Abstract: The invention provides a process for hydrolytically converting aloeresin A to aloesin by the following reaction: The amount of aloesin available for extraction from sap of aloe plants is thereby increased and the extraction and purification of the aloesin is also made easier and less costly. As aloesin is more commercially valuable than aloeresin A, the process also increases the commercial value of the sap or aloe bitters from the aloe plant. The process optionally also includes the step of separating the aloesin from the p-coumaric acid. Typical hydrolysis steps that are used in the process are acid hydrolysis, base hydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis. In the case of acid hydrolysis, the acid is any suitable organic or inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid or phosphoric acid. In the case of enzymatic hydrolysis, the hydrolytic enzyme is typically an esterase, a lipase or a protease.

Abstract: Methods for preferentially hydrolyzing one stereoisomer of an isoxazoline diester over another, as well as an enzyme for facilitating the preferential hydrolysis are provided. Also provided are methods for providing mixtures of (RR) and (RS) monatin as well as (SS) and (SR) monatin, which methods can include the step of stereoselectively hydrolyzing an isoxazoline diester.

Abstract: Methods for preferentially hydrolyzing one stereoisomer of an isoxazoline diester over another, as well as an enzyme for facilitating the preferential hydrolysis are provided. Also provided are methods for providing mixtures of (RR) and (RS) monatin as well as (SS) and (SR) monatin, which methods can include the step of stereoselectively hydrolyzing an isoxazoline diester.

Abstract: A method for the cyclodehydration of a 1,4- or 1,5-diol includes the step of exposing a 1,4- or a 1,5-diol to an activated zeolite at a temperature of between about 0° C. and about 110° C. for a period of between about 1 and 24 hours. The activated zeolite is prepared from an inactive NaY or CaY type zeolite by ion exchange with an ammonium salt, to produce an ammonium zeolite and exchange of at least part of the ammonia of the ammonium zeolate with a group II A metal.

Abstract: Methods for preferentially hydrolyzing one stereoisomer of an isoxazoline diester over another, as well as an enzyme for facilitating the preferential hydrolysis are provided. Also provided are methods for providing mixtures of (RR) and (RS) monatin as well as (SS) and (SR) monatin, which methods can include the step of stereoselectively hydrolyzing an isoxazoline diester.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for hydrolytically converting aloeresin A to aloesin by the following reaction: The amount of aloesin available for extraction from sap of aloe plants is thereby increased and the extraction and purification of the aloesin is also made easier and less costly. As aloesin is more commercially valuable than aloeresin A, the process also increases the commercial value of the sap or aloe bitters from the aloe plant. The process optionally also includes the step of separating the aloesin from the p-coumaric acid. Typical hydrolysis steps that are used in the process are acid hydrolysis, base hydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis. In the case of acid hydrolysis, the acid is any suitable organic or inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid or phosphoric acid. In the case of enzymatic hydrolysis, the hydrolytic enzyme is typically an esterase, a lipase or a protease.