Verfahren zur Anreicherung von Stearidonsäure

Preparation of Stearidonic Acid Concentrates Fatty acids of the n-3 series are precursors of the biochemical synthesis of prostaglandins which are known as inhibitors of blood platelet aggregation. The parent compound of this series, α-linolenic acid (ALA), is transformed to stearidonic acid C18:4 δ6.9, 12.15 (SA) by catalysis by the liver enzyme δ6-desaturase. SA is found in few natural materials such as fish oils and blackcurrent seed oil (BCO) and only at low concentrations. In this context the oil extracted from entrails of squids caught in warm-water seas is reported to present an interesting source of arachidonic acid with contents of up to 8%. A two-step procedure was developed for the preparation of SA concentrates with 15% SA was obtained by urea fractionation. Simultaneously the γ-linolenic acid (GLA) concentration was increased to 80%. Subsequent separation of SA from GLA was carried out by preparative HPLC yielding SA concentrates with a purity of ≧ 90%. These SA concentrates were used for a comparative investigation of the inhibiting effects of some polyunsaturated fatty acids such as GLA, ALA or eicosapentaenoic acid on blood platelet aggregation. It was found that, compared with the other fatty acids. SA inhibits more specifically the aggregation stimulated by thrombine.     

Kontinuierliches Verfahren zur Anreicherung von mehrfach ungesättigten Fettsäuren

Continuous Process for the Concentration of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-6 and n-3 series are of great nutritional interest. For special studies and applications, these acids ae required in high concentrations. Several acids of these series are, however, only available in concentrations of up to 25% in vegetable or animal oils. In an evaluation of different fractionation techniques with blackcurrant seed oil as example, reasonable results were obtained with urea fractionation in methanol. Applying this method, a specific separation of α- and γ-linolenic acid could be achieved, whereas stearidonic acid (C18 :4,n-3) had to separated from γ-linolenic acid (c18 :3,n-6) by subsequent preparative HPLC. During scaling up of this batch process to the ton scale, difficulties became apparent, requiring an increased number of fractionation steps, probably deu to insufficient heat exchange and to incomplete formation of occlusion crystals. These inconveniences were eliminated by developing a continuous process using heat exchangers with a scraped surface as reactors for urea occlusion formation. This continuous technique was also applied to other oils, as e. g. fish oil, borage oil and evening primrose oil.     

Fraktionierung mehrfach ungesättigter Fettsäuren aus verschiedenen natürlichen Rohstoffen

Fractionation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids from Various Natural Oil Sources Blackcurrant seed oil, borage oil and evening primrose oil are known to be sources of γ-linolenic acid (GLA) with values of up to 25% for borage oil. These GLA concentrations are sufficient for most of the applications of these oils as such but some particular utilisations require higher concentrations of up to 70% γ-linolenic acid or more. Different fractionation techniques have been evaluated. Distillation as well as fractionated crystallization at various temperatures did not give any reasonable results. Preparative high performance liquid chromatography gives only separations on reversed phase columns of the RP 18 type. However, specific enrichment in γ-linolenic acid is obtained by urea fractionation in methanol, also with blackcurrant seed oil which contains up to 14% α-linolenic acid. On a large scale basis of around ton scale it was possible to enrich blackcurrant seed oil fatty acids to 70-80% γ-linolenic acid in a preferably 2-stage fractionation process.     

α-Linolenic Acid Transfer into Milk Fat and its Elongation by Cows

It was the purpose of this study ot explore to what extent α-linolenic acids transferred into bovine milk fat if either fed as intact linseed or if infused as linseed oil (α-linolenic acid content ≈? 55 wt%) into the abomasum. Two cows consumed 2000 g/d linseed for 9wk. Then two doses of linseed oil (500 or 250 g/d) were infused for 14 or 4 wk into the abomasum of the cows, respectively. There was no effect of linseed oil on milk production, milk fat and protein content, whereas linseed caused a slight decline of milk protein content simultaneously with a pronounced rise of trans fatty acids in milk fat. While during the linseed period only 1% of consumed α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) appeared in milk fat, on average 49 or 56% of infused C15:3 was transferred into milk fat depending on the infusion rate of linseed oil. There was only modest rise of about 0.25 wt% of desaturation/elongation metabolites (C20:5 plus C22:5) of α-linolenic acid in milk fat indicating a low δ⁶-desaturase activity of the cow. Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6) was not found in milk fat. It is concluded that bovine lipid metabolism allows surprisingly high transfer rates of n-3 fatty acids of linseed oil into milk fat and that there is the possibility to enrich milk fat with n-3 fatty acids without affecting milk yield provided ruminal biohydrogenation is prevented.     

The effect of dietary α-linolenic acid in the rat on fatty acid profiles of immunocompetent cell populations

Analysis of diet-induced fatty acid changes in the major phospholipids of various immune cell populations has not been previously documented, particularly modifications induced by dietary α-linolenic acid. Rats were fed purified diets containing either 10% corn oil (CO), 10% linseed oil (LO) or 10% soybean oil-linseed mixture (SL) for 8 weeks. The α-linolenic to linoleic acid ratios of the diets were 1∶32, 1∶1 and 3∶1, respectively. Fatty acid analysis of cell populations isolated from the spleen, thymus, thoracic cavity and peripheral blood phospholipids showed increases in ω3 fatty acids accompanied by decreases in the ω6 fatty acids when diets high in α-linolenic to linoleic acid ratios were fed. The extent of change observed was dependent on the magnitude of the α-linolenic to linoleic acid ratio. Both magnitude of change and the specific fatty acids altered varied with the cell population examined.     

Untersuchungen über Anbaueignung und Qualitätseigenschaften von Oenothera biennis L.

Investigations in Cultivation Abilities and Seed Quality of Oenothera biennis L. Due to relatively high concentration of γ-linolenic acid seed oil of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) is requested for cosmetian and clinical applications. Variation of oil content and concentration of γ-linolenic acid in the seeds of 50 single wild plants and their selected progenies from different locations were determined. In a phytotron experiment the influence of temperature and nitrogen fertilization on oil content and fatty acid composition were examined. Contrary to other oil plants in evening primrose no influence of different temperature on desaturation degree of the fatty acids – especially on γ-linolenic acid concentration was detectable.     

Einfluß gestaffelter Rapssaatanteile im Legehennenfutter auf das Fettsäurenmuster des Eifettes unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der polyungesättigten Fettsäuren

Influence of Graded Levels of Rape Seed in Laying Hen Diets on the Fatty Acid Composition of the Yolk Fat with Special Consideration of the Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Technical treated rape seed was evaluated as feed ingredient for laying hens and the influence of rape oil on the fatty acid composition of the egg yolks was also investigated. Rape seed levels of 7.5%, 15% and 22.5% were fed both to brown and white laying hens (Lohmann Brown, LB, and Lohmann Selected Leghorn, LSL, resp.). A depression in performance was recorded only with the highest rape inclusion level for the parameters feed conversion (LB-hens) and daily egg production (LSL-hens). The fatty acid composition of the egg yolk was influenced in a dose-response related manner. The percentage of the saturated fatty acids decreased with increasing levels of rape seed whereas the mono-unsaturated fatty acids and the n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids were hardly influenced. The level of the polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids was characterized by a strong dose-dependent increase. In addition, long chained polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 family - not present in rape oil - were detected in the yolks.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>- and Saturated Fatty Acids in Selected Hydrogenated and Refined Vegetable Oils in the Indian Market

The fatty acid composition of 27 samples of commercial hydrogenated vegetable oils and 23 samples of refined oils such as sunflower oil, rice bran oil, soybean oil and RBD palmolein marketed in India were analyzed. Total cis, trans unsaturated fatty acids (TFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFA) were determined. Out of the 27 hydrogenated fats, 11 % had TFA about 1 % where as 11 % had more than 5 % TFA with an average value of about 13.1 %. The 18:1 trans isomers, elaidic acid was the major trans contributor found to have an average value of about 10.8 % among the fats. The unsaturated fatty acids like cis-oleic acid, linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid were in the range of 21.8–40.2, 1.9–12.2, 0.0–0.7 % respectively. Out of the samples, eight fats had fatty acid profiles of low TFA (less than 10 %) and high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as linoleic and α-linolenic acid. They had a maximum TFA content of 7.3 % and PUFA of 11.7 %. Among the samples of refined oils, rice bran oil (5.8 %) and sunflower oil (4.4 %) had the maximum TFA content. RBD palmolein and rice bran oils had maximum saturated fatty acids content of 45.1 and 24.4 % respectively. RBD palmolein had a high monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) content of about 43.4 %, sunflower oil had a high linoleic acid content of about 56.1 % and soybean oil had a high α-linolenic acid content of about 5.3 %.     

Untersuchungen über die Fettverwertung der Regenbogenforelle (Salmo gairdnerii,R.) VI: Vergleichender Einsatz von 18 unterschiedlichen Futterfetten in einer gereinigten Diät

Investigations about Fat Utilization of the Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdnerii, R.) VI: Comparative Use of 18 Different Feeding Fats in a Purified Diet In the submitted work the usability of different feeding fats as source of energy in rations for rainbow trouts is reported. In comparison to 10% of sunflower oil in a standard diet the same amount of examined fats (maize germ oil, rice oil, lard, Novitol-30) with a share of less than 3% of essential linolenic acid (18:3, n-3) produced a just so good utilization. Only olive oil with an unbalanced high content of oleic acid decreased significantly. If a share of 6–7% in 18:3, n-3, fatty acids was contained in the feeding fat (rape seed oil poor in erucic acid and rich in erucic acid, raw and refined soya bean oil, refined soya fatty acids) the utilization increased significantly. The best result was achieved by addition of refined soya fatty acids with 15% 18:3, n-3, or red perch oil with a share of 17% 20:5, n-3 and 22:6, n-3. If beef tallow and especially micronized hardened fatty acids were used whose melting point was far beyond 40°C, a significant decrease in utilization was noticed. These fats proved to be less suitable as source of energy in rations for rainbow trouts. The same good characteristics of utilizations as with soya bean oil and rape seed oil were found in case of use of mixed animal fats, though no essential fatty acids were contained. An explanation could not be found. Linseed oil came off badly, though a surplus of essential fatty acids 18:3, n-3 was contained. The high rate of oxidations of the three fold unsaturated linolenic acid and as result a lacking absorption might be the cause.     

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.     

Dietary arachidonic acid and hepatic desaturation of fatty acids in obese zucker rats

The effect of low levels of dietary arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) on Δ6 desaturation of linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3), and on Δ5 desaturation of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3n-6) were studied in liver microsomes of obese Zucker rats, in comparison with their lean littermates. Fatty acid composition of serum total lipids and of phospholipids from liver microsomes and from total heart and kidney was determined to see whether modifications of desaturation rate, if any, were reflected in the tissue fatty acid profiles. Animals fed for 12 wk on a balanced diet, containing 20:4n-6 and 18:2n-6, were compared to those fed 18:2n-6 only. The low amount of dietary 20:4n-6 greatly inhibited Δ6 desaturation of 18:2n-6 and Δ5 desaturation of 20:3n-6, whereas Δ6 desaturation of 18:3n-3 was slightly increased in obese rats. Inhibition of the biosynthesis of long-chain n-6 fatty acids by dietary arachidonic acid was only slightly reflected in the 20:4n-6 content of liver microsome phospholipids. On the contrary, the enrichment of serum total lipids and heart and kidney phospholipids in this fatty acid was pronounced, more in obese than in lean animals. Our results show that, although the desaturation rate of the n-6 fatty acids in liver microsomes was greatly decreased by the presence of arachidonic acid in the diet, the tissue phospholipid content in arachidonic acid was not depressed. The potentiality of synthesis of eicosanoids of the 2 family from this fatty acid is consequently not lower, especially in obese rats, in which certain tissues are deficient in arachidonic acid, in comparison with their lean littermates.     

Fatty acid composition of melon seed oil lipids and phospholipids

Fatty acid compositions of crude melon seed oil from two different sources were compared. Melon seeds fromCitrullus vulgaris (syn.C. lanatus) contained phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and phosphatidylserine (PS), whereas melon seeds fromCitrullus colocynthis contained only PC and LPC, but not PS. Analysis of the total lipids revealed that the major fatty acid of the oils was 18:2n-6.Citrullus vulgaris seed oil contained 71.3% andC. colocynthis contained 63.4% of 18:2n-6. The predominant fatty acids in theC. vulgaris PC were 18:2n-6 (32.2%), 18:1n-9 (26.4%) and 16:0 (22.2%), whereas theC. colocynthis PC contained 44.6% of 18:1n-9 as the major fatty acid. The level of monoenes in theC. colocynthis variety (46.2%) was different from theC. vulgaris (27.3%). The major fatty acid in the LPC was 18:1n-9 for both varieties. Notably, theC. colocynthis variety did not contain any PS. The major fatty acids in theC. vulgaris PS were 18:1n-9 (37.9%) and 18:2n-6 (33.7%). Of all the phospholipids, LPC contained the greatest amount of monoenes, 48.6–52.4%.     

Einfluß von Lebertrangaben auf die Funktion der Lebermitochondrien in Langzeitfütterungsstudien an Ratten

Influence of n-3 Fatty Acids on Mitochondrial Function and Stability of Erythrocyte Membrane of Rats in Long Term Experiments with Cod Liver Oil The influence of different amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (1.3, 2.6 and 6.3% of total energy intake) on mitochondrial respiration and the stability of erythrocyte membrane was tested in experiments with rats lasting 12 and 32 weeks. The fat component of the semisynthetic diets (6g/100 g diet) was made up of coconut fat and cod liver oil (Gr. I, II, III) and cod liver oil and linoleic methylester (G1. IV). The n-3 fatty acids amounted to 1.18 cal% (I), 2.35 cal% (II,III) and 2.1cal% (IV). The diets of the groups I, III and IV wre supplemented with 6 mg D-α-tocopherylequivalents per 100g; the tocopherol/PUFA-ratios (mg/g) in the diets I, II, III, IV were 10.7, 0.1, 5.4 and 2.3 respectively. After 12 weeks cod liver oil had no significant influence on total lipids of the liver, hemolysis rate of red blood cells as well as the respiration of liver mitochondria. Highest weight gained was reported for the animals of group I receiving 1.3 cal% of PUFA derived from cod liver oil. All groups had similar relative liver weights. After 32 weeks the consequences of the insufficient supply tocopherol in group II were a significantly increased hemolysis rate of the erythrocytes and a decreased respiratory control index as well as the ADP/O-ratios of liver mitochondria using succinate and malate/glutamate as substrates. The highest PUFA amount fed (6.3 cal%; derived from cod liver oil and linoleic methylester) with the adequate vit. E supplementation did not cause any major alterations. The results show that fatty acids of the α-linolenic acid group can replace in part the n-6 fatty acid in their essential role for integrity of the membranes of mitochondria and erythrocytes. This is possible only if the increased antioxidant requirement of the body caused by ingestion of fish oil PUFA's is adequately compensated through additional supplements with antioxidants like α-tocopherol.     

Lipase-catalyzed enrichment of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

Lipase hydrolysis was evaluated as a means of selectively enriching long-chain ω3 fatty acids in fish oil. Several lipases were screened for their ability to enrich total ω-3 acids or selectively enrich either docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The effect of enzyme concentration, degree of hydrolysis, and fatty acid composition of the feed oil was studied. Because the materials that were enriched in long-chain ω3 acids were either partial glycerides or free fatty acids, enzymatic reesterification of these materials to triglycerides by lipase catalysis was also investigated. Hydrolysis of fish oil by eitherCandida rugosa orGeotrichum candidum lipases resulted in an increase in the content of total ω3 acids from about 30% in the feed oil to 45% in the partial glycerides. The lipase fromC. rugosa was effective in selectively enriching either DHA or EPA, resulting in a change of either the DHA/EPA ratio or the EPA/DHA ratio from approximately 1:1 to 5:1. Nonselective reesterification of free fatty acids or partial glycerides that contained ω3 fatty acids could be achieved at high efficiency (approximately 95% triglycerides in the product) by using immobilizedRhizomucor miehei lipase with continuous removal of water.     

The ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the rat diet alters serum lipid levels and lymphocyte functions

Previous studies have reported that feeding rats diets rich in fish oils, which contain high proportions of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, results in lowering of blood lipid levels and suppression of lymphocyte functions testedex vivo andin vivo. The effects of other n-3 PUFA, such as α-linolenic acid, which is found in high proportions in linseed oil, are not as well documented. Therefore, in the present study, weanling male rats were fed for six weeks on one of five high-fat (20% by weight) diets made by mixing together sunflower and linseed oils; the resulting blends had n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios of 112.5:1 (pure sunflower oil), 14.8:1, 6.5:1, 0.8:1, and 0.33:1 (pure linseed oil); the levels of all other components in the diet were identical. The final body weight and total dissectable fat were lowest in rats fed the pure linseed oil diet. Serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations decreased as the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio of the diet decreased. The fatty acid composition of the serum and of spleen lymphocytes was influenced by the diet fed-there was a progressive decrease in the proportions of linoleic and arachidonic acids and a progressive increase in the proportion of α-linolenic acid as the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio of the diet decreased. Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were detected in the serum but not in spleen lymphocytes. Inclusion of α-linolenic acid in the diet resulted in significant suppression of spleen lymphocyte proliferation in response to the T-cell mitogen concanavalin A and in spleen lymphocyte natural killer cell activity, both measuredex vivo. The localized graft vs. host response, a measure of cellmediated immunityin vivo, progressively decreased as the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio of the diet decreased. Thus, this study shows that dietary α-linolenic acid results in lowered blood lipid levels and suppressed lymphocyte functionsex vivo andin vivo. With respect to these effects, α-linolenic acid is as potent as dietary fish oil.     

Authenticating Production Origin of Gilthead Sea Bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparus aurata)</Emphasis> by Chemical and Isotopic Fingerprinting

Recent EU legislation (EC/2065/2001) requires that fish products, of wild and farmed origin, must provide consumer information that describes geographical origin and production method. The aim of the present study was to establish methods that could reliably differentiate between wild and farmed European gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). The methods that were chosen were based on chemical and stable isotopic analysis of the readily accessible lipid fraction. This study examined fatty acid profiles by capillary gas chromatography and the isotopic composition of fish oil (δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O), phospholipid choline nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) and compound specific analysis of fatty acids (δ¹³C) by isotope ratio mass spectroscopy as parameters that could reliably discriminate samples of wild and farmed sea bream. The sample set comprised of 15 farmed and 15 wild gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), obtained from Greece and Spain, respectively. Discrimination was achieved using fatty acid compositions, with linoleic acid (18:2n-6), arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), stearic acid (18:0), vaccenic acid (18:1n-7) and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3) providing the highest contributions for discrimination. Principle components analysis of the data set highlighted good discrimination between wild and farmed fish. Factor 1 and 2 accounted for >70% of the variation in the data. The variables contributing to this discrimination were: the fatty acids 14:0, 16:0, 18:0, 18:1n-9, 18:1n-7, 22:1n-11, 18:2n-6 and 22:5n-3; δ¹³C of the fatty acids 16:0, 18:0, 16:1n-7, 18:1n-9, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3; Bulk oil fraction δ¹³C; glycerol/choline fraction bulk δ¹³C; δ¹⁵N; % N; % lipid.     

In Vitro hydrolysis of fungal oils: Distribution of arachidonic acid-containing triacylglycerol molecular species

Four commercially prepared arachidonic acidrich oils from the fungus Mortierella alpina were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. The levels of arachidonic acid and the distribution of triacylglycerol (TG) molecular species varied significantly among these oils. The major arachidonate-containing TG species were AAA, LAA, DAA, OAA, PAA, SAA, OLA, PGA, PLA, POA, and SOA where the abbreviations A, D, G, L, O, P, and S represent arachidonic (20:4n-6), dihomo-γ-linolenic (20:3n-6), γ-linolenic (18:3n-6), linoleic (18:2n-6), oleic (18:1n-9), palmitic (16:0), and stearic (18:0) acids, respectively. In vitro incubation of the TG fractions, purified from these oils with porcine pancreatic lipase for 5 min, yields a mixture of intermediate products, such as 1,2- and 2,3-diacylglycerols (1,2- and 2,3-DG), 2-monoacylglycerol (2-MG) and free fatty acids (FFA), as well as residual TG. The degrees of hydrolysis varied significantly among the four oil preparations, ranging from 35 to 57%. The levels of arachidonic acid in the residual TG and 1,2(2,3)-DG were significantly higher than those in the original TG, whereas those in the FFA fraction were significantly lower than those in 1,2(2,3)-DG and 2-MG. Results from this study suggest that the bioavailability of arachidonic acid differs among fungal oils prepared by different suppliers. These differences could be attributed to the arachidonic acid content of the oil as well as to the association of arachidonic acid with other fatty acids in the same TG molecule.     

Expression of Genes Controlling Unsaturated Fatty Acids Biosynthesis and Oil Deposition in Developing Seeds of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.)

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L., Euphorbiaceae) seed oil is rich in α-linolenic acid, a kind of n-3 fatty acids with many health benefits. To discover the mechanism underlying α-linolenic acid accumulation in sacha inchi seeds, preliminary research on sacha inchi seed development was carried out from one week after fertilization until maturity, focusing on phenology, oil content, and lipid profiles. The results suggested that the development of sacha inchi seeds from pollination to mature seed could be divided into three periods. In addition, investigations on the effect of temperature on sacha inchi seeds showed that total oil content decreased in the cool season, while unsaturated fatty acid and linolenic acid concentrations increased. In parallel, expression profiles of 17 unsaturated fatty acid related genes were characterized during seed development and the relationships between gene expression and lipid/unsaturated fatty acid accumulation were discussed.     

C16、C18混合脂肪酸分离技术研究进展

C16、C18混合脂肪酸中含有很多经济价值很高的组分,若能将这些组分分离出来加以利用,将极大地提高混合脂肪酸的利用价值,因此研究C16、C18混合脂肪酸的分离技术具有非常重要的意义。本文介绍了减压精馏、低温结晶、尿素包合、银离子络合、生物酶催化法等C16、C18混合脂肪酸分离方法在近十年来的研究进展,并分析了各种分离方法的优缺点和适用范围。减压精馏可以有效地将混合脂肪酸分离成C16组分与C18组分,但该法的主要问题是加热易使不饱和组分变质。尿素包合法最常用来分离C16、C18混合脂肪酸中的饱和组分与不饱和组分,目前对该法的研究主要集中在工艺条件的优化与改善。生物酶催化法选择性高、反应条件温和、绿色环保,目前已被用来分离α-亚麻酸以及γ-亚麻酸且效果良好。最后展望了C16、C18混合脂肪酸分离技术的发展前景,指出两种或多种分离方法组合以及生物酶催化法将是未来的发展趋势。