Phytosterol Esters Research Articles

Catalytic synthesis of β-sitosterol linolenate by Pickering emulsion-immobilized lipase

In order to promote the application of phytosterol ester, a new kind of catalyst was developed on the basis of traditional enzymatic synthesis method. Pickering emulsion catalyst (CRL@PE) with two-phase structure was constructed using isoctane and Candida rugosa lipase and employing nanotube as emulsifier. Then the CRL@PE was used to catalyze the synthesis of β-sitosterol linolenic acid ester with β-sitosterol and α-linolenic acid as substrates. The effects of temperature, enzyme dosage, linolenic acid concentration and reaction time on the conversion rate of phytosterols were studied by single factor experiment and central composite design of response surface methodology. The optimal process parameters were obtained as follows: temperature of 29.45 oC, lipase dossage of 10.97 U, linolenic acid concentration of 42.35 mmol/L, reaction time of 350.7 min, and phytosterol conversion rate was 96.8±0.7% at these conditions. After reuse of CRL@PE for 10 times, the phytosterol conversion rate was 96.86%, showing that the catalyst had good stability.

Characteristics of cell growth and lipid accumulation of high and low lipid-producing strains of Mucor circinelloides grown on different glucose-oil mixed media

Abstract Mucor circinelloides is one of the few oleaginous fungi that produce large amounts of γ-linolenic acid (GLA). However, there are few reports regarding the lipid accumulation characteristics and assimilation preferences of M. circinelloides grown on different oils. The present study investigated the characteristics of cell growth, lipid accumulation, and lipase activity of a low lipid-producing strain M. circinelloides CBS 277.49 and a high lipid-producing strain M. circinelloides WJ11. The highest biomass of 21.2 g/L was obtained for CBS 277.49 grown on soybean oil, while the highest lipid content of 65% was obtained when WJ11 was grown on soybean phospholipids. M. circinelloides preferred to assimilate exogenous palmitic, stearic, and α-linolenic acid to synthesize intracellular triacylglycerols. Soybean phospholipids and phytosterol esters stimulated the production of intracellular lipases in both strains more efficiently than soybean oils. The maximal lipase activity of 2200 U/g protein was observed for CBS 277.49 grown on phytosterol esters, while the maximal lipase activity of 2000 U/g protein was observed for WJ11 grown on soybean phospholipids. Although the transcriptional levels of the lipase genes were sharply upregulated when strains were grown on glucose-oil mixed media, the extracellular lipase activity in the medium was still low at 4–210 U/g protein.

Highly efficient synthesis of phytosterol linolenate in the presence of Bronsted acidic ionic liquid

Phytosterols are effective in reducing plasma cholesterol. However, phytosterols in a free form have some disadvantages because they have a high melting point and a poor oil solubility, thereby limiting their practical application in foods. The present study was to establish a green and highly efficient method to synthesize phytosterol linolenate for the first time by employing Bronsted acidic ionic liquid (IL) as a catalyst in order to improve its oil solubility. The product was separated, analyzed and subsequently characterized using thin layer chromatography, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. The conversion of phytosterols could reach above 96% in a very short time (30 min) under the following optimum conditions: 3% 1-butylsulfonate-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([BSO3HMim]OTf) as a catalyst, 110 °C and 1:1.75 M ratio of phytosterols to ethyl linolenate. The present method demonstrated that [BSO3HMim]OTf would be a potential catalyst for phytosterol ester synthesis. Most importantly was that the oil solubility of phytosterol linolenate was much greater than its corresponding free phytosterols.

Influence of adding a commercial phytosterol ester mixture on the ‘equilibrium’ crystallization behavior of palm oil

Abstract The objective of this study was to in depth investigate the ‘equilibrium’ state morphology and properties of crystals obtained after long-term isothermal crystallization and annealing of palm oil (PO) in the presence of different concentrations of phytosterol esters (PEs). A commercially available mixture of PEs was added to PO (0–100% PEs, 10% increment) and the effect of PE addition was analyzed with differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, polarized light microscopy and texture analysis. It was observed that PE addition had a major influence on each level of the crystalline structural hierarchy of PO in the ‘equilibrium’ state. The PE-PO binary system showed eutectic behavior. In case of a low PE concentration PEs itself did not crystallize but acted as a liquid oil diluting PO, while when added in a high concentration, PEs crystallized separately from PO. From a concentration of 40% PEs next to the β’ crystals of PO also PEx crystals were observed in the blends and from a concentration of 80% PEs additionally also the PEy liquid crystals were formed. The amount of PEy in the blends with 80% and 90% PEs was however too low for the formation of the dense crystal structure as seen in pure PE. The crystal network structure of pure PO was lost after PE addition leading to a drop in the hardness.

Isothermal Crystallization Kinetics of Palm Oil as Influenced by Addition of a Commercial Phytosterol Ester Mixture.

In literature there is good agreement on the health-promoting effects of phytosterols. However, addition of phytosterol esters (PEs) to lipid (containing food products) may influence its crystallization behavior. This study investigated the crystallization kinetics of palm oil (PO) after addition of PEs in high concentrations (≥10%). The isothermal crystallization of the PE-PO blends was analyzed at a temperature of 20 °C and at a supercooling of 18.7 °C using differential scanning calorimetry and time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction. At increasing PE concentrations, PO crystallization at an isothermal temperature of 20 °C started later and was slower and a smaller amount of crystals were formed. Furthermore, a delay in polymorphic transition from α to β' was observed. When the blends were isothermally crystallized at a supercooling of 18.7 °C, only two of these effects remained: the delay in polymorphic transition and the decrease in crystalline content.

Oxidative stability of margarine enriched with different structures of β -sitosteryl esters during storage

Abstract Oxidations of margarine incorporated with β-sitosteryl esters of hexanoic (Sito-C6), lauric (Sito-C12), palmitic (Sito-C16) and oleic (Sito-C18:1) acids were evaluated during storage at ambient temperature (25 °C) and at 55 °C for 20 days in comparison with native β-sitosterol. All oxidative indices, including hydroperoxide value (HPV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), p-Anisidine value (AnV) and 7-keto derivatives, tended to increase with increasing storage time. Overall, losses of sterol esters in margarine during storage at both temperatures fitted a first order kinetic model. Margarine with unsaturated ester oxidized faster (k = 0.0355 day−1, R2 = 0.8126) than those with saturated counterpart and native β-sitosterol, particularly at higher temperature (55 °C). As a consequence, sterol structure and storage temperature were the main factors influencing the oxidative stability of margarine enriched phytosterol esters during storage.

The effect of adding a commercial phytosterol ester mixture on the phase behavior of palm oil

The objective of this study was to investigate in depth the non-isothermal crystallization and melting behavior of binary blends of palm oil (PO) with a commercial, multi-component phytosterol ester (PE) mixture. DSC and time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments were conducted on blends with a PE concentration from 0 to 100% at intervals of 10% for DSC and 20% for XRD. Based on XRD, two different ordered structures were identified in pure the PEs. The structure designated as PEx was truly crystalline and needed a very high degree of supercooling for its nucleation from the melt. The structure designated PEy formed without supercooling and showed long-range order with multiple reflections at small angles but only one broad reflection at high angle, typical of liquid crystalline samples. Furthermore, PEy had a high tolerance for molecules of different chemical nature. In the PE-PO blends no other ordered structures were formed other than the ones observed in the pure PEs and PO. The peaks in the DSC runs of the PE-PO blends were linked to transitions of the different polymorphic forms. All structural information of the binary blends as a function of concentration and temperature was collected in morphology maps. The binary blends exhibited eutectic characteristics visualized in the morphology maps with a eutectic point at 40% PEs.

The incorporation of alpha-tocopherol and functional doses of phytosterol esters during cheesemaking does not affect DNA or mRNA dynamics of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactococcus lactis throughout and after the end of ripening

Tocopherols and phytosterols are lipid-soluble molecules which have been widely used in the food industry. Nevertheless, the influence of these compounds on the performance of starter lactic acid bacteria (SLAB) in fermented foods has received little attention. Here, we assessed the behavior of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactococcus lactis during the ripening of a functional Port Salut light cheese elaborated with these SLAB and with alpha-tocopherol and phytosterol esters as bioactive molecules. Functional and control cheeses were manufactured at an industrial plant and sampled at 7, 21, 40, 60 and 90 days after elaboration for real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) or reverse transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR) experiments. Target DNA and mRNA from both SLAB were detected after 90 days of elaboration in both functional and control cheeses, supporting their potential role in generating flavor metabolites. Furthermore, here we showed for the first time that the addition of alpha-tocopherol and functional doses of phytosterols did not affect DNA or mRNA dynamics of these SLAB during cheesemaking, throughout and after the end of ripening. Therefore, our results support the use of cheese manufactured with both S. thermophilus and L. lactis as an optimal delivery system for these beneficial bioactive compounds.

Phytosterol esters attenuate hepatic steatosis in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease rats fed a high-fat diet

Given the adverse effects of drugs used for NAFLD treatment, identifying novel and effective natural compound to prevent NAFLD is urgently needed. In the present study, the effects of phytosterol esters (PSEs) on NAFLD were explored. Adult SD rats were randomized into five groups: normal chow diet (NC), high-fat diet (HF), low-, medium- and high-dose PSE treatment plus high-fat diet groups (PSEL, PSEM, and PSEH). Our results showed that the levels of LDL-C in the PSEL group and hepatic TG, TC, and FFA in the three PSEs groups were significantly decreased. Notably, the uric acid (UA) level was significantly decreased by PSEs intervention. The hepatic inflammatory stress was ameliorated via the inhibition of the cytokines, including TGF-β, IL-6, IL-10 and CRP in the PSEs intervention groups. Further, the oxidative status was improved by PSE treatment through adjusting the enzyme activity (SOD and XOD) and decreasing the MDA level. These beneficial effects of PSE may have been partly due to its regulation on the expression of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TNF-α, UCP-2, PPAR-α and PPAR-γ in hepatic tissue at both mRNA and protein level. The results of this study suggest that PSEs may be used as therapeutic agents for the prevention and progression of NAFLD and that hyperuricemia is induced by high-fat diet consumption.

Encapsulation of phytosterols and phytosterol esters in liposomes made with soy phospholipids by high pressure homogenization.

Phytosterols and phytosterol esters were encapsulated within large unilamellar liposomes prepared with soy phospholipids using a microfluidizer. The average particle diameter of these liposomal vesicles increased with increasing amounts of encapsulated phytosterols, especially with increasing free sterol content. The phytosterol content, liposomal particle size, and phytosterol encapsulation efficiency started to plateau when liposomes were prepared with MOPS buffer dispersions that contained 50 mg ml-1 soy phospholipid and more than 4% phytosterol blend, suggesting the saturation of phytosterol encapsulation. We proposed an encapsulation mechanism of free sterols and phytosterol esters in liposomes, where free sterols were mainly encapsulated within the lumen of these liposomes as crystals, and sterol esters and some free sterols were incorporated within the phospholipid bilayer of the liposomal membrane. The results from this work could provide the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries a practical method to produce loaded liposomes using inexpensive phospholipid mixtures for the delivery of bioactive ingredients.

Neuroprotective effects of phytosterol esters against high cholesterol-induced cognitive deficits in aged rat.

Accumulating epidemiological and experimental studies have confirmed that a high-cholesterol diet is detrimental to cognitive performance in animal models. Phytosterols, a class of naturally occurring structural components in plant foods, have been demonstrated to possess cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant effects. Phytosterol esters (PSE) are esters of phytosterol. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of PSE on cognitive deficit induced by a cholesterol-enriched diet in aged rats, and to explore their underlying mechanisms for these effects. Based on their Morris water maze performance, the latencies differed by <1.5 standard deviations (SDs) on days 3-5 of testing, 60 rats were chosen from 12-month-old female Sprague Dawley aged rats and were randomized into three groups, which were fed either a control diet, a high cholesterol diet (HCD) or a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with 2% PSE (HCD + PSE) for 6 months. In our study, we found that PSE treatment maintained the body weight balance, reduced the serum lipid levels, and improved the cognitive performance of aged rats in the Morris water maze test, as evaluated by shortened escape latencies. Importantly, histological and immunohistochemical results in the brain showed that PSE supplementation may have a neuroprotective effect that alleviates neuroinflammation in aged rats. This neuroprotective effect significantly inhibited degeneration, resulting in a significant increase in the number of pyramidal cells and an apparent decrease in the number of astrocytes compared to rats that were fed only a HCD. Furthermore, PSE improved cholinergic activities by restoring the acetylcholine (ACh) content and decreasing acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the cerebral cortex, as well as by elevating choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) activity in the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex. These results suggest that PSE can play a useful role in alleviating cognitive deficit induced by a cholesterol-enriched diet and ageing.

Improved deacidification of high-acid rice bran oil by enzymatic esterification with phytosterol

A sustainable method for enzymatic deacidification of high-acid rice bran oil (HRBO) by enzymatic esterification between free fatty acids (FFA) of HRBO and phytosterol is described in this study. The deacidification conditions were optimized to minimize the FFA of HRBO. Under optimal conditions, the FFA content in HRBO reduced from 15.8% to 1.2% (w/w), whereas the phytosterol ester content increased from 0% to 29.3% (w/w). Subsequently, studies on the oxidation stability of deacidified rice bran oil (RBO) indicated that most of the vitamin E was retained in deacidified oil and that the oxidation stability under storage conditions increased after lipase-catalyzed esterification due to the formation of phytosterol ester in the product. Compared to previous methods using glycerol or monoacylglycerol (MAG) as acyl acceptors to reduce the FFA content of HRBO, an improved route was used to deacidify the FFA and produce RBO rich in phytosterol ester with phytosterol as the acyl acceptor. The enzymatic route is greener and more sustainable than traditional deacidification processes.

Effect of the addition of phytosterols and tocopherols on Streptococcus thermophilus robustness during industrial manufacture and ripening of a functional cheese as evaluated by qPCR and RT-qPCR

The quality of functional food products designed for the prevention of degenerative diseases can be affected by the incorporation of bioactive compounds. In many types of cheese, the performance of starter microorganisms is critical for optimal elaboration and for providing potential probiotic benefits. Phytosterols are plant lipophilic triterpenes that have been used for the design of functional dairy products because of their ability to lower serum cholesterol levels in humans. However, their effect on the starter culture behavior during cheesemaking has not yet been studied. Here, we followed DNA and RNA kinetics of the bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus, an extensively used dairy starter with probiotic potential, during industrial production of a functional, semi-soft, reduced-fat cheese containing phytosterol esters and alpha-tocopherol as bioactive compounds. For this purpose, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and reverse transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR) assays were optimized and applied to samples obtained during the manufacture and ripening of functional and control cheeses. An experimental set-up was used to evaluate the detection threshold of free nucleic acids for extraction protocols based on pelleted microorganisms. To our knowledge, this straight-forward approach provides the first experimental evidence indicating that DNA is not a reliable marker of cell integrity, whereas RNA may constitute a more accurate molecular signature to estimate both bacterial viability and metabolic activity. Compositional analysis revealed that the bioactive molecules were effectively incorporated into the cheese matrix, at levels considered optimal to exert their biological action. The starter S. thermophilus was detected by qPCR and RT-qPCR during cheese production at the industrial level, from at least 30min after its inoculation until 81days of ripening, supporting the possible role of this species in shaping organoleptic profiles. We also showed for the first time that the addition of phytosterols at functional concentrations, not only did not affect starter performance but also correlated with a significant increase in target DNA and cDNA levels in most of the time points evaluated throughout cheesemaking. Therefore, these findings suggest that the growth and metabolism of S. thermophilus may be enhanced by the incorporation of these biologically active molecules during cheese production, providing important information for the industrial design of novel fermented foods.

Novel Synthesis of Phytosterol Ester from Soybean Sterol and Acetic Anhydride.

Phytosterols are important bioactive compounds which have several health benefits including reduction of serum cholesterol and preventing cardiovascular diseases. The most widely used method in the synthesis of its ester analogous form is the use of catalysts and solvents. These methods have been found to present some safety and health concern. In this paper, an alternative method of synthesizing phytosterol ester from soybean sterol and acetic anhydride was investigated. Process parameters such as mole ratio, temperature and time were optimized. The structure and physicochemical properties of phytosterol acetic ester were analyzed. By the use of gas chromatography, the mole ratio of soybean sterol and acetic anhydride needed for optimum esterification rate of 99.4% was 1:1 at 135 °C for 1.5 h. FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of phytosterol ester with strong absorption peaks at 1732 and 1250 cm(-1) , which corresponds to the stretching vibration of C=O and C-O-C, respectively. These peaks could be attributed to the formation of ester links which resulted from the reaction between the hydroxyl group of soybean sterol and the carbonyl group of acetic anhydride. This paper provides a better alternative to the synthesis of phytosterol ester without catalyst and solvent residues, which may have potential application in the food, health-care food, and pharmaceutical industries.

Immobilization of Yarrowia lipolytica lipase Ylip2 for the biocatalytic synthesis of phytosterol ester in a water activity controlled reactor

In this work, phytosterol ester was synthesized using Yarrowia lipolytica lipase Ylip2 that had been immobilized on inorganic support in a solvent-free system and reacted in a computer-aided water activity controlled bioreactor. The immobilization of Ylip2 on celite led to a remarkable increase in the phytosterol conversion compared to that of free lipase. An investigation of the reaction conditions were oleic acid as the fatty acid variety, 10,000U/g substrate, and a temperature of 50°C for phytosterol ester synthesis. Controlling of the water activity at a set point was accomplished by the introduction of dry air through the reaction medium at a digital feedback controlled flow rate. For the esterification of phytosterol ester, a low (15%) water activity resulted in a considerable improvement in phytosterol conversion (91.1%) as well as a decreased reaction time (78h). Furthermore, Ylip2 lipase immobilized on celite retained 90% esterification activity for the synthesis of phytosterol oleate after reused 8 cycles, while free lipase was only viable for 5 batches with 90% esterification activity remained. Finally, the phytosterol oleate space time yield increased from 1.65g/L/h with free lipase to 2.53g/L/h with immobilized lipase. These results illustrate that the immobilized Yarrowia lipolytica lipase Ylip2 in a water activity controlled reactor has great potential for the application in phytosterol esters synthesis.

Soy milk powder supplemented with phytosterol esters reduced serum cholesterol level in hypercholesterolemia independently of lipoprotein E genotype: a random clinical placebo-controlled trial

Phytosterols (PSs) are reported to lower the serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations enriched in some fatty foods, such as margarine. However, these high-fat foods are not very suitable for older people. Soy milk is the favorite food for elderly people in China; therefore, we hypothesized that the consumption of soy milk powder supplemented with PSs would decrease the serum cholesterol levels in older Chinese people independent of the genotypes of apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Mild to moderate hyperlipidemic patients (n = 170) were recruited from different communities and treated with placebo soy milk powder or 3.4 g PS esters–enriched soy milk powder (2.0 g/d free PS in 30 g soy milk powder). The fasting serum lipid profiles at the baseline and after 3 and 6 months of intervention were measured. The ApoE genotype was also determined. After 3 months of PS intervention, the serum lipid profile was not changed significantly in either group. The serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and non– high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased by 9.3%, 11.4%, and 12.6%, respectively, in the PS group at the end of the intervention (6 months) compared with the control group, whereas the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not affected significantly. In the PS group, both the ApoE3 and ApoE4 carriers had a similar response to PS consumption. These findings suggested that PS-fortified soy milk powder was effective in lowering the serum cholesterol levels in older Chinese volunteers with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia in both the ApoE3 and ApoE4 carriers.

A novel capsule-like structure of micro-sized particles formed by phytosterol ester and γ-cyclodextrin in water

The composite material formed by phytosterol ester (PSE) and γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) disperses readily in water and has been used to mask undesirable flavours. This paper elucidates the structure of the PSE/γ-CD particle. Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements showed that the PSE/γ-CD particles formed a capsule-like structure with a hydrophilic surface. A phase-solubility study using cholesteryl oleate (ChO), one of the components of PSE, showed that ChO formed a hydrophilic and stoichiometric inclusion complex with γ-CD at a molar ratio of 2:5. The structure of the PSE/γ-CD inclusion complex was similar to that of ChO/γ-CD, based on differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffractometry results. Thus, we propose that the PSE/γ-CD particle has a capsule-like structure wherein a hydrophobic PSE droplet is surrounded by an outer layer of the hydrophilic PSE/γ-CD inclusion complex.

A Simultaneous Analytical Method to Profile Non-Volatile Components with Low Polarity Elucidating Differences Between Tobacco Leaves Using Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry Detection

Summary A comprehensive analytical method using liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry detector (LC/APCI-MSD) was developed to determine key non-volatile components with low polarity elucidating holistic difference among tobacco leaves. Nonaqueous reversed-phase chromatography (NARPC) using organic solvent ensured simultaneous separation of various components with low polarity in tobacco resin. Application of full-scan mode to APCI-MSD hyphenated with NARPC enabled simultaneous detection of numerous intense product ions given by APCI interface. Parameters for data processing to filter, feature and align peaks were adjusted in order to strike a balance between comprehensiveness and reproducibility in analysis. 63 types of components such as solanesols, chlorophylls, phytosterols, triacylglycerols, solanachromene and others were determined on total ion chromatograms according to authentic components, wavelength spectrum and mass spectrum. The whole area of identified entities among the ones detected on total ion chromatogram reached to over 60% and major entities among those identified showed favorable linearity of determination coefficient of over 0.99. The developed method and data processing procedure were therefore considered feasible for subsequent multivariate analysis. Data matrix consisting of a number of entities was then subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis. Cultivars of tobacco leaves were distributed far from each cultivar on PCA score plot and each cluster seemed to be characterized by identified non-volatile components with low polarity. While fluecured Virginia (FCV) was loaded by solanachromene, phytosterol esters and triacylglycerols, free phytosterols and chlorophylls loaded Burley (BLY) and Oriental (ORI) respectively. Consequently the whole methodology consisting of comprehensive method and data processing procedure proved useful to determine key-components among cultivars of tobacco leaves, and was expected to additionally expand coverage that metabolomics study has ensured. [Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int. 27 (2016) 60-73]

Single frequency intake of α-linolenic acid rich phytosterol esters attenuates atherosclerosis risk factors in hamsters fed a high fat diet.

BackgroundEmerging evidence suggested phytosterol esters (PE) exhibited an advantage over naturally occurring phytosterols in reducing atherosclerosis risk factors due to improved fat solubility and compatibility. However, the effects of dietary patterns of PE on lipid-lowering activity were limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to explore the effects of dose and frequency of α-linolenic acid rich phytosterol esters (ALA-PE) on cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism markers focused on intestinal cholesterol absorption and bioconversion of ALA in liver.MethodsDose-dependency study Male Syrian golden hamsters were fed high-fat diets (HFD) containing low, medium and high dose of ALA-PE (0.72 %, 2.13 % and 6.39 %) for 6 weeks. The high fat diet contained 89.5 % chow diet, 0.2 % cholesterol, 10 % lard and 0.3 % bile salt.Dose-frequency study Male Syrian golden hamsters were provided: (I) 0.4 mL/100 g peanut oil by gavage once a day; (II) 0.4 mL/100 g ALA-PE by gavage once a day; (III) 0.2 mL/100 g ALA-PE by gavage twice a day; (IV) 0.133 mL/100 g ALA-PE by gavage three times a day; (V) 0.1 mL/100 g ALA-PE by gavage four times a day for 6 weeks with a high-fat diet simultaneously.ResultsALA-PE dose-dependently lowered plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations with a maximal decrease of 42 %, 59 % and 73 %, respectively (p < 0.05). Compared to HFD, TC, LDL-C and TG concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in hamsters consumed HFD plus ALA-PE for 1–4 times per day but there were not remarkable differences among different consumption frequencies. No significant changes in plasma antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation levels were observed among HFD and HFD plus different doses of ALA-PE groups. The contents of hepatic α-linolenic (ALA), docosapentaenoic (DPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids were dose-dependently increased in different ALA-PE groups compared to those in HFD group. The abundance of mRNA for intestinal sterol transporters Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1), ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCG5 and ABCG8 indicated no significant differences among all groups.ConclusionALA-PE dose-dependently improved lipid profile in hamsters fed HFD independent of intestinal ABCG5, ABCG8 and NPC1L1, accompanying by increased conversion of ALA to DPA and DHA in liver. ALA-PE manifested “once a day” lipid-lowering efficacy, highlighting a promising preventive strategy for metabolic syndrome.

Immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase on ZnO nanowires/macroporous silica composites for biocatalytic synthesis of phytosterol esters

ZnO nanowires were successfully introduced into a macroporous SiO2 by in-situ hydrothermal growth in 3D pores. The obtained composites were characterized by SEM and XRD, and used as supports to immobilize Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) through adsorption. The high specific surface area (233m2/g) and strong electrostatic interaction resulted that the average loading amount of the composite supports reached 287.2mg/g. Both adsorption capacity and the activity of the CRL immobilized on the composite supports almost kept unchanged as the samples were soaked in buffer solution for 48h. The immobilized CRL exhibited better thermal stability, reusability and pH adaptability in comparison to free CRL. The immobilized CRL was used as biocatalyst for the preparation of phytosterol esters by the esterification of phytosterol and oleic acid. A maximum molar conversion of 96.5% was achieved under the optimal condition. After twelve recycles the immobilized lipase could retain 89.9% of its initial activity.