Multivariate Data Analysis of Fatty Acid Content in the Classification of Olive Oils Developed Through Controlled Crossbreeding

The fatty acid (FA) composition of 540 Tunisian virgin olive oil hybrids (VOO) were classified by principal component analysis (PCA). Pearson correlation between FA variables revealed an inverse association between C18:1 and C18:2; C18:1 and C16:0, while C16:0 and C16:1 were positively correlated. PCA yielded five significant PCs, which together account for 79.95% of the total variance; with PC1 contributing 36.84% of the total. Eigenvalue analysis revealed that PC1 was mainly attributed to C18:1, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and the ratios oleic/linoleic (O/L) and monounsaturated fatty acids/polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA/PUFA); PC2, by C16:0, saturated fatty acids (SFA) and the palmitic/linoleic ratio (P/L); PC3 by C18:2 and C22:0, PC4 by C18:0 and PC5, by C17:1. Then, PCA analysis indicated that in addition to C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C17:1, and C22:0, MUFA, SFA and the ratios O/L, P/L and MUFA/PUFA were determined to be the main factors responsible for the olive oil hybrids discrimination.     

Positional analysis of triacylglycerols from bovine adipose tissue lipids varying in degree of unsaturation

The objective of this study was to demonstrate that changing the fatty acid composition of bovine adipose tissue concurrently changed (i) proportions of triacylglycerol species, (ii) fatty acid composition of triacylglycerol species, and (iii) positional distribution of the component fatty acids of the triacylglycerol species. To achieve this, we took advantage of adipose tissue lipids, from cattle fed in Australia and Japan, that varied widely in fatty acid composition and melting points. Treatment groups produced in Australia were cattle fed: a cornbased diet (MUFA1); a grain-based diet containing whole cottonseed (SFA); a grain-based diet containing protected cottonseed oil (PUFA); and a grain-based diet that resulted in high contents of trans fatty acids (TFA). Treatment groups produced in Japan (MUFA2 and MUFA3) were diets of unknown composition fed for over 300 d. The MUFA1, MUFA2, and MUFA3 samples all were rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, varying only in the proportions of the individual monounsaturates. The SFA, PUFA, and TFA samples had relatively high concentrations of stearic acid (18:0), PUFA, and TFA, respectively. Slip points (indicative of melting points) were 45.1, 41.5, 38.5, 30.7, 28.4, and 22.8°C, for the SFA, TFA, PUFA, MUFA1, MUFA2, and MUFA3 groups, respectively (P<0.05). Triacylglycerols were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography on a silver nitrate-impregnated column into sn-1,2,3-saturated fatty acid triacylglycerol (SSS); [triacylglycerols containing two saturated acids and one trans-monounsaturated fatty acid (SSMt sn-positions unknown)]; sn-1-saturated, 2-monounsaturated, 3-saturated triacylglycerol (SMS); sn-1-saturated, 2-monounsaturated, 3-trans-monounsaturated triacylglycerol (SMMt); sn-1-saturated, 2,3-monounsaturated fatty acid triacylglycerol (SMM); sn-1-saturated, 2-polyunsaturated, 3-trans-monounsaturated triacylglycerol; sn-1,2,3-monounsaturated fatty acid triacylglycerol (MMM); and sn-1-saturated, 2-polyunsaturated, 3-monounsaturated triacylglycerol. Fatty acid methyl esters of each triacylglycerol species also were determined, and further analysis indicated sn-2, and sn-1/3 positions. As the percentage oleic acid increased in the total lipid extract, the proportions of SMM and MMM increased (e.g., from 31.4 and 2.4% in the SFA group to 55.4 and 17.8% in the MUFA3 group). The elevated 18:0 in the SFA group (26%) was reflected in increased percentages of SSS and SSM, and caused an increase in the proportion of 18:0 in all triacylglycerol species relative to the other treatment groups. The percentage of 18:0 in the sn-1/3 positions was elevated markedly in the SMS fraction of the SFA group (to 44%); this would account for the high melting point of the fat of these animals. We conclude that long-term feeding of cattle is sufficient to produce significant alterations in fatty acid composition in bovine adipose tissue. Alterations in the fatty acid composition of bovine adipose tissue changed both the distribution and the composition of the triacylglycerol species, which, in turn, accounted for marked differences in melting points among treatment groups.     

Investigating Fatty Acid Composition of Samples were Homogenized Various Meat and Offal Products from Turkey

The aim of the present study was to compare the fatty acid composition, PUFA:SFA ratio, n6/n3 ratio, and TFA of different farm animal meats and offal products. These products were collected at a regional farm in Istanbul which is the most populous city in Turkey. The results of fatty acid composition analysis indicated that the major fatty acids of C16:0 (18.00–29.35 %), C18:0 (4.10–29.71 %), C18:1 (29.21–57.30 %), and C18:2 (1.37–18.60 %) were found in the samples. The total saturated fatty acids, total monounsaturated fatty acids and total polyunsaturated fatty acids content of the samples ranged between 30.00 and 61.83 %, 32.24 and 57.80 %, and 1.64 and 23.60 %, respectively (p < 0.05). Except for turkey abdominal fat, TFA content in all other samples showed a variation between 0.10 and 3.36 %. The PUFA:SFA ratio was higher in turkey meat (0.64) and was lower in sheep kidney fat (0.02). Moreover, the n6/n3 PUFA ratio changed between 2.90 and 22.28 (p < 0.05).     

The impact of dietary mono‐ and poly‐unsaturated fatty acids on risk factors for atherosclerosis in humans

The fatty acid composition of the diet has various effects on atherosclerosis risk factors. Dietary saturated fatty acids (SFA) and trans‐unsaturated fatty acids increase the low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐/high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol ratio in serum, while these fats do not have a significant bearing on serum triglyceride levels. By contrast, dietary monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and α‐linolenic acid (C18:3n‐3) similarly reduce LDL cholesterol concentrations, while their influence on serum HDL cholesterol and triglycerides is not appreciable. Dietary long‐chain n‐3 PUFA slightly increase serum LDL cholesterol concentrations, but are nevertheless considered salubrious with regard to serum lipids due to the distinct triglyceride‐lowering effects. MUFA‐rich compared to n‐6 PUFA‐rich diets strongly reduce the in vitro oxidizability of LDL. The available studies on this subject also suggest that n‐3 PUFA in the small amounts usually present in the diet are not unduly harmful. These findings are consistent with reports from observational studies: the amount of SFA is positively and the amount of MUFA and n‐6 PUFA in the diet is inversely associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease in most epidemiological studies. The available studies have had an impact on current dietary guidelines, which unanimously recommend that most of the dietary fat should be in the form of MUFA, while the amount of SFA and trans fatty acids in the diet should be as low as possible.     

Effects of the ratio of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acid on rat plasma and liver lipid concentrations

The effects of dietary monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid+MUFA/saturated fatty acid (PUFA+MUFA/SFA) ratio on plasma and liver lipid concentrations were studied. In experiment I, when rats were fed with 40% fat (energy%, PUFA/SFA ratio 1.0) and 1% (w/w) cholesterol (C) diets for 21 d, a large amount of MUFA (28.1 energy%, PUFA+MUFA/SFA=5.7) in the diet was found to increase the plasma total C, triacylglycerol (TAG), and phospholipid (PL) as compared with the low-MUFA diet (7.0 energy%, PUFA+MUFA/SFA=1.4). The plasma very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-C, VLDL-TAG, VLDL-PL, and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-C increased significantly in the high-MUFA diet group, but high density lipoprotein (HDL)-C did not change significantly. The high-MUFA diet resulted in greater accumulation of liver C but lesser accumulation of TAG. In experiment II, when dietary SFA was fixed at a certain level (13.2 energy%; PUFA+MUFA/SFA=2.0), rats given a larger amount of MUFA (23.1 energy%; PUFA/MUFA=0.2; MUFA/SFA=1.8) showed higher plasma and liver C levels than did the low-MUFA diet (7.7 energy%; PUFA/MUFA=2.5; MUFA/SFA=0.6). When PUFA was fixed at a certain level (24.4 energy%), there was not a significant difference in the plasma C level between the high-and low-MUFA dietary groups (PUFA+MUFA/SFA=4.8 and 8.4), but the higher PUFA+MUFA/SFA diet, which was high in MUFA/SFA ratio, significantly decreased the plasma HDL-C and TAG levels. However, when MUFA content was fixed at a certain level (16.4 energy%), no significant difference was observed between the two groups with different PUFA/SFA ratios of 0.2 and 4.1, but liver C level was raised in the higher PUFA/SFA diet. It appears that the PUFA/SFA ratio alone is unsuitable to predict the change of plasma C level, because a large amount of dietary MUFA may lead to an increase of plasma and liver lipids in rats. It seems that the prerequisites for keeping low plasma and liver C are (i) low MUFA/SFA ratio, (ii) high PUFA/MUFA ratio, and (iii) PUFA+MUFA/SFA ratio not to exceed 2.     

Seasonal Variations in the Fatty Acid Composition of Phospholipid and Triacylglycerol in Gonad and Liver of Mastacembelus simack

The seasonal effects on the fatty acid composition of triacylglycerol (TG) and phospholipid (PL) in the gonad and liver of Mastacembelus simack were determined using the gas chromatographic method. The most abundant fatty acids in the investigated seasons and tissues were palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1n‐9), palmitoleic acid (C16:1n‐7), arachidonic acid (C20:4n‐6), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n‐3), and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n‐3). The distribution proportions of ∑SFA (saturated fatty acids), ∑MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids) and ∑PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) were found to be different among PL and TG fractions in all seasons. The total lipid content of gonad and liver were 1.32 (November)–4.90 % (September) and 1.32 (September)–3.94 % (January), respectively. It was shown that the total lipid and fatty acid compositions in the gonad and liver of fish were significantly influenced by seasons.     

Combined Short-Path Distillation and Solvent-Assisted Crystallization of Beef Fatty Acid Methyl Esters

Solvent‐assisted crystallization has previously been employed to remove long‐chain saturated fatty acids (≥ 18 carbons) from animal fat to improve its cold temperature biofuel properties. The same technology can be used for removing long‐chain saturated fatty acids (SFA) from animal fats for human consumption, but SFA remaining (i.e., 14:0 and 16:0) are more atherogenic than longer chain SFA. In the present study, an easy and efficient method was developed using short‐path distillation prior to solvent‐assisted crystallization for the more complete removal of SFA from beef tallow, and for the first time reports the distillation and crystallization behavior of polyunsaturated fatty acid biohydrogenation products (PUFA‐BHP). Shorter chain SFA methyl esters (i.e., 14:0 and 16:0) were efficiently removed at 90 °C, 9.3 Pa, with a rotor speed of 70 rpm and either two cycles of distillation at 90 drops/min or three cycles at 110 drops/min. Stearic acid (18:0) was then effectively removed by crystallization at ?20 °C using a sample to methanol ratio of 1:10. The remaining fraction enriched with PUFA‐BHP (i.e., rumenic acid, c9,t11‐18:2, and its precursor vaccenic acid, t11‐18:1) have potential use in disease model (i.e., cell culture and animal) studies to help further elucidate their bioactivity and mode of action, and may in the future have functional food or nutraceutical potential.     

Enzymatic Interesterification of High Oleic Sunflower Oil and Tripalmitin or Tristearin

The objective of this study was to produce low saturated, zero‐trans, interesterified fats with 20 or 30 % saturated fatty acids (SFA) such as C16:0 or C18:0. Tripalmitin (TP) or tristearin (TS) was blended with high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) at different ratios (0.1:1, 0.3:1, and 0.5:1 [w/w]). Total C16:0 and C18:0 compositions of the resulting TP/HOSO and TS/HOSO blends, respectively, were plotted against blending ratios. Linear interpolation was used to estimate blending ratios that would yield physical blends (PB) with 20 or 30 % SFA. Interesterified blends (IB) were then synthesized from the customized PB using Lipozyme TL IM as the biocatalyst. Total and sn‐2 fatty acid compositions, triacylglycerol (TAG) molecular species, thermal behavior, and oxidative stability of PB and IB were compared. The total fatty acid compositions of PB and IB were similar but fatty acid positional distributions and TAG molecular species composition differed. IB contained 5–10 % more SFA at the sn‐2 position than corresponding PB. Furthermore, interesterification generated mono‐ and disaturated TAG species which resulted in broader melting profiles for IB. However, IB had lower oxidative stability than PB. The reformulation of food products with zero‐trans interesterified fats may be advantageous to the reduction of cardiovascular disease burden in the population.     

Lipid and mineral distribution in different zones of farmed and wild blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo)

Lipid composition was studied in different white muscle zones (ventral, dorsal and tail) of wild and farmed blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo). The study was complemented by moisture, trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) and trace mineral determinations. Farmed fish muscle showed higher lipid and triacylglycerol contents, but lower values for moisture, TMAO and α‐tocopherol than its wild fish counterpart; no differences could be observed between both kinds of fish for the phospholipid, sterol and free fatty acid contents. When compared to wild fish, a higher saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content was obtained in farmed fish, while lower values could be observed for the n‐3/n‐6 and 22:6n‐3/20:5n‐3 fatty acid ratios. Most minerals analysed (Cu, Fe, Mn, Se and Zn) showed higher mean values in farmed fish muscle, except for Ca and Mg which provided higher mean contents in wild fish. Concerning the muscle site comparison, greater SFA, MUFA and PUFA contents could be detected in the dorsal zone than in the two other locations both for farmed and wild fish, in accordance with a higher mean lipid content found at this site. Finally, the tail zone showed higher TMAO values than the two other locations.     

Fatty Acid-Specific Alterations in Leptin,PPARα, and CPT-1 Gene Expression in the Rainbow Trout

It is known that fatty acids (FA) regulate lipid metabolism by modulating the expression of numerous genes. In order to gain a better understanding of the effect of individual FA on lipid metabolism related genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), an in vitro time‐course study was implemented where twelve individual FA (butyric 4:0; caprylic 8:0; palmitic (PAM) 16:0; stearic (STA) 18:0; palmitoleic16:1n‐7; oleic 18:1n‐9; 11‐cis‐eicosenoic 20:1n‐9; linoleic (LNA) 18:2n‐6; α‐linolenic (ALA) 18:3n‐3; eicosapentenoic (EPA) 20:5n‐3; docosahexaenoic (DHA) 22:6n‐3; arachidonic (ARA) 20:4n‐6) were incubated in rainbow trout liver slices. The effect of FA administration over time was evaluated on the expression of leptin, PPARα and CPT‐1 (lipid oxidative related genes). Leptin mRNA expression was down regulated by saturated fatty acids (SFA) and LNA, and was up regulated by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and long chain PUFA, whilst STA and ALA had no effect. PPARα and CPT‐1mRNA expression were up regulated by SFA, MUFA, ALA, ARA and DHA; and down regulated by LNA and EPA. These results suggest that there are individual and specific FA induced modifications of leptin, PPARα and CPT‐1 gene expression in rainbow trout, and it is envisaged that such results may provide highly valuable information for future practical applications in fish nutrition.     

Fatty acid profile in baby food products

The fatty acid composition in the lipid phase of 64 commercially available baby food products, of two different batches each, was analyzed. They comprised vegetable products for babies of five, eight, and twelve months and fruit and cereal products of three different brands. The comparison of the composition of the saturated (C18:0, C16:0, C14:0, C12:0, C10:0), the unsaturated monoenoic (C18:1n9 and C16:1n7) and the polyenoic (C18:2n6 and C18:3n3) fatty acids was determined by gas chromatography. All analyzed baby food products provided well‐balanced amounts of saturated fatty acids on the one hand (saturated fatty acids (SFA) 31—37% of total fatty acids) and unsaturated fatty acids on the other hand (monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) 23—26% and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) 38—46% of total fatty acids, respectively). The P/S‐ratio in vegetable products of five months reached a value of 1.5, in all other analyzed products it was around 1. The n‐6:n‐3‐ratio was 10:1 in fruit and cereal products, followed by 11.6:1 in vegetable products of eight and twelve months and 13.5:1 in the group of vegetable products of five months. Since there is a lack of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in baby food products, it might be of advantage to consider whether such products should be supplemented by these long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Healthier lipid combination as functional ingredient influencing sensory and technological properties of low‐fat frankfurters

Oil (healthier lipid combination of olive, linseed and fish oils)‐in‐water emulsions stabilized with different protein systems (prepared with sodium caseinate (SC), soy protein isolate (SPI) and microbial transglutaminase (MTG)) were used as pork backfat replacers in low‐fat frankfurters. Composition (proximate analysis and fatty acid profile), sensory analysis and technological (processing and purge losses, texture and colour) properties of frankfurters were analysed as affected by the type of oil‐in‐water emulsion and by chilling storage (2°C, 41 days). Frankfurters produced with oil combinations had lower levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA, 19.3%), similar levels of MUFA (46.9%) and higher levels of PUFA (33.6%) than control frankfurters (all pork fat) (39.3, 49.5 and 10.6%, respectively). PUFA/SFA and n‐6/n‐3 PUFA ratios in control sample were 0.27 and 9.27; in reformulated frankfurters the PUFA/SFA ratio was higher (1.7) and the n‐6/n‐3 PUFA ratio was lower (0.47). In general, frankfurters had good fat and water binding properties. Colour parameters were affected by formulation and storage time. Compared to control sample, frankfurters made with oil‐in‐water emulsions had higher (p<0.05) hardness, springiness and chewiness values. Emulsified oil stabilizing systems did not affect sensory characteristics of frankfurters, and all products were judged as acceptable.     

Effect of temperature on fatty acid composition in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): A temperature dependent nutritive lipid profile

In this study, the effects of temperature on the fatty acids profile and the effects of temperature on the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids of Oreochromis niloticus were investigated. The analysis was performed by gas chromatography. The study showed that there were large temperature variations (10.0–32.0°C) during the study period (January–December). The highest crude fat content was found in January (3380 mg/100 g) and the lowest in June (2050 mg/100 g). The fatty acids profile showed significantly different diversity (p < 0.05). Total saturated fatty acid (∑SFA) content ranged from 409.54 to 1297.61 mg/100 g, monounsaturated fatty acid (∑MUFA) from 207.68 to 665.81 mg/100 g, and polyunsaturated fatty acid (∑PUFA) from 175.12 to 972.23 mg/100 g. The ∑MUFA and ∑PUFA concentrations were highest in January and lowest in June, and the ∑SFA concentration was lowest in January and highest in June. EPA and DHA contents were highest in January (198.96 mg/100 g) and lowest in June (48.76 mg/100 g). The contents of omega-3 (653.17 mg/100 g) and omega-6 fatty acids (252.54 mg/100 g) were highest in January and lowest in June (ω-3; 106.43 and ω-6; 60.91 mg/100 g). It concluded that the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids increases with decreasing temperature. In this study, the nutritional quality of the FAs profile was assessed using lipid quality indices. The indices indicating dietary quality of lipids by their values: Atherogenic index (0.47), thrombogenic index (0.38), hypocholesterolemic to hypercholesterolemic (3.00), meat fat quality (6.78), ω6/ω3 ratio (0.39), PUFA/SFA (2.37), MUFA/SFA (1.62), PUFA/MUFA (1.46), and PUFA + MUFA/SFA (3.99). These values are within the recommended range, indicating that the lipid profile of O. niloticus has high nutritional quality, which can be further improved by harvesting the fish during the winter season. Due to the nutritional importance of O. niloticus, the culture of this species could have significant interest to the people of Karachi, especially the coastal communities. To promote the nutritional diet in local population, the government should support the aquaculture of Nile tilapia.     

Cholesterol and fatty acids profile of Brazilian commercial chicken giblets

This study was carried out to determine the chemical composition, cholesterol contents and fatty acids profile of Brazilian commercial chicken giblets. The analysis were performed in gizzard, liver and heart in natura and also in cooked gizzard, fried liver and roasted heart. Fat and cholesterol contents ranged from 0.88% and 72.68 mg/100 g, in cooked gizzard, to 22.19% and 213.18 mg/100 g, in roasted heart. As the fat content gets higher, so does the cholesterol content. Palmitic (C16:0) and stearic acids (C18:0) were the predominant saturated fatty acids (SFA). The C16:0 ranged from 6.39% in cooked gizzard to 18.51% in fried liver. The C18:0 level ranged from 6.62% in roasted heart to 19.19% in cooked gizzard. Linoleic acid (C18:2 omega 6) was the predominant polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). The data revealed that the three different analysed giblets presented a good PUFA/SFA ratio, with values of 1.11, 1.14 and 1.40 for cooked gizzard, fried liver and roasted heart, respectively.     

Serum β-carotene concentrations are associated with self-reported fatty acid intake in United States adults from the National Health and Examination Surveys

Bioavailability of dietary β-carotene (BC) is dependent on dose, quantity, dispersion, and presence of fat in the diet. Fats are comprised of a variety of fatty acids, which may impact the bioavailability of carotenoids. However, there is a gap in research on whether specific fatty acid classes affect serum BC concentrations in population samples. The primary objective of this study was to assess the association between reported fat and fatty acid intake and serum BC concentrations utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2003–2006. Data from 3278 NHANES participants 20–85 years old were analyzed to estimate the relationships between serum BC concentrations and reported saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acid intakes. Multiple linear regression estimated ln(serum BC) based on reported fatty acid intakes adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and reported dietary BC intakes. Mean and standard error (SE) for serum BC concentrations were 14.31 ± 0.05 μg/dl. Means and SE for total fat, SFA, MUFA, and PUFA were 85.7 ± 1.3, 26.9 ± 0.4, 31.1 ± 0.5, and 17.8 ± 0.4 g, respectively. There was a significant trend for association between serum BC and reported total fat intakes (r = −0.002, p < 0.0001), but the association was not strong. Multiple linear regression showed positive associations between serum BC concentrations and higher reported dietary PUFA consumption. PUFA alpha-linolenic acid intakes are positively associated with serum BC concentrations, while MUFA palmitoleic acid and SFA stearic acid were inversely associated with serum BC. The inverse association between MUFA and SFA suggests there may be multiple post-digestion factors affecting serum carotenoid concentrations.     

Phospholipid Peroxidation: Lack of Effect of Fatty Acid Pairing

Phospholipids where both fatty acids are polyunsaturated are very rare. Most organisms prefer to couple their polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with either a saturated (SAT) or a monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acid. This study examined if these natural couplings are there to protect PUFA from themselves. Specifically, does the coupling of PUFA to SAT or MUFA reduce the potential for increased rates of peroxidation by shrouding these highly peroxidisable fatty acids with less peroxidisable fatty acids? The influence of head group was examined by using the two most common phospholipids found in vertebrate membranes i.e. phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine species. Fatty acid pairings included 16:0/18:2 versus 18:2/18:2 and 16:0/22:6 versus 22:6/22:6. All phospholipids were incorporated into liposomes that were matched for their total PUFA content i.e. 25% PUFA/PUFA or 50% SAT/PUFA with phosphatidylcholine 16:0/16:0 used as the background phospholipid. An iron initiator (Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) was used to induce peroxidation and lipid hydroperoxide production was used to measure peroxidation. The results show that coupling of PUFA together on the same molecule does not increase peroxidation rates and therefore does not support the proposed hypothesis. The lower than expected levels of peroxidation measured for some phospholipid species (e.g. PtdEtn 22:6/22:6) is possibly due to the partitioning of these molecular species into the inner leaflet of the bilayer.     

Microglial Cell Activation Increases Saturated and Decreases Monounsaturated Fatty Acid Content,but Both Lipid Species are Proinflammatory

Neuroinflammation is a component of age-related neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline. Saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acids are bioactive molecules that may play different extrinsic and intrinsic roles in neuroinflammation, serving as exogenous ligands for cellular receptors, or endogenous components of cell structural, energetic and signaling pathways. We determined the fatty acyl profile of BV2 microglial cells before and after acute activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We also investigated the effect of SFA and MUFA pretreatment on the production of an invasive, neurotoxic phenotype in BV2 cells. Acute activation of BV2 microglia resulted in an increase in the relative content of SFA (12:0, 16:0, 18:0, 20:0, 22:0, and 24:0 increased significantly), and a relative decrease in the content of MUFA (16:1n7, 18:1n7, 18:1n9, 20:1n9, 24:1n9 decreased significantly). In agreement, the major stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) isoform in BV2 cells, SCD2, was significantly down-regulated by LPS. We next treated cells with SFA (16:0 or 18:0) or MUFA (16:1n7 or 18:1n9), and found that levels of secreted IL6 were increased, as was secreted MMP9-mediated proteolytic activity. To test the functional significance, we treated SH-SY5Y neuronal cells with conditioned medium from BV2 cells pretreated with fatty acids, and found a small but significant induction of cell death. Our findings suggest differential intrinsic roles for SFA and MUFA in activated microglial cells, but similar extrinsic roles for these fatty acid species in inducing activation. Expansion of SFA is important during microglial cell activation, but either supplemental SFA or MUFA may contribute to chronic low-grade neuroinflammation.     

Substitution of trans fatty acids in foods on the Danish market

Three surveys of the content of trans fatty acids (TFA) in foods on the Danish market were carried out before and after the Danish regulation was introduced in January 2004 restricting the use of industrially produced (IP)‐TFA to a maximum of 2 g per 100 g fat in any food product. For this purpose, food samples were collected in 2002–3, 2004–5, and 2006–7. Of these, 60 paired samples (defined as samples included in two of the three investigations and with higher levels of IP‐TFA in the first determination than in the second) were identified. Comparisons of the fatty acid profiles showed that, in 68% of the products (e.g. sweets, cakes and cookies as well as fast food such as pie and tortilla), IP‐TFA were mainly substituted with saturated fatty acids (SFA). In some cases, the SFA source was coconut fat, whereas in other products, palm oil was added instead of partially hydrogenated oils. However, in important cases like frying fats, healthier fat substitutes with monounsaturated fatty acids were used. The surveys showed that the IP‐TFA content has been reduced or removed from most products with originally high IP‐TFA content, like French fries, microwave oven popcorn and various bakery products, so that IP‐TFA are now insignificant for the intake of TFA in Denmark.     

Evaluation of the Stability of Fatty Acids in Erythrocytes from Human Umbilical Cord

The interest in the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the umbilical cord blood (UCB) is increasing, but the stability of erythrocyte PUFA in these samples during storage and washing of the erythrocytes has not been directly evaluated. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the lapse of time on the fatty acid (FA) content from UCB sample collection and maintained at 4 °C (0–12 h) until erythrocyte separation and washing. Palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid (18:0), 18:1n-7/n-9, linoleic acid (18:2n-6), arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), 22:4n-6, eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) together accounted for 87% of the FA profile in the umbilical vein erythrocytes. No difference was observed in the concentration of any of the FA studied, nor in the sum of saturated fatty acids (SFA), PUFA, or LC-PUFA in umbilical erythrocytes obtained at delivery and stored up to 12 h before the separation of erythrocytes. However, if a washing step was included in the processing of the erythrocytes, a decrease in the concentration of 16:0, 18:0, 18:3n-3, 20:4n-6, 22:4n-6, total SFA, PUFA, LC-PUFA, and n-6 LC-PUFA was evidenced, compared to unwashed erythrocytes. The FA concentration in umbilical cord erythrocytes did not change between samples stored from 0 to 12 h until erythrocyte separation. Erythrocyte washing before storage decreased the concentration of significant individual and total SFA, PUFA, and LC-PUFA. These results should be considered when planning the collection of UCB samples for the study of fatty acid concentration due to the nonscheduled timing of deliveries.     

Effects of frying on the trans‐fatty acid formation in soybean oils

To evaluate the effects of repeated deep‐frying on the trans‐fatty acid (TFA) formation in soybean oils, simultaneous frying experiments were carried out. French fries were prepared using three different types of soybean oil (pressed soybean oil, PSBO; first‐grade solvent extracted soybean oil, FG‐SESBO; and third‐grade solvent extracted soybean oil, TG‐SESBO). French fries were fried intermittently at 180–185°C for a total frying time of 32 h and at an interval time of 30 min. It was found that the initial amount of total TFAs was 0.29 g/100 g, 0.31 g/100 g, and 0.90 g/100 g in PSBO, TG‐SESBO, and FG‐SESBO, respectively. Before the frying started, the C18:1,t‐9, trans‐linoleic acid (TLA), trans‐linolenic acid (TLNA), and total TFA content of the PSBO and TG‐SESBO were significantly lower than in the FG‐SESBO (p<0.05). However, in the frying oil samples, the final concentration of total TFA in the PSBO, TG‐SESBO, and FG‐SESBO were 1.79 ± 0.17 g/100 g, 1.12 ± 0.10 g/100 g, and 1.70 ± 0.07 g/100 g, which was 6.17‐, 3.61‐, and 1.89‐fold higher that in fresh oil, respectively. The highest increasing slopes of C18:1,t‐9, TLA, TLNA, and total TFA were observed in the PSBO. Practical applications : A high intake of TFAs has been shown to lead to an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Plant oils, particularly soybean oil, have been widely used in the food industry in China. Frying is one of the most common methods to cook food. The formation of TFAs during frying has been shown to be closely related to the temperature and duration of the frying process. However, the effects of frying on the formation of TFAs in different soybean oils have not been well studied. In the present study, we demonstrated that increasing the number of frying cycles can cause an intensive increase in the concentration of TFAs in different types of soybean oil, but especially in PSBO.