Nadia Y. Ayala

Chemistry/Biochemistry Research 430

Fall 2016

Nadia Y. Ayala

Senior Biochemistry Major

Research Times

T/Thur 10am-12pm

section 01 = 0.25 credit = 4 hours per week.

Proposed Research Project

General Information

Advisor: Bradley Sturgeon

Other research student collaborators: Stephany Saey

Proposal

Curcumin is a secondary plant metabolite of the turmeric herb Curcuma Longa. The term "curcumin" has been used to refer to the bioactive moelcule, but in reality curcumin has three different molecular structures: curcumin I, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. A review of curcumin studies suggest curcumin has chemotherapeutic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity, among other uses to be discovered. The current research project aims to successfully isolate and purify curcumin and its derivatives from the plant turmeric. With MeOH under reflux, the curcuminoids will be extracted and subsequently subjected to Flash Chromatography for separation. Once the curcuminoids are separated, NMR data collection will take place to compare the chemical properties of each derivative. Curcumin Research

Instruments to be used

Flash Chromatography, HPLC, Soxhlet Reflux extraction

Writen Report

Enzymatic Oxidation of Biophenols: HPA

Nadia Ayala, Benjamine Stillwell, Ian Salveson, Dr.Bradley Sturgeon

Summer 2016

Abstract

HPA is a model compound of a biologically active pheno, with a OH group that partakes in oxidation naturally. These phenols form radical intermediates during oxidation which are responsible for the resulting stable products. We have investigated various means of oxidation and will present data resulting from using an immobilized enzyme bioreactor. The products have been analyzed by HPLC and separated via flash chromatography.

Instrumentation

Immobilized Enzyme Bioreactor This technique allowed there to be an oxidation activity that mimics a biological organism by having the Biophenols flow over the enzyme which was attached to agarose beads at different flow rates. The Flow of HPA as well as the concentration of HPA was tested and recorded order to get the most separation of products. To see the progression of the results please see the HPA Biophenol Reaserch Page

HPLC High pressure liquid chromatography allowed us to analyze the products formed via the oxidation. The separation is based on polarity of the compound through a column and the separate combination of dimers and trimes where represented by the separate peaks.

Flash Chromatography This technique allowed us to separate our products once identified by HPLC, using a C18 Gold column. Once products were separated through flash chromatography they were then ran through HPLC again to confirm the isolated products lined up with the original HPLC data.

NMR H-NMR was used in the analysis of the products that where seperated through the flash chromatography.

Research pledge

I, Nadia Ayala, have read the Chem/Bioc 430 course syllabus and understand the general structure and expectations of the research program. The above material was prepared after consultation, and in conjunction with my research advisor.