Gamma-linolenic Acid Research Articles

오메가-3, -6 등의 다가불포화지방산의 이해와 활용

The term of omega-3, one of the most popular polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), is frequently used, but its role is not well understood. Omega-3 and -6 PUFAs are classified as essential fatty acids, meaning our bodies cannot produce them on their own. Modern lifestyles often lead to an imbalance between omega-3 and -6, making functional medicine assessments valuable to understand this imbalance. While omega-3 is generally expected to have anti-inflammatory effects during metabolism, and arachidonic acid might lead to induce inflammation, it is difficult to simply define their roles. Nevertheless, large-scale clinical trials have demonstrated the preventive effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on cardiovascular diseases, and gamma-linolenic acid has been shown to alleviate inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Balancing fatty acids in various health conditions is crucial in functional medicine, and this review aims to enhance our understanding of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids and explore ways to utilize them.

Comparative study on the role of various sterols in enhancing ovarian development and metabolic functions in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) broodstock

In this study, the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) broodstock was considered to rely on dietary sterols for ovarian development because of the inability of the animals to synthesize sterols endogenously. Therefore, we investigated the effects of cholesterol, ergosterol, β-sitosterol, and fucosterol as sterol sources, compared with a control group lacking sterols, on the growth, reproduction, and metabolism of shrimp for a 28-day feeding trial, with an average weight of 32.28 ± 2.00 g in female L. vannamei broodstock. The results demonstrated that cholesterol supplementation significantly enhanced shrimp growth, the gonadosomatic index, and yolk particle deposition, outperforming the other sterol groups and the control group. Notably, while broodstock in the ergosterol group presented the greatest weight gain and yolk granule deposition, they did not achieve the same level of gonadal development or metabolic efficiency as those receiving cholesterol. Additionally, the β-sitosterol group demonstrated a favorable hepatosomatic index but still fell short of the benefits provided by cholesterol. Cholesterol has unique advantages in promoting growth and ovarian development, which may be attributed to its more efficient metabolic utilization and enhanced hormone synthesis, as indicated by the significantly higher serum levels of 17β-estradiol and progesterone in the cholesterol group. Furthermore, cholesterol supplementation significantly upregulated vitellogenin mRNA expression in the hepatopancreas and ovaries, thereby promoting ovarian maturation. Additionally, γ-linolenic acid and 9,10-epoxyoctadecenoic acid were significantly upregulated in the cholesterol group, facilitating ovarian lipid accumulation. In conclusion, the use of cholesterol as a sterol source in the diet significantly promoted the growth and ovarian development of L. vannamei by regulating lipid metabolism and hormone synthesis.

Discovery and Molecular Characterization of a Novel 9S-Lipoxygenase from Enhygromyxa salina for Fatty Acid Biotransformations.

Iron-dependent lipoxygenases (LOXs) are involved in the synthesis of oxylipins from polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, they are usually difficult to overexpress in functional form in microbial cell factories. Moreover, 9-LOXs, generating 9-hydroperoxy fatty acids from C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids, have rarely been found from microbial sources. Here, we discovered a novel 9S-LOX in the marine myxobacterium Enhygromyxa salina (Es-9S-LOX). The recombinant enzyme produced in Escherichia coli exhibited remarkable activity in the dioxygenation of linoleic acid (LA, 1), α-linolenic acid, γ-linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid specifically at the C9 position to yield the product with (S)-configuration at catalytic efficiency of 3.94, 1.42, 1.38, and 0.69 μM-1·s-1, respectively. The elucidated X-ray crystal structure of Es-9S-LOX reveals a long and narrow hydrophobic pocket that allows the substrate to be near the metal ion and the oxygen tunnel. The enzyme was successfully used in a chemoenzymatic reaction to generate a hydroxy fatty acid from LA. Our study thus contributes to the valorization of renewable polyunsaturated fatty acids into a variety of fatty acid derivatives, including hydroxy fatty acids.

Fatty Acid Composition, Oxidative Status, and Content of Biogenic Elements in Raw Oats Modified Through Agricultural Practices.

The chemical composition of raw oat grain is responsible for the high dietary value and health-promoting properties of oat products. This article presents the results of a study investigating the biofortification of grain in two oat genotypes-hulless and hulled-through agronomic treatments: chemical plant protection against weeds and fungi and mineral nitrogen fertilization. The applied agronomic treatments induced different changes in the fatty acid profiles, content of tocopherols, macronutrients, and micronutrients in the grain of hulled and hulless oats. Plant health contributed to higher concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids and potassium in oat grain. In turn, nitrogen fertilization decreased the content of unsaturated fatty acids, potassium, and copper and increased the content of saturated fatty acids, calcium, and manganese in oat grain. At the same time, agronomic treatments reduced the tocopherol content of the grain, which implies that the nutritional value of oats increases in the absence of chemical plant protection agents. The correlations between the content of desirable chemical compounds and agronomic treatments were stronger in hulless oat grain, which may suggest that the agronomic modification of oat-based foods is more effective in this genotype. The content of exogenous alpha-linoleic acid C18:3 n-3 and alpha-tocopherol was higher in grain harvested from the control treatment (without chemical plant protection), whereas grain harvested from fully protected treatments accumulated more essential gamma-linolenic acid C18:3 n-6. The content of gamma-tocopherol and copper in oat grain was higher in the absence of nitrogen fertilization.

Associations of the serum n-6 PUFA concentrations with exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia in middle-aged and older men.

n-6 PUFA, especially linoleic acid (LA) but also arachidonic acid (AA), have been inversely associated with CHD. However, mechanisms underlying these associations are not fully known. We investigated the associations of the serum concentrations of total n-6 PUFA, LA, AA, γ-linolenic acid (GLA) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), with the odds of myocardial ischaemia during exercise, a predictor of future cardiac events. A total of 1871 men without a history of CHD from the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (KIHD) aged 42-60 years were included. All participants performed a maximal symptom-limited exercise stress test, using an electrically braked bicycle ergometer. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was used to assess the OR for exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia in quartiles of the serum n-6 PUFA concentrations. After multivariable adjustment, men in the highest v. the lowest serum AA concentration had 50 % lower odds for exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia (OR 0·50, 95 % CI 0·34, 0·76; P-trend across quartiles < 0·001). For the other PUFA, the OR (95 % CI) were 1·00 (0·69, 1·46; P-trend = 0·89) for LA, 1·07 (0·75, 1·53; P-trend = 0·40) for GLA and 0·74 (0·51, 1·07; P-trend = 0·16) for DGLA. Among the n-6 PUFA, higher serum concentration of AA was associated with lower odds for myocardial ischaemia during an exercise test in middle-aged and older men. This may provide one mechanism for the previously observed possible cardioprotective properties of AA. Our findings also suggest that n-6 PUFA should not be considered as one homogenous group.

Metabolites Obtained from Boraginaceae Plants as Potential Cosmetic Ingredients-A Review.

One of the challenges of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries is to deliver biochemical compounds that can be advantageous for the skin. Research on Boraginaceae taxa has confirmed their use in traditional medicine and proved the potential biological importance of various molecules in cosmetology. The main classes of valuable compounds associated with Boraginaceae taxa are fatty acids, including γ-linolenic acid, essential oils, phenolic acids (e.g., rosmarinic acid), flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, and saponins. Highly specific are naphthoquinone pigments (including shikonin) and allantoin. Another distinguishing feature is the accumulation of silica (silicon dioxide) in trichomes. Some taxa produce mucilages. However, pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) with toxic properties are also found (mainly in Symphytum spp.); therefore, their applications should be avoided. Extracts or individual compounds of Boraginaceae plants are characterized by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-irritant, antiaging, and photoprotective activities. Boraginaceae products are widespread in the cosmetic industry as ingredients of creams, balms, lotions, gels, shampoos, lipsticks, perfumes, and deodorants. The most valuable for the cosmetic industry are raw materials obtained from the genera Alcanna Anchusa, Arnebia, Borago, Buglossoides, Cerinthe, Cordia, Echium, Ehretia, Eriodictyon, Glendora, Lappula, Lithospermum, Lycopsis, Macrotomia, Maharanga, Mertensia, Messerschmidia, Myosotis, Omphalodes, Onosma, Pulmonaria, Rindera, Symphytum, Trachystemon, and Trigonotis. Further research should focus on the search for active substances in other plants of the family.

Study of Different Parameters Affecting Production and Productivity of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) and γ-Linolenic Acid (GLA) by Cunninghamella elegans Through Glycerol Conversion in Shake Flasks and Bioreactors.

Microbial cultures repurposing organic industrial residues for value-added metabolite production is pivotal for sustainable resource use. Highlighting polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), renowned for their nutritional and therapeutic value. Notably, Zygomycetes' filamentous fungi harbor abundant GLA-rich lipid content, furthering their relevance in this approach. In this study, the strain C. elegans NRRL Y-1392 was evaluated for its capability to metabolize glycerol and produce lipids rich in GLA under different culture conditions. Various carbon-to-nitrogen ratios (C/N = 11.0, 110.0, and 220.0 mol/mol) were tested in batch-flask cultivations. The highest GLA production of 224.0 mg/L (productivity equal to 2.0 mg/L/h) was observed under nitrogen excess conditions, while low nitrogen content promoted lipid accumulation (0.59 g of lipids per g of dry biomass) without yielding more PUFAs and GLA. After improving the C/N ratio at 18.3 mol/mol, even higher PUFA (600 mg/L) and GLA (243 mg/L) production values were recorded. GLA content increased when the fungus was cultivated at 12 °C (15.5% w/w compared to 12.8% w/w at 28 °C), but productivity values decreased significantly due to prolonged cultivation duration. An attempt to improve productivity by increasing the initial spore population did not yield the expected results. The successful scale-up of fungal cultivations is evidenced by achieving consistent results (compared to flask experiments under corresponding conditions) in both laboratory-scale (Working Volume-Vw = 1.8 L; C/N = 18.3 mol/mol) and semi-pilot-scale (Vw = 15.0 L; C/N = 110.0 mol/mol) bioreactor experiments. To the best of our knowledge, cultivation of the fungus Cunninghamella elegans in glycerol-based substrates, especially in 20 L bioreactor experiments, has never been previously reported in the international literature. The successful scale-up of the process in a semi-pilot-scale bioreactor illustrates the potential for industrializing the bioprocess.

Association of plasma arachidonic acid levels with a bipolar disorder and the effects of a FADS gene variant

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genes, which code key enzymes involved in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) desaturation as susceptibility genes for bipolar disorder (BD). Several quantitative changes in PUFAs suggest their involvement in BD pathogenesis. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the relationship between BD and PUFAs by conducting lipidomics covariating with the FADS gene variant (rs174550), which is associated with PUFA levels and BD susceptibility. The concentrations of 23 fatty acids were measured using plasma samples from the BD group (n = 535) and the control group (n = 107). Differences in each PUFA concentration ratio were compared between the two groups. Also, differences in each PUFA concentration ratio were compared for each genotype in rs174550. Our results showed that the BD group had significantly lower concentrations of linoleic acid (LA) (β = −0.36, p = 0.023) and arachidonic acid (AA) (β = −0.18, p = 0.013) than the control group. Concerning the effect of FADS on the PUFA concentration ratio, carriers of C-allele at rs174550 had significantly decreased γ-linolenic acid and AA concentration ratios. A previous GWAS reported that the presence of a C-allele at rs174550 increased the BD risk. This direction is consistent with the lipidomic results of the present study. In conclusion, both the FADS and BD were considered to regulate the AA concentration. Thus, as the FADS gene variant is crucial for conducting lipidomics of BD we believe that the allele frequency of FADS must be analyzed.

In-vitro anti-acne activity of Teucrium oliverianum methanolic extract against Cutibacterium acnes.

Acne vulgaris is a skin infection widely seen in adolescents between 10-19years with males affected more than females. It mainly affects the face but may also affect the back and chest. The symptoms vary with mild acne manifesting as comedones and moderate acne as inflammatory lesions (papulopustular), nodules, and mild scarring while severe acne has the same symptoms that have not subsided within 6months of treatment. Various treatments including topical medications containing different antibiotics are used to treat acne. Recently, herbal treatments have been shown as better alternatives to conventional treatment. Teucrium oliverianum Ging. ex Benth (Lamiaceae) is traditionally used for skin infections such as wound healing and biofilm formation. Methanolic extract of T. oliverianum was subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, and its antibacterial effect against Cutibacterium acnes. The anti-acne, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects were also assessed using HaCaT cells infected with C. acnes. The cytotoxicity of the extract was evaluated using a neutral red uptake assay, and anti-inflammatory effects were determined by measuring TNF-α, IL-1β, INF-γ, and COX2 inhibition. The antioxidant action was assessed by ROS generation in HaCaT cells infected with C. acnes. LC-MS analysis of the extract showed the presence of 16 different metabolites with L-carnitine, esculin sesquihydrate, and gamma-linoleic acid as major metabolites. The methanolic extract of T. oliverianum showed an antibacterial effect against C. acnes with an IC50 value of 263.2μg/mL. The extract attenuated the cytotoxicity of C. acnes on the HaCaT cell and the IC50 was found to be 676.2μg/mL. It also decreased dose-dependently the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, INF-γ, and inhibited COX2 in the HaCaT cells infected with C. acnes. It also decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species. The results support the use of T. oliverianum as an anti-acne agent but it possesses mild antibacterial action. It showed anti-inflammatory effects in HaCaT cells infected with C. acnes. It is also an effective antioxidant and decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species. Comparison of the anti-acne effects and adverse reactions of extract with other treatments will provide more insight into its clinical efficacy and toxicity.

Mycelial mass, microbial lipids and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) by Cunninghamella elegans cultivated on agro-industrial residues

In the current study, the Zygomycetes fungus Cunninghamella elegans NRRL Y-1392 was evaluated for its ability to grow in extracts derived from dried and ground agricultural residues, such as mushroom stalks and roots from hydroponically cultivated lettuces and produce poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) rich lipids. Initially, the compositions of stalks and lettuce roots were analysed, and the fungus was batch-flask cultivated on six different commercial semi-defined substrates containing different sugars detected in stalks and roots to evaluate its catabolic ability. C. elegans was capable to assimilate all sugars, but at a lower rate in the case of arabinose. Subsequently, C. elegans was cultivated on tailor-made semi-defined commercial substrates, resembling hydrolysates containing carbohydrates found in mushroom stalks, under both nitrogen-excess and nitrogen-limited conditions, and resembling that of hydrolysates of roots, under nitrogen-excess conditions. Based on the results, under nitrogen-excess conditions, in the case of media resembling stalks hydrolysates, higher production values for biomass, PUFAs, and GLA were observed (20.3 g/L, 1906 mg/L, 668 mg/L), accompanied by high productivity values due to short cultivation periods, while under nitrogen limitation, high lipid accumulation (lipid in dry cell weight =48%, w/w) was presented, and lipids rich in oleic acid were produced. Finally, the fungus was cultivated on a medium derived from hot water-extraction applied to mushroom stalks, enriched with organic nitrogen sources. The fungus was successfully grown on the sugar-rich water-extract derived from mushroom stalks, resulting in dry biomass of 14.5 g/L, lipids of 1.8 g/L, with 15% (w/w) of GLA in cellular lipids.

The temporal dynamics of the gut mycobiome and its association with cardiometabolic health in a nationwide cohort of 12,641 Chinese adults

The dynamics of the gut mycobiome and its association with cardiometabolic health remain largely unexplored. Here, we employ internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing to capture the gut mycobiome composition and dynamics within a nationwide human cohort of 12,641 Chinese participants, including 1,946 participants with repeated measurements across three years. We find that the gut mycobiome is associated with cardiometabolic diseases and related biomarkers in both cross-sectional and dynamic analyses. Fungal alpha diversity indices and 19 mycobiome genera are the major contributors to the mycobiome-cardiometabolic disease link. Particularly, Saccharomyces emerges as an effect modifier of traditional risk factors in promoting type 2 diabetes risk. Further integration of multi-omics data reveals key metabolites such as γ-linolenic acid and L-valine linking the gut mycobiome to type 2 diabetes. This study advances our understanding of the potential roles of the gut mycobiome in cardiometabolic health.

Change of α - tocopherol, cholesterol, retinol and some fatty acids in pancreatic tissue of uncontrolled diabetic rats supported by resveratrol, lipoic acid and vitamin C

In this study, the effects of resveratrol, lipoic acid and vitamin C on some biochemical changes in the pancreas tissue of rats treated with streptozotocin (STZ) type 1 diabetes were investigated. Resveratrol (R), Lipoic acid (LP), and Vitamin C (VC) were administered intraperitoneally to diabetic -1 rats without insulin. According to our findings, it was observed that the α-Tocopherol amount decreased in diabetes and diabetes + antioxidant groups when compared with the control group (p &lt;0.01). Cholesterol levels did not differ between the groups. Palmitic acid (16: 0), palmitoleic acid (16: 1 n-7) and oleic acid (18: 1 n-9) in fatty acid composition decreased in diabetes and diabetes + antioxidant groups compared to control group. (p &lt;0.05, p &lt;0.01). Stearic acid (18: 0) was higher in diabetic groups than the control group. Linoleic acid (18: 2 n-6), Gamma-linolenic acid (18: 3 n-6), Arachidonic acid (20: 4 n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (22: 6 n-3) were higher in diabetic groups (p &lt;0.05, p &lt;0.01). According to the results obtained, the antioxidant substances applied without insulin were insufficient in the tissues of rats with Type-1 diabetes requiring absolute insulin treatment. Also, the damaging effect of stz on the pancreas is observed when vitamin E levels decrease. Because vitamin E is an antioxidant substance that breaks down especially in the cell membrane and chain reaction in free radical reactions. The decrease in vitamin E levels can be explained by the increase in free radical levels in the tissue.

Microencapsulation and characterization of pomegranate seed oil using gum Arabic and maltodextrin blends for functional food applications.

Pomegranate seed oil (PSO) is highly valued in the functional food industry due to its rich fatty acid content and associated health benefits. However, its high degree of unsaturation makes it susceptible to rapid degradation when exposed to oxygen and light. This study investigates the encapsulation of PSO at 15% w/w using different blends of gum Arabic (GA) and maltodextrin (MD) (1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 3:1, and 1:3) to determine optimal formulations for enhanced stability and functional quality. Characterization of the encapsulated PSO powders showed distinct particle morphologies, including flake-like shapes and textures ranging from smooth to wrinkled and porous. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra indicated shifts in functional groups from 2973.70 to 408.84 cm-1, revealing the presence of aliphatic, amine, aromatic, carboxylic acid, and hydroxyl groups. Although no single formulation achieved all desired outcomes, the GA:MD ratios of 1:0 and 1:1 were superior in enhancing color properties (yellowness and chroma), techno-functional attributes (bulk density and solubility), and in preserving essential fatty acids, including stearic, cis-oleic, α-linolenic, arachidic, γ-linolenic, linoleic, and punicic acids. Additionally, GA:MD (3:1) powders exhibited superior ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities (RSA). In conclusion, formulations using solely GA or GA:MD ratios of 1:1 and 3:1 effectively preserve bioactive content in PSO, enhancing its antioxidant capacity. These findings suggest promising applications for these encapsulated powders in developing functional foods that meet industry demands.

Comparative Metabolome and Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Defense Mechanism of Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) against Plasmodiophora brassicae Infection.

Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) ranks among the most cultivated and consumed vegetables in China. A major threat to its production is Plasmodiophora brassicae, which causes large root tumors, obstructing nutrient and water absorption and resulting in plant withering. This study used a widely targeted metabolome technique to identify resistance-related metabolites in resistant (DH40R) and susceptible (DH199S) Chinese cabbage varieties after inoculation with P. brassicae. This study analyzed disease-related metabolites during different periods, identifying 257 metabolites linked to resistance, enriched in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, and 248 metabolites linked to susceptibility, enriched in the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway. Key metabolites and genes in the phenylpropanoid pathway were upregulated at 5 days post-inoculation (DPI), suggesting their role in disease resistance. In the arachidonic acid pathway, linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid were upregulated at 5 and 22 DPI in resistant plants, while arachidonic acid was upregulated at 22 DPI in susceptible plants, leading to the conclusion that arachidonic acid may be a response substance in susceptible plants after inoculation. Many genes enriched in these pathways were differentially expressed in DH40R and DH199S. The research provided insights into the defense mechanisms of Chinese cabbage against P. brassicae through combined metabolome and transcriptome analysis.

Review Article on Nutritional and Toxicological Aspects of Spirulina (Arthrospira)

A public health concern is undernutrition, especially in underdeveloped nations. It was proposed to use algae, namely spirulina, as a functional meal. Decades ago, because of its high biologic-value protein content and amino acid composition, which make it a dietary source that is both protein-dense and rich in biological value. Spirulina has low amount nucleic acids together with necessary lipids (such gamma-linolenic oleic acids). It is also an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, iron, beta-carotene, and vitamin B12. Its vitamin B12 level is also unusually high. Additionally, because of its organoleptic qualities, which make it a potential food or nutritional supplement, and the fact that it has not shown any acute or long-term toxicities, spirulina has also demonstrated favorable acceptability.

Soil and stone terraces offset the negative impacts of sloping cultivation on soil microbial diversity and functioning by protecting soil carbon

Cultivation of sloping land is a main cause for soil erosion. Conservation practices, such as soil and stone terraces, may reduce the impacts of erosion but their impacts on soil microbial diversity and functioning related to carbon (C) and nutrient metabolisms remain unclear. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of slope gradients (5°, 8°, 15°, 25°) and conservation practices (cultivated, uncultivated, soil terrace, and stone terrace) on bacterial and fungal diversities, metagenomic and metabolomic functioning associated with basic soil properties. Our results showed that steep slopes at 25° significantly decreased soil pH, silt percentage, and bacterial and fungal abundances, but that soil and stone terraces increased soil organic C (SOC), silt and clay contents, and fungal abundance compared to sloping cultivated lands. In addition, soil and stone terraces increased both bacterial and fungal alpha diversities, and relative abundances of Crenarchaeota, Nitrospirota, and Latescibacterota, but reduced the proportions of Actinobacteriota and Patescibacteria, thus shifting microbial beta diversities, which were significantly associated with increased SOC and silt content. For metagenomics, soil and stone terraces greatly increased the relative abundance of functional genes related to Respiration, Virulence, disease and defense, Stress response, and nitrogen and potassium metabolisms, such as Denitrification and Potassium homeostasis. For soil metabolomics, a total of 22 soil metabolites was enriched by soil and stone terraces, such as Lipids and lipid-like molecules (Arachidonic acid, Gamma-Linolenic acid, and Pentadecanoic acid), and Organoheterocyclic compounds (Adenine, Laudanosine, Methylpyrazine, and Nicotinic acid). To sum up, soil and stone terraces could reduce some of the negative impacts of steep slope cultivation on soil microbial diversity as well as their metagenomic and metabolomic functioning related to C and nutrient metabolism useful for soil health improvement, potentially bolstering the impact of sustainable practices in erosion hotspots around the world.

A phylogenetic approach for identifying new sources of economically important fatty acids in plants and algae

Societal Impact StatementNew sources of essential and other nutritionally and/or pharmacologically important fatty acids for human use can be discovered through bioprospecting. Demonstrating how fatty acids in plants and algae are distributed across a phylogeny is a critical first step in this process. Here, new sources of essential omega‐3 fatty acids that are critically important to human health were identified, such as green and Chromista algae, bryophytes and some angiosperm families. The identification of certain taxa that are high in critical fatty acids is important for developing new sources of these healthful compounds.Summary Essential fatty acids (EFA) including long‐chain omega‐3 and omega‐6 EFA are key nutrients that broadly support the health of individuals and the ecosystems they inhabit. Production of these EFA is critical to global nutritional security, and therefore, it is imperative to assess the distribution patterns of FA in plants to bioprospect new resources that do not threaten biodiversity. We used a meta‐analytic approach (phylogenetic signal analysis), which incorporated a wide variety of taxa to map FA profiles including both presence and abundance of specific FA and EFA onto a plant phylogeny including algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms. Our phylogenetic signal analysis revealed that presence/absence of most FA of interest were randomly or ubiquitously distributed, while FA content was significantly clustered in specific clades for most key FA (including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and nervonic acid). Both green and Chromista algae displayed relatively high proportions of EPA and DHA, while green algae contained higher proportional amounts of stearidonic acid (SDA). Further, signal analysis revealed high proportional content of gamma‐linoleic acid (GLA) in bryophytes and some angiosperm families, suggesting potential sources for bioprospecting GLA. This analysis provides a crucial foundation for understanding the influence of phylogenetic relationships in the relative proportions of key FA in plants and algae across a diverse phylogeny. Furthermore, in demonstrating how fatty acids in plants and algae are distributed across a phylogeny, we provide a critical first step in bioprospecting for new sources of essential and other nutritionally‐ and/or pharmacologically important fatty acids for human use.

Multi-omics analysis of the effects of low-temperature storage on chilling injury of bitter gourd

Bitter gourd fruit are susceptible to chilling injury when stored at 4 °C. In this study, bitter gourds were stored at 20 °C to simulate normal ripening and senescence processes, and at 4 °C to induce chilling injury. Transcriptomic, metabolomic, and proteomic analyses were employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of chilling injury development during low-temperature storage. The results showed that low-temperature storage induced the expression of genes related to proline metabolism (delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase-like, ornithine--oxo-acid transaminase, and proline dehydrogenase2, mitochondrial-like), antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase 2, superoxide dismutase, and L-ascorbate peroxidase 6), and membrane lipid metabolism. Additionally, low-temperature storage affected the ICE-CBF-COR pathway (calcium-binding protein CML15 and transcription factor ICE1). Correspondingly, free fatty acids (9,12,13-trihydroxy-10,15-octadecadienoic acid, 9-hydroperoxy-10E,12,15Z-octadecadienoic acid, γ-linolenic acid, α-linolenic acid*) and phospholipid metabolites LysoPC (18:4, 20:3, 19:1) and LysoPE (20:3, 20:3*, 20:2*) also accumulated during storage. Low-temperature storage increased POD and GPX activities. Overall, chilling injury in bitter gourd was associated with the induction of genes involved in proline metabolism, antioxidant activity, membrane lipid metabolism, cold perception mechanisms, and plant hormone signal transduction.

Effect of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Clinical Outcome of Atopic Dermatitis in Children.

The use of omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FA) in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is an area of ongoing research. Some studies suggest that dietary supplementation with omega-3 FA can help manage symptoms of AD by reducing lesion severity, skin inflammation, dryness and itching, while others show no significant beneficial effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of omega-3 FA from fish oil in combination with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) from blackcurrant seed oil in children with AD. This is a longitudinal, prospective, randomized, triple blind, placebo-controlled parallel clinical trial. The study was conducted during the 2-year period throughout autumn, winter, and spring, avoiding the summer when AD usually improves. Children were randomized to receive the active study product (Mega Kid®) containing a specific blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids or placebo. The primary outcomes were changes in severity of AD measured using SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), patient-oriented SCORAD (PO-SCORAD) and the difference in topical corticosteroid (TCS) use. The secondary outcomes were changes in itch intensity, sleep quality and Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI). Data were analyzed for 52 children (26 in the intervention group and 26 in the placebo group). In children receiving the active product, intention-to-treat analysis showed that after 4 months of treatment, there was a significant decrease in the SCORAD index (from median 42 to 25, p < 0.001) and the use of topical corticosteroids (from median 30 to 10 mg/month, p < 0.001), but also significant improvements in itch, sleep quality, and overall quality of life. Omega-3 fatty acids in combination with GLA and vitamin D may decrease symptoms and were associated with an improvement clinical picture of AD in children. Therefore, we can conclude that supplementation with this specific combination could be considered a safe and effective intervention that may significantly reduce the severity of AD in pediatric patients.

Lipid production from corn straw by cellobiohydrolase and delta-6 desaturase engineered Mucor circinelloides strains under solid state fermentation

Previously, we constructed engineered M. circinelloides strains that can not only utilize cellulose, but also increase the yield of γ-linolenic acid (GLA). In the present study, an in-depth analysis of lipid accumulation by engineered M. circinelloides strains using corn straw was to be explored. When a two-stage temperature control strategy was adopted with adding 1.5% cellulase and 15% inoculum, the engineered strains led to increases in the lipid yield (up to 1.56 g per 100 g dry medium) and GLA yield (up to 274 mg per 100 g dry medium) of 1.8- and 2.3-fold, respectively, compared with the control strain. This study proved the engineered M. circinelloides strains, especially for Mc-C2PD6, possess advantages in using corn straw to produce GLA. This work provided a reference for transformation from agricultural cellulosic waste to functional lipid in one step, which might play a positive role in promoting the sustainable development of biological industry.