Conjugated Linoleic Acid Formation Research Articles

Inducing Conjugated Linoleic Acid Concentration in Tallaga-Like Cheese by Using Probiotics, Inulin and Lipolysed Milk Containing Safflower Oil as Precursor on Its Quality Characteristics

Probiotic functional dairy products are known of their positive impact on overall health. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has a healthy magical effect on human health. So, a new Tallaga-like cheese was prepared by using some probiotic strains and lipolyzed milk with Safflower oil as a source of free linolenic acid as well as with or without inulin as prebiotic and followed its impact on cheese quality characteristics of Tallaga-like cheese stored at 5°C for 28 day. Mixture of equal parts of fresh buffaloe`s and cow`s milk were standardized to 3.60 % fat, pasteurized, cooled to 37°C, salted, mixed well with 0.6% (v/v) lipolyzed milk with Safflower oil, inoculated with probiotic bacteria (Lb. plantarum, Lb. acidophilus, Lb. casei and B. bifidum) and fortified with/without 1.5% inulin to induce CLA formation Results showed that using inulin with 0.6% safflower oil and probiotic bacteria increased significantly the CLA concentration as compared to using probiotics with lipolysed milk only. Addition of different probiotics with inulin increased significantly the titratable acidity, total lactic acid bacteria with higher rheological characteristics and gained higher total acceptability scores. It can be recommended that functional Tallaga-like cheese with more than double CLA, presented in control cheese, can be made with using Lb. plantarum or Lb. acidophilus and 1.5% inulin in the presence of lipolysed milk with safflower oil as a source of free linolenic acid.

The links between supplementary tannin levels and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) formation in ruminants: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to predict and identify ways to increase conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) formation in ruminant-derived products to treat human health issues with dietary tannins. The objective was to compare and confirm the effects of dietary tannins on CLA formation by analyzing in vitro and/or in vivo studies. We reported the results of the meta-analysis based on numerical data from 38 selected publications consisting of 3712 treatments. Generally, via multiple pathways, the CLA formation increased when dietary tannins increased. Concurrently, dietary tannins increased Δ9 desaturation and the CLA indices in milk and meat (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, with average R2 values of 0.23 and 0.44, respectively), but they did not change the rumen fermentation characteristics, including total volatile fatty acids (mmol/L) and their acid components. In vitro observations may accurately predict in vivo results. Unfortunately, there was no relationship between in vitro observations and in vivo results (R2 < 0.10), indicating that it is difficult to predict CLA formation in vivo considering in vitro observations. According to the statistical meta-analysis results regarding animal aspects, the ranges of tannin levels required for CLA formation in vitro and in vivo were approximately 0.1–20 g/kg dry matter (DM) (P < 0.001) and 2.1–80 g/kg DM (P < 0.001), respectively. In conclusion, the in vivo method was more suitable for the direct observation of fatty acid transformation than the in vitro method.

Formation of conjugated linoleic acid by a Lactobacillus plantarum strain isolated from an artisanal cheese: Evaluation in miniature cheeses

Among 129 lactic acid bacteria previously isolated from raw-milk starter-free cheeses manufactured in Galicia (NW Spain), two strains of Lactobacillus plantarum were definitely recognised as producers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Gas chromatography analysis identified cis-9, trans-11 C18:2 as the predominant CLA isomer formed in MRS broth supplemented with linoleic acid. A centrifugation-based model for the manufacture of miniature cheeses was used to evaluate the formation of CLA by Lb. plantarum L200, the highest producer of CLA in MRS broth. The miniature cheeses made with the addition of the L200 strain showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher contents of cis-9, trans-11 CLA than those of the control cheeses (1.09 versus 0.69 percentage of total fatty acids, respectively). These results suggest that Lb. plantarum L200 strain could be used as an adjunct culture to slightly increase the concentrations of CLA in short-ripened cows' milk cheeses.

Neutral and acid-adapted fatty acid vesicles of conjugated linoleic acid.

FAVs (fatty acid vesicles), originated from natural biomass and created available biointerface, have advantages of biocompatibility, low-cost, and easy self-assembly in aqueous solution due to their dynamic feature. However, there is no example of applying FAVs in contact with human body since they are inherently alkaline-adapted and pH windows for the FAV formation and application are very narrow and far away from the physiological pH range. In this work an attempt to turn the alkaline-adapted FAVs into neutral and acid-adapted ones was made by fabricating the amphiphile-hybrid vesicles of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) with a typical cosmetic emulsifier SDS (sodium dodecylsulfate) and/or a co-emulsifier DA (dodecyl alcohol). pH windows for the SDS- and/or DA-hybrid FAV formation of CLA were judged by using dynamic light scattering criterion, and confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering and room temperature transmission electron microscopy. The experimental results show that with the aid of H-bonding and ion-dipole forces among molecules of CLA, SDS and DA within the hybrid vesicle walls that were identified by Fourier transform infrared analysis, much wider pH windows of 2.5-11.7 for the hybrid FAVs were obtained by expansion from 8.0-9.0 for FAV of CLA alone, which was composition-dependent and made the hybrid FAVs become neutral and acid-adapted.

Investigating the amount of TFAs, CLAs and ω6/ω3 of various brands of corn oil heated at different time-temperature treatments.

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of trans fatty acids (TFAs), conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) and linoleic acid/α-linolenic acid (ω6/ω3) in eleven different brands of fresh and heated corn oil was investigated. Corn oil was subjected to thermal treatment at 180, 210 and 230°C for 4, 8 and 12h. The kinds of fatty acids were almost the same in all eleven brands of corn oil, but there were differences in the quantities of TFAs, CLAs and ω6/ω3 among the brands. The formation of TFAs in different brands of corn oil increased slowly at 180°C and rapidly at 230°C with the maximum increase of 28 and 374%, respectively. The formation of CLAs also increased during the heating with the amount of 0.00-0.32g/100g in fresh corn oil and 0.71-1.12g/100g in corn oil heated at 230°C for 12h. The value of ω6/ω3 was high in corn oil and increased with heating temperature and time. The largest rise of ω6/ω3 can reach upwards of 239:1. The results showed that temperature control was essential for maintaining the quality and nutritional value of corn oil.

Production of conjugated linoleic acid-rich cottonseed oil by supported Ru catalyzed isomerization

Supported metal (e.g. Ruthenium (Ru)) is capable to catalyze the isomerization of polyunsaturated fatty acids in plant oils into conjugated fatty acids. Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) produced from plant oils have not only been associated with diverse health and physiological effects, but also been interesting renewable compounds in producing industrial products such as paints, glues, and polymers, due to the presence of very reactive conjugated double bonds. To explore the industrial potential of heterogeneous supported metal catalyst in converting food-use limited cottonseed oil (CSO) into conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-rich plant oil, Ru/C (J.M.), Ru/C (Sigma), Ru/Al2O3 and Ru black are examined for their catalytic efficiency/selectivity in decane and solvent-free systems. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are employed for their surface chemical composition and morphology analyses. Deconvolution of Ru 3p and 3d spectra are executed by Gaussian and Lorentzian fitting; and a qualitative correlation between oxidation states of Ru and catalytic activity/selectivity of Ru catalysts are delineated. In 24h in solvent-free system Ru black is capable to achieve 51.3% conversion of linoleic acid (LA) in CSO with excellent selectivity (83.7%) towards CLA formation (CLA-rich CSO can be easily obtained by simple filtration); conversion of LA doesnot show any Sn-2/Sn-1,3 region-preference; however, the reaction activity/selectivity is pronouncedly correlated to the content of Ru (IV) in catalysts.

Reaction pathway mechanism of thermally induced isomerization of 9,12-linoleic acid triacylglycerol.

To clarify the formation mechanism of trans linoleic acid isomers in edible oils during the heating process, trilinolein and trilinoelaidin, as representative oils, were placed in glass ampoules and sealed before heating at 180, 240 and 320 °C. The glass ampoules were removed at regular time intervals, and the contents were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. The samples were then subjected to derivatization into their methyl esters for gas chromatographic analysis. Analysis results show that 9c,12c and 9t,12t fatty acids from trilinolein and trilinoelaidin molecules undergo chemical bond rotation, migration and degradation, leading to the formation of non-conjugated linoleic acids (NLAs), conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) and aldehydes. The formation rate of isomers from the 9c,12c fatty acid is higher than that of the 9t,12t fatty acid. The production of aldehydes increases with heating temperature and time. The isomerization pathways involved in the formation of NLAs and CLAs during heating are clearly presented. These findings suggest possible pathways of NFA and CFA formation from heated trilinolein and trilinoelaidin, complement the mechanistic studies previously published in the literature, and provide a theoretical basis for future control of the quality and safety of fats and oils. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bioconversion enhancement of conjugated linoleic acid by Lactobacillus plantarum using the culture media manipulation and numerical optimization.

The ability of different Lactobacillus strains to produce conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) from linoleic acid was evaluated. Preliminary experiments revealed that L. plantarum among the screened strains had the highest CLA-producing potential (95.25μg/mL). The cell growth of this bacterium was studied in three media of MRS broth, skim milk and skim milk supplemented with yeast extract and glucose. Results showed that the use of yeast extract and glucose could significantly increase the cell growth and CLA production. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to investigate the effects of three independent variables; linoleic acid (LA), yeast extract concentrations and inoculum size on the CLA formation. A second-order polynomial model with high R (2) value (0.981) was developed using multiple linear regression analysis. The optimum conditions to achieve the highest CLA production (240.69μg/mL) was obtained using 3mg/mL LA, 4g/L yeast extract and inoculum size of 4% v/v. CLA concentration of the optimal sample was analyzed by Gas Chromatography (GC). The cis-9, trans-11 CLA was the major CLA isomer of total CLA detected.

Impact of additives on thermally-induced trans isomers in 9c,12c linoleic acid triacylglycerol

Trilinolein, with or without additives, was placed in glass ampoules and subjected to thermal treatment at 180°C or 240°C for 8h. Thermal treatment of trilinolein at 180°C and 240°C produced twice the amount of trans nonconjugated linoleic acids (NLAs) compared to conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), and nitrogen stream reduced the amount of both trans NLA and CLA products. The presence of additives resulted in the suppression or induction of trans NLAs and CLAs, depending on the type of additive, the concentration of the additive, and the heating temperature. Our analysis indicates that TBHQ is an effective additive for reducing trans NLA formation and inducing trans CLA formation in frying oil. Glutathione and l-cysteine at 0.1% may also be used as additives for frying oil. At suitable concentrations, Fe3+ and Al3+ ions derived from oils can reduce trans NLAs and induce trans CLAs during frying.

Production of conjugated linoleic acid and conjugated linolenic acid isomers by Bifidobacterium species

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) isomers have attracted great interest because of their potential health benefits. Formation of CLA and CLNA takes place in the rumen during biohydrogenation. Several studies have indicated that certain types of intestinal bacteria, including bifidobacteria, are able to convert linoleic acid (LA) to CLA. The role of intestinal bacteria in the formation of CLNA isomers is largely unknown. In the present study, a screening of 36 different Bifidobacterium strains for their ability to produce CLA and CLNA from free LA and alpha-linolenic acid (LNA), respectively, was performed. The strains were grown in MRS broth, to which LA or LNA (0.5 mg ml(-1)) were added after 7 h of bacterial growth. Cultures were further incubated at 37 degrees C for 72 h. Six strains (four Bifidobacterium breve strains, a Bifidobacterium bifidum strain and a Bifidobacterium pseudolongum strain) were able to produce different CLA and CLNA isomers. Conversion percentages varied from 19.5% to 53.5% for CLA production and from 55.6% to 78.4% for CLNA production among these strains. The CLA isomers produced were further identified with Ag(+)-HPLC. LA was mainly converted to t9t11-CLA and c9t11-CLA. The main CLNA isomers were identified with GC-MS as c9t11c15-CLNA and t9t11c15-CLNA.

Evidence in the formation of conjugated linoleic acids from thermally induced 9t12t linoleic acid: a study by gas chromatography and infrared spectroscopy

Thermally induced isomerisation leading to the formation of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) has been observed for the first time during the thermal treatment of 9t12t fatty acid triacylglycerol, and methyl ester. Fifteen microlitre portions of the triacylglycerol sample containing 9t12t fatty acid (trilinoelaidin) were placed in micro glass ampoules and sealed under nitrogen, then subjected to thermal treatment at 250 degrees C. The glass ampoules were removed at regular time intervals, cut open, and the contents were analysed by infrared spectroscopy using a single reflectance attenuated total internal reflectance crystal accessory. The samples were then subjected to derivatisation into their methyl esters. The methyl esters of the isomerised fatty acids were analysed by gas chromatography. The same procedure was repeated with methyl ester samples containing 9t12t fatty acid (methyl linoelaidate). Each sample was subjected to infrared measurements and gas chromatographic analysis after appropriate dilution in heptane. The results show that the thermally induced isomerisation of 9t12t fatty acids from both triacylglycerol molecules and methyl esters give identical CLA profiles as those found for the thermally induced isomerisation of 9c12c fatty acids. The infrared spectrometry provides additional evidence confirming the formation of CLA acids during thermal treatment. A mechanism for the formation of the CLAs from 9t12t fatty acid molecules is also formulated for the first time. This mechanism complements the pathways of formation of CLAs from 9c12c fatty acids during thermal treatment.

Catalytic behavior of ruthenium in soybean oil hydrogenation

AbstractSoybean oil was hydrogenated with a carbon‐supported ruthenium catalyst (Ru/C) at 165 °C, 2 bar H2 and 500 rpm stirring speed. Reaction rates, trans isomer formation, selectivity ratios and melting behaviors of the samples were monitored. No catalytic activity was found for the application of 10 ppm of the catalyst, and significant catalytic activity appeared at &gt;50 ppm of active catalyst. The catalyst concentration had an effect on the reaction rate of hydrogenation, but the weight‐normalized reaction rate constant (kc) was almost independent of the catalyst concentration at lower iodine values. Ru/C generated considerable amounts of trans fatty acids (TFA), including high amounts of trans 18:2, and also stearic acid, due to its very non‐selective nature. The selectivity ratios were found to be low and varied between 1.12 and 4.32 during the reactions. On the other hand, because of the low selectivity, higher slip melting points and solid fat contents at high temperatures were obtained than those for nickel and palladium catalysts. Another different characteristic of this catalyst was the formation (max 1.67%) of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) during hydrogenation. Besides, CLA formation in the early stages of the reactions did not change very much with the lower iodine values.

Mechanism of conjugated linoleic acid and vaccenic acid formation in human faecal suspensions and pure cultures of intestinal bacteria

Faecal bacteria from four human donors and six species of human intestinal bacteria known to metabolize linoleic acid (LA) were incubated with LA in deuterium oxide-enriched medium to investigate the mechanisms of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and vaccenic acid (VA) formation. The main CLA products in faecal suspensions, rumenic acid (cis-9,trans-11-CLA; RA) and trans-9,trans-11-CLA, were labelled at C-13, as were other 9,11 geometric isomers. Traces of trans-10,cis-12-CLA formed were labelled to a much lower extent. In pure culture, Bifidobacterium breve NCFB 2258 formed labelled RA and trans-9,trans-11-CLA, while Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens 16.4, Roseburia hominis A2-183T, Roseburia inulinivorans A2-192T and Ruminococcus obeum-like strain A2-162 converted LA to VA, labelled in a manner indicating that VA was formed via C-13-labelled RA. Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii DSM 4902T, a possible probiotic, formed mainly RA with smaller amounts of trans-10,cis-12-CLA and trans-9,trans-11-CLA, labelled the same as in the mixed microbiota. Ricinoleic acid (12-OH-cis-9-18 : 1) did not form CLA in the mixed microbiota, in contrast to CLA formation described for Lactobacillus plantarum. These results were similar to those reported for the mixed microbiota of the rumen. Thus, although the bacterial genera and species responsible for biohydrogenation in the rumen and the human intestine differ, and a second route of RA formation via a 10-OH-18 : 1 is present in the intestine, the overall labelling patterns of different CLA isomers formation are common to both gut ecosystems. A hydrogen-abstraction enzymic mechanism is proposed that may explain the role of a 10-OH-18 : 1 intermediate in 9,11-CLA formation in pure and mixed cultures.

Conjugated linoleic acid conversion by dairy bacteria cultured in MRS broth and buffalo milk

To evaluate strains of Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria and Streptococci for their ability to produce conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) from free linoleic acid (LA). Eight dairy bacteria tolerant to LA were grown in MRS broth containing LA (200 microg ml(-1)) and CLA was assessed. Seven bacteria were able to form CLA after 24 h of incubation, varying percentage conversion between 17% and 36%. Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Streptococcus thermophilus showed the highest LA conversion and were inoculated into buffalo milk supplemented with different concentration of LA. The production of CLA at 200 microg ml(-1) of LA was two- or threefold in milk than MRS broth. All evaluated strains were able to produce CLA from high LA levels (1000 microg ml(-1)). The most tolerant strain to LA was Lact. casei. Lacttobacillus rhamnosus produced the maximum level of CLA at high LA concentrations (800 microg ml(-1)). The selected bacteria may be considered as adjunct cultures to be included on dairy fermented products manufacture. Low concentration of LA must be added to the medium to enhance CLA formation. The production of CLA by strains using milks from regional farms as medium offer a possible mechanism to enhance this beneficial compound in dairy products and those the possibility to develop functional foods.

Rumen ciliate protozoa contain high concentrations of conjugated linoleic acids and vaccenic acid, yet do not hydrogenate linoleic acid or desaturate stearic acid.

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) have been shown to improve human health. They are derived from the microbial conversion of dietary linoleic acid (cis-9,cis-12-18 : 2 (LA)) in the rumen. An investigation was undertaken to determine the role of ruminal ciliate protozoa v. bacteria in the formation of CLA and its precursor in animal tissues, vaccenic acid (trans-11-18 : 1 (VA)). Mixed protozoa from the sheep rumen contained at least two to three times more unsaturated fatty acids, including CLA and VA, than bacteria. Different species had different composition, with larger fibrolytic species such as Epidinium ecaudatum caudatum containing more than ten times more CLA and VA than some small species, including Entodinium nanellum. In incubations with ruminal microbial fractions (bacterial fraction (BAC), protozoal fraction (PRO)), LA metabolism was very similar in strained ruminal fluid (SRF) and in the BAC, while the PRO had LA-metabolising activity an order of magnitude lower. Using PCR-based methods, no genes homologous to fatty acid desaturase genes were found in cDNA libraries from ruminal protozoa. The absence of an alternative route of VA/CLA formation via desaturation of stearate was confirmed by incubations of SRF, BAC or PRO with [14C]stearate. Thus, although protozoa are rich in CLA and VA, they appear to lack the ability to form these two fatty acids from LA or stearate. The most likely explanation is that protozoa preferentially incorporate CLA and VA formed by bacteria. The implication of the present findings is that the flow of unsaturated fatty acids, including CLA and VA, from the rumen could depend on the flow of protozoa rather than bacteria.

Conjugated linoleic acid in meat and meat products: A review

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) consists of a group of geometric and positional isomers of linoleic acid to which anticancerogenic, antidiabetic, and antiatherogenic effects, as well as effects on immune system, bone metabolism, and body composition are attributed. CLA is found predominantly in milk and meat of ruminants due to the importance of rumen micro-organism in the formation of CLA and its precursors. This review attempts to give an overview of the available data on intramuscular CLA concentrations in meat and meat products originating from different animal species. The factors influencing these concentrations are discussed and the estimated human daily intakes as well as the percentage provided by meat are reported.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid Content and Organoleptic Attributes of Fermented Milk Products Produced with Probiotic Bacteria

The effect of probiotic bacteria on the formation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), microbial growth, and organoleptic attributes (acidity, texture, and flavor) of fermented milk products was determined. Four probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii 56, P. freudenreichii subsp. shermanii 51, and P. freudenreichii subsp. freudenreichii 23, were evaluated individually or in coculture with traditional yogurt cultures (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus). The lipid source was hydrolyzed soy oil. L. rhamnosus, in coculture with yogurt culture, resulted in the highest content of CLA. Growth and CLA formation of propionibacteria were enhanced in the presence of yogurt cultures. Texture and flavor attributes of fermented milks produced with propionibacteria were significantly different than the fermented milks processed with yogurt cultures. The fermented milks processed with probiotic bacteria in coculture with yogurt cultures demonstrated similar acidity, texture, and flavor as the fermented milk produced with yogurt cultures.

Changes in Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Palmitoleic Acid Are Correlated to Retinol Levels in Chronic Renal Failure in Both Hemodialysis and Conservative Treatment Patients

An increase in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a natural fatty acid present in our diet, which possesses anticarcinogenic and antiatherogenic activities in experimental models, has been found in both the plasma and adipose tissue of end-stage chronic renal failure (ESCRF) patients. Increased levels of retinol have also been found in those patients, due to a reduced excretion of the retinol-binding protein. Since retinol is known to influence lipid metabolism, we evaluated whether changes in retinol, CLA, and other fatty acids are correlated in the plasma of CRF patients. We measured CLA, retinol, and unsaturated fatty acids in the plasma of the following groups: (A) 35 ESCRF patients; (B) 20 hemodialysis (HD) patients; (C) 20 healthy controls. Subjects with total cholesterol and/or triglycerides higher than 250 mg/dL were excluded. We found a significant increase in CLA, retinol, palmitoleic (16:1), and oleic (18:1) acids in ESCRF patients. In HD patients we found a similar pattern, however, CLA increase was not significant. No changes were observed in the other fatty acids measured. In the groups of ESCRF and HD patients, a positive correlation between the levels of plasma retinol and CLA, and between retinol and 16:1 was found. These correlations were not detected in controls. The abnormal levels of plasma retinol in CRF patients might partly explain the changes in CLA and 16:1. The influence of retinol levels on these fatty acids might be due to an induction of delta 9 desaturase. In fact, 16:1 is known to be produced, partly, by delta 9 desaturation of palmitic acid. Moreover, the formation of CLA from delta 9 desaturation of vaccenic acid-a trans-monounsaturated fatty acid present in our diet-has recently been demonstrated in humans. Nevertheless, our data do not represent direct evidence supporting an increased delta 9 desaturase activity in CRF patients. Another possible explanation might be a variation in the exogenous intake.

Effects of Rhodium Heterogeneous Catalyst and Isomerization Conditions on Linoleic Acid Conjugation of Soybean Oil

Rhodium heterogeneous catalyst was used to catalyze isomerization of linoleic acid in soybean oil to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). A central composite rotatable design with five levels of three variables, namely, reaction temperature, stirring speed, and reaction time, was used to determine the maximum CLA yield. The formation of CLA during isomerization was greatly dependent on the reaction temperature and time. The CLA content of soybean oil increased from 0.63 to 202.42 mg/g oil when isomerization was done at 200 degrees C, with a stirring speed of 200 rpm for 49 min. Analysis of triacylglycerol positions showed that linoleic acid at any position in a triacylglyceride could possibly be isomerized to CLA.

Biohydrogenation of linoleic acid and production of conjugated linoleic acids by fractions prepared from bovine rumen fluid

Dietary conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) offer significant health benefits for man, and ruminant products are the major dietary sources (Bauman et al., 2001). The synthesis of CLA in the ruminant animal occurs either directly in the rumen or in the tissue from trans -vaccenic acid (TVA), formed primarily as intermediate products of ruminal biohydrogenation of linoleic acid (C18:2) to stearic acid (C18:0). Within the rumen, the pattern of biohydrogenation and the products formed appear to differ between the particle rich and the liquid fractions of the rumen (Singh and Hawke, 1979), with biohydrogenation occurring primarily on small particles. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the pattern of CLA and TVA formation differs in these fractions.