Sterol Content Research Articles

Changes in phytosterol contents during rape seed storage under conditions simulating industrial silos

During seed storage in tall silos the low layers of rape seeds are exposed to static pressure exerted by the upper layers. This may cause deformation and damage of seeds found in the lower layers and losses of biologically active compounds. The aim of this study was to simulate under laboratory conditions the actual ecosystem found in industrial plants and to evaluate the effect of not only the temperature and moisture content, but also static pressure on degradation of phytosterols contained in rape seeds in the course of storage. Changes in phytosterol levels were assessed using GC-MS. During storage in all samples of seeds (7–16% moisture content) under the adopted conditions of overpressure (20–60 kPa) and temperature (25–35 °C) the total content of phytosterols decreased by 3–57%. The smallest losses in the total phytosterol contents (3–4%) were recorded during storage of seeds with a 7% moisture content, irrespective of the applied storage temperature (25–35 °C) and overpressure variants (20–60 kPa). The greatest losses of phytosterols (43–57%) were observed during storage of seeds with a 16% moisture content at a temperature of 35 °C, while the higher the applied overpressure, the greater these losses were. The study showed that the greatest influence on sterol content during storage was increased seed moisture, and subsequently the temperature and the pressure. Experimental results also showed that for seeds with higher moisture contents (13 and 16%) an increase in storage temperature from 30 to 35 °C intensifies losses of individual phytosterols much more markedly that an increase in temperature from 25 to 30 °C. Moreover it was observed that overpressure over 20 kPa enhanced losses of investigated phytosterols.

Effects of enzymatic free fatty acid reduction process on the composition and phytochemicals of rice bran oil

The effects of enzymatic free fatty acid reduction process (EFFARP) on the composition and phytochemicals of dewaxed and degummed rice bran oil (DDRBO) were investigated and compared with the effects observed using internal acyl acceptors. The acid value of DDRBO was effectively decreased from 16.99 mg KOH/g to approximately 0.36 mg KOH/g by EFFARP. EFFARP significantly decreased the moisture content and peroxide value of DDRBO and increased the induction period. The Sn-2 fatty acid comoposition of DDRBO after EFFARP was very reaching the total fatty acid composition. EFFARP significantly increased the triacylglycerol content compared to the control, while the oryzanol content was not obviously affected. The contents of free sterol, and total tocopherol and tocotrienol were increased slightly by EFFARP compared to the control. When conducted under vacuum with added nitrogen, EFFARP shows great application potential in the edible oil industry.

Genetic variability in the absorption of dietary sterols affects the risk of coronary artery disease.

AimsTo explore whether variability in dietary cholesterol and phytosterol absorption impacts the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) using as instruments sequence variants in the ABCG5/8 genes, key regulators of intestinal absorption of dietary sterols.Methods and resultsWe examined the effects of ABCG5/8 variants on non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol (N up to 610 532) and phytosterol levels (N = 3039) and the risk of CAD in Iceland, Denmark, and the UK Biobank (105 490 cases and 844 025 controls). We used genetic scores for non-HDL cholesterol to determine whether ABCG5/8 variants confer greater risk of CAD than predicted by their effect on non-HDL cholesterol. We identified nine rare ABCG5/8 coding variants with substantial impact on non-HDL cholesterol. Carriers have elevated phytosterol levels and are at increased risk of CAD. Consistent with impact on ABCG5/8 transporter function in hepatocytes, eight rare ABCG5/8 variants associate with gallstones. A genetic score of ABCG5/8 variants predicting 1 mmol/L increase in non-HDL cholesterol associates with two-fold increase in CAD risk [odds ratio (OR) = 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75–2.31, P = 9.8 × 10−23] compared with a 54% increase in CAD risk (OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.49–1.59, P = 1.1 × 10−154) associated with a score of other non-HDL cholesterol variants predicting the same increase in non-HDL cholesterol (P for difference in effects = 2.4 × 10−4).ConclusionsGenetic variation in cholesterol absorption affects levels of circulating non-HDL cholesterol and risk of CAD. Our results indicate that both dietary cholesterol and phytosterols contribute directly to atherogenesis.

Effect of ripening on the Chemical Composition of Green locally Cultivated Banana Cultivars (Musa Spp.) Peel

The study investigated the Effect of ripening on the proximate, minerals, vitamins and photochemical composition of green locally cultivated banana cultivars peels. The matured unripe green banana fruits were collected from Ussa, Ussa LGA, Taraba State, Nigeria. The proximate, minerals, vitamins and photochemical composition of banana cultivars peels were determined using standard methods. The moisture, protein and carbohydrate content of the peel of unripe green banana decreased from 8.64 to 8.43, 5.47 to 5.23 and 73.04 to 72.42%, respectively, while the ash, fats and fibre content increased from 4.55 to 5.23, 5.35 to 5.57 and 2.96 to 3.13%, respectively, on ripening. The vitamin C, vitamin E, starch and lignin content of the peel of the green cultivar decreased from 0.08 to 0.11, 106.83 to 95.03, 1.07 to 0.97 and 5.84 to 5.55mg/100g, respectively, while the sugar increased from 0.95 to 1.09mg/100g on ripening. The green cultivar peel flour showed a significant decrease, p=0.05, in calcium(0.65 to 0.58mg/100g), potassium(4.63 to 4.36mg/100g), iron(0.28 to 0.23mg/100g) and zinc(0.4 to 0.3mg/100g), respectively, with relative increase in the phosphorous(0.35 to 0.37mg/100g) content on ripening. Ripening decreased the phenol (0.73 to 0.64mg/g), flavonoid (1.70 to 1.41mg/g), carotinod (5.05 to 3.35mg/g) and sterol (0.18 to 0.16mg/g) content of the green cultivar peel flour. The study has shown that ripening has generally improved the vitamins and the sugar content of the ripe banana peels.

A Rapid Gas Chromatographic Method for Direct Determination of Free Sterols in Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils

In this study, a rapid and simple method without a derivatization process for determination of the free sterols in vegetable and animal oils was developed. A direct injection gas chromatography with a non-polar megabore column (DB-1, 5 m × 0.53 mm, 1μm) was used. The recoveries of cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol from lard were at the range of 89%-106% with a coefficient of variation less than 12%. Total sterols were determined using the same method after saponification of the oil sample. Fourteen samples, including olive oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, lard and egg yolk oil, were quantitatively analyzed for total and free sterols. The contents of total cholesterol, brassicasterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, Δ5-avenasterol, Δ7-stigmastenol and Δ7-avenasterol in test samples were at the range of 193-34384, 0-1222, 0-2356, 0-1365, 0-5414, 0-608, 0-1296 and 0-129 μg/g, respectively; while the contents of free cholesterol, brassicasterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, Δ5-avenasterol, Δ7-stigmastenol and Δ7-avenasterol were 98-30340, 0-1057, 0-634, 0-724, 0-3087, 0-404, 0-558 and 0-23 μg/g, respectively. The amounts of esterified sterols were calculated by subtracting the free sterol contents from total sterol contents. Results showed olive oil, sunflower oil and peanut oil primarily contain esterified sterols; while soybean oil, sesame oil, lard and egg oil contain mostly free sterols. The developed method is recommended as a rapid method to determine if animal fats/oils are adulterated with vegetable oils.

Beneficial effects of plant sterols/stanols-containing milk powder on lipid metabolism in hamsters

The effect of plant sterols/stanols-containing milk powder (phytosterol milk powder, PSMP, containing 2.78% phytosterols mixture) on lipid metabolism in hamsters was investigated. One hundred male 7-week-old Golden Syrian hamsters were given free access to regular rodent chow and water for 1 week to acclimatize. Four extremely (10%) over- and underweight hamsters were eliminated. Sixteen hamsters were killed and examined for plasma and liver lipid compositions to establish the baseline. The remaining hamster were randomly divided into 5 groups, each group of hamsters had statistically similar average body weight, but fed with different experimental diets for 4 weeks. All 5 groups of hamsters were fed with high fat, high cholesterol diet containing different ingredients. Regular rodent chow diet was supplemented with 0.5% (w/w) cholesterol and corn/coconut oil mixture (corn oil/coconut oil = 1:1) to raise the final fat content to 15% (w/w) (Group 1 - control group). Group 2 was the positive control (PC) group, which was fed with diet containing 0.72% (w/w) phytosterols (consisted of 75% β-sitosterol and 10% campesterol). Groups 3-5 were the experimental groups, of which 12.95, 25.90 or 64.75% (w/w) PSMP 1x, 2x and 5x PSMP groups) was added to the diet and the phytosterol mixture contents in these diets were 0.36, 0.72 and 1.8% (w/w), respectively. At the end of 4-week feeding period, hamsters were killed and the plasma and hepatic lipid compositions together with the fecal neutral sterol content were determined. No adverse effects of PSMP on growth and health condition in hamsters were found in this experiment. At the highest feeding dose of PSMP (64.75%, w/w), hamsters had the highest body weight gain and the lowest plasma and liver lipid contents. PSMP showed significant effects on lowering the concentrations of plasma total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. It could also lower the atherogenic index (LDL-C/HDL-C), hepatic lipid levels and relative liver weight while raising the fecal cholesterol and phytosterols excretion in the hyperlipidemic hamsters.

Evaluation of oxidative stability of sweet and bitter almond oils under accelerated storage conditions

This study aimed to investigate the oxidative stability of cold-pressed bitter and sweet almond oil under accelerated aging conditions. The oxidative stability of both oils was analyzed using as physicochemical metrics: fatty acid (FA) composition, sterol content, chlorophyll and carotenoid level, tocopherol level, iodine index, free fatty acid, Peroxide value and specific extinction coefficients K232–K270. The variations of these parameters were evaluated over four weeks at 60 °C. The results showed that carotenoid, total sterol, and tocopherol levels were decreased, the free fatty acid, Peroxide value, K232 and K270 parameters increased slightly for both oils, while, FA profiles and Iodine value did not significantly vary over four weeks. After four weeks, sweet almond cold-pressed oil still presents an excellent physicochemical profile. Bitter almond oil presents after the same delay much less satisfactory properties.

Improvement of Lipid Profile and Antioxidant of Hyperlipidemic albino Rats by Functional Plantago psyllium Cake

Plantago psyllium (PP) seed (black psyllium) is a valuable medicinal plant with plenty of biologically effective compounds. In this study, We investigated the dose-dependent effects of PP-based cakes on hyperlipidemia and oxidative damage in male Albino rats. The PP-based cakes 10% and 30% were administered with a hyperlipidemic diet for 28 days. The consumption of PP-based cakes by hyperlipidemic rat caused a reduction in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels and an increase in HDL-cholesterol. Utilization of PP-based cakes improved the antioxidant enzyme activities of the liver (GSH, SOD, GPx, and CAT) and caused a reduction in peroxidation of lipids. Additionally, there were no significant changes in liver enzymes levels (ALT and AST) in both the control and treatment groups. Beneficial effects of PP seeds resulted from their content of sterols, fibers, flavonoids and polyphenols. Overall, the results indicate that Plantago psyllium (PP) seed are promising sources of natural antioxidants and hyperlipidemic that can be used as additives in functional foods.

Relationship between growth sites and content of steroids and sterols from Pikajar (Schizaea digitata)

One of the plants known to play a role as a drug in Kalimantan is Pikajar (Schizaea digitata). This species has long been known to ethnic Dayak Meratus in South Kalimantan as traditional medicine. Conservation efforts are not done yet, so this species will be endangered. This study was conducted to determine the characteristic habitat and phytochemical confounds of the root, leave, and flower which it was planted in a different site (natural forest, in-situ and ex-situ). The phytochemical confounds of the root, leave, and the flower was analyzed to use Harborne method. S. digitata tended to grow well on habitats at altitude 164-214 m asl with a pH of 4.3-4.6, N of 0.12-0.15, P of 0.15-0.90mg/100g, C of 2.0-2.2%. It has been successfully cultivated in-situ and ex-situ with growth like natural growth. From a quantitative phytochemical test, there is a difference in the content of secondary metabolites, especially in each part of the plant (roots, leaves, and flowers). The content of steroids and sterols which are a source of treatment for impotence, maintaining stamina, and lumbago shows that the largest part of the leaf contains steroids and sterols compared to roots and flowers, namely 39.5mg/ml, 18.8 mg/ml, 5.2mg/ml respectively. The steroids and sterols content in each growing site shows quite similar (the natural habitat of 21.6mg/ml, in-situ of 22.6mg/ml and ex-situ of 19.3mg/ml).

CYP46A1-dependent and independent effects of efavirenz treatment.

Cholesterol excess in the brain is mainly disposed via cholesterol 24-hydroxylation catalysed by cytochrome P450 46A1, a CNS-specific enzyme. Cytochrome P450 46A1 is emerging as a promising therapeutic target for various brain diseases with both enzyme activation and inhibition having therapeutic potential. The rate of cholesterol 24-hydroxylation determines the rate of brain cholesterol turnover and the rate of sterol flux through the plasma membranes. The latter was shown to affect membrane properties and thereby membrane proteins and membrane-dependent processes. Previously we found that treatment of 5XFAD mice, an Alzheimer’s disease model, with a small dose of anti-HIV drug efavirenz allosterically activated cytochrome P450 46A1 in the brain and mitigated several disease manifestations. Herein, we generated Cyp46a1−/−5XFAD mice and treated them, along with 5XFAD animals, with efavirenz to ascertain cytochrome P450 46A1-dependent and independent drug effects. Efavirenz-treated versus control Cyp46a1−/−5XFAD and 5XFAD mice were compared for the brain sterol and steroid hormone content, amyloid β burden, protein and mRNA expression as well as synaptic ultrastructure. We found that the cytochrome P450 46A1-dependent efavirenz effects included changes in the levels of brain sterols, steroid hormones, and such proteins as glial fibrillary acidic protein, Iba1, Munc13-1, post-synaptic density-95, gephyrin, synaptophysin and synapsin-1. Changes in the expression of genes involved in neuroprotection, neurogenesis, synaptic function, inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis were also cytochrome P450 46A1-dependent. The total amyloid β load was the same in all groups of animals, except lack of cytochrome P450 46A1 decreased the production of the amyloid β40 species independent of treatment. In contrast, altered transcription of genes from cholinergic, monoaminergic, and peptidergic neurotransmission, steroid sulfation and production as well as vitamin D3 activation was the main CYP46A1-independent efavirenz effect. Collectively, the data obtained reveal that CYP46A1 controls cholesterol availability for the production of steroid hormones in the brain and the levels of biologically active neurosteroids. In addition, cytochrome P450 46A1 activity also seems to affect the levels of post-synaptic density-95, the main postsynaptic density protein, possibly by altering the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor 1 expression and activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3β. Even at a small dose, efavirenz likely acts as a transcriptional regulator, yet this regulation may not necessarily lead to functional effects. This study further confirmed that cytochrome P450 46A1 is a key enzyme for cholesterol homeostasis in the brain and that the therapeutic efavirenz effects on 5XFAD mice are likely realized via cytochrome P450 46A1 activation.

Lumacaftor/ivacaftor improves liver cholesterol metabolism but does not influence hypocholesterolemia in patients with cystic fibrosis

BackgroundCystic fibrosis (CF) patients have reduced intestinal absorption of sterols and, despite enhanced endogenous synthesis, low plasma cholesterol. Lumacaftor/ivacaftor CFTR protein modulator therapy is used to improve the clinical outcome of CF patients homozygous for F508del mutation (homo-deltaF508). Aim of the study is to evaluate the cholesterol metabolism and hepatobiliary injury/function in adult homo-deltaF508 patients, before and after lumacaftor/ivacaftor treatment. Baseline parameters in homo-deltaF508 patients were compared to those in CF patients compound heterozygous for F508del mutation and another severe mutation (hetero-deltaF508). MethodsCholesterol metabolism was evaluated measuring plasma phytosterols and cholestanol, as intestinal absorption markers, and lathosterol, as liver biosynthesis marker. We quantified serum vitamin E, as nutritional marker. We evaluated liver injury by aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), biliary injury by γ-glutamyltransferase (γGT) and AP, and the liver function by bilirubin and albumin. ResultsBefore the treatment, homo-deltaF508 patients (n = 20) had significantly lower cholesterol and vitamin E compared to hetero-deltaF508 (n = 20). Lumacaftor/ivacaftor treatment caused: 1) further reduction of cholesterol; 2) lathosterol reduction, suggesting a normalization of endogenous synthesis; 3) cholestanol and vitamin E increment, indicating an improvement of lipid digestion/absorption. Vitamin E difference (after-before treatment) was positively associated to treatment months. Alkaline phosphatase was also reduced. ConclusionsThese data suggest an effect of lumacaftor/ivacaftor on cholesterol metabolism and enterohepatic flux in CF patients. However, lumacaftor/ivacaftor does not promote the increase of cholesterol serum concentration that on the contrary declines. Further studies are needed to research the real mechanism causing this reduction.

THE COMPONENT COMPOSITION OF THE PHYTOSTEROLS OF THE AERIAL PART OF THE HORSETAIL VAR-IEGATED ЕQUISÉTUM VARIEGATUM SCHLEICH. EX. WEB. GROWING IN NORTH-EAST YAKUTIA

It is known that phytosterols have high immunomodulating, hypocholesterolemic and oncoprotective activity and are widely used in medicine. In addition, the plants containing them are used in feed of farm animals as dietary supplements that stimulate growth and the immune system. Promising, but poorly studied, sources of these biologically active compounds may be plants of the class Horsetails (Equisetopsida), grown under extreme conditions of sharply continental climate of Yakutia. The steric composition of the aerial part of the variegated horsetail (Equisétum variegatum) was studied for the first time during the summer and autumn vegetation. It is shown that the composition of the main free sterols includes β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, isofucosterol, as well as a small amount of cholesterol. The total amount of free and bound sterols in the tissues of the aerial part of this species is about 0.5 mg/g dry weight or 2% of the total content of all lipid components. Moreover, the content of free sterols in the aerial part of variegated horsetail is an order of magnitude higher than the content of sterol esters in these tissues. Peculiarities of the seasonal (autumn-summer) dynamics of changes in the relative contents of stigmasterol, campesterol and isofucosterol and the absolute total content of sterols in the aerial part of variegated horsetail are revealed.

Integrated analysis of fatty acid, sterol and tocopherol components of seed oils obtained from four varieties of industrial and environmental protection crops

To assess the economic and ecological value of the four varieties of industrial and environmental protection crops, we performed a comprehensive study on the nutritional components of the seed oils of the four crops based on the urgent search for high-quality oil resources in the face of the shortage of oil resources. In this study, the oil contents and physicochemical parameters of the four varieties of oils obtained with Soxhlet extraction systems were determined, and the content and composition of fatty acids, sterols and tocopherols were investigated. Amygdalus pedunculata Pall. (Amygdalus) seeds with exhibited the highest oil content at 57.30 % followed by Elaeagnus mollis Diels (Elaeagnus) and Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge (Yellowhorn) seeds. Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. (Paeonia) seeds exhibited the lowest oil content at 36.12 %. Oleic (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2), palmitic (C16:0), and stearic acids (C18:0) were the dominant fatty acids in the four seed oils. Yellowhorn oil exhibits the greatest variety of fatty acids (19 types), while Elaeagnus oil exhibited the greatest content (861.83 mg/g). However, the ω-6/ω-3 ratios of Amygdalus (9.38) and Elaeagnus (6.65) oils were in the range of 4:1−10:1. The ratio of saturated fatty acid (SFA):monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA):polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) of Yellowhorn oil is closest to the reasonable ratio (1:1:1), indicating the most balanced nutrition distribution. The main sterol found in the four oils was β-sitosterol. Yellowhorn oil had the highest levels of total sterol (252.22 mg/100 g) followed by Amygdalus (212.28 mg/100 g) and Elaeagnus (171.75 mg/100 g) oils, whereas Paeonia oil had the lowest levels of total sterol (155.58 mg/100 g). Three tocopherol homologues, α-, γ- and δ-tocopherols, were present in four varieties of seed oils. Elaeagnus oil contains the highest α-tocopherol (7.48 mg/100 g) and γ-tocopherol (109.58 mg/100 g) content, demonstrating that it has a greater pro-oxidant effect and a better antioxidant ability, followed by Paeonia and Yellowhorn oils. The results of this study will provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of soil and water conservation plants.

Fatty Acids, Tocopherols, Tocotrienols, Phytosterols, Carotenoids, and Squalene in Seed Oils of Hyptis suaveolens, Leonotis nepetifolia, and Ocimum sanctum

AbstractThe oil yield and composition of fatty acids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, sterols, carotenoids, and squalene in the seeds of three species—Hyptis suaveolens, Leonotis nepetifolia, Ocimum sanctum—belonging to the Lamiaceae family, are studied. The oil yields are 12.1%, 16.1%, and 29.0% in O. sanctum, H. suaveolens, and L. nepetifolia, respectively. The unsaturated fatty acids are a predominant group (86.8–92.1%) in all three investigated plants; however, the profile for each species is unique. The main fatty acid differs as follows: H. suaveolens—linoleic acid (85.8%), L. nepetifolia—oleic acid (58.3%), and O. sanctum—α‐linolenic (48.6%). γ‐Tocopherol accounts for over 97%, 90%, and 93% of the total tocochromanol content (sum of tocopherols and tocotrienols) in H. suaveolens, L. nepetifolia, and O. sanctum, respectively. Two tocotrienol homologues, α and γ, are detected only in L. nepetifolia. β‐Sitosterol is the main detected sterol (38–59%) in all three species. High levels of campesterol (18–20%), Δ5‐stigmasterol (9–21%), and Δ5‐avenasterol (7–12%) are also detected. Squalene is detected only in O. sanctum (45.8 mg/100 g oil). The content of sterols, tocochromanols, and carotenoids in the investigated Lamiaceae plant seed oils ranges between 279.5–576.3, 54.5–66.7, and 0.3–3.1 mg/100 g oil, respectively.Practical Applications: Lamiaceae plants are of medicinal interest due to the presence of a broad spectrum of bioactive molecules. The present study demonstrates that seeds of the species H. suaveolens, L. nepetifolia, and O. sanctum are rich sources of bioactive compounds of lipophilic nature. There is limited knowledge associated with the composition of tocopherols, tocotrienols, sterols, carotenoids, and squalene. The results of the studied medicinal plants may enhance future targeted applications in various sectors.

A comparative study of sterols in milk fat of different Indian dairy animals based on chemometric analysis

In this study, sterols in milk fat of cow, goat, buffalo and camel were analyzed for their variability across different season and species. A GC–MS-SIM (gas chromatography- mass spectrometry-single ion monitoring mode) method was developed for accurate determination of sterols through the selection of correct set of target and reference ions in different time windows. The simple and rapid method enabled accurate analysis of sterols without subjecting them to derivatization. The sterols characterized in milk fat included cholesterol, lathosterol, desmosterol, lanosterol and dihydrolanosterol. Species compared to season had a pronounced effect on variability of sterols. Among the different species, goat milk contained the highest cholesterol level (325.18 mg 100 g−1 fat) while minor sterols were most abundant in buffalo milk (20.62 mg 100 g−1 fat). The content of minor sterols: lanosterol, lathosterol, desmosterol and dihydrolanosterol in milk of different animals varied from 5.94 to 9.11, 3.01 to 7.50, 0.60 to 2.77 & 0.57 to 1.25 mg 100 g−1 fat respectively. Chemometric statistical approaches consisting of principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis (PCA and HCA) were used to process the data. PCA was a suitable approach to find out the similarity and differences between different species and accounted for 96.6% of total variability in data. However, the variation based on season could not be explained well by PCA. HCAcould suitably classify the milch animals into four clusters based on sterol content.

The Impact of Fresh Hass Avocado on the Fecal Metabolome Among Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Abstract Objectives Avocados are nutrient-rich fruits that have been recently linked to beneficial alterations to the gastrointestinal microbiota. However, previous research on shifts in the fecal metabolome with avocado intake has largely been conducted in in vitro or preclinical models and little is known about their metabolomic impact in human subjects. Methods Adult participants (n = 109) 25–45 years of age with BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2 were enrolled in an investigator-blinded, parallel arm, randomized, controlled trial. Participants consumed isocaloric meals with or without fresh Hass avocado once daily for 12-weeks and reported ≥ 80% meal consumption over the intervention period. Untargeted fecal metabolites were quantified in a subsample of participants (n = 48) using gas chromatography mass spectroscopy and were normalized by sample weight. Kruskal-Wallis tests and false discovery rate type I error correction were conducted and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to predict treatment group by fecal metabolite concentrations (RStudio, version 3.6.2). Results A total of 292 metabolites were identified at intervention follow-up. Of these, three metabolites differed significantly between treatment groups. Fecal concentrations of lanosterol (P = 0.0004, q = 0.04) and the fatty alcohols hexadecanol (P = 0.001, q = 0.04) and octadecanol (P = 0.001, q = 0.04), were greater in the group consuming avocado as compared to control. Seventeen additional metabolites, including nine fecal lipids, two fat soluble vitamin derivatives, and three monosaccharides/disaccharides differed at P < 0.05 but did not meet the q < 0.05 threshold. Treatment group assignment was predicted correctly in 70% of cases (R2 = 72%, Q2 = 33%) using the trained OPLS-DA model. Conclusions Fresh Hass avocado intake increased fecal lipid and sterol concentrations among healthy adults with overweight and obesity, demonstrating diet-related modifications to the fecal metabolome. Funding Sources Support for this research was provided by the Hass Avocado Board, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project 1009249, and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture AFRI Predoctoral Fellowship, project 2018–07785.

Variations in the content of tonoplast lipids under abiotic stress.

The vacuolar membrane is an essential component in protecting the plant cell from stress factors. Different variations in the tonoplast lipid content, which depend on the type of stress, have been reviewed. The lipid content of vacuolar membranes of beet roots (Beta vulgaris L.) under hypoosmotic, hyperosmotic and oxidative types of stress has been studied. These types of stress induce variations in the content of almost all the classes of studied lipids (phospholipids, glycoglycerolipids, sterols and fatty acids). The variations, which are characteristic of a single stress, include the variations (i) in the content of individual glycoglycerolipids and in their total content, (ii) in the total content of sterols, and (iii) in the ratio of content of phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine in the scope of tonoplast phospholipids. Variations observed under all of the types of stress under scrutiny include (i) variations in the content of fatty acids of tonoplast lipids, (ii) some decrease in the content of phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylethanolamine, and (iii) variations in the content of individual sterols. Stigmasterol, campesterol, as well as the stigmasterol/sitosterol ratio increased in varying degrees under all of the types of stress. The most substantial variations have been observed in the content of sterols under abiotic stress. This is probably due to role of sterols in regulation of such membrane characteristics as permeability and microviscosity. In our opinion, sterols may represent one of the main components of tonoplast adaptive mechanisms.

Cholesterol and desmosterol incorporation into ram sperm membrane before cryopreservation: Effects on membrane biophysical properties and sperm quality

Ram sperm are particularly sensitive to freeze-thawing mainly due to their lipid composition, limiting their use in artificial insemination programs. We evaluated the extent of cholesterol and desmosterol incorporation into ram sperm through incubation with increasing concentrations of methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD)-sterol complexes, and its effect on membrane biophysical properties, membrane lateral organization and cryopreservation outcome. Sterols were effectively incorporated into the sperm membrane at 10 and 25 mM MβCD-sterols, similarly increasing membrane lipid order at physiological temperature and during temperature decrease. Differential ordering effect of sterols in ternary-mixture model membranes revealed a reduced tendency of desmosterol of segregating into ordered domains. Live cell imaging of fluorescent cholesterol showed sterol incorporation and evidenced the presence of sperm sub-populations compatible with different sterol contents and a high concentration of sterol rich-ordered domains mainly at the acrosome plasma membrane. Lateral organization of the plasma membrane, assessed by identification of GM1-related rafts, was preserved after sterol incorporation except when high levels of sterols (25 mM MβCD-desmosterol) were incorporated. Ram sperm incubation with 10 mM MβCD-sterols prior to cryopreservation in a cholesterol-free extender improved sperm quality parameters after cooling and freezing. While treatment with 10 mM MβCD-cholesterol increased sperm motility, membrane integrity and tolerance to osmotic stress after thawing, incorporation of desmosterol increased the ability of ram sperm to overcome osmotic stress. Our research provides evidence on the effective incorporation and biophysical behavior of cholesterol and desmosterol in ram sperm membranes and on their consequences in improving functional parameters of sperm after temperature decrease and freezing.

Physicochemical characteristics of Actinostemma lobatum Maxim. kernel oil by supercritical fluid extraction and conventional methods

There are limited studies available regarding the characteristics of Actinostemma lobatum Maxim. kernels. In the present study, the kernels were analyzed for their nutritional composition, especially their oil characteristics. Expressed on the dry weight basis, the kernel oil accounted for 47 % of the kernel, whereas the content of protein represented 26 %. The major unsaturated fatty acids of the kernel oils were linoleic acid and oleic acid (43 %–44 % and 37 %–38 %, respectively). The kernel oils were found to be rich in squalene, tocopherols, and phytosterols (2327–2975, 676–759, and 504–676 mg/kg, respectively). More specifically, δ-tocopherol was the most abundant tocopherol and Δ5-avenasterol was the major sterol in the kernel oils. Furthermore, three different oil extraction methods (supercritical CO2 extraction, Soxhlet extraction, and cold pressing) were applied and the physicochemical properties of the extracted oils were compared. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found in tocopherol and sterol contents for the three extraction methods. Higher oil yield and oil recovery were obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction. Overall, A. lobatum kernel is a promising valuable source of bioactive substances and essential fatty acids for future applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Optimization of supercritical-CO2 extraction of Iris lactea seed oil: Component analysis and antioxidant activity of the oil

Iris lactea Pall. var. chinensis (Fisch.) Koidz. is a widely distributed species and the seeds of this species have been used as medicine. However, the chemical composition and biological activities of the I. lactea seed oil (ILSO) have not been studied. In this present work, extraction time, temperature, and pressure were considered as variables and response surface methodology based on the Box-Behnken design was utilized to identify the optimal conditions for supercritical fluid extraction of the ILSO. Furthermore, the main components (including fatty acids, unsaponifiables, and volatile components) in ILSO extracted with the above optimal conditions were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It was found that major fatty acids present in ILSO were linoleic acid (41.31 %), oleic acid (34.74 %), and docosahexaenoic acid (3.18 %). The total content of sterols reached as high as the level of 87.44 % in unsaponifiable matter and sterols with a content over 5% included β-sitosterol (27.14 %) stigmasterol (18.38 %), delta5-avenasterol (15.36 %), campesterol (13.21 %), and betulinicaldehyde (5.80 %). The physicochemical properties of ILSO were analyzed according to Chinese national standards. Total polyphenol content (TPC) and total tocopherol content of ILSO were also determined. These predominant compounds were known by their high biological activities and confirm the potential sources of bioactive compounds existing in ILSO. Based on these identified ingredients, the antioxidant activity of the ILSO was evaluated by two different methods. The antioxidant capacity of ILSO determined by FRAP method was equivalent to 0.4759 m mol/L FeSO4·7H2O and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity in vitro with IC50 value of 3.27 mg/mL. These results provide a rich chemical database for the development of a new oil resource, as well as the possibility of using a byproduct in the production of pharmaceuticals and a rich resource of ornamental plants.