Nutritional and commercial quality of the striped venus clam, Chamelea gallina, from the Adriatic sea

Nutritional quality parameters (proximate and mineral composition, contents of glycogen, fatty acids, cholesterol, plant sterols, fat-soluble vitamins, carotenes) and ecophysiological and commercial quality indicators (Condition Index, percent content of meat and intervalvar fluid) of the striped venus clam, Chamelea gallina, from the central Adriatic coast of Italy were studied at seasonal intervals over a 1-year period. Contents of protein (8.55–10.7 g/100 g), total lipid (0.73–1.59 g/100 g), glycogen (2.25–4.96 g/100 g) and non-protein nitrogen (0.54–0.78 g/100 g) varied significantly during the year, reaching the highest values in winter, in coincidence with a peak of Condition Index. Gas chromatography of total lipids showed high percentages of n − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (33.7–41.9% of total fatty acids), in particular eicosapentaenoic (8.16–20.0% of total fatty acids) and docosahexaenoic acids (12.5–20.3% of total fatty acids) and low levels of total n − 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (3.61–7.87% of total fatty acids). HPLC analysis of the unsaponifiable lipids showed low levels of cholesterol, the dominant sterol (28.3–34.2 mg/ 100 g), and variable amounts of plant sterols (stigmasterol + campesterol, β-sitosterol, fucosterol + brassicasterol), α-tocopherol and carotenes.     

Synergistic antioxidant effect of α-tocopherol and myricetin on the autoxidation of triacylglycerols of sunflower oil

The synergistic antioxidant effect of different concentrations (50–250 ppm) of α-tocopherol and myricetin during autoxidation of triacylglycerols of sunflower oil (TGSO) at 100 °C was studied. The process was followed by monitoring the peroxide values and the formation of conjugated dienes. It was established that myricetin is a more effective and stronger antioxidant than α-tocopherol. All mixtures investigated exhibited a synergistic effect. The best synergistic effect was achieved with an equal molar ratio of α-tocopherol and myricetin, and at total concentration of the mixtures lower than 10 × 10⁻⁴ M. The kinetic analysis of the results demonstrated that α-tocopherol regenerates myticetin during autoxidation of TGSO at 100 °C.     

Effects of sesamol, sesamin, and sesamolin extracted from roasted sesame oil on the thermal oxidation of methyl linoleate

This study investigated the effects of lignan compounds extracted from roasted sesame oil, which were sesamol, sesamin, and sesamolin, on oxidation of methyl linoleate (ML) during heating. These compounds were added at 500 or 1000 mg/kg to ML, and α-tocopherol was used as a reference antioxidant. The ML added with lignans or α-tocopherol was heated at 180 °C for 60 min. Thermal oxidation of ML was evaluated by conjugated dienoic acid (CDA) contents, p-anisidine value (PAV), and ML retention. Contents changes of lignan compounds or α-tocopherol in ML during heating were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography. CDA contents and PAV of samples increased and ML decreased with heating time at 180 °C. Samples added with lignan compounds showed lower CDA contents and PAV but higher ML retention than samples without lignan compounds. The antioxidant activity of sesame oil lignan compounds in ML oxidation during heating tended to be higher than that of α-tocopherol. The contents of lignan compounds in samples decreased with heating time due to their degradation, but the degradation rates were lower than that of α-tocopherol. This study suggested that sesame oil lignan compounds be used as antioxidants in oil at high temperatures for deep-fat frying due to their higher effectiveness and stability than α-tocopherol.     

Validation of a method for simultaneous quantification of total carotenes and tocols in vegetable oils by HPLC

A normal-phase HPLC method for analysis of carotenes, tocopherols and tocotrienols has been developed and validated. In this work we presented a modification to the official AOCS method for analysis of tocols which allowed simultaneous quantification of the three groups of compounds, including carotenes. Analytes were separated using a gradient mobile phase (hexane and isopropanol) and with a gradient flow rate (1–2 mL min⁻¹). The column effluent was monitored by Photo Diode Array detector (PDA) set at 292 nm (tocols) and 455 nm (β-carotene) and by fluorescence detector set at an excitation wavelength of 290 and 330 nm emission. Inter- and intra-run accuracies and precision of the analytical method were better than ±15%. The lower limit of quantification was 5.0 mg L⁻¹ for the tocols and 0.1 mg L⁻¹ for carotenes. The method has been applied for the quantification of these compounds in Amazon oils.     

Composition,industrial processing and applications of rice bran γ-oryzanol

Rice bran oil (RBO) (20–25 wt% in rice bran) is a unique rich source of commercially-important bioactive phytochemicals, most of them of interest in nutrition, pharmacy and cosmetics. The unsaponifiable constituents of RBO include mainly tocols (vitamin E, 0.10–0.14%) and γ-oryzanol (esters of trans-ferulic acid with sterols and triterpenic alcohols, 0.9–2.9%). The following topics concerning γ-oryzanol are reviewed: analytical methods for characterisation and determination; influence of genetic and environmental factors on the composition of rice bran; extraction approaches, including supercritical CO₂ and subcritical water; and biomedical and industrial applications, including food and pharmaceuticals. Concentration ranges of γ-oryzanol, tocopherols and tocotrienols found in rice bran and RBO from different varieties and geographical areas are summarised. This review focuses on the 2003–2008 period, where an average of 13–14 references per year were published; however, some relevant work reported during the 1998–2002 period is also briefly commented upon.     

The effect of α-tocopherol on the oxidation of mackerel oil

Mackerel oil is prone to autooxidation because it has a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Antioxidants therefore have to be added to the oil to control oxidation during processing. The effect of 50, 100, 250 and 500 parts per million (ppm) concentrations of α-tocopherol on the oxidation of unrefined mackerel oil samples (recovered by solvent extraction), was investigated at 30, 4 and −40 °C over a period of 66 days by monitoring changes in peroxide values, conjugated diene content as well as levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between treated and control samples at all the temperatures investigated for all the α-tocopherol concentrations over the storage period. Higher concentrations of α-tocopherol, i.e., 250 and 500 ppm were less effective in controlling oxidation in the oils than lower α-tocopherol levels (50 and 100 ppm). Oxidation was minimal at low temperatures as inferred from the methods used to assess autooxidation. Treatment of mackerel oil with 50 or 100 ppm α-tocopherol at −40 °C produced the lowest oxidation over the 66-day period and was considered as adequate levels of incorporation in crude mackerel oil to minimize oxidation. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the effects of 50 and 100 ppm of α-tocopherol after 66 days. Fifty ppm of α-tocopherol is therefore regarded as the preferred concentration for controlling oxidation of mackerel oil on the basis of cost and efficacy.     

Effects of dietary high-oleic acid sunflower oil, copper and vitamin E levels on the fatty acid composition and the quality of dry cured Parma ham

The effects of seven isoenergetic dietary treatments: (1) no sunflower oil, 35 mg/kg Cu, without α-tocopheryl-acetate added; (2) to (7) 6% high oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSO), 35 or 175 mg/kg Cu crossed with a 0, 100 or 200 mg/kg α-tocopherol addition, were tested on quality characteristics of dry cured Parma hams from a total 84 Large White gilts. No statistically significant effect was detected on parameters of early evaluation of seasoning loss of hams. The seasoning loss and intramuscular fat content of seasoned hams averaged 28.1 and 3.3%, respectively, with no effect of the diet composition. The CIE L*a*b* colour values taken on the surface of the lean from Parma ham were not affected by dietary oil inclusion, nor by copper levels and by α-tocopherol addition in the feed mixture, except for the 'a' value that increased in HOSO groups (P<0.01) and in groups with α-tocopherol addition (P<0.01). The TBARS values in lean were reduced by the inclusion of HOSO (P<0.05) and α-tocopherol supplementation (P<0.10). Compared to the no oil group, the Parma hams in the HOSO groups showed a higher oleic acid content in the covering fat, but not different in neutral and polar fractions from semimenbranosus muscle. The oil inclusion reduced the saturated fatty acid content in subcutaneous fat and neutral lipids fraction from muscle to 30-34% No effect of α-tocopherol and copper levels were observed on fatty acids profiles. From the subjects fed the HOSO diet softer Parma hams were produced than those fed the control diet (χ(2)<0.05), while α-tocopherol and Cu levels did not influence the sensorial evaluation of hams. The inclusion of an oleic acid rich source in heavy pig diet brought about an improved nutritional value, but also the possible need of a prolonged ageing time to achieve an ideal firmness of Parma ham. Dietary α-tocopherol supplementation improved the red colour slightly and the lipid stability in Parma ham, while the supplementation of Cu in the diet had no influence on the tested parameters.     

Activity and thermal stability of antioxidants by differential scanning calorimetry and electron spin resonance spectroscopy

Heat flux differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) were used to assess the activity and the thermal stability of antioxidants in four vegetable oils. Sunflower oil (SO) and high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO), both rich in diunsaturated fatty acids (FA), low trans oil (LT) and partially hydrogenated palm oil (PHPO), both containing monounsaturated FA, were analyzed by isothermal heat flux DSC, with or without 300 mg/kg of antioxidant: ascorbyl palmitate (AP), α-tocopherol (αT), δ-tocopherol (δT) and propyl gallate (PG). DSC experiments showed that δT is the most effective antioxidant for SO and PG for the less unsaturated oils. SO and PHPO were also analyzed by ESR at 120 and 145 °C, respectively. ESR results confirm the strongest antioxidant activity of δT and PG for SO and PHPO, respectively. Therefore, the present study demonstrates that DSC and ESR are valuable technologies to study activity and stability of antioxidants at high temperature. Moreover, experiments performed in the presence of the spin-trap N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN), suggest that δT delay lipid oxidation through a different reaction mechanism when compared to αT. A different mechanism between tocopherols isomers in delaying lipid oxidation has been hypotized.     

Tocols in caneberry seed oils

The compositional analysis of tocols in oils extracted from Korean caneberry seeds was compared with commercial soybean, corn, olive, canola, perilla, and grape seed oils. The oils from caneberry seeds of six different species were extracted using either a chloroform–methanol–water system or hot hexane. Tocols from all of the oils were analysed using isocratic HPLC. The contents of total tocopherols in the caneberry seed oils were about 75–290 mg/100 g oil, whereas tocotrienols were not detected. γ-Tocopherol was the most abundant tocopherol (31.8–239 mg/100 g oil) in the caneberry seed oils, followed by α-tocopherol (7.6–58.2 mg/100 g oil). The contents of total tocols in soybean, corn, olive, canola, perilla, and grape seed oils were 99.9, 61.1, 28, 27, 45.4, and 52.2 mg/100 g oil, respectively. Total tocol content was higher in most of the caneberry seed oils including the refined ones than in the commercial vegetable oils.     

Polar compounds distribution of sunflower oil as affected by unsaponifiable matters of Bene hull oil (BHO) and tertiary-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) during deep-frying

Total polar compounds (TPC) contents of the sunflower oil (SFO) increased linearly (R² > 0.99) with frying time. At the same concentration (100 ppm), the increase rate of the TPC content for the SFO containing the unsaponifiable matters (USM) of the Bene hull oil (BHO) was lower than that for the SFO containing the tertiary-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ). The TPC analysis by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography allowed the separation and quantification of triglyceride polymers (TGP), triglyceride dimers (TGD), oxidised triglyceride monomers (oxTGM), diglycerides (DG), and free fatty acids (FFA) during frying. The ability of the USM to resist the TGP formation was higher than that of the TBHQ. The USM and TBHQ showed lower influences on the changes in TGD and oxTGM contents, as well as there was an effectiveness better for the USM than for the TBHQ. The increase rate of DG and FFA contents more effectively decreased by the USM rather than by the TBHQ.     

Comparison of the activities of hydrophilic anthocyanins and lipophilic tocols in black rice bran against lipid oxidation

The antioxidant capabilities of anthocyanin and tocol extracts from black rice bran were evaluated using an emulsion system containing either cholesterol (1.0 mg/ml) or fish oil (10 mg/ml). The cholesterol oxidation product, 7-ketocholesterol, increased to 180.1 μg/ml in the control emulsion after 168 h of oxidation, while it was only 15.4 and 39.0 μg/ml in the emulsions containing 1 μg/ml of the anthocyanin and tocol extracts, respectively; but below 1.2 μg/ml in the emulsion having 5 μg/ml of anthocyanins or tocols. In the fish oil emulsion, over 80% of C20:5 and C22:6 were oxidised after a 48 h incubation at 37 °C, while they were retained above 38% and 65% in the emulsions containing 10 μg/ml of anthocyanins and tocols, respectively, and above 85% in the emulsion containing 20 μg/ml of anthocyanins or tocols. Compared with the tocols extract, the capability of the anthocyanin extract was relatively greater in stabilising cholesterol but lower in inhibiting fatty acids oxidation.     

Solid phase extraction in the analysis of squalene and tocopherols in olive oil

Solid phase extraction (SPE) is only marginally employed in the official EU methods on the characteristics of olive oil. In the present study a SPE procedure was optimised for the subsequent extraction of squalene and α-tocopherol prior to HPLC of triacylglycerols. Squalene elution from a silica cartridge was achieved with 10 ml of n-hexane whereas α-tocopherol was isolated using 2 × 10 ml n-hexane/diethylether, 99:1, v/v. For both constituents, the precision of the SPE procedure (squalene: CV % = 4.4–6.4, n = 5; α-tocopherol: CV% = 5.3, n = 7) and the mean recovery (squalene: 88 ± 9% and 85 ± 4% for 700 and 4000 mg/kg levels of addition; α-tocopherol: 88 ± 6% and 91 ± 3% for 70 and 225 mg/kg levels of addition, respectively) were satisfactory with regards to those reported using other HPLC procedures with or without sample pretreatment. The results of the present study can be proved useful in the official control of virgin olive oil.     

Oxidative and thermal stabilities of genetically modified high oleic sunflower oil

The oxidative and thermal stabilities of genetically modified high oleic sunflower oil (87% oleic acid) were compared with those of regular sunflower (17% oleic acid), soybean, corn, and peanut oils during storage at 55 °C and simulated deep fat frying at 185 °C. Oxidative stability was evaluated by measuring the oxygen content and volatile compounds in the sample bottle headspace and peroxide value. The coefficient variations (CVs) for volatile compound, headspace oxygen, and peroxide value analyses were 2.02%, 1.41%, and 3.18%, respectively. The oxidative stability of high oleic sunflower oil was greater than those of regular sunflower and soybean oil (P < 0.05) and as good as those of corn and peanut oils (P > 0.05). The thermal stabilities of oils during deep fat frying were evaluated by measuring the infrared absorption at 2.9 μm and conjugated diene content. The CV of conjugated diene content was 1.07%. Infrared and conjugated diene results showed that the high oleic sunflower oil had greater thermal stability than had regular sunflower, soybean, corn, and peanut oils (P < 0.05). The genetically modified high oleic sunflower oil, with 5.5% linoleic acid, had better oxidative and thermal stabilities than had the regular sunflower oil with 71.6% linoleic acid.     

Fatty acids and sensory characteristics of Spanish dry-cured loin enriched in acid α-linolenic and α-tocopherol

The effects of using α-linolenic and α-tocopherol acid-enriched pork on the fatty acids and sensory characteristics of Spanish dry-cured loins were investigated. For the study, five batches of Spanish dry-cured loins were manufactured using pork loin enriched in polyunsaturated n − 3 fatty acids and α-tocopherol. Tissues were obtained from pigs fed on diets with the same ingredients, except for the oil source which corresponded to: [sunflower (C), linseed (L) and linseed and olive (1/1, w/w) (LO)] and two different amounts of α-tocopheryl acetate [20 (C, L and LO) or 200 (LOE and LE) mg/kg diet]. Dry-cured loins with polyunsaturated fatty acid n6/n3 ratios below 4 were obtained from linseed and linseed/olive oil-enriched batches. Dry-cured loin manufactured with pork from animals fed on diets enriched only with linseed oil presented the worst sensory characteristics and higher TBAR values than did dry-cured loins from animals fed on diets enriched with linseed and olive oil and linseed oil plus tocopheryl acetate.     

Influence of α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol on the radiation induced formation of peroxides in rapeseed oil triacylglycerols

The effect of α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols (enrichment: 1000 ppm) on the peroxide formation in rapeseed oil triacylglycerols (RSOTG) was evaluated. The oxidation process was initiated by gamma-irradiation with doses of 4 and 10 kGy. Whereas a pronounced antioxidant effect was observed for γ- and δ-tocopherol (sequence: δ- > γ-tocopherol), the inhibition extent of α-tocopherol was insignificant.     

Natural antioxidants in the unsaponifiable fraction of virgin olive oils from different cultivars

An investigation on carotene, α-tocopherol and squalene contents of olives from six different cultivars and 15 virgin olive oils produced in Molise region in 1995 was carried out. Olives were harvested at different stages of ripeness and oil was extracted in industrial plants by pressure or centrifugation systems. The concentration of carotenes, α-tocopherol and squalene have been correlated, both in fruit and oil samples, with the olive ripeness index. In particular a significant linear correlation (R²=0·95) has been found between olive ripeness index and olive carotene content. In order to evaluate the stability of the extracted oil, a 6 month storage test at room temperature in the dark has been carried out. In addition to the nutritional relevance of β-carotene and α-tocopherol, the compounds studied are also characterised by antioxidant activities. Within the same cultivar, tocopherol and squalene stability was inversely related to the degree of ripeness. In general, storage losses ranged, probably due to different antioxidant mechanisms, from 0 to 10% for carotene, from 14 to 32% for tocopherol and from 26 to 47% for squalene. © 1998 SCI.     

Oxidative stability enhancement of broiler bird meats with α-lipoic acid and α-tocopherol acetate supplemented feed

Depression of meat quality is known to be caused by lipid peroxidation occurring in meat. Supplementation of antioxidants in feed decreases lipid peroxidation and improves the oxidative stability of meat after slaughtering. The present study demonstrated that meat obtained from broiler birds fed feed supplemented with α-tocopherol acetate (200 mg/kg feed) along with α-lipoic acid (25, 75, or 150 mg/kg feed) exhibited increased oxidative stability and reduced fat content. The total phenolic content and α-lipoic acid content increased in the meat as the concentration of α-lipoic acid supplementation increased. The protein content in the meat was not changed by the supplementation of α-lipoic acid and α-tocopherol acetate. The results of DPPH and TBA assays demonstrated that feed supplemented with α-lipoic acid and α-tocopherol acetate also enhanced the antioxidant activity of broiler meat. On the other hand, the meat from broiler birds fed feed supplemented with oxidised oil (4% in feed) reduced its oxidative stability.     

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of some plant extracts and their heat,pH and storage stability

In the present study, three plant foods, namely, drumstick leaves (Moringa oleifera), mint leaves (Mentha spicata) and carrot tuber (Daucus carota) were extracted with ethanol and analyzed for their antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of extracts was evaluated according to the amount of malonaldehyde (MDA) formed by the FeSO₄-induced oxidation of linoleic acid and a high PUFA oil (sunflower oil) at 37 °C in Trizma-buffer (pH 7.4). At a concentration of 1.5 mg/ml of linoleic acid ,the extracts from drumstick and carrot had a higher antioxidant activity (83% and 80%) than α-tocopherol (72%). In sunflower oil, the extracts from drumstick leaves and mint leaves were found to exhibit a similar activity( 46% and 44%). The extract from drumstick exhibited the highest activity in both lipid systems. In addition, the stability of extracts to pH (4 and 9) and temperature (100 °C, 15 min) was investigated. The antioxidant activity of the extracts from mint leaves and carrot was higher at pH 9 than pH 4, while that of drumstick extract remained the same under both pH conditions. The extract from carrot was more heat-stable than other extracts. The three extracts stored in the dark at 5 and 25 °C after a 15 day period did not show any significant change (p ? 0.05) in their antioxidant activity. These data indicate that selected plant extracts are potential sources of dietary antioxidants.     

Lipid components,fatty acid distributions of triacylglycerols and phospholipids in rice brans

Endogenous tocochromanols in extracted lipids from rice brans of the five cultivars were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and were investigated in relation to the fatty acid (FA) distribution of triacylglycerols (TAG) and phospholipids (PL). The dominant tocols were α-tocopherol and γ-tocotrienol, followed by α-tocotrienol and with much smaller amounts of γ-tocopherol and δ-tocotrienol. The lipids of these rice brans comprised mainly TAG (80.6–86.0 wt.%), free FA (4.2–9.0 wt.%), and phospholipids (5.5–6.7 wt.%), whilst other components were also detected in minor proportions (0.2–2.1 wt.%). The PL components included phosphatidyl choline (31.8–46.8 wt.%), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (25.0–38.9 wt.%) and phosphatidyl inositol (20.2–23.2 wt.%). Comparison of these different cultivars showed, with a few exceptions, no significant differences (P > 0.05) in FA distribution. FA distribution of TAG among the five cultivars was evident in the rice brans: unsaturated FA were predominantly concentrated at the sn-2 position and saturated FA primarily occupying the sn-1 or sn-3 position. These results suggest that the tocopherol content, lipid component, and FA distribution in rice brans are not dependent on the cultivation areas during the growing season.     

Fatty acid profile and stability of oil from the belly flaps of Nile perch (Lates niloticus)

Oil extracted from the belly flaps of Lake Victoria Nile perch (Lates niloticus) was evaluated for fatty acid composition, contents of vitamin A, β-carotene and α-tocopherol, and oxidative stability. The oil was found to contain substantial amount of palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids (FAs) and had high vitamin A content (3.94 ± 0.02 to 5.90 ± 0.02 mg/100 g of oil). Docosahexaenoic acid (10.45 ± 0.38%), docosapentaenoic acid (5.30 ± 0.60%) and eicosapentaenoic acid (3.63 ± 0.05%) were the most dominant polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Ratios of PUFAs to saturated FAs were in the range 0.68 ± 0.02 to 0.74 ± 0.03, while the ratio of total ω-3 FAs to total ω-6 FAs was 0.85 ± 0.02 to 0.95 ± 0.08. The oils showed exceptional resistance to accelerated oxidation at 65 °C probably because of its high content of β-carotene (2.93 ± 0.03 to 4.69 ± 0.01 mg/100 g of oil) and α-tocopherol (2.11 ± 0.03 to 11.4 ± 0.92 mg/100 g of oil). From the results, it can be concluded that Nile perch oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids and vitamin A.