Tunable microwave-assisted method for the solvent-free and catalyst-free peracetylation of natural products.
Background:The peracetylation is a simple chemical modification that can be used to enhance the bioavailability of hydrophilic products and to obtain safe and stable pro-drugs.Results:A totally green, solvent-free and catalyst-free microwave (MW)-assisted method for peracetylation of natural products such as oleuropein, alpha-hederin, quercetin and rutin is presented. By simply tuning the MW heating program, polyols with chemical diverse -OH groups or thermolabile functionalities can be peracetylated to improve the biological activity without degradation of the natural starting molecules. An evaluation of the process greenness was performed.Conclusion:The method is potentially universally applicable for green acetylation of hydrophilic biological molecules, potentially easily scalable for industrial applications, including pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industry.
Department of Health Science, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; InterRegional Center for Food Safety and Health, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Manuela
M
Oliverio
Department of Health Science, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Paola
P
Costanzo
Department of Chemistry, Università della Calabria, Cubo 12C, 87036-Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy.
Monica
M
Nardi
Department of Health Science, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Carla
C
Calandruccio
InterRegional Center for Food Safety and Health, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Raffaele
R
Salerno
Department of Health Science, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; InterRegional Center for Food Safety and Health, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Antonio
A
Procopio
catalyst-free; microwaves; peracetylation; polyhydroxylated compounds; solvent-free