DHA Composition Research Articles

Nutritional quality of eastern school whiting (Sillago flindersi) under contemporary and future environmental conditions

AbstractClimate‐driven environmental change is increasingly impacting global fisheries and marine resource use. Fisheries provide a broad range of economic, social and cultural benefits while delivering essential contributions to nutrient security and human health. Despite this, little is known about how climate change will impact the availability and quality of seafood‐derived nutrients. Here, we quantified spatial and temporal changes in the nutritional quality of the commercially harvested eastern school whiting, Sillago flindersi, sampled throughout the south‐east Australian ocean warming hotspot. Several nutrients measured in S. flindersi, including protein, ash, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the omega‐3 PUFA–docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6ɷ3), were related to one or more environmental factors (sea bottom temperature, depth and chlorophyll). We also detected seasonal variability in DHA and ash composition throughout the species' commercially harvested distribution. Historical and future spatial modelling predicted a decrease in DHA of up to 6% with increasing ocean temperature under future Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 emission scenarios. Overall, our results identified S. flindersi as a rich source of protein and essential PUFAs for human consumers and supported emerging evidence that reductions in seafood‐derived essential nutrients may occur under future ocean warming, specifically reductions in omega‐3 fatty acids. The development of nutritional quality forecasting tools for seafood holds the potential to inform fishers and managers of locations and times of the year to target species with optimal nutritional quality.

Effect of supplementing cellulase, carnitine and lemuru fish oil in feed on chemical composition of Muscovy duck meat

Muscovy duck in Indonesia has good potential to be developed as a meat producer, but currently its production and performance are still relatively low. additional feed is needed to increase it, such as cellulase enzymes, L-carnitine, and lemuru fish oil. where this combination, enzymes can increase nutrient digestibility, fish oil which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and L-carnitine as a metabolic facilitator needed to oxidize long chain fatty acids. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing cellulase, carnitine and fish oil in feed on performance, EPA and DHA composition of Muscovy duck meat. In total, 120 Muscovy ducks in grower period were allocated to 4 dietary treatments with 5 replicates of 6 ducks. The treatments consisted of T0 = basal ration, T1 = T0 supplemented with 0.1% cellulase, T2 = T1 supplemented with L-carnitine 40 ppm, and T3 = T2 supplemented with 4% lemuru fish oil. The dietary treatments were fed for 90 days. The results of study showed that the effects of supplementing fish oil and L-carnitine in rations containing cellulase enzyme have a significant value (P<0.01) on the performance (feed consumption, daily body weight gain, feed conversion and IOFC) of male Muscovy duck grower phase and have a significant value (P<0.01) on EPA and DHA level in Muscovy duck meat. The supplementation can decrease feed consumption, meanwhile it increase daily body weight gain, improve feed conversion ratio, increase IOFC value, EPA and DHA level.

Biomarkers of Docosahexaenoic Acid but Not Arachidonic Acid Reflect Dietary Intakes in Toddlers at Ages 1 and 2 Years Who Are Not Meeting Dietary Recommendations

Background:Long-chain n–6 and n–3 PUFAs are important for growth and development. However, little is known about requirements and current dietary intakes of these fatty acids in toddlers. Objectives:This study assessed dietary intakes of n–6 and n–3 PUFAs and determined the relation to circulating PUFAs in toddlers at ages 1 and 2 y. Methods:This is a secondary analysis of data from toddlers enrolled in a double-blind randomized controlled trial of arachidonic acid (ARA) and DHA supplementation between ages 1 and 2 y. Dietary intakes of fatty acids were estimated by 3-d food records, and fatty acid composition in plasma total phospholipids, red blood cell phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylcholine (PC) were assessed by GC at baseline in all subjects (n = 110; mean age 1.12 y; 64% male) and in the control subjects at 2 y (n = 43). Methods:The dietary intakes of ARA, EPA, and DHA at age 1 y (baseline) were [mean (median)] 36.8 (30.0), 16.0 (0.00), and 31.1 (10.0) mg/d, respectively. Dietary intakes increased to 52.7 (45.0), 35.8 (0.00), and 64.8 (20.0) mg/d, respectively, at age 2 y (P < 0.05). The predominant dietary source of EPA and DHA was fish/seafood; eggs were an important source of ARA and DHA. Dietary DHA intakes were positively associated with plasma PE and PC DHA (P < 0.05). No relations between dietary ARA intakes and plasma PE and PC ARA (P > 0.05) were observed. Conclusions:These findings suggest that most toddlers are not meeting the recommendation for dietary PUFA intakes and that higher dietary DHA intakes are reflected in plasma PE and PC DHA composition. Further work is required to investigate a biomarker for dietary ARA intake. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01263912.

Health Beneficial Food Emulsifier Produced from Fishery Byproducts

The bioavailability of DHA-bound phospholipids, especially the DHA-bound lysophospholipid (DHA-LPL) could be considered the most effective DHA chemical forms for DHA accretion in the brain. Such a DHA-LPL should also have very high emulsifying stability performance based on its analogy with conventional soy LPL. Therefore, in this study, we describe two fishery byproducts, rich in DHA-bound phospholipids, to derive DHA-LPL via sn-1 positional specific lipase partial hydrolysis of the phospholipids. Through this reaction, the DHA composition increased to 43.8 % from 29.1 % in the salmon head phospholipid-derived DHA-LPL, and to 84.0 % from 47.4 % in the squid meal phospholipid-derived DHA-LPL. In fact, these obtained DHA-LPLs exhibited far higher emulsifying stability than the conventional food emulsifiers in the market. For example, the prepared high-purity squid meal phospholipid-derived LPL sustained an emulsion form for a week even under 80°C. Thus, food emulsifiers produced from fishery byproducts are considered to exhibit very high values of both in a sense of outstandingly high health benefits and sustaining emulsions even under very high temperatures.

Loss of RAR-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα) selectively lowers docosahexaenoic acid in developing cerebellum

Deficiency in retinoid acid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα) of staggerer mice results in extensive granule and Purkinje cell loss in the cerebellum as well as in learned motor deficits, cognition impairments and perseverative tendencies that are commonly observed in autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). The effects of RORα on brain lipid metabolism associated with cerebellar atrophy remain unexplored. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of RORα deficiency on brain phospholipid fatty acid concentrations and compositions. Staggerer mice (Rorasg/sg) and wildtype littermates (Rora+/+) were fed n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) containing diets ad libitum. At 2 months and 7 or more months old, brain total phospholipid fatty acids were quantified by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection. In the cerebellum, all fatty acid concentrations were reduced in 2 months old mice. Since total fatty acid concentrations were significantly different at 2-month-old, we examined changes in fatty acid composition. The composition of ARA was not significantly different between genotypes; though DHA composition remained significantly lowered. Despite cerebellar atrophy at >7-months-old, cerebellar fatty acid concentrations had recovered comparably to wildtype control. Therefore, RORα may be necessary for fatty acid accretions during neurodevelopment. Specifically, the effects of RORα on PUFA metabolisms are region-specific and age-dependent.

Associations of erythrocyte fatty acid compositions with FADS1 gene polymorphism in Japanese mothers and infants

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are involved in the fetal growth in utero, and are essential for the development of visual and cognitive functions during infancy. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of erythrocyte fatty acid compositions with FADS1 gene polymorphism in Japanese mothers and infants. The subjects were 383 mothers who participated in an adjunct birth cohort study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS). In maternal FADS1 SNP genotypes, the precursor fatty acids composition of the Δ5 desaturase in the maternal blood showed significant differences in levels among the groups, and showed increasing values in the order of TT < TC < CC genotype groups. On the other hand, many product fatty acids levels were significantly reduced in the order of TT > TC > CC genotype groups, and DHA levels were significantly lower in the CC genotype group relative to the other groups. Likewise, the relationship between fetal genotype group and fatty acid composition in cord blood was very similar to the maternal relationship. These results indicate the maternal and fetal blood fatty acid compositions are strongly influenced by the FADS1 genotypes. With respect to the cord blood DHA composition, the levels in the fetal CC genotype group showed a trend toward lower values in the maternal CC genotype group pair (p = 0.066) compared to the maternal TC genotype group pair. However, in the fetal TT and TC genotype groups (p = 0.131, p = 0.729, respectively), the maternal genotype did not have a significant effect. The DHA composition was more influenced by the maternal genotype in the fetal CC genotype group than in the fetal TT and TC genotype groups. It was shown that DHA transport via the placenta from the mother might be promoted in the fetal CC genotype compared to the other fetal genotype groups. In conclusion, differences in the FADS1 SNP genotypes of pregnant women and their children may greatly affect the supply of LC-PUFAs. Further studies on the involvement of the FADS1 polymorphisms and the fetal LC-PUFA levels in the fetal growth and development are warranted.

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA, C22:6, ω-3) Composition of Milk and Mammary Gland Tissues of Lactating Mother Rats Is Severely Affected by Lead (Pb) Exposure.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6, ω-3), an ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), is critical for brain growth, development, and cognitive ability. It is consumed by offspring via milk during lactation. However, the toxic heavy metal lead (Pb) readily passes into the mammary glands of mother animals and then to offspring through milk. Here, we investigated whether DHA composition of milk and mammary gland tissues is affected by Pb exposure. Mother rats were exposed to Pb via drinking water (0.1%). The fatty acid profile and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxide (LPO), and pro-inflammatory TNF-α in milk and mammary tissues were measured. Levels of DHA and antioxidant GSH decreased (P < 0.05), while LPO and TNF-α levels increased (P < 0.05) both in milk and mammary tissues. Our results suggest that toxic Pb exposure can upset the level of milk DHA, which may affect brain growth and development, and hence cognitive ability in adulthood and later life.

Effect of Dietary Oil Rich in Docosahexaenoic Acid-Bound Lysophosphatidylcholine Prepared from Fishery By-Products on Lipid and Fatty Acid Composition in Rat Liver and Brain.

The possibility of improving brain function coupled with its preferential uptake in the brain has garnered attention for docosahexaenoic acid-bound lysophosphatidylcholine (DHA-LPC). However, studies focusing on the health benefits of dietary DHA-LPC are lacking. We prepared a dietary oil rich in DHA-LPC (DHA-LPC rich oil) via enzymatic modification of phospholipids (PL) extracted from squid (Todarodes pacificus) meal and purification of active carbon, ion exchange resin, and silica gel. We then examined the effects of dietary DHA-LPC rich oil on male Wistar rats by evaluating serum and liver lipid profiles, fatty acid (FA) metabolizing enzyme activity, and the FA composition of serum and brain. The rats were fed a basal diet containing either soybean oil alone (7%) or soybean oil (4.5%) with DHA-LPC rich oil (2.5%) for 28 days, and then evaluated. The rats fed the diet containing DHA-LPC rich oil showed reduced triacylglycerol concentration due, in part, to the enhancement of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 and acyl-CoA oxidase activities and suppression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities in the liver. Moreover, the dietary DHA-LPC rich oil moderately increased DHA in the FA composition of the rat hippocampus, which may be due to elevated DHA composition in serum LPC. These results suggest that DHA-LPC rich oil has hypolipidemic effect and moderate increase in hippocampal DHA amount in normal rats.

English

The present study evaluated the impact of varying dietary linseed oil composition on growth, survival and tissue polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) profiles in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Five iso-nitrogenious diets with varying linseed and sunflower oil concentrations were formulated and fish fed twice daily to for 3 months. Commercial diet was used as a control in triplicate tanks set for each diet treatment. Growth parameters were measured from changes in body weight and length. A 75:25 ratio of sunflower oil to linseed oil gave a better survival and specific growth rate than 100% linseed oil or 100% sunflower oil. Tissue PUFA composition were determined using gas chromatography. High dietary linseed oil composition (100%) resulted into significantly high (P&lt;0.05) total n3 fatty acids (9.9-25%) and DHA (1.8-7.9%) in muscles whereas liver n3 fatty acids and DHA composition ranged between 9.3-25.5 and 0.7-2.6%, respectively. Muscle and liver n3/n6 ratio ranged between 0.7-2.2 and 0.7-2.6 while tissue arachidonic acid (ARA 20.4 n6) content ranged between 2.6-3.5% in muscles and 3.4-4.5% in the liver. ARA 20.4 n6 values were low relative to the dietary precursor, linoleic acid, LA, 18.2 n6.&nbsp; Fatty acid deposition in the tissues increased with the feeding period with the third feeding month recording significantly higher DHA, total n3 and n3/n6 ratio. Based on the result, dietary linseed oil &gt; 50% reduced growth and survival rate in tilapia, however, it increased tissue accumulation of essential fatty acids which also increased with the length of feeding period. &nbsp; Key words: Growth, Tilapia, n3 fatty acids, linseed oil, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).

Lipid biosynthesis of ten thraustochytrid strains isolated from mangrove Xuan Thuy, Nam Dinh

The features of polyunsaturated fatty acid-PUFA structures were corresponded to each separate functions as adjusting the cellular physiology and gene expression. Therefore, lack of PUFA could lead to abnormalities in skin, kidney, neural networks, immune responses and inflammation; cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory and reproductive systems. In fish oil, PUFA content were low, thus it was difficult to produce on a large scale. Therefore, the exploration of PUFA sources particularly as arachidonic acid-AA, eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, docosapentaenoic acid-DPA/DHA attracted many researches. Heterotrophic microalgae Thraustochytrids were capable of producing high amounts of DHA and PUFA composition varied. DHA can be synthesized by the metabolism of AA, EPA and DPA. The different types of PUFA reflected relationships in classification. Ten heterotrophic microalgae thraustochytrids isolated from mangrove Xuan Thuy, Nam Dinh contain fatty acid composition varied from C12 to C28. Especially, they had two important fatty acids of PUFA as EPA and DPA. Polyunsaturated fatty acids - PUFA content of ten thraustochytrid strains were from 28.95 to 49.62% total lipid. DPA compared to other PUFA were high for all thraustochytrid strains studied, accounting 20.22 to 39.35% TFA. Ten thraustochytrid strains had the highest growth with carbon source as glucose, total lipid reached 7 to 12.35 % dry weight biomass after 72 hours. Growth rate and lipid biosynthesis in organic nitrogen source were higher than in inorganic nitrogen sources. The best source of nitrogen for growth and lipid biosynthesis of ten thraustochytrid strains is yeast extract, total lipid were 8.57 to 18.87% dry weight biomass after 72 hours.

Effect of enrichment time and dietary DHA and non-highly unsaturated fatty acid composition on the efficiency of DHA enrichment in phospholipid of rotifer (Brachionus Cayman)

Abstract An increasing number of studies suggest that DHA associated with dietary phospholipid (PL) is better metabolically available for fish larvae. Knowledge on how to increase DHA levels in the major PL classes of the live feed is needed. Brachionus Cayman was cultured in conical fibreglass vessels, enriched with commonly used commercial diet Multigain or DHA Selco (DSelco) in flat bottom vessels at 20 °C. The changes of DHA content in the PL of the rotifers through enrichment and through a starvation phase post-enrichment were investigated in order to define an appropriate enrichment time and to test the stability of DHA post-enrichment. The different dietary non-HUFA (non-highly unsaturated fatty acid) composition of DSelco (25.1% SFA, 32.1% MUFA) and Multigain (40.7% SFA, 2.11% MUFA) allowed an evaluation on how SFA and MUFA might affect the efficiency of DHA enrichment of phospholipid in the rotifers. Rotifer samples were collected at 0 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h and 24 h after initiation of enrichment. Total lipid (TL) and the fatty acid composition in TL, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) of rotifers and enrichment diets were analysed. The highest DHA levels in PC (23.0%) and PE (16.5%) in Cayman were found after 24 h enrichment with Multigain, and levels were far higher than obtained earlier. The enriched DHA was stable at 10 °C for at least 24 h post-enrichment under starving conditions ( p > 0.05), whereas a significant ( p Statement of relevance The paper is bringing information about fatty acid enrichment of rotifers in questions that are so far quite unclear and could have a strong impact on larviculture of marine fish larvae. This study shows methods to obtain high level of DHA in phospholipids of rotifer. The results could potentially have a significant impact to improve current fatty acid enrichment protocols for rotifers.

Requirements of phytochemical food composition databases: Comparing current use in food industry and biomedical research

Requirements of phytochemical food composition databases: Comparing current use in food industry and biomedical research

Fatty Acid Profiles of Tropical Eel (&lt;em&gt;Anguilla&lt;/em&gt; sp.,) By-products

Prospect of eel by-products as fish oil source can be explored to give an additional value. The moisture content, fat content and fatty acid profiles of tropical eel (<em>Anguilla</em> sp.,) by-products were investigated. Results showed that highest fat content was found in bone (22.03%). Highest moisture content was found in viscera (75.64%). Palmitic acid, oleic acid, EPA and DHA were dominant fatty acids in eel by-products. Oleic acid composition of head was higher than others. Highest EPA and DHA composition were found in viscera and its value were 4.43 and 18.51%, respectively.

Seasonal variations of fatty acid profile in different tissues of farmed bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis).

Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) is one of the major farmed species of freshwater fish in China. Byproduct volume of bighead carp is significant at up to 60% of whole fish weight. A better understanding of the nutritional composition is needed to optimize the use of these raw materials. The objective of this research was to characterize seasonal variations of fatty acid profile in different tissues (heads, bones, skin, scales, viscera, muscle and fins) of farmed bighead carp. The fatty acid composition of farmed bighead carp varied significantly with seasons and tissues. The highest lipid content was determined in viscera while the highest EPA and DHA composition were observed in muscle compared to the other tissues. Significantly higher ΣEPA+DHA (%) was recorded in all tissues in summer (June) when compared with those of the other three seasons (p < 0.05). The n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratios in summer ranged from 3.38 to 3.69, nearly three times the ratios of the other three seasons. The results indicated that farmed bighead carp caught in summer could better balance the n-3 PUFA needs of consumers. The byproducts of bighead carp can be utilized for the production of fish oil.

Adult Medication-Free Schizophrenic Patients Exhibit Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency: Implications for Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Deficiency in long-chain omega-3 (LCn − 3) fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n − 3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n − 3), has been implicated in the pathoetiology of cardiovascular disease, a primary cause of excess premature mortality in patients with schizophrenia (SZ). In the present study, we determined erythrocyte EPA + DHA levels in adult medication-free patients SZ (n = 20) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 24). Erythrocyte EPA + DHA composition exhibited by SZ patients (3.5%) was significantly lower than healthy controls (4.5%, −22%, P = 0.007). The majority of SZ patients (72%) exhibited EPA+DHA levels ≤4.0% compared with 37% of controls (Chi-square, P = 0.001). In contrast, the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n − 6) (+9%, P = 0.02) and the AA:EPA + DHA ratio (+28%, P = 0.0004) were significantly greater in SZ patients. Linoleic acid (18:2n − 6) was significantly lower (−12%, P = 0.009) and the erythrocyte 20:3/18:2 ratio (an index of delta6-desaturase activity) was significantly elevated in SZ patients. Compared with same-gender controls, EPA + DHA composition was significantly lower in male (−19%, P = 0.04) but not female (−13%, P = 0.33) SZ patients, whereas the 20:3/18:2 ratio was significantly elevated in both male (+22%, P = 0.008) and female (+22%, P = 0.04) SZ patients. These results suggest that the majority of SZ patients exhibit low LCn − 3 fatty acid levels which may place them at increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Differential effects of antipsychotic medications on polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis in rats: Relationship with liver delta6-desaturase expression

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), a lipid family comprised of omega-3 ( n− 3) and n− 6 fatty acids, are a critical component of cellular membranes, and recent in vitro studies have found that antipsychotic medications up-regulate genes responsible for PUFA biosynthesis. To evaluate this effect in vivo, rats were treated with risperidone (1.5, 3, 6 mg/kg/day), paliperidone (1.5, 3, 6 mg/kg/day), olanzapine (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg/day), quetiapine (5, 10, 20 mg/kg/day), haloperidol (1, 3 mg/kg/day) or vehicle through their drinking water for 40 day. Effects on liver Fads1, Fads2, Elovl2, and Elovl5 mRNA expression , plasma indices of n− 3 (plasma 22:6/18:3 and 20:5/18:3 ratios) and n− 6 (plasma 20:4/18:2 and 20:3/18:2 ratios) biosynthesis, and peripheral (erythrocyte, heart) and central (frontal cortex) membrane PUFA composition were determined. Only risperidone and its metabolite paliperidone significantly and selectively up-regulated liver delta-6 desaturase ( Fads2) mRNA expression, and robustly increased plasma indices of n− 3 and n− 6 fatty acid biosynthesis. In risperidone- and paliperidone-treated rats, plasma indices of n− 3 and n− 6 fatty acid biosynthesis were all positively correlated with liver Fads2 mRNA expression, but not Fads1, Elovl2, or Elovl5 mRNA expression. All antipsychotics at specific doses increased erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n− 3) composition, and all except quetiapine increased arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4 n− 6) composition. Risperidone, paliperidone, and olanzapine increased heart DHA and AA composition, and no antipsychotic altered frontal cortex DHA or AA composition. These in vivo data demonstrate that augmentation of PUFA biosynthesis is not common to all antipsychotic medications, and that risperidone and paliperidone uniquely increase delta-6 desaturase ( Fads2) mRNA expression and most robustly increase PUFA biosynthesis and peripheral membrane composition.

381 Language and Behaviour Followup From the Dino (DHA for the Improvement of Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Preterm Infants) Trial

Background: Higher-dose docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, (∽1% total fats) compared with standarddose (∽0.3%) in infants born < 33 weeks gestation improved the mental development of girls (JAMA, 2009). We aimed to evaluate the effect of higher- DHA milk on behaviour and language development in early childhood. Method: Follow-up of a subgroup of infants (n=143) enrolled in the DINO trial. DINO was a multicentre randomised controlled trial, n=657, with stratification for sex, birth weight (< 1250g, ≥1250g) and centre. Lactating women took tuna oil capsules (higherdose DHA) or soy oil capsules (standard); preterm infant formula with matching DHA composition was given if needed. Language was assessed using the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory (MCDI) at 26 months corrected age (CA). The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Short Temperament Scale for Children (STSC) were used to assess behaviour at 3-5 years CA. Results: MCDI scores did not differ between groups (Vocabulary Production: higher-DHA (mean±SD) 308±79; control 316±92; P=0.8). Overall, there was a higher incidence of behavioural difficulties in these children compared with term-born children. However, the SDQ and STSC composite scores did not differ between groups (SDQ total difficulties: higher-DHA 10.3±6.0; control 9.5±5.5; P=0.5; STSC score: higher-DHA 3.1±0.7; control 3.0±0.7; P=0.3). Conclusions: In this subgroup of infants, feeding preterm infants milk containing 3 times the standard DHA level did not result in any clinically meaningful change to language development or behaviour in early childhood.

Selective deficits in erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid composition in adult patients with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder

Background Epidemiological and controlled intervention trials suggest that omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid deficiency represents a reversible risk factor for recurrent affective disorders. However, there is limited comparative information available regarding the n-3 fatty acid status and associated mood symptoms in medication-free patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Methods The fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes from adult male and female healthy controls ( n = 20) and medication-free patients with MDD ( n = 20) and BD ( n = 20) was determined by gas chromatography. Associations with depression and mania symptom severity scores were investigated. Results After correction for multiple comparisons, both MDD (− 20%) and BD (− 32%) patients exhibited significantly lower erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) composition relative to healthy controls, and there was a trend for lower DHA in BD patients relative to MDD patients (− 15%, p = 0.09). There were no gender differences for DHA in any group. Other n-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosapentanoic acid (22:5n-3), and n-6 fatty acids, including arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6), were not different. Erythrocyte DHA composition was inversely correlated with indices of delta-9 desaturase activity (18:1/18:0), and associated elevations in oleic acid (18:1n-9) composition, and delta-6 desaturase activity (20:3/18:2). DHA composition was not significantly correlated with depression or mania symptom severity scores. Limitations Data regarding diet and life style factors (cigarette smoking) were not available to evaluate their contribution to the present findings. Conclusions Male and female patients with MDD and BD exhibit selective erythrocyte DHA deficits relative to healthy controls, and this deficit was numerically greater in BD patients. Selective DHA deficits are consistent with impaired peroxisome function, which has implications for n-3 fatty acid interventions aimed at preventing or reversing this deficit.

Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation increases prefrontal cortex activation during sustained attention in healthy boys: a placebo-controlled, dose-ranging, functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Emerging evidence suggests that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), the principal omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid in brain gray matter, positively regulates cortical metabolic function and cognitive development. However, the effects of DHA supplementation on functional cortical activity in human subjects are unknown. The objective was to determine the effects of DHA supplementation on functional cortical activity during sustained attention in human subjects. Healthy boys aged 8-10 y (n = 33) were randomly assigned to receive placebo or 1 of 2 doses of DHA (400 or 1200 mg/d) for 8 wk. Relative changes in cortical activation patterns during sustained attention at baseline and endpoint were determined by functional magnetic resonance imaging. At 8 wk, erythrocyte membrane DHA composition increased significantly from baseline in subjects who received low-dose (by 47%) or high-dose (by 70%) DHA but not in those who received placebo (-11%). During sustained attention, both DHA dose groups had significantly greater changes from baseline in activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex than did the placebo group, and the low-dose and high-dose DHA groups had greater decreases in the occipital cortex and cerebellar cortex, respectively. Relative to low-dose DHA, high-dose DHA resulted in greater decreases in activation of bilateral cerebellum. The erythrocyte DHA composition was positively correlated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation and was inversely correlated with reaction time, at baseline and endpoint. Dietary DHA intake and associated elevations in erythrocyte DHA composition are associated with alterations in functional activity in cortical attention networks during sustained attention in healthy boys. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00662142.

Supercritical fluid extraction of lipids from the heterotrophic microalga Crypthecodinium cohnii

AbstractMicroalgae biomass can be a feasible source of ω‐3 fatty acids due to its stable and reliable composition. In the present study, the Crypthecodinium cohnii growth and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6ω3) production in a 100 L glucose‐fed batch fermentation was evaluated. The lipid compounds were extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) from C. cohnii CCMP 316 biomas, was and their fatty acid composition was analysed. Supercritical fluid extraction runs were performed at temperatures of 313 and 323 K and pressures of 20.0, 25.0 and 30.0 MPa. The optimum extraction conditions were found to be 30.0 MPa and 323 K. Under those conditions, almost 50% of the total oil contained in the raw material was extracted after 3 h and the DHA composition attained 72% w/w of total fatty acids. The high DHA percentage of total fatty acids obtained by SC‐CO2 suggested that this extraction method may be suitable for the production of C. cohnii value added products directed towards pharmaceutical purposes. Furthermore, the fatty acid composition of the remaining lipid fraction from the residual biomass with lower content in polyunsaturated fatty acids could be adequate for further uses as feedstock for biodiesel, contributing to the economy of the overall process suggesting an integrated biorefinery approach.