Lignoceric Acid Research Articles

Trans-Himalayan Rhodiola imbricata Edgew. root: a novel source of dietary amino acids, fatty acids and minerals.

Roots of Rhodiola imbricata Edgew from Indian trans-Himalayan cold desert known for their nutritional and medicinal attributes were evaluated for the dietary amino acids, fatty acids and mineral composition. Nine essential and twelve non-essential amino acids were quantified. The contents ranged between 91.33 and 1640.67µg/g. Histidine (1434.33µg/g), lysine (1329.33µg/g) and threonine (1015.67 μg/g) were dominant essential amino acids, while glycine (1640.67µg/g), proline (1263.67µg/g), alanine (1142.33µg/g), cystine HCL (1136.33 μg/g) and nor leucine (1038.67 μg/g) were major non essential amino acids. The total lipid was found to be rich source of saturated fatty acids such as capric acid (19.91%), caproic acid (10.87%), palmitic acid (9.42%), lignoceric acid (6.16%) and behenic acid (5.71%), which together constituted 52% of the lipid content. Linoleic acid (15.06%), oleic acid (12.38%), arachidonic acid (8.38%), linolelaidic acid (6.11%) and docosadienoic acid (5.99%) were prominent unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were 35.64% and 12.33% of the lipid content respectively. Calcium (11034.17mg/kg), potassium (2143.25mg/kg), iron (1441.17mg/kg), magnesium (581.99mg/kg), phosphorous (376.72mg/kg) and sodium (109.75mg/kg) were detected as the major dietary minerals.

Phytosphingosine, sphingosine and dihydrosphingosine ceramides in model skin lipid membranes: permeability and biophysics

Ceramides based on phytosphingosine, sphingosine and dihydrosphingosine are essential constituents of the skin lipid barrier that protects the body from excessive water loss. The roles of the individual ceramide subclasses in regulating skin permeability and the reasons for C4-hydroxylation of these sphingolipids are not completely understood. We investigated the chain length-dependent effects of dihydroceramides, sphingosine ceramides (with C4-unsaturation) and phytoceramides (with C4-hydroxyl) on the permeability, lipid organization and thermotropic behavior of model stratum corneum lipid membranes composed of ceramide/lignoceric acid/cholesterol/cholesteryl sulfate. Phytoceramides with very long C24 acyl chains increased the permeability of the model lipid membranes compared to dihydroceramides or sphingosine ceramides with the same chain lengths. Either unsaturation or C4-hydroxylation of dihydroceramides induced chain length-dependent increases in membrane permeability. Infrared spectroscopy showed that C4-hydroxylation of the sphingoid base decreased the relative ratio of orthorhombic chain packing in the membrane and lowered the miscibility of C24 phytoceramide with lignoceric acid. The phase separation in phytoceramide membranes was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. In contrast, phytoceramides formed strong hydrogen bonds and highly thermostable domains. Thus, the large heterogeneity in ceramide structures and in their aggregation mechanisms may confer resistance towards the heterogeneous external stressors that are constantly faced by the skin barrier.

Overexpression of PGC-1α increases peroxisomal activity and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in human primary myotubes.

Peroxisomes are indispensable organelles for lipid metabolism in humans, and their biogenesis has been assumed to be under regulation by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). However, recent studies in hepatocytes suggest that the mitochondrial proliferator PGC-1α (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α) also acts as an upstream transcriptional regulator for enhancing peroxisomal abundance and associated activity. It is unknown whether the regulatory mechanism(s) for enhancing peroxisomal function is through the same node as mitochondrial biogenesis in human skeletal muscle (HSkM) and whether fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is affected. Primary myotubes from vastus lateralis biopsies from lean donors (BMI = 24.0 ± 0.6 kg/m2; n = 6) were exposed to adenovirus encoding human PGC-1α or GFP control. Peroxisomal biogenesis proteins (peroxins) and genes (PEXs) responsible for proliferation and functions were assessed by Western blotting and real-time qRT-PCR, respectively. [1-14C]palmitic acid and [1-14C]lignoceric acid (exclusive peroxisomal-specific substrate) were used to assess mitochondrial oxidation of peroxisomal-derived metabolites. After overexpression of PGC-1α, 1) peroxisomal membrane protein 70 kDa (PMP70), PEX19, and mitochondrial citrate synthetase protein content were significantly elevated (P < 0.05), 2) PGC-1α, PMP70, key PEXs, and peroxisomal β-oxidation mRNA expression levels were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05), and 3) a concomitant increase in lignoceric acid oxidation by both peroxisomal and mitochondrial activity was observed (P < 0.05). These novel findings demonstrate that, in addition to the proliferative effect on mitochondria, PGC-1α can induce peroxisomal activity and accompanying elevations in long-chain and very-long-chain fatty acid oxidation by a peroxisomal-mitochondrial functional cooperation, as observed in HSkM cells.

Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Constituents from Dactyladenia floribunda and Chemicals Transformations of Hennadiol

Phytochemical studies on Dactyladenia floribunda Welw furnished twelve known compounds including (1) tetracosanoic acid, (2) β-sitosterol, (3) lupeol, (4) betulinol, (5) betulinic acid, (6) hennadiol, (7) ursolic acid, (8) oleanolic acid, (9) β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, (10) hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol, (11) 4’-methoxy-5,6,7- trihydroxyflavone and (12) 5,7,4’,5’-tetrahydroxyflavonol. (6) Hennadiol was subjected to microwave assisted diacetylation and hydrogenolysis. The crude extracts and some of these compounds were tested for their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities.

Evaluation of Fatty Acid Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Wild-Growing Mushrooms from Southwest China.

To better understand the medicinal and nutritional value of mushrooms, we studied the fatty acid (FA) compositions and DPPH scavenging abilities of 11 mushrooms from Southwest China. The crude fat (CF) contents were examined initially, then 3 methods of FA methyl esterification were compared to identify which acid treatment was the most appropriate method. Then methyl esterification methods for 12 CFs were performed with acid treatment and the FA compositions were analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that tetradecanoic acid (14:0), hexadecenoic acid (16:1), hexadecanoic acid (16:0), heptadecanoic acid (17:0), octadecadienoic acid (18:2), octadecenoic acid (18:1), octadecanoic acid (18:0), docosanoic acid (22:0), and tetracosanoic acid (24:0) were detected in all the samples, with large amounts of hexadecanoic acid (16:0), octadecadienoic acid (18:2), octadecenoic acid (18:1), and octadecanoic acid (18:0). Daldinia eschscholtzii and Sarcodon imbricatus had the highest ratio value of unsaturated FAs to saturated FAs (4.33 and 3.03, respectively). The DPPH scavenging ability of 12 CFs was also tested. The free radical scavenging rates of the CFs were almost < 10% at a concentration of 0.10 mg/mL, except that of S. imbricatus, which reached 81.25%, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.054 mg/mL. This strong DPPH free radical scavenging ability of S. imbricatus may be related to α-hydroxy FA.

Fatty Acid, Phospholipid and Sterol Compositions of Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and Wonderful Kola (Buchholzia aoriacea) Seeds

A comprehensive study on fatty acid, phospholipid and phytosterol compositions of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and wonderful kola (Buchholzia coriacea) seeds flour were determined using standard analytical techniques. The most concentrated fatty acid (%) was oleic acid in Artocarpus altilis seed (56.775) while linoleic acid (42.644) was the most concentrated acid in Buchholzia coriacea seeds. The increasing order of the concentrated fatty acids in Artocarpus altilis seeds were: stearic acid (4.723) < palmitic acid (11.412) < linoleic acid (25.710) < oleic acid (56.775) < while that of Buchholzia coriacea seeds were: linolenic acid (2.197) < stearic acid (6.734) < palmitic acid (11.241) < oleic acid (35.719) < linoleic acid (42.644), respectively. Arachidinic, linolenic, erucic, palmitoleic, behemic, lignoceric, arachidonic, margaric, myristic, lauric, capric, caprilic and caproic acids were present in small quantities with none of them recording up to 1.0% in both the two plant seeds. The results also showed high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (57.071%) in Artocarpus altilis and 36.739% in Buchholzia coriacea, and values of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were 0.125 and 2.212% for the two plant seeds, respectively. The respective phospholipids composition of phosphatidylserine (204.75 mg/100g) and phosphatidylinositol (29.35 mg/100g) showed a highest concentration in Artocarpus altilis and Buchholzia coriacea while diphosphatidylglycerol was the least phospholipid with concentrations of 0.11 and 0.01 mg/100 g for both samples. The concentrations of phytosterols were of low values except in sitosterol with values of 90.81 and 31.24 mg/100 g in Artocarpus altilis and Buchholzia coriacea respectively. This study provides an informative oil profile that will serve as a basis for further chemical investigations and nutritional evaluation of the Artocarpus altilis and Buchholzia coriacea seed oils.

The study of fatty and organic acids of vaccinium uliginosum leaves

Using chromato-mass-spectrometry the analysis of the qualitative composition and the quantitative content of organic and fatty acids in Vaccinium uliginosum leaves has been conducted. The analysis of methyl esters of fatty and organic acids has been performed using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (5973N/6890N MSD/DS Agilent Technologies, USA). Identification of methyl esters of acids has been performed on the basis of the calculation of the equivalent length of the aliphatic chain using the data from the NIST 05 and Willey 2007 mass spectra library with the total number of spectra more than 470000 in combination with AMDIS and NIST programmes for identification; the retention time has been also compared with the retention time of standard compounds (Sigma). In Vaccinium uliginosum leaves 36 organic and fatty acids have been identified, their total content is 5867.84 mg/kg. In leaves 18 fatty acids and 18 organic acids have been found. Dominant components of Vaccinium uliginosum leaves among fatty acids are palmitic acid (1566.74 mg/kg), myristic acid (273.46 mg/kg), tetracosanoic acid (219.73 mg/kg) and arachic acid (214.82 mg/kg), and among organic acids – levulinic acid (600.32 mg/kg) and malonic acid (493.17 mg/kg). Based on the research conducted it has been proven that Vaccinium uliginosum leaves are the promising raw material for further pharmacognostic study.

Phytanic acid attenuates insulin-like growth factor-1 activity via nitric oxide-mediated γ-secretase activation in rat aortic smooth muscle cells: possible implications for pathogenesis of infantile Refsum disease.

Infantile Refsum disease (IRD), a peroxisomal disease with defective phytanic acid oxidation, causes neurological impairment and development delay. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) regulates child development and to understand molecular mechanism(s) of IRD, we examined the effect of phytanic acid (PA) on IGF-1 activity. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation was measured in rat aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) cultures following treatment with fetal bovine serum (FBS), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or IGF-1 in the absence or presence of PA. Gene expression and protein contents of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and PDGF receptor (PDGFR) were examined using quantitative PCR and western blotting. PA inhibited mitogenic activities of FBS, PDGF and IGF-1 with more pronounced effect on IGF-1-induced bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. Palmitic acid or lignoceric acids did not inhibit IGF-1 activity. PA had no effect on PDGFR mRNA/protein levels but markedly increased IGF-1R mRNA levels. PA and nitric oxide (NO) markedly decreased IGF-1R protein. L-NAME, a NO synthase inhibitor and DAPT, a γ-secretase inhibitor, alleviated PA-induced decrease in IGF-1R protein. Both PA and NO donor increased γ-secretase activity which was alleviated by L-NAME. This study demonstrates that PA attenuates IGF-1 activity possibly through IGF-1R impairment and NO-mediated modulation of γ-secretase activity.

Omega-O-Acylceramides in Skin Lipid Membranes: Effects of Concentration, Sphingoid Base, and Model Complexity on Microstructure and Permeability.

Omega-O-acylceramides (acylCer), a subclass of sphingolipids with an ultralong N-acyl chain (from 20 to 38 carbons, most usually 30 and 32 carbons), are crucial components of the skin permeability barrier. AcylCer are involved in the formation of the long periodicity lamellar phase (LPP, 12-13 nm), which is essential for preventing water loss from the body. Lower levels of acylCer and LPP accompany skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, lamellar ichthyosis, and psoriasis. We studied how the concentration and structure of acylCer influence the organization and permeability barrier properties of model lipid membranes. For simple model membranes composed of the sphingosine-containing acylCer (EOS), N-lignoceroyl sphingosine, lignoceric acid, cholesterol (Chol), and cholesteryl sulfate (CholS), the LPP formed at 10% Cer EOS (of the total Cer) and the short periodicity phase disappeared at 30% Cer EOS. Surprisingly, membranes with the LPP had higher permeabilities than the control membrane without acylCer. In the complex models consisting of acylCer (EOS, phytosphingosine EOP, dihydrosphingosine EOdS, or their mixture; at 10% of the total Cer), a six-component Cer mixture, a free fatty acid mixture, cholesterol (Chol), and cholesteryl sulfate (CholS), acylCer decreased the membrane permeability to model permeants (with the strongest effects for acylCer EOP and EOdS) when compared with the permeability of the control membrane without acylCer. However, in the complex model, only a mixture of acylCer EOS, EOdS, and EOP and not the individual acylCer formed both the LPP and orthorhombic chain packing at the 10% level. Thus, the relationships between acylCer, LPP formation, and permeability barrier function are not trivial. Lipid heterogeneity is essential-only the most complex model with nine Cer subclasses mimicked both the organization and permeability of stratum corneum lipid membranes.

Abstract 11369: Circulating Very Long-Chain Saturated Fatty Acids and Heart Failure

Introduction: Myocardial fibrosis with apoptosis contributes to heart failure (HF), and ceramides, with their role in apoptosis, may contribute to this pathophysiological process. However, experimental studies show that ceramides carrying a VLSFA are in fact protective against apoptosis, providing strong evidence that very long-chain saturated fatty acids (VLSFA) impart different biological activity to ceramides. Hypothesis: Circulating VLSFA are associated with lower risk of HF. Methods: We addressed this hypothesis in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a prospective study of older adults (mean age 72 at entry) with repeated measures of plasma phospholipid fatty acids. Circulating fatty acids were measured at the study baseline in 1992-93, and again where possible, in the 6 th year and 13 th year of follow-up, in plasma phospholipids. We assessed the associations of three VLSFA, arachidic acid (20:0), behenic acid (22:0) and lignoceric acid (24:0), with risk of incident HF using Cox regression with time-dependent covariates and fatty acids. Results: The analyses included 4,060 CHS participants with fatty acid data at least at one time point. During 43,430 person-years, we identified 1228 incident HF. In analyses adjusted for age, sex, race, center, blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference, physical activity, smoking, history of coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and current use of antihypertensive medications, higher levels of 22:0 and 24:0 were associated with lower risk of incident HF (Table). With further adjustment for fatty acids previously found to be associated with HF, all three VLSFA were associated with lower risk of incident HF. Conclusions: Higher levels of circulating VLSFA are associated with lower risk of incident HF. These novel findings may open a new avenue of research into these little studied saturated fatty acids and their possible beneficial role in preventing HF.

Time course effects of fermentation on fatty acid and volatile compound profiles of Cheonggukjang using new soybean cultivars

In this study, we investigated the effects of the potential probiotic Bacillus subtilis CSY191 on the fatty acid profiles of Cheonggukjang, a fermented soybean paste, prepared using new Korean brown soybean cultivars, protein-rich cultivar (Saedanbaek), and oil-rich cultivar (Neulchan). Twelve fatty acids were identified in the sample set—myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, vaccenic, linoleic, α-linolenic, arachidic, gondoic, behenic, and lignoceric acids—yet, no specific changes driven by fermentation were noted in the fatty acid profiles. To further explore the effects of fermentation of B. subtilis CSY191, complete profiles of volatiles were monitored. In total, 121, 136, and 127 volatile compounds were detected in the Saedanbaek, Daewon (control cultivar), and Neulchan samples, respectively. Interestingly, the content of pyrazines—compounds responsible for pungent and unpleasant Cheonggukjang flavors—was significantly higher in Neulchan compared to that in Saedanbaek. Although the fermentation period was not a strong factor affecting the observed changes in fatty acid profiles, we noted that profiles of volatiles in Cheonggukjang changed significantly over time, and different cultivars represented specific volatile profiles. Thus, further sensory evaluation might be needed to determine if such differences influence consumers' preferences. Furthermore, additional studies to elucidate the associations between B. subtilis CSY191 fermentation and other nutritional components (e.g., amino acids) and their health-promoting potential are warranted.

Proximate composition and fatty acid analysis of Lablab purpureus (L.) legume seed: implicates to both protein and essential fatty acid supplementation.

The high mortality rate in Bangladesh is related to poverty, which results in protein malnutrition, essential fatty acid deficiency and lacks in adequate vitamins, minerals and calorie. Exploring new food items with improved dietary nutrition factors may, therefore, help to decrease the mortality rate in the poor countries like Bangladesh. Accordingly, the present study was a proximate composition and fatty acid analysis of L. purpureus seed—a legume seed which is given no careful attention locally, though it might be a good source of valuable nutrition factors for both animals and humans. The purpose of the study was, therefore, to generate awareness that L. purpureus could also act as a good source of food components essential for good health. Proximate analysis revealed that the seed powder contained 8.47 ± 0.52% moisture; 3.50 ± 0.0.07% ash; 1.02 ± 0.06% total fat; 23.95 ± 0.15% total protein; 1.21 ± 0.16% total dietary fiber; 61.86 ± 0.70% total carbohydrate and 352.4 ± 2.66 kcal/100 g energy. Phytic acid content (%) was 1.014 ± 0.048. Major fatty acid composition (%): the essential fatty acid linoleic acid (C18:2, ω-6) was 9.50 ± 0.68, while the linolenic acid (C18:3, ω-3) was 1.95 ± 0.18. Palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0) and oleic acid (C18:1) were, respectively, 2.96 ± 0.19, 0.77 ± 0.04 and 1.10 ± 0.06. Lignoceric acid (C24:0) was 0.11 ± 0.007%. Monounsaturated palmitoleic acid (0.006 ± 0.0), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, C22:5, ω-3) and nervonic acid (0.002 ± 0.0) were present in trace amounts. Arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4, ω-6), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5, ω-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, ω-3) were not detected. The fatty acid profile, thus, suggests that essential omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid (C18:3, ω-6) and omega-3 linolenic acid (C18:3, ω-3) were the major polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) present in L. purpureus seed. In addition, the seed contained high amount of proteins. Finally, these results suggest that L. purpureus seed could be used as a good source of quality food components, including protein and essential fatty acids.

Metabolically active extracellular vesicles released from hepatocytes under drug-induced liver-damaging conditions modify serum metabolome and might affect different pathophysiological processes

Hepatocytes are involved in the endogenous and drug metabolism; many of the enzymes involved in those processes are incorporated into extracellular vesicles and secreted into the bloodstream. Liver-damaging conditions modify the molecular cargo of those vesicles significantly. However, no information about the effect of these hepatic vesicles on the extracellular environment is available. Drug-induced liver damage increases the number of circulating extracellular vesicles and affects the release and content of hepatocyte-derived vesicles. In this work, we evaluated the metabolic effect of these vesicles on the composition of the serum. We performed a targeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS) metabolomics analysis of serum samples. The samples had been first incubated with hepatic extracellular vesicles from hepatocytes challenged with acetaminophen or diclofenac. The incubation affected the serum levels of 67 metabolites, such as amino acids and different species of lipids. The metabolites included various species of phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines. These compounds are the components of biological membranes; our observations suggest that the vesicles might take part in remodelling and maintenance of the membranes. Alterations in the levels of some other serum metabolites might have deleterious consequences, for example, the tetracosanoic acid with its cardiovascular effects. However, some of the metabolites whose levels were increased, including alpha-linoleic and tauroursodeoxycholic acids, have been reported to have a protective effect. Our targeted metabolomics analysis indicated that the hepatic extracellular vesicles act as nano-metabolic machines supplying the extracellular environment with the means to integrate diverse tissue responses. In conclusion, we show that the hepatic extracellular vesicles are metabolically active and might play a role in the physiopathological response to hepatic insults, including drug-induced liver injury.

Feedstock production for third generation biofuels through cultivation of Arthrobacter AK19 under stress conditions

As a member of the third generation of biofuels, biodiesel from bacteria requires substantial further research and development to assess its viability for commercial production. However, this biofuel is a promising solution to global renewable energy demands. As a result, the cultivation of Arthrobacter AK19 was investigated for higher lipid production through media optimization parameters and stress conditions. The results showed that when the Box-Behnken design was applied, the maximum biomass concentration was 4.78 times higher than that from unoptimized condition. Additionally, with sodium chloride and potassium permanganate at a concentration of 1.5 g/l and 3.2 mg/l as a stress agent, the lipid content was 3.34 and 1.95 times higher than that obtained under normal condition. The lipid class composition of Arthrobacter AK19 under sodium chloride stress contained neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids at levels of 63.45, 28.59 and 7.96 wt%, respectively. Additionally, the major components in the total lipids were linoleic acid, lignoceric acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid.

Metabolic Profiles Reveal Changes in Wild and Cultivated Soybean Seedling Leaves under Salt Stress.

Clarification of the metabolic mechanisms underlying salt stress responses in plants will allow further optimization of crop breeding and cultivation to obtain high yields in saline-alkali land. Here, we characterized 68 differential metabolites of cultivated soybean (Glycine max) and wild soybean (Glycine soja) under neutral-salt and alkali-salt stresses using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics, to reveal the physiological and molecular differences in salt tolerance. According to comparisons of growth parameters under the two kinds of salt stresses, the level of inhibition in wild soybean was lower than in cultivated soybean, especially under alkali-salt stress. Moreover, wild soybean contained significantly higher amounts of phenylalanine, asparagine, citraconic acid, citramalic acid, citric acid and α-ketoglutaric acid under neutral-salt stress, and higher amounts of palmitic acid, lignoceric acid, glucose, citric acid and α-ketoglutaric acid under alkali-salt stress, than cultivated soybean. Further investigations demonstrated that the ability of wild soybean to salt tolerance was mainly based on the synthesis of organic and amino acids, and the more active tricarboxylic acid cycle under neutral-salt stress. In addition, the metabolite profiling analysis suggested that the energy generation from β-oxidation, glycolysis and the citric acid cycle plays important roles under alkali-salt stress. Our results extend the understanding of mechanisms involved in wild soybean salt tolerance and provide an important reference for increasing yields and developing salt-tolerant soybean cultivars.

A multi-analytical approach applied to the archaeological residues in Iberian glasses. Earliest evidences on the consumption of fermented beverages in votive rituals

One of the analytical difficulties that may appear in the analytical process of the archaeological materials is related to the complexity of matrices. In this sense, the abundant content of lipids in archaeological degraded material makes the analysis of polyphenols much more problematic. In addition, phenolic compounds with a low-molecular weight might be present at trace level or even not be present in ancient artefacts. In this study, the advantages of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode (GC–MS-SIM) for the analysis of wine biomarkers, tartaric and cinnamic acids, preserved in archaeological potsherd found in a votive deposit from the Iberian period in Granada (Spain) are presented. This will contribute to a greater understanding of the consumption of fermented beverages offered in votive rituals in Southern Spain during the Iberian period. To our knowledge, this is the first time that GC–MS-SIM technique is used to identify low concentrations of these polyphenolic acids in archaeological residues. In addition, the GC–MS-SCAN and gas chromatography–combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC–C–IRMS) analysis revealed the presence of animal fats and vegetable oils mixed with wax and conifer resin preserved in the Iberian glasses. The correlation between organic compounds identified in the residues (short and odd-chain fatty acids (C9:0 to C12:0, C17:0 and C19:0), palmitic, stearic, azelaic, oleic, lignoceric and dehydroabietic acids and long-chain odd-numbered alkanes) and its possible origin are also discussed.

A novel method for determining peroxisomal fatty acid β‐oxidation

The purpose of this study is to establish an assay method to screen for chemical compounds that stimulate peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation activity in X-linked adrenoleukodystropy (X-ALD) fibroblasts. In this investigation, we used 12-(1-pyrene)dodecanoic acid (pyrene-C12:0), a fluorescent fatty acid analog, as a substrate for fatty acid β-oxidation. When human skin fibroblasts were incubated with pyrene-C12:0, β-oxidation products such as pyrene-C10:0 and pyrene-C8:0 were generated time-dependently. These β-oxidation products were scarcely detected in the fibroblasts from patients with Zellweger syndrome, a peroxisomal biogenesis disorder. In contrast, in fibroblasts with mitochondrial carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency, the β-oxidation products were detected at a level similar to control fibroblasts. These results indicate that the β-oxidation of pyrene-C12:0 takes place in peroxisomes, but not mitochondria, so pyrene-C12:0 is useful for measuring peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation activity. In X-ALD fibroblasts, the β-oxidation activity for pyrene-C12:0 was approximately 40% of control fibroblasts, which is consistent with previous results using [1-(14)C]lignoceric acid as the substrate. The present study provides a convenient procedure for screening chemical compounds that stimulate the peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation in X-ALDfibroblasts.

Novel Anti-ulcerogenic Effects of Total Extract and Isolated Compounds from Cakile arabica

Abstract: Background and Objective: Natural products take a special interest in the discovery of new anti-ulcerogenic drugs. Family Brassicaceae is one of the most important families in use for many investigations. Cakile arabica (Velen) was used in folk medicine in treatment of gastric disorder with no scientific approve, so the aim of this study was to investigate its contents and prove their biological activities. Materials and Methods: Different chromatographic equipment and instrument were used for isolation such as column chromatography. Identification of compounds were done by several spectroscopic methods; 1H-NMR. The 13C-NMR and DEPT COSY, HSQC and HMBC. Absolute ethanol-induced ulcer model in rats were used to evaluate the anti-ulcerogenic activity using reference standard drug ranitidine (100 mg kg–1). Results: Ten compounds were isolated from C. arabica for the first time and were identified as: (1) ?-amyrin, (2) ?-sitosterol, (3) Tetracosanoic acid, (4) 4-hydroxy-5-n-butoxy-5-oxopentanoic acid, (5) Scopoletine, (6) Umbelliferone, (7) Esculetin, (8) Kaempferol, (9) Quercetin and (10) Quercetin-3-O-rutninoside. The total alcohol extract (1000 mg kg–1) and the isolated compounds (50 mg kg–1) showed anti-ulcerogenic activity with different potentials. The total alcohol extract was the most effective agent in this study, as it showed 98.5% protection of control ulcer followed by compounds tetracosanoic acid and 4-hydroxy-5-n-butoxy-5-oxopentanoic acid, which produced 80 and 55.5%, respectively while standard ranitidine produced 46.2%. The total alcohol extract was safe up to 4000 mg kg–1 and showed no side effects on liver and kidney functions when administrated orally for 15 consecutive days at dose 1000 mg kg–1. Conclusion: The cytoprotective mechanism may explain the potent anti-ulcerogenic activity of the Cakile arabica extract and the isolated compounds. Compounds tetracosanoic acid and 4-hydroxy-5-n-butoxy-5-oxopentanoic acid could be the main active constituents as they showed highest activities between compounds. But it is clear that there was a synergistic activity between compounds as the activity of the total extract exceeds the activity of any compound alone.

A new multiplex method for the diagnosis of peroxisomal disorders allowing simultaneous determination of plasma very-long-chain fatty acids, phytanic, pristanic, docosahexaenoic and bile acids by high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

Peroxisomal disorders (PDs) present with wide phenotypic variability. An appropriate diagnosis requires a complete analysis of peroxisomal metabolites.We developed a multiplex LC-MS/MS method, using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization allowing the simultaneous determination in plasma of very-long-chain fatty acids, phytanic, pristanic, docosahexaenoic acids and di- and tri-hydroxycolestanoic bile acids.Two hundred microliters of plasma extracted with acetonitrile and 200μl extracted with hexane after an acid hydrolysis were combined, evaporated, dissolved in 10μl of methanol and analyzed.The acquisition was in negative-ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring.The method was validated analytically and clinically. Linearity was 0.1–200μmol/l for docosanoic, cis-13-docosenoic, tetracosanoic, cis-15-tetracosenoic and phytanic acids; 0.01–10μmol/l for hexacosanoic acid; 0.02–20μmol/l for di-hydroxycolestanoic, tri-hydroxycolestanoic and pristanic acids; 0.3–300μmol/l for docosahexaenoic acid. Intra-day and inter-day CVs were below 3.88 and 3.98 respectively for all compounds. Samples from patients with known peroxisomal disorders were compared with controls and the method allowed to confirm the diagnosis in all subjects with a 100% sensitivity.The advantage of this multiplex method is to allow in a single chromatographic run the simultaneous determination of a large number of peroxisome biomarkers with a simple preparative phase without derivatization.

Cuticular Hydrocarbon Compounds in Worker Castes and Their Role in Nestmate Recognition in Apis cerana indica.

Differences in cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) among worker castes and colonies were examined in Apis cerana indica. The roles of tetracosanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, pentacosane, and (Z)-9-tricosene in nestmate recognition were studied. The CHC profiles of different castes, i.e., newly emerged bees, nurse bees, and forager bees, were found to differ among colonies. The CHC profiles of nurse bees were similar across different colonies, but forager bees in all colonies had significantly greater amounts of alkanes. In nestmate recognition experiments, guard bees reacted significantly more aggressively to foragers treated with tetracosanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and (Z)-9-tricosene. Pentacosane provoked no such effect.