Distribution Of Fatty Acids Research Articles

Lipid Profile, Lipase Bioactivity, and Lipophilic Antioxidant Content in High Pressure Processed Donor Human Milk.

Human milk fat plays an essential role as the source of energy and cell function regulator; therefore, the preservation of unique human milk donors’ lipid composition is of fundamental importance. To compare the effects of high pressure processing (HPP) and holder pasteurization on lipidome, human milk was processed at 62.5 °C for 30 min and at five variants of HPP from 450 MPa to 600 MPa, respectively. Lipase activity was estimated with QuantiChrom™ assay. Fatty acid composition was determined with the gas chromatographic technique, and free fatty acids content by titration with 0.1 M KOH. The positional distribution of fatty acid in triacylglycerols was performed. The oxidative induction time was obtained from the pressure differential scanning calorimetry. Carotenoids in human milk were measured by liquid chromatography. Bile salt stimulated lipase was completely eliminated by holder pasteurization, decreased at 600 MPa, and remained intact at 200 + 400 MPa; 450 MPa. The fatty acid composition and structure of human milk fat triacylglycerols were unchanged. The lipids of human milk after holder pasteurization had the lowest content of free fatty acids and the shortest induction time compared with samples after HPP. HPP slightly changed the β-carotene and lycopene levels, whereas the lutein level was decreased by 40.0% up to 60.2%, compared with 15.8% after the holder pasteurization.

Revisiting the Role of LXRs in PUFA Metabolism and Phospholipid Homeostasis.

Liver X receptors (LXRs) play a pivotal role in fatty acid (FA) metabolism. So far, the lipogenic consequences of in vivo LXR activation, as characterized by a major hepatic steatosis, has constituted a limitation to the clinical development of pharmacological LXR agonists. However, recent studies provided a different perspective. Beyond the quantitative accumulation of FA, it appears that LXRs induce qualitative changes in the FA profile and in the distribution of FAs among cellular lipid species. Thus, LXRs activate the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their distribution into phospholipids via the control of FA desaturases, FA elongases, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT3), and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP). Therefore, LXRs control, in a dynamic manner, the PUFA composition and the physicochemical properties of cell membranes as well as the release of PUFA-derived lipid mediators. Recent studies suggest that modulation of PUFA and phospholipid metabolism by LXRs are involved in the control of lipogenesis and lipoprotein secretion by the liver. In myeloid cells, the interplay between LXR and PUFA metabolism affects the inflammatory response. Revisiting the complex role of LXRs in FA metabolism may open new opportunities for the development of LXR modulators in the field of cardiometabolic diseases.

Large contribution of fine carbonaceous aerosols from municipal waste burning inferred from distributions of diacids and fatty acids

To investigate the origins, other than fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning, of urban carbonaceosus aerosols, we studied the fine (PM2.5) aerosols collected in Guiyang, Southwest China in winter (December 10–23) 2012 for organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and water-soluble diacids, oxoacids, α-dicarbonyls and fatty acids as well as inorganic ions. Oxalic acid (C2) found to be the most abundant diacid species followed by succinic (C4) and terephthalic (t-Ph) acids, respectively. Even-carbon numbered fatty acids showed high abundances with a peak at C16. OC, EC and most of diacids and related compounds, but not inorganic ions, showed a similar temporal pattern with a drastic rise in December 15 day- and night-time samples during the campaign. Based on molecular distributions of diacids and fatty acids, and linear relations of OC and EC with selected marker ions and diacid species, we found that the organics and EC in PM2.5 are mainly derived from higher plant/cooking and municipal waste burning emissions in Guiyang. This study implies that municipal waste burning largely contributes to carbonaceous aerosols and warrants a need of further research on its role in aerosol loading and air quality in the urban atmosphere.

Lipid Class and Fatty Acid Compositions of Dried Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

Introduction: Sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, is becoming popular around the world due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. There are still no detailed chemical studies of the lipid class, glycolipids compositions of sea cucumber. Methods: This study was conducted to determine the lipid class and glycolipid compositions of dried sea cucumber, A. japonicus, and analyze fatty acid compositions of Monogalactosyl Diglycerides (MGDG), Steryl Glycosides (SG) and Sulfoquinovosyl Diglycerides (SQDG). Total lipids of sea cucumber were extracted by Bligh and Dyer method and Sep-Pak Silica plus long cartridge, and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) silica gel G-60 F254 was used for the separation of different lipid classes and glycolipid compositions. The composition of fatty acids was analyzed by GC. Results & Conclusion: The level of total lipids in the dried sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, was 4 ± 1% of dry weight (w/w) and the amount of neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids was 31 ± 1%, 29 ± 1% and 40 ± 1% of the total lipids (w/w), respectively. MGDG, SG and SQDG were the major glycolipids, and the contents were 37.5 ± 0.3%, 33.8 ± 0.5% and 23.6 ± 0.7% of the total glycolipids (w/w), respectively and significantly higher than other glycolipids (p < 0.05). SQDG contained much higher Arachidonic Acid (AA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and MGDG contained higher Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) compared with SG (p < 0.05). Further investigation is required to understand the positional distribution of fatty acids and molecular species in MGDG, SG and SQDG in detail.

Estimating the Composition of Interesterification Products Made from Triacylglycerol Oil with Glycerol and/or Propylene Glycol

AbstractThanks to the development of personal computers and software, it is often faster and, therefore, cheaper to calculate product properties than to determine them analytically, but such calculations are only possible after the appropriate mathematical equations have been formulated. Formulating these equations may use some assumptions and parameters that have been determined experimentally. This article describes a method of calculating the composition of the ester interchange reaction product of triacylglycerol oil with glycerol and/or propylene glycol; it can be extended to include further polyols. The calculation requires the composition of the starting material, the saponification and hydroxyl values of the oil, and three parameters indicating how the fatty acid distribution in the reaction product deviates from random. These parameters are not known but can be quantified by combining the method of calculation described in this article and some analytical results.

Monosodium L-glutamate and fats change free fatty acid concentrations in intestinal contents and affect free fatty acid receptors express profile in growing pigs.

BackgroundObesity and its related metabolic syndrome continue to be major public health problems. Monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) may cause metabolic diseases such as obesity. Meanwhile, the Chinese population has undergone rapid transition to a high-fat diet. There is little information available on the effect of MSG and fat alone, or in combination, on free fatty acids (FFAs), lipid metabolism and FFA receptors.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of MSG and fat alone, or in combination, on intestinal luminal FFAs and expression of gastrointestinal FFA receptors. The aim was also to test whether dietary fat and/or MSG could affect expression of genes related to fatty acid metabolism.DesignA total of 32 growing pigs were used and fed with four iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets. Pigs in the four treatments received diets with one of two fat concentrations levels (4.4 and 9.4%) and one of two MSG dose levels (0 and 3%), in which most of the fat were brought by soybean oil. The concentration of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in cecum and colon, long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) in ileum, cecum and colon, and FFAs receptors expression in hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract were determined.ResultsMSG and/or fat changed intestinal luminal SCFAs, levels of LCFAs, and showed an antagonistic effect on most of LCFAs. Simultaneously, MSG and/or fat decreased the expression of FFA receptors in hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract. MSG and/or fat promoted fat deposition through different ways in back fat.ConclusionOur results support that MSG and/or fat can alter intestinal luminal FFAs composition and concentration, especially LCFAs, in addition, the expression of FFA receptors in ileum and hypothalamus could be decreased. Moreover, MSG and/or fat can promote protein deposition in back fat, and affect the distribution and metabolism of fatty acids in the body tissues and the body’s ability to perceive fatty acids; these results provide a reference for the occurrence of fat deposition and obesity caused by high-fat and monosodium glutamate diet.

Antioxidant potential of Salicornia arabica lipid extract and their protective effect against cadmium induced oxidative stress in erythrocytes isolated from rats

The Salicornia species have been used for treatment and prevention of a various diseases. To the best of my knowledge, little information is regarding the antioxidant and protective activities of lipid extract from Salicornia Arabica (SALE). The objectives of this present work were designed to determine the in vitro antioxidant activities of SALE against cadmium-induced toxicity in erythrocytes isolated from rats. The distribution of fatty acid reflected the richness in saturated fatty acids that were predominated by palmitic acid. Our analysis showed that the major fatty acid components were palmitic acid (47.78%), linoleic acid (17.75%), followed by nanadecenoic acid (10.96%). Minor fatty acids including lignoseric acid and palmatoleic acid (C16:0). The in vitro antioxidant activity of SALE was evaluated using both test DPPH and ABTS assays. An important antioxidant potential was observed. The protective potential of SALE was evaluated by estimating the levels of stress markers like MDA concentration and SOD, CAT and GPx activities. Our results showed that cadmium significantly decreased the SOD, CAT and GPx activities in erythrocytes homogenates and enhanced lipid peroxidation. The pre-treatment with SALE ameliorated antioxidant status and inhibited MDA level in erythrocytes. In conclusion, the lipid isolated from S. arabica showed protective potential against Cd-induced erythrocytes damage, which could be related to active compounds present in this fraction.

Effect of Accelerated Storage on Fatty Acids, Thermal Properties and Bioactive Compounds of Kenaf Seed Oil.

The effects of thermal oxidation at 65 °C for 24 days on oxidation indices, fatty acid positional distribution, thermal properties, vitamin E composition and sterol composition of kenaf seed oil are investigated. The results showed that total oxidation value (TOTOX) of the oil increased from initial 8.83 to 130.74 at the end of 24 days storage. Linoleic acid at sn-1, 3 positon of kenaf seed oil was less stable than the one at sn-2 positon. Oxidative degradation changed the melting profile of kenaf seed oil, the value of endothermic enthalpy reduced from 58.17 to 20.25 J/g after 24 days of storage. Moreover, the content of vitamin E and total sterol decreased by 84.26% and 38.47%, respectively. Tocotrienols were more stable than tocopherols during the accelerated storage. Correlation analysis indicated vitamin E content was significantly related to p-anisidine value, while sterol content was significantly related to peroxide value. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Kenaf seed oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and bioactive compounds. Heating process and long-term storage cause oil oxidation and bioactive compounds degradation. The oxidation process of kenaf seed oil is simulated with accelerated storage. The study evaluates fatty acid composition and distribution, vitamin E and sterol content, melting thermal characteristics of kenaf seed oil at different oxidation levels. The research shows the stability of fatty acid is related with its type and position in backbone of triacylglycerol molecule. There are good correlation among oxidation level, vitamin E and sterol content, and melting enthalpy value of kenaf seed oil.

N-Alkyl lipid concentrations and distributions in aquatic plants and their individual δD variations

Aquatic plants are major input sources of autochthonous organic matter in lake sediments, but investigations on fatty acid (FA) and n-alkane distributions in aquatic plants are currently limited, greatly hindering the applications of their isotope geochemistry in lacustrine environments. Here, the reported n-alkyl lipid distributions of aquatic plants in globally studied lakes, together with newly obtained aquatic plant n-alkyl lipid data in Chinese lakes (Yunnan and Inner Mongolia), are used to understand their distribution characteristics. The results show that aquatic plants have predominantly mid-chain lipids (C23–C25n-alkanes and C22–C24 FAs), differing from that of terrestrial plants (dominant by long-chain lipids), but the long-chain n-alkanes (e.g., C27 and C29) and long-chain FAs (e.g., C26 and C28) also show high abundances in most samples. Submerged plants have high concentrations of long-chain n-alkanes (avg. 47 µg g−1) and long-chain FAs (avg. 170 µg g−1), close to those in terrestrial plants, indicating that submerged plants may make large contributions of long-chain n-alkyl lipids to lake sediments, while the contributions of long-chain n-alkyl lipids derived from algae to lake sediments may be small because of their low concentrations (avg. 2 µg g−1 for n-alkanes and 9 µg g−1 for FAs). We find that lipid molecular proxies (including ACL14–32 and ATR14–18) can be reliably used to distinguish the FAs sourced from algae and other plants, and Paq’ values can be utilized to distinguish the n-alkane sources between submerged plants and terrestrial plants. Aquatic plants do not have significant δD differences among different chain-length n-alkanes and FAs for each sample, suggesting that the offset between δD values of different chain-length n-alkyl lipids in lake sediments can help determine sedimentary lipid input sources and infer paleohydrological changes.

Fatty acids distribution and content in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue and its adjacent microenvironment

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity mucosa grows under conditions of poor oxygenation and nutrient scarcity. Reprogramming of lipid biosynthesis accompanies tumor growth, but the conditions under which it occurs are not fully understood. The fatty acid content of the serum, tumor tissue and adjacent tumor microenvironment was measured by gas chromatography in 30 patients with squamous cell carcinoma grade 1–3. Twenty-five fatty acids were identified; their frequencies and percentages in each of the environments were assessed. Nineteen of the twenty-five fatty acids were found in tumor tissue, tumor adjacent tissue and blood serum. Of them, 8 were found in all thirty patients. Percentages of C16:0 and C18:1n9 were highest in the tumor, C18:1n9 and C16:0 were highest in tumor adjacent tissue, and C16:0 and C18:0 were highest in blood serum. The frequencies and amounts of C22:1n13, C22:4n6, C22:5n3 and C24:1 in tumor adjacent tissues were higher than those in blood serum, independent of the tumor grade. The correlations between the amount of fatty acid and tumor grade were the strongest in tumor adjacent tissues. The correlations between particular fatty acids were most prevalent for grade 1+2 tumors and were strongest for grade 3 tumors. In the adjacent tumor microenvironment, lipogenesis was controlled by C22:6w3. In blood serum, C18:1trans11 limited the synthesis of long-chain fatty acids. Our research reveals intensive lipid changes in oral cavity SCC adjacent to the tumor microenvironment and blood serum of the patients. Increase in percentage of some of the FAs in the path: blood serum–tumor adjacent microenvironment–tumor, and it is dependent on tumor grade. This dependency is the most visible in the tumor adjacent environment.

Fatty Acid Fueled Transmembrane Chloride Transport.

Generation of chemical gradients across biological membranes of cellular compartments is a hallmark of all living systems. Herewe report a proof-of-concept prototype transmembrane pumping systemin liposomes. The pump uses fatty acid to fuel chloride transport, thus generating a transmembrane chloride gradient. Addition of fatty acid to phospholipid vesicles generates a transmembrane pH gradient (pHin < pHout), and this electrochemical H+ potential is harnessed by an anionophore to drive chloride efflux via H+/Cl- cotransport. Further addition of fatty acid efficiently fuels the system to continuously drive chloride transport against the concentration gradient, up to [Cl-]in 65 mM | [Cl-]out 100 mM, and is 1400 times more efficient than using an external fuel.Based on our findings from dissecting the H+/Cl-flux process with the use of different liposomal fluorescence assays, and supported by additional liposome-based13C NMR and DLS studies; we proposed that the presence of an anionophore can induce asymmetric distribution of fatty acid, and contribute to another Cl- flux mechanism in this system.

Analysis of triacylglycerols molecular species composition, total fatty acids, and sn-2 fatty acids positional distribution in different types of milk powders

Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are considered the main component of milk fat; possess significant functional roles from the technological, nutritional and physiological points of view. In this study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry was applied to identify the molecular species composition of TAGs in buffalo, camel, and ewe milk powders. The separation of TAGs was achieved by using two mobile phases; acetonitrile/isopropanol (1:9, v/v) as mobile phase A, and 40% acetonitrile as mobile phase B, the binary gradient elution allowed the separation of milk TAGs in consistent with the increase in partition number. More than 180 TAGs in buffalo milk, 90 TAGs in camel milk, and 129 TAGs in ewe milk were unambiguously identified, and the most abundant molecular species in the three types of milk powders were detected at mass to charge (m/z) values of 682.53, 822.67, and 656.53, respectively. The total acyl carbon numbers of buffalo milk TAGs ranged between 26 and 54, with double bonds from 0 to 6. While, the total acyl carbon numbers of camel milk TAGs ranged between 42 and 54, with double bonds from 0 to 3. The total acyl carbon numbers of ewe milk TAGs ranged between 26 and 52, with double bonds from 0 to 2. The major fatty acids (FAs) in the different types of milk powders were myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic. The positional distribution of saturated FAs at the sn-2 position was higher in buffalo milk powder as compared to camel and ewe milk powders. This study reports a comprehensive identification of TAGs molecular species in different types of milk powders.

Determination of the natural deuterium distribution of fatty acids by application of 2H 2D-NMR in liquid crystals: fundamentals, advances, around and beyond

ABSTRACT Based on pioneering work reported in the 1980s by Martin and co-workers, experimental investigation of the site-specific, natural (2H/1H) isotope fractionation in bioproducts by natural abundance deuterium 1D-NMR (NAD 1D-NMR) spectroscopy is the method of choice to understand the enzymatic mechanisms leading to their synthesis or transformation, but also to determine their geographical or botanical origins. This approach, known as 2H-SNIF-NMRTM method, is also an effective tool in the fight against the counterfeiting of molecules of economical interests. However, the use of achiral isotropic solvents has two significant disadvantages that reduce accessible isotopic information: a rate of overlap of signals generally too high for complex analytes and the absence of spectral discrimination of enantiotopic directions in prochiral compounds. Both drawbacks can be overcome by replacing liquid solvents with chiral liquid crystals (CLCs). In this review, we overview the theoretical basis and the analytical advantages of anisotropic NAD (ANAD) 2D-NMR using polypeptide-based, lyotropic CLCs as enantiodiscriminating ordered NMR solvents. We discuss how and why ANAD 2D-NMR can provide a robust alternative to the conventional method of determining isotopic ratios (2H/1H)i, particularly when applied to long-chain fatty acids or homogeneous triglycerides. Various applicative aspects are presented.

Dietary Profiles, Nutritional Biochemistry Status, and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder: Path Analysis for a Case-control Study (P18-106-19)

ObjectivesStudies suggested that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with multiple dietary factors. Earlier studies addressed issues related to dietary allergens and toxicants. Recent attention has turned to nutrient imbalance resulted from unhealthy dietary habit. This study aims to investigate dietary and nutritional biochemistry profiles of ADHD and to explore their potential relationship by path analysis. MethodsWe enrolled 216 children with ADHD and 216 age-, height- and gender-matched controls from 31 elementary schools in Taiwan. Dietary intake of the participants was assessed using food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Fasting blood samples were collected to determine the serum levels of multiple nutritional markers, including several potential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Moreover, we employed a structural equation model (SEM) to link diet, nutritional markers and ADHD. ResultsCompared to healthy control, ADHD children had significantly lower serum levels of vitamin B12, folate, vitamin B6, ferritin concentration, and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), but higher levels of serum saturated fatty acids (SFA), n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio, and inorganic phosphorous concentration (Table 1). Children with ADHD had more intakes of nutrient-poor foods such as high sugar and high fat foods, and had less intakes of vegetable, fruit, protein-rich foods than their counterpart (Table 2). SEM analysis showed that the poor nutritional biochemistry profiles linked the association between unhealthy dietary patterns and ADHD (Figure 1). ConclusionsWe found that lower serum levels of B-vitamins and imbalanced mineral and fatty acid distributions were risk factors of ADHD and path analysis suggests that unhealthy dietary pattern may be a predecessor of the poor nutritional biochemistry status. Managing diet and nutrition conditions should be trialed and considered among methods to improve ADHD symptoms in children. Funding SourcesNational Science Council of Taiwan R.O.C.; Academia Sinica. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs▪▪▪

Adsorption of organic matter on clay minerals in the Dajiuhu peat soil chronosequence, South China

Clay minerals play important roles in stabilizing organic matter (OM) in soils. In order to investigate the nature of OM in association with clay minerals in peatland soils, the coarse (>0.3 mm) and clay (<2 μm) fractions of samples from a 250-cm-long core from the Dajiuhu peatland in Hubei Province (central China) were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) methods. The n-alkanes consist mainly of carbon numbers of C21 to C33 and show odd-over-even predominance. Alkanes associated with clay minerals are better protected from biodegradation in old soils, whereas clay minerals in young soils are less favorable for OM interaction. Fatty acids are mainly saturated straight-chain acids (C12–C30), with minor branched and unsaturated acids, showing even-over-odd predominance. The wide distribution of short-chain fatty acids in the soils indicates intensive microbial activity. NMR results confirmed the occurrence of alkyl C, O-alkyl C, aryl C, and carboxyl C in the soil deposits. Aromatic compounds are prone to adsorb to clay minerals, and their abundances in the clay fraction increase as diagenesis proceeds. Polysaccharides are present mainly in young soils and are observed strongly binding to clay minerals, but these compounds are prone to microbial degradation due to their structural instability. Aromatic compounds are bound mainly on the silicon-basal planes. In general, old soils are characterized by stronger chemical interactions between aromatic compounds and clay minerals, as reflected by their lower band positions. Nevertheless, only small amounts of aromatic compounds were found chemically complexed with clay minerals, while most OM in the samples was physically trapped by clay-mineral aggregates. Preservation of OM in the lower profile of the peat soils is mainly attributed to persistently reducing conditions.

Branched Chain Fatty Acid Distribution in Beef Lipids (P08-110-19)

ObjectivesBeef is a rich source of branched chain fatty acids (BCFA) in the American diet. Once consumed, utilization of fatty acids depends on their lipid class in foods.Our objective is to characterize the distribution of BCFA among lipid classes in commercial ribeye steaks, specifically sampled from grass-fed, angus, and prime beef. MethodsBeef was obtained from a supermarket in Austin, Texas. Samples were cut into pieces (1 mm3) and extracted by the method of Bligh and Dyer. Extracts were fractionated into triacylglycerol (TAG), phospholipids (PL), cholesterol esters (CE), and free fatty acids (FFA) by thin layer chromatography (TLC). PL were further fractionated into phosphatidylcholine (PC), lyso-PC, phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and sphingomyelin (SM). Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were prepared from each fraction by treatment with BF3/methanol and analyzed by high resolution capillary gas chromatography (GC) with positive structure identification by MS/MS of the molecular ion. ResultsTotal BCFA in PL of grass-fed beef is the highest (1.25 ± 0.05%, w/w; mean ± SD) compared with those in PL of other beef. Total BCFA in TAG (1.30 ± 0.37%, w/w) were not different between angus and prime beef. BCFA were detected in all lipid fractions. Anteiso-15:0, anteiso-17:0, iso-15:0, iso-16:0, iso17:0, iso-18:0 were detected in most fractions. ConclusionsTotal BCFA in PL of grass-fed beef is the highest (1.25 ± 0.05%, w/w; mean ± SD) compared with those in PL of other beef. Total BCFA in TAG (1.30 ± 0.37%, w/w) were not different between angus and prime beef. BCFA were detected in all lipid fractions. Anteiso-15:0, anteiso-17:0, iso-15:0, iso-16:0, iso17:0, iso-18:0 were detected in most fractions. Funding SourcesThis study was supported by the National Cattleman’s Beef Association and the North Dakota Beef Commission.

The Synthesis Followed by Spectral and Calorimetric Evaluation of Stability of Human Milk Fat Substitutes Obtained from Thistle Milk and Lard

The central point of current investigations was the first time ever synthesis of modern substitutes of human milk fat followed by versatile evaluation of their oxidative properties. The enzymatic interesterification conducted at 70°C for 2, 4, and 6 hours, respectively, with milk thistle oil and lard blend as starting reactants was catalyzed by 1,3-specific lipase Lipozyme RM IM, obtained from Rhizomucor miehei. Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry (PDSC) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) were applied to evaluate quality of products formed. Although PDSC curves showed lower oxidative stability of newly synthesized fats as compared to both starting materials separately, they can be considered adequate substitutes of human fat milk fat, as distribution of fatty acids in triacylglycerol molecules of substitutes obtained is much alike human milk fat itself, as resulted from analysis of GC data collected. Obvious changes in chemical structure of fats occurring during interesterification resulted in specific alterations in IR spectra of processed materials. Spectral data accompanied by PLS technique were successfully used for accurate determination of oxidative stability of new fats through indirect procedure, i.e., IR-PDSC-reference analysis of induction time. Additionally IR data exclusively, i.e., without any reference data, occurred powerfully in discrimination of human fat milk substitutes obtained.

Spatial distribution of major bacterial species and different volatile fatty acids in a two-phase anaerobic biofilm reactor with PVA gel beads as bio-carrier

Conventional completely mixed anaerobic treatment systems limit the chances of the different species of bacteria to spatially group together according to their mutual cooperation and as a result, show a lower efficiency and vulnerability towards shock situations. It is interesting to know about the stratification of the different bacterial species participating in the degradation process and the intermediates that they produce. In this study, we established and optimized a two-phase anaerobic packed bed biofilm reactor system (AnPBR) with porous PVA gel beads used as bio-carriers and ran the reactor system in a steady state to observe the VFAs produced along with the microbial diversity of the predominant species at different stages of the reactor system. We observed that acetate and butyrate were the predominant intermediate VFAs while concentrations of other VFAs such that propionic acid were low. Acetobacterium and Clostridium were found to be the most abundant bacterial species in acidogenic reactor while methanogenic reactor was highly enriched with Methanobacterium and Methanosarcina. Apart from the above, syntrophic populations such as Syntrophobactor wolinii were also observed to be dominant in both the reactors – especially towards the end of acidogenic reactor and the initial part of the methanogenic reactor.

Microbial Lipid Production from Corn Stover by the Oleaginous Yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides Using the PreSSLP Process

Dry acid pretreatment and biodetoxification (DryPB) has been considered as an advanced technology to treat lignocellulosic materials for improved downstream bioconversion. In this study, the lipid production from DryPB corn stover was investigated by the oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides using a new process designated prehydrolysis followed by simultaneous saccharification and lipid production (PreSSLP). The results found that prehydrolysis at 50 °C and then lipid production at 30 °C improved lipid yield by more than 17.0% compared with those without a prehydrolysis step. The highest lipid yield of 0.080 g/g DryPB corn stover was achieved at a solid loading of 12.5%. The fatty acid distribution of lipid products was similar to those of conventional vegetable oils that are used for biodiesel production. Our results suggested that the integration of DryPB process and PreSSLP process can be explored as an improved technology for microbial lipid production from lignocellulosic materials.

Serum IL-6 levels and oxidation rate of LDL cholesterol were related to depressive symptoms independent of omega-3 fatty acids among female hospital and nursing home workers in Japan

BackgroundChronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress are commonly observed in persons with depression or depressive symptoms. We explored the degree of depressive symptoms under psychological stress in relation to serum LDL oxidation, inflammatory markers, and fatty acid (FA) distribution among female population. The purpose of this study was to identify peripheral factors that are related to depressive symptoms, and to assess how each factor is related to depressive symptoms. Methods133 female workers in a hospital and nursing homes were recruited in Japan. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Japanese version of the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and perceived stress was assessed using the visual analogue scale. Cytokine levels and oxidation rate of LDL cholesterol (ox-LDL/LDL) were measured as indices of inflammation and oxidation. Omega-3 FA distribution was also measured. Path analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were used to determine if each factor was predictive of depressive symptoms. ResultsIt was identified that serum ox-LDL/LDL was positively connected with depressive symptoms, but was more strongly related to perceived psychological stress. Elevated serum IL-6 was positively correlated with depressive symptoms, though the effect was partly transmitted via ox-LDL/LDL. Additionally, serum ω3 PUFAs were inversely associated with depressive symptoms independently of IL-6 or ox-LDL/LDL. ConclusionAlthough this study is unlikely to fully explain the causes of depressive symptoms, it suggests that psychological stress and somatic factors such as inflammation, oxidation and nutrition are related to depressive symptoms. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of lifestyle targets to alleviate the identified depression risk factors, anti-oxidative therapies, anti-inflammatory therapies and nutritional interventions to prevent depression.