Dietary Palm Oil Research Articles

Maltodextrina e óleos em dietas de leitões desmamados

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of piglets fed two sources of oil (soybean and palm oil) combined with maltodextrin and a blend of palm oil microencapsulated with maltodextrin, as well as the apparent digestibility coefficients of these diets. A total of 162 piglets weaned at 21 days, with a mean initial weight of 5.42 ± 0.55 kg, were allocated in a randomized block design consisting of three treatments and 18 replicates of three animals each. The following treatments were evaluated: T 1 : diet containing soybean oil [3.03% in the pre-initial (I) and initial (II) diets] and maltodextrin (10.0% in I and 5.93% in II); T 2 : diet containing palm oil (3.03% in I and II) and maltodextrin (10.0% in I and 5.93% in II); T 3 : diet containing a blend of palm oil microencapsulated with maltodextrin (10.0% in I and II) and maltodextrin added to the blend (4.07% in I) so that the percentage of maltodextrin would be identical in the diets of the three treatments. The performance and digestibility data were submitted to analysis of variance using the MIXED and GLM procedures, respectively, of the SAS package and means were compared by the Tukey test (P 0.05) in DFI, ADG or FC were observed between piglets submitted to the different treatments. The ADC of dry matter was 4.25% lower (P<0.05) for the diet containing palm oil microencapsulated with maltodextrin compared to the soybean oil diet. The ADC of ether extract was 54% higher (P<0.05) in the soybean oil diet compared to the palm oil diet, which negatively affected the ether extract digestibility coefficient. In conclusion, palm oil microencapsulated or not with maltodextrin can replace soybean oil in the diets of weaned piglets without compromising their performance.

Effects of low-stearate palm oil and high-stearate lard high-fat diets on rat liver lipid metabolism and glucose tolerance

BackgroundExcess consumption of energy-dense, high-fat Western diets contributes to the development of obesity and obesity-related disorders, such as fatty liver disease. However, not only the quantity but also the composition of dietary fat may play a role in the development of liver steatosis. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of low-stearate palm oil and high-stearate lard high-fat diets on in vivo liver lipid metabolism.MethodsWistar rats were fed with either normal chow (CON), a high-fat diet based on palm oil (HFP), or a high-fat diet based on lard (HFL). After 10 weeks of diet, magnetic resonance spectroscopy was applied for the in vivo determination of intrahepatocellular lipid content and the uptake and turnover of dietary fat after oral administration of 13C-labeled lipids. Derangements in liver lipid metabolism were further assessed by measuring hepatic very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion and ex vivo respiratory capacity of liver mitochondria using fat-derived substrates. In addition, whole-body and hepatic glucose tolerance were determined with an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test.ResultsBoth high-fat diets induced liver lipid accumulation (p < 0.001), which was accompanied by a delayed uptake and/or slower turnover of dietary fat in the liver (p < 0.01), but without any change in VLDL secretion rates. Surprisingly, liver lipid content was higher in HFP than in HFL (p < 0.05), despite the increased fatty acid oxidative capacity in isolated liver mitochondria of HFP animals (p < 0.05). In contrast, while both high-fat diets induced whole-body glucose intolerance, only HFL impaired hepatic glucose tolerance.ConclusionHigh-fat diets based on palm oil and lard similarly impair the handling of dietary lipids in the liver, but only the high-fat lard diet induces hepatic glucose intolerance.

Fatty Acid Profile, Cholesterol and Oxidative Status in Broiler Chicken Breast Muscle Fed Different Dietary Oil Sources and Calcium Levels

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three feeds containing 6% oils: palm oil (PO), soybean oil (SO) and linseed oil (LO); and three calcium levels (NRC recommendation, 1.25% and 1.50%) on the fatty acid profile, lipid oxidation and cholesterol concentrations of broiler breast meat in a 3 × 3 factorial experiment. A total of 378 one-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to the diets and fed for six weeks. Birds fed diet supplemented with LO, SO and PO had higher proportions of α-linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids, respectively. The LO diet increased the total n-3 fatty acids and decreased the n-6 : n-3 compared with the PO and SO diets. Birds fed the PO diet had higher oxidative stability and cholesterol compared with those fed the SO and LO diets. However, the level of cholesterol in all treatments was within the normal range. The level of calcium and interaction between source of oil and calcium level did not influence lipid oxidation, fatty acid profile and cholesterol level of broiler breast muscle. It can be concluded that dietary LO and SO enhanced n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively, while dietary PO enhanced the oleic acid and oxidative stability of broiler breast muscle. Thus, this study showed that PO can be used as an alternative oil source in broiler diets with a positive effect on the oxidative stability of chicken meat refrigerated at seven days when compared with vegetable oils that are rich in linoleic and α-linolenic acid.

A Novel Lipase as Aquafeed Additive for Warm-Water Aquaculture.

A novel Acinetobacter lipase gene lipG1was cloned from DNA extracted from intestinal sample of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and expressed in E. coli BL21. The encoded protein was 406 amino acids in length. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that LipG1 and its relatives comprised a novel group of true lipases produced by Gram-negative bacteria. LipG1 showed maximal activity at 40℃ and pH 8.0 when pNP decanoate (C10) was used as the substrate, and remained high activity between 20℃ and 35℃. Activity of the lipase was promoted by Ca2+ and Mg2+, and inhibited by Zn2+ and Cu2+. Moreover, LipG1 is stable with proteases, most commercial detergents and organic solvents. Substrate specificity test indicated that LipG1can hydrolyse pNP esters with acyl chain length from C2 to C16, with preference for medium-chain pNP esters (C8, C10). Lastly, LipG1was evaluated as an aquafeed additive for juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Results showed that supplementation of LipG1significantly improved the gut and heptaopancreas lipase activity of fish fed with palm oil diet. Consistently, improved feed conversion ratio and growth performance were recorded in the LipG1 feeding group, to levels comparable to the group of fish fed with soybean oil diet. Collectively, LipG1 exhibited good potential as an aquafeed additive enzyme, and deserves further characterization as the representative of a novel group of lipases.

Consumption of thermally oxidized palm oil diets alters biochemical indices in rats

Palm oil is thermally oxidized to increase its palatability and this has been a usual practice in most homes. This study sought to assess the biochemical responses of rats to thermally oxidized palm oil diets. Therefore, Wistar strain albino rats (Rattus norveigicus) were fed with fresh palm oil (control) and thermally oxidized palm oil (test groups) diets and water ad libitum for 30 days. Then, the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and total protein of the plasma and liver were determined. Subsequently, the plasma liver function markers [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB) and total bilirubin (TBIL) ] and the lipid profile [triglyceride (TRIG), total cholesterol (T-CHOL), high density lipoprotein (HDL-CHOL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL-CHOL) ] were assayed. The results of the study revealed that there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the plasma and liver total protein, ALB, TRIG and HDL-CHOL of the test groups when compared with the control. Conversely, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the activities of ALT, AST and ALP, TBIL, T-CHOL, LDL-CHOL and plasma/liver MDA of the test groups when compared with the control. These effects were most pronounced in rats fed with 20 min-thermally oxidized palm oil diet. Hence, consumption of thermally oxidized palm oil diets had deleterious effects on biochemical indices in rats. Therefore, cooking with and/or consumption of palm oil subjected to heat treatment for several long periods of time should be discouraged in our homes as this might have deleterious effects on human health.

Effect of Dietary Palm Oil and Medium Chain Triglycerides on Growth and Fatty Acid Profiles of Japanese Catfish Silurus asotus Juveniles

Effect of Dietary Palm Oil and Medium Chain Triglycerides on Growth and Fatty Acid Profiles of Japanese Catfish Silurus asotus Juveniles

Effect of dietary fish oil replacement with palm oil on growth performance, hematology and liver anti-oxidative enzymes of juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck &amp; Schlegel, 1846)

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary palm oil supplements on growth performances, hematology, liver anti-oxidative enzymes and air exposure resistance of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (initial weights 2.56 ± 0.01 g). Five diets were tested wherein the dietary fish oil was replaced by palm oil at: 0% (Control), 20% (20%), 40% (40%), 50% (50%) and 60% (60%). After the feeding trial, the 20% dietary palm oil was shown to provide similar growth rates and feed efficiency with no negative effects compared to the control group (P > 0.05). Significantly lower growth rates and feed utilization were found in fish fed higher than 40% palm oil in the diet (P < 0.05). Except for total serum protein, the blood parameters, liver anti-oxidative enzymes, stress resistance and proximate compositions of Japanese flounder were not altered, even with dietary palm oil up to 60% of the lipid source (P > 0.05). According to the present results, palm oil is a valuable lipid source substitute in Japanese flounder diets; around 20–40% fish oil can be replaced with palm oil with no negative effects.

Causative Factors and Type of Anaemia Developed in Rabbits Following Chronic Consumption of Thermally Oxidized Palm Oil Diet

Causative Factors and Type of Anaemia Developed in Rabbits Following Chronic Consumption of Thermally Oxidized Palm Oil Diet

Consumption of distinct dietary lipids during early pregnancy differentially modulates the expression of microRNAs in mothers and offspring.

Diet during pregnancy and lactation influences the offspring’s health in the long-term. Indeed, human epidemiological studies and animal experiments suggest that different type of fatty acids consumption during pregnancy affect offspring development and susceptibility to metabolic disorders. Epigenetic changes are thought to be elicited by dietary factors during critical timing of development. microRNAs (miRNAs) are versatile regulators of gene expression. Thus, we aimed to determine the influence of different fatty acids on miRNA expression in offspring when given during early pregnancy. We fed pregnant either soybean (SO), olive (OO), fish (FO), linseed (LO), or palm-oil (PO) diets from conception to day 12 of gestation; and standard diet thereafter. miRNA expression was assessed in liver an adipose tissue of pregnant rats and their virgin counterparts. While liver concentrations of fatty acids in pregnant or virgin rats replicated those of the diets consumed during early pregnancy, their pups’ liver tissue marginally reflected those of the respective experimental feeds. By contrast, the liver fatty acid profile of adult offsprings was similar, regardless of the diet fed during gestation. Different parental miRNAs were modulated by the different type of fatty acid: in adult offspring, miR-215, miR-10b, miR-26, miR-377-3p, miR-21, and miR-192 among others, were differentially modulated by the different fatty acids fed during early pregnancy. Overall, our results show that maternal consumption of different types of fatty acids during early pregnancy influences miRNA expression in both maternal and offspring tissues, which may epigenetically explain the long-term phenotypic changes of the offspring.

Distortions in Sensitivity of Carotid Baroreceptor Reflexes in Rabbits Following Consumption of Two Forms of Palm Oil Diets

Aim: Long term consumption of dietary oils has been implicated in the etiology of hypertension. This study seeks to compare the effects of long term consumption of fresh palm oil (FPO) and thermoxidized palm oil (TPO) on baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS), which is responsible for short term regulation of blood pressure. Methodology: The design of this study involved the use of eighteen, male, five month old New Zealand rabbits weighing 750 – 1000 g. They were divided into three groups (n = 6) as follows; control group (received normal animal feed only), FPO diet – fed group (received animal feed mixed with fresh palm oil in the ratio 85:15, respectively) and TPO diet – fed group (received animal feed mixed with thermoxidised palm oil in the ratio 85:15, respectively). The animals were fed for 6 months, after which they were used for the various experiments. Results: Mean daily food and water intake in FPO and TPO fed groups was significantly (p<0.001) lower compared with control. Heart rate for FPO group was significantly higher than the control Original Research Article Ani et al.; BJMMR, 8(3): 245-255, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.2015.445 246 (p<0.001) and TPO (p<0.01) group. Basal systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in TPO group than in the FPO and control (p<0.05) group. The FPO group also had a significantly lower basal systolic (p<0.01) and diastolic pressure (p<0.001) than the control group. The basal pulse pressure was significantly lower in the FPO group than the control (p<0.001) and the TPO group (p<0.01). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) for TPO group was significantly higher (p<0.001) than that of control and FPO groups. The baroreflex sensitivity for FPO group was significantly reduced compared with control (p<0.01) and TPO group (p<0.05). The TPO group showed a significantly lower (p<0.01) baroreflex sensitivity, compared with control. Conclusion: This study observed that chronic consumption of both fresh and thermoxidised palm oil diets caused a significant reduction in carotid baroreceptor reflex sensitivity. However, reduction in BRS was more in fresh palm oil – diet fed group, than the thermally oxidized palm oil diet – fed.

Effect of chronic Consumption of two Forms of palm oil diet on serum Electrolytes, Creatinine and urea in rabbits

palm oil in the ratio 85:15g respectively. The feeding lasted for 6 months. Food intake, water intake and body weight were measured daily. At the end of the feeding period, the animals were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia and blood was collected for assessment of serum electrolytes, creatinine and urea. Results obtained showed that serum concentration of sodium was significantly (p<0.001) lower in FPO fed group, compared with control, but significantly (p<0.05) higher in TPO fed group, compared with control. Serum concentration of sodium was also significantly (p<0.001) higher in TPO fed group, compared with FPO fed group. Serum concentration of chloride was significantly lower in FPO fed group compared with control (p<0.05) and TPO fed group (p<0.001). Bicarbonate concentration was significantly (p<0.05) lower in FPO fed group, compared with control. Creatinine concentration was significantly higher (p<0.05) in TPO fed group, compared with control and FPO fed group. The observed changes in serum electrolyte and creatinine concentrations following 6 months of feeding was more in TPO fed group than FPO fed group, and is possibly detrimental to electrolyte balance.

Gastroprotective Role of the Combined Effects of Vitamins C and E Following Chronic Exposure to Thermoxidized palm oil in Albino Rats

Effect of chronic Consumption of two Forms of palm oil diet on serum Electrolytes, Creatinine and urea in rabbitsElemi J. Ani, Victor U. Nna, Daniel U. Owu, Eme E. Osim

Meat yield characteristics of broiler fed different levels of palm oil

Seven hundred fifty day old unsexed broiler chicks were used in a 35-d trial to examine the effect of supplementing different levels of palm oil on lean meat yield of broilers. The chicks were randomly distributed following a completely randomized design in five treatment groups having three replications per treatment. Each treatment had 150 birds with 50 birds per replicate. Five diets were formulated using locally available ingredients as diet without oil, diet containing 2.0%, 3.0%, 4.0% and 5% palm oil. Results indicated that weight gain of broilers differed significantly (p&lt;0.05) among the treatment groups at 2nd wk. The weight gain of 4% palm oil group was higher (p&lt;0.05) than 5% dietary oil group at 2nd wk. At 5th wk, weight gain of without oil and 5% oil groups were similar (p&gt;0.05). Feed intake significantly (p&lt;0.05) differed at 2nd wk. Broiler that received 5% dietary palm oil group consumed the least amount of feed compared to others. No significant differences were found among the treatments in whole experimental period for feed conversion ratio. The meat yield characteristics did not differ (p&gt;0.05) among the broilers receiving different levels of palm oil in diets except gizzard, wing meat and dark meat. Supplementation of oil resulted in significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased dark meat weight at 3% level. Dressed yield of broilers had an increasing trend at increased level of palm oil supplementation up to 4%. However, at 5% supplementation dressed yield was lowest. Similar results were also observed in breast meat. Thigh meat was progressively increased for supplementation of oil up to 3% level, at higher level it tended to decrease.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i2.20705 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (2): 112-117

Interesterified fat or palm oil as substitutes for partially hydrogenated fat in maternal diet can predispose obesity in adult male offspring

Palm oil (PO) and interesterified fat (IF) have been used to replace partially hydrogenated fat (PHF), which is rich in trans isomers, in processed foods. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether normolipidic diets containing PHF, IF, or PO consumed during pregnancy and lactation affect total body adiposity and adipose tissue morphology of adult offspring mice. Four groups of female C57BL/6 mice were fed, during pregnancy and lactation, a control diet (control group, CG), a PHF diet (trans group, TG), a PO diet (PG group), or an IF diet (IG group). After weaning (at 21 days), male pups received the control diet for 70 days. Food intake and body weight were monitored in all groups throughout the experimental period. At 3 months of age, mice were sacrificed and the inguinal (IWAT), epididymal (EWAT), retroperitoneal (RPWAT), and mesenteric (MWAT) adipose fat pads were removed and weighed. Adiposity was quantified by micro computed tomography (micro-CT), and adipocyte areas and cell number were analyzed by histology. PG and IG offspring gained more weight than CG and TG groups (p < 0.01) during the first 10 weeks after weaning, resulting in higher final body weights (p < 0.05). IG mice and PG mice had respectively heavier EWAT and IWAT than TG and CG mice. Micro-CT scanning revealed that the total volumes of internal, external, and total fat depots were greater in IG animals, as compared to the other groups. Larger adipocyte areas were observed in EWAT and IWAT in IG and TG, respectively, in comparison to CG and PG mice. PG mice showed increased adipocyte numbers in IWAT. Maternal intake of IF and/or PO during pregnancy and lactation predisposes the offspring to the development of obesity in adult life in mice.

The effect of different concentrations of linseed oil or fish oil in the maternal diet on the fatty acid composition and oxidative status of sows and piglets.

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are essential for foetal development. Hence, including n-3 PUFA in the sow diet can be beneficial for reproduction. Both the amount and form (precursor fatty acids vs. long chain PUFA) of supplementation are important in this respect. Furthermore, including n-3 PUFA in the diet can have negative effects, such as decreased arachidonic acid (ARA) concentration and increased oxidative stress. This study aimed to compare the efficacy to increase eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations in the piglet, when different concentrations of linseed oil (LO, source of precursor α-linolenic acid) or fish oil (FO, source of EPA and DHA) were included in the maternal diet. Sows were fed a palm oil diet or a diet including 0.5% or 2% LO or FO from day 45 of gestation until weaning. Linoleic acid (LA) was kept constant in the diets to prevent a decrease in ARA, and all diets were supplemented with α-tocopherol acetate (150 mg/kg) and organic selenium (0.4 mg/kg) to prevent oxidative stress. Feeding 0.5% LO or 0.5% FO to the sows resulted in comparable EPA concentrations in the 5-day old piglet liver, but both diets resulted in lower EPA concentrations than when 2% LO was fed. The highest EPA concentration was obtained when 2% FO was fed. The DHA level in the piglet liver could only be increased when FO, but not LO, was fed to the sows. The 2% FO diet had no advantage over the 0.5% FO diet to increase DHA in the piglet. Despite the constant LA concentration in the sow diet, a decrease in ARA could not be avoided when LO or FO were included in the diet. Feeding 2% FO to the sows increased the malondialdehyde concentration (marker for lipid peroxidation) in sow plasma, but not in piglets.

Palm oil and blood lipid–related markers of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of dietary intervention trials

Palm oil (PO) may be an unhealthy fat because of its high saturated fatty acid content. The objective was to assess the effect of substituting PO for other primary dietary fats on blood lipid-related markers of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of dietary intervention trials. Studies were eligible if they included original data comparing PO-rich diets with other fat-rich diets and analyzed at least one of the following CHD/CVD biomarkers: total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, TC/HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerols, apolipoprotein A-I and B, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a). Fifty-one studies were included. Intervention times ranged from 2 to 16 wk, and different fat substitutions ranged from 4% to 43%. Comparison of PO diets with diets rich in stearic acid, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) showed significantly higher TC, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, HDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I, whereas most of the same biomarkers were significantly lower when compared with diets rich in myristic/lauric acid. Comparison of PO-rich diets with diets rich in trans fatty acids showed significantly higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I and significantly lower apolipoprotein B, triacylglycerols, and TC/HDL cholesterol. Stratified and meta-regression analyses showed that the higher concentrations of TC and LDL cholesterol, when PO was substituted for MUFAs and PUFAs, were not significant in young people and in subjects with diets with a lower percentage of energy from fat. Both favorable and unfavorable changes in CHD/CVD risk markers occurred when PO was substituted for the primary dietary fats, whereas only favorable changes occurred when PO was substituted for trans fatty acids. Additional studies are needed to provide guidance for policymaking.

Effect of feeding palm oil by-products based diets on total bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria and methanogenic archaea in the rumen of goats.

Rumen microorganisms are responsible for digestion and utilization of dietary feeds by host ruminants. Unconventional feed resources could be used as alternatives in tropical areas where feed resources are insufficient in terms of quality and quantity. The objective of the present experiment was to evaluate the effect of diets based on palm oil (PO), decanter cake (DC) or palm kernel cake (PKC) on rumen total bacteria, selected cellulolytic bacteria, and methanogenic archaea. Four diets: control diet (CD), decanter cake diet (DCD), palm kernel cake diet (PKCD) and CD plus 5% PO diet (CPOD) were fed to rumen cannulated goats and rumen samples were collected at the start of the experimental diets (day 0) and on days 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24 and 30 post dietary treatments. Feeding DCD and PKCD resulted in significantly higher (P<0.05) DNA copy number of total bacteria, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefeciens, and Ruminococcus albus. Rumen methanogenic archaea was significantly lower (P<0.05) in goats fed PKCD and CPOD and the trend showed a severe reduction on days 4 and 6 post experimental diets. In conclusion, results indicated that feeding DCD and PKC increased the populations of cellulolytic bacteria and decreased the density of methanogenic archaea in the rumen of goats.

Effect of Crude Palm Oil Incorporation on Growth, Survival, Feed Efficiency, and Body Composition of Heterobranchus longifilis Fingerlings

An 8-week feeding trial was carried out to determine the effect of increasing dietary palm oil levels on African catfish juvenile growth and nutrient utilization. Six isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain 0.5% to 15% crude palm oil with dietary lipid levels ranging from 5% to 20%. Growth performance and protein utilization efficiency of African catfish responded in a positive manner to palm oil addition up to 9% (diet 14% lipid). No further improvement in growth was observed with higher levels of palm oil in the diets, and lower survival was observed with inclusion of 15% palm oil (diet 20% lipid). Whole-body lipid content increased when fish were fed with increasing levels of dietary lipid. Under our experimental conditions, the best growth rate and nutrient utilization were observed with the inclusion of 9% crude palm oil in the diets for African catfish.

Diverse effects of linseed oil and fish oil in diets for sows on reproductive performance and pre-weaning growth of piglets

Perinatal mortality of piglets means a serious loss for the pig industry. Therefore, finding strategies to decrease stillbirths and increase piglet vitality is crucial. Supplementing the gestation and lactation diets with n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can be beneficial, as these PUFA are essential for the development of the foetus. Docosahexaenoic acid can be directly supplied from the maternal diet through addition of fish oil, or it may result from the conversion of dietary precursors such as alpha-linolenic acid, e.g. by addition of linseed oil. Until now, studies assessing the effects of n−3 PUFA on sow reproduction give equivocal results. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of linseed oil and fish oil in the maternal diet of a large number of sows (734 sows in total) on their reproductive performance in the current and subsequent gestation. Furthermore, the effect of diet on the farrowing process, piglet weight and vitality was analysed. From day 45 of gestation and during lactation, sows were fed a palm oil diet or one of the six n−3 PUFA diets, each containing different concentrations (0.5%, 1% or 2%) of linseed oil, fish oil or their combination. Sows fed linseed oil had 0.9 more live born piglets (P=0.02) and 0.5 more weaned piglets (P=0.02) compared to fish oil fed sows. In the subsequent gestation, linseed oil fed sows had 1.3 and 1.5 more live born piglets compared to sows fed fish oil (P=0.006) or palm oil (P<0.001), respectively. No dietary effects were observed on piglet birth weight and litter weight, but linseed oil supplementation resulted in a higher piglet weight and litter weight at 5 days of age, compared to piglets from sows fed fish oil (P=0.04 and P=0.02, respectively) or palm oil (P=0.02 and P=0.002, respectively). Adding n−3 PUFA to the maternal diet had no effect on piglet vitality, but it increased the duration of farrowing (P=0.05).

Impact of dietary fatty acids on metabolic activity and host intestinal microbiota composition in C57BL/6J mice

Different dietary fat and energy subtypes have an impact on both the metabolic health and the intestinal microbiota population of the host. The present study assessed the impact of dietary fat quality, with a focus on dietary fatty acid compositions of varying saturation, on the metabolic health status and the intestinal microbiota composition of the host. C57BL/6J mice (n 9-10 mice per group) were fed high-fat (HF) diets containing either (1) palm oil, (2) olive oil, (3) safflower oil or (4) flaxseed/fish oil for 16 weeks and compared with mice fed low-fat (LF) diets supplemented with either high maize starch or high sucrose. Tissue fatty acid compositions were assessed by GLC, and the impact of the diet on host intestinal microbiota populations was investigated using high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing. Compositional sequencing analysis revealed that dietary palm oil supplementation resulted in significantly lower populations of Bacteroidetes at the phylum level compared with dietary olive oil supplementation (P< 0·05). Dietary supplementation with olive oil was associated with an increase in the population of the family Bacteroidaceae compared with dietary supplementation of palm oil, flaxseed/fish oil and high sucrose (P< 0·05). Ingestion of the HF-flaxseed/fish oil diet for 16 weeks led to significantly increased tissue concentrations of EPA, docosapentaenoic acid and DHA compared with ingestion of all the other diets (P< 0·05); furthermore, the diet significantly increased the intestinal population of Bifidobacterium at the genus level compared with the LF-high-maize starch diet (P< 0·05). These data indicate that both the quantity and quality of fat have an impact on host physiology with further downstream alterations to the intestinal microbiota population, with a HF diet supplemented with flaxseed/fish oil positively shaping the host microbial ecosystem.