Total Amount Of Fatty Acids Research Articles

Factors Determining Optimal Fatty Acid Absorption in Preterm Infants.

The aim of the present study was to quantify absorption coefficients of specific fatty acids in preterm infants as a function of diet, formula or breast milk (BM), and postnatal age; to identify the fatty acid structural characteristics that determine optimal fatty acid absorption. Fatty acids from dietary and fecal samples were extracted and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Fatty acid absorption coefficients (FA-CFAs) were calculated by comparing the total amount of fatty acids supplied by the diet to the amount quantified in the total fecal output during a 3-day period. A total of 18 infants (BM 8, formula 10) were studied at 2 weeks of age, and 20 infants (BM 10, formula 10) were studied at 6 weeks of age. FA-CFAs decreased with increasing carbon length in formula-fed infants at 2 and 6 weeks. Results were similar but less in magnitude in BM-fed infants at 2 weeks with no difference at 6 weeks. Preterm infants fed formula demonstrated lower FA-CFAs as a function of increasing carbon length. This is consistent with limited pancreatic lipase production and with lipase being present in BM but not in formula. The fact that this pattern was seen in BM-fed infants at 2 weeks but not 6 weeks of age suggests that intestinal immaturity may also play a role in impaired fatty acid absorption. These data highlight principles that need to be considered to optimize delivery and absorption of dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in preterm infants.

Biosynthesis of Essential Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Wheat Triggered by Expression of Artificial Gene.

The artificial gene D6D encoding the enzyme ∆6desaturase was designed and synthesized using the sequence of the same gene from the fungus Thamnidium elegans. The original start codon was replaced by the signal sequence derived from the wheat gene for high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit and the codon usage was completely changed for optimal expression in wheat. Synthesized artificial D6D gene was delivered into plants of the spring wheat line CY-45 and the gene itself, as well as transcribed D6D mRNA were confirmed in plants of T0 and T1 generations. The desired product of the wheat genetic modification by artificial D6D gene was the γ-linolenic acid. Its presence was confirmed in mature grains of transgenic wheat plants in the amount 0.04%–0.32% (v/v) of the total amount of fatty acids. Both newly synthesized γ-linolenic acid and stearidonic acid have been detected also in leaves, stems, roots, awns, paleas, rachillas, and immature grains of the T1 generation as well as in immature and mature grains of the T2 generation. Contents of γ-linolenic acid and stearidonic acid varied in range 0%–1.40% (v/v) and 0%–1.53% (v/v) from the total amount of fatty acids, respectively. This approach has opened the pathway of desaturation of fatty acids and production of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids in wheat.

Seasonal variations in free amino acids, nucleotide-related compounds, and fatty acids and meat yield of the coconut crab Birgus latro

This study analyzed seasonal variations in meat yield and compositions of free amino acids (FAA), nucleotide-related compounds (NRC), and fatty acids in muscle and hepatopancreas of the coconut crab Birgus latro of Okinawa, southwest Japan. A conspicuous increase in total meat yield was observed during September to November, prior to molting in the winter dry season. Although both total FAA and NRC content in muscle and hepatopancreas did not vary significantly by seasons, the taste activity value of methionine in muscle was larger than 1 only during September to November. Seasonal variations in equivalent umami concentration (EUC) were greater in muscle than in the hepatopancreas, with the EUC of muscles highest in September to November. Although fatty acid compositions of muscle and hepatopancreas did not change significantly seasonally, amounts of total fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, and monounsaturated fatty acids in muscle and hepatopancreas, and amount of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the hepatopancreas, were significantly greater in September to November. These results indicate the best season to eat coconut crab is September to November. These findings may contribute to a premium value for this resource and promote resource conservation of this species.

Nutrient efficacy of microalgae as aquafeed additives for the adult black tiger prawn,Penaeus monodon

This study used a small amount of several lyophilized microalgae (5% of dry weight in aquafeed) to feed adult black tiger prawns Penaeus monodon for 4 weeks, aiming to promote prawn health and nutritional level. Apart from slight increases in ash content, chlorophyll and β-carotene in the microalgae-added feeds, there was no difference from the commercial diet in their biochemical composition. After 28 days of feeding, prawn body length, body weight, condition index and also total amount of fatty acids and amino acids of the flesh (2nd abdominal segment) were not affected by microalgae additives as compared with the control commercial diet-fed group (P > 0.05). Prawns fed the microalgae diets, however, had a relatively better survival rate than those fed the commercial control diet, although no statistical significance was detected in any except for the diatom Melosira sp. The elevated survival rate was concomitant with a higher phagocytosis rate and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the immune response analysis, and significantly a higher astaxanthin content detected in the tail muscle of microalgae diet-fed prawns (5.36–10.78 ng of astaxanthin per gram of muscle DW). These findings demonstrated that low-inclusion microalgal additives in prawn diets over a short feeding period (4 weeks) can result in healthier adult prawn, and hence could contribute to the development of an optimized feeding strategy for prawn aquaculture close to harvesting.

Changes in fatty acid content and composition between wild type and CsHMA3 overexpressing Camelina sativa under heavy-metal stress.

Under heavy-metal stress, CsHMA3 overexpressing transgenic Camelina plants displayed not only a better quality, but also a higher quantity of unsaturated fatty acids in their seeds compared with wild type. Camelina sativa L. belongs to the Brassicaceae family and is frequently used as a natural vegetable oil source, as its seeds contain a high content of fatty acids. In this study, we observed that, when subjected to heavy metals (Cd, Co, Zn and Pb), the seeds of CsHMA3 (Heavy-Metal P1B-ATPase 3) transgenic lines retained their original golden yellow color and smooth outline, unlike wild-type seeds. Furthermore, we investigated the fatty acids content and composition of wild type and CsHMA3 transgenic lines after heavy metal treatments compared to the control. The results showed higher total fatty acid amounts in seeds of CsHMA3 transgenic lines compared with those in wild-type seeds under heavy-metal stresses. In addition, the compositions of unsaturated fatty acids-especially 18:1 (oleic acid), 18:2 (linoleic acid; only in case of Co treatment), 18:3 (linolenic acid) and 20:1 (eicosenoic acid)-in CsHMA3 overexpressing transgenic lines treated with heavy metals were higher than those of wild-type seeds under the same conditions. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents in wild-type leaves and roots when treated with heavy metal were higher than in CsHMA3 overexpressing transgenic lines. These results indicate that overexpression of CsHMA3 affects fatty acid composition and content-factors that are responsible for the fuel properties of biodiesel-and can alleviate ROS accumulation caused by heavy-metal stresses in Camelina. Due to these factors, we propose that CsHMA3 transgenic Camelina can be used for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soil as well as for oil production.

The Extraction and Properties of <em>Carica papaya</em> Seed Oil

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of Ultrasound-Microwave synergistic Extraction (UMAE) for the recovery of papaya seed oil as compared to Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE). The efficiency of these two methods was assessed by comparing the physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of papaya seed oil. The analytic tests were color, unsaponifiable matters, iodine value, acid value and peroxide value. The fatty acid components were analyzed by GC. Results indicated that the Ultrasound- Microwave synergistic Extraction (UMAE) considerably impact on the physicochemical properties of the extracted papaya seed oil, UMAE provided papaya seed oil with obviously lighter color, lower unsaponifiable matters (2.53%) and higher oxidative stability (PV, 0.98 m mol/kg) than that of UAE. Analysis of fatty acid composition revealed that 13 kinds of components are identified and the total amount of fatty acids accounted for 93.13% of papaya seed oil, the predominant fatty acids in papaya seed oil were oleic (18:1, 72.60%), palmitic (16:0, 18.00%), linoleic acid (18:2, 5.80%) and stearic (18:0, 3.60%).

Extraction Procedures and GCxGC-TOFMS Determination of Fatty Acids (FAs) in Cyanobacteria Cultures and the Effect of Growth Media Iron Concentration Variation on Cellular FAs Composition

Cyanobacteria biomass obtained from freshwater bodies is known to contain a large amount of fatty acids. Thus, the current need to produce large amount of lipids for different application has identified cyanobacteria as one of the important sources of fatty acids. However, the production of fatty acids and the characteristics of its composition is a function of nutrients. This paper therefore, reports on the efficient extraction procedures of fatty acids from cyanobacteria biomass using ionic liquid solvent and organic solvent under ultrasonic solid liquid extraction technique and the effect of the variation of iron concentration in the growth media on the fatty acids composition of cyanobacteria biomass. The determination of fatty acids composition was performed using gas chromatography coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GCxGC-TOFMS). The obtained fatty acids composition was found to be dominated by tetradecanoic acid (C14:0), hexadecanoic acid (C16:0), 7-hexadecenoic acid (C16:1), pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), 6,9,12,15-octadecatetraenoic acid (C18:4), γ-6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid (γ-C18:3), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid (C18:3), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (C18:2), 9-octadecenoic acid (C18:1) and octadecanoic acid (C18:0). Statistically it was proved that the ionic liquid extraction protocol and that of ultrasonic solid liquid extraction by organic solvent were not significantly different. It was also revealed that the total amount of fatty acids in cultured cyanobacteria increased with decrease in iron concentration in the growth medium.

Docosahexaenoic acid attenuates oxidative stress and protects human gingival fibroblasts against cytotoxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide and butyric acid

ObjectiveThe oxidative burst of the host cells associated with bacterial pathogen infection contributes to the destruction of periodontal tissue. The present study investigates the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on human gingival fibroblast (HGF) viability and ROS generation. MethodsThe cell viability by MTT assay, ROS level using H2DCF-DA probe, and protein thiol content were measured in HGFs after 24h preincubation with different concentrations of DHA followed by treatment with H2O2. The cell death rate was determined by Annexin V/propidium iodide staining, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was examined by MitoTracker Red probe in H2O2- and butyric acid-treated HGFs. The fatty acid composition of plasma membranes after incubation with DHA was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. ResultsDHA preincubation in a dose-dependent manner increased the viability of HGFs exposed to H2O2 and decreased ROS generation compared to the control cells. In HGFs preincubated with 30μM DHA, the ΔΨm significantly increased in both H2O2- and butyric acid-treated cells. Moreover, incubation with DHA preserved the protein thiol level as effectively as N-acetylcysteine. Application of 50μM DHA increased the quantity of viable cells, decreased the number of necrotic cells after H2O2 treatment, and protected HGFs from apoptosis induced by butyric acid. DHA in the plasma membranes of these HGFs represented about 6% of the total amount of fatty acids. ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that enrichment of HGFs with DHA reduces ROS generation and enhances the mitochondrial membrane potential protecting the fibroblasts against cytotoxic factors.

Chemical composition profiling and antifungal activity of the essential oil and plant extracts of Mesembryanthemum edule (L.) bolus leaves.

Essential oil from Mesembryanthemum edule leaves have been used by the Eastern Cape traditional healers for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, tuberculosis, dysentery, diabetic mellitus, laryngitis and vaginal infections. The investigation of bioactive compounds in the essential oil of this plant could help to verify the efficacy of the plant in the management or treatment of these illnesses. Various concentrations of the hydro-distilled essential oil, ranging from 0.005-5 mg/ml, were tested against some fungal strains, using the micro-dilution method. Minimum inhibitory activity was compared with four other different crude extracts of hexane, acetone, ethanol and aqueous samples from the same plant. The chemical composition of the essential oil, hexane, acetone and ethanol extracts was determined using GC-MS. GC/MS analysis of the essential oil resulted in the identification of 28 compounds, representing 99.99% of the total oil. Phytoconstituents of hexane, acetone and ethanol extracts yielded a total peak chromatogram of fifty nine compounds. A total amount of 10.6% and 36.61% of the constituents were obtained as monoterpenes and oxygenated monoterpenes. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (3.58%) were relatively low compared to the oxygenated sesquiterpenes (9.28%), while the major concentrated diterpenes and oxygenated diterpenes were 1.43% and 19.24 %, respectively and phytol 12.41%. Total amount of fatty acids and their methyl esters content, present in the oil extract, were found to be 19.25 %. Antifungal activity of the oil extract and four solvent extracts were tested against five pathogenic fungal strains. The oil extract showed antifungal activity against Candida albican, Candida krusei, Candida rugosa, Candida glabrata and Cryptococcus neoformans with MIC ranges of 0.02 0.31 mg/ml. Hexane extract was active against the five fungal strains with MICs ranging between 0.02-1.25 mg/ml. Acetone extracts were active against C. krusei only at 0.04mg/ml. No appreciable antifungal activity was found in either ethanol or water extracts when compared with commercial antibiotics. The profile of chemical constituents found in M. edule essential oil and its antifungal properties support the use of M. edule by traditional healers as well as in the pharmaceutical and food industries as a natural antibiotic and food preservative.

Manipulation of fatty acid and antioxidant profiles of the microalgae Schizochytrium sp. through flaxseed oil supplementation

Due largely to their unique and diverse metabolic profile, microalgae have embedded themselves in a plethora of commercial applications encompassing nutrition, cosmetics and biofuel production. The present research demonstrates the ability to improve the nutritional properties of Schizochytrium sp. through direct medium supplementation with flaxseed oil. Increasing supplemental concentrations, to a maximum of 1% v/v, reflected a 2.8-fold improvement in dry cell weight, yielding a maximum 17.1±1.3g/L. Cultures with higher biomass yields also demonstrated increased glucose utilisation, which may have influenced the final fatty acid profiles of each culture. At inclusion levels above 0.05%, total fatty acid amounts reduced in a near linear fashion, potentially in response to a glucose deficient environment. Supplementation of just 0.05% flaxseed oil resulted in the incorporation of exogenous C18 fatty acids into the algal biomass, as well as significantly increasing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) titres to 100.3±4mg/g algae (p≤0.05). At the same inclusion rate, the antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of algal biomass were significantly enhanced, particularly in the methanolic faction (p≤0.001). The inclusion of essential linoleic and α-linolenic fatty acids with improved levels of DHA and enhanced antioxidant status demonstrate the suitability of medium supplementation to improve the nutritional value of microalgae.

Transgenic barley producing essential polyunsaturated fatty acids

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) affect diverse physiological processes and human health. Most cereals are poor in n-3 and n-6 PUFAs. Using biolistics, barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Golden Promise) was transformed with an artificial gene encoding Δ6-desaturase (D6D) under an endosperm-specific promoter. This artificial gene was designed from the sequence of D6D of the filamentous fungus Thamnidium elegans, but codon usage was optimised for cereals. A signal sequence from the gene encoding for high molecular mass glutenin Dx5 was added to a destinate mature protein. Successful transformation was confirmed in T0 plants at the genomic level and in T1 seeds at the transcriptomic and metabolomic levels. Transformed plants produced up to 0.141 % of γ-linolenic acid (GLA) and 0.294 % of stearidonic acid (SDA) of the total amount of fatty acids in their grains. Although the content of these fatty acids was relatively low, the current study provides the first evidence that transgenic barley can be a source of GLA/SDA.

Fecal sample preparation methods for gas chromatography analysis of fatty acids of ruminants fed different amounts of rumen protected conjugated linoleic acids (CLA)

Aim of this study was to compare three methods for determining fatty acid (FA) profiles in ruminant feces by GC. The first method (J) was based on a mild acid–base treatment directly performed on the dry fecal samples, completing in one step hydrolysis, extraction and methylation of FA. The second method (JEE) was based on acid hydrolysis followed by an accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) of ether extract (EE) and by a mild acid–base catalyzed methylation of FA. The third method (CEE) was based on an acid hydrolysis followed by ASE of EE and by an acid catalyzed methylation of FA (CEE). The experimental design involved the fecal samples of 9 bulls fed a total mixed ration supplemented with 0, 8 or 80g/d of rumen protected CLA (rpCLA; 3 bulls/dose). Feces collected from these bulls were analyzed, by GC, in triplicates by each method expressing FA contents as mg/g DM. The repeatability of FA and CLA measurements of each method was determined. For the content of CLA isomers, the methods presented heteroscedastic residual variances and, thus, were compared by linear regression. Within method, fecal contents of CLA were regressed against the rpCLA dose. The F-test was employed to test the significance of any slope that deviated from unity and any intercept that was different from zero. There were no differences among methods for the total amount of FA extracted, which averaged 24.55mg/g DM. The J method was the most repeatable method for most single FA, and for the sums of SFA, MUFA and PUFA. The two EE-methods evidenced for C18:2c9,t11 CLA and C18:2t10,c12 CLA linear relationships with slopes and intercepts close to 1 and 0, respectively, whereas the relationships of JEE and CEE with J had slopes lower than unity. With increasing rpCLA dosage the EE-based methods provided lower increase of fecal contents of C18:2c9,t11 CLA and of C18:2t10,c12 CLA isomers and a higher C18:2t9,t11 CLA content than J, probably as a result of a modification of cis-trans isomerism caused by acid hydrolysis and ASE. The J method should be preferred as it provides more repeatable measures of the fecal FA profiles and because it causes a lower shift in CLA isomer composition with respect to procedures based on acid hydrolysis and ASE.

Carcass morphology and meat quality from roosters slaughtered at eight months affected by genotype and finishing feeding

The aim of this study was to describe the carcass characteristics and the meat quality of the roosters from the autochthonous Mos breed slaughtered at 8 months. With comparative purpose roosters from hybrid line Sasso T44 were used in this study. Birds were reared on their typical production system (extensive indoor or barns and finishing diet whit corn). Both live and carcass weight were higher for commercial breed (p<0.001). Drumstick, thigh and wing percentages were greater in Mos breed than in Sasso T-44, while breast was similar for both genotypes. Only significant differences in cholesterol and alpha-tocopherol content between genotypes have been found, whereas finishing feeding treatment had effect on moisture, intramuscular fat content, cholesterol, tocopherol isomers and meat yellowness. Unsaturated fatty acids constituted the main contribution to total amount of fatty acid (FA), where monounsaturated oleic acid was the major compound, and found higher concentrations in commercial breed. Mos breed showed higher amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lower amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) than Sasso T-44. The relation PUFA/SFA was above 0.68 for Mos breed and was slightly lower for the other genotype. In conclusion, the carcass morphology and meat quality was influenced by breed and finishing feeding with corn.

Deterioration of sunflower seeds during storage

The speed on deterioration of oil-seeds depends on conditions of the storage environment and on particularities of the species, which include the seed chemical composition. Within this study, the changes on quality of sunflower seeds, stored in different packaging types and environmental conditions, were investigated. The packaging used were multiwall Kraft paper and plastic packaging (with and without vacuum), under cold chamber and conventional storage conditions. Seed quality was evaluated by tests of: germination and accelerated aging; besides alterations on oil content, fatty acids profile, and isoenzymatic systems. The storage under cold chamber conditions was more efficient in maintaining physiological quality of sunflower seeds; and under such environment, the Kraft paper packaging was the most adequate. Under conventional storage facility, however, the plastic packaging, sealed with vacuum, has provided better maintenance of physiological quality. Changes in the sunflower seed quality were detected by the enzymatic systems: alcohol dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase. The oil content in seeds decreases over time, regardless of storage condition. The linoleic and oleic acids constituted 80% of the total amount of fatty acids scanned. There have been no significant differences on the fatty acid profiles of the sunflower oil under the different storage conditions studied.

Lipid and volatile fractions of hard and semi-hard farmhouse sheep milk cheeses from Chile

The purpose of this study was to characterize the lipid and volatile fractions of three commercially available, farmhouse sheep cheeses from Chile (Chilozabal, Patagonia and Quillahue cheeses) as a preliminary contribution to know, promote, protect and improve their quality. Two cheese samples of each type of cheese were purchased in specialty stores in the capital city: Patagonia, Quillahue, and two different fabrications of Chilozabal cheese (two different stores). Significant differences in the total fatty acid amounts were observed among the cheeses. Quillahue cheese had the highest content of unsaturated and branched-chain fatty acids and the lowest value of the atherogenic index. Chilozabal cheese showed the highest content of CLA and vaccenic acid. The total amount of free fatty acids was highest in one of the Chilozabal cheeses and 85% lower in Quillahue. Short-chain FFA represented 58% of the total FFA in both Chilozabal cheeses, suggesting the use of pregastric lipase-containing lamb rennet paste. In Quillahue and Patagonia cheeses, short-chain FFA were 42% of the total FFA, consistent with the use of commercial rennets without lipase activity. The volatile composition of these cheeses was rather similar to that of other well-known hard and semi-hard sheep cheeses. Volatile acids were the most abundant compounds in all cheeses and significant differences were found in the content of esters, ketones and alcohols among the cheeses. Compositional differences among the Chilean sheep cheeses were essentially due to breed, feed management, and technological factors.

Elongation and Desaturation Pathways in Mammary Gland Epithelial Cells Are Associated with Modulation of Fat and Membrane Composition

The aim was to determine the relative role of each of the lactogenic hormones (insulin, prolactin and hydrocortisol) and their combinations in regulating elongation and desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and subsequently on composition of cellular lipid compartments in mammary epithelia. Cultured cells of the mammary gland epithelial cell line HC11 were subjected to 48 h of hormonal treatment with different combinations of insulin, hydrocortisone and prolactin. Only the combination of all three hormones induced differentiation according to the marker β-casein gene expression. Inclusion of insulin in the treatment medium increased total fatty acid amount by 50% and increased the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids by 12% while decreasing that of saturated fatty acids by 35%. Changes in the levels of fatty acids by chain length and saturation paralleled mRNA expression of the desaturases and elongases, whose expression levels were regulated again by inclusion of all three hormones in the treatment medium. Gene expression levels of the Δ6 desaturase and elongase 5 genes (Elovl 5) increased by approximately 1.5-fold, whereas expression of Elovl 4 decreased in the presence of all three hormones. Insulin was the main hormone inducing compositional differences in membrane lipids, increasing phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol and decreasing sphingomyelin and cholesterol. The results indicate that mammary gland epithelial cells express five out of the seven known elongase subtypes which are regulated primarily by the processes of differentiation and produce major compositional changes in mammary gland epithelial cells.

Accumulation of fatty acids in purslane grown in hydroponic salt stress conditions

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is the eighth most common plant distributed throughout the world being a heat- and drought-tolerant plant. In this study, we evaluated the effect of salinity on total amounts of fatty acids (FAs) and ω3/ω6 ratio in leaves of purslane. Plants exposed to four levels of chloride salinity in the root zone (60, 90, 120 and 240 mM NaCl) for 40 days showed no signs of toxicity or death. The main FAs detected were C16:0>C18:3>C18:2. The ratio of ω6 to ω3 was not changed with salt stress. Hierarchic cluster analysis brought together 60 and 90 mM NaCl in control plants, based on their FA content. The results of this study confirm the purslane as a plant rich in FAs whose consumption may contribute to dietary intake of ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, with obvious benefits to human health.

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry approach to study fatty acid profiles in fried potato crisps

The fatty acid profiles of crisp samples from Hermes and Mustang potato varieties were obtained using a validated GC–MS method. Among the four different solid–liquid extraction procedures tested, Soxhlet extraction with diethyl ether was chosen due to the higher recovery percentages obtained (∼90%) and the shorter sample treatment time required. The proposed method was applied to analyze 28 crisps samples from both potato varieties, which were fried with two batches of similar vegetable oils, and the majority fatty acids in potato crisps (∼33.3g/100g) were C18:0, C16:0, C18:2(n6) and C18:1(n9). The results of a two-way ANOVA test have demonstrated that the potato variety caused more significant differences (11) than the frying oil batch (4) in relation to the fatty acid content. A PCA analysis has made it possible to relate the potato variety with the fatty acid content; it was observed that the first four principal components represented 85.5% of the variability, with a consequent reduction in the dimensions of the data from 36 variables to 4 components. Finally, it was found that the Hermes variety contained lower amounts of total fatty acids (∼34.4g/100g) and ω-6/ω-3 ratios (∼17.3) than the Mustang variety (∼35.6g/100g and ∼18.6).

Effect of solvent to sample ratio on total lipid extracted and fatty acid composition in meat products within different fat content

The effect of solvent to sample ratio on total extracted lipids and fatty acid (FA) composition in meat products with different fat contents was evaluated. Total lipids were extracted according to the Folch et al. (1957) method, using a 20:1 ratio of chloroform:methanol (2:1, v/v) to sample (A), and also testing the solvent:sample ratio of 10:1 (B). Higher amounts of total lipids and total FA from neutral lipids were obtained using the A ratio, which could be due to an insufficient chloroform:dry-weight sample proportion which could be insufficient for solubilizing the total amount of lipids. In the polar lipid fraction, the total amount of FA was higher using the B rather than the A ratio, which may be caused by the higher volume of added water when using A than B. When studying the FA composition of different lipid fractions, the volume of both the solvent and the water for total lipid extraction should be considered.

Intakes of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls via consumption of fish from Taihu Lake, China: A risk–benefit assessment

Exposure risks of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) via consumption of nine fish species from Taihu Lake in China and associated benefits, through ingestion of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) in fish, were evaluated. The concentrations of PBDEs, PCBs and ω-3 PUFAs in fish from Taihu Lake ranged from 98.2 to 269pg/g, from 279 to 1071pg/g and from 0.9 to 2.0mg/g, respectively. Omega-3 PUFAs accounted for 11.2–20.9% of the total fatty acid amounts. The PBDE/PCB contamination levels were moderate. To achieve the recommended intake of 250mg/d of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the associated PUFA and PBDE/PCB intakes from the species were estimated. Consumption of the species, to achieve the recommended EPA+DHA intake, did not exceed the allowable daily consumption of contaminated fish. Even though, consumers should make a sensible choice for fish species to maximise benefits and minimise risks.