Variability In Fatty Acid Profiles Research Articles

Assessing Nutritional Characteristics and Bioactive Compound Distribution in Seeds, Oil, and Cake from Confectionary Sunflowers Cultivated in Serbia.

Sunflower seeds are key agricultural commodities due to their nutritional and industrial value. This study aimed to analyze the distribution of targeted bioactive compounds and assess the physical properties across 27 sunflower seed genotypes, including parental lines and F1 and F2 hybrids, cultivated in Serbia. Various analytical techniques were employed to determine the chemical composition and physical characteristics of the seeds. This research revealed significant genetic variability in fatty acid profiles, with differences in polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acid levels among the genotypes. Hybrid seeds displayed variations in 1000-seed weight and bulk density compared to parental lines, which exhibited higher essential fatty acid contents and mechanical properties advantageous for industrial processing. These insights highlight the potential for refining breeding strategies to improve seed quality for specific industrial purposes. Overall, this study emphasizes the critical role of genetic selection in enhancing the nutritional and processing qualities of sunflower seeds, offering valuable perspectives for advancing agricultural and breeding practices.

Association between fatty acid signature and growth rate of larval Pacific bluefin tuna in two major spawning grounds

Fatty acid composition and total fatty acids of field-caught Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF) Thunnus orientalis larvae were investigated to identify relationships between spawning ground, physiological condition, and growth rate. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that both growth rate and environmental conditions at spawning grounds were substantially associated with variations in fatty acid compositions. Fast-growing larvae typically contained more α-linolenic acid and 22:5n-3, which are important as metabolic precursors of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Larval PBF fatty acid compositions differed by spawning ground; larvae caught around the Nansei Islands contained more 15:0, 17:0, 19:0, and 22:5n-6, and less EPA and arachidonic acid (ARA) than those from the Sea of Japan. Differences in larval odd-numbered fatty acid compositions might indicate different degrees of dependence on microbial loop energy supply between spawning grounds. Environments subject to sudden changes, such as those in water temperature and prey density in the Sea of Japan, might cause variability in fatty acid profiles, including extremely low %DHA. We suggest that continuous food intake and subsequent fatty acid catabolism for energy generation would be needed to facilitate fast growth.

Variability of fatty acid profiles in ferns: Relation to fern taxonomy and seasonal development

Ferns are known to contain long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which may provide health benefits. The objective of this study was to investigate ferns of Pacific temperate regions (Far East of Russia and New Zealand) as sources of valuable fatty acids: arachidonic (20:4n-6) and eicosapentaenoic (20:5n-3). Fatty acids were analyzed in fronds of 23 fern species from 12 families. Major fatty acids include: 18:3n-3 (6–68% of total fatty acids), 16:0 (6–33%), 18:2n-6 (5–46%), 18:1n-9 (1–60%), 20:4n-6 (1–16%). Polyunsaturated fatty acids of fern fronds belong to the omega-6 (16:2n-6, 18:2n-6, 18:3n-6, 20:2n-6, 20:3n-6, 20:4n-6) and omega-3 (16:3n-3, 18:3n-3, 18:4n-3, 20:3n-3, 20:4n-3, 20:5n-3) families. For the first time, Δ5-unsaturated polymethylene-interrupted fatty acids were reported for ferns: sciadonic (5,11,14-20:3) and juniperonic (5,11,14,17-20:4) acids (up to 1.9% and 0.4%, respectively). Fatty acid profiles in fern fronds were unrelated to fern taxonomy, but affected by spore presence: fronds with sporangia/spores contained more 18:1n-9 and/or 18:2n-6. The absolute content of 20:4n-6 was found to be relatively constant for a species in different seasons. 20:5n-3 was a minor fatty acid (traces–5%) which accumulates during the vegetation period. Young fronds of the New Zealand ferns Phymatosorus pustulatus and Pteridium esculentum were enriched in 20:4n-6, while aged fronds of Cyathea dealbata had the highest level of 20:5n-3. The mature fronds of the Far Eastern ferns Phegopteris connectilis, Dryopteris expansa, and Athyrium sinense were also enriched in 20:5n-3.

Changes in zooplankton community, and seston and zooplankton fatty acid profiles at the freshwater/saltwater interface of the Chowan River, North Carolina.

The variability in zooplankton fatty acid composition may be an indicator of larval fish habitat quality as fatty acids are linked to fish larval growth and survival. We sampled an anadromous fish nursery, the Chowan River, during spring of 2013 in order to determine how the seston fatty acid composition varied in comparison with the zooplankton community composition and fatty acid composition during the period of anadromous larval fish residency. The seston fatty acid profiles showed no distinct pattern in relation to sampling time or location. The mesozooplankton community composition varied spatially and the fatty acid profiles were typical of freshwater species in April. The Chowan River experienced a saltwater intrusion event during May, which resulted in brackish water species dominating the zooplankton community and the fatty acid profile showed an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The saltwater intrusion event was followed by an influx of freshwater due to high precipitation levels in June. The zooplankton community composition once again became dominated by freshwater species and the fatty acid profiles shifted to reflect this change; however, EPA levels remained high, particularly in the lower river. We found correlations between the seston, microzooplankton and mesozooplankton fatty acid compositions. Salinity was the main factor correlated to the observed pattern in species composition, and fatty acid changes in the mesozooplankton. These data suggest that anadromous fish nursery habitat likely experiences considerable spatial variability in fatty acid profiles of zooplankton prey and that are correlated to seston community composition and hydrodynamic changes. Our results also suggest that sufficient prey density as well as a diverse fatty acid composition is present in the Chowan River to support larval fish production.

Variability in sea lamprey fatty acid profiles indicates a range of host species utilization in Lake Michigan

Abstract Despite being a “top predator”/parasite in the Great Lakes, knowledge of sea lamprey feeding ecology remains hindered by methodological constraints. Particularly, our knowledge of sea lamprey dietary habits is likely biased as it relies primarily on wounding rates of commercially and recreationally caught fish. Biochemical methods provide a means to extract diet information from sea lamprey themselves, and therefore provide a more objective assessment of sea lamprey feeding ecology. Of particular interest is the use of fatty acid profiles to qualitatively describe foraging patterns of sea lamprey. Adult sea lamprey were captured throughout the Lake Michigan basin during spring spawning migrations into rivers, and muscle tissues were analyzed for fatty acid profiles. Exploratory multivariate analyses were used to investigate variation in fatty acid profiles among captured individuals and to compare these to profiles of potential host species. In general, we noted a large variability in fatty acid profiles suggesting a broad spectrum of host species targeted by sea lamprey. Comparing sea lamprey fatty acid profiles with published data on host species, we concluded that sea lamprey feed on a wide variety of host species.

Winter preconditioning determines feeding ecology of Euphausia superba in the Antarctic Peninsula

We examined the feeding ecology and lipid composition of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba around the northern Antarctic Peninsula from 2001 to 2012. We used lipid biomarkers to quantify feeding patterns and relate the variability in biomarkers to environmental conditions that structure the phytoplankton community. Fatty acid profiles varied among years, with some years dominated by lipids indicative of herbivory, while other years were indicative of greater omnivory. Principal component analysis of 60 fatty acids showed that 3 principal components (PCs) explained approximately 50% of the variability in fatty acid profiles. The first PC separated the fatty acid indi- cators along a herbivoryomnivorycarnivory gradient. Correlations between the gradient of her- bivory and carnivory, as summarized by the first PC, were found with both winter sea ice extent (r = 0.55, p < 0.01) and with ENSO conditions the previous winter (r = 0.88, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that climatic conditions during the late winter precondition the pelagic ecosystem around the Antarctic Peninsula, impacting the trophic ecology of Antarctic krill the following summer.

Multi-scale spatial variation in stable isotope and fatty acid profiles amongst temperate reef species: implications for design and interpretation of trophic studies

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 410:25-41 (2010) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08649 Multi-scale spatial variation in stable isotope and fatty acid profiles amongst temperate reef species: implications for design and interpretation of trophic studies M. A. Guest1, A. J. Hirst1,2,*, P. D. Nichols3,4, S. D. Frusher1 1Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 2Marine and Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia 3CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 4Antarctic and Climate Ecosystems, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia *Corresponding author. Email: alastair.hirst@dpi.vic.gov.au ABSTRACT: Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen and fatty acid analyses are increasingly being used in combination to determine the trophic structure of marine systems. For stable isotopes, the variability in carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures has long been recognised and has been characterised for some taxa. Whilst it is known that metabolic processes may influence fatty acid profiles, the spatial variability of fatty acid profiles has not been documented. Understanding at what scale these 2 biochemical tracers vary, and if the scale of variability corresponds between tracers, is crucial for the correct design and interpretation of combined tracers in trophic studies. This study is the first to examine spatial variability in fatty acid profiles per se, and in combination with stable isotope ratios in the same organisms at multiple spatial scales. We used a spatially hierarchical design which sampled across broad geographic regions, reefs within regions, and also between different parts of macroalgal plants common on temperate reefs. For stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen, variability was greatest at intermediate spatial scales (between locations within regions, and sites within locations). In contrast, fatty acid profiles showed the greatest variation amongst individual replicates of lobster, abalone and macroalgae. This study demonstrates that for the increasing number of trophic studies using combined biochemical tracers, sampling design should cater to the differences in the variability of each tracer technique and allocate sampling accordingly. KEY WORDS: Stable isotopes · Fatty acid analysis · Nested hierarchical design · Multivariate variance components · Tasmania Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Guest MA, Hirst AJ, Nichols PD, Frusher SD (2010) Multi-scale spatial variation in stable isotope and fatty acid profiles amongst temperate reef species: implications for design and interpretation of trophic studies. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 410:25-41. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08649 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 410. Online publication date: July 14, 2010 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2010 Inter-Research.