High Linoleic Acid Content Research Articles

Chemical composition and fatty acid profile of a seedpropagated elephant grass genotype, ensiled at different regrowth ages

This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and fatty acid (FA) profile of forage and silage of a seed-propagated elephant grass genotype called “PCEA” harvested at 75, 90, 105 and 120 days of regrowth. A randomized block design with five replications was used. The results were analyzed by mixed models (P < 0.05) that included treatment (regrowth age) as a fixed effect and block as a random effect. Linear and quadratic effects of the treatments were analyzed using orthogonal contrasts. There was linear increase on total dry matter (DM) forage production and linear decrease on leaf:stem ratio as a function of the increase in regrowth age (P < 0.05). In response to the advance of regrowth age, “PCEA” forage and silage showed linear decreases on crude protein (CP) content (g kg-1 DM) and in vitro DM digestibility (g kg-1); and linear increases on DM (g kg-1), lignin (g kg-1 DM), and acid detergent insoluble protein (%CP) contents (P < 0.05). All “PCEA” silages had DM content < 200 g kg-1, pH > 4.0, and ammonia N content > 10% total N. In response to the advance of regrowth age, linear decreases (P < 0.05) were observed on forage and silage linoleic, α-linolenic, and total FA contents (g kg-1 DM). From 75 to 120 days of regrowth, the seed-propagated elephant grass genotype “PCEA” presents forage and silage with low nutritional quality for feeding dairy cattle, moderate to high linoleic acid contents, and moderate to low α-linolenic acid contents. The “PCEA” forage and silage obtained from 75 to 120 days of regrowth presents low potential for production of milk naturally enriched with bioactive FAs beneficial to human health.

Functional and emulsification characteristics of phospholipids and derived o/w emulsions from peony seed meal

Peony seed phospholipids (PPLs), a kind of multifunctional plant-like phospholipids were extracted from peony seed meal. We investigated the functional properties of PPLs and compared their emulsification performance in corn oil-peony seed oil o/w emulsion systems with that of soy lecithin (DPLs). The PPLs were characterized with the higher content of phosphatidylcholine (PC) (416 ± 28 mg/g) and lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) (43 ± 14 mg/g) fractions, and lower content of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (71 ± 13 mg/g). The polyunsaturated fatty acids showed higher content (83.25%), with the highest content of linoleic acid (46.05%) in PPLs. PPLs-emulsions showed smaller average particle size and higher loaded peony seed oil content at pH 5, temperature 50 °C, and about 60% corn oil content. PPLs-emulsions imparted better hydroxyl radical scavenging efficiency and reducing power than DPLs. Our results suggest that PPLs can be used as emulsifiers with improved antioxidant properties.

Growth Parameters of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. Fr.) Kumm Cultivation Using Paddy Straw as a Substrate

Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. Fr.) Kumm are large, oyster-shell shaped edible mushroom which can be easily identified by their grey white, oyster shell shaped cap which is attached to a thick, firm stalk. They are nutritionally rich contain good amount of vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin and cobalamin. They have high oleic acid and linoleic acid content. They also contain lovastatin and pleuran. Hence, oyster mushroom exhibit anti-atherosclerotic, hypo-glycemic, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and immuno-modulatory properties. P. ostreatus (Jacq. Fr.) Kumm is one of the commonly sought wild mushrooms and paddy straw is mainly used as a substrate for its cultivation. Mycelial growth is a preliminary step that creates suitable internal conditions for fruiting. Thus, out-standing growth of mycelium is a vital factor in mushroom cultivation. In the present study, P. ostreatus (Jacq. Fr.) Kumm cultivation was carried out using paddy straw as a substrate. Spawning was done in layers in polythene bags (24 ×16 inch). All the 10 spawned bags were arranged in a dark cropping room on raised platform for mycelium colonization of substrate. Suitable temperature (~28°C) and relative humidity (~80%) were maintained during incubation. Harvesting of mushrooms was carried out before the margin starts folding inwards. Observations such as days for spawn run, days for pinhead formation and first harvest, number of primordia, total weight and total yield of mushroom were measured in the study. It took 23.50 ± 1.27 days for spawn run and 27-31 days for pinhead. First harvest of fruiting bodies was done after the ~4th day of the pinhead formation. Total 224 primordia were noted up to the day of the first harvest from ten bags. The fruiting bodies were harvested into three flushes and total yield after 38 days of incubation was ~4.48 kg.

The oxidative and thermal stability of optimal synergistic mixture of sesame and grapeseed oils as affected by frying process.

In spite of grapeseed oil high contents of linoleic acid, its oxidative stability is relatively low, and mixing with more stable oils such as sesame oil can be a good way to improve the oxidative stability of this oil. The aim of this study was to increase the oil oxidative stability by producing an optimum formulation due to the combination of grapeseed and sesame oil. For this purpose, some of the qualitative properties of the optimum formulation were investigated during frying process. For finding the best formulation, the quantities of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of sesame oil were blended with 100, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 0% of grapeseed oil. The results show that the highest percentage of fatty acid in various samples (sesame oil, grapeseed oil, and mixed formulations) is related to the linoleic acid, followed by oleic, palmitic, and stearic acid. In conclusion the addition of sesame oil to grapeseed oil increased the number of phenolic compounds, antioxidant strength, and oxidative stability of the mixed oil samples. Considering the price of the product and the importance of the nutritional quality and stability of the oil, combining 75% sesame oil and 25% grapeseed oil has the best nutritional quality and lower cost than pure sesame oil formula. After frying process, comparison of sesame and grapeseed oil different factors with national Iranian standard limits showed that the parameters of acid number and peroxide value were more than Iran’s national standard, but the content of polar compounds was within the permissible content. Finally, the mixture of sesame and grapeseed oil is not suitable for long‐term heating and frying.

Brine and Post-Frying Oil Management in the Fish Processing Industry—A Concept Based on Oleaginous Yeast Culture

Waste management solutions including the valorization of waste materials in biotechnological processes is an important issue needing to be explored. A significant amount of waste is being generated by the food industry. In this study, an attempt was made to utilize two fish industry wastes simultaneously—waste brine and post-frying oil from frying fish fillets in Yarrowia lipolytica culture with high single cell oil synthesis yield. Oxygenation in the culture medium had a positive effect on the biosynthesis efficiency of microbial oil, resulting in the highest content of lipids in yeast cells at the level of 0.431 g/g d.m (dry mass). Y. lipolytica yeast preferentially accumulated oleic acid and linoleic acid, and the high content of linolenic acid, valuable from a nutritional point of view, was also found in microbial oil. This study proved that the use of post-frying rapeseed oil gives a chance to obtain valuable storage lipids in Y. lipolytica yeast cells via ex novo biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, the wastewater stream could be limited using a waste brine as a solvent in medium preparation, but the brine share should not exceed 30% so as not to inhibit yeast cell growth.

Associations of Maternal Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids With Telomere Length in the Cord Blood and Placenta in Chinese Population.

Few studies have investigated the correlation between maternal polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and telomeres in offspring, and the underlying influential mechanisms. In this study, we assessed the associations of maternal PUFAs with telomere length (TL) and DNA methylation of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter in the cord blood and the placenta. A total of 274 pregnant women and their newborn babies were enrolled in this study. Maternal blood before delivery, the cord blood, and the placenta at birth were collected. Fatty acids in maternal erythrocytes and cord blood cells were measured by gas chromatography (GC). TL in the cord blood and the placenta was determined using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) by calculating the product ratio of telomeric DNA to the single-copy gene β-globin. The TERT promoter methylation was analyzed by DNA bisulfite sequencing. The associations of maternal fatty acids with TL were analyzed by univariate and multivariate regression. We found that low concentrations of docosapentaenoci acid (DPA, C22: 5n-3) and total n-3 PUFAs, adrenic acid (ADA, C22: 4n-6), and osbond acid (OA, C22: 5n-6) and high concentrations of linoleic acid (LA, C18: 2n-6) in maternal erythrocytes were associated with the shortened TL in cord blood cells (estimated difference in univariate analysis −0.36 to −0.46 for extreme quintile compared with middle quintile), and that low concentrations of cord blood docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22: 6n-3) were related to the shortened TL in cord blood cells. Differently, high concentrations of α-linolenic acid (LNA, C18: 3n-3), eicosatrienoic acid (EA, C20: 3n-3), DHA, and γ-linoleic acid (GLA, C18:3n-6) in maternal erythrocytes were associated with the shortened TL in the placenta (estimated difference in univariate analysis −0.36 to −0.45 for higher quintiles compared with the middle quintile). Further examination demonstrated that the concentrations of DHA and total n-3 PUFAs in maternal erythrocytes had positive associations with DNA methylation of the TERT promoter in the cord blood instead of the placenta. These data suggest that maternal PUFAs are closely correlated to infant TL and the TERT promoter methylation, which are differently affected by maternal n-3 PUFAs between the cord blood and the placenta. Therefore, keeping higher levels of maternal n-3 PUFAs during pregnancy may help to maintain TL in the offspring, which is beneficial to long-term health.

Variability of Essential and Nonessential Fatty Acids of Irish Rapeseed Oils as an Indicator of Nutritional Quality.

The low saturated fatty acid content of rapeseed oil has resulted in it being classed as one of the most health-benefiting culinary oils. This study determines whether Irish rapeseed oils contain identical fatty acid profiles or whether distinct profiles exist between producers and producers' successive oil batches. The fatty acid content of Irish rapeseed oils was determined in terms of the desirable MUFA and PUFA and saturated content of these oils. The fatty acid composition demonstrated significant differences in individual unsaturated fatty acid content, while total saturation had insignificant differences. Saturated fatty acid content ranged from 6.10 to 15.8%, while unsaturated fatty acids ranged from 84.20 to 90.10%. Moreover, individual fatty acid content exhibited significant differences (p < 0.05). Oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), and stearic acid (C18:0) contents were considered significantly different from other fatty acids detected. The third successive batch from each producer exhibited lower oleic acid content, and the third batch contained higher linoleic acid content, at the same time maintaining a desirable unsaturated fatty acid composition. Studies suggest that differences in the fatty acid composition may be due to cultivation practices such as climate, soil composition, sowing and harvesting, processing techniques, and oxidation reactions.

Function Identification of Bovine ACSF3 Gene and Its Association With Lipid Metabolism Traits in Beef Cattle.

Acyl-CoA synthetase family member 3 (ACSF3) carries out the first step of mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis II, which is the linkage of malonate and, to a lesser extent, methylmalonate onto CoA. Malonyl-coenzyme A (malonyl-CoA) is a central metabolite in mammalian fatty acid biochemistry that is generated and utilized in the cytoplasm. In this research, we verified the relationship between expression of the ACSF3 and the production of triglycerides (TGs) at the cellular level by silencing and over-expressing ACSF3. Subsequently, through Sanger sequencing, five polymorphisms were found in the functional domain of the bovine ACSF3, and the relationship between ACSF3 polymorphism and the economic traits and fatty acid composition of Chinese Simmental cattle was analyzed by a means of variance analysis and multiple comparison. The results illustrated that the expression of ACSF3 promoted triglyceride synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells and bovine fetal fibroblast cells. Further association analysis also indicated that individuals with the AG genotype (g.14211090 G > A) of ACSF3 were significantly associated with the fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat (higher content of linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid), and that CTCAG haplotype individuals were significantly related to the fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat (higher linoleic acid content). Individuals with the AA genotypes of g.14211055 A > G and g.14211090 G > A were substantially associated with a larger eye muscle area in the Chinese Simmental cattle population. ACSF3 played a pivotal role in the regulation of cellular triacylglycerol and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, and polymorphism could serve as a useful molecular marker for future marker-assisted selection in the breeding of intramuscular fat deposition traits in beef cattle.

Influence of the particle size of encapsulated chia oil on the oil release and bioaccessibility during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion.

Among vegetable oils, chia oil has been gaining interest in recent years due to its high linolenic acid content (ALA, 18:3 ω3). The aim of this work was to study the influence of the particle size of encapsulated purified chia oil (PCO) on the encapsulation efficiency and PCO release during in vitro digestion. PCO micro- and nano-sized particles with sodium alginate (SA) as an encapsulating agent (ME-PCO-SA and NE-PCO-SA) were designed by micro and nano spray-drying, respectively, applying a central composite plus star point experimental design. NE-PCO-SA showed a smaller particle size and higher encapsulation efficiency of PCO than ME-PCO-SA (0.16 μm vs. 3.5 μm; 98.1% vs. 92.0%). Emulsions (NE-PCO and ME-PCO) and particles (NE-PCO-SA and ME-PCO-SA) were subjected to in vitro static gastrointestinal digestion. ME-PCO and NE-PCO showed sustained oil release throughout the three phases of digestion (oral, gastric and intestinal phases), whereas the PCO release from ME-PCO-SA and NE-PCO-SA occurred mainly in the intestinal phase, showing the suitability of sodium alginate as an intestine-site release polymer. Nano-sized particles showed a significantly higher PCO release after in vitro digestion (NE-PCO-SA, 78.4%) than micro-sized particles (ME-PCO-SA, 69.8%), and also higher bioaccessibility of individual free fatty acids, such as C18:3 ω-3 (NE-PCO-SA, 23.6%; ME-PCO-SA, 7.9%), due to their greater surface area. However, when ME-PCO-SA and NE-PCO-SA were incorporated into yogurt, the PCO release from both particle systems after the digestion of the matrix was similar (NE-PCO-SA, 58.8%; ME-PCO-SA-Y, 61.8%), possibly because the calcium ions contained in the yogurt induced partial ionic gelation of SA, impairing the PCO release. Sodium alginate spray-dried micro and nanoparticles showed great potential for vehiculation of omega-3 rich oils in the design of functional foods.

Subprodutos agroindustriais de caroço de algodão e soja utilizados na dieta de bovinos confinados: efeitos no perfil de ácidos graxos e parâmetros de qualidade da carne bovina

ABSTRACT Beef composition are directly influenced by the dietary fat, particularly in ruminants, due to rumen biohydrogenation, which promotes alterations in the dietary fatty acid (FA) profile and affects the meat quality. Beef sensorial, chemical, and FA compositions of intramuscular and subcutaneous fat were evaluated, from 40 Nellore males finished on feedlot diet based, containing cottonseed (CSB) and soybean by-product (SOB) as agro-industrial by-product fat sources. CSB as a fat source, did not alter the beef pH, shear force, chemical composition, or subcutaneous FA profile compared with the SOB diet. Differences were observed at yellow and red beef color, with low and high CSB diet inclusion; on the contrary, inclusion of SOB in the diet led to an intensely unpleasant aroma in aged and cooked meats. Regarding beef FA profile, CSB with 3% dietary fat produced steaks with a lower proportion of C 17:0 , having 1.359 and 3.238 g/100 g of intramuscular FA, whereas CSB with 5% dietary fat led to an increase in C 18:2 n -6 , with 0.298 and 0.132 g/100 g of intramuscular FA in steaks from animals fed with CSB and SOB, respectively. CSB produced more intense red beef color, unpleasant aroma, and higher linoleic acid content; however, the color and aroma of the meat produced from cattle fed with CSB in the diet were less intense and were like those observed in cattle fed with SOB; these could therefore be recommended for use as agro-industrial by-products in beef cattle diet.

Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Candidate Genes Related to the Linoleic Acid Content in Soybean Seeds.

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) oil is a complex mixture of five fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic). The high content of linoleic acid (LA) contributes to the oil having poor oxidative stability. Therefore, soybean seed with a lower LA content is desirable. To investigate the genetic architecture of LA, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 510 soybean cultivars collected from China. The phenotypic identification results showed that the content of LA varied from 36.22% to 72.18%. The GWAS analysis showed that there were 37 genes related to oleic acid content, with a contribution rate of 7%. The candidate gene Glyma.04G116500.1 (GmWRI14) on chromosome 4 was detected in three consecutive years. The GmWRI14 showed a negative correlation with the LA content and the correlation coefficient was −0.912. To test whether GmWRI14 can lead to a lower LA content in soybean, we introduced GmWRI14 into the soybean genome. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF IMS) showed that the overexpression of GmWRI14 leads to a lower LA content in soybean seeds. Meanwhile, RNA-seq verified that GmWRI14-overexpressed soybean lines showed a lower accumulation of GmFAD2-1A and GmFAD2-1B than control lines. Our results indicate that the down-regulation of the FAD2 gene triggered by the transcription factor GmWRI14 is the underlying mechanism reducing the LA level of seed. Our results provide novel insights into the genetic architecture of LA and pinpoint potential candidate genes for further in-depth studies.

Prospects of using amaranth Amaranthus caudatus L. as an oil culture in southern Ukraine

Prospects of using amaranth Amaranthus caudatus L. as an oil culture in southern Ukraine

Variation and genetic analysis of fatty acid composition in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an important source of oil rich in omega–3 fatty acids (especially α-linolenic acid accounting for > 50%), which is proven to have health benefits and utilized as an industrial raw material. α-Linolenic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that readily undergoes oxidative transformation. Autoxidation of α-linolenic acid is the principal process contributing to the development of off-flavors, loss of color, and alteration in the nutritional value of linseed oil. However, there is huge a demand on the market for oils having different compositions of fatty acids, including the linseed oil characterized by improved stability. For this purpose, a complete diallel cross was performed in this study using six flax genotypes varying in the fatty acid content to estimate the genetic parameters. The analysis of variances carried out for the studied traits (content of oleic, linoleic and α-linolenic acid) indicated large differences among the genotypes. Variances due to GCA were much higher in magnitude than those related to SCA for the content of linoleic and α-linolenic acid, which indicated the superiority of additive gene effects in determining the inheritance of these traits. The nonadditive gene action played an important role for oleic acid content, since the magnitude of SCA effect was almost two times higher than GCA effect. The parental lines of linola (Linola KLA and Linola KLB) exhibited the highest concentration of favorable alleles for the two traits (high content of linoleic acid and low content of α-linolenic acid) and were thus found suitable for a continuous improvement program. On the basis of the SCA effect, five cross combinations, were found to be promising F1 hybrids for use as a source population for further selection, in order to achieve fatty acid changes in linseed. These combinations allow selecting varieties with 1:1 and 2:1 ratio of omega–6:omega–3 fatty acids for producing oil with an extended shelf life for food products.

Crystal network structure and stability of beeswax-based oleogels with different polyunsaturated fatty acid oils

The effect of different types of oils including camellia oil (CLO), sunflower oil (SFO), corn oil (CO) and linseed oil (LO) on the formation, crystal network structure and mechanical properties of 4%wt beeswax (BW) in oleogel was investigated. BW oleogels containing oils with higher contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids gelled first (1%wt), especially LO with higher contents of linolenic acid rather than CLO with higher contents of monounsaturated fatty acids. In comparison, oils with higher polyunsaturated fatty acid contents exhibited higher Db with more extensive microstructure at different cooling rates, which was related to shorter nucleation induction time of crystal and higher crystallinity. Stronger van der Waals forces were observed in oleogels with higher polyunsaturated fatty acid contents especially for LO oleogel. Rheology also showed that LO oleogel with higher content of linolenic acid had higher crystallinity and lower crystal melting interfacial tension, resulting in the formation of a more stable network structure.

Plasma antioxidants and phospholipids and brain imaging biomarkers among non‐demented older adults

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have linked dietary fatty acids and antioxidants to dementia risk and cognitive decline. The relationships of objective markers of fatty acid and antioxidant intakes with brain imaging biomarkers remain uncertain.MethodWe assessed the associations of antioxidants and phospholipids in plasma, collected in 2000‐2002, with brain amyloid‐ß deposition on PET scans and hippocampal and white matter lesion volume on MRIs in 2009 among 193 participants of the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study who were free of clinical dementia. We used multivariable‐adjusted and inverse‐probability‐weighted robust linear regression models. We measured antioxidants by organic phase extraction followed by chromatographic analysis and individual plasma phospholipids (as a percentage of total plasma phospholipid fatty acids) by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection.ResultA total of 20 participants (10%) had mild cognitive impairment at baseline and 134 participants (69%) used either multivitamin, vitamin A or β‐carotene, or vitamin E supplements (Table 1). Higher plasma retinol,α‐tocopherol, and total vitamin E were related to higher future amyloid‐ß deposition (Table 2). Higher α‐tocopherol and total vitamin E were also related to less white matter lesion volume. Carotenoids were not significantly related to any of the brain imaging biomarkers.Higher concentrations of the saturated fatty acid margaric acid (17:0) were associated with more amyloid‐ß deposition (adjusted difference per 1 SD higher margaric acid: 0.10 standardized uptake value ratio; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.19) and smaller hippocampal volume (Table 3). In contrast, higher concentrations of the saturated fatty acid behenic acid (22:0) were associated with less white matter lesion volume. Higher oleic acid (18:1n‐9c, a major monounsaturated fatty acid), was related to more hippocampal volume. Higher concentrations of the n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3c) were associated with more amyloid‐ß deposition, while higher concentrations of linoleic acid (18:2n‐6cc; a major n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid) were associated with less amyloid‐ß deposition (adjusted difference per 1 SD higher linoleic acid: ‐0.10 standardized uptake value ratio; 95% CI:‐0.19, ‐0.01).ConclusionSpecific antioxidants and phospholipids may be associated with brain imaging biomarkers, a hypothesis that requires formal testing in long‐term intervention studies and that represents a possible preventive intervention,

Evaluation of quality and yield indicators of seeds of widespread varieties of milk thistle in Ukraine

In the conditions of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine field researches of four recognized in Ukraine varieties of milk thistle (Boykivchanka, Poltavka, Medea, Sirius) were carried out. It was established that the seed yield indicators of the studied varieties ranged from 9.3 c/ha to 15.9 c/ha. The maximum yield was characterized by the variety Medea, which forms an average of 5 productive baskets per plant with an average of 2 g of seeds from the basket. According to the results of laboratory studies, it was found that the content of silymarin in the seeds (2.9–4.2%) varieties meet the current regulatory quality requirements with a significant predominance. The analysis of fatty acid composition of oil varieties indicates a high content of linoleic acid — 58.78–62.39% of the amount of fatty acids, which is evidence of high quality oil of all studied varieties of milk thistle.

In vitro gas production and fatty acids biohydrogenation of diets containing different unsaturated fatty acids sources plus crude glycerin

An in vitro trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) sources plus crude glycerin (CGL) on gas production and rumen biohydrogenation (RBH). Incubated diet corresponded to diets containing corn silage (30%) and concentrate (70%) composed of corn, urea, mineral salts, CGL, and different UFA sources as follows: no additional fat (NAF), rumen protected fat (RPF), soybean oil, linoleic acid (LA) or alpha-linolenic acid (LN). Methane concentrations in LA and LN were lower compared to NAF (p < 0.001), but when CH4 was expressed as a proportion of total gas, NAF and RPF showed the greatest values among evaluated UFA sources (p = 0.001). 18:1 t11 concentration showed a faster increase from 0 to 1 h and a slower decrease from 1 to 36 h of incubation, irrespective of UFA source. A higher C18:1 t11 production rate was observed from 1 h to 5 h of incubation, where LA and LN have higher values compared to NAF and RPF diets (p < 0.001). Diets with a high content of LA may be efficient as a nutritional approach to reduce methane production and RBH, resulting in positive effects on vaccenic acid concentrations.

Effect of Sulphur Levels on Growth, Yield Parameters, Yield, Nutrient Uptake, Quality and Economics of Sunflower: A Review

Sunflower is an important crop cultivated all over world owing to its versatile nature of adaptation to different agro-climatic and soil conditions. In India sunflower gains momentum as an edible oil and ranks fourth substantially by reducing the shortage of vegetable oil. Nutritionally sunflower oil benefits human due to presence of high linoleic acid content and absence of linolenic acid content. The productivity is lower due to different factors among which nutrient management especially sulphur that plays pivot role in governing the growth, yield and quality of sunflower. Sulphur contains aminoacids viz., cystein, methionine, cystine, vitamins B, biotin and thiamine. The protolytic enzymes aids in improving the oil content, protein content and quality of seeds by sulphur supplement. Extensive investigations of research scientist on sulphur levels were critically reviewed. Application of sulphur at 40 to 60 kg ha-1 was found to increase the growth and yield attributes, yield, quality as well as higher benefit cost ratio sustaining the livelihood of sunflower growers.

Cardoon biolubricant through double transesterification: Assessment of its oxidative, thermal and storage stability

Biolubricants could be a suitable replacement for industrial lubricants, due to their good performance and environmental-friendly quality, showing better flash and combustion points. However, depending on the raw material, the quality of biolubricants can vary, especially concerning oxidative and storage stability. The aim of this research work was to assess the stability of cardoon biolubricant, paying attention to oxidation and thermal and storage stability (by using the Rancimat method, thermogravimetry and viscosity during storage, respectively). The high linoleic acid content in cardoon oil (exceeding 25 %) could influence the low oxidative stability of cardoon biolubricant (3 h), implying changes in quality parameters during storage (viscosity increased above 15 % and viscosity index decreased about 23 %). Thus, the use of antioxidants is advisable to keep its properties over time.

Kernel Nutrient Composition and Antioxidant Ability of Corylus spp. in China.

Hazelnut (Corylus) is an important woody oil tree species in economic forests. China, as one of the original countries of native Corylus species, had 8 species and 2 varieties. However, little information is available on the hazelnut nutritional quality of these Chinese Corylus species. In this study, four main wild Corylus species (C. heterophylla Fisch., C. mandshurica Maxim., C. kweichowensis Hu., and C. yunnanensis Franch.) originating in China and one main cultivar of hybrid hazelnut (Corylus heterophylla Fisch. × C. avellana L.) cv. ‘Dawei’ from China were used to analyze the basic nutritional composition (content of oil, fatty acid, protein, saccharide, aminao acid, vitamin C, tocopherol, total phenols, and total flavonoids) and antioxidant ability. The results showed that oil content ranged from 52.97 to 60.88 g/100 g DW and highly unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content was over 91%. Oleic was the most dominant UFA in these hazelnut kernels, and the relative content was ranging from 71.32 to 85.19%. Compared with other four hazelnut kernels, C. heterophylla Fisch. was the lowest oil content of hazelnut with lower oleic acid content and higher linoleic acid content, obviously. The total protein content ranged from 13.15 to 18.35 g/100 g DW, and all amino acids were detected as hydrate amino acids, but Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, was not detected as free amino acid in these hazelnut kernels. Kernel of C. heterophylla Fisch. was with the highest content of protein and amino acid. Saccharose was the most essential and abundant disaccharide in the hazelnut kernels. C. mandshurica Maxim. was the highest saccharide content among these hazelnut kernels. α-tocopherol was the main type of tocopherol found in the hazelnut kernels. Wild hazelnut kernels generally had higher bioactivity substance content (vitamin C, total tocopherol, total phenol and total flavonoid) and antioxidant capacity. Compared to the four wild hazelnut kernels, the hybrid hazelnut cv. ‘Dawei’ had higher content of oil, oleic acid, α-tocopherol and sugar. Overall, there were great differences in the nutritional composition of different hazelnut species. Wild species are a good source of breeding materials because of their own characteristics in nutrition composition, and the hybrid hazelnut cv. ‘Dawei’ with good quality has the value of commercial promotion.