Preparation of Oligosaccharides and Related Structures

Abstract

Preparation of Oligosaccharides and Related Structures Cleo Sabrina Evans Thesis under the direction of Professor Steven D. Townsend Aeromonas veronii is a gram-negative bacterial species known to cause disease in humans and fish populations. Researchers determined that a new strain, A. veronii Bs8, contains a capsular polysaccharide composed of a disaccharide repeating unit consisting of fucose and galactosamine. This key disaccharide was accessed in eleven steps from commercially-available D-fucose and D-galactosamine. The fruits of Sapindus saponaria contain bioactive saponins. Saponin S1 was isolated and characterized in 2007 by a research team in Brazil. Since then, it has been tested against spermatozoa, Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida albicans and non-albicans, and Lactobacillus vaginalis. Saponin S1 showed significant activity against everything but L. vaginalis, a commensal bacterium in the human vagina. This makes the compound promising as a new birth control. Though many studies have been conducted with Saponin S1, no synthetic route has been developed. This thesis discusses progress made toward its synthesis.