Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids Research Articles

Cloning, molecular characterization, and nutritional regulation of fatty acid-binding protein family genes in gold pompanos (Trachinotus ovatus).

Fatty acid-binding protein (Fabp) is an important protein family involved in fatty acid uptake and deposition. Elucidating the function and regulation of fabps could contribute to the efficient production of biologically relevant fatty acids, such as highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs), from fish. Herein, five genes from Trachinotus ovatus named fabp4, fabp6a, fabp6b, fabp7a, and fabp7b coding 133, 127, 118, 132, and 132 amino acid residues were cloned and sequenced. The effect of dietary HUFA on the expression of these genes was also investigated. Multiple protein sequence alignment showed that these Fabps shared high identity to their orthologs from other fish and mammals. Two conserved domains, lipocalin and lipocalin 7, were predicted in the deduced protein sequence of fabp4 and fabp7 paralogs, whereas fabp6 paralogs did not present the lipocalin domain. The adipose tissue, spleen, gill, and intestine showed the highest levels of fabp6b expression. In the brain, fabp6b was weakly expressed, whereas the expression of fabp7a was at its highest. Conversely, fabp7a showed a lower mRNA level than the other fabps in the liver and heart. In the dorsal muscle and kidney, fabp6a was the most abundantly expressed gene. Increasing dietary HUFA from 1.0% to 2.1% increased the gene expression of hepatic fabp4 and fabp6a gene expression but decreased gene expression in the dorsal muscle. Similarly, the expression of fabp7a in the dorsal muscle also declined in the 2.1% HUFA group. This study lays the groundwork for further studies focused on the physiological function and regulation of fish fabps.

The effects of dietary linolenic acid to linoleic acid ratio on growth performance, tissues fatty acid profile and sex steroid hormone synthesis of yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

The effects of different linolenic acid (LNA)/linoleic acid (LA) on tissues fatty acid composition and steroid hormone secretion of the female yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco were evaluated after an 8-week feeding trial. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic formulated diets were designed to contain different LNA/LA ratios of D0.27, D0.82, D1.71 and D2.63, respectively. The result showed that there were no significant effects on the weight gain (WG), gonadosomatic index (GSI), condition factor (CF) of yellow catfish among different diet treatments (P > 0.05). The relative fecundity was greatest in the D2.63 group (P < 0.05). The muscle and hepatic fatty acids profiles reflected corresponding dietary fatty acid profiles treatments, but not ovary. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), arachidonic acid (ARA) and n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations were significantly increased with increasing dietary LNA/LA ratios, in both muscle and liver (P < 0.05). ARA and highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) concentrations in the egg were higher than that in liver and muscle, ARA was preferentially accumulated in yellow catfish gonad, which was not influenced by the dietary LNA/LA ratios. The levels of serum testosterone (T) decreased with increasing diet ratios of LNA to LA (P < 0.05), and the mRNA levels of steroidogenesis-related genes (CYP17a1, CYP19a and erβ) were significantly down-regulated with increasing dietary LNA/LA ratios in ovary of female (P < 0.05). In parallel with the changes of plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), the mRNA levels of 20 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20β-HSD) upregulated with increasing LNA/LA ratios (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present results suggest that dietary LNA/LA ratios regulated steroid hormone synthesis during ovarian development of yellow catfish. Higher-level dietary LNA/LA ratios are beneficial for HUFA -rich gonadal development and steroid synthesis of yellow catfish.

Effects of phosphorous deficiency of a microalga Nannochloropsis oculata on its fatty acid profiles and intracellular structure and the effectiveness in rotifer nutrition

The microalga Nannochloropsis oculata is used as a diet for rotifers and can enrich the highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) proportion of rotifer polar lipids (PL-HUFA). For efficient enrichment of PL-HUFAs in rotifers, we evaluated nutrient–sufficient or –deficient cell populations to clarify when the alga should be harvested and fed to rotifers. The nutrient conditions for N. oculata were spectrophotometrically monitored during cultivation and cells with nutrient sufficiency (NS) and phosphorous deficiency (PD) were harvested. The PD cells exhibited reduced chlorophyll a content, photosynthetic activity, and growth rate and accumulated total lipids as non-polar lipids (NLs). A decrease in the proportion of HUFA to total lipids between two nutrient states corresponded to a similar phenomenon observed in NLs. On the other hand, PLs, including glycolipids and phospholipids, showed different trends. Glycolipids did not change fatty acid composition between two states. Phospholipids, however, showed significantly higher contents of arachidonic acid (ArA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) only in the early periods of PD culture. It was concluded that phosphorous deficiency stimulated cells to increase the fatty acid desaturation rate of non-plastidial membranes. Mitochondria in the PD cells decreased in number but increased in size and mass. Such adaptation of mitochondria can be associated with high desaturation of non-plastidial membranes. When the early P–limited phase culture was used for the enrichment of rotifers, PL-ArA and EPA of the rotifers were enhanced by twice as much as those fed on NS cells. This study provides evidence that the beginning of phosphorous deficiency is the optimum time to harvest N. oculata cells for enhancing rotifer PL-HUFAs.

Formation of Polar Compounds During Deep‐frying—Determination by 1H NMR and ESR

AbstractThe present study aims to elucidate the factors influencing the generation of polar compounds in oils during deep‐frying. Oils with different fatty acid compositions, including palm oil (PO), refined palm kernel oil (RPKO), and refined coconut oil (RCO), are applied in successive frying processes. 1H NMR spectra reveal that heated PO has a higher percentage of allyl acyl group and is more prone to formation of non‐polar dimeric triglycerides as compared to other types of oils. In addition, electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra indicate that alkyl radicals are more predominant than alkoxy radicals in heated PO. In contrast, RPKO and RCO are inclined to generation of alkoxy radicals during the thermal treatment. The results reveal that oils with high unsaturated fatty acid content are more prone to generation and oxidation of non‐polar dimeric triglycerides.Practical Applications: The change in free radical profile and concentration is one of the indicators of lipid oxidation and polymerization. Alterations in the levels of alkyl and alkoxyl radicals, revealed by ESR, can be used to illustrate the formation of polar compounds in deep‐fried oils with different fatty acid compositions. The percentage of allyl acyl group, revealed by 1H NMR, can be used to predict the generation of polar compounds. Therefore, this study provides useful information for the development of different methods to reduce polar compound formation in oils during thermal processing depending on the fatty acid composition of different deep‐fried oils.

Nutritional composition and toxicity profile of Cantharellus species (Purple Mushroom) in rats

Cantharellus species (Purple mushroom) natively known as Ero ububa in Southeastern Nigeria is used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. This study evaluated the nutritional composition of ero ububa and its toxicity profile in rats. Proximate, phytochemicals, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and amino acids were analyzed using standard biochemical methods. The acute toxicity experiment was performed by administering a single dose of upto 5g/kg of the mushroom extract (n=5/group/sex) and rats were monitored for any toxic signs or mortality. For subacute toxicity experiment, the mushroom extract was orally administered at the doses of 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg for 14 days. The haematological, biochemical and histopathology of the rats were evaluated. Ero ububa had high carbohydrate (64.24%) and protein (13.71%) contents and low lipid content (3.12%). The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of important bioactive compounds: alkaloid (0.51%) and flavonoids (1.60%). Mineral content showed a high trend in mg/100g in the order of Ca2+>K+>P>Mg2+>Na+>Zn2+>Fe2+. The results revealed high amount of vitamins A, B3 and C; reasonable amount of essential and non-essential amino acids as well as high unsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid (12.45%). In acute toxicity test, oral administration of 5g/kg body weight did not produce any mortality or toxic effects. The subacute toxicity study showed significant increase (p<0.05) in packed cell volume and platelets, however no effects (p>0.05) were observed in the other white blood cell and red blood cell indices. Biochemical studies revealed significant decrease (p<0.05) in urea, creatinine, sodium and alkaline phosphatase. No significant (p>0.05) effects were recorded in aspartate and alanine aminotransferases , potassium, bicarbonate, chloride and lipid profile parameters. Histopathological examination of the liver and kidney did not show any pathological changes. The results of this study revealed that purple mushroom (ero ububa) is highly nutritious and non-toxic in rats at the tested doses and therefore can be used for medicinal and culinary purposes.

Postharvest 1-methylcyclopropene application delays leaf yellowing of pak choi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) by improving chloroplast antioxidant capacity and maintaining chloroplast structural integrity during storage at 20 °C

The aim of this study was to uncover the regulatory mechanism underlying the leaf yellowing of pak choi after 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment at (20 ± 0.5) °C. The ultrastructural, physiological and biochemical metabolism changes of the chloroplast in pak choi were investigated. Chlorophyll degradation was effectively alleviated by 1-MCP treatment, and the market life of pak choi was extended by 2 days compared with that of control. Electron microscopy confirmed that the chloroplast breakdown was reduced by 1-MCP. This treatment not only preserved the high activities of chloroplast antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase SOD and ascorbic peroxidase APX) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH)) for scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) (superoxide anion O2·− and hydrogen peroxide H2O2), but also decreased the chloroplast chlorophyll-degrading peroxidase (Chl-POX) activity, thus retarding chlorophyll degradation in the peroxidase-H2O2 system. Abundant O2·- and H2O2 may function as major toxic molecules to enhance the activities of chloroplast phospholipase (PLD), lipoxygenase (LOX) and lipase. The loss of the chloroplast structural integrity and function caused by the high activities of PLD, lipase and LOX aggravated the enzymatic degradation of chlorophyll in pak choi, which was rescued by using 1-MCP that retarded the degradation of the chloroplast membrane, as well as maintained high unsaturated fatty acid levels and low malondialdehyde (MDA) level. In conclusion, 1-MCP fumigation may augment the chloroplast antioxidant capacity for scavenging ROS (O2·- and H2O2), which attenuated the activities of chloroplast PLD, lipase and LOX, inhibited the degradation of the chloroplast membrane and kept the membrane integrity and normal function, ultimately relieving the yellowing of pak choi.

Dietary Fat Patterns and Outcomes in Acute Pancreatitis in Spain.

Background/Objective: Evidence from basic and clinical studies suggests that unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) might be relevant mediators of the development of complications in acute pancreatitis (AP). Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze outcomes in patients with AP from regions in Spain with different patterns of dietary fat intake.Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed with data from 1,655 patients with AP from a Spanish prospective cohort study and regional nutritional data from a Spanish cross-sectional study. Nutritional data considered in the study concern the total lipid consumption, detailing total saturated fatty acids, UFAs and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) consumption derived from regional data and not from the patient prospective cohort. Two multivariable analysis models were used: (1) a model with the Charlson comorbidity index, sex, alcoholic etiology, and recurrent AP; (2) a model that included these variables plus obesity.Results: In multivariable analysis, patients from regions with high UFA intake had a significantly increased frequency of local complications, persistent organ failure (POF), mortality, and moderate-to-severe disease in the model without obesity and a higher frequency of POF in the model with obesity. Patients from regions with high MUFA intake had significantly more local complications and moderate-to-severe disease; this significance remained for moderate-to-severe disease when obesity was added to the model.Conclusions: Differences in dietary fat patterns could be associated with different outcomes in AP, and dietary fat patterns may be a pre-morbid factor that determines the severity of AP. UFAs, and particulary MUFAs, may influence the pathogenesis of the severity of AP.

Kinetic study of epoxidation of Tung oil (Reutealis trisperma (Blanco) Airy Shaw) by peroxyacetic acid

The use of vegetable oils (VOs) to replace petroleum derivatives is very interesting. This is due to the advantages of VOs, which are relatively biodegradable and renewable. The VOs containing high unsaturated fatty acid, such as Tung oil, soybean oil, rubber oil are very potential materials for biopolymers, which can be reacted further into epoxy, polyols, and even polymers. The kinetic of epoxidation of Tung oil by peroxyacetic acid produced in-situ process was studied. In this study, the formation of peroxyacetic acid was considered as rate determining step, which controlled the overall reaction rate. The process was conducted in batch reaction at atmospheric pressure, constant mixing rate and constant ratio of raw material to acetic acid. The temperature was varied at 40, 50, 60, and 70°C. The reaction samples were taken at specific time during 2-4 hours of reaction. The result shows that the proposed simple kinetics model fits appropriately at lower reaction temperature, but does not agree at higher temperature (more than 60°C). The reaction rate constants is in the range of (3.307–9.634) × 10−6 L.mol−1.s−1, in which its collision factor and activation energy are 286,768 gram.mol−1.min−1 and 30,900 Joule/mol, respectively.

Comparison and evaluation of oil content, composition and antioxidant properties of Pistacia atlantica and Pistacia khinjuk grown as wild.

The growing demands of consumers for edible seed oils containing high unsaturated fatty acid and antioxidant content have resulted in considerable efforts to investigate plants as possible sources of oils and nuts. In this research, the amount of fatty acid compositions, total flavonoid, phenol and antioxidant properties of Pistacia atlantica and Pistacia khinjuk were evaluated. The kernel oil content of P. atlantica and P. khinjuk were 24.33 ± 0.333% and 31.00 ± 0.577%, respectively. Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Oleic acid, Linoleic acid, and Palmitoleic acid were the main components in the oil of the two Pistacia species. The results showed that unsaturated fatty acids accounted for approximately 77.65% and 74.87% of total fatty acids in P. atlantica and P. khinjuk, respectively. The two Pistacia species were rich in phenolic compounds (130.77± 3.11 and 126.91± 4.41 mg quercetin/100 g oil) and had high antioxidant properties (4.545± 0.655 and 15.733± 0.689 mg/g oil) in P. atlantica and P. khinjuk, respectively. Oil content and Oleic acid of the two species of Pistacia are shown/known to be higher than some other edible oils. This research showed that the kernel oil of the two species of Pistacia have the same value in terms of quality, taste and natural antioxidant qualities with other edible oils.

Teosinte (Dioon mejiae) Flour: Nutritional and Physicochemical Characterization of the Seed Flour of the Living Fossil in Honduras

Teosinte (Dioon mejiae) is a dioecious tree native to Honduras, whose seeds are used to make flour for the preparation of traditional foods and beverages. The objective was to evaluate the nutritional and physicochemical composition of teosinte flour for the first time. Using diverse techniques, teosinte flour was found to be a high-calorie food rich in total carbohydrates and mainly composed of starch, with an amylopectin:amylose ratio of 2:1 and a concentration of resistant starch greater than 50%. Its proteins were similar to other cereals in which the essential amino acids glutamic acid, leucine, and especially lysine were the most important. Some 75% of its total dietary fiber was insoluble. The fatty acid profile was characterized by a high unsaturated fatty acid content in which oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) predominated. As for minerals, teosinte flour had higher iron content, lower sodium concentration, and similar zinc, calcium, and phosphorus content to other cereal flours. We highlight that teosinte flour has nutrients and qualities that convert it into flour with excellent nutritional abilities and health benefits; it is also a very good industrial and technological alternative to be mixed mainly with types of flour from other sources.

Determination of fatty acids profiles and volatile compounds of cows’ and goats’ butters

In this study, the fatty acid composition and volatile components of cows’ and goats’ yayik butters were analyzed. For this purpose, analyzes in cows’ and goats’ yayik butter obtained from local markets in Adıyaman province were performed. Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were determined as dominant fatty acids in the butter samples. While the highest SFA content was detected in goats’ butters, the highest unsaturated fatty acid (UNSFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) contents were in cow samples. Furthermore, some individual fatty acid concentrations (tridecanoic, behenic and α-linolenic) of cows’ and goats’ butters were significantly different. Additionally, the total 27 volatile compounds including alcohols, aldehydes, acids, esters, hydrocarbons, ketones and terpenes were quantified in samples. The most important volatile compounds in samples were oxylene, mxylene, butyric, caprylic and valeric acids.

Fatty acid profiling in animal feeds and related food matrixes using a fast GC/MS method and in situ derivatization

Fatty acid determination is used for the characterization of the lipid fraction in foods, providing essential information regarding feed and food quality. Most edible fats and oils are composed primarily of linear saturated fatty acids, branched, mono-unsaturated, di-unsaturated, and higher unsaturated fatty acids. To attain this information we developed a gas chromatography (GC) method that can separate fatty acids from C4 to C24 using mass spectrometry identification. A simplified sample preparation procedure was applied so it is not time-consuming and short enough to avoid fat degradation. Additionally, one-step derivatization was applied to obtained fatty acid methyl esters in situ in the gas chromatograph injection port, using tetramethylammonium hydroxide and a high polarity polyethylene glycol-based cross-linked microbore chromatographic column was coupled to achieve the separation of 60 compounds in under 15 minutes with extreme sensibility. The versatility of the method allows fatty acid profile (including saturated [SFA], monounsaturated [MUFA], and polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFA]) information to be gathered in different products of primary production i. raw materials commonly used in the production of animal feed, ii. profiles for balanced feed for laying hens, beef cattle and dairy cattle and iii. products of animal origin intended for human consumption, such as meat, eggs, and milk. Our data (performance parameters and fatty acid profiles) support the validity of the results; the method can be used for quality assurance both in productive species feed and feed ingredients, pet food, and related food matrices. The technique presented herein can be used as a high-throughput routine screening tool to assess fat quality as this data is paramount to improve animal nutrition and health and animal-derived products of human consumption.

Fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins content of Black Sea round goby (Neogobius melanostomus, Pallas, 1814) during fishing seasons

The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the seasonal changes in proximate composition, fatty acid profile and fat soluble vitamins content in spring and autumn goby (Neogobius melanostomus) caught from the Bulgarian Black Sea waters. Proximate composition (moisture, protein and total lipid) was determined according to AOAC (1991). Analysis of fatty acid methyl esters was performed by GC/MS system. Vitamins A, D3 and E were analysed simultaneously using RP-HPLC system. Protein was in the range 18.10 – 18.75 %, fat content was: 1.60 - 2.61g.100g-1 wet weight (w.w.). The fatty acid (FA) and vitamins contents showed significant seasonal changes. The spring goby was characterized with low saturated fatty acid (SFA, 31.8 %), high mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA, 34.86 %) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, 33.34 %). In both seasons omega-3 (n-3) PUFA levels were higher than omega-6 (n-6) PUFAs. Higher amounts of alpha-tocopherol (614.9 μg.100g-1w.w.) and all-trans retinol (14.8 μg.100 g-1w.w.) were found in autumn samples, whereas cholecalciferol (4.9 μg.100 g-1w.w.) - in spring goby. Regardless of the observed seasonal changes of nutritional quality, goby species is an excellent source of analysed components, especially of n-3 PUFA, and can be recommended for healthy human diet.

Grafting of Unsaturated Higher Fatty Acids to Chitosan in Aqueous Medium

Grafted amides with the degree of modification reaching 9% were prepared by the reaction of chitosan with unsaturated higher fatty acids in an acidified aqueous medium in the presence of a mixture of N-ethyl-N′-(dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride with N-hydroxysuccinimide. The products are insoluble in aqueous solutions of monobasic acids but swell in them to form hydrogels; the maximal degree of swelling is 1442%. The hydrogels show good biocompatibility and adhesion of multipotent stromal cells of bone marrow, which makes them promising for designing cell carrier scaffolds.

Valorisation and enhanced sustainability of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) aquaculture by dietary use of ditch shrimp (Palaemonetes varians) meal

The European Blue Growth Strategy requires innovative proposals contributing to sustainable development of the aquaculture activity. Within this context, ditch shrimp (Palaemonetes varians) meal obtained from extensively managed aquaculture wetlands was assessed as a potential source to substitute dietary fishmeal (FM) in compound diets for Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles. Estuarine ditch shrimp biomass from an integrated aquaculture system was converted into a meal that contained 61.9% protein and 9.2% lipid on a dry matter (DM) basis. The n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) constituted the main fraction of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Three isonitrogenous (55% DM), isolipidic (12% DM) and isoenergetic (17 kJ g−1 DM) diets containing three substitution levels of FM by ditch shrimp meal (SM) were elaborated: 100% FM + 0% SM (SM0); 50% FM + 50% SM (SM50) and 0% FM + 100% SM (SM100). The experimental diets were tested on duplicate groups of sole juveniles (~4 g body weight) in an experiment that lasted 63 days. The substitution of dietary FM with SM did not influence growth and feed intake of the reared fish. Juveniles fed SM100 significantly decreased their muscle and skin lipid depositions in comparison with soles fed SM0. Moreover, muscle lipid analyses showed arachidonic acid (ARA) enrichment caused by the SM dietary use and a major presence of the n-3 over n-6 PUFA. Overall results demonstrate that dietary incorporation of P. varians meal in compound diets for Senegalese sole would add nutritional value to the harvested product with no impact on growth performance of reared fish. The dietary use of a low trophic level marine resource is an innovative practice that may contribute to a further sustainable development of aquaculture of carnivorous fish species.

Influence of tropical reservoirs eutrophication on the polyunsaturated fatty acid profile in Astyanax altiparanae (Pisces: Characidae)

The eutrophication increases the quantity of algae that are deficient in highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) n3, as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), altering the bottom-up transfer of the entire food chain. Due to the importance of the fatty acids (FA) in physiological processes related to the main role of the membrane phospholipids (PL) and precursors of eicosanoids, and also the little knowledge about the influence of eutrophication in tropical ecosystems, it is important to understand how anthropogenic changes in the aquatic ecosystem affect the lipid quality, specifically n3 HUFAs. This study aimed to investigate the influence of eutrophication on the FA profile of the hepatic PL, as well as prostaglandin (PG) levels in Astyanax altiparanae females. Fish were collected in reservoirs with different eutrophication degrees: Jundiaí (Ju) reservoir and Embu-Guaçu (EG) branch, considered as mesotrophic points, and Barragem (Ba) and Aracati (Ar), branches from Guarapiranga reservoir, considered as supereutrophic and hypereutrophic points, respectively. The FA profile of the liver PL was analyzed by gas chromatography, and the concentration of liver PGE2 was analyzed using ELISA immunoassay kits. The degree of eutrophication did not alter the PG concentration and produced few modifications in the FA profile of hepatic PL. Fish collected at Ba and EG presented similar FA profiles, both with high percentages of n3 HUFA, especially DHA, in comparison to fish from Ju. However, no change was observed in the n3 HUFA profile of the fish from Ar. These data demonstrated that the FA profile in A. altiparanae seems to be more related to different physiological requirements of n3 HUFA of the species than eutrophication. So, this study contributed to findings on the trophic transfer dynamics in tropical freshwater reservoirs, where a direct effect of eutrophication on the availability of HUFA n3 to animals is not suggested.

Effects of drying processes on composition, microstructure and health aspects from maqui berries.

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of different drying methods, including freeze drying (FD), convective drying, sun drying, infrared drying and vacuum drying (VD), on the chemical composition and microstructure of maqui berries as well as their anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities. Results showed that all dried samples have high unsaturated fatty acids contents (up to 83%) and high total dietary fiber contents (above 50%). Also, one hundred grams of dried berries provide between 11 and 21% of the recommended daily intake of α-tocopherol. Moreover, all dried maqui extracts reduced topical inflammation in treated mice. The highest anti-inflammatory effect against phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was found for VD and FD samples. Also, all dried maqui extracts showed antidiabetic activity by inhibiting α-glucosidase activity. The highest α-glucosidase inhibition activity was found for FD samples. The different biological activities of the dried maqui berries were related to differences in the extractability of metabolites due to microstructural changes during drying. The results indicated the potential use of dried maqui as a food ingredient with high unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber and α-tocopherol or as a natural extract with therapeutic agents.

Effect of heat and microwave treatments on phenolic compounds and fatty acids of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Abstract Turmeric and saffron are spices with fatty acids and phenolic compounds that exert several human health benefits. Nonetheless, their bioavailability may be reduced by cooking that involves high temperatures. Thus, our aim was to evaluate the effects of domestic heat treatments with respect to untreated controls on these molecules assessed by spectrophotometry and gas chromatography: microwaving, boiling under pressure and boiling without it (compared by ANOVA, p &lt; 0.05). All treatments reduced phenolic compounds in saffron, whereas only microwaving decreased them in turmeric. Turmeric curcumin was reduced by microwaving and boiling under pressure. Turmeric and saffron showed a different fatty acid profile, which was differentially affected depending on the treatment. In conclusion, although the functional and nutritional quality of these spices can be affected, turmeric is more resistant to heat than saffron and shows a better lipid profile with high unsaturated fatty acids even after treated. Also, boiling preserved potential health-promoting phenolic compounds and some unsaturated fatty acids. Although a risk of bioactive compound loss exists, the correct cooking method can reduced it.

Effect of replacement of fish oil with different plant oils in Oncorhynchus mykiss broodstocks diets on egg and larval antioxidant defense development.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of feeding rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) broodstocks with different ratio of plant oils to evaluate the changes in antioxidant defense status in the progenies. In the experimental diets, fish oil was replaced with different combination of plant oils including corn oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil, to gain different levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) in the experimental diets. Fish fed eight weeks with experimental diets before reproduction. After spawning, samples were taken on days 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 after fertilization. The samples were homogenized, centrifuged and the supernatant was removed for determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Results showed that SOD activity was significantly increased from the first sampling to day 35 in all treatment groups. The CAT activity showed a downward trend, as the highest CAT activity was observed in the eggs immediately after fertilization. The GPX activity declined until day five and then showed an increasing trend. The MDA content did not show significant changes in different groups and at different sampling times. The antioxidant enzymes activity was significantly influenced by the dietary PUFA level in the experimental groups but no change in MDA content was recorded, suggesting that the different percentages of fish oil replacement used in this study could not result in oxidative stress in early life stages of O. mykiss.

Effect of fishing season on the fatty acid profile of Baltic herring

AbstractMarine fish are a good source of unsaturated fatty acids, high nutritional value protein, vitamins and minerals. Baltic herring is one of the most frequently caught fish in Poland(1). It was demonstrated that the fishing season has an effect on the content of individual fatty acid fractions(2).The aim of the study was to analyse the fatty acid profile of Baltic herring flaps originating from two fishing seasons.The study material were flaps of Baltic herring (Clupea harengus) originating from two fishing seasons (April-June following spawning and October-December prior to spawning). For each fishing season, six batches of raw material were examined (n = 6). From each batch, flaps were taken from ten fish. The flaps were comminuted and thoroughly mixed to prepare an experimental sample from which adequate weights of analytical samples were taken. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the fatty acid composition was conducted following the cold muscle lipid extraction with a mixture of chloroform : methanol (2:1). Fatty acid methylation was carried out with a chloroform : methanol : sulphuric acid mixture (100:100:1). The separation of fatty acids was performed by gas chromatography. A one-factor variance analysis method with Duncan's test (P ≤ 0.05) was used to evaluate the variation of mean values.The fishing season does not significantly affect the content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Differences were found during the analysis of the individual groups of unsaturated acids. The amount of monounsaturated fatty acids in herring before spawning (25.27%) was significantly lower than that after spawning (35.91%) (P ≤ 0.05). The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids before spawning (43.99%) was significantly higher than that after spawning (33.49%) (P ≤ 0.05). Most changes in the fatty acid profile occur in the highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA). The most important change due to the health-promoting properties for humans is an increase in the amount of EPA from 6.24% to 9.84% after and before spawning, respectively. Analogous changes were demonstrated for DHA, whose amount increased from 9.64% to 24.56%. The obtained results demonstrate a more favourable fatty acid profile in herring caught before spawning.