The oxidation of cyclohex-2-en-1-ol, a simple model substrate for allylic alcohols, is catalyzed by several P450 isoenzymes and leads exclusively to cyclohex-2-en-1-one. No double bond epoxidation or C(4) hydroxylation have been observed. The large primary kinetic isotope effect measured using [2H]-1-cyclohex-2-en-1-ol is consistent with an at least partially rate limiting breaking of the C(1)-H bond. The mass spectrometric analysis of cyclohex-2-en-1-one obtained from [18O]cyclohex-2-en-1-ol has established that a gem-diol intermediate is involved, even if a dual hydrogen abstraction pathway may contribute to the reaction.

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Sorghum is a gluten-free cereal representing a staple food in many countries of Africa, where germination is traditionally used for the preparation of several sorghum-based products. This study focused on the effect of germination on total phenolic content, in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant activity, and antihypertensive action of sorghum from Togo. Total phenolic content was estimated as Folin–Ciocalteu reducing capacity, while antioxidant activities were assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) in vitro tests and ex vivo by the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay on human erythrocytes. The antihypertensive effect of germinated and non-germinated sorghum peptides fraction was evaluated as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Despite our findings demonstrated no impact of germination on the total phenolic content, non-germinated sorghum showed significantly higher in vitro antioxidant activities than the germinated one; further, non-germinated sorghum displayed significantly higher ACE inhibition than germinated sorghum that, instead, at lower doses, exhibited better erythrocytes protection from peroxyl radicals. In conclusion, the germination process negatively impacted the in vitro antioxidant activity and the antihypertensive effect of sorghum while improved erythrocytes protection. This study evidenced better nutraceutical potential of non-germinated sorghum that, besides good antioxidant activity, represents an important source of ACE-inhibitory peptides. However, the germination process might have positively impacted the profile of bioactive compounds involved in the protection of human erythrocytes from oxidative damage.

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