Inhibitory effects of compounds with guaiacyl and syringyl structure, representing the structure of native lignin, were studied on model cultures of bacteria, yeasts, yeast-like microorganisms and moulds. Isoeugenol exhibited the most pronounced inhibitory effect on growth of the studied microorganisms.

The antimicrobial action of 11 compounds involving guaiacyl- and syringyl-like structures (low-molecular-weight part of lignin), gallic acid and its derivatives, cinnamic acid and its derivatives, veratric acid, anisic acid and crotonic acid (a total of 25 compounds) against bacteria, yeast-like organisms and protozoa was examined. Aromatic compounds modified in the C-side chain and aldehydes were effective preferentially against Trichomonas vaginalis, whereas against bacteria and yeast-like organisms eugenol was the most effective inhibitor.

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Various esterases, lipases, and proteases with esterolytic activity were investigated for their power to catalyse deacetylation of 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranose. Out of these, chymotrypsin, esterase ex liver, lipase ex pancreas, and lipase ex wheat-germ have been found to be selective catalysts of deacetylation; chymotrypsin and wheat-germ lipase preferably removed the acetyl at C(3), whereas liver esterase and pancreas lipase the acetyl at C(4). Compared to chemical catalysis, whether by methanolic hydrogen chloride or hydrazine hydrate, the locoselectivity of the enzyme-catalysed deacetylation appear to be much better.

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Thiosulfate derivatives, which can be reduced with mercaptoacetic acid, are suitable intermediates for the preparation of thiol derivatives of polymers. Thiosulfate derivatives of cellulose were prepared via chlorodeoxy- or via 3-chloro-2-hydroxy-propylcellulose, while mercaptodeoxycellulose prepared via chlorodeoxy derivative had more convenient properties for the immobilization of non-thiol enzymes (acetylcholine esterase, butyrylcholine esterase and trypsin). Before immobilization SH groups were introduced into choline esterases by i) reduction of the cystine residues, ii) reaction with methyl 4-mercaptobutyrimidate, and the isothiocyanate groups were introduced into trypsin on reaction with 3-isothiocyanatopropyl 1-isocyanate. The immobilization of the enzymes treated in this way was carried out under the conditions of the oxidation of thiol groups (i), thiol-disulfide exchange reaction (ii), or an addition nucleophilic reaction of isothiocyanates with thiols. In contrast to the proteolytic activity of the immobilized trypsin the esterolytic activity of immobilized choline esterases attained satisfactory values.