Characteristics of Uracil

Uracil, an organic compound with the molecular formula C₄H₄N₂O₂ and a molecular weight of 112.087, has the appearance of a fine off-white crystalline powder. Uracil is a unique base of ribonucleic acid (RNA), and together with cytosine, it is a component of RNA. In nature, uracil is found in marine organisms, particulate matter, and dissolved matter in seawater. It is used as a biogenic marker in the study of organic geochemistry. Thus it is also a key component of the genetic material of life. Uracil blocks the degradation of tegafur and increases the concentration of fluorouracil. Therefore, uracil has significantly enhanced anticancer effects. In clinics, ornithine is mainly used in the treatment of digestive system cancer, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer. Especially when uracil is used in combination with mitomycin in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer, it can maximize the therapeutic effect.

Fig.1 Chemical structure of uracil and its derivatives. (CD BioGlyco)

Nucleoside-based Uracil Production Service at CD BioGlyco

At CD BioGlyco, we offer methods for the production of uracil including, but not limited to, chemical, and enzymatic methods.

For Chemical Synthesis, we have the following routes:

• Synthesis of uracil by oxidation from β-dicarbonyl compounds and their analogs. This method has the obvious advantages of superior cost and simple operation.
• Synthesis of uracil by hydrolysis of cytosine as raw material.
• Synthesis of uracil by photocatalytic decarboxylation of orotate as raw material.
• Synthesis of uracil by photocatalytic dehydrogenation of β-alanine as raw material.
• One-pot method for the production of uracil from ester compounds. This method has a high yield (the yield of uracil obtained can be more than 75%) and a stable process, which is an excellent strategy for the synthesis of uracil.

On the enzymatic side, we use specific enzymes to produce uracil using its fermentation action. This method is characterized by mild conditions as well as specificity.

In addition to uracil production services, we also provide uracil detection as well as characterization services. For example, we provide HPLC and LC-MS to detect the changes in uracil content efficiently and accurately; and NMR, IR, XRD, and UV to identify the structure of uracil.

Fig.2 Specifics of production services of uracil. (CD BioGlyco)

Applications

• Uracil is used to prepare pharmaceutically loaded silver phosphate catalysts.
• Uracil is used as a compound stabilizer for tubing production.
• Uracil is used in research for the production of anticancer drugs.

Advantages

• The multiple synthetic methods of uracil help to explore its structure and function efficiently.
• The production of uracil helps to study the application content of uracil nucleosides.

CD BioGlyco has a professional uracil research team with extensive experience in uracil production. We provide custom service in the production of uracil for clients all over the world. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.