Near-infrared (NIR, 700–1700 nm)- and telecom (∼1260–1625 nm)-emissive molecules are good candidates for biological imaging and quantum sensing applications, respectively; however, bright low energy e...

Chemical kinetics course Class 1: Historical introduction Class 2: 0-2nd order, equilibrium (analytical) Class 3: Reactions in series/parallel, Michaelis-Men...

We appoint researchers from across biology and biomedicine to set up their first groups at the Crick.

Background Perylenequinones, such as hypocrellins and hypomycins, are fungal secondary metabolites with potential for pharmaceutical and industrial applications due to both their physical and biological properties. This study focused on their sustainable production. Additionally, stable isotope labeling was used to probe the biosynthesis of these compounds, demonstrating how sugars are likely incorporated into the perylenequinone scaffold. Methods Shiraia sp. (strain MSX60519; Shiraiaceae, Pleosporales) was cultivated under varying nutrient conditions to evaluate the production of perylenequinones, with sugars serving as primary carbon sources. Five metabolites were isolated (from oatmeal cultures) using environmentally friendly solvent-based techniques, and the process was further optimized to maximize yields. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS) were employed to detect, characterize, and quantify the major compounds. Furthermore, feeding experiments were performed using 13C-labeled glucose, with droplet probe mass spectrometry used to monitor stable isotope incorporation in situ. Results This study yielded three key findings. First, the production of perylenequinones was significantly enhanced by supplementing fermentation media with sugars, and disaccharides significantly enhanced the production of perylenequinones compared to monosaccharides. Optimizing sugar concentrations during the fermentation further influenced the profile of secondary metabolites. Second, stable isotope labeling experiments confirmed that sugars are the primary building blocks of perylenequinones, as noted by tracing 13C-labeling into ent-shiraiachrome A (1). Finally, a green, scalable, and sustainable strategy for producing these compounds on the gram scale was developed by optimizing fermentation conditions, refining purification methods, and improving extraction efficiency. Conclusion These findings provide critical insights into optimizing fermentation conditions for the scaled and sustainable production of perylenequinones. This approach offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly pipeline for harnessing these valuable compounds, paving the way for broader pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Graphical abstract

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) based on dysprosocenium cations, [Dy(CpR)2]+ (CpR = substituted cyclopentadienyl), have set record effective energy barriers to magnetic reversal (Ueff) and temperatures...

[FeFe] hydrogenases are highly efficient metalloenzymes that catalyze hydrogen conversion via a sophisticated active site cofactor known as the H-cluster. Biosynthesis of its [2Fe]H subcluster, which ...

Catalyzing the light-driven reduction of carbon dioxide and/or protons is an important approach to storing light energy in the form of chemical fuels …

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Small-molecule fluorescent probes have revolutionized fluorescence imaging in both biological research and clinical applications, allowing the exploration of intricate cellular processes and aiding di...

Understanding how magnetic nuclei affect spin relaxation is vital for designing robust spin coherence in magnetic materials and molecules. A key question is the extent that magnetic nuclei close to a ...

Azaspiro[2.y]alkanes are increasingly valuable scaffolds in pharmaceutical drug discovery; however, an asymmetric catalytic method for their synthesis remains unknown. Here, we present a stereodiverge...

Catalytic CO2 reduction reactions featuring high selectivity toward formate are relatively rare. In some homogeneous molecular CO2-reducing electrocatalysis, using triethylamine (TEA) and isopropanol ...

When the cationic, octahedral terminal nitrido complex of Mo(VI) supported by a diborate pentadentate ligand is generated in the absence of trapping nucleophiles, it rapidly activates the C(sp2)-H bon...

Copper complexes of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA, TMPA, or TPMA) are widely studied for their redox activity and catalytic versatility. This study investigates solvent-dependent speciation of coppe...