Levels Of Essential Fatty Acids Research Articles

Lipid Profile, Antioxidant and Antihypertensive Activity, and Computational Molecular Docking of Diatom Fatty Acids as ACE Inhibitors.

Diatoms, as single cell eukaryotic microalgae, are rich sources of lipids, which have either beneficial or detrimental effects on the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified diatom lipids with high levels of essential fatty acids (EFAs), especially polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) containing both omega-3 and omega-6. Nutritional values of FAs indicated possible applications in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and functional food industries. Diatom FAs showed antioxidative potential on harmful radicals by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging, with high inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) that causes cardiovascular disease (CVD) and hypertension. A computational molecular docking simulation confirmed the inhibition mechanisms of FAs on ACE, with comparable levels of binding free energy to chemically synthesized ACE drugs. Findings suggested that diatom lipids showed potential for use as alternative ACE inhibitors or food supplement for CVD prevention.

Whole Genome Sequencing: Early Diagnostic Tool in Newborns with Refractory Seizures.

Whole Genome Sequencing: Early Diagnostic Tool in Newborns with Refractory Seizures.

Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements Increase Infants’ Plasma Essential Fatty Acid Levels in Ghana and Malawi: A Secondary Outcome Analysis of the iLiNS-DYAD Randomized Trials

IntroductionSmall-quantity (SQ) lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNSs) may influence infants’ plasma fatty acid (FA) profiles, which could be associated with short- and long-term outcomes. ObjectivesWe aimed to determine the impact of SQ-LNS consumption on infants’ plasma FA profiles in Ghana and Malawi. MethodsGhanaian (n = 1320) and Malawian (n = 1391) women ≤20 weeks pregnant were assigned to consume 60 mg iron and 400 μg folic acid daily until delivery [iron and folic acid (IFA) group], multiple-micronutrient supplements (MMNs) until 6 months postpartum (MMN group), or SQ-LNSs (∼7.8 linoleic acid:α-linolenic acid ratio) until 6 months postpartum (LNS group). LNS group infants received SQ-LNS from 6 to 18 months of age. We compared infant plasma FAs by intervention group in subsamples (n = 379 in Ghana; n = 442 in Malawi) at 6 and 18 months using ANOVA and Poisson regression models. Main outcomes were mean percentage compositions (%Cs; percentage of FAs by weight) of α-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), EPA, DHA, and arachidonic acid (AA). ResultsAt 6 months, LNS infants had greater mean ± SD ALA %Cs in Ghana (0.23 ± 0.08; IFA, 0.21 ± 0.06; MMN, 0.21 ± 0.07; P = 0.034) and Malawi (0.42 ± 0.16; IFA, 0.38 ± 0.15; MMN, 0.38 ± 0.14; P = 0.034) and greater AA values in Ghana (6.25 ± 1.24; IFA, 6.12 ± 1.13; MMN, 5.89 ± 1.24; P = 0.049). At 18 months, LNS infants had a tendency towards greater ALA (0.32 ± 0.16; IFA, 0.24 ± 0.08; MMN, 0.24 ± 0.10; P = 0.06) and LA (27.8 ± 3.6; IFA, 26.9 ± 2.9; MMN, 27.0 ± 3.1; P = 0.06) in Ghana, and greater ALA (0.45 ± 0.18; IFA, 0.39 ± 0.18; MMN, 0.39 ± 0.18; P < 0.001) and LA (29.7 ± 3.5; IFA, 28.7 ± 3.3; MMN, 28.6 ± 3.4; P = 0.011) in Malawi. The prevalence of ALA below the population-specific 10th percentile was lower in the LNS group compared to the MMN group, but not the IFA group. Groups did not differ significantly in plasma EPA or DHA levels. ConclusionsSQ-LNS increased infants’ plasma essential FA levels in Ghana and Malawi, which may have implications for health and developmental outcomes. These trials were registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00970866 and NCT01239693.

Fatty acid homeostasis in honey bees (Apis mellifera) fed commercial diet supplements

Honey bees obtain lipids from pollen or commercial supplements. These supplements do not fully support colony health. We tested the hypothesis that supplements are deficient because they lack essential fatty acids (EFAs). The five supplements we tested had low linolenic (⍵3) acid and were unbalanced (⍵6:⍵3 > 6) compared to natural pollen. We selected two of these supplements for further study because they had different levels of individual EFAs and different ⍵6:⍵3 ratios. Bees from hives fed these different supplements had equivalent tissue EFA levels. In choice assays, hives fed these different supplements were presented with flours with various absolute and relative levels of EFAs. We saw no difference in foraging preference. Rather, all hives preferred flours with small grain size and high protein to lipid ratios. We conclude that bees balance their internal EFAs and that differential colony nutrition does not affect foraging preference. The data also argue for more linolenic (⍵3) acid in commercial supplements.

Lipid Fraction Properties of Homemade Raw Cat Foods and Selected Commercial Cat Foods

The purpose of the present study was to characterize lipid fraction extracted from five self-prepared and seven commercial cat foods using gas chromatography (GC) and pressurized differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC) techniques. Self-prepared food recipes were composed using BARFny kalkulator, software dedicated for balancing cat diets, and prepared on the basis of fresh raw meat and offal. Extracted fat fractions were compared qualitatively and quantitatively with literature data for the fat of whole prey items to check the main assumptions of the software used. The fatty acid (FA) composition and distribution were determined using GC. The PDSC method was used for the determination of the oxidative stability of extracted fats. The obtained results indicate that self-prepared cat foods contained a high level of essential fatty acids (EFA) but low oxidative stability, especially for those with significant amounts of polyunsaturated FA. The FA profile and oxidative stability were examined for four dry and three wet commercial cat foods. It was found that their omega-6 to omega-3 ratio was beneficial reaching 5.3:1 to 10.1:1, despite the low amount of EFA. The longer induction time was determined for fats extracted from commercial cat foods than for self-prepared ones, which indicate their higher oxidative stability.

A Comprehensive Review of the Composition, Nutritional Value, and Functional Properties of Camel Milk Fat.

Recently, camel milk (CM) has been considered as a health-promoting icon due to its medicinal and nutritional benefits. CM fat globule membrane has numerous health-promoting properties, such as anti-adhesion and anti-bacterial properties, which are suitable for people who are allergic to cow’s milk. CM contains milk fat globules with a small size, which accounts for their rapid digestion. Moreover, it also comprises lower amounts of cholesterol and saturated fatty acids concurrent with higher levels of essential fatty acids than cow milk, with an improved lipid profile manifested by reducing cholesterol levels in the blood. In addition, it is rich in phospholipids, especially plasmalogens and sphingomyelin, suggesting that CM fat may meet the daily nutritional requirements of adults and infants. Thus, CM and its dairy products have become more attractive for consumers. In view of this, we performed a comprehensive review of CM fat’s composition and nutritional properties. The overall goal is to increase knowledge related to CM fat characteristics and modify its unfavorable perception. Future studies are expected to be directed toward a better understanding of CM fat, which appears to be promising in the design and formulation of new products with significant health-promoting benefits.

Fatty Acid Profile and Proximate Composition of Gonads from Wild Echinometra vanbrunti during an Annual Cycle: Suitability for Human Consumption

ABSTRACT Human consumption of sea urchin gonads has led to overexploitation of commercial species, and the search for new marketable species to promote the recovery of exploited populations. Echinometra vanbrunti is a promising candidate for commercial exploitation. Its annual reproductive cycle has an effect on the proximate composition of the gonads; if they were to be consumed, the best quality in biochemical composition was determined to be from December to May, when nutritive phagocytes uphold the highest contents of protein and lipid. They possess considerable levels of omega-3 essential fatty acids, predominantly eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, quite important for human nutrition. A subtle trend of higher DHA levels during the growing, premature, and mature gonadal stages of females and males was observed, though it is strongly influenced by diet and environment. A program to protect and regulate the sustainable extraction needs to be put in place before commercial exploitation.

Effects of feed on fatty acid composition in muscles and gonads of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Abstract In this study, the effects of different feeds on fatty acid composition in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) were investigated. The fatty acid composition in the Chinese mitten crab was significantly correlated with the type of feed source provided. Differences between the feed groups pertained mainly five fatty acids: oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The content of EPA and DHA was higher in the group of frozen trash fish than in the group of formulated feed. On the other hand, the content of oleic acid, linoleic acid and palmitic acid was higher in the formulated feed group than in the frozen trash fish group. There were significant differences in the nutritional value of the Chinese mitten crab reared under different feed sources, i.e. Chinese mitten crabs reared with the frozen trash fish feed were larger than those reared with the formulated feed, especially as regards the ω-3/ω-6 PUFA ratio and essential fatty acid levels.

Supplementation With Omega 3 in a Diet With Omega 9 Fatty Acids. Study on Serum, Thymus and Brain of Growing Rat

Abstract Objectives Fatty acids have an important role in nutrition. The objective was to analyze the effect of diet containing olive oil, with and without the supplementation with omega 3, on serum, thymus and brain's fatty acid profiles of growing rats. Methods Weanling Wistar rats fed during 10 days a diet containing olive oil as fat (O group). Other group received the same diet supplemented with 24mg/day of fish oil (OS group). Control group(C) received diet according AIN´93. Serum, thymus and brain's fatty acids profiles were determined by gas chromatography. Statistical analysis used ANOVA. Results Results (%Area) were expressed as the Mean ± SD: SERUM: OLEIC O:23.44 ± 3.68a; OS:18.31 ± 2.22a; C:10.60 ± 2.01b; LINOLEIC(LA) O:12.44 ± 1.65b; OS:12.98 ± 4.31b; C:18.27 ± 2.81a; LINOLENIC(ALA) O:0.30 ± 0.09b; OS:0.32 ± 0.08b; C:0.92 ± 0.34a; EPA O:0.65 ± 0.17b; OS:1.63 ± 0.49a; C:0.80 ± 0.23b; DHA: O:1.57 ± 0.58b; OS:4.00 ± 1.70a; C:1.33 ± 0.19b. THYMUS: OLEIC O:21.54 ± 5.92; OS:24.40 ± 5.04; C:18.22 ± 3.23; LINOLEIC O:5.90 ± 0.56b; OS:6.50 ± 0.61b; C:10.89 ± 2.18a; ALA O:0.27 ± 0.02b; OS:0.30 ± 0.07b; C:0.49 ± 0.19a; EPA O:0.49 ± 0.28; OS:0.50 ± 0.13; C:0.50 ± 0.12; DHA O:0.47 ± 0.10b; OS:0.70 ± 0.12a; C:0.52 ± 0.16b. BRAIN: OLEIC O:13.11 ± 2.64; OS:12.94 ± 1.07; C:13.14 ± 1.56; LA O:1.17 ± 0.46; OS:1.05 ± 0.33; C:1.26 ± 0.19; ALA O:0.15 ± 0.03; OS:0.12 ± 0.04; C:0.16 ± 0.06; EPA O:0.46 ± 0.18; OS:0.38 ± 0.09; C:0.33 ± 0.07; DHA: O:11.39 ± 2.04; OS:11.32 ± 1.69; C:11.66 ± 1.63. Means with one letter (a, b) in common, were not significantly different (p &amp;gt; 0.05). In sera, O and OS showed lower ALA and LA and higher oleic levels, compared to C. OS presented high levels of EPA and DHA. In thymus, O and OS groups showed lower levels of ALA and LA than C. DHA only increased in the OS group. No changes were presented in the brain. Conclusions The results suggest that olive oil exacerbated omega-9 family with diminution of essential fatty acids while organism tries to sustain brain essential fatty acids. Fish oil supplementation increased serum and thymus DHA levels, not modifying low levels of other essential fatty acids. Another source of supplementation may be convenient to analyze. Funding Sources Supported by University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Chain length-dependent inulin alleviates diet-induced obesity and metabolic disorders in mice.

Dietary fiber is regarded to improve host metabolic disorders through modulating gut microbiota. The study was to investigate the effects of inulin with different degree of polymerization (DP) on adiposity, related metabolic syndrome, and the possible mechanisms from the points of gut microbiota and metabolite changes. C57Bl/6J male mice were randomly allocated to normal diet (ND) group, high‐fat diet (HFD) group, two HFD groups with short‐chain inulin (HFD‐S) and medium and long‐chain inulin (HFD‐ML) for 8 weeks. Compared with HFD treatment, ML‐inulin supplementation significantly decreased weight gain, hepatic steatosis, chronic inflammation, and increased insulin sensitivity, energy expenditure and thermogenesis. This could be mimicked by S‐inulin supplementation to some degree although it is not as effective as ML inulin. Also, mice treated with S and ML inulin had a remarkable alternation in the composition of gut microbiota and increased the production of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs). However, reduced serum levels of essential fatty acids, vitamins B1 and B3 by HFD were further decreased by both inulin supplementations. ML inulin can prevent HFD‐induced obesity and the associated metabolic disorders, and may be used as novel gut microbiota modulator to prevent HFD‐induced gut dysbiosis and metabolic disorders.

Physico-chemical characteristics and fatty acid profile of allium fistulosum vegetable plant

The physicochemical properties of the plant and the fatty acid profile of the plant oil of Allium fistulosum have been determined using standard methods of the AOAC. The proximate composition gave moisture content of 89.55%, ash content 0.82%, crude oil 0.64%, crude protein 1.82%, crude fibre 1.65% and carbohydrate 5.54%. The most abundant fatty acids in decreasing order of abundance were linoleic (52.87%) &gt; oleic (17.57%) &gt; palmitic (9.80%) &gt; stearic (8.81%) &gt; linolenic (2.88%) &gt; palmitoleic (2.84%) &gt; myristic (1.28%) &gt; behenic (1.23%). Others with concentrations less than 1.00% are lauric, arachidonic, behenic and lignoceric acids. Linoleic and oleic acids were the most abundant of the total fatty acids and also of the total unsaturated fatty acids with the two totaling 70.44% of all fatty acids. Palmitic and stearic acids were the two most abundant saturated fatty acids, totaling 18.61% of all fatty acids. The total unsaturated fatty acids (77.35%) predominated the total saturated (22.63%), while the percentage poly-unsaturated (56.34%) was far greater than mono-unsaturated (21.04%). The high level of essential fatty acids in the plant oil is an advantage in food consumption and the good total unsaturated/saturated (PS) ratio makes the fruit oil nutritionally very useful to be adopted for domestic purposes.

Fatty acid production of thraustochytrids from Saudi Arabian mangroves.

This is the first report of thraustochytrids from Saudi Arabia. A total of 108 isolates of thraustochytrid were cultured from Syhat mangroves, Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia. Isolated thraustochytrids belonged to five genera: Aplanochytrium, Aurantiochytrium, Schizochytrium, Thraustochytrium and Ulkenia. Cultured thraustochytrids isolated from decaying leaves of Avicennia marina (77 isolates), sediment (15), seawater (10) and decaying thalli of Sargassum (6). Of the 108 isolates, three strains (SY25, SY38 and SY52) were selected based on their high biomass productivity and high percentages of PUFAs. Phylogenetic analyses based on 18S rDNA placed the three strains within the Aurantiochytrium clade with high statistical support. Species of Aurantiochytrium formed six separate clades, the two strains (SY38 and SY52) formed a separate clade that is a sister clade to the one that contains the type species A. limacinum, while SY25 grouped with Aurantiochytrium sp. TA4, that is also isolated from mangroves in Iran, Arabian Gulf. The strains (SY38 and SY52) shared the phylogenetic placement, their morphology and fatty acid profile. The strain SY25 have different shape of sporangia that divide to give zoospores directly, sporogenous cells are surrounded by thick gelatinous sheath and produce high levels of Linoleic and Oleic essential unsaturated fatty acids. The three studied strain produced high levels of Palmitic acid (ranged between 31.1 and 65.3 % of total fatty acids) that can be further optimized for biofuel production.

Influence of lipid‐enriched diets on the reproductive performance of marine ornamental ‘hinge‐beak’ shrimp Rhynchocinetes durbanensis (Caridea: Rhynchocinetidae)

The present study was designed to investigate the efficiency of lipid-enriched brood stock diets on the reproductive performance, such as fecundity, egg volume, fatty acid profile of newly extruded (stage 1) embryos and the starvation threshold of the newly hatched larvae of the marine ornamental ‘hinge-beak’ shrimp Rhynchocinetes durbanensis Gordon. Three dietary treatments (50, 100 and 150 g/kg lipids) were formulated to understand their influence on the reproduction of R. durbanensis under captive condition and compared with the wild-caught shrimps carrying embryos in the abdomen. The reproductive parameters varied significantly between the treatments (captive and wild). Further, the fatty acid profile revealed that essential fatty acid levels of newly extruded embryos in the wild collected shrimps were almost like that of embryos produced in 100 and 150 g/kg of lipid-enriched diets. The results of linear discriminant analysis (LDA) suggest that the fatty acid profile of embryos has confirmed the separation of four centroids indicating comprehensive differences among the embryos of captive-reared and wild-caught shrimps. Hence, it is recommended that the commercial diets formulated with essential nutrients would play a major role in enhancing the reproductive performance of marine ornamental shrimps.

Hempseed as a nutritious and healthy human food or animal feed source: a review

SummaryHempseed products are projected to receive great potentials due to the rapid growth in the US market. Industrial hemp has been an important crop for food, fibre and medicine applications. Hempseed products can be used as nutraceutical supplements and functional foods for human and can be applied for animal feed. This review provides a comprehensive summary of nutritional quality and health benefits of hempseed which is attributed to high levels of essential fatty acids and other PUFAs in the oil, with a rich source of essential amino acids in highly digestible protein. This review examines the impact of extraction methods on oil yield and bioactive compounds, nutrition value, and food application of hemp protein‐extracted products, including meal, protein isolate and protein concentrate. Recent research related to the understanding chemical composition, nutritional value, health benefits, processing impact, functional properties of hempseed products, and their application for food and feed is presented.

Effects of essential fatty acids and feeding regimes on egg and offspring quality of European eel: Comparing reproductive success of farm-raised and wild-caught broodstock

Production of high-quality offspring from farm-raised broodstock is fundamental to establish a closed-cycle hatchery production of European eel, Anguilla anguilla. While development of larval culture technologies progresses, the present study focused on effects of essential fatty acid (EFA) composition of eggs on offspring quality. Three reproduction experiments were conducted, two of which included farm-raised broodstock fed different diets for different periods of time and one wild-caught broodstock, using size-matched females. The formulated diets varied in levels and ratios of three essential fatty acids, arachidonic acid (20:4n-6; ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3; EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA), while feeding periods lasted either 55 or 79 weeks. Dietary influences on egg and offspring fatty acid composition and offspring quality were evaluated and results of the most successful dietary regime was compared to those of wild-caught females. Results showed that elevated dietary levels of ARA were reflected in unfertilized eggs, with high ARA diets significantly increasing the amounts of floating eggs, total lipid content in eggs, fertilization success, and embryonic survival. Further EFA enhancements and prolonged feeding resulted in higher ARA and lower EPA levels in the unfertilized eggs, while DHA levels did not change. Females with prolonged feeding produced offspring of higher quality, i.e. higher egg dry weight and larval survival. Overall, offspring of farm-raised females showed higher EFA levels than those of wild-caught females. However, while fertilization success was comparable, offspring of farm-raised females had significantly lower embryonic survival and hatch success as well as higher proportions of cleavage abnormalities. These results identified embryonic development as the main bottleneck in offspring production from farm-raised females. Once hatched, larval survival and quality was comparable between farm-raised and wild-caught females. Notably, enhancement of essential fatty acids in female broodstock diets in combination with a long feeding period improved the production of high quality offspring.

Antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic activities of wheat flour-based chips incorporated with omega-3-rich fish oil and artichoke powder.

In the present study, the omega-3-rich oil from fish viscera and gill by-products, and caffeoylquinic-rich powder of artichoke bract by-products were used for the enrichment of wheat flour chips. Incorporation of these ingredients improved the lipid profile by increasing the level of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids mainly linoleic, linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids enhancing thereby their nutritional quality. In alloxan-induced diabetic mice, the novel products reverts the blood glucose and serum markers including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, and creatinine to their normal levels. Concomitantly, they prevented lipid peroxidation and activated antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase). They ameliorate the lipid profile by reducing triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL. Additional efforts aimed at investigating the potential of other raw materials including algal biomass, and shrimps as a sustainable source of valuable ingredients would contribute to the development of new products with improved nutritional and functional attributes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Icorporation of cheap, available, and functional ingredients from fish (omega-3-rich oil) and artichoke bract by-products into wheat flour chips could be successfully adopted for the development of functional foods destined for diabetic patient.

Evaluation of SMOFlipid in Pediatric Intestinal-Failure Patients and Its Effects on Essential Fatty Acid Levels.

SMOFlipid is a mixed-lipid emulsion approved for adults in the United States as an alternative to soybean oil-based lipid (SO). There are limited data on the use of SMOFlipid in pediatrics and its effect on the fatty acid (FA) profile. Our objective was to characterize changes in FA profile, liver function, and growth in pediatric patients with intestinal failure (IF), following transition from SO or a fish-oil (FO) and SO combination to SMOFlipid. A retrospective case series was conducted on pediatric parenteral nutrition-dependent IF patients transitioned to SMOFlipid. Demographics, anthropometrics, labs, and achievement of nutrition goals were assessed. Linear mixed-effect models assessed effects on FA levels and clinical outcomes. One hundred thirty-nine FA panels were collected from 20 patients. Median SMOFlipid dose at study completion was 2 g/kg/d (interquartile range, 1.6-2). During the 1.5 years after SMOFlipid initiation, ω-6 FA increased to physiologic levels, arachidonic acid increased from 298 to 461 nmol/mL (P < .001), and linoleic acid increased from 1172 to 1922 nmol/mL (P < .001). ω-3 FA remained within normal limits. Body mass index z-score and length z-score increased, though no significant changes were found. In addition, no significant changes were found in mead acid, hepatic function, triene-to-tetraene ratio, or triglycerides. In 20 pediatric IF patients, SMOFlipid allowed greater ω-6 FA provision while maintaining ω-3 FA, hepatic function, and patient growth. This longitudinal study identified improved FA profile associated with SMOFlipid use in comparison with SO with or without FO.

Comparative transcriptomics reveals domestication-associated features of Atlantic salmon lipid metabolism.

Domestication of animals imposes strong targeted selection for desired traits but can also result in unintended selection due to new domestic environments. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salmar) was domesticated in the 1970s and has subsequently been selected for faster growth in systematic breeding programmes. More recently, salmon aquaculture has replaced fish oils (FOs) with vegetable oils (VOs) in feed, radically changing the levels of essential long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs). Our aim here was to study the impact of domestication on metabolism and explore the hypothesis that the shift to VO diets has unintentionally selected for a domestication-specific lipid metabolism. We conducted a 96-day feeding trial of domesticated and wild salmon fed diets based on FOs, VOs or phospholipids, and compared transcriptomes and fatty acids in tissues involved in lipid absorption (pyloric caeca) and lipid turnover and synthesis (liver). Domesticated salmon had faster growth and higher gene expression in glucose and lipid metabolism compared to wild fish, possibly linked to differences in regulation of circadian rhythm pathways. Only the domesticated salmon increased expression of LC-PUFA synthesis genes when given VOs. This transcriptome response difference was mirrored at the physiological level, with domesticated salmon having higher LC-PUFA levels but lower 18:3n-3 and 18:2n-6 levels. In line with this, the VO diet decreased growth rate in wild but not domesticated salmon. Our study revealed a clear impact of domestication on transcriptomic regulation linked to metabolism and suggests that unintentional selection in the domestic environment has resulted in evolution of stronger compensatory mechanisms to a diet low in LC-PUFAs.

Effect of Dietary Microalgae on Growth Performance, Profiles of Amino and Fatty Acids, Antioxidant Status, and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens.

Simple SummaryThe use of feed additives with no side effectsfor enhancing growth performance and improving meat quality in broilers chickens is an essential research topic. In these regards, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of three species of microalgae namely Chlorella vulgaris (CV), Spirulina platensis (SP) and Amphora coffeaformis (AC) on growth performance, profiles of fatty and amino acids, antioxidant status and meat quality of breast muscles. The results demonstrated that the inclusion of studied microalgae notably AC has a positive effect on performance, antioxidant status and meat quality of breast muscle in broiler chickens.The study used 96 broiler chickens to evaluate the impact of three species of microalgae on performance, profiles of fatty and amino acids, antioxidants, and meat quality of breast muscles. Birds were divided into four groups (24 birds/each) with 4 replicates (6 birds each). Birds in the first group were fed basal diet and served as a control (C). Birds of 2–4 groups were fed basal diet mixed with same dose (1 g/kg diet) of Chlorella vulgaris (CV), Spirulina platensis (SP), and Amphora coffeaformis (AC). At the age of 36 days, performance parameters were reported, and breast muscle samples were collected and stored frozen at −80 °C. AC shared CV in the superiority of increasing final body weight and body weight gain compared to SP and control. AC shared SP in the superiority of increasing the level of essential fatty and amino acids and decreasing the microbial growth in breast muscle compared to CV and control. All studied microalgae reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels, cooking loss, and aerobic plate count (APC) and increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in breast muscle compared to control. The current study indicated that studied microalgae, notably AC, can be used to enhance performance and meat quality in broilers chickens.

Determination of allosteric and active sites responsible for catalytic activity of delta 12 fatty acid desaturase from Geotrichum candidum and Mortierella alpina by domain swapping

Cheese lacks essential fatty acids (EFAs). Delta 12 fatty acid desaturase (FADS12) is a critical enzyme required for EFA biosynthesis in fermentation of the predominant strains of cheese. Previously, we identified the FADS12 gene and characterized its function for the first time in Geotrichum candidum, a dominant strain used to manufacture soft cheese with white rind. In this study, we analyzed the molecular mechanism of FADS12 function by swapping domains from Mortierella alpina and G. candidum that had, respectively, high and low oleic acid conversion rates. The results revealed three regions that are essential to this process, including regions from the end of the second transmembrane domain to the beginning of the third transmembrane domain, from the end of the third transmembrane domain to the beginning of the fourth transmembrane domain, and from the 30-amino acid from the end of the sixth transmembrane domain to the C-terminal end region. Based on our domain swapping analyses, nine pairs of amino acids including H112, S118, H156, Q161, K301, R306, E307, A309 and S323 in MaFADS12 (K123, A129, N167, M172, T302, D307, I308, E310 and D324 in GcFADS12) were identified as having a significantly effect on FADS12 catalytic efficiency, and linoleic acid and its analogues (12,13-cyclopropenoid fatty acid) were found to inhibit the catalytic activity of FADS12 and related recombinant enzymes. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism of FADS12 inhibition was analyzed. The results revealed two allosteric domains, including one domain from the N-terminal region to the beginning of the first transmembrane domain and another from the 31st amino acid from the end of the sixth transmembrane domain to the C terminus. Y4 and F398 amino acid residues from MaFADS12 and eight pairs of amino acids including G56, L60, L344, G10, Q13, S24, K326 and L344 in MaFADS12 (while Y66, F70, F345, F20, Y23, Y34, F327 and F345 in GcFADS12) played a pivotal role in FADS12 inhibition. Finally, we found that both allosteric and active sites were responsible for the catalytic activity of FADS12 at various temperatures, pH, and times. This study offers a solid theoretical basis to develop preconditioning methods to increase the rate at which GcFADS12 converts oleic and linoleic acids to produce higher levels of EFAs in cheese.