High Fatty Acid Research Articles

Protein preparations from rapse processing waste: A review of the current status and development prospects of existing technologies

The demand for protein products is increasing due to the demographic growth of the world’s population. As an alternative to traditional sources of protein, waste from plant raw material processing is becoming increasingly popular. An important place in the global economy is occupied by oilseeds, in particular rapeseed, which production volumes are increasing in the Russian Federation every year. Rapeseed (Brassicaceae napus) is of great interest due to its high oil content (39.80–46.00%) and rich fatty acid composition, while cake and meal formed in the process of oil production are characterized by a significant content of crude protein (35.00–45.00%) and crude fiber (8.20–17.50%); however, they are used mainly as a feed additive. Recent studies on the processing of rapeseed waste indicate the value of this raw material as a source of dietary protein, which has a balanced amino acid profile and a high degree of digestibility (up to 85%). To obtain protein, rapeseed processing is envisaged: cleaning, grinding, cold pressing at a temperature of ≤ 40 °C, fat extraction with a solvent. At the next stages, the protein is extracted with 0.1–0.5 M NaCl at pH 5.3–12.0 and a temperature of 5–30 °C for 1 hour. The extracted protein is precipitated at the isoelectric point (pH 4.0) with HCl, separated from the mixture and neutralized. The result is a protein isolate with a protein content of 90.0–98.7%. It is possible to increase the quality and yield of the protein product due to the additional stage of processing the defatted cake with cellulolytic enzyme preparations. In this case, additional studies are required to determine the substrate specificity of commercial cellulase enzyme preparations and the optimal hydrolysis conditions. The parameters of extraction and precipitation of the protein in the case of using the stage of enzymatic lysis should also be specified.

Policy interventions, market, and trade considerations with special reference to rapeseed and mustard

Rapeseed and mustard oil is one of the most consumed edible oils in India due to pungency and colour. India needs nearly 15-20 million tonnes of rapeseed and mustard seed to meet its growing demand as against current production of 9-10 million tonnes of seeds. As per WHO standards, mustard oil with low saturated fatty acid content and high mono unsaturated fatty acid content is a healthy oil and therefore needs special importance in domestic edible oil basket. Currently (2022-23), Government of India (GOI) is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) - (Oilseeds & Oil palm) for increasing oilseeds production and area expansion under oil palm. The NFSM (OS&OP) will be dropped and two new Scheme National Mission on Edible oils (NMEO)-Oilseeds and NMEO-Oil Palm will be implemented with the aim to enhance the edible oilseeds production and oils availabilityin the countrybyharnessing oilseeds and palmoil productivityand to reduce import burden on edible oils. Besides, NMEO-OS the private participation in technology demonstration, input supply, procurement of produce, value addition, infrastructure development and honey production are very much essential to increase edible oils production.

Co-digestion of mushroom compost with switchgrass using solid-state anaerobic digester

Spent mushroom compost (SMC) already broken down into smaller particles by fungal action is an ideal material for producing biogas. Two cycles of five solid-state anaerobic digesters (SS-ADs) with different mix-ratio of SMC and switchgrass (SG) were operated at feedstock-to-effluent ratio of 2 at a temperature 35 ± 2°C. The total solids concentration of the digester was kept at ∼17%. Initial biogas production observed during the start-up of the digester confirmed the presence of readily available extractives for digestion. In the first cycle, the highest methane yield was observed in SMC 0 (0% SMC + 100% SG) of 28.82 l/kg VS/d and the lowest yield was observed in SMC 4 (100% SMC + 0% SG) as 10.32 l/kg VS/d. The substrate containing 100% SG (SMC 0) recorded the highest cumulative biogas yield of 295.43 l/kg VS in 63 days. The digesters with higher SMC fraction showed lower methane production, low pH value and high volatile fatty acids content upon decomposition. The SS-ADs having SMC/SG of 50 : 50 showed more than 2 times methane production in comparison with SS-ADs having SMC as sole substrate. An estimation of volumetric productivity also established a linear relationship with the SMC/SG ratio.

Regulation of cholesterol metabolism during high fatty acid–induced lipid deposition in calf hepatocytes

Cholesterol in the circulation is partly driven by changes in feed intake, but aspects of cholesterol metabolism during development of fatty liver are not well known. The objective of this study was to investigate mechanisms of cholesterol metabolism in calf hepatocytes challenged with high concentrations of fatty acids (FA). To address mechanistic insights regarding cholesterol metabolism, liver samples were collected from healthy control dairy cows (n = 6; 7-13 d in milk) and cows with fatty liver (n = 6; 7-11 d in milk). In vitro, hepatocytes isolated from 3 healthy female calves (1 d old) were challenged with or without a mix of 1.2 mM FA to induce metabolic stress. In addition, hepatocytes were processed with 10 µmol/L of the cholesterol synthesis inhibitor simvastatin or 6 µmol/L of the cholesterol intracellular transport inhibitor U18666A with or without the 1.2 mM FA mix. To evaluate the role of cholesterol addition, hepatocytes were treated with 0.147 mg/mL methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD + FA) or 0.147 mg/mL MβCD with or without 10 and 100 µmol/L cholesterol before incubation with FA (CHO10 + FA and CHO100 + FA). In vivo data from liver biopsies were analyzed by 2-tailed unpaired Student's t-test. Data from in vitro calf hepatocytes were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Compared with healthy cows, blood plasma total cholesterol and plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol content in cows with fatty liver was markedly lower, whereas the hepatic total cholesterol content did not differ. In contrast, compared with healthy controls, the triacylglycerol content in the liver and the content of FA, β-hydroxybutyrate, and aspartate aminotransferase in the plasma of cows with fatty liver were greater. The results revealed that both fatty liver in vivo and challenge of calf hepatocytes with 1.2 mM FA in vitro led to greater mRNA and protein abundance of sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1) and fatty acid synthase (FASN). In contrast, mRNA and protein abundance of sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 2 (SREBF2), acyl coenzyme A-cholesterol acyltransferase, and ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) were lower. Compared with the FA group, the cholesterol synthesis inhibitor simvastatin led to greater protein abundance of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein and mRNA abundance of SREBF2, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), ACAT2, and lower ABCA1 and FASN protein abundance. In contrast, compared with the FA group, the cholesterol intracellular transport inhibitor U18666A + FA led to greater total cholesterol concentration and greater protein and mRNA abundance of FASN. Compared with the MβCD + FA group, the addition of 10 µmol/L cholesterol led to greater concentration of cholesteryl ester and excretion of apolipoprotein B100, and greater protein and mRNA abundance of ABCA1 and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, and lower concentration of malondialdehyde. Overall, a reduction in cholesterol synthesis promoted FA metabolism in hepatocytes likely to relieve the oxidative stress caused by the high FA load. The data suggest that maintenance of normal cholesterol synthesis promotes very low-density lipoprotein excretion and can reduce lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in dairy cows that experience fatty liver.

Association between dietary fatty acid patterns and obesity indices in Jordanian adults: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe ratios of fatty acids in different diets and their connection to chronic diseases including obesity and CVD have been researched. The current study set out to detect the dietary fatty acid patterns among Jordanian adults and their relationships with obesity indices. MethodsThe data of 1096 adults were extracted from a household food consumption patterns survey study. Food intake was analyzed, and fatty acid patterns were determined. After anthropometric measurements, obesity indices were calculated. ResultsTwo fatty acid patterns were determined (High fatty acids from Protein and Olive Oil sources pattern, and the low Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) pattern), explaining an overall variance of 41.78% and 24.31%, respectively. A significant difference in obesity scores through fatty acids pattern quartiles was only seen among female participants. Q4 of the “High fatty acids from Protein and Olive Oil sources” pattern had a significantly higher means of body mass index (25.12 ± 0.46; p = 0.015), waist-to-height-ratio (0.51 ± 0.01; p = 0.002), weight-adjusted waist index (10.13 ± 0.09; p = 0.021) and body roundness index (3.61 ± 0.15; p = 0.007) compared to Q1, while Q4 of “Low EPA and DHA” pattern had significantly higher means of waist circumference (WC) (86.28 ± 1.34) and a body shape index (ABSI) (10.12 ± 0.30) in comparison to Q1 (WC = 81.55 ± 1.08 and ABSI = 9.07 ± 0.22; p = 0.025, 0.013; respectively). In females, there was a significant association between the “High fatty acids from Protein and Olive Oil sources” pattern and all the obesity indices. ConclusionOur results suggest that an increase in the high fatty acids from Protein and Olive Oil sources pattern is associated with a reduction in obesity indices, which is opposite to the low EPA and DHA pattern. This was a sex-specific association.

The effect of enzymatic interesterification on the high oleic-high stearic sunflower oil fractionation and the physico-chemical properties of stearins

Oil fractionation processes typically involve the crystallization of the most saturated triacylglycerols to facilitate the separation of the liquid phase. However, the fractionation of new high stearic oils derived from sunflower (HOHS) is not as efficient as that of tropical fats. In the present work we studied the effect of enzymatic inter esterification (EIE) on the HOHS sunflower oil fractionation. EIE altered the properties and melting point of the HOHS oil, so it eased fractionation allowing operation at lower temperatures (8 °C). These fractionations produced stearins with high saturated fatty acid contents at higher yields than the non-EIE oil (28.3% vs 18.7%). The melting profile of the stearins were also characterized. EIE stearins displayed broader melting profiles with higher crystallization onsets (from 26.3 °C to 34 °C). Fractionations proved to be reproducible at pilot plant scale. The resulting stearins exhibited a solid content of 30% at 20 °C and displayed solidification curves similar to palm-based filling fats. The results indicate that changes in fatty acid distribution in the TAG backbone critically affect TAG crystallization, which was faster and more reproducible, not requiring prior dewaxing and seeding. Moreover, the fractionation products differed, yielding stearins with higher levels of solids.

Effect of Spoilage by Lipolytic Fungi Strains on Free Fatty Acids (FFA) Formation in Fermented and Dry Cocoa Beans

Aim: High free fatty acids (FFA) content of cocoa beans is high lead to alter quality of butter fraction and chocolate manufactured. During primary post-harvest processing, cocoa beans harbor lipase producing mold speciess could trigger the accumulation of FFA. This study investigated the improvement of the quality of raw cocoa material sourced from Côte d’Ivoire regarding its high FFA concentration.
 Methods: Fermented and dry cocoa were sampled on-farm level in some main cocoa producing regions of Côte d'Ivoire. Contaminating mold strains were isolated using Sabouraud chloramphenicol agar incubated at 25°C for 7 days. Morphological identification of mold isolates was preformed from younger fungal culture. Biochemical study about lipolytic properties of mold isolates was carried out using Cazpeck-Dox Agar medium enriched with olive oil as carbon source and rhodamine B as indicator of lipase activity. Extraction, PCR amplification using a specific transcribed spacer primer (ITS4/ITS5) and sequencing of DNA were performed for fungal species molecular identification.
 Results: Approximately 154 mold isolates belonging to 8 genera were found in tested cocoa beans. Only Rhizopus oryzae, Absidia corymbifera, Mucor heimalis, Aspergillus niger, A. tubingensis, A. aculeatus, A. flavus, A. tamari, A. fumigatus, Nigrospora sphaerica, Curvularia geniculate and Penicillium chrysogenum species produced greater lipolytic properties. A. corymbifera, A. niger, A. fumigatus and R. orysae were the most frequent and predominant species. Cocoa beans inoculated with R. oryzae, A. corymbifera or A. niger recorded higher FFA content above 1.75%.
 Conclusion: Reducing of the mold species growth during cocoa primary post-harvest processing could sustainably produce raw cocoa material with less FFA.

The Effects of Emulsifier Addition on the Functionalization of a High-Oleic Palm Oil-Based Oleogel.

Alternatives to oils with high saturated fatty acid content are often liquid oils (high in unsaturated fatty acids) that have a modified structure created either through additives or processing. Emulsifiers are additives that can be used as structuring agents of liquid fats; this process results in products such as oleogels, which can broaden the applications of these oils. This study assessed and compared the effects of mono- and diglycerides at 3%, 5%, 7% and 10% w/w on the mechanical and thermal properties of high-oleic palm oil (HOPO) oleogels. HOPO was heated to 75 °C and mixed with mono- or diglycerides at those four concentrations. The thermomechanical properties of the melted oleogels were assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The melted oleogels were cooled to final temperatures of 5 °C, 10 °C and 15 °C under identical cooling rates, after which a puncture test (via a texture analyzer) was used to assess their textures. Finally, polarized light microscopy was used to assess the mechanical changes induced through emulsifier addition. The results showed that the use of mono- and diglycerides significantly modified the thermal and mechanical properties of the oleogels. The addition of saturated monoglycerides promoted a higher-temperature nucleation stage that did not previously occur in HOPO. The onset crystallization temperature increased with the addition of diglycerides, promoting crystallization at higher temperatures of the high-melting fraction of HOPO. The hardness of the oleogel generally increased with emulsifier addition and a reduction of the temperature. The effect of the temperature on the hardness was significantly greater in the diglyceride oleogel than in the monoglyceride oleogel. This study shows that the addition of mono- and diglycerides allows companies to customize their formulations to achieve desired results that may not previously have been possible, thereby facilitating novel uses for these oils within the industry.

Production and optimisation of used cooking palm oil into protected fat calcium salts by fusion method using response surface methodology (RSM)

Used cooking oil (UCO) is a waste, and creates environmental issues due to its hydrophobic property. UCO, with its high content of fatty acid, can be used as source material for animal feed. However, high unsaturated fatty acid in UCO is harmful to the ruminant’s microflora. This can be resolved by transforming UCO into functional product such as ruminant’s protected fat (PF). In the present work, the production of used cooking oil protected fat (UCOPF) using fusion method via saponification process was investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the effect of calcium oxide concentration (CaO), initial temperature (iTemp.), and percentage of water (H2O) on the solidification score and free fatty acid (FFA) content of PF. Results showed that all the studied parameters significantly affected the responses. The coefficient of determination (R2) for solidification score and FFA were high at 0.9433 and 0.9599, respectively. The optimum condition to produced UCOPF by fusion method was CaO (20%), iTemp. (80°C), and percentage of water (30%), which yielded solidification score and FFA of 5.33 ± 0.53 and 0.85 ± 0.07%, respectively. The FFA content of the optimised PF was lower than permitted; thus, it can be used as animal supplement. In conclusion, the UCO can be converted into PF by using calcium fusion method. However, the property and stability of the produced PF should be assessed prior to commercialisation.

Metabolo-epigenetic interplay provides targeted nutritional interventions in chronic diseases and ageing.

Epigenetic modifications are chemical modifications that affect gene expression without altering DNA sequences. In particular, epigenetic chemical modifications can occur on histone proteins -mainly acetylation, methylation-, and on DNA and RNA molecules -mainly methylation-. Additional mechanisms, such as RNA-mediated regulation of gene expression and determinants of the genomic architecture can also affect gene expression. Importantly, depending on the cellular context and environment, epigenetic processes can drive developmental programs as well as functional plasticity. However, misbalanced epigenetic regulation can result in disease, particularly in the context of metabolic diseases, cancer, and ageing. Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCD) and ageing share common features including altered metabolism, systemic meta-inflammation, dysfunctional immune system responses, and oxidative stress, among others. In this scenario, unbalanced diets, such as high sugar and high saturated fatty acids consumption, together with sedentary habits, are risk factors implicated in the development of NCCD and premature ageing. The nutritional and metabolic status of individuals interact with epigenetics at different levels. Thus, it is crucial to understand how we can modulate epigenetic marks through both lifestyle habits and targeted clinical interventions -including fasting mimicking diets, nutraceuticals, and bioactive compounds- which will contribute to restore the metabolic homeostasis in NCCD. Here, we first describe key metabolites from cellular metabolic pathways used as substrates to "write" the epigenetic marks; and cofactors that modulate the activity of the epigenetic enzymes; then, we briefly show how metabolic and epigenetic imbalances may result in disease; and, finally, we show several examples of nutritional interventions - diet based interventions, bioactive compounds, and nutraceuticals- and exercise to counteract epigenetic alterations.

Amino acids, fatty acids and mineral elements composition of Roystonea regia and Ptychosperma macarthurii palm kernels

Roystonea regia and Ptychosperma macarthurii are exotic palm species widely grown in Nigeria as ornamentals. The kernels of R. regia and P. macarthurii were subjected to amino acids, fatty acids, and mineral elements analyses in this study. Glutamic acid (13. 64 and 14.00 g/100 g), aspartic acid (9.72 and 9.50 g/100 g), arginine (8.68 and 7.49 g/100 g), and leucine (7.23 and 7.98 g/100 g) were the dominant amino acids in R. regia and P. macarthurii seeds. The percentage yields of kernel oils were 13.9 and 1.7% for R. regia and P. macarthurii, respectively. Gas chromatograph facilitated the identification of thirteen fatty acids, mainly comprised of oleic acid (25.19 and 35.64%), linoleic acid (57.88 and 45.60%), and palmitic acid (9.6 and 10.03%) in R. regia and P. macarthurii, respectively. The analysis also revealed the high unsaturated nature of fixed oils of R. regia (83.63%) and P. macarthurii kernels (81.66%). Calcuim, copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese, sodium, and potassium were also detected in the kernels; majorly, calcium (71.5 mg/L) and magnesium (23.1 mg/L) in P. macarthurii kernels, whereas sodium (24.6 ppm) and potassium levels (50.1 ppm) were higher in R. regia kernels. These results reveal the high amino acids, fatty acids, and mineral elements content of R. regia and P. macarthurii kernels. These unexploited palm fruits could be properly utilized as animal feed, edible oil, or for other industrial purposes with the knowledge of its nutritional value and fixed oil content.

Denosumab Attenuates Glucolipotoxicity-Induced β-Cell Dysfunction and Apoptosis by Attenuating RANK/RANKL Signals.

Obesity is strongly associated with insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes (T2D), mainly because free fatty acids (FFAs) are released from excess fat tissue. Long-term exposure to high levels of FFAs and glucose leads to glucolipotoxicity, causing damage to pancreatic β-cells, thus accelerating the progression of T2D. Therefore, the prevention of β-cell dysfunction and apoptosis is essential to prevent the development of T2D. Unfortunately, there are currently no specific clinical strategies for protecting β-cells, highlighting the need for effective therapies or preventive approaches to improve the survival of β-cells in T2D. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that the monoclonal antibody denosumab (DMB), used in osteoporosis, displays a positive effect on blood glucose regulation in patients with T2D. DMB acts as an osteoprotegerin (OPG) by inhibiting the receptor activator of the NF-κB ligand (RANKL), preventing the maturation and function of osteoclasts. However, the exact mechanism by which the RANK/RANKL signal affects glucose homeostasis has not been fully explained. The present study used human 1.4 × 107 β-cells to simulate the T2D metabolic condition of high glucose and free fatty acids (FFAs), and it investigated the ability of DMB to protect β-cells from glucolipotoxicity. Our results show that DMB effectively attenuated the cell dysfunction and apoptosis caused by high glucose and FFAs in β-cells. This may be caused by blocking the RANK/RANKL pathway that reduced mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (MST1) activation and indirectly increased pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1) expression. Furthermore, the increase in inflammatory cytokines and ROS caused by the RANK/RANKL signal also played an important role in glucolipotoxicity-induced cytotoxicity, and DMB can also protect β-cells by reducing the mechanisms mentioned above. These findings provide detailed molecular mechanisms for the future development of DMB as a potential protective agent of β-cells.

Uji penetapan kadar asam lemak bebas minyak goreng dari kulit ayam

Background: Currently, the Indonesian people are shocked by the scarcity of cooking oil. Demand increases yearly along with the population, making cooking oil an important commodity and essential to the Indonesian economy. The composition of broiler chicken skin contains oil. If this oil is processed into cooking oil, it will be able to overcome environmental pollution so that the broiler fat skin waste has economic value. However, the feasibility of making it a substitute for packaged cooking oil is not yet known, so further research is needed to determine its safety and feasibility.Objectives: This study aims to determine the feasibility of cooking oil from chicken skin and the free fatty acid content of cooking oil from chicken skin.Methods: The research method was experimental. The research began with the purchase of chicken skin samples from the traditional Palopo City market. Furthermore, research was carried out at the Pharmacy Laboratory of Muhammmadiyah University of Palopo, which was carried out in 2022. The primary sample of this research is chicken skin. The sample was roasted in a pan until it released oil. Then standardization of 0,05 N NaOH solution was carried out, after which free fatty acid content was determined.Results: Organoleptical test results on the two different cooking oil samples showed differences in odor, color and pH. Furthermore, it was found that the effect caused by high fatty acid levels on the production feasibility standards of oil will produce rancidity in oil and increase cholesterol levels in oil.Conclusion: Cooking oil produced by chicken skin does not meet the standards for the feasibility of use. This is due to the value of the presentation of free fatty acids, and the acidity number does not meet the applicable cooking oil quality standards.

Attenuated Total Reflectance - Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy: A Tool to Determine Groundnut Seed Quality

Background: ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is proved to be a simple, reliable, rapid and easy-to-use technique to assess the groundnut seed quality. Groundnut seeds are highly sensitive to deterioration mainly due to their chemical composition and moisture content. The high oil content and fatty acids of groundnut seeds reduces the seed viability well in advance due to lipid peroxidation process, which is the most frequent cause of seed ageing. As a result, not only lipid peroxidation, but also a series of reactions that produce toxic products occur. Methods: Eleven groundnut seed lots were tested for their seed germination potential as well as the oil quality parameters, ATR-FTIR analysis, antioxidant enzyme activities and physiological seed quality parameters. Result: The results indicated that the FTIR spectra of the seed lots having higher germination ( greater than 70%) exhibited deviations at different wave numbers within the range of 4000-400 cm-1 when compared with seed lots having lower germination ( less than 70%). The peak intensity was found to follow an increasing trend to a decrease in germination percentage of the seed lots. The seeds lose its viability, the activity of antioxidant enzyme decreases leading to an alteration in free fatty acid, acid value, saponification value, iodine value and peroxide value. Finally, the study concluded that the changes in seed germination from 92 to 12 per cent and their corresponding enzyme activity are closely correlated with FTIR spectral data. Hence, ATR FTIR may be used as a tool to predict the quality of the groundnut seeds during storage.

Fuel characterization, engine performance characteristics and emissions analysis of different mustard seed biodiesel: An overview.

The current new technology in the automotive sector depends on the primary energy source because the power source is from the secondary energy source. Besides, the interest in biofuels is increasing due to the weaknesses of fossil fuels that have been voiced for years. The feedstock is important in biodiesel production and its use in the engine. Mustard oil is non-edible, high mono-unsaturated fatty acid value, conveniences in cultivation conditions, and worldwide use that offer significant advantages to biodiesel producers. The presence of erucic acid, which forms the basis of mustard biodiesel, makes itself felt in the prevention of the fuel-food debate, its effect on biodiesel fuel properties, and its relationship to engine performance and exhaust emissions. Along with the minuses of mustard biodiesel in kinematic viscosity and oxidation ability, the problems experienced in engine performance and exhaust emissions compared to diesel fuel offer new studies to policymakers, industrialists and researchers. Accordingly, this review focuses on the recent finding in fuel properties, engine performance and emission characteristic of mustard seed biodiesel as well as its types, geographical distribution, and biodiesel production. It can be stated that this study will be an important supplementary reference to the above-mentioned groups.

Diversity of Linum genetic resources in global genebanks: from agro-morphological characterisation to novel genomic technologies - a review.

Linseed or flaxseed is a well-recognized nutritional food with nutraceutical properties owing to high omega-3 fatty acid (α-Linolenic acid), dietary fiber, quality protein, and lignan content. Currently, linseed enjoys the status of a 'superfood' and its integration in the food chain as a functional food is evolving continuously as seed constituents are associated with lowering the risk of chronic ailments, such as heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. This crop also receives much attention in the handloom and textile sectors as the world's coolest fabric linen is made up of its stem fibers which are endowed with unique qualities such as luster, tensile strength, density, bio-degradability, and non-hazardous nature. Worldwide, major linseed growing areas are facing erratic rainfall and temperature patterns affecting flax yield, quality, and response to biotic stresses. Amid such changing climatic regimes and associated future threats, diverse linseed genetic resources would be crucial for developing cultivars with a broad genetic base for sustainable production. Furthermore, linseed is grown across the world in varied agro-climatic conditions; therefore it is vital to develop niche-specific cultivars to cater to diverse needs and keep pace with rising demands globally. Linseed genetic diversity conserved in global genebanks in the form of germplasm collection from natural diversity rich areas is expected to harbor genetic variants and thus form crucial resources for breeding tailored crops to specific culinary and industrial uses. Global genebank collections thus potentially play an important role in supporting sustainable agriculture and food security. Currently, approximately 61,000 germplasm accessions of linseed including 1,127 wild accessions are conserved in genebanks/institutes worldwide. This review analyzes the current status of Linum genetic resources in global genebanks, evaluation for agro-morphological traits, stress tolerance, and nutritional profiling to promote their effective use for sustainable production and nutrition enhancement in our modern diets.

Layer Inoculation as a New Technology to Resist Volatile Fatty Acid Inhibition during Solid-State Anaerobic Digestion: Methane Yield Performance and Microbial Responses

Solid-state anaerobic digestion is easily inhibited by high volatile fatty acid induced by high total solids, although it is a promising technology. Previous studies on volatile fatty acid inhibition mainly focused on total solid content, co-digestion substrates, and external additives. The present study proposed a new inoculation method named layer inoculation and compared it to premixing inoculation in the solid-state anaerobic digestion of pig manure and maize straw. The results showed that the cumulative CH4 yields from layer inoculation (211.5 mL/g-VS) were 5.64 times more than premixing inoculation (37.5 mL/g-VS) under a low inoculation ratio (25%), with the values of total volatile fatty acid being greater than 30.0 mg/g. The concentrations of total VFAs and acetic acid from layer inoculation decreased dramatically during days 18–43. Layer inoculation also showed wider specific methane yield peaks and shorter startup times than premixing inoculation. Methanosphaerula and Methanothrix were the most dominant genera, while the genus Methanosphaerula did not correlate with volatile fatty acids, pH, or total ammonia nitrogen. The hydrogenotrophic methanogen pathway was predominant during solid-state anaerobic digestion; the shift from hydrogenotrophic to acetoclastic occurred in premixing inoculation, and it was stable in layer inoculation (61.20–68.88%). Overall, layer inoculation can effectively enhance methane production under high volatile fatty acid concentrations compared with premixing inoculation.

A comprehensive review of the production methods and effect of parameters for glycerol-free biodiesel production

This review appraises the latest scientific progress and the accomplishments of interesterification technology as an alternative to conventional transesterification reaction. The merits and limitations of various types of catalytic techniques as well as non-catalytic supercritical glycerol-free processes have been elucidated with a comprehensive comparison. Contrary to the cheap price of glycerol, the higher-revenue by-products, triacetin and glycerol carbonate, will boost the gross profit margin of biodiesel production. The influences of reaction parameters such as reactant ratio, catalyst loading, reaction time, temperature, and co-solvent addition are also addressed. According to the latest research, the alkali-catalyzed and non-catalytic supercritical interesterifications are preferable due to higher yield. Methyl acetate, ethyl acetate and dimethyl carbonate do not inhibit lipase activity, unlike typical alcohols. Acidic catalysis may be the way forward to resolve the extreme operating conditions of non-catalytic supercritical interesterification, high cost of enzymes and manage waste feedstocks with high free fatty acid and water contents under moderate conditions. Currently, the majority of interesterification reactions were undertaken on laboratory size, whereas just a handful was evaluated on a pilot scale. A continuous research in interesterification technology is necessary by conducting a thorough investigation of the feasibility of state-of-the-art technology to engage a wide array of feedstocks. Future study should also concentrate on microbes and agricultural waste as a sustainable route for energy recovery from renewable feedstocks.

Black Seed Oil Improves Beef Fat-induced Blood-biochemical Abnormalities in Swiss Albino Mice

Background: The high saturated fatty acid content of beef has been linked to obesity and cardiovascular diseases. The study investigated the impact of black seed oil (BSO) on beef fat-altered hemato-biochemical and pathophysiological alterations in albino mice. Methods: Twenty four Swiss Albino mice (Mus musculus) of 25-28 days old were equally divided into three groups (n=8) namely A, B and C. Mice of group A was designated as the untreated control group. Groups B and C were fed pellets containing 10% beef fat and 10% BSO, respectively for 9 weeks. Result: The results revealed that beef fat-fed mice gained weight and BSO normalized the weight gain. The hematological values of beef fat supplemented mice improved after being supplemented with 10% BSO. LDL-c, Triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were all significantly lower in mice fed BSO plus beef fat. HDL-c levels were significantly higher in BSO plus beef fat-fed mice. Spleens in BSO plus beef fat-fed mice were slightly enlarged without gross abnormalities. 10% beef fat caused minor changes in the histostructures of the kidney, heart and liver. There were significant changes in cardiac muscle and massive fatty changes in kidney tissue. This study concluded that BSO has beneficial effects on the body and can prevent beef fat-induced abnormalities.

The Effect of pH on the Production and Composition of Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids from Food Waste in a Leachate Bed Reactor at Room Temperature

This study evaluated the hydrolysis and acidogenesis of food waste at different operating pHs (uncontrolled, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5) in a leachate bed reactor (LBR) at room temperature. LBR operation at pH 6.5–8.5 resulted in a hydrolysis yield of 718–729 g SCOD/kg VSadded, which was statistically (p ≤ 0.05) higher than that obtained at pH 5.5 (577 g SCOD/kg VSadded) and the uncontrolled pH (462 g SCOD/kg VSadded). The hydrolysis rate at pH 6.5 was the highest amongst all the pH values. Stabilization at pH at 6.5 also resulted in a high fatty acid (FA) yield of 643 g CODFA/kg VSadded. Butyrate was the main FA at the pH of 5.5–6.5, while acetate was the main FA at the pH of 7.5–8.5. At the uncontrolled pH, lactate production was the highest, indicating a shift in the microbial community from fatty-acid-producing bacteria to lactate-producing bacteria. The compositions of medium-chain fatty acids, such as caproate, were the highest at pH of 5.5.