Acids In Total Lipids Research Articles

Changes in lipid compositions of Japanese honewort (Cryptotae japonica Hassk) during germ and growth

Changes in lipid compositions in Japanese honewort (Cryptotae japonica Hassk) seed during growth at 56 days (8 weeks) at 25°C were studied. The total lipids content (g/100 g dry seeds) was decreased during growth, and it was remarkably during germination. Triacylglycerol content as a main component of total lipids was significantly decreased during germination. In glycolipid fraction, ASG, SG contents were decreased during growth, and MGDG, DGDG contents (g/100 g dry matter) were relatively increased. Main fatty acid in total lipids in seed were 18 : 1 n 9, 18 : 2 n 6, 18 : 3 n 3, 16 : 0 acids. The content of 18 : 3 n 3 acid in total lipids was gradually increased during growth. On the other hand, 18 : 1 n 9 acid was decreased relatively. Especially, increase of 18 : 3 n 3 and 16 : 3 n 3 acids contents in glycolipid fraction were notable.

Effects of essential fatty acid deficiency and supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) on cellular fatty acid compositions and fatty acyl desaturation in a cell culture model

The desaturation of [1-14C] 18:3n-3 to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) is enhanced in an essential fatty acid deficient cell line (EPC-EFAD) in comparison with the parent cell line (EPC) from carp. In the present study, the effects of DHA on lipid and fatty acid compositions, and the metabolism of [1-14C]18:3n-3 were investigated in EPC-EFAD cells in comparison with EPC cells. DHA supplementation had only relatively minor effects on lipid content and lipid class compositions in both EPC and EPC-EFAD cells, but significantly increased the amount of DHA, 22:5n-3, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3), total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), total PUFA and saturated fatty acids in total lipid and total polar lipid in both cell lines. Retroconversion of supplemental DHA to EPA was significantly greater in EPC cells. Monounsaturated fatty acids, n-9 and n-6PUFA were all decreased in total lipid and total polar lipid in both cell lines by DHA supplementation. The incorporation of [1-14C]18:3n-3 was greater into EPC-EFAD compared to EPC cells but DHA had no effect on the incorporation of [1-14C]18:3n-3 in either cell line. In contrast, the conversion of [1-14C]18:3n-3 to tetraenes, pentaenes and total desaturation products was similar in the two cell lines and was significantly reduced by DHA supplementation in both cell lines. However, the production of DHA from [1-14C]18:3n-3 was significantly greater in EPC-EFAD cells compared to EPC cells and, whereas DHA supplementation had no effect on the production of DHA from [1-14C]18:3n-3 in EPC cells, DHA supplementation significantly reduced the production of DHA from [1-14C] 18:3n-3 in EPC-EFAD cells. Greater production of DHA in EPC-EFAD cells could be a direct result of significantly lower levels of end-product DHA in these cells' lipids compared to EPC cells. Consistent with this, the suppression of DHA production upon DHA supplementation was associated with increased cellular and membrane DHA concentrations in EPC-EFAD cells. However, an increase in cellular DHA content to similar levels failed to suppress DHA production in DHA-supplemented EPC cells. A possible explanation is that greatly increased levels of EPA, derived from retroconversion of the added DHA, acts to offset the suppression of the pathway by DHA by stimulating conversion of EPA to DHA in DHA-supplemented EPC cells.

Effects of zinc on lipids of erythrocytes from carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) acclimated to different temperatures.

We compared the effect of zinc (0.01, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mM) at two temperatures (5 and 20 degrees C) on erythrocytes from summer and winter acclimatised carp. An increase in temperature from 5 to 20 degrees C increased the unsaturation index (UI) and relative proportion (UI/SFA) of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids in total lipids of the red cells. At 5 degrees C, the unsaturation index of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) decreased (30-40%) in the presence of 1 mM zinc. The change in unsaturation of phospholipids in the presence of zinc at 5 degrees C is probably responsible for the alteration in structural integrity of erythrocyte membrane as observed by hemolysis and the decreased thiol group content in the erythrocytes. In light of this result, zinc may be considered an environmental hazard for these fish at low temperatures.

Lipid components and enzymatic hydrolysis of lipids in muscle of Chinese freshwater fish

AbstractThe lipid and fatty acid composition of muscle of 10 species of freshwater fish obtained from a market of Shanghai City was examined. Total lipids (TL) ranged over 0.9–4.7% of muscle for all samples. The content of triacylglycerol (TG) in muscle ranged over 0.2–3.4% and that of polar lipids (PL) was 0.5–1.3%. Differences of TL content were dependent on TG contents. The predominant important fatty acids (>10% of the total fatty acids in TL) were 16∶0 and 18∶1n−9 with some 16∶1n−7, 18∶2n−6, and 22∶6n−3. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content was 10.2–43.4%, and especially Chinese sea bass contained above 20% of 22∶6n−3 in the total fatty acids. There were higher levels of PUFA such as 20∶5n−3 and 22∶6n−3 in PL than in neutral lipids. Muscle of the silver carp was stored at 20°C, and changes of lipid classes during storage were examined. Free fatty acids increased, and PL decreased during storage. This phenomenon was inhibited by heating the muscle, suggesting that lipid hydrolysis by phospholipase occurred in silver carp muscle.

Discrimination between two reared stocks of cod ( Gadus morhua ) from the Faroe Islands by chemometry of the fatty acid composition in the heart tissue

The composition of fatty acids in total lipids and in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in the heart tissue from two reared stocks of cod (Gadus morhua L.) was determined by a chemometric method, consisting of methanolysis, gas chromatography of the resulting fatty acid methyl esters and multivariate statistical treatment, by principal component analysis, of the analytical data. The two reared stocks of cod from the Faroe Bank and the Faroe Plateau had significantly different fatty acid profiles in all three groups of lipids. This difference is expected to be purely genetic and free of biotic and abiotic impacts on the fatty acid profiles. The observed clear-cut distinction suggests that the method may have the potential to discriminate between the corresponding wild stocks, although possible variation in the fatty acid profile caused by internal and environmental factors must be better understood.

Formula omitted] values of lipids from phototrophic zone microplankton and bathypelagic shrimps at the Azores sector of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

The lipid composition and δ 13 C values of phototrophic zone microplankton, and species of bathypelagic shrimp that are not associated with hydrothermal vents, were determined for samples collected from the water column above the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. These analyses were compared with similar previously published data for vent bresiliid shrimp to address the hypothesis that deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems are reliant on specific dietary nutrients produced by photosynthetic organisms. Microplankton (<200 μm) sampled from the surface layer (∼4 m deep) and from the region of maximum light scattering (LSM, 48–75 m deep) were analysed to determine δ 13 C values of individual fatty acids in particulate matter. The distributions of fatty acids in total lipid from the surface layer and from the LSM were very similar, with high levels (∼45% of the total) of saturated fatty acids, particularly 14 : 0, 16 : 0 and 18 : 0, and moderate amounts (∼31% of the total) of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), dominated by 22 : 6(n-3). δ 13 C values of fatty acids from the surface layer and LSM were also very similar (mean values of −27.6 and −28.8‰, respectively), with a range of values from −25.0 to −32.2‰ and PUFA being somewhat depleted in 13 C relative to saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Total lipid of abdominal muscle from three species of bathypelagic decapod shrimp, Ephyrina bidentata, Parapasiphaea sulcatifrons and Sergia japonicus collected from 2000 m contained 18 : 1(n-9), 16 : 0, 22 : 6(n-3) and 20 : 5(n-3) as major fatty acids in all cases. The fatty acids in total lipid from the wax ester-rich hepatopancreas of all three shrimps were dominated (∼50% of the total) by 18 : 1(n-9) and contained substantially lower levels of PUFA than muscle lipid. Total lipids from the hepatopancreas of E. bidentata and S. japonicus contained high levels of 22 : 1 alcohols and 16 : 0 alcohol, respectively, whereas total hepatopancreatic lipid from P. sulcatifrons contained mainly 18 : 1 alcohols and 16 : 0 alcohol. δ 13 C values for the fatty acids in the three species ranged from −22.4 to −30.7‰ for muscle (mean value −25.7‰) and from −23.9 to −31.9‰ for hepatopancreas (mean value −26.1‰), with PUFA again being depleted in 13 C relative to saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. δ 13 C values for the fatty alcohols in the three species ranged from −25.7 to −29.5‰ (mean value −27.1‰). These lipid analytical and δ 13 C data are consistent with PUFAs in bathypelagic shrimps originating unmodified from PUFAs in the photic zone and wax esters in bathypelagic shrimps originating substantially from animal biosynthetic activity.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Cod Liver Oil on Cold Shock and Freezability of Boar Semen

ContentsThe effect of dietary supplementation with cod liver oil (CLO), which is rich in n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), on resistance to cold shock and on freezability of boar semen was investigated. Ejaculates from 29 fertile Norwegian Landrace boars, randomly divided into control (n = 15) and CLO‐group (n = 14), were frozen before and after a 12 week period of daily oil supplementation. Before each freezing, semen samples were taken to determine the fatty acid composition of the spermatozoa. Docosahexaenoic acid (22 : 6n‐3; DHA) was the major fatty acid in total lipids. The n‐3 fatty acid DHA increased in the CLO‐group from 25.5 to 32.1% at the expense of the n‐6 docosapentaenoic acid (22 : 5n‐6), which decreased from 11.3 to 4.2% (p &lt; 0.0001). The concentration of these fatty acids were unchanged in the control group. There was also a significant decrease of other PUFAs in the CLO‐group (p &lt; 0.05). Eicosapentaenoic acid (20 : 5n‐3) was not found in any sample. At four different steps of the preservation process (30, 15, 5°C and after freezing/thawing) both motility and acrosome integrity were assessed. No significant differences were found either within or between the groups at any of the steps. In conclusion, CLO‐supplementation alters the lipid composition of the membranes of boar spermatozoa, however, this does not seem to have any beneficial effect on cold shock and freezability of boar semen.

Early ontogeny-related changes of the fatty acid composition in the Percichthyid fishes trout cod, Maccullochella macquariensis and Murray cod, M. peelii peelii

Changes in the fatty acid profiles of the Percichthyid fish trout cod, Maccullochella macquariensis (Cuvier), and Murray cod, M. peelii peelii (Mitchell), two Australian native freshwater fish species, were investigated during early development from egg to yolk-sac-resorbed larval stage. In the two Percichthyid fishes polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) accounted for more than 50 % of the 19 quantified fatty acids in total lipid. The fatty acids that occurred in the highest abundance in both trout cod and Murray cod, in all developmental stages, in order, were docosahexaenoic acid [DHA 22:6(n-3)], arachidonic acid [AA 20:4(n-6)], oleic acid [18:1(n-9)] and palmitic acid (16:0), all of which exceeded 100 μg per mg total lipid in most instances. The ratio of 22:6(n-3) to eicosapentaenoic acid- 20:5(n-3) in eggs of trout cod and Murray cod was 5.4:1 and 7.3:1, respectively, and remained almost unchanged through development, and was considerably higher than the 2:1 ratio generally reported for fish eggs. In trout cod, 11 of the 19 fatty acids in total lipid decreased during the transformation from egg to yolk-sac-resorbed larva. In Murray cod, only 16:1(n-7) showed a significant decrease whilst 20:4(n-6) increased significantly with development. Overall, there was a tendency in both species to conserve n-3 and n-6 series highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), suggesting their essentiality in first feeding larvae. These observations are discussed in relation to the feeding habits of trout cod and Murray cod, which are top order, freshwater carnivores.

Species-specific differences in the fatty acid profiles of the lipids of the yolk and of the liver of the chick

Differences between four avian species of commercial importance (chicken, turkey, duck and goose), in terms of the relationship between the dietary fatty acids supplied in the diet of the layers and the fatty acid composition of the egg yolk lipids, were investigated. Laying hens of the four species were provided with diets with very similar fatty acid compositions. The polyunsaturated fatty acid content of the diets consisted of linoleic and α-linolenic acids at approximately 50% and 6% (w/w of total fatty acids), respectively, for all four species. In spite of the very similar dietary provision of fatty acids, the subsequent fatty acid profiles of the yolk lipids differed markedly between the four species. In particular, the proportion of docosahexaenoic acid in the total lipid of the yolk was three to five times greater for the chicken compared to the other three species. By contrast, the proportion of arachidonic acid in total yolk lipid was approximately two times greater for the goose and duck than for the chicken and turkey. Thus the chicken was more efficient at incorporating long-chain (C22 ) fatty acid of the n-3 series into yolk lipid whereas the duck and goose preferentially incorporated C20 fatty acid of the n-6 series. The turkey eggs contained a similar proportion of arachidonic acid but less docosahexaenoic acid than the chicken eggs. The main differences between the avian species in terms of the yolk levels of C20 –22 polyunsaturated fatty acids were in the phospholipid fraction since only low levels of these fatty acids were present in the triacylglycerol fraction. The relative proportions of docosahexaenoic acid in the phospholipid and triacylglycerol fractions of the livers of the newly-hatched chicks of the four species reflected the differences displayed by the yolks. The proportions of arachidonic acid in these liver lipid fractions, however, did not reflect the species differences in yolk lipid composition. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry

Habitat related variations in fatty acids of catadromous Galaxias maculatus

The fatty acid profile of the galaxiid fish Galaxias maculatus (Salmoniformes) collected from an estuarine habitat (a river mouth), a freshwater creek and two land-locked freshwater lakes in Victoria, Australia, were investigated with a view to evaluating habitat influences on the fatty acid profile. Fish from the freshwater creek were unpigmented, fresh-run juveniles (referred to as whitebait), the others adult fish. The fatty acids that predominated in adult G. maculatus muscle were 16:0 and 22:6(n-3), and 16:0 and 18:1(n-9), respectively. In whitebait 22:6(n-3), 20:5(n-3) and 16:0 were predominant. Hopkins estuary fish had the highest amount of 18:2(n-6) but the lowest 18:3(n-3). In all galaxiid populations, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were the main group of fatty acids in total lipid in muscle, and accounted for more than 40 %, followed by saturates and monoenes. In landlocked populations, the amount of monoenes was lower than in other galaxiid populations. G. maculatus whitebait had significantly lower amount of saturates and the highest amount of n-3 fatty acids. The ratio of n-3 to n-6 PUFA ranged from 4.6 (Hopkins estuary) to 7.6 (whitebait), and the former differed significantly from all the other populations. The main fatty acids predominating in the liver of galaxiids from landlocked (Lake Bullen Merri) and estuarine populations were 16:0, 22:6(n-3) and 18:1 (n-9), and generally reflected the corresponding pattern in muscle. A principal component analysis of the fatty acid composition of muscle samples confirmed and highlighted the distinct fatty acid profile of the populations investigated, when three groupings could be discerned. The study suggests that in addition to the diet, other habitat related factors may influence the fatty acid profile in catadromous G. maculatus.

Steep rise of docosahexaenoic acid in phosphatidylethanolamines of heart and liver of rats fed native olive oil or rapeseed oil

It is not known so far whether the beneficial effects of dietary olive oil are solely due to high levels of oleic acid. Male Wistar rats were fed isocaloric diets containing 120 g/kg diet of three oleic acid-rich plant oils, i.e. high-oleic sunflower oil (HOS), olive oil (OLI), and Canola-type rapeseed oil (RAP), for 10 wk and the pattern of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in total lipids, phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylcholines in heart and liver lipids was studied. In the total lipids of heart and liver the proportion of docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid was significantly higher (2 to 3 fold) after feeding OLI and RAP as compared to HOS. The proportion of arachidonic acid was significantly higher (about 1.5 fold) in the total lipids of heart after feeding OLI and HOS as compared to RAP, but its level in the total liver lipids was not affected by the dietary oils. In rats fed OLI and RAP the proportions of individual long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids were changed more extensively in the phosphatidylethanolamines of heart and liver than in the corresponding phosphatidylcholines. Especially, after feeding OLI and RAP a steep increase (3 to 4 fold) was found in the proportions of DHA in the phosphatidylethanolamines of heart and liver, whereas the percentage of arachidonic acid remained almost unchanged in the phosphatidylethanolamines of these organs irrespective of the dietary oil. The data indicate that both OLI and RAP may have beneficial effects on the prevention of atherosclerotic alterations by increasing the proportions of DHA in the membrane lipids, in particular phosphatidylethanolamines, of heart.

Lipid and fatty acid composition of the fat body during the female reproductive cycle of Labidura riparia (Insecta Dermaptera)

During the reproductive cycle of the female Labidura riparia, cytological observations show cyclical modifications of lipid droplets in the periovarian adipocyte. Fat body lipids and their constitutive fatty acids are analyzed. The lipids are predominantly triacylglycerols, which increase after adult ecdysis during vitellogenic and non-vitellogenic periods. Small amounts of diacylglycerols and phospholipids are found. Diacylglycerols increase during vitellogenesis and decrease during the non-vitellogenic period. Cytological modifications of lipid droplets are probably related to diacylglycerol fluctuations. Gas-liquid chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters shows oleic acid to be the predominant fatty acid in total lipids and triacylglycerols; unsaturated acids are approximately twice as abundant as saturated acids all along the reproductive cycle. Fatty acid composition of diacylglycerols and phospholipids differs from triacylglycerols and total lipids composition. Palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids represent the major fatty acids; their relative amounts vary during the different periods of the reproductive cycle. The correlations between fat body lipid changes and ovarian development were discussed and compared with observations made on other insect species.

Effect of temperature on the composition of fatty acids in total lipids and phospholipids of entomopathogenic nematodes

1. 1. Gas liquid chromatography was used to determine the composition of fatty acids in total lipids and phospholipids of the entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema feltiae Umeå strain, S. carpocapsae All strain, S. riobravis TX strain and S. feltiae NF strain that had been recycled or stored at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25°C. 2. 2. In all nematode strains, the unsaturation indices of total lipids increased as recycling or storage temperatures decreased. The unsaturation indices increased in the phospholipids of all strains except the TX strain of S. riobravis. 3. 3. Increased unsaturation indices at low temperatures was due to an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids with concomitant decline in the proportion of saturated fatty acids, especially palmitic (16:0) and/or stearic (18:0) acids 4. 4. Steinernema riobravis displayed a lower degree of physiological adaptation to cold temperatures than the other strains. The saturated fatty acids and unsaturation index of this nematode's phospholipid did not change in response to recycling or storage temperatures.

Changes in the fatty acid profiles of hybrid red tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus X O. niloticus, subjected to short-term starvation, and a comparison with changes in seawater raised fish

Juvenile hybrid red tilapia of mean weight 52.9 ± 2.80 g were starved for 45 days, and the liver and muscle fatty acid profiles of fed and starved fish determined on Days 0, 24 and 45. A corresponding group of fish were seawater adapted and were sampled on Day 45. In fed fish the total fatty acids in the livers (expressed in μg mg −1 lipid) decreased with growth (45 days), from 816 ± 16 to 600 ± 7 and 821 ± 25 to 589 ± 23 in females and males, respectively. This decrease was significant by the 24th day. In muscle, however, the amount of fatty acids in total lipid increased with growth, in females from 365 ± 21 to 489 ± 6 and in males from 387 ± 17 to 480 ± 17 μg mg −1 lipid. Compared with fed fish, during starvation the proportion of fatty acids in total lipid increased in both types of tissues but was still lower than at the initial level, significantly so in the liver. Twenty individual fatty acids were quantified as percent of total fatty acids in liver and muscle tissues of fish from different treatments during this study. In starved fish, liver monoenes decreased significantly ( P < 0.05), from 33.0 to 16.3% and 35.6 to 9.5%, and the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased significantly from 18.3 to 39.9% and 16.9 to 46.2% in females and males, respectively. Comparable trends were also observed in muscle, but in muscle the percentage of PUFA tended to be higher than in the liver. The fatty acids that occurred in the highest proportion were oleic acid (18:1 n − 9), followed by palmitic acid (16:0) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 n − 3), collectively accounting for more than 50% of the total. The relative amount of PUFA, in particular DHA, increased considerably and very significantly with starvation. Principal component analysis of the fatty acid data effectively summarized the major differences among the experimental treatments, which included substantial differences in the fatty acid profiles between sexes, fed and starved animals and between fish raised in fresh- and seawater.

Fatty-acid composition of ovulated eggs from wild and cultured turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in relation to yolk and oil globule lipids

The fatty-acid composition of lipids from ovulated eggs of wild and cultured turbot was investigated in order to estimate the nutritional requirements during embryonic and early larval development. Lipid comprised 13.8±0.5% (n=5) and 13.2±0.7% (n=7) of the egg dry weight in wild and cultured turbot, respectively. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the (n-3) series accounted for 39% of total fatty acids in total lipid of both wild and cultured fish. The predominant (n-3) FUFA was docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3), which also was the most abundant fatty acid in turbot eggs and comprised 24 and 23% of the total egg fatty acids in wild and cultured fish, respectively. Phospholipids, triacylglycerols and cholesterol-wax esters of turbot eggs all exhibited a specific fatty-acid profile distinctly different from that of total lipid. The general pattern of the fatty-acid distribution in lipids of eggs from wild and cultured turbot was similar, but the relative amount of 18:2(n-6) was considerably higher and 20:1(n-9) slightly higher in cultured fish. These differences were extended to all lipid classes and probably reflect the dietary intake of certain vegetable and marine fish oils. Calculations based on light microscopical studies showed that 55 to 60% of the total lipids in cultured turbot eggs are confined to the oil globule. The size of the oil globule remained constant during embryogenesis, and a reduction in size occurred first after hatching and mainly after yolk depletion. This implies that the total amount of lipids utilised during the embryonic development is considerably less than the total lipids present in ovulated turbot eggs. Comparison of the fatty-acid composition of total lipids from eggs and vitellogenin of wild turbot reveals that egg lipids contained a lower level of saturated and a higher level of monounsaturated fatty acids. Eggs also contained wax esters, which were not detected in vitellogenin, suggesting that vitellogenin is not the only source of lipids for turbot eggs.

Fatty acid composition of vitellogenin from four teleost species

The fatty acid compositions of vitellogenin and liver from cod (Gadus morhua), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) were determined. Vitellogenin was isolated from plasma of estradiol-17β-treated fish by precipitation with EDTA-Mg2+ and distilled water or by high-performance ion-exchange chromatography. In all investigated species, vitellogenin contained 16–18% (w/w) lipid, in which polyunsaturated fatty acids, predominantly 20:5 (n-3) and 22:6 (n-3), comprised about 50% of the total fatty acids. The proportions of saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and (n-3) fatty acids in vitellogenin of the different species were generally similar, although the relative content of specific fatty acids was distinctive for each species. The distribution of fatty acids in total lipids of vitellogenin was highly consistent among individual females of each species. In contrast, liver fatty acid composition varied considerably, both within and between species. Altogether, the differences in the fatty acid composition of vitellogenin and liver from each species indicate that a specific selection of fatty acids occurs during the lipidation of vitellogenin.

Altered lipid metabolism in the failing heart of cardiomyopathic hamsters (UM-X7.1)

The lipid composition of different anatomic regions of 150 day-old UM-X7.1 cardiomyopathic hamster and age-matched controls (Syrian golden hamsters) was examined. Cardiomyopathic hamsters exhibit a phospholipid to protein ratio higher than healthy animals in atria, whereas the contrary is true in the other anatomic regions examined. In all tissues the cholesterol to phospholipid ratio is higher in cardiomyopathic hamster than in controls. Healthy and UM-X7.1 hamsters differ substantially as far as the percent distribution of fatty acids in total lipids is concerned, the lipids from cardiomyopathic animals accumulating fatty acids of the ω-6 series and being relatively poor in monoenoic fatty acids. The different fatty acid composition of heart lipids appears to be a consequence of a generalized disturbance of the lipid metabolism in cardiomyopathic hamsters during congestive heart failure.

Fatty acid compositions of 10 freshwater invertebrates which are natural food organisms of Atlantic salmon parr ( Salmo salar): a comparison with commercial diets

Ten species of freshwater invertebrates that are natural food organisms available to Atlantic salmon parr were collected and their lipid composition determined: stonefly nymphs (Plecoptera), beetle larvae (Coleoptera), Chironomidae (Diptera), water boatmen (Corixidae and Notonecta; Heteroptera), mayfly nymphs ( Ecdyonurus venosus, Caenis, Ephemerella; Ephemeroptera), gammerids (crustaceans), Oligochaeta (anelids). Neutral lipids represented 40–70% and polar lipids 26–55% of total lipids. Triacylglycerol was always more than 35% of total lipids. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were the major components of phospholipids. Monoenoic fatty acids and polyunsaturated acids (PUFA) were the most abundant fatty acids in total lipids. Saturated fatty acids comprised only 20–30% of the total fatty acids. PUFAs were principally present as the n−3 series, especially 18:3 n−3 and 20:5 n−3, 22:6 n−3 was present only in small amounts. Fatty acids of the n−6 series were mostly represented by 18:2 n−6 and 20:4 n−6. The invertebrate organisms analysed contained higher levels of 18:2 n−6, 18:3 n−3, 20:4 n−6 and 20:5 n−3 but considerably less 22:6 n−3 than commercial diets used in smolt production. These results suggest that a dietary fatty acid composition more closely resembling the freshwater invertebrates might be beneficial for growth, development and the prevention of pathologies in salmon parr.

Serum fatty acid distributions in postmenopausal women

Serum fatty acids had been studied for more than 30 years. In the investigations of the relation with the risks of coronary heart disease, fatty acids were examined in either serum total lipids or in one or two lipid fractions, the results were not conclusive. The purpose of this study was to report serum fatty acid compositions in total lipids (TL) and in lipid fractions: cholesterol esters (CE), phospholipids (PL), and triglycerides (TG). One hundred and four postmenopausal women who were living in Allegheny Country, Pennsylvania, USA and not taking hormone replacement therapy at the time of their first year clinic visit after cessation of menses were selected to be studied. Fifteen fatty acids in TL, CE, PL, and TG were measured and identified by capillary gas chromatography. A aliquot control serum was measured repeatedly for assessment of quality control. The coefficient of variation for common fatty acids was 8.2% for stearic acid in TL, 12.4% for palmitic acid in PL, 9.1% for oleic acid in CE, and 4.5% for palmitic acid in TG. We report results from both quantitative (mg/dl) and qualitative (mole %) analyses. The weight of fasting serum total fatty acids were 366.6 mg/dl in TL, 80.6 mg/dl in CE, 107.8 mg/dl in PL, and 56.9 mg/dl in TG. The p/s ratios of serum fatty acids were 1.33, 3.57, 0.64, and 0.51 in TL, CE, PL, and TG, respectively. Fatty acid distributions from both quantitative and qualitative measurements are to be evaluated for the relation with coronary heart disease.

Triacylglycerol consumption during spore germination of vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

AbstractLipids and fatty acids of spores of the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal fungusGlomus versiforme were identified and quantitatively determined at different times of germination. Triacylglycerols were, by far, the most abundant lipid (38% on a wet‐weight basis). Phosphatidylethanolamine, together with minor quantities of other phospholipids, was the main polar lipid. Palmitoleic, palmitic and oleic acids were quantitatively the most important fatty acids in total lipids, and even more so in the triacylglycerol fraction. Minor percentages of fatty acids, identified as ω3 and ω6 polyunsaturated, completed the fatty acid spectra. Germination ofG. versiforme spores evokes a continuous decrease of triacylglycerols and an increase of phospholipids. The balance of fatty acids during germination suggests either a degradation or a transference of fatty acids from triacylglycerols to phospholipids.