Fatty Acid Fraction Research Articles

Lipoidal Matter and Essential Oil Contents of Leaves and Fowers of Callistemon viridiflorus and their Antimicrobial Activity

Comparative investigation of hydro-distilled essential oils from leaves and flowers of Callistemon viridiflorous Sims (family Myrtaceae) grown in Egypt was carried out including their chemical composition and some of their bioactivities. The obtained oils revealed the presence of 19 and 22 identified constituents in the leaves and flowers, respectively. The oils were dominated by oxygenated compounds of 96.1 and 98.5 % in leaves and flowers of C. viridiflorous respectively. Methyl eugenol was found to be the main component in leaves (89.1 %) and flowers (95.1 %). Hydrocarbon contents in both leaves and flowers were 3.9 and 1.5 %, respectively. The unsaponifiable fraction of the fixed oil obtained by extracting the leaves of C. viridiflorous with petroleum ether was analyzed by GLC. The percentage of hydrocarbons and sterols were found to be 76.9 and 2.9 %, respectively. Nonane (12.0 %), octadecane (11.0 %) and hexane (9.1 %) were found as the major hydrocarbon constituents. Stigmasterol (1.3 %), β-sitosterol (0.9 %) and cholesterol (0.7 %) were the major phytosterol constituents. Analysis of methylated fatty acid fraction of C. viridiflorous leaves extract by GLC revealed that the percentage of saturated fatty acids was higher than that of unsaturated fatty acids being 84.5 and 14.9 %, respectively. Arachidic (42.4 %) and palmitic (37.0 %) acids were the major identified saturated fatty acid while oleic acid (5.5 %) was the major identified unsaturated fatty acid. The oils of leaves and flowers of C. viridiflorus exhibited broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against both gram- positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as Candida albicans yeast.

Chemometrics as a tool to discriminate geographical origin of Cyperus esculentus L. based on chemical composition

In the present study the chemical composition of Cyperus esculentus L. (tiger nut) from four distinct geographical origin (Spain, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa) was assessed to observe the possible effect of the cultivation site in the fatty acids profile, sterols composition, and squalene and α-tocopherol content.It was verified that the individual fatty acids as well as the different fatty acids fractions were severely affected by the geographical origin. Tiger nut oils were predominantly monounsaturated with lower prevalence of saturated fatty acids, and with capability to provide appreciable amounts of essential fatty acids. The sterols fraction was affected as well, but in lower extent. β-sitosterol was the most abundant sterol found, reaching nearly 60% of the total sterols found in tiger nut oils, with significant differences among geographical origins.The fatty acids data, together with the sterols and α-tocopherol and squalene data were capable to separate tiger nut samples according to their chemical composition and geographical origin when a principal component analysis was applied. The fatty acids profile could be applied as a possible geographical authenticity marker.

Municipal wastewater utilization for biomass and biodiesel production by Scenedesmus obliquus HM103382 and Micractinium reisseri JN169781

Municipal wastewater is a major problem due to its high concentration of nutrients, which can cause eutrophication of the surrounding water, resulting in serious disturbance in health and ecosystem. Microalgae can utilize nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater as a potential source of cost effective and sustainable means for biodiesel production. Two microalgal species including Scenedesmus obliquus HM103382 and Micractinium reisseri JN169781 were cultivated in domestic wastewater (influent and effluent) that was pretreated and supplemented with 15% CO2 in order to accomplish simultaneous nutrient removal and lipid production from wastewater. The biomass yield and lipid production were relatively high using either autoclaved or filter-sterilized wastewater compared to using either UV-irradiated or unsterilized wastewater (control). M. reisseri and S. obliquus grown in the autoclaved influent showed high biomass yield (0.41 ± 0.01 and 0.26 ± 0.03 g dry wt. l−1) and lipid content (22% and 19%), respectively. The highest removal rates of nitrogen (97%), phosphorus (98%), and inorganic carbon (77%) were achieved by M. reisseri cultivated in the autoclaved influent. The saturated fatty acids fractions accounted for 66% and 60% of the total fatty acids accumulated in M. reisseri grown in the filter-sterilized influent and the autoclaved effluent, respectively, which is desirable for good quality biodiesel.

Purification of Free DHA by Selective Esterification of Fatty Acids from Tuna Oil Catalyzed by Rhizopus oryzae Lipase

AbstractTuna fish oil contains 25–30 % docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and is one of the richest sources of DHA. The present paper investigates the enrichment of DHA by selective esterification of fatty acids obtained from hydrolysis of tuna fish oil catalyzed by Rhizopus oryzae lipase (ROL). The fatty acid mixture obtained after hydrolysis of tuna fish oil, referred to as tuna‐FFA contained 26 % DHA. For purification/concentration of DHA in free fatty acids, selective esterification of the fatty acid mixtures with butanol was carried out using ROL in a water‐organic solvent system. The best reaction parameters found in this study were pH 7, temperature 35 °C, agitation speed 800 rpm and a fatty acid to solvent (iso‐octane) ratio of 1:1.32 (w/v). Also, the effects of other parameters such as type of alcohol, type of enzyme, alcohol to fatty acid ratio, enzyme to fatty acid ratio were studied to determine the most suitable reaction conditions. Exactly 76.2 % of tuna‐FFA was esterified in 24 h, under the most suitable reaction conditions and the DHA content in the fatty acid fraction rose from 26 to 86.9 % with 80 % recovery of DHA, after selective esterification. The DHA content of fatty acids in butyl esters was found to be 13.6 %.

Recent Patents on Lipase Catalyzed Vegetable and Fish Oil Modification

Lipase is an enzyme which catalyzes hydrolysis, esterification and transesterification processes. Type (origin) of lipase affects process conditions and final conversion. Use of these biocatalytic properties of lipase in modification of various vegetable oils is depicted in different patents, leading to varieties of beneficial products. Production and concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids like eicosapentanoic acid, docosapentanoic acid and docosahexanoic acid were carried out through lipase catalyzed hydrolysis. Hydrolysis followed by reesterification was also employed in some patents to concentrate long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in triacylglycerol fraction or free fatty acid fraction as per specific requirements. Ethanolysis of fish oil hexyl esters was also described in some studies to concentrate similar fatty acids. Combined ethanolysis and esterification, ethanolysis and transesterification were also conducted in some patents to concentrate these desirable fatty acids. Degumming using phospholipase and biodiesel production with lipase as catalyst were also carried out leading to some notable patents. Reactor configuration for maximizing conversion was also patented. Removal of diacylglycerols from their mixture with triacylglycerols led to specifically designed triacylglycerol mixture for catering certain purposes.

Fatty Acids and Other Risk Factors for Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients Starting Hemodialysis

Background: Little is known about risk factors for sudden cardiac death in hemodialysis patients during the high-risk first year of dialysis. We therefore undertook to identify such risk factors in a nationally representative cohort and were able to include baseline levels of blood fatty acids, some of which influence arrhythmogenicity and sudden cardiac death risk. Design: The study cohort included 100 patients who died of sudden cardiac death during the first year of hemodialysis and 300 frequency-matched controls. Using the elastic net statistical method, numerous demographic and clinical characteristics were included with baseline total serum levels for 11 major fatty acids (model 1) and with serum phospholipid fractions of these same fatty acids (model 2). Final models included only covariates that had a non-zero coefficient. Results: In model 1, serum albumin [odds ratio (95% CI): 0.55 (0.33-0.93); p = 0.03] and total serum long-chain n-3 docosapentaenoic acid [0.70 (0.51-0.97); p = 0.03] were inversely associated with the odds of sudden cardiac death, while the total serum saturated fatty acid level had a direct association [1.01 (1.00-1.02); p = 0.03]. In model 2, serum albumin and docosapentaenoic acid remained inversely associated with sudden cardiac death in a similar manner as in model 1. Pulse pressure also had an inverse association [0.96 (0.93-1.00); p < 0.05]. Conclusions: Several factors, including blood content of docosapentaenoic acid and saturated fatty acids, were associated with the odds of sudden cardiac death during year one of hemodialysis. These results raise the possibility that dietary modification may reduce sudden death risk.

Some pathophysiologic mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases in patients with chronic prostatitis

Aim. To study the relation of autonomic disorders severity, energy and lipid metabolism parameters, immune, hormonal disorders and structural and functional changes of the myocardium in patients with chronic prostatitis. Methods. The study included 75 patients with chronic prostatitis, who were divided into two groups: the first group consisted of 48 patients with the sympathetic autonomous nervous system hyper activation, the second group - of 27 patients with autonomic balance. Echocardiography, 24-hour ECG monitoring with heart rate variability analysis were performed in all patients. The overall serum level of non-esterified fatty acids and glycerol, red blood cells levels of macroergic substances, lipid and long-chain fatty acids fractions were measured. Hormonal profile included estimation of total testosterone level, sex hormone-binding globulin, calculated free testosterone index. Serum cytokines profile was also studied. Results. In patients with sympathetic activity and prostatitis, most of heart rate variability parameters were significantly lower compared to patients with autonomic balance and controls. Patients with left ventricle diastolic dysfunction had higher serum concentrations of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Dysautonomia with prolonged sympathetic autonomous nervous system hyper activation was frequently found in patient with chronic prostatitis (64% of cases), contributing to low fatty acids utilization in myocardium and reduced levels of glycerol (by 32.3%) and adenosine triphosphate (by 49.5%) in erythrocytes. These disorders were accompanied by left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in 19.2% of patients and by arrhythmias in over than a half of patients. Conclusion. Autonomic disorders (sympathetic autonomous nervous system hyper activation associated with decreased parasympathetic control of the cardiovascular system) are quite common in patients with chronic prostatitis, leading to fatty acids utilization impairment, resulting in blood accumulation of non-esterified fatty acids, low serum glycerol levels, adenine nucleotide imbalance) accompanied by low unbound testosterone level, serum cytokines profile imbalance, reduction of cardiac hemodynamic indicators and development of cardiac arrhythmias.

Investigation and isolation of the active constituents of petroleum ether fraction of Medicago sativa L. sprouts

The unsaponifiable fraction from petroleum ether extract of Medicago sativa L. sprouts was analyzed by GLC, a series of 17 hydrocarbons and 2 phytosterols; ?-sitosterol and stigmasterol were identified. Analysis of the fatty acid fraction by GLC techniques revealed the presence of 6 saturated fatty acids and 8 unsaturated fatty acids including omega 6- fatty acid lionleic acid and 2 omega 3 fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a relative percent of 1.0% and 1.12%, respectively. These two types are rarely produced in plants but produced in fish, which have protective effects against heart diseases, liver functions and inflammations.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v2i6.14870 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, May 2013, 2(6): 109-111

Effects of high dose intravenous fish oil on human atrial electrophysiology: Implications for possible anti- and pro-arrhythmic mechanisms in atrial fibrillation

Intravenous omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) may prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) inducibility and perpetuation in animal models. We examined the effect of high dose IV ω-3 PUFAs on human atrial electrophysiology. We randomised 88 patients with no structural heart disease to receive saline (control group) or high dose IV ω-3 PUFA infusion prior to detailed atrial electrophysiologic evaluation. Biologically active components, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were measured in total lipids, free fatty acid and phospholipid (membrane incorporated) fraction pre and post infusion. Compared to pre-infusion values, EPA and DHA increased significantly in the total lipids and free fatty acid but were unchanged in the phospholipid fraction. IV ω-3 did not alter atrial refractory periods, however it slowed right, left and global atrial conduction (P<.05). Inducible AF was significantly less likely in ω-3 patients compared to controls (AF ≥ 5 min, 20% vs. 58%, P = .02) and was non-sustained (mean AF duration: 14s vs. 39 s, P<.001), however inducible and sustained atrial flutter was more common (≥ 5 min: 28% vs. 0%, P = .01). Organisation of AF into flutter was observed in a greater proportion of inductions in the ω-3 group (8.5% vs. 0.6%, P<.001). IV ω-3 PUFAs (as free fatty acids) cause acute atrial conduction slowing, suppress AF inducibility, organise AF into atrial flutter and enhance atrial flutter inducibility. These findings provide a novel insight into potential anti and pro-arrhythmic mechanisms of fish oils in human AF.

Comparison of inferred fractions of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in feral domestic cat diets with those in commercial feline extruded diets

To compare presumed fatty acid content in natural diets of feral domestic cats (inferred from body fat polyunsatrated fatty acids content) with polyunsaturated fatty acid content of commercial feline extruded diets. Subcutaneous and intra-abdominal adipose tissue samples (approx 1 g) from previously frozen cadavers of 7 adult feral domestic cats trapped in habitats remote from human activity and triplicate samples (200 g each) of 7 commercial extruded diets representing 68% of market share obtained from retail stores. Lipid, triacylglycerol, and phospholipid fractions in adipose tissue samples and ether extracts of diet samples were determined by gas chromatography of methyl esters. Triacylglycerol and phospholipid fractions in the adipose tissue were isolated by thin-layer chromatography. Diet samples were also analyzed for proximate contents. For the adipose tissue samples, with few exceptions, fatty acids fractions varied only moderately with lipid fraction and site from which tissue samples were obtained. Linoleic, α-linolenic, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acid fractions were 15.0% to 28.2%, 4.5% to 18.7%, 0.9% to 5.0%, < 0.1% to 0.2%, and 0.6% to 1.7%, respectively. As inferred from the adipose findings, dietary fractions of docosahexaenoic and α-linolenic acid were significantly greater than those in the commercial feline diets, but those for linoleic and eicosapentaenoic acids were not significantly different. The fatty acid content of commercial extruded feline diets differed from the inferred content of natural feral cat diets, in which dietary n-3 and possibly n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids were more abundant. The impact of this difference on the health of pet cats is not known.

Strain variability in fatty acid composition of Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae) and its relation to differing ichthyotoxicity toward rainbow trout gill cells.

Lipid profiles of three strains (Mexico, Australia, Japan) of Chattonella marina (Subrahmanyan) Hara et Chihara were studied under defined growth (phosphate, light, and growth phase) and harvest (intact and ruptured cells) conditions. Triacylglycerol levels were always <2%, sterols <7%, free fatty acids varied between 2 and 33%, and polar lipids were the most abundant lipid class (>51% of total lipids). The major fatty acids in C.marina were palmitic (16:0), eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5ω3), octadecatetraenoic (18:4ω3), myristic (14:0), and palmitoleic (16:1ω7c) acids. Higher levels of EPA were found in ruptured cells (21.4-29.4%) compared to intact cells (8.5-25.3%). In general, Japanese N-118 C.marina was the highest producer of EPA (14.3-29.4%), and Mexican CMCV-1 the lowest producer (7.9-27.1%). Algal cultures, free fatty acids from C.marina, and the two aldehydes 2E,4E-decadienal and 2E,4E-heptadienal (suspected fatty acid-derived products) were tested against the rainbow trout fish gill cell line RTgill-W1. The configuration of fatty acids plays an important role in ichthyotoxicity. Free fatty acid fractions, obtained by base saponification of total lipids from C.marina showed a potent toxicity toward gill cells (median lethal concentration, LC50 (at 1h) of 0.44μg·mL(-1) in light conditions, with a complete loss of viability at >3.2μg·mL(-1) ). Live cultures of Mexican C.marina were less toxic than Japanese and Australian strains. This difference could be related to differing EPA content, superoxide anion production, and cell fragility. The aldehydes 2E,4E-decadienal and 2E,4E-heptadienal also showed high impact on gill cell viability, with LC50 (at 1h) of 0.34 and 0.36μg·mL(-1) , respectively. Superoxide anion production was highest in Australian strain CMPL01, followed by Japanese N-118 and Mexican CMCV-1 strains. Ruptured cells showed higher production of superoxide anion compared to intact cells (e.g., 19 vs. 9.5pmol·cell(-1) ·hr(-1) for CMPL01, respectively). Our results indicate that C.marina is more ichthyotoxic after cell disruption and when switching from dark to light conditions, possibly associated with a higher production of superoxide anion and EPA, which may be quickly oxidized to produce more toxic derivates, such as aldehydes.

Lipoic Acid Prevents the Changes of Intracellular Lipid Partitioning by Free Fatty Acid

Background/AimsIt is suggested that the hepatic lipid composition is more important than lipid quantity in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. We examined whether lipoic acid (LA) could alter intrahepatic lipid composition and free cholesterol distribution.MethodsHepG2 cells were cultured with palmitic acid (PA) with and without LA. Apoptosis, changes of the mitochondrial structure, intracellular lipid partitioning, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity were measured.ResultsFree fatty acid (FA) increased apoptosis, and LA co-treatment prevented this lipotoxicity (apoptosis in controls vs PA vs PA+LA, 0.5% vs 19.5% vs 1.6%, p<0.05). LA also restored the intracellular mitochondrial DNA copy number (553±33.8 copies vs 291±14.55 copies vs 421±21.05 copies, p<0.05) and reversed the morphological changes induced by PA. In addition, ROS was increased in response to PA and was decreased in response to LA co-treatment (41,382 relative fluorescence unit [RFU] vs 43,646 RFU vs 41,935 RFU, p<0.05). LA co-treatment increased the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated FA concentrations and decreased the total saturated FA fraction. It also prevented the movement of intracellular free cholesterol from the cell membrane to the cytoplasm.ConclusionsLA opposes free FA-generated lipotoxicity by altering the intracellular lipid composition and free cholesterol distribution.

Tracing H isotope effects in the dynamic metabolic network using multi-nuclear (1H, 2H and 13C) solid state NMR and GC–MS

Recent studies reveal substantial variability in biosynthetic 2H/1H fractionation between lipids and water, which highlights the effect of central metabolic pathways on the H isotopic composition of the end products. Using multi-nuclear (1H, 2H and 13C) solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), we were able to track the incorporation of 1H and 2H metabolic fluxes into different cellular components of Escherichia coli during growth on two sets of media: (i) 10% deuterated water and non-deuterated glucose, and (ii) non-deuterated water and 10% deuterated glucose. In the 10% 2H water experiment, the 2H abundance of the bulk cell was 4.5%; the 2H uptake by membrane lipids, aliphatic H in proteins, and all the non-aliphatic H positions (including nucleic acids and sugars) was 6.2%, 2.3% and 6.2%, respectively. In the 10% 2H glucose experiment, the corresponding 2H uptake was 2.0%, 1.4% and 2.5%, respectively, and 1.9% for the bulk cell. The net fractionation of fatty acids (FAs) relative to water and glucose was consistent with that in studies employing natural 2H abundance, suggesting the 10% deuterated environment does not alter isotope fractionation during FA biosynthesis. Aliphatic H in proteins was significantly depleted in 2H relative to FAs by 290–640‰. This depletion is likely related to the dynamic regulation of central metabolic pathways that gradually builds up 2H in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates though continuous interaction with water, leading to the rapid synthesis of isotopically light amino acids early in the cell cycle and the production of isotopically enriched FAs late in the cell cycle. Besides, enzyme malfunctioning caused by 2H substitution is likely to promote proteolysis, which could also contribute to the 2H depletion in proteins. Non-aliphatic H positions as a whole exhibited similar net fractionation factors to the lipids. The study provides an overview of H isotope distribution in the major molecular constituents of intact bacterial cells, offering insight into the mechanisms underlying the metabolic control on the H isotopic composition of biomarker precursors.

Volatile oils, lipid constitutes and the antimicrobial activity of Daucus syrticus growing in Libya

Background/aim Apiaceae is a large plant family; it comprises about 60 annual and biannual species mostly distributed in Europe, Africa, West Asia, and Australia. The Daucus genus is one of the most common genera of this family in which Daucus syrticus (DS) is a common member, growing mainly in the Sirt region (Libya). It is locally known as wild carrot. This study aims to investigate volatile oils, lipid constitutes, and the antimicrobial activity of DS extracts. Materials and methods The herb of DS was collected from Wadi Telal, Sirt region (Libya), during January and April 2011. About 250 g of different parts from fresh plant material (aerial parts, roots, and seeds) of DS were subjected to hydrodistillation. Extraction of lipid constituents was carried out as follows: About 1500 g of dried powdered plant material of DS were extracted with petroleum ether in a soxhlet. The antimicrobial activity was determined using the disk diffusion method, and the inhibition zone (IZ) was measured for each extract under study against Escherichia coli , Bacillus subtilis , Aspergillus niger , and Candida albicans . Results Results of Gas chromatography/Mass spectrometry GC/MS analyses of the volatile oils of the aerial parts (January and April collections) proved that they contain a mixture of 47 and 33 compounds, respectively, whereas the roots (April and July) were found to contain a mixture of 32 and 20 compounds, respectively. In addition, the seeds (July) were found to contain 18 compounds, with β-asarone (26.23%) as the main compound. Investigation of the lipid fraction of the herb revealed the presence of a mixture of fatty alcohols; the major contents of the unsaponifiable fraction were identified as a series of n -alkanes C 8 -C 28 (84.85%), four steroidal compounds, triterpene, and a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters consisting of eight different acids. The antimicrobial evaluation of DS extracts exhibited different IZ values against the tested microorganisms. Conclusion The main constituents of the different volatile oils of the aerial parts, the roots, and the seeds were identified. The fraction of total fatty acid had the highest activity against E. coli (IZ = 2.7, minimum inhibitory concentration = 250 mg/ml).

Effects of Echinostoma caproni miracidia dose on the neutral and polar lipids of Biomphalaria glabrata as determined by high-performance thin-layer chromatography

The effects of a 5 versus 25 miracidia exposure of Echinostoma caproni on the lipid composition of Biomphalaria glabrata was studied using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)-densitometry. A 50 miracidia dose was not used because such a high level of exposure caused severe snail mortality by 3 weeks post-exposure (PE). Lipids were determined in the digestive-gland gonad complex (DGG) of the exposed snails and in the uninfected matched controls at 2 and 4 weeks PE. Extraction of lipids from DGGs was carried out by the Folch method with chloroform-methanol (2:1), and extracts were analyzed on Analtech HPTLC-HLF pre-adsorbent silica gel plates with measurement of separated bands using a CAMAG Scanner 3. For neutral lipids the mobile phase was petroleum ether-diethyl ether-glacial acetic acid (80:20:1) and the detection reagent was 5% ethanolic phosphoric acid, and for polar lipids chloroform-methanol-deionized water (65:25:4) mobile phase and 10% cupric sulfate in 8% phosphoric acid detection reagent were used. No significant differences in the concentrations of free sterols, free fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine were seen at 2 weeks PE in any of the groups. At 4 weeks PE, the free fatty acid concentration increased significantly in the snails exposed to 25 miracidia compared to that of the 5 miracidia/snail group or the controls. Elevation of the free fatty acid fraction in the high dose snail group suggested that some changes occurred in the lipid metabolism of the snails in that group as a function of miracidia dose.

Survival of Bifidobacterium Lactis hn019 and Release of Biogenic Compounds in Unfermented and Fermented milk is affected By Chilled Storage at 4°C

Development of dairy products containing bifido bacteria is one of the main focuses in the food industry, considering the health benefits attributed to its survival through gut intestinal tract and the liberation of biogenic compounds. In order to evaluate the effect of process conditions on survival of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis HN019 and release of biogenic compounds during cold storage two technological processes were employed: (i) addition of Probiotic (unfermented bifido milk; UFBM) and (ii) fermentation (fermented bifido milk; FBM). B. Lactis HN019 counts were stable only in fermented milks during seven weeks of cold storage. Moreover, dairy matrices associated with cold storage appeared to protect bifidobacteria during exposition to gastric conditions, assuring the correct Probiotic counts at gut entrance. The distribution of fatty acids was affected by the different Probiotic products. In contrast, fermentation process increased the relative contents of some bioactive fatty acids, such as elaidic acid (+11%) and conjugated linoleic acids (+20%). It was also noted an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids in the FBM and a higher relative content of monounsaturated fatty acids in the UFBM, as compared to control milk. In addition, fermentation process by bifido bacteria enhanced the long chain fatty acids fraction in bifido milks as compared to control and unfermented bifido milks. Control milk and unfermented bifido milk showed the same peptides even after seven days of storage in contrast with fermented milks that had increase bioactive peptides. It is possible to suggest that opioid peptides are formed during fermentation process, increasing the source of bioactive peptides. Finally, the cold conservation process modified peptides and could improve antibacterial activity.

Can the labile carbon contribute to carbon immobilization in semiarid soils? Priming effects and microbial community dynamics

Tracer experiments with isotopic-enriched carbon compounds can provide information regarding the carbon cycling in semiarid soils. We studied priming effects and microbial utilization of glucose as an example of bioavailable labile molecule in the carbon cycle of a semiarid soil. The soil, which has low content of total organic carbon (5.0 g kg−1), was amended with U13C-glucose (99 atom %) at concentration of 75 μg C g−1 soil (LD) or 300 μg C g−1 soil (HD). Glucose-derived carbon remained in soil after two months of incubation. The percentage of residual carbon stabilized was greater in LD with 40% of the initial 13C added compared to 30% of the initial 13C added in the HD. Comparison of 13C content in water- and sodium-pyrophosphate extracts pointed to a significant humification of up to 2.4% of the initial 13C-glucose. Glucose was subjected to an intense mineralization in the first 17-days of 22.8% and 40.94% for the LD and HD, respectively. The stable isotope probing (SIP) of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) by gas-chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) showed that bacteria dominated glucose metabolism in comparison to fungi. Gram-negative populations were initially more involved in glucose assimilation than Gram-positive bacteria. In the fatty acids fraction, up to 95% of the 13C was predominantly found in fatty acids typical for Gram-negative bacteria. However, after 4 and 17 days the 13C-enrichment in Gram-positive biomarkers increased. The mineralization of soil organic matter triggered by glucose additions was more intense in HD (3.6% of soil TOC) than LD (1.0% of soil TOC) and reached the highest level after 4 days in HD. Priming was controlled by Gram-negative populations but fungi and, particularly actinobacteria played an important role in latter steps. Our data indicated that the intense metabolism of SOM due to priming phenomena compromises the potential carbon sequestration in this semiarid soil amended with glucose.

Reduced protein oxidation in Wistar rats supplemented with marine ω3 PUFAs

The potential effects of various dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6) ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 1:2, respectively) on protein redox states from plasma, kidney, skeletal muscle, and liver were investigated in Wistar rats. Dietary fish oil groups were compared with animals fed soybean and linseed oils, vegetable oils enriched in ω6 linoleic acid (LA; 18:2) and ω3 α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3), respectively. Fish oil treatments were effective at reducing the level of total fatty acids in plasma and enriching the plasmatic free fatty acid fraction and erythrocyte membranes in EPA and DHA. A proteomic approach consisting of fluorescein 5-thiosemicarbazide (FTSC) labeling of protein carbonyls, FTSC intensity visualization on 1-DE or 2-DE gels, and protein identification by MS/MS was used for the protein oxidation assessment. Albumin was found to be the most carbonylated protein in plasma for all dietary groups, and its oxidation level was significantly modulated by dietary interventions. Supplementation with an equal EPA:DHA ratio (1:1) showed the lowest oxidation score for plasma albumin, followed in increasing order of carbonylation by 1:2 <2:1 ≈ linseed < soybean. Oxidation patterns of myofibrillar skeletal muscle proteins and cytosolic proteins from kidney and liver also indicated a protective effect on proteins for the fish oil treatments, the 1:1 ratio exhibiting the lowest protein oxidation scores. The effect of fish oil treatments at reducing carbonylation on specific proteins from plasma (albumin), skeletal muscle (actin), and liver (albumin, argininosuccinate synthetase, 3-α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) was remarkable. This investigation highlights the efficiency of dietary fish oil at reducing in vivo oxidative damage of proteins compared to oils enriched in the 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids ω3 ALA and ω6 LA, and such antioxidant activity may differ among different fish oil sources because of variations in EPA/DHA content.

Chemical constituents contained in fatty oil from seeds of Cucumis sativus

To study the chemical constituents contained in the seeds of Cucumis sativus. The fatty oil was extracted by heating and refluxing with petroleum ether. Potassium hydroxide-methanol solution was used for saponification. An unsaponifiable matter was extracted by EtOAc and separated with various chromatographic methods. Its structure was identified on the basis of their physicochemical properties and spectral data. The fatty acid fraction was methyl-esterified and determined by GC. The composition and relative content of fatty acid were determined with normalization method of peak area. 24-ethylcholesta-7, 22, 25-trienol (1), 24-ethylcholesta-7, 25-dienol (2) ,avenasterol (3), spinasterol (4), karounidiol (5) and isokarounidiol (6) were separated and identified from the unsaponifiable matter. Myristic acid (7, 0.12%), palmitic acid (8, 12.04%), palmitoleic acid (9, 0.09%), heptadecanoic acid (10, 0.06%), stearic acid (11, 5.64%), oleic acid (12, 6.95%), linoleic acid (13, 74.40%), arachidic acid (14, 0.19%), and alpha-linolenic acid (15, 0.51%) were identified from the fatty acids part. Compounds 5, 6, 9, 10, 14,and 15 were first reported in C. sativus.

Sulfonic acid functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 catalysts for biodiesel production

Sulfonic acid functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 catalysts have been studied in the microwave-assisted transesterification of soybean oil with 1-butanol in order to produce low freezing point biodiesel. Small-angle powder XRD and nitrogen adsorption analysis revealed the formation of mesoporous materials with high surface area and uniform porosity. Catalytic activity was found to be largely dependent on the acid strength rather than the number of acid sites. Propyl-SO3H and arene-SO3H functionalized SBA-15 catalysts showed high activity and stability in transesterification reactions whereas perfluoro-SO3H functionalized SBA-15 catalyst exhibited a complete loss of activity after recycling due to complete leaching of perfluoro-SO3H groups in the reaction medium. The results over arene-SO3H functionalized catalysts showed that the optimal loading of arene-SO3H groups is approximately 15% (molar percent of functional group to total silicon) and the optimal oil to alcohol molar ratio is 1:6. Increases in catalyst to oil weight ratio and reaction temperature significantly enhance the reaction rates. Simultaneous transesterification and esterification of soybean oil with up to 20 wt% oleic acid over arene-SO3H functionalized catalyst indicated that this catalyst could be a promising candidate for processing low quality feedstocks containing high fraction of free fatty acids. Further modification of Ar-SO3H SBA-15 catalyst with hydrophobic groups did not significantly improve its catalytic performance.