Palmitoleic Acid Research Articles

46. Inclusion of 5% palmitoleic acid (C16:1 n-7) of marine origin to supplementary milk did not increase preweaning daily litter gain

46. Inclusion of 5% palmitoleic acid (C16:1 n-7) of marine origin to supplementary milk did not increase preweaning daily litter gain

Chemical and biological activity studies of Averrhoa carambola L.

Averrhoa carambola L., belonging to the Oxalidaceae family is one of the popular fruits in Bangladesh. The objective of the study is to isolate and purify secondary metabolites from A. carambola leaves and investigate phytochemical properties, fatty acid, antioxidant, antimicrobial activity, and cytotoxicity in both fruits and leaves. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of lignins, quinones, saponins, flavonoids, phenol, carbohydrates, steroids, and terpenoids. Repeated column chromatography of the dichloromethane (DCM) extract of leaves yielded three compounds: β-sitosterol, 6,9-dieneoctadeca-1-ol, and palmitic acid, characterized using spectroscopic techniques. The n-hexane extract of the fruit showed the presence of palmitoleic acid (20.94%) and octadecanoic acid (48.48%), while palmitoleic acid (6.47%), octadecanoic acid (23.23%), and behenic acid (41.70%) predominated in the leaves. For DPPH free radical scavenging activity, the IC50 value of methanol (MeOH) extracts was found to be 16.71 and 27.30 µg/mL in fruits and leaves, respectively, which is lower than that of n-hexane (IC50 value 282.46 and 78.65 µg/mL in fruits and leaves, respectively) and DCM (IC50 value 32.98 and 39.38 µg/mL in fruits and leaves, respectively) extracts. None of the extracts showed significant antibacterial or antifungal activities. Cytotoxicity assay was performed on HeLa and Vero cell lines, and only the DCM extract of fruits exhibited cytotoxicity on the Vero cell line.

Effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on growth, metabolism, and virulence of the plant pathogenic bacterium Acidovorax citrulli.

Acidovorax citrulli is a seed-borne bacterial pathogen that causes bacterial fruit blotch in cucurbits and severely affects the production of cucumbers and watermelons globally. In this study, we investigated the effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on the growth, metabolism, and virulence of A. citrulli. Bacterial population was not affected by DEHP exposure; moreover, significant changes were not observed in lipid peroxidation, membrane permeability, and nucleic acid leakage. However, palmitoleic acid content was increased in the cell membrane of DEHP-exposed A. citrulli. Further, DEHP exposure increased the activity of TCA cycle-related enzymes, including α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and succinyl-CoA synthetase, along with increase in the content of glutamate, succinate, fumarate, and malate in TCA cycle. Additionally, total 270 genes were differentially expressed by the treatment, of which 28 genes were upregulated and 242 genes, including those related to translation, flagellum-dependent cell motility, and flagellum assembly, were downregulated. Regarding virulence traits, swimming activity was decreased in DEHP-exposed A. citrulli; however, biofilm formation was not affected in in vitro assay. Moreover, relative expression of pathogenicity genes, including hrpX and hrpG, were decreased in DEHP-exposed A. citrulli compared to that of unexposed A. citrulli. Therefore, these results suggest that DEHP accumulation in soil could potentially influence the metabolism and virulence traits of A. citrulli.

Palmitoleic acid as a coordinating molecule between the invasive pinewood nematode and its newly associated fungi.

Symbiotic microorganisms are ubiquitous on the body surface or internal tissues of invertebrates, providing them with benefits. Developing symbiotic relationships requires synchronization of developmental stages and physical proximity of partners. Therefore, the identification of metabolites that coordinate the reproduction of symbiotic partners is essential. This study demonstrates that palmitoleic acid (C16: 1) coordinates bilateral propagation by regulating the synchronization of reproduction between the invasive pinewood nematode (PWN) and its newly associated blue-stain fungus, Sporothrix sp.1. When the PWN fed on Sporothrix sp.1, there was a significant increase in lipid metabolism gene expression and metabolite abundance. Through further investigations, it highlighted a significant enhancement in the reproduction of the PWN through direct acquisition of C16: 1, which was abundantly present in Sporothrix sp.1. Furthermore, the PWN biosynthesized C16: 1 through the involvement of the stearoyl-CoA 9-desaturase gene fat-5 and its hormone nuclear receptor nhr-80, which was clarified to promote the egg-laying capacity of females. Moreover, it is worth noting that the production of C16: 1 was significantly higher by the associated fungus Sporothrix sp.1 to enhance sporulation during the spore formation phase compared to the hypha growth phase. Thus, by coordinating the fecundity and spore production, the key lipid metabolite C16: 1 facilitates the rapid and successful colonization of a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship between the invasive PWN and the native Sporothrix sp.1 within the host. This finding emphasizes the significant role of metabolite sharing and its function in promoting partner synchronization within symbiotic relationships.

Effects of insect meal and grape marc in the nutritional profile, growth, and digestibility of juvenile New Zealand farmed abalone

Generally, one of the most significant bottlenecks of land-based abalone aquaculture is the high cost of the feed, which is associated with the use of wild fish stocks to produce fish meal. Fish meal is a key ingredient used in aquaculture feeds due to its nutritional profile and palatability. Alternative ingredients, such as insect meal and grape marc, are potential candidates to be included in aquafeeds due to their suitable nutritional profile and more sustainable production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of insect meal and grape marc on growth and nutritional profile using abalone as an animal model in a feeding trial for 165 days. Proximate analyses were used to identify nutritional variations in abalone tissue and faecal matter, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography mass-spectrometry analyses were utilised to characterise amino acid and fatty acid composition. Results showed a 95% survival for all treatments. The inclusion of insect meal and grape marc did not affect the protein proportions of abalone tissues, but differences were found in the carbohydrate and lipid proportions. The inclusion of insect meal and grape marc significantly affected levels of amino acids L-histidine, L-methionine, and L-phenylalanine, and fatty acids oleic acid, linoleaidic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, and α-linolenic suggesting a correlation between the feed source and fatty acid tissue composition. This work provides promising results for future optimisation of abalone diets including more affordable and sustainable alternative ingredients.

9-POHSA prevents NF-kB activation and ameliorates LPS-induced inflammation in rat hepatocytes.

Liver inflammation has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, leading to the development of diseases like hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and fatty liver disease. One factor that has been linked to liver inflammation is increased levels of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which can be caused by poor diets and sedentary lifestyles that contribute to liver inflammation. There is promising research on a new class of lipids called fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs), which have been shown to potentiate insulin release and exert an anti-inflammatory effect. Specifically, one type of FAHFA called 9-POHSA (palmitoleic acid ester of 9-hydroxy stearic acid) has been studied for its potential to attenuate inflammation-related indexes induced by LPS in hepatocytes, which play a critical role in the progression of liver inflammation. This study found that following LPS treatment, tumor necrosis factor- α, interleukin-6, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were upregulated and increased cell migration, but 9-POHSA pre-treatment attenuated the upregulation of these markers and prevented cell migration induced by LPS. Using flowcytometry analysis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was found to be responsible for CTGF upregulation. In addition, the effects of 9-POHSA were likely associated with its inhibition of the activation of the NF-kB. These results suggest that 9-POHSA has potential as a therapy for liver inflammation and fibrosis by attenuating inflammation-related indexes induced by LPS in hepatocytes. This study provides important insight into the mechanisms of liver inflammation and the potential for new treatments to address liver diseases.

Influence of Dietary Supplementation of Inorganic and Organic Chromium on Body Conformation, Carcass Traits, and Nutrient Composition in Muscle and Internal Organs of Black Bengal Goats.

The effect of dietary inorganic and organic chromium (Cr) on body morphometry, carcass traits, and nutrient composition, including different minerals and fatty acids in meat and internal organs of Black Bengal goats, was studied. Thirty weaned Black Bengal kids of 3-5months (5.40 ± 0.34kg body weight) were assigned randomly into five groups and fed additional Cr for 150days. The experimental diets comprised a basal diet supplemented with Cr at the rate of 0 (control; without Cr supplementation), 1.0 and 1.5mg/kg of inorganic Cr (Cr(III)-chloride), and 1.0 and 1.5mg/kg of organic Cr (Cr-yeast). The body morphometry such as body length, heart girth, paunch girth, loin width, leg circumference, and the carcass traits, namely, slaughter body weight, dressing percentage, hind quarter and forequarter weight, and rib eye area of goats, were not significantly (P < 0.05) changed due to inorganic and organic Cr supplementation. However, organic Cr supplementation (1.0 and 1.5mg/kg) resulted in a reduction of breast and back fat thickness (P < 0.05) compared with the control group. The weights of internal organs including liver, lungs, spleen, kidney, testes, and heart and their weights as a percentage of slaughter weight were similar (P > 0.05) among different experimental groups. Dry matter, ether extract, and total ash concentrations of muscle and internal organs of Cr-supplemented groups were not affected (P > 0.05) by Cr supplementation. However, crude protein contents in the liver, muscle, kidney, and lungs were greater (P < 0.05) in the organic Cr groups than in the control and inorganic Cr groups. In meat (longissimus dorsi muscle), total saturated fatty acid concentration was lower (P < 0.05; 59.4% versus 55.7%) and the unsaturated fatty acid concentration was greater (P < 0.05; 40.6% versus 44.3%) including palmitoleic acid, heptadecenoic acid, elaidic acid, and arachidonic acid in the organic or inorganic Cr-supplemented groups than in the basal diet group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of organic Cr in Black Bengal goats has no influence on the carcass traits, but may improve the meat quality with greater protein content, lean, and healthier fatty acids for human consumption.

Intravascular hemolysis triggers NAFLD characterized by a deregulation of lipid metabolism and lipophagy blockade.

Intravascular hemolysis is a common feature of different clinical entities, including sickle cell disease and malaria. Chronic hemolytic disorders are associated with hepatic damage; however, it is unknown whether heme disturbs lipid metabolism and promotes liver steatosis, thereby favoring the progression to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Using an experimental model of acute intravascular hemolysis, we report here the presence of liver injury in association with microvesicular lipid droplet deposition. Hemolysis promoted serum hyperlipidemia and altered intrahepatic triglyceride fatty acid composition, with increments in oleic, palmitoleic, and palmitic acids. These findings were related to augmented expression of transporters involved in fatty acid uptake (CD36 and MSR1) and deregulation of LDL transport, as demonstrated by decreased levels of LDL receptor and increased PCSK9 expression. Hemolysis also upregulated hepatic enzymes associated with cholesterol biosynthesis (SREBP2, HMGC1, LCAT, SOAT1) and transcription factors regulating lipid metabolism (SREBP1). Increased LC3II/LC3I ratio and p62/SQSTM1 protein levels were reported in mice with intravascular hemolysis and hepatocytes stimulated with heme, indicating a blockade of lipophagy. In cultured hepatocytes, cell pretreatment with the autophagy inductor rapamycin diminished heme-mediated toxicity and accumulation of lipid droplets. In conclusion, intravascular hemolysis enhances liver damage by exacerbating lipid accumulation and blocking the lipophagy pathway, thereby promoting NAFLD. These new findings have a high translational potential as a novel NAFLD-promoting mechanism in individuals suffering from severe hemolysis episodes. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Biodiesel Production from the Marine Alga Nannochloropsis oceanica Grown on Yeast Wastewater and the Effect on Its Biochemical Composition and Gene Expression.

Microalgae-based biodiesel synthesis is currently not commercially viable due to the high costs of culture realizations and low lipid yields. The main objective of the current study was to determine the possibility of growing Nannochloropsis oceanica on Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast wastewater for biodiesel generation at an economical rate. N. oceanica was grown in Guillard F/2 synthetic medium and three dilutions of yeast wastewater (1, 1.25, and 1.5%). Biodiesel properties, in addition to carbohydrate, protein, lipid, dry weight, biomass, lipid productivity, amino acids, and fatty acid methyl ester (FAMEs) content, were analyzed and the quality of the produced biodiesel is assessed. The data revealed the response of N. oceanica to nitrogen-deficiency in the three dilutions of yeast wastewater. N. oceanica in Y2 (1.25%) yeast wastewater dilution exhibited the highest total carbohydrate and lipid percentages (21.19% and 41.97%, respectively), and the highest lipid productivity (52.46 mg L-1 day -1) under nitrogen deficiency in yeast wastewater. The fatty acids profile shows that N. oceanica cultivated in Y2 (1.25%) wastewater dilution provides a significant level of TSFA (47.42%) and can be used as a feedstock for biodiesel synthesis. In addition, N. oceanica responded to nitrogen shortage in wastewater dilutions by upregulating the gene encoding delta-9 fatty acid desaturase (Δ9FAD). As a result, the oleic and palmitoleic acid levels increased in the fatty acid profile of Y2 yeast wastewater dilution, highlighting the increased activity of Δ9FAD enzyme in transforming stearic acid and palmitic acid into oleic acid and palmitoleic acid. This study proved that the Y2 (1.25%) yeast wastewater dilution can be utilized as a growth medium for improving the quantity of specific fatty acids and lipid productivity in N. oceanica that affect biodiesel quality to satisfy global biodiesel requirements.

Optimization of oil extraction from Hippophae salicifolia berries using supercritical CO2: Assessment of physicochemical, antioxidant, antibacterial, and thermal properties

The oil of Hippophae salicifolia berry contains valuable phytochemicals such as carotenoids, tocopherols, and essential fatty acids, which inhibit microbial growth, chelate metals, and scavenge free radicals. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) is an eco-friendly alternative approach that allows quicker extraction at a reduced temperature. Parameters of SC-CO2 extraction of oil from H. salicifolia berries were optimized to obtain the best oil yield with maximum β-carotene and total tocopherol contents. The optimum extraction condition was found to be 27.02 MPa, 48.46 °C, 16.45 g/min. Extraction at optimum condition resulted in 12.82 ± 1.4% oil yield with 126.67 ± 2.9 mg/100 g oil β-carotene and 679.42 ± 1.3 mg/100 g oil total tocopherol. SC-CO2 and Soxhlet extracted oils contain 42.98% and 41.14% palmitoleic acid, respectively. the total phenolic content of SC-CO2 and Soxhlet extracted oils was 30.13 ± 1.1 mg GAE/g and 24.59 ± 0.09 mg GAE/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity of SC-CO2 oil (1.09 ± 0.06 mg/mL) in the DPPH assay was higher than Soxhlet extracted oil (1.22 ± 0.07 mg/mL). SC-CO2 and Soxhlet extracted oils demonstrated the highest bactericidal activity against S. aureus, with ZoI values of 8.5 ± 0.7 mm and 7 mm, respectively. SC-CO2 extracted oil demonstrated lower thermal stability up to 185 °C but stronger mechanical stress resistance than Soxhlet extracted oil. SC-CO2 extraction of sea buckthorn berry oil is a viable alternative to traditional solvent extraction for use in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

Maternal n-7 Unsaturated Fatty Acids Protect the Fetal Brain from Neuronal Degeneration in an Intrauterine Hyperglycemic Animal Model.

We previously reported that glycation induces insulin resistance in the hearts of newborn pups from a gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rat model. Administration of n-3 unsaturated fatty acids suppressed glycation and improved signaling in GDM rat pups. In this study, we investigated their effects on cranial neurons using the GDM rat model and PC12 cells derived from rat adrenal pheochromocytomas. Additionally, we examined whether n-3 and n-7 unsaturated fatty acids (cis-palmitoleic acid [CPA] and trans-palmitoleic acid [TPA]) ameliorate the detrimental effects of high glucose exposure on rats. In the neonatal cerebrum of GDM rats, increased levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) inhibited Akt phosphorylation; however, CPA and TPA intake during pregnancy ameliorated these abnormalities. Furthermore, exposure to high-glucose-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells compared to the cells cultured in control glucose. PC12 cells exposed to high-glucose with fatty acids exhibited reduced AGE production and apoptosis induction compared to the high-glucose group. These findings suggest that a hyperglycemic environment during pregnancy promotes AGE formation in brain neuronal proteins and induces apoptosis. Both TPA and CPA mitigated these abnormalities; however, CPA is cytotoxic, highlighting its safety in pregnant women.

Plasma Fatty Acid Composition, Oxidative and Inflammatory Status, and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet of Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex and increasingly prevalent cardiometabolic disorder worldwide. As of today, NAFLD is a pathology without specific pharmacological treatment, with the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) being the most widely used approach for its management. The objective of this study is to assess the effects of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on fatty acid plasma levels, as well as on the oxidative and inflammatory status of NAFLD patients. A total of 100 adult patients (40-60 years old) diagnosed with NAFLD and from the Balearic Islands, Spain, were classified into three groups according to their adherence to the MedDiet. Consumption was assessed using a validated 143-item semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Food items (g/day) were categorised according to their processing using the NOVA system. Anthropometrics, blood pressure, aminotransferases, Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), inflammatory biomarkers, and fatty acid levels were measured in the plasma of NAFLD patients. High adherence to the MedDiet is associated to a highly plant-based diet, low ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, low intake of dietary lipids, low intake of animal fats, high intake of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA; mainly palmitoleic acid), low intake of saturated fatty acids (SFAs; practically all dietary SFAs), low intake of trans-fatty acids, high intake of omega-3 fatty acids (mainly eicosapentaenoic acid), a higher n-6:n-3 in ratio, low intake of omega-6 fatty acids, and a low level of interleukin-6 (IL-6). High adherence to the MedDiet is related to a better fatty acid profile in the plasma, fewer SFAs and more MUFA and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), a plasma biochemical profile, better proinflammatory status, and decreased ultra-processed food consumption of NAFLD patients.

Biodegradable films with fungistatic activity for the postharvest control of Fusarium solani in Hass avocado fruit

Little is known on the use of biodegradable films for the control of diseases in crops of agricultural importance. Consequently, the objective of this work was to determine the efficacy of chitosan hybrid films impregnated with thyme essential oil on Hass avocado fruits previously infected with Fusarium solani isolated from the northeastern highlands of Puebla, Mexico. The native strain of F. solani was morphologically and molecularly identified and the fungistatic activity of three chitosan films supplemented with 0.7% (FT1), 1.0% (FT2) and 1.3% (FT3) of thyme essential oil was evaluated in situ on the growth of F. solani in avocado fruits. Texture, transmittance and opacity of the films were obtained by scanning electron microscopy and UV-Vis spectrometry, respectively. Overall, it was recorded that films with a higher concentration of thyme essential oil (1-1.3% w/v) presented lower transmittance in the UV light range and higher opacity. Avocado fruits infected with F. solani simultaneously treated with FT2 and FT3 reduced the appearance of symptoms while preserved firmness, as well as fiber, fat, reducing sugars, and protein content (p &lt; 0.01). In the same context, these materials promoted the conservation of the content of the nutraceuticals linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and palmitoleic acid for 21 days. These results suggest that the hybrid films generated in the present study have the ability to control fusariosis caused by this fungus, prolonging the shelf life of Hass avocado fruit.

Exploring Phytochemical Composition and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Grape Seed Oil from an Alternative Source after Traditional Fermentation Processes: Implications for Phytotherapy.

This study aimed to analyze the composition of grape seed oil (GSO) derived from an alternative source after traditional fermentation processes and its potential anti-inflammatory effects using an in vivo model of carrageenan-induced inflammation in mice. Gas chromatography high-resolution electron ionization mass spectrometry (GC-HR-EIMS) analysis identified eight main components in the GSO extract, including myristic acid methyl ester, palmitoleic acid methyl ester, methyl isoheptadecanoate, cis-linoleic acid, oleic acid methyl ester, linoleic acid stereoisomer, linoleic acid ethyl ester, and methyl (6E, 9E, 12E, 15E)-docose-6,9,12,15-tetraenoate. No significant differences were observed in the main fatty acids between commercially available grape seed oil and GSO extract obtained from fermented grape seeds. In the carrageenan-induced inflammation model, treatment with GSO resulted in a significant reduction in paw edema at 180 min, as in the reduction observed with diclofenac treatment. Combined treatment with GSO and diclofenac showed enhanced anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, GSO exhibited antioxidative effects by decreasing the levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum. Chronic treatment with GSO for ten days did not provide a protective effect on inflammation. These findings suggest that GSO could be used as an alternative raw material and could possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. Further studies are needed to explore its potential therapeutic applications.

The impact of lipid degradation on fingerprint quality on fired firearm cartridges.

The recovery of identifiable fingerprints from fired cartridge cases is challenging. Therefore, the characterization of chemical modifications and their effects on fingerprint integrity post-firing is essential. In this study, the primary fingerprint lipids, including myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, squalene, and cholesterol in fired and unfired cartridges, were extracted with acetonitrile, followed by derivatization using N,O-Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide with 1% trimethylchlorosilane (BSTFA/1%TMCS). Squalane was used as the internal standard, and all quantifications were performed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry using a triple-quadrupole mass filter. All lipids identified in the unfired cartridges were also detected in the fired cartridges, and statistical analysis using Student's t-test and F tests was performed with a 95% confidence level. The concentration of lipids in the unfired cartridges was found to be similar to that detected in the fired cartridges, except for squalene, the recovery of which was 28% lower in the fired cartridges.

Relationship of circulating levels of long-chain fatty acids to persistent organ failure in acute pancreatitis.

During acute pancreatitis (AP), free fatty acids (FFAs) are liberated from circulating triglycerides (TG) and injured adipocytes by pancreatic lipase. Circulating FFAs have been suspected as a source of systemic lipotoxicity in AP. However, assessment of FFAs is difficult and time-consuming, and little is known about relative levels of FFAs between patients with different severities of AP and controls. This study's aims were to assess early circulating levels of FFAs, (both saturated and unsaturated) in patients with AP vs. controls, and associations between FFA levels and AP severity. Serum samples from patients with AP were collected at enrollment (day 1 of hospital stay); serum samples were also collected from controls. FFAs including palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acid were extracted and quantitated using gas chromatography separation. Severity of AP was determined by Revised Atlanta Classification. Differences in FFA levels and percentages of total FFAs were assessed between patients with AP and controls and patients with AP of different severity grades. A total of 93 patients with AP (48 female, 52%) and 29 controls (20 female, 69%) were enrolled. Of the patients with AP, 74 had mild/moderate and 19 had severe AP. Serum levels of all FFAs except stearic acid were significantly higher in patients with AP compared with controls. A strong and independent association between elevated palmitoleic acid levels and severe AP was found. Serum unsaturated FFA levels, specifically palmitoleic acid, appear to correlate with severe AP. These findings have potential clinical implications for targeted AP therapies.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Drivers of the inflammatory response in acute pancreatitis remain incompletely understood. Unsaturated fatty acids, specifically palmitoleic, appear to have an association with more severe acute pancreatitis. This finding presents a new clinical understanding of fatty acid toxicity and highlights a potential future target for treatment in severe acute pancreatitis.

Nutritional profile, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of microalgal strain, Amphora sp., isolated from the Cape coastal waters, South Africa

Microalgae represent a potential source of renewable nutrition, and there is growing global interest in algae-based dietary supplements. However, the selection of suitable and indigenous microalgae species is a fundamental requirement in developing value-added bioactive compounds in the food industry. The proximate composition, fatty acids, amino acids, and mineral profile, as well as bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of an unexplored diatom strain, Amphora sp. WCA23.2, isolated from the Cape coastal waters, South Africa, were evaluated as a potential nutraceutical. The Amphora sp. WCA23.2 biomass had 44.2% ash, 28% carbohydrates, 15% protein, and 4% lipids. The fatty acid profile revealed that the diatom accumulates a significant amount of omega-7-monounsaturated fatty acid palmitoleic acid (24.50 mg/g), while the amino acid profile demonstrated that it contained all the nine essential amino acids. The antioxidant activities of the diatom extracts showed that the methanolic extract displayed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (1.90±0.11 mg GAE/g dry weight (DW)) and the lowest IC50 in all the antioxidant indices evaluated. These results suggest that Amphora sp. WCA23.2 biomass and its extracts can be utilized as a potential source of ingredients and nutraceuticals in food systems for humans.

Ethanol inhibits pancreatic acinar cell autophagy through upregulation of ATG4B, mediating pathological responses of alcoholic pancreatitis.

Excessive alcohol intake is a major risk factor for pancreatitis, sensitizing the exocrine pancreas to stressors by mechanisms that remain obscure. Impaired autophagy drives nonalcoholic pancreatitis, but the effects of ethanol (EtOH) and alcoholic pancreatitis on autophagy are poorly understood. Here, we find that ethanol reduces autophagosome formation in pancreatic acinar cells, both in a mouse model of alcoholic pancreatitis induced by a combination of EtOH diet and cerulein (a CCK ortholog) and in EtOH+CCK-treated acinar cells (ex vivo model). Ethanol treatments decreased pancreatic level of LC3-II, a key mediator of autophagosome formation. This was caused by ethanol-induced upregulation of ATG4B, a cysteine protease that, cell dependently, regulates the balance between cytosolic LC3-I and membrane-bound LC3-II. We show that ATG4B negatively regulates LC3-II in acinar cells subjected to EtOH treatments. Ethanol raised ATG4B level by inhibiting its degradation, enhanced ATG4B enzymatic activity, and strengthened its interaction with LC3-II. We also found an increase in ATG4B and impaired autophagy in a dissimilar, nonsecretagogue model of alcoholic pancreatitis induced by EtOH plus palmitoleic acid. Adenoviral ATG4B overexpression in acinar cells greatly reduced LC3-II and inhibited autophagy. Furthermore, it aggravated trypsinogen activation and necrosis, mimicking key responses of ex vivo alcoholic pancreatitis. Conversely, shRNA Atg4B knockdown enhanced autophagosome formation and alleviated ethanol-induced acinar cell damage. The results reveal a novel mechanism, whereby ethanol inhibits autophagosome formation and thus sensitizes pancreatitis, and a key role of ATG4B in ethanol's effects on autophagy. Enhancing pancreatic autophagy, particularly by downregulating ATG4B, could be beneficial in mitigating the severity of alcoholic pancreatitis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ethanol sensitizes mice and humans to pancreatitis, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Autophagy is important for maintaining pancreatic acinar cell homeostasis, and its impairment drives pancreatitis. This study reveals a novel mechanism, whereby ethanol inhibits autophagosome formation through upregulating ATG4B, a key cysteine protease. ATG4B upregulation inhibits autophagy in acinar cells and aggravates pathological responses of experimental alcoholic pancreatitis. Enhancing pancreatic autophagy, particularly by down-regulating ATG4B, could be beneficial for treatment of alcoholic pancreatitis.

Effect of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol and benzo[a]pyrene exposure on the development of metabolic syndrome in mice

AimThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of serious medical conditions that raise the risk of lung cancer, has increased worldwide. Tobacco smoking (TS) potentially increases the risk of developing MetS. Despite the potential association of MetS with lung cancer, preclinical models that mimic human diseases, including TS-induced MetS, are limited. Here we evaluated the impact of exposure to tobacco smoke condensate (TSC) and two representative tobacco carcinogens, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNK) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), on MetS development in mice. Materials and methodsFVB/N or C57BL/6 mice were exposed to vehicle, TSC, or NNK and BaP (NB) twice weekly for 5 months. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TCHO), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), blood glucose, and metabolites, along with glucose tolerance and body weight, were measured. Key findingsCompared with those of vehicle-treated mice, mice with TSC or NB exposure displayed major phenotypes associated with MetS, including increased serum levels of TCHO, triglycerides, and fasting and basal blood glucose and decreased glucose tolerance, and serum levels of HDL. These MetS-associated changes were found in both FVB/N and C57BL/6 mice that were susceptible or resistant to carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis, respectively, indicating that tumor formation is not involved in the TSC- or NB-mediated MetS. Moreover, oleic acid and palmitoleic acid, which are known to be associated with MetS, were significantly upregulated in the serum of TSC- or NB-treated mice compared with those in vehicle-treated mice. SignificanceBoth TSC and NB caused detrimental health problems, leading to the development of MetS in experimental mice.

Effects of seasonal variation and geographical location on the nutritional composition of mopane worm (Gonimbrasia belina)

Mopane worm (Gonimbrasia belina) consumption contributes to the sustainable supply of protein and several other nutrients for low socio-economic communities. However, mopane worm are bivoltine, producing two generations per rainy season which is postulated to affect their nutritional value. This research investigated the effect of emergence season and geolocation on the nutritional composition of mopane worms. Proximate, mineral composition and fatty acid profile were analysed on degutted mopane worm samples collected over three mopane worm emergence seasons (November-December 2020, April-May 2021, and November-December 2021) from three locations in Gwanda district, Zimbabwe. Crude protein and crude fat ranged between 52.5-58.8 and 12.0-18.6% DM respectively. Potassium (1,195.3-1,759.9), magnesium (104.6-225.5) and calcium (51.2-145.5) were the most abundant macroelements (mg/100 g DM) whilst iron (10.6-21.6) and zinc (13.8-17.9) were the most abundant microelements (mg/100 g DM). Using an attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), mopane worm fat was found to be highly saturated with oleic (ω-9), linoleic (ω-6) and palmitoleic (ω-7) fatty acids. Furthermore, the results revealed a significant (Bonferroni-correction α&lt;0.002) influence of geolocation (sampling location) on mineral content of mopane worms whilst emergence season had a significant influence on fat, protein, ash crude fibre and mineral content. These findings indicate that mopane worm due to their high content of both macro- and micronutrients could contribute significantly to the alleviation of protein, zinc, and iron deficiencies in target communities. More so, the findings on nutritional variation due to emergence season and geolocation provide information that is key in domestication of the mopane worm for realisation of its optimum nutrient content.