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ω3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids are currently obtained mainly from fisheries; thus, sustainable alternative sources such as oleaginous microorganisms are required. Here, we describe the isolation, characterization, and application of 3 novel ω3 desaturases with ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acid–producing activity at ordinary temperatures (28 °C). First, we selected Pythium sulcatumand Plectospira myriandraafter screening for oomycetes with high eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratios and isolated the genes psulω3and pmd17, respectively, which encode ω3 desaturases. Subsequent characterization showed that PSULω3 exhibited ω3 desaturase activity on both C18 and C20 ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids while PMD17 exhibited ω3 desaturase activity exclusively on C20 ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Expression of psulω3and pmd17in the arachidonic acid–producer Mortierella alpinaresulted in transformants that produced eicosapentaenoic acid/total fatty acid values of 38% and 40%, respectively, at ordinary temperatures. These ω3 desaturases should facilitate the construction of sustainable ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acid sources.Graphical AbstractCharacterization of ω3 fatty acid desaturases from oomycetes and their application toward eicosapentaenoic acid production in Mortierella alpina.

Neutron spectrum analyses of spallation neutrons are conducted in the accelerator-driven system (ADS) facility at the Kyoto University Critical Assembly (KUCA). High-energy protons (100 MeV) obtained from the fixed field alternating gradient accelerator are injected onto a tungsten target, whereby the spallation neutrons are generated. For neutronic characteristics of spallation neutrons, the reaction rates and the continuous energy distribution of spallation neutrons are measured by the foil activation method and by an organic liquid scintillator, respectively. Numerical calculations are executed by MCNPX with JENDL/HE-2007 and ENDF/B-VI libraries to evaluate the reaction rates of activation foils (bismuth and indium) set at the target and the continuous energy distribution of spallation neutrons set in front of the target. For the reaction rates by the foil activation method, the C/E values between the experiments and the calculations are found around a relative difference of 10%, except for some reactions. For continuous energy distribution by the organic liquid scintillator, the spallation neutrons are observed up to 45 MeV. From these results, the neutron spectrum information on the spallation neutrons generated at the target are attained successfully in injecting 100 MeV protons onto the tungsten target.

Nonprotected carbohydrates: The catalytic regioselective thiocarbonylation of carbohydrates by using organotin dichloride under mild conditions was demonstrated. The reaction afforded various deoxy saccharides in high yields and excellent regioselectivity in a minimum number of steps. The regioselectivity of the thiocarbonylation is attributed to the intrinsic character of the carbohydrates based on the stereorelationship of their hydroxy groups (see scheme).

One, two, three, four: A copper(I)–phosphine complex catalyzes the diborylation of alkynes and arynes, and the tri‐ or tetraborylation of propargyl ethers (see scheme; pin=pinacolato). In the latter cases, the CO bond(s) as well as the CC bond are borylated in one pot. Furthermore, a diborylation product serves as an intermediate in the efficient synthesis of ortho‐terphenyls with pharmacological activity.

Eins, zwei, drei, vier: Ein Kupfer(I)‐Phosphinkomplex katalysiert die Diborylierung von Alkinen und Arinen sowie die Tri‐ oder Tetraborylierung von Propargylethern (siehe Schema; pin=Pinakolato). In den letzteren Fällen werden die C‐O‐Einfach‐ und die C‐C‐Dreifachbindung in einem Schritt boryliert. Ein Diborylierungsprodukt diente außerdem als Intermediat in der effizienten Synthese von pharmakologisch aktiven ortho‐Terphenylen.

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Turmerones (α-turmerone, β-turmerone, and ar-turmerone), the main bioactive compounds in turmeric (Curcuma longa), are used as herbal medicines in Asia. The distinct feature of turmerones is their strong flavor, which is attributed to their volatility. Orally administered turmerones are reportedly distributed in their intact forms in organs; however, the distribution of inhaled volatile turmerones in the body remains unknown. This study aimed to estimate the distribution of inhaled volatile turmerones. After mice were exposed to volatile turmeric oil, turmerones were found in the lung, olfactory bulb, brain, serum, heart, liver, kidney, epididymal fat, and brown adipose tissue. Each turmerone had a different range of concentrations in the different organs: α-turmerone (5.74–425 ng/kg), β-turmerone (6.41–231 ng/kg), and ar-turmerone (61.0–594 ng/kg). These results suggested that volatile turmerones could be incorporated into the animal body with a distinct range of concentration for each organ.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Garlic reportedly has various physiological effects, including a role in protecting against dementia. However, the action mechanisms of garlic on AD are not entirely clear. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory activity of garlic essential oil (GEO) against AD-related enzymes and evaluated the distribution of active substances in GEO to the brain. We found that several sulfur compounds in GEO significantly inhibited AD-related enzymes. Sulfur compounds were detected in the serum and brain 6 h post administration. The ratios of allyl mercaptan (24.0 ± 3.9%) and allyl methyl sulfide (49.8 ± 15.6%) in the brain were significantly higher than those in GEO, while those of dimethyl trisulfide (0.89 ± 34.8%), allyl methyl trisulfide (0.41 ± 19.0%), and diallyl trisulfide (0.43 ± 72.8%) in the brain were significantly lower than those in GEO. Similar results were observed in the serum, suggesting that the organosulfur compounds were converted to allyl mercaptan or allyl methyl sulfide in the body. Although allyl mercaptan and allyl methyl sulfide are not the main components of GEO, they might be key molecules to understand the bioactivities of GEO in the body.

Easily accessible copper—phosphine complexes serve as catalyst for the formation of different vic‐diborylalkenes from arynes or alkynes.