries involved in the biosynthesis of MAs in M.tb. However, gaps still remain in the exact role of the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of regulatory mechanisms within these systems. To date, a total of 11 serine-threonine protein kinases (STPKs) are found in M.tb. Most enzymes implicated in the MAs synthesis were found to be phosphorylated in vitro and/or in vivo. For instance, phosphorylation of KasA, KasB, mtFabH, InhA, MabA, and FadD32 downregulated their enzymatic activity, while phosphorylation of VirS increased its enzymatic activity. These observations suggest that the kinases and phosphatases system could play a role in M.tb adaptive responses and survival mechanisms in the human host. As the mycobacterial STPKs do not share a high sequence homology to the human’s, there have been some early drug discovery efforts towards developing potent and selective inhibitors. Recent updates to the kinases and phosphatases involved in the regulation of MAs biosynthesis will be presented in this mini-review, including their known small molecule inhibitors. Mycobacterial kinases and phosphatases involved in the MAs regulation may serve as a useful avenue for antitubercular therapy.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2016
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 13-08-2005
DOI: 10.1021/JA053772+
Abstract: Spectacular new atom efficient domino cycloaddition sequences involving [4]dendralene, the simplest cross-conjugated tetraene, are reported. Up to eight stereocenters, three new rings, and six C-C bonds are generated in one synthetic operation. The site selectivity of dienophile addition to cross-conjugated trienes and tetraenes is controlled with a simple Lewis acid.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2003
DOI: 10.1039/B302200E
Abstract: Azuleno[5,6-c]furan and 4-chloroazuleno[4,5-c]furan have been prepared by a tandem cycloaddition-cycloreversion strategy. These azulenofurans are qualitatively more stable than isobenzofuran and were characterised spectroscopically and as their Diels-Alder adducts with N-methylmaleimide.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-08-2021
Abstract: Analysis of the epicuticular wax layer on the surface of plant leaves can provide a unique window into plant physiology and responses to environmental stimuli. Well‐established analytical methodologies can quantify epicuticular wax composition, yet few methods are capable of imaging wax distribution in situ or in vivo. Here, the first report of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) reflectance spectroscopic imaging as a non‐destructive, in situ, method to investigate variation in epicuticular wax distribution at 25 µm spatial resolution is presented. The authors demonstrate in vivo imaging of alterations in epicuticular waxes during leaf development and in situ imaging during plant disease or exposure to environmental stressors. It is envisaged that this new analytical capability will enable in vivo studies of plants to provide insights into how the physiology of plants and crops respond to environmental stresses such as disease, soil contamination, drought, soil acidity, and climate change.
Publisher: Portico
Date: 2013
DOI: 10.2212/SPR.2013.4.3
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 11-12-2010
DOI: 10.1021/JO9024557
Abstract: A convenient and high-yielding three-step synthesis of the simplest branched triene, [3]dendralene, has been devised. The synthesis is robust and operationally simple, requiring no chromatography and involving no protecting groups or specialized equipment, allowing the synthesis of the volatile hydrocarbon in pure, solvent free form on a multigram scale. The stability, dimerization when stored neat, and Diels-Alder reactivity of [3]dendralene--including double cycloaddition sequences and catalytic enantioselective variant--are reported.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-08-2022
Abstract: Fresh truffles which include black truffle ( Tuber melanosporum Vittadini) deteriorate and lose aroma rapidly after harvest therefore, postharvest processing via freeze‐drying or encapsulation is an option to preserve truffle aroma for extended supply. However, the aroma profile that directly affects the truffle quality and consumer acceptance is influenced by processing and producers require processing options that balance processing feasibility with retention of a suitable aroma profile. This study aimed to determine the impact of freeze‐drying and encapsulation on the profile of key volatiles, consumer discrimination, and overall sensory impression (aroma intensity, liking, and acceptability) of processed truffle products compared to the starting material (positive control). The study combined experimental‐scale processing with GC‐MS analysis and consumer sensory evaluation to compare and optimize postharvest processing options. Based on the results, some volatile changes were detected in the processed truffle products compared to the positive control which were aligned with the consumer discrimination (triangle test) and the aroma intensity score (consumer sensory test). Despite some chemical and sensory differences detected, the consumer panel did not have any preference for processed truffle products compared to the positive control. The overall finding indicates the potential value of processing truffles into a natural flavoring ingredient for food application via freeze‐drying or encapsulation, which should be of great interest for the truffle and food industry. According to the correlation analysis, the consumer acceptance of a truffle product may be increased by retaining 1‐octen‐3‐ol and methional, while reducing the amount of p ‐cresol in the product. The postharvest process of turning truffles into a food flavoring ingredient may cause undesirable volatile changes that would directly impact the aroma quality and consumer acceptance of the processed truffle products. Hence, the impacts of freeze‐drying and encapsulation on the chemical and sensory profile of truffles were evaluated in this study. Overall, the results of the concurrent instrument and sensory analysis demonstrated that both freeze‐drying and encapsulation are potential options for processing.
Start Date: 2021
End Date: 06-2023
Amount: $474,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
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