Relative Fatty Acid Composition Research Articles

A Rapid Procedure for the Identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria Based on the Gas Chromatographic Analysis of the Cellular Fatty Acids

This study was conducted to develop a rapid numerical procedure for the analysis of gas chromatograms of lactic acid bacteria fatty acid methylesters (FAMEs), along with an examination of some experimental conditions which affect the fatty acid composition of these bacteria. FAME determination was carried out using high resolution gas chromatography (HRGC). Although the nature and the proportion of fatty acids differed among strains, some major components, n-C14:0, n-C16:1, n-C16:0, n-C18:1, n-C18:0, and C19 cycl, were found as a group to represent more than 90% of the whole cellular fatty acids. The differences found in the relative composition of the long-chain fatty acids in paired chromatograms were used to calculate a “distance coefficient”, based on the differences found for the most important fatty acids, after their prior ranking. The procedure was initially validated with identified species, used as reference strains; then, unknown lactic acid bacteria isolates were compared to these references. The method proved to be useful for rapid comparisons between strains, provided a strict standardization occcurred prior to routine application.

Fatty acid composition of oil from soybean leaves grown at extreme temperatures

Leaves from soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) plants were assayed to determine if the relationship between temperature and relative fatty acid composition observed in the seed oil also existed for the triglycerides in the leaf oil. Leaf samples were harvested from eight soybean lines (A5, A6, C1640, Century, Maple Arrow, N78‐2245, PI 123440 and PI 361088B) grown at 40/30,28/22 and 15/ 12°C day/night. At 40/30 and 28/22°C, seven fatty acids were observed at a level greater than 1.0%. These included the five major fatty acids found in the seed oil: palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3) acid; plus two fatty acids that had retention times the same as palmitoleic (16:1) and γ‐linolenic (18:3 g) acid. In addition, an eighth fatty acid that had a retention time the same as behenic (22:0) acid was found in the leaves of all lines at 15/12°C. Palmitic, palmitoleic and stearic acid content did not differ significantly over temperatures. The oleic and linoleic acid content were each highest at 15/12°C, while the γ‐linolenic and the linolenic acid content were each highest at 40/30°C. The fatty acid composition of the triglyceride portion of the leaf oil did not display the same pattern over temperatures as that observed for seed oil.

Characterization of phosphatidylcholines in rabbit lung lavage fluid by positive and negative ion fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry

The relative distribution of intact diacylphosphatidylcholine species isolated from the lung lavage fluid of rabbits has been investigated by positive ion fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. Two different isolation/purification methods were applied and evaluated prior to mass spectrometric analysis. The first method consisted of a Bligh and Dyer extraction of the lung lavage fluid followed by isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation. In the second method a thin-layer chromatographic purification step was introduced between the extraction procedure and the HPLC separation. Further, the FAB matrices glycerol and 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol were used, and their influence on the diacylphosphatidylcholine molecular ion species was studied. The Bligh and Dyer extraction followed by the simple HPLC separation was the method of choice to obtain stable, long-lasting protonated molecular ions and diagnostic fragment ions, which permitted the identification of the polar head-group. In combination with 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol as liquid matrix we established a procedure that yielded a fast sample preparation method, a good signal-to-noise ratio for detecting minor species, and reduced formation of [M + H − 2H] + ion species. The relative fatty acid composition of the diacylphosphatidylcholine fractions isolated from rabbit lung lavage fluid was determined by negative ion FAB mass spectrometry using the carboxylate anions. The mass spectrometric results were compared with those acquired by gas chromatographic determination of the fatty acid methyl esters. Close agreement was found between the data obtained by the two independent methods.

Vernonia galamensis: A rich source of epoxy acid

A percolation extraction ofVernonia galamensis seed, affording 38.6% of crude vernonia oil is described. The dark colored crude oil was degummed with water, treated with activated charcoal and bleached with a neutral agent, to give a light colored oil (Lovibond: 0.9 red, 3.5 yellow). Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis of the refined oil indicates a relative fatty acid composition of 79–81% vernolic (cis‐12,13‐epoxy‐cis‐9‐octadecenoic) acid, 11–12% linoleic acid, 4–6% oleic acid, 2–3% stearic acid, 2–4% palmitic acid, and a trace amount of arachidic acid.

Fatty acid composition of phospholipids of plasma and of mononuclear blood cells in children with allergic asthma and the influence of glucocorticoids

Fatty acid (FA) composition of plasma phospholipids and phospholipids extracted from peripheral mononuclear white blood cells (MNC) was investigated in 11 allergic asthmatic children (age 8.9 +/- 4.6 years), in 10 age-matched non-allergic healthy controls and in 14 allergic and non-allergic children with an acute attack of asthma, who had received prednisolone medication for 2-4 days. In allergic asthmatics eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) was significantly elevated in both plasma and MNC. The relative amount of 20:5n-3 in MNC as well as in plasma correlated positively with increasing levels of total serum IgE (P less than 0.02). The pattern of the other FAs in plasma and of MNC phospholipids did not differ between allergic asthmatic and non-allergic control children. In children with an acute attack of asthma, who had been treated with glucocorticoids (2 mg prednisolone/kg body weight for 2-4 days), distinct changes of relative FA composition of phospholipids were restricted to plasma, where some very long chain FA (22:4n-6, 22:5n-6) were elevated. No significant changes in FA from MNC phospholipids could be observed after glucocorticoid treatment. These findings may indicate a possible role of 20:5n-3, the precursor of "group 3" eicosanoids, in allergic asthmatic children.

Effects of in vitro hyperthermia on fatty acids of red blood cells and plasma lipids from patients with multiple sclerosis

Heparinized blood from 43 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 43 controls matched for age, sex and race were incubated at 42°C for 24 h. The hematocrit values were determined before and after heating. The plasma and red blood cells (RBC) were separated and the plasma free fatty acids (FFA), total neutral lipids (NL; which included the triglycerides and cholesteryl esters), phospholipids (PL), and RBC lipids from 24 patients and 24 controls were isolated. The total amounts of the various FFA in the plasma and the relative percentage fatty acid compositions of the various FFA, NL, ester-linked fatty acids of plasma PL, RBC lipids as well as those of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) fractions of RBC lipids were determined by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). The hematocrit values were significantly higher in heated samples from both MS and controls. The results of fatty acid analyses from 24 pairs of heated and unheated MS and controls showed that the concentrations of total FFA and most of the fatty acids increased significantly in the heated plasma of both MS and control samples, compared to the respective unheated plasma samples. When the FFA values were expressed as relative percentage compositions, the results showed significant increases in palmitic, arachidonic and adrenic acids and significant decreases in oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids in the heated samples from MS and controls compared to the corresponding unheated samples. In NL the relative percentages of linoleic and arachidonic acids were significantly higher in the heated samples from both MS and controls, while in the PL, the percentages of linoleic acid were lower in the heated samples from both MS and controls, when compared to the corresponding unheated samples. The fatty acid compositions of the RBC lipids showed highly significant increases in palmitic plus palmitoleic, stearic and oleic acids and significant decreases in linoleic and most of the polyunsaturated acids in the heated MS samples compared to the unheated MS samples. In contrast, the fatty acid compositions of the RBC lipids from heated controls showed significant increase in only palmitic plus palmitoleic acids and significant decreases in linoleic and arachidonic acids, compared to the values from unheated controls. The results show that the RBC membranes from MS were more affected by the heat than those of control RBC, indicating possible differences between blood from MS patients and controls.

Effect of sampling site on fatty acid composition of human breast adipose tissue

The effect of sampling site and proximity of malignant tumor on the relative fatty acid composition of human breast adipose tissue was studied in 10 cases of breast cancer. The four anatomic quadrants of breast did not statistically significantly differ from each other in relation to any of the 30 fatty acids studied. Proximity of the malignant tumor did not affect the relative fatty acid composition of fat when compared with more distant sampling sites. Representative samples of breast adipose tissue for fatty acid composition analysis can be obtained from tissue adjacent to the tumor.

Methodological approach to the characterization of diacylphosphatidyl cholines in rabbit lung lavage fluid by fast‐atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Strong evidence exists that the distribution of phospholipids in the lung is a function of the degree of adult respiratory distress syndrome. The capabilities of positive-ion fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry for the determination of the relative distribution of intact diacylphosphatidylcholine species in lung lavage fluid were investigated. Two different FAB matrices and two different isolation/purification procedures--extraction/thin layer chromatography--high performance liquid chromatography (TLC-HPLC)--have been evaluated. In addition the relative fatty acid composition of the diacylphosphatidylcholines was determined by negative-ion FAB mass spectrometry using the [RCOO]- fragment ion. These results were compared with those obtained by gas chromatographic determination of the fatty acid methylesters.

Prostaglandin precursor fatty acids in serum and bile as influenced by oophorectomy, contraceptive steroids and pregnancy. An experimental study in the cat.

Variations in the occurrence of prostaglandin precursor fatty acids might be of importance for the pathogenesis of gallstones. Pregnancy and use of contraceptive steroids increase the risk of gallstones. The present study reports the relative fatty acid composition in serum and biliary phospholipids studied by gas-liquid chromatography in four groups of female cats, which were on a standard diet: 1) oophorectomized animals, 2) animals on contraceptive steroids, 3) pregnant animals and 4) control animals. It was consistently found that the portions of palmitic and linoleic acid were higher and stearic and arachidonic acid were lower in biliary than in serum lecithin. In biliary lysolecithin, sphingomyelin and cephaline there were only small portions of linoleic and negligible amounts of arachidonic acid. Oophorectomy, contraceptive steroids or pregnancy did not induce any gross changes in the fatty acid pattern of lecithin in serum or bile. In animals treated with contraceptive steroids a reduced portion of linoleic acid was seen in the bile lecithin, and in pregnant animals there was a reduction of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in biliary lecithin.

Effect of temperature on lipid composition of the marine cryptomonad Chroomonas salina

The lipid compositions of the marine cryptomonad Chroomonas salina cultured at 20 and 8° were compared. Algae cultured at 8° had a higher lipid content than those maintained at 20°. Triacylglycerols (TAG) were the major lipid class at both temperatures. The proportion of sterols in total lipid exhibited the most significant change in relation to temperature. Saturated fatty acids always predominated in TAG although their proportion was decreased, and that of monoenes increased, by culturing the alga at 8°. Monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and digalactosyldiacylglycerol, particularly the latter, were characterised by high levels of C 18 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Culturing algae at 8° resulted in significant increases in the proportion of 18:4( n-3) with corresponding decreases in those of 18:2( n-6) and 18:3( n-6), in both these galactolipids. PUFA also predominated in phospholipids but the levels of 20:5( n-3) and 22:6( n-3) were higher than in galactolipids. The magnitude of changes in fatty acid composition in relation to temperature was smaller in phospholipids than in galactolipids.

Fatty acid composition of plerocercoid and adult of Spirometra erinacei and the host-parasite relationship

Fukushima T., Abe K., Nakagawa A. and Yamane Y. 1988. Fatty acid composition of plerocercoid and adult of Spirometra erinacei and the host-parasite relationship. International Journal for Parasitology 18: 27–31. Different patterns of fatty acids were identified in the two growth stages, plerocercoid and adult, of S. erinacei and considered from the viewpoint of the host-parasite relationship. Differences in fatty acid compositions of C 16:0 (palmitate), C 18:0 (stearate), C 18:1 (oleate), C 18:2 (linoleate), C 20:0 (arachidate), C 20:2 (eicosadienoate) and C 20:5 (eicosapentaenoate) were observed in different proglottides of adult worm. C 16:0 and C 18:0 in scoleces, C 18:2 and C 20:5in mature proglottides approximated the proportions of those in the host intestinal wall. Proportions of C 16:0, C 18:0, C 18:2, C 20:4 (arachidonate) and C 22:5 (docosapentaenoate) of plerocercoids were found to be influenced by the proportions of fatty acids in the host serum. c 20:0 was higher in plerocercoids from snakes than those from hamsters in spite of the fact that C 20:0 in snake and hamster sera was almost equal. We discuss these differences of fatty acid composition in relation to the absorption and metabolism of lipids.

Highly sensitive determination and characterization of intact cellular ester-linked phospholipids using liquid chromatography-plasma spray mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatographic class separations of common cellular phospholipids combined with plasma spray ionization of the effluents were investigated. Comparison with true thermospray ionization involving ammonium acetate buffering revealed a gain in total ionization in the plasma spray of a factor of approximately 10 using a cation-exchange column and a solvent mixture consisting of acetonitrile-methanol-water (400:100:15, v/v). Plasma spray ionization studies of bovine brain polyphosphoinositides interrelated by the phosphate content in the inositol moeity showed almost identical monoglyceride and diglyceride ion clusters, indicating possibilities of studying the biochemical turnover of such phospholipids. Plasma spray ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of bacterial membrane phospholipids ( Pseudomonas fluorescens) revealed possibilities of obtaining indications of individual fatty acid compositions from the spectra of the phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine fractions present. Conventional gas chromatographic fatty acid analysis agreed with the direct mass spectrometric structure elucidations. Interestingly, the two phospholipid classes had different relative fatty acid compositions with a significantly higher degree of cyclic fatty acids in the phosphatidyl ethanolamines. Plasma spray ionization yielded linear dose-response curves for both the monoglyceride and diglyceride fragment signals in the selected-ion monitoring mode. The detection limit for the monoglyceride and diglyceride species of phosphatidylcholine under the chromatographic and mass spectrometric conditions used was found to be in the picogram range.

A Yeast Identification Method: The Influence of Culture Age on the Cellular Long-Chain Fatty Acid Composition of Three Selected Basidiomycetous Yeasts

Summary Cellular fatty acids were extracted from the cells of Agaricostilbum palmicolum, Filobasidiella neoformans and Tremella aurantia . The changes in relative fatty acid composition, at different growth stages, was measured by gas-liquid chromatography. A high degree of variation in relative amounts of longchain fatty acids was observed during the exponential and early stationary phases of growth, while reproducible results and a stable fatty acid composition was obtained with cells harvested in the late stationary phase. The significance of the changes in fatty acid profiles during growth and the possible application thereof for identification purposes is evaluated.

The Value of Long-Chain Fatty Acid Composition in the Identification of Species Representing the Basidiomycetous Genus Rhodosporidium Banno

Cellular long-chain fatty acids were extracted from cells of the basidiomycete Rhodosporidium toruloides at different stages of growth. Gas-liquid chromatography was used to measure changes in the relative fatty acid composition. Large variations in the relative amounts of fatty acids were observed during the exponential and early stationary growth phases, while greater reproducibility and stable fatty acid compositions were obtained with cells harvested in the late stationary phase. The cellular long—chain fatty acids of eight species of the genus Rhodosporidium , harvested in late stationary phase, were also determined by gas—liquid chromatography. The Rhodosporidium species were characterized by the presence of myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:l), magaric acid (C17:0), iso—magaric acid (C17:l), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:0), linoleic acid (C18:2) and linolenic acid (C18:3). The species were divided into two groups on the basis of fatty acid content. The first group was characterized by a higher mean percentage, and the second group by a lower mean percentage linoleic acid (C18:2).

Altered fatty acid membrane composition modifies lymphocyte localization in vivo

In the present paper, we report the results of a study on the in vivo localization of 51Cr-labeled lymphocytes with an altered lipid bilayer. In vitro treatment of lymphocytes with fatty acids (arachidic and linolenic acids) modifies the relative composition of plasma membrane fatty acids. Phospholipids of the plasma membrane of lymphocytes incubated with arachidic acid show a preferential increase of fatty acids with chain length between C: 12 and C: 16. Cells incubated with linolenic acid show an increase percentage of fatty acids C: 16 to C:20 and the relative amount of the fatty acids with chain length superior to C:20 is higher in cells treated with linolenic than with arachidic acid. We have found that these alterations in plasma membrane fatty acid composition can modify the normal pattern of lymphocyte localization in vivo after iv transfer into syngeneic hosts. The possible role of factors such as cell to cell adhesion and/or fluidity of plasma membranes in the control of lymphocyte migration are discussed.

Distribution and chemotaxonomic significance of acetylenic fatty acids in mosses of the dicranales

Thirty-eight moss species from four families of the order Dicranales were analysed for the fatty acid composition of their acyl lipids. In the Ditrichaceae and the Dicranaceae numerous species were found to contain acetylenic fatty acids in their triglycerides, 9,12,15-Octadecatrien-6-ynoic acid was the major component, often accounting for more than 80 mol%, whereas 9,12-octadecadien-6-ynoic acid was found in small amounts of less than 5 mol%. In some genera, all the species examined contained acetylenic fatty acids, e.g. Dicranella and Dicranum, whereas in the genus Campylopus all five species tested were free of acetylenic compounds. Two genera, Ditrichum and Dicranoweisia, were found to have a non-homogeous distribution of acetylenic fatty acids. The chemotaxonomic significance of the fatty acid composition in relation to morphological characters is discussed.

Effect of biotin deficiency and supplementation on lipid metabolism in rats: saturated fatty acids

The effects of biotin deficiency and supplementation upon saturated fatty acids in serum, liver, cerebrum, and cerebellum of rats were investigated. Serum total fatty acids were reduced in deficient animals to 29% of normal. The percentage composition of some odd-chain fatty acids was increased in the serum and liver of deficient rats. The relative composition of most saturated fatty acids with carbon-chain lengths ≥ 22 were increased in serum and liver of deficient rats. In contrast, there were no differences in the brain saturated fatty acids of deficient animals compared to those of normal and supplemented animals. These results may indicate that alterations in saturated fatty acids do not play a major role in the neurologic abnormalities in human biotin or inherited multiple-carboxylase deficiencies.

The relative fatty acid composition of serum lecithin and cholesterol ester: Influence of an estrogen-progestogen regimen in climacteric women

The relative fatty acid compositions of serum lecithin and cholesterol ester were studied during continuous treatment with an estrogen/progestogen combination. All 26 women who participated suffered from climacteric complaints and were given one tablet daily containing 2 mg of 17 β-estradiol, 1 mg of estriol, and 1 mg of norethindrone acetate. Blood samples were taken before treatment and after 3 and 12 months of treatment. In serum lecithin, a decrease (p < 0.01) in stearic acid concomitant with an increase of linoleic (p < 0.05) and arachidonic (p < 0.01) acids was recorded. The most evident changes noted in cholesterol ester were decreased levels of stearic (p < 0.01), oleic (p < 0.05), and arachidonic (p < 0.001) acids. Polyunsaturated acids of the n-6 series are precursors for prostaglandins and leukotrienes. In the present study an increase of dihomo-γ-linolenic, linoleic, and arachidonic acids in serum lecithin was found after treatment, and theoretically this finding may have an impact on the prostacyclin-thromboxane balance.

High-dose depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate—Effects on the fatty acid composition of serum lecithin and cholesterol ester

Twenty-one women were treated with high doses of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (1000 mg/week im) for 6 months as part of the treatment of endometrial carcinoma. The relative fatty acid composition of serum lecithin and cholesterol ester were analyzed. In previous studies low doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), in contrast to progestins of the 19-nor-testosterone series, have been shown not to affect the fatty acid composition of serum lecithin and cholesterol ester. However, the high doses of MPA used in this study increased linoleic acid and decreased arachidonic and di-homogammalinolenic acids in serum lecithin. The ability of a steroid to induce this shift has been ascribed to its androgenicity. MPA is considered to have weak, if any, such properties. The findings of this study emphasize the necessity to delineate effects on metabolism of different doses and administrative routes of any particular steroid.

Lipid Protein Interactions in Offal Protein Isolates: Effect of Several Solvents on Lipid Extraction

ABSTRACTThe effect of solvents of increasing polarity on lipid extraction of bovine lung and rumen proteins, isolated by two different procedures, namely, alkaline solubilization of the protein followed by its isoelectric precipitation, and sodium dodecyl sulfate solubilization of the protein and its subsequent precipitation by ferric chloride was studied. A hyperbolic relationship was observed between the amount of lipid extracted and the dielectric constant of the solvent used. This relationship was described by an equation which allowed the calculation of the total amount of lipids present in the isolates and the average intensity of the interaction between lipids and proteins in each system. Relative composition of fatty acids in lung isolates showed marked dependence on the polarity of the solvent employed.