C8 C12 Research Articles

Increased Accumulation of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids by Dynamic Degradation of Long-Chain Fatty Acids in Mucor circinelloides.

Concerns about global warming, fossil-fuel depletion, food security, and human health have promoted metabolic engineers to develop tools/strategies to overproduce microbial functional oils directly from renewable resources. Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs, C8–C12) have been shown to be important sources due to their diverse biotechnological importance, providing benefits ranging from functional lipids to uses in bio-fuel production. However, oleaginous microbes do not carry native pathways for the production of MCFAs, and therefore, diverse approaches have been adapted to compensate for the requirements of industrial demand. Mucor circinelloides is a promising organism for lipid production (15–36% cell dry weight; CDW) and the investigation of mechanisms of lipid accumulation; however, it mostly produces long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). To address this challenge, we genetically modified strain M. circinelloides MU758, first by integrating heterologous acyl-ACP thioesterase (TE) into fatty acid synthase (FAS) complex and subsequently by modifying the β-oxidation pathway by disrupting the acyl-CoA oxidase (ACOX) and/or acyl-CoA thioesterase (ACOT) genes with a preference for medium-chain acyl-CoAs, to elevate the yield of MCFAs. The resultant mutant strains (M-1, M-2, and M-3, respectively) showed a significant increase in lipid production in comparison to the wild-type strain (WT). MCFAs in M-1 (47.45%) was sharply increased compared to the wild type strain (2.25%), and it was further increased in M-2 (60.09%) suggesting a negative role of ACOX in MCFAs production. However, MCFAs in M-3 were much decreased compared to M-1,suggesting a positive role of ACOT in MCFAs production. The M-2 strain showed maximum lipid productivity (~1800 milligram per liter per day or mg/L.d) and MCFAs productivity (~1100 mg/L.d). Taken together, this study elaborates on how the combination of two multidimensional approaches, TE gene over-expression and modification of the β-oxidation pathway via substantial knockout of specific ACOX gene, significantly increased the production of MCFAs. This synergistic approach ultimately offers a novel opportunity for synthetic/industrial biologists to increase the content of MCFAs.

A robust, integrated platform for comprehensive analyses of acyl-coenzyme As and acyl-carnitines revealed chain length-dependent disparity in fatty acyl metabolic fates across Drosophila development

Acyl-coenzyme A thioesters (acyl-CoAs) denote a key class of intermediary metabolites that lies at the hub of major metabolic pathways. The great diversity in polarity between short- and long-chain acyl-CoAs makes it technically challenging to cover an inclusive range of acyl-CoAs within a single method. Levels of acyl-carnitines, which function to convey fatty acyls into mitochondria matrix for β-oxidation, indicate the efficiency of mitochondrial import and utilization of corresponding acyl-CoAs. Herein, we report a robust, integrated platform to allow simultaneous quantitation of endogenous acyl-CoAs and acyl-carnitines. Using this method, we monitored changes in intermediary lipid profiles across Drosophila development under control (ND) and high-fat diet (HFD). We observed specific accumulations of medium-chain (C8–C12) and long-chain (≥C16) acyl-carnitines distinct to L3 larval and pupal stages, respectively. These observations suggested development-specific, chain length-dependent disparity in metabolic fates of acyl-CoAs across Drosophila development, which was validated by deploying the same platform to monitor isotope incorporation introduced from labelled 12:0 and 16:0 fatty acids into extra- and intra-mitochondrial acyl-CoA pools. We found that pupal mitochondria preferentially import and oxidise C12:0-CoAs (accumulated as C12:0-carnitines in L3 stage) over C16:0-CoAs. Preferential oxidation of medium-chain acyl-CoAs limits mitochondrial utilization of long-chain acyl-CoAs (C16–C18), leading to pupal-specific accumulation of long-chain acyl-carnitines mediated by enhanced CPT1-6A activity. HFD skewed C16:0-CoAs towards catabolism over anabolism in pupa, thereby adversely affecting overall development. Our developed platform emphasizes the importance of integrating biological knowledge in the design of pathway-oriented platforms to derive maximal physiological insights from analysis of complex biological systems.

Blending studies with selected waterbuck odor constituents or analogues in the development of a potent repellent blend against savannah tsetse

Previous comparison of the body odors of tsetse-refractory waterbuck and those of tsetse-attractive ox and buffalo showed that a blend of 15 EAG-active compounds specific to waterbuck, including C5–C10 straight chain carboxylic acid homologues, methyl ketones (C8–C12 straight chain homologues and geranyl acetone), phenols (guaiacol and carvacrol) and δ-octalactone, was repellent to tsetse. A blend of four components selected from each class of compounds (δ-octalactone, pentanoic acid, guaiacol, and geranylacetone) showed repellence that is comparable to that of the 15 components blend and can provide substantial protection to cattle (more than 80%) from tsetse bites and trypanosome infections. Structure-activity studies with the lactone and phenol analogues showed that δ-nonalactone and 4-methylguaiacol are significantly more repellent than δ-octalactone and guaiacol, respectively. In the present study, we compared the responses of Glossina pallidipes and Glossina morsitans to i) blends comprising of various combinations of the most active analogues from each class of compounds, and ii) a four-component blend of δ-nonalactone, heptanoic acid, 4-methylguaiacol and geranyl acetone in different ratios in a two-choice wind-tunnel, followed by a field study with G. pallidipes population in a completely randomized Latin Square Design set ups. In the wind tunnel experiments, the blend of the four compounds in 6:4:2:1 ratio was found to be significantly more repellent (94.53%) than that in 1:1:1:1 proportion and those in other ratios. G. m. morsitans also showed a similar pattern of results. In field experiments with G. pallidipes population, the 6:4:2:1 blend of the four compounds also gave similar results. The results lay down useful groundwork in the large-scale development of more effective ‘push’ and ‘push-pull’ control tactics of the tsetse flies.

A pilot study of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in automotive lubricant oils from the United States

Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were reported to be used as additives in automotive lubricant oils and hydraulic fluids, to reduce surface tension, prevent fires and evaporation. Little is known, however, with regard to the occurrence of PFASs in automotive lubricants. In this study, concentrations and profiles of 13 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), encompassing nine perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs; C4–C12) and four perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs; C4–C10), were determined in 18 automotive lubricants purchased in the United States. The lubricant extracts were analyzed before and after oxidization, to measure PFAAs and their precursors, using the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. Following oxidation, lubricant extracts yielded ∑ PFAA concentrations up to two orders of magnitude higher (range: 196–8300 ng/g; mean: 1840 ng/g) than those measured prior to oxidation (5.96–344 ng/g; 71.6 ng/g), which suggested the presence of notable amounts of PFAA precursors. Long-chain PFCAs (C8–C12;​ ∼ 70% of total) were the major PFASs detected (prior to oxidation). The mean molar increase in the concentration (pM/g) upon oxidation of lubricant extracts varied among the nine PFCAs in the following decreasing order: C4 (1350) > C12 (670) > C11 (570) = C5 (570) > C10 (460) > C9 (300) > C7 (140) = C6 (140) > C8 (110). Principal component analysis of PFCA profiles revealed that PFAAs originate from their respective precursors.

Exposure sources of perfluoroalkyl acids and influence of age and gender on concentrations of chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonates in human serum from China

The presence of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonates (Cl-PFAESs) in humans has attracted great attention in recent decades. However, information on their exposure sources and the influence of age and gender on Cl-PFAES concentrations in human serum is still limited. In this study, eighty-five serum samples were collected from the general population in Anji, China, and analyzed for perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs), perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs), and Cl-PFAESs. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS; mean, 5.9 ng/mL) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA; 3.3 ng/mL) were the predominant PFAAs in human serum. The serum concentrations of C8–C12 PFCAs, perfluorohexane sulfonate, and PFOS were significantly (rs = 0.40–0.98, p < 0.01) correlated with one another. In human serum, the mean percentages of branched isomers for PFOA, perfluorohexane sulfonate, and PFOS were 97.3%, 92.6%, and 66%, respectively. These results suggest that the major source of PFCAs and PFSAs in human serum was direct exposure. The mean 6:2Cl-PFAES (6.0 ng/mL) serum concentration was higher than PFOA (p < 0.01). The mean 6:2Cl-PFAES concentrations in male and female serum were 6.5 ng/mL and 5.6 ng/mL, respectively. A significant increase in 6:2Cl-PFAES concentrations with age was found in males (rs = 0.50, p = 0.001). The 6:2Cl-PFAES concentration was positively correlated with C8–C12 PFCAs and PFOS in human serum (rs = 0.44–0.91, p < 0.01), indicating that they may have common exposure sources. Overall, this study first investigated the roles of age and gender on human serum concentrations of Cl-PFAESs and provided baseline information on the occurrence of Cl-PFAESs in the general Chinese population.

Dehydration of Long-Chain n-Alcohols to Linear α-Olefins Using Sodium-Modified γ-Al2O3

Linear α-olefins (C8–C12 α-olefin, LAOs) are acknowledged as high-value-added chemicals in both lubricant production and the polyolefin industry. An alternative route to the synthesis of high-purit...

Nonionic Isatin Surfactants: Synthesis, Quantum Chemical Calculations, ADMET and Their Antimicrobial Activities

AbstractThe most challenge task in the building up of surface‐active molecules is maximizing their surface activity with good biological activity. A nonionic surfactant (N‐isatin‐EO m‐C n where m is 5, 7 and 9 ethylene glycol units and n is 8, 10 and 12) is achieved by first reacting isatin with chloroacetic acid and then with different types of ethoxylated (C8–C12) fatty alcohols that possess 5, 7 and 9 ethylene oxide units. The prepared surfactants were characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR to confirm the structure. The surface activity, biodegradability, antimicrobial, and antifungal activity of the surfactants were evaluated. In addition, quantum chemical calculations and computations of oral bioavailability were performed. The obtained data show that all the synthesized compounds had good surface activity, biodegradability and biological activity.

Improved production of recombinant Rhizomucor miehei lipase by coexpressing protein folding chaperones in Pichia pastoris, which triggered ER stress

ABSTRACT Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RML) is a biocatalyst that widely used in laboratory and industrial. Previously, RML with a 70-amino acid propeptide (pRML) was cloned and expressed in P. pastori s. Recombinant strains with (strain containing 4-copy prml) and without ER stress (strain containing 2-copy prml) were obtained. However, the effective expression of pRML in P. pastoris by coexpressing ER-related elements in pRML-produced strain with or without ER stress has not been reported to date. In this study, an efficient way to produce functional pRML was explored in P. pastoris. The coexpression of protein folding chaperones, including PDI and ERO1, in different strains with or without ER stress, was investigated. PDI overexpression only increased pRML production in 4-copy strain from 705 U/mL to 1430 U/mL because it alleviated the protein folded stress, increased the protein concentration from 0.56 mg/mL to 0.65 mg/mL, and improved enzyme-specific activity from 1238 U/mg to 2186 U/mg. However, PDI coexpression could not improve pRML production in the 2-copy strain because it increased protein folded stress, while ERO1 coexpression in the two strains all had a negative effect on pRML expression. We also investigated the effect of the propeptide on the substrate specificity and the condition for pRML enzyme powder preparation. Results showed that the relative activity exceeded 80% when the substrates C8–C10 were detected at 35°C and pH 6, and C8–C12 at 45°C and pH 8. The optimal enzyme powder preparation pH was 7, and the maximum recovery rate for pRML was 73.19%.

Ni, Zn and Fe hydrotalcite-like catalysts for catalytic biomass compound into green biofuel

Abstract In this study, the deoxygenation pathway was proposed to eliminate oxygen species from biomass-derived oil, thereby producing a high quality of hydrocarbon chains (green fuel). The catalytic deoxygenation reaction of bio-oil model compound (oleic acid) successfully produced green gasoline (C8–C12) and diesel (C13–C20) via activated hydrotalcite-derived catalysts (i.e. CMgAl, CFeAl, CZnAl and CNiAl). The reaction was performed under inert N2 condition at 300 °C for 3 h, and the liquid products were analysed by GC–MS and GC–FID analyses to determine the hydrocarbon yield and product selectivity. The activity of the catalysts towards the deoxygenation reaction presented the following increasing order: CNiAl &gt; CMgAl &gt; CZnAl &gt; CFeAl. CNiAl produced a hydrocarbon yield of up to 89 %. CNiAl demonstrated the highest selectivity with 83 % diesel production, whereas CMgAl showed the highest gasoline selectivity with 30 %. These results indicated that catalysts with a high acidic profile facilitate C–O cleavage via deoxygenation, producing hydrocarbons (mainly diesel-range hydrocarbons). Meanwhile, highly basic catalysts exhibit significant selectivity towards gasoline-range hydrocarbons via cracking and lead to the occurrence of C–C cleavage. The large surface area of CNiAl (117 m2 g−1) offered high approachability of the reactant with the catalyst’s active sites, thereby promoting high hydrocarbon yield. Consequently, the hydrocarbon yield and selectivity of the deoxygenation products were predominantly influenced by the acid–base properties and structural behaviour (porosity and surface area) of the catalyst.

Synthesis of a C1–C12 Fragment of Gulmirecin B

The synthesis of a C1–C14 fragment of the macrolide antibiotic gulmirecin B through formation of the C7–C8 bond by addition of a vinyllithium intermediate to a C1–C7 aldehyde was investigated. This crucial coupling was successful with a vinyllithium reagent corresponding to a C8–C12 fragment. The C8–C12 vinyl bromide was prepared from l-malic acid. The C1–C7 aldehyde building block was synthesized from hex-5-enoic acid by using an Evans alkylation, a cross-metathesis, and an asymmetric dihydroxylation as key steps.

Азотсодержащие моноалкил (С8—С12) фенолформальдегидные олигомеры в качестве компонента консервационных жидкостей

Азотсодержащие моноалкил (С8—С12) фенолформальдегидные олигомеры в качестве компонента консервационных жидкостей

Engineering of Fatty Acid Synthases (FASs) to Boost the Production of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs) in Mucor circinelloides.

Increasing energy demands and health-related concerns worldwide have motivated researchers to adopt diverse strategies to improve medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) biosynthesis for use in the functional food and aviation industries. The abundance of naturally produced MCFAs from botanical sources (i.e., coconut fruit/seeds and palm tree) has been observed to be insufficient compared with the various microorganisms used to cope with industrial demands. Mucor circinelloides is one of many promising microorganisms; it exhibits diverse biotechnological importance ranging from the production of functional lipids to applications in the manufacture of bio-fuel. Thus, research was conducted to acquire the desired elevated amounts of MCFAs (i.e., C8–C12) from metabolically engineered strains of M. circinelloides M65. To achieve this goal, four different acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterase (TE)-encoding genes exhibiting a substrate preference for medium-chain acyl-ACP molecules were expressed in M. circinelloides M65, resulting in the generation of C8–C12 fatty acids. Among all the engineered strains, M65-TE-03 and M65-TE-04 demonstrated the highest production of non-native C8–C10 and C12 fatty acids, respectively, in comparison to the control. These recombinant strains biosynthesized MCFAs de novo within the range from 28 to 46% (i.e., 1.14 to 2.77 g/L) of total cell lipids. Moreover, the reduction in chain length eventually resulted in a 1.5–1.75-fold increase in total lipid productivity in the engineered strains. The MCFAs were also found to be integrated into all lipid classes. This work illustrates how the integration of heterologous enzymes in M. circinelloides can offer a novel opportunity to edit the fatty acid synthases (FAS) complex, resulting in increased production of microbial MFCAs.

Nickel Complexes Based on Salicylaldehyde-imine Ligands: Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Oligomerization of Ethylene

A series of nickel complexes {NOONR}Ni(A: R=Me; B: R=t-Bu; C: R=OMe) based on salicylalde-hyde-imine ligands was synthesized through Schiff base condensation and metal complexation reaction. Upon activa-tion with methylaluminoxane(MAO), nickel complexes A―C all exhibited good catalytic activity([turnover fre-quency=5.2×105―16.3×105 g/(mol Ni h)] and oligomer selectivity(above 85%, mass fraction) in ethylene oligomerization. In addition, C8―C12 olefins occupied an important proportion in the products of oligomers. Under the conditions of 4.0 MPa, 25 °C and Al/Ni molar ratio of 275, the catalytic selectivity of A/MAO system toward C8―C12 was about 30.1%(mass fraction), and the content of C8―C12 α-olefins was consistently above 70%. Furthermore, besides the ligand environment, the catalytic properties of A―C were substantially affected by experimental parameters, such as the reaction pressure, reaction temperature and Al/Ni ratio.

Surface Properties of Glucose‐Based Surfactants and Their Application in Textile Dyeing with Natural Dyes

AbstractIn this study, propylene glycol‐based glycosides were obtained using an acetalization reaction in which glucose was first reacted with propylene glycol. Subsequently, the propylene glycol glycoside was reacted with alkyl glycidyl ether of varying carbon chain lengths (i.e., 08‐G, 10‐G, 12‐G, 14‐G, and 16‐G) to synthesize a series of glucose‐based biodegradable surfactants. The experimental results show that the surface activity of the C8–C12 glucose‐based surfactants increases with the carbon chain length. However, the surface activity of the C14–C16 glucose‐based surfactants decreased as the carbon chain length increased. Among all the surfactants, the C12 glucose‐based surfactant exhibited the most efficient emulsification ability, lowest surface tension, lowest fluorescence intensity, highest zeta potential, and good emulsification stability. The glucose‐based surfactants were used as additives in natural plant dyes made from turmeric or henna to dye wool fabrics. Higher color strengths were observed in the C14 glucose‐based surfactant.

Direct Aldolization of Unprotected Fructose to Bio-Based Surfactants

A new alkylation mode of fructose was developed by direct aldolization of unprotected fructose with fatty aldehydes as alkylating agents. The reaction occurs in the presence of a base in a mixture of water/EtOH at 60 °C under microwave irradiation. Trimethylamine was found the most effective base for the aldolization of fructose with short chain aldehydes (C4–C8) while better results were obtained with K2CO3 in association with tetrabutylphosphonium bromide (TBPB) for long chain aldehydes (C8–C12). The corresponding alkylated fructose were obtained as mixture of 3 main tautomers (the β-pyranoid form being the predominant isomer) and were isolated with 31–46% yield. These aldolization products were also reduced under hydrogen to give the corresponding alkylated heptaols with 84–96% isolated yields.

First evidence of quorum sensing activity in bacteria associated with Antarctic sponges

Porifera dominate vast areas of the Antarctic shelves and are successfully colonized by bacteria. Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-to-cell communication system based on bacterial population density that, enabling the coordination of group-based behaviour, plays a critical role in the successful colonization of higher organisms, also driving the formation of biofilm for adhesion to surfaces. In this study, the production of N-Acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), signal molecules involved in the QS mechanism, was examined for 211 Antarctic sponge-associated Gram-negative bacteria. AHL production was screened by using three different AHL biodetection systems, i.e. Agrobacterium tumefaciens pZLR4, Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and Pseudomonas putida pKR-C12 with optimal sensitivity to moderate-chain (C8–C12), short-chain (C4–C8) and long-chain (≥ C14) AHLs, respectively. 57.8% of tested isolates activated at least one of the monitor systems used and belonged mainly to bacterial genera that are known to be involved in surface colonization by biofilm production. A thin-layer chromatographic assay based on the A. tumefaciens reporter system was utilized to determine the AHL profiles of five selected positive isolates. Visible spots on thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plates were produced by Roseobacter sp. TB60 and Psychrobacter sp. TB67 (both from the sponge, Anoxycalyx joubini). The former probably produced N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (similar to the standard 3-oxo-C6-HSL), whereas the isolate TB67 produced molecules that were similar to the standard N-butanoyl-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL). The obtained results demonstrated that AHL-based signalling may play a key role in sponge–bacteria interactions also in the Antarctic environment.

The Synthesis of Nitrogen-Containing Phenol Formaldehyde Oligomers Grafted with Vegetable Oils

The synthesis of nitrogen-containing alkyl(C8–C12)phenol formaldehyde oligomers grafted with vegetable oils was investigated with the aim of creating new materials with the properties of protective coatings. Soybean and linseed oils were used as the vegetable oils. The interaction between phenol formaldehyde oligomers and vegetable oils probably occurs through the functional groups formed as a result of oxidative processes at the carbon atoms in the a-position to double bonds. The probable structure was established using infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the physicochemical properties of the synthesised products were studied.

Synthesis, properties and molecular conformation of paramylon ester derivatives

Paramylon, which is a β-(1,3)-D-glucan photosynthesized by Euglena, was chemically modified by esterification. Various paramylon triesters with different alkyl chain lengths (carbon numbers 2–12) were successfully prepared. All of the paramylon triesters have higher thermal degradation temperatures than that of neat paramylon. Moreover, it was found that the paramylon triesters with C2–C6 alkyl chains are crystalline polymers with melting temperatures from 281 °C to 114 °C, and those with C8–C12 alkyl chains are amorphous polymers, confirmed by both DSC and X-ray diffraction analysis. Paramylon triesters with C3–C12 alkyl chains could shape self-sustaining films by both solvent-casting and melt-quench methods with high optical transmittance and sufficient tensile strength or elongation at break. Thermal and mechanical properties of paramylon triesters can be controlled freely from hard to soft by substituted acyl length. In the cases of the crystalline paramylon triesters, highly oriented and crystallized films could be fabricated by the thermally stretched method, and their tensile strengths have been obviously improved. Well-oriented X-ray fiber diagrams of the stretched and crystallized films suggest that all of the paramylon triesters have rare 5-fold helix conformation of molecular chains in crystal.

Catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics using staged catalysis for production of gasoline range hydrocarbon oils

The two-stage pyrolysis-catalysis of high density polyethylene has been investigated with pyrolysis of the plastic in the first stage followed by catalysis of the evolved hydrocarbon pyrolysis gases in the second stage using solid acid catalysts to produce gasoline range hydrocarbon oil (C8–C12). The catalytic process involved staged catalysis, where a mesoporous catalyst was layered on top of a microporous catalyst with the aim of maximising the conversion of the waste plastic to gasoline range hydrocarbons. The catalysts used were mesoporous MCM-41 followed by microporous ZSM-5, and different MCM-41:zeolite ZSM-5 catalyst ratios were investigated. The MCM-41 and zeolite ZSM-5 were also used alone for comparison. The results showed that using the staged catalysis a high yield of oil product (83.15wt.%) was obtained from high density polyethylene at a MCM-41:ZSM-5 ratio of 1:1 in the staged pyrolysis-catalysis process. The main gases produced were C2 (mainly ethene), C3 (mainly propene), and C4 (mainly butene and butadiene) gases. In addition, the oil product was highly aromatic (95.85wt.% of oil) consisting of 97.72wt.% of gasoline range hydrocarbons.In addition, pyrolysis-staged catalysis using a 1:1 ratio of MCM-41: zeolite ZSM-5 was investigated for the pyrolysis–catalysis of several real-world waste plastic samples from various industrial sectors. The real world samples were, agricultural waste plastics, building reconstruction plastics, mineral water container plastics and household food packaging waste plastics. The results showed that effective conversion of the real-world waste plastics could be achieved with significant concentrations of gasoline range hydrocarbons obtained.

Milk composition of free-ranging red hartebeest, giraffe, Southern reedbuck and warthog and a phylogenetic comparison of the milk of African Artiodactyla

The composition of major nutrients and fatty acids of the milk of three species, red hartebeest, Southern reedbuck and warthog, and milk fatty acids of giraffe, that have not been published before, are reported, and together with the same parameters of 11 species previously published, were incorporated in a phylogenetic comparison. Unique properties of milk composition have been observed. Southern reedbuck milk seems to have a complex casein composition, similar to that of sheep. Milk composition varies between species. Although some differences may be ascribed to biological condition, such as stage of lactation, or ecological factors, such as availability of certain nutrients, the contribution by evolutionary history is not well documented and the emphasis is usually on the composition of the macro nutrients. Phylogenetic comparisons often lack representatives of multiple species of taxonomic groups and sub-groups. To date phylogenetic comparisons of milk composition have been carried out by using data from different publications. The problem with this approach is that the ecological factors cannot be completely ruled out. A statistical phylogenetic comparison by PCA between 15 species representing 7 different suborders, families or subfamilies of African Artiodactyla was carried out. The phylogenetic properties showed that the milk composition of the Bovinae, represented here by the subfamilies Bovini and Tragelaphini, differs from the other taxonomic groups, in that the Alcelaphinae had a high milk fat content of the medium chain length fatty acids C8–C12 (>17% of total fatty acids) and the Hippotraginae high amounts of oligosaccharides (>0.4%).