We report first prototypes of responsive lanthanide(III) complexes that can be monitored independently in three complementary imaging modalities. Through the appropriate choice of lanthanide(III) cations, the same reactive ligand can be used to form complexes providing detection by (i) visible (Tb(3+)) and near-infrared (Yb(3+)) luminescence, (ii) PARACEST- (Tb(3+), Yb(3+)), or (iii) T1-weighted (Gd(3+)) MRI. The use of lanthanide(III) ions of different natures for these imaging modalities induces only a minor change in the structure of complexes that are therefore expected to have a single biodistribution and cytotoxicity.

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As an important source of new drug molecules, secondary metabolites (SMs) produced by microorganisms possess important biological activities, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic effects. However, the true potential of microbial synthesis of SMs has not been fully elucidated as the SM gene clusters remain silent under laboratory culture conditions. Herein, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of Staphylococcus aureus by co-culture of Eurotium amstelodami and three Bacillus species, including Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. In addition, a non-target approach based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS) was used to detect differences in extracellular and intracellular metabolites. Notably, the co-culture of E. amstelodami and Bacillus spices significantly improved the inhibitory effect against S. aureus, with the combination of E. amstelodami and B. licheniformis showing best performance. Metabolomics data further revealed that the abundant SMs, such as Nummularine B, Lucidenic acid E2, Elatoside G, Aspergillic acid, 4-Hydroxycyclohexylcarboxylic acid, Copaene, and Pipecolic acid were significantly enhanced in co-culture. Intracellularly, the differential metabolites were involved in the metabolism of amino acids, nucleic acids, and glycerophospholipid. Overall, this work demonstrates that the co-culture strategy is beneficial for inducing biosynthesis of active metabolites in E. amstelodami and B. licheniformis.

We describe here an efficient synthesis of both diastereomers of cyclic β,γ‐diamino acids starting from l‐glutamic acid, based on the Blaise reaction. We show that by changing the protecting group, we can access either the five‐membered‐ring lactam, which can be used as a β‐amino acid, or the six‐membered‐ring lactam, as a γ‐amino acid. We also discovered an interesting kinetic resolution during the synthesis that allowed easier separation of diastereomers. The products can be easily used in peptide synthesis, and a tetramer with alternating trans cyclic γ‐amino acid and AIB (2‐aminoisobutyric acid) residues was synthesized.

To reduce the overdependence on petroleum-based surfactants for the dyeing of polyester fabrics, a series of biodegradable cardanol-based polyethoxylate oligomers (CPm, m = 5, 7 and 9) were synthesised by ethoxylation of cardanol with ethylene oxide. The synthesised compounds were characterised and confirmed by Fourier Transform-infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In addition, the physical, biodegradable and dyeing-assisting properties of CPm were evaluated through comparison with tristyrylphenol ethoxylates (A typical commercial surfactant). Results revealed that CPm showed a higher hydroxyl value, better dispersing capability and a higher migration percentage than tristyrylphenol ethoxylates. Specifically, CP5 (0.5 g/L) improved the migration percentage by 12.03% compared with tristyrylphenol ethoxylates.The migration performance of the surfactants followed a descending order of CP5 > CP7 > CP9 > tristyrylphenol ethoxylates. Importantly, CP5 displays a higher degradation propensity than tristyrylphenol ethoxylates, demonstrating its biodegradable merit. In summary, the cardanol-based polyethoxylates synthesised through this research are promising biodegradable and effective alternatives to conventional levelling agents for disperse dyeing, which contributes a new strategy to the sustainable development of the textile industry.How to cite this article: Chen K, He J, Tawiah B, Zhou X, Zhou Y. Facile synthesis of a cardanolbased levelling agent as a biodegradable alternative to tristyrylphenol ethoxylates for the dyeing of polyester fabric.

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