Extraction and analysis of lipids from immature soybeans

A procedure is described for the extraction of lipids from immature soybeans that eliminates artifact formation and provides complete recovery of the lipid, including highly polar glycolipids free of nonlipid substances. The method involves pretreatment and extraction of the beans with hot dilute (0.25%) acetic acid, followed by chloroform-methanol extraction. Pretreatment and extraction of the tissue with hot dilute acetic acid destroys hydrolytic enzymes and removes organic-soluble, nonlipid substances that contaminate extracts obtained by chloroform-methanol extraction. Application of the method to immature soybeans confirmed that phosphatidic acid was largely an artifact of freezing and thawing of the beans, and phosphatidylmethanol was produced via transphosphatidylation of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine upon extraction with chloroform-methanol.     

Studies on the glycolipids and phospholipids of immature soybeans

The lipid of immature soybeans was extracted with chloroform-methanol and fractions containing the glycolipids and phospholipids were separated by column chromatography. Phosphatidyl choline (PC), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), phosphatidyl inositol (PI), phosphatidic acid (PA) phosphatidyl glycerol (PG), n-acyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (APE) and sulfolipid (SL) were identified by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Sterol glucoside (SG), esterified sterol glucoside (ESG), digalactosyl diglyceride (DGDG) and cerebrosides (CE) were isolated by TLC and identified by color reactions, chemical degradation and spectral analysis.     

Differences in fatty acid composition of immature and mature articular cartilage in humans and sheep

Chondrocytes are imbedded in an avascular, highly charged extracellular matrix which could form a barrier to the transfer of dietary essential fatty acids (EFA) to chondrocytes. A study was designed to assess the composition of immature and mature joint cartilage with respect to essential and nonessential fatty acids relevant to EFA deficiency. Cartilage and muscle samples were obtained from human fetus, infant and adult cadavers, and from fetal and mature sheep. Lipid extracts were prepared and the fatty acid composition determined. In human and sheep joint cartilage, linoleic acid (LA; 18∶2n−6) content was lower, and n−9 eicosatrienoic acid (ETrA; 20∶3n−9) and arachidonic acid (AA; 20∶4n−6) were higher in fetuses compared to mature subjects. An intermediate pattern was seen in infant cartilage. n−3 Fatty acids tended to be higher in fetal than in mature cartilage in humans and in sheep. In human muscle (and in other noncartilaginous comparison tissues), similar differences between fetuses and adults were seen in LA and AA, but not in ETrA. In fetal sheep muscle, very low LA, reduced AA and raised ETrA levels compared to mature sheep muscle were seen. However, although the pattern is characteristic of EFA deficiency, the abundance of n−6 EFA in liver and spleen of human fetuses and of n−3 EFA in liver and spleen of fetal sheep suggests that placental transfer of EFA is not likely to be limiting. During fetal development, the metabolism of fatty acids is distinctive and differs between the species. ETrA appears to be a readily measurable component of some tissues at certain stages of development when its presence in tissues does not indicate EFA deficiency.     

Comparison of immature and mature bone marrow-derived dendritic cells by atomic force microscopy

A comparative study of immature and mature bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) was first performed through an atomic force microscope (AFM) to clarify differences of their nanostructure and adhesion force. AFM images revealed that the immature BMDCs treated by granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor plus IL-4 mainly appeared round with smooth surface, whereas the mature BMDCs induced by lipopolysaccharide displayed an irregular shape with numerous pseudopodia or lamellapodia and ruffles on the cell membrane besides becoming larger, flatter, and longer. AFM quantitative analysis further showed that the surface roughness of the mature BMDCs greatly increased and that the adhesion force of them was fourfold more than that of the immature BMDCs. The nano-features of the mature BMDCs were supported by a high level of IL-12 produced from the mature BMDCs and high expression of MHC-II on the surface of them. These findings provide a new insight into the nanostructure of the immature and mature BMDCs.     

Implication of scavenger receptors in the interactions between diesel exhaust particles and immature or mature dendritic cells

Background  

The exposure to pollutants such as diesel exhaust particles (DEP) is associated with an increased incidence of respiratory diseases. However, the mechanisms by which DEP have an effect on human health are not completely understood. In addition to their action on macrophages and airway epithelial cells, DEP also modulate the functions of dendritic cells (DC). These professional antigen-presenting cells are able to discriminate unmodified self from non-self thanks to pattern recognition receptors such as the Toll like Receptors (TLR) and Scavenger Receptors (SR). SR were originally identified by their ability to bind and internalize modified lipoproteins and microorganisms but also particles and TLR agonists. In this study, we assessed the implication of SR in the effects of DEP associated or not with TLR agonists on monocyte-derived DC (MDDC). For this, we studied the regulation of CD36, CXCL16, LOX-1, SR-A1 and SR-B1 expression on MDDC treated with DEP associated or not with TLR2, 3 and 4 ligands. Then, the capacity of SR ligands (dextran sulfate and maleylated-ovalbumin) to block the effects of DEP on the function of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated DC has been evaluated.     

Implication of scavenger receptors in the interactions between diesel exhaust particles and immature or mature dendritic cells

Background

Engineered iron nanoparticles are being explored for the development of biomedical applications and many other industry purposes. However, to date little is known concerning the precise mechanisms of translocation of iron nanoparticles into targeted tissues and organs from blood circulation, as well as the underlying implications of potential harmful health effects in human.

Results

The confocal microscopy imaging analysis demonstrates that exposure to engineered iron nanoparticles induces an increase in cell permeability in human microvascular endothelial cells. Our studies further reveal iron nanoparticles enhance the permeability through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the stabilization of microtubules. We also showed Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathways are involved in iron nanoparticle-induced cell permeability. The inhibition of ROS demonstrate ROS play a major role in regulating Akt/GSK-3β – mediated cell permeability upon iron nanoparticle exposure. These results provide new insights into the bioreactivity of engineered iron nanoparticles which can inform potential applications in medical imaging or drug delivery.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that exposure to iron nanoparticles induces an increase in endothelial cell permeability through ROS oxidative stress-modulated microtubule remodeling. The findings from this study provide new understandings on the effects of nanoparticles on vascular transport of macromolecules and drugs.     

The Role of Sphingolipids in Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is now considered an innovative and strong strategy to beat metastatic, drug-resistant, or relapsing tumours. It is based on the manipulation of several mechanisms involved in the complex interplay between cancer cells and immune system that culminates in a form of immune-tolerance of tumour cells, favouring their expansion. Current immunotherapies are devoted enforcing the immune response against cancer cells and are represented by approaches employing vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, interleukins, checkpoint inhibitors, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells. Despite the undoubted potency of these treatments in some malignancies, many issues are being investigated to amplify the potential of application and to avoid side effects. In this review, we discuss how sphingolipids are involved in interactions between cancer cells and the immune system and how knowledge in this topic could be employed to enhance the efficacy of different immunotherapy approaches. In particular, we explore the following aspects: how sphingolipids are pivotal components of plasma membranes and could modulate the functionality of surface receptors expressed also by immune cells and thus their functionality; how sphingolipids are related to the release of bioactive mediators, sphingosine 1-phosphate, and ceramide that could significantly affect lymphocyte egress and migration toward the tumour milieu, in addition regulating key pathways needed to activate immune cells; given the renowned capability of altering sphingolipid expression and metabolism shown by cancer cells, how it is possible to employ sphingolipids as antigen targets.     

Predigested soybeans

Soybeans have a high content of good quality protein; nevertheless, direct utilization of beans for preparation of dishes is not done due to the unpleasant beany flavor and the gastrointestinal disturbance produced by the oligosaccharides. This paper describes a process for producing predigested soybeans. It can be used in the preparation of standard foods, replacing navy beans, chickpeas or lentils. In the process, raw soybeans are dehulled, broken into halves, then macerated with a papain solution and submitted to lactic fermentation usingL. acidophilus andL. bulgaricus. The fermented soybean is precooked and dried.     

Neurodegenerative Disorders: Spotlight on Sphingolipids

Neurodegenerative diseases are incurable diseases of the nervous system that lead to a progressive loss of brain areas and neuronal subtypes, which is associated with an increase in symptoms that can be linked to the affected brain areas. The key findings that appear in many neurodegenerative diseases are deposits of proteins and the damage of mitochondria, which mainly affect energy production and mitophagy. Several causative gene mutations have been identified in various neurodegenerative diseases; however, a large proportion are considered sporadic. In the last decade, studies linking lipids, and in particular sphingolipids, to neurodegenerative diseases have shown the importance of these sphingolipids in the underlying pathogenesis. Sphingolipids are bioactive lipids consisting of a sphingoid base linked to a fatty acid and a hydrophilic head group. They are involved in various cellular processes, such as cell growth, apoptosis, and autophagy, and are an essential component of the brain. In this review, we will cover key findings that demonstrate the relevance of sphingolipids in neurodegenerative diseases and will focus on neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation and Parkinson’s disease.     

Phytic acid in soybeans

Phytic acid, the hexaphosphate of myo-inositol, is the most important phosphate reserve compound in many plant seeds, but many of its salts are poorly digested by animals. It can form complexes with seed proteins, some of which sequester metal ions, making them unavailable for the animal organism. Soya protein isolates may be higher in phytate content than the soya flour from which they are obtained. Zinc is the mineral of most concern because its bioavailability from some soya products is quite low and because of its marginal levels in some human diets. The availability of iron from soya flour and soya isolates is higher than that from some other plant foods with lower phytate contents. Processes for removing the larger part of the tightly bound phytates from soya protein isolates are described.     

Biological and physiological factors in soybeans

There are limitations to which one is justified in drawing broad generalizations concerning the diverse biological and physiological effects of soy protein products. Nevertheless, there appear to be two distinct situations: (A.) Proper heat treatment exerts a beneficial effect upon the nutritive value of whole soybeans, full-fat and defatted meal. Associated with proper heating is inactivation of trypsin inhibitor and other heat-labile factors and conversion of raw refractory proteins to forms that are more readily digested. (B.) Moist heat also has a beneficial effect upon the nutritive value of soy protein isolates. However, a deficiency of certain essential nutrients and the interaction of phytic acid with protein, vitamins, and minerals during processing are the primary factors responsible for the poor nutritive value of soy isolates. Occasionally mineral deficiency symptoms do occur in animals fed soybean meal. It is a misnomer to refer to the growth-inhibiting and pancreatic hypertrophic properties as a “toxic” effect since both properties are reversible. Modern analytical techniques should be used to reinvestigate the relationship between phytic acid and availability of minerals and vitamins in soy protein isolate diets. Research also is needed to determine more accurately vitamin and mineral contents of soy protein isolates and the availability of vitamins and minerals in soy protein concentrates. Breeding soybean varieties genetically deficient in antinutritional and nonflatulent factors does not appear promising. More research is needed to determine whether fermentation and enzyme processes can be used to prepare flatulent-free soy products. Minor factors to be considered in assessing the nutritive value of soy products include a weak goitrogen present in soybeans, and a very low estrogenic activity. ARS, USDA.     

Low linolenic soybeans and beyond

Low linolenic soybean oil is the first in a series of modified oilseed products to be introduced to meet food company and consumer needs. Consumer packaged goods and foodservice companies are currently using this oil to successfully replace partially hydrogenated soybean oil, resulting in the reduction of trans fatty acids from the food supply. In addition to meeting consumer demand for healthier foods, many food processors have chosen low linolenic soybean oil based on taste, performance and cost benefits. Seed companies continue to utilize traditional breeding, marker assisted breeding and biotechnology approaches to modify oilseeds that produce oils with health and nutrition benefits. Additional modified oilseeds are at various stages of development. Soybeans with increased levels of stearic acid are being developed as an alternative to partially hydrogenated fats and high saturate fats required to provide solids and structure to food. High stability fry oils with increased levels of oleic acid, reduced levels of linolenic acid as well as a version with lower saturated fat are being developed. Soybeans are also being modified to offer more sustainable sources of omega‐3s including stearidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid which will result in more efficacious sources of omega‐3s compared to alpha‐linolenic acid‐containing vegetable oil and improved functionality/stability compared to fish and algal oils.     

Quantification of sphingolipids in soybeans

Soybean is believed to be a rich source of sphingolipids, a class of polar lipids with desirable biological activities. Analytical methods for sphingolipids vary, and quantitative data for sphingolipids in foods, including soybeans, are scarce. the objectives of this study were to establish a method for quantification of sphingolipids in soybeans and to determine whether genotype, stage of maturity, and growing location affect sphingolipid content in soybeans. Separation of neutral lipids and interfering polar lipids from sphingolipids by saponification, transesterification, and solvent partition was studied. Solvent partition accompanied by TLC purification was determined to be the most accurate sample preparation method for HPLC quantification of cerebroside. There were significant differences in cerebroside concentration among genotypes, with a range of 142 to 492 nmol/g seed (dry wt basis). The differences in cerebroside concentration between immature and mature seeds of one genotype and between two seed production locations of one genotype were considerable but not statistically significant.     

Sphingolipids at Plasmodesmata: Structural Components and Functional Modulators

Plasmodesmata (PD) are plant-specific channels connecting adjacent cells to mediate intercellular communication of molecules essential for plant development and defense. The typical PD are organized by the close apposition of the plasma membrane (PM), the desmotubule derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and spoke-like elements linking the two membranes. The plasmodesmal PM (PD-PM) is characterized by the formation of unique microdomains enriched with sphingolipids, sterols, and specific proteins, identified by lipidomics and proteomics. These components modulate PD to adapt to the dynamic changes of developmental processes and environmental stimuli. In this review, we focus on highlighting the functions of sphingolipid species in plasmodesmata, including membrane microdomain organization, architecture transformation, callose deposition and permeability control, and signaling regulation. We also briefly discuss the difference between sphingolipids and sterols, and we propose potential unresolved questions that are of help for further understanding the correspondence between plasmodesmal structure and function.     

Quality of soybeans in export

Soybean quality is of concern to processors throughout the world, as deterioration during storage, handling and shipment can result in crude oil which is difficult to process and has high refining losses. Little information is available comparing the relative quality of soybeans in export shipment based on crop year and origin. Shipments of soybeans originating from the United States, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina were sampled in Europe and Asia during a four-year period. Soybean samples were graded, protein and oil contents determined, and oil quality characteristics assessed by laboratory procedures. Results of these analyses present, for the first time, direct comparisons of the quality of soybeans exported from the principal producing countries. The data suggests that United States (U.S.) farmers and exporters must continue their efforts to improve the physical characteristics of soybeans in export shipment; the emphasis of breeding and genetic engineering research should be to increase the protein content of soybeans grown in the U.S.; and that the high quality of crude oil recovered from U.S. soybeans should prove an advantage to the processor using soybeans imported from the United States.     

A New Mechanism for Photo- and Radiation-Induced Decomposition of Sphingolipids

Data have been obtained showing regularities in product formation following radiolysis of serinol, lysosphingomyelin and photolysis of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)hexanamide, sphingomyelin, which point to the possibility of photo- and radiation-induced destruction of the named substrates via a C–C bond rupture. The key stage of this process is the formation and decomposition of N-centered radicals generated from the starting compounds.     

The occurrence of phosphorus in soybeans

The phosphorous compounds present in soybeans have been tentatively divided into four groups. Methods for determining these groups have been studied and applied to the analysis of a sample of soybeans. A cooperative organization participated in by the Bureaus of Chemistry and Soils and Plant Industry of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and the Experiment Stations of the North Central States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wiscosin