Determination of the triacylglycerol content for the identification and assessment of purity of shea butter fat,peanut oil,and palm kernel oil using maldi-tof/tof mass spectroscopic technique

This article reports the rapid screening and identification of the triacylglycerol content of shea butter fat, palm kernel oil, and peanut oil sold in the local Ghanaian market for their characterization and identification. Samples were dissolved in chloroform with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid as the matrix. After subjecting the samples to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry, the spectra obtained showed the characteristic triacylglycerols as sodium adducts. Seven major triacylglycerol species were identified as dipalmitoyl olein, palmitoyl diolein, palmitoyl stearoyl olein, linoleoyl diolein, triolein, stearoyl diolein, and distearoyl olein in all three samples. Palmitoyl linoleoyl olein and tristearin were also identified. Oxygenated triacylglycerols and other species from the fragmentation of triacylglycerols were also obtained. The presence of the oxygenated triacylglycerols and the triacylglycerol fragments may be a result of poor handling and production processes.     

Physicochemical characteristics of soybean oil, palm kernel olein, and their binary blends

Soybean oil (SBO), palm kernel olein (PKO) and their binary blends (containing 5–40% PKO) were studied for their physicochemical characteristics. Decreases in band absorbencies of the resultant Fourier transform infrared spectra were observed in regions attributable to vibrations of the functional groups of unsaturated fatty acids, mainly the =C–H cis stretching at 3009 cm⁻¹and –C=C cis stretching at 1657 cm⁻¹. The solid fat content was measurable in the blends containing 15–40% PKO at 5 and 10 °C, ranging within 4–20% and 2–13%, respectively. The differential scanning calorimetry melting curve for SBO exhibited more complex transition peaks, suggesting a     polymorphic transformation when compared with PKO with a simpler     . Blending of SBO with PKO reduced the complexity caused by the polymorphic transformation, featuring the endotherms that only related to the β' fat crystals.     

Comparison of nutrient composition in kernel of tenera and clonal materials of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Nutritive information about oil palm kernel is scarce, especially on the composition of sugars and water-soluble vitamins. This study aims to evaluate both tenera and clonal materials for their proximate composition, fatty acid profile, amino acid composition, sugar, mineral and water-soluble vitamin contents. The tenera material had a higher moisture, fat and fibre content as compared to the clonal material, whereas protein, carbohydrate and ash content were higher in the clonal material. The major fatty acid constituents in palm kernel oil were lauric acid, myristic acid and oleic acid. The palm kernel proteins were deficient in lysine and tryptophan but rich in glutamic acid, arginine and aspartic acid. Sucrose was the most abundant sugar in palm kernel. The mineral analysis of the samples showed high levels of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and manganese, while niacin was the water-soluble vitamin present at the highest concentrations in palm kernel.     

Application of hydrogenated palm kernel oil and palm stearin in whipping cream

Non-dairy creams made from hydrogenated palm kernel oil (HPKO) are generally more stable than dairy creams. However, in summer the emulsion tends to separate. This paper outlines some steps that were taken to modify the HPKO with the intention of increasing the stability without affecting whipping performance. This was achieved by blending HPKO with palm stearin (POs). Interesterification was employed to eliminate the increase in solid fat content at 37°C and 40°C. Results of the experiment showed that an interesterified HPKO: POs 66:34 blend proved to have satisfactory whipping performance when compared to creams made with HPKO alone.     

Crude palm oil from interspecific hybrid Elaeis oleifera × Elaeis guineensis: Fatty acid regiodistribution and molecular species of glycerides

The composition and structure of triacylglycerols (TAGs) and partial glycerides of crude palm oil obtained from interspecific hybrid Elaeis oleifera × Elaeis guineensis, grown in Colombia, were fully characterised and compared to data obtained by analysing crude African palm oil. Hybridisation appears to substantially modify the biosynthesis of fatty acids (FAs) rather than their assembly in TAGs. In fact, total FAs analysis showed significant differences between these two types of oil, with hybrid palm oil having a higher percentage of oleic acid (54.6 ± 1.0 vs 41.4 ± 0.3), together with a lower saturated fatty acid content (33.5 ± 0.5 vs 47.3 ± 0.1), while the percentage of essential fatty acid, linoleic acid, does not undergo significant changes. Furthermore, 34 TAG types were identified, with no qualitative differences between African and E. guineensis × E. oleifera hybrid palm oil samples. Short and medium chain FAs (8:0, 10:0, 12:0, 14:0) were utilised, together, to build a restricted number of TAG molecular species. Oil samples from the E. guineensis × E. oleifera hybrid showed higher contents of monosaturated TAGs (47.5–51.0% vs 36.7–37.1%) and triunsaturated TAGs (15.5–15.6% vs 5.2–5.4%). The sn-2 position of TAGs in hybrid palm oil was shown to be predominantly esterified with oleic acid (64.7–66.0 mol% vs 55.1–58.2 mol% in African palm oil) with only 10–15% of total palmitic acid and 6–20% of stearic acid acylated in the secondary position. The total amount of diacylglycerols (DAGs) was in agreement with the values of free acidity; DAG types found were in agreement with the representativeness of different TAG species.     

Changes in fatty acid and essential oil composition of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) leaves under NaCl stress

Fatty acids and essential oils from hydroponically cultivated Salvia officinalis leaves were analyzed by GC and GC–MS. Four different levels of NaCl (25, 50, 75 and 100 mM) were applied. The first results showed that salt treatment reduced significantly the plant growth by 61% and the total fatty acids (TFA) content by 32% at 100 mM NaCl. Alpha-linolenic, gadoleic, palmitic and oleic acids were the major fatty acids. Moreover, the polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased, while the monounsaturated ones increased with respect to increasing salinity. Regarding the essential oil composition, the main compounds were α-and β-thujone, 1,8-cineole, camphor, α-humulene, viridiflorol and manool at all salt treatments. The yield had a maximum increase at 75 mM NaCl. Hence, sage can be considered as moderately salt sensitive.     

Neuroprotective potential of some terebinth coffee brands and the unprocessed fruits of Pistacia terebinthus L. and their fatty and essential oil analyses

In the current study, neuroprotective effects of the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of four terebinth coffee brands and the fruits of Pistacia terebinthus L. were investigated through enzyme inhibition tests against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase as well as antioxidant test systems. Antioxidant activity was measured using radical scavenging activity tests and metal-related tests including metal-chelation capacity, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and phosphomolybdenum reducing power (PRAP). The fatty oils of the coffee brands and the fruits and the fruit essential oil were examined by GC–MS. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were calculated spectrophotometrically. The extracts had moderate inhibition against butyrylcholinesterase (9.78–45.74% at 200 μg mL⁻¹) and potent scavenging activity against DPPH. They exerted strong activity in FRAP and metal-chelation tests and modest activity in PRAP test. Oleic acid was identified as the major fatty acid in the fatty oils, while α-pinene (26.31%) was dominant in the essential oil.     

Muscle lipids and fatty acid profiles of three edible fish from the Mauritanian coast: Epinephelus aeneus, Cephalopholis taeniops and Serranus scriba

Muscle lipids and fatty acids (FA) of three largely consumed seawater species of Serranidae (Epinephelus aeneus, Cephalopholis taeniops, and Serranus scriba) from the Mauritanian coast, were determined through 1 year. The lipid contents were relatively poor, ranging from 0.8% to 2.3% showing a significant seasonal dependency. Amongst the 35 FA identified, 35–51% were saturated FA (SFA), 21–33% monounsaturated FA (MUFA), and 18–34% polyunsaturated FA (PUFA). Palmitic acid was found to be the main SFA, and was seasonal dependent, with a mean value of 30.5% for E. aeneus, 27.9% for C. taeniops, and 20.9% for S. scriba. Amongst MUFA, oleic acid, with 11–16%, was the main acid in all three species. The n6 PUFA level was low, in particular for C. taeniops (1.3–1.6%), and a little higher for S. scriba (3.6–4.2%). The three species were characterised by high amounts of n3 PUFA. Amongst them, docosa-4,7,10,13,16,19-hexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n3) was the highest with 5–9% for C. taeniops, 13–17% for S. scriba, and 10–16% for E. aeneus. Eicosa-5,8,11,14,17-pentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n3), was the second highest n3 PUFA, with 4–13%.     

Fatty acids of neutral and phospholipids of three endangered trout: Salmo trutta caspius Kessler, Salmo trutta labrax Pallas and Salmo trutta macrostigma Dumeril

Total (TL), neutral (NL) and phospholipid (PL) amounts and fatty acid (FA) composition of female Salmo trutta caspius, Salmo trutta labrax and Salmo trutta macrostigma were investigated during one year. Twenty-three FAs were identified in both NLs and PLs. The principal FAs of both fractions were palmitic acid in saturated fatty acid, oleic acid in monounsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and linoleic acid in n-6 PUFAs. The highest values for TLs, NLs and PLs were found in winter. As a general trend, the highest n-3/n-6 ratios and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + DHA amounts were found in the winter and this coincided with the lowest gonado-somatic index.     

The antimicrobial effect of thyme essential oil, nisin, and their combination against Listeria monocytogenes in minced beef during refrigerated storage

The antimicrobial effect of thyme essential oil (EO) at 0.3%, 0.6%, or 0.9%, nisin at 500 or 1000IU/g, and their combination against Listeria monocytogenes was examined in both tryptic soy broth (TSB) and minced beef meat. Thyme EO at 0.3% possessed a weak antibacterial activity against the pathogen in TSB, whereas at 0.9% showed unacceptable organoleptic properties in minced meat. Thus, only the level of 0.6% of EO was further examined against the pathogen in minced meat. Treatment of minced beef meat with nisin at 500 or 1000IU/g showed antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes, which was dependent on the concentration level of nisin and the strains used. Treatment of minced beef meat with EO at 0.6% showed stronger inhibitory activity against L. monocytogenes than treatment with nisin at 500 or 1000IU/g. All treatments showed stronger inhibitory activity against the pathogens at 10 degrees C than at 4 degrees C. The combined addition of EO at 0.6% and nisin at 500 or 1000IU/g showed a synergistic activity against the pathogen. Most efficient among treatments was the combination of EO at 0.6% with nisin at 1000IU/g, which decreased the population of L. monocytogenes below the official limit of the European Union recently set at 2logcfu/g, during storage at 4 degrees C.     

Salinity impact on fruit yield,essential oil composition and antioxidant activities of Coriandrum sativum fruit extracts

This study is designed to examine the fruit essential oil composition, the total phenolic amounts and the antioxidant activities in methanolic extracts of Coriandrum sativum under saline conditions. Increasing NaCl levels to 75 mM reduced significantly the fruit yield by 36%. The essential oil yield was 0.30%, based on the dry weight; it increased by 77% and 84% at 50 and 75 mM NaCl, respectively, in comparison to the control. The major constituents were linalool and camphor, whose amounts increased with increasing NaCl concentrations. Antioxidant activities of the methanol extracts were determined by three different test systems, namely DPPH, β-carotene/linoleic acid and reducing power assays. In these three test systems, the highest activity was exhibited in control plants and was reduced significantly with increasing NaCl levels. In control plants, the total phenolic amount was 1.04 mg GAE/g DW which decreased by 43% and 66% at 50 and 75 mM NaCl, respectively.     

Composition,antimicrobial, antiradical and spasmolytic activity of Ferula heuffelii Griseb. ex Heuffel (Apiaceae) essential oil

The essential oil from underground parts of Ferula heuffelii from N.E. Serbia, was analysed using GC and GC–MS. The main compounds of the essential oil were elemicin (35.4%) and myristicin (20.6%). The essential oil exhibited the best antimicrobial activity against two strains of Candida albicans (MIC = 7.0 and 13.7 μg/ml), as well as against Micrococcus luteus (MIC = 13.7 μg/ml), Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC = 17.6 μg/ml), Bacillus subtilis (MIC = 21.1 μg/ml) and Micrococcus flavus (MIC = 28.2 μg/ml). In the DPPH radical scavenging assay, essential oil showed substantial activity with SC₅₀ = 22.43 μl/ml. The essential oil was also tested for antispasmodic activity. It inhibited spontaneous contraction of isolated rat ileum dose-dependently, and at the concentration of 86.64 μg/ml exhibited 50% of the maximum effect of atropine. After incubation with 75.00 μg/ml of essential oil, acetylcholine did not induce contractions of ileum, and at 250.00 μg/ml, the essential oil almost completely abolished the spasmodic effect of potassium chloride (80 mM).     

Organic acids,antioxidant capacity,phenolic content and lipid characterisation of Georgia-grown underutilized fruit crops

Four underutilized Georgia-grown fruit crops, namely loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), mayhaw (Crataegus sp.), fig (Ficus carica), and pawpaw (Asimina triloba), and their leaves were analysed for total polyphenols by Folin–Ciocalteau method, and antioxidant capacity by ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Organic acids and phenolic compounds were identified by RP-HPLC. For lipid profile, fruits were separated into two fractions – seed and fruit (i.e., without seed); lipid was extracted using the Folch method and analysed for fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols, and phospholipids. The major organic acid identified in all samples was malic acid (177–1918 mg/100 g FW). The predominant phenolic acids in all the fruits were gallic (1.5–6.4 mg/100 g FW) and ellagic (0.2–33.8 mg/100 g FW), and the most abundant flavonoid was catechin (12.2–37.8 mg/100 g FW). Total lipid content varied from 0.1% in mayhaw fruit to 21.5% in pawpaw seed. Linoleic acid was the predominant fatty acid in all of the samples (28.2–55.7%).     

Characterization of several hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars based in chemical, fatty acid and sterol composition

Nineteen cultivars of hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) collected during the 2001 crop, from Vila Real, Portugal, were analysed for chemical composition, including moisture, total oil content, crude protein, ash, carbohydrates and nutritional value. Fat was the predominant component, ranging from 59.3 to 69.0%. Total oil was extracted and analysed for fatty acid and sterol compositions and oxidative stability. Fatty acid and sterol compositions were determined by Gas–Liquid Chromatography coupled to a Flame Ionisation Detector (GLC/FID). Monounsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid, were predominant (78.7–84.6%). Total phytosterol content ranged from 133.8 to 263.0 mg/100 g of oil. Among the nine sterols identified and quantified, β-sitosterol was the major one with a mean percentage of 83.6%, while Δ⁵-avenasterol and campesterol were the second and the third components of the group with mean values of 6.1 and 5.8%, respectively. Since hazelnut oil can be used in olive oil adulteration, the values obtained were compared with published mean values of olive oils from different geographical origins.     

Characterization of wax esters,free fatty alcohols and free fatty acids of crude wax from sunflower seed oil refineries

The sunflower seed wax (10–12%) from oil refineries was purified through two steps, namely, extraction using solvents and precipitation with chilled acetone. Fatty esters, free fatty alcohols and free fatty acids were separated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The fractions of fatty esters and free fatty alcohols were separated and identified by gas chromatography (GC) using a Dexil-300 column and OV-101 column, respectively, at temperatures from 150–290 °C and were further confirmed by Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), using a capillary silica column SPB™-1 coated with polydimethyl siloxane. Among the long chain fatty esters (C₃₈–C₅₄), comprised of one unit of fatty alcohol and one unit of fatty acid through an ester linkage, the major esters were C₄₀–C_44, of which C₄₂ was predominant. These fatty esters, upon hydrolysis, followed by methylation and subsequent GC–MS analysis, showed the presence of C₁₆–C₃₀ fatty acids in the bound form, whereas methylation of native wax indicated the presence of C₁₈–C₃₀ fatty acids in the free form. Acetylation of hydrolysis product showed the presence of C₁₈–C₃₀ fatty alcohols in the bound form, where as acetylation of native wax indicated that the C₁₈–C₃₂ fatty alcohols were in the free form. n-Triacontanol (C₃₀), a plant growth regulator, was found in both free and bound forms.     

Chemical composition,angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil from Periploca laevigata root barks

The present study describes the chemical composition, and antimicrobial, antioxidant and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of essential oil from Periploca laevigata root barks (PLRB), an aromatic plant widely distributed in Tunisia and used as a traditional medicinal plant. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to determine the composition of the PLRB oil. Forty-three components were identified in the essential oil and the main compounds were benzaldehyde (56%), methyl 4-methoxysalicylate (6.55%) and carvacrol (4.75%). The PLRB essential oil exhibited a dose-dependent manner of inhibitory activity toward ACE. The highest ACE inhibitory activity (54%) was observed at a concentration of 30 μg/ml. The PLRB oil was also found to possess antioxidant activities, as evaluated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method, β-carotene bleaching and reducing power assays. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was also investigated on several microorganisms. The inhibition zones and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of bacterial strains were in the range of 12–46 mm and 50–300 μg/ml, respectively. The inhibitory activity of the PLRB essential oil against Gram-positive bacteria was significantly higher than against Gram-negative. It also exhibited remarkable activity against several fungal strains.     

Chemical composition,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oil obtained from Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin: Effect of collection time

The properties of essential oils obtained from Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resins (OGRs) collectioned in three collections times in 15 June (OGR1), 30 June (OGR2) and 15 July (OGR3) 2011 was investigated. Essential oil from OGR1 was constituted high levels of (E)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (23.9%) and 10-epi-γ-eudesmol (15.1%). Essential oil from OGR2 was constituted high levels of (Z)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (27.7%) and (E)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (20.3%). Essential oil from OGR3 was constituted high levels of β-pinene (47.1%) and α-pinene (21.3%). Inhibitory concentration (IC50) for radical scavenging were 0.012–0.035, 0.025–0.047 and 0.035–0.066 mg/ml of essential oil obtained from OGR1, OGR2 and OGR3, respectively. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi grpwth were 0.028–0.111, 0.027–0.107 and 0.018–0.058 mg/ml of essential oil obtained from OGR1, OGR2 and OGR3, respectively. Essential oils obtained from different OGRs have different composition and biological activity thus have different applications in food and health industry.     

Effect of heat shock on the fatty acid and protein profiles of Cronobacter sakazakii BCRC 13988 as well as its growth and survival in the presence of various carbon,nitrogen sources and disinfectants

In the present study, Cronobacter sakazakii, a foodborne pathogen, was first subjected to heat shock at 47 °C for 15 min. Effect of heat shock on the fatty acid and protein profiles, carbon and nitrogen source requirements as well as the susceptibilities of C. sakazakii to Clidox-S, a chlorine-containing disinfectant and Quatricide, a quaternary ammonium compound were investigated. Results revealed that heat shock increased the proportion of myristic acid (14:0), palmitic acid (16:0) and the ratio of saturated fatty acid to unsaturated fatty acid, while reducing the proportion of palmitoleic acid (16:1) and cis-vacceric acid (18:1). In addition, eleven proteins showed enhanced expression, while one protein showed decreased expression in the heat-shocked compared to the non-heat-shocked cells. Non-heat-shocked cells in the medium supplemented with beef extract exhibited the highest maximum population. On the contrary, the highest maximum population of heat-shocked C. sakazakii was noted in the medium having either tryptone or yeast extract as the nitrogen source. Among the various carbon sources examined, the growth of the test organism, regardless of heat shock, was greatest in the medium having glucose as the carbon source. Furthermore, heat shock enhanced the resistance of C. sakazakii to Clidox-S or Quatricide.     

Comparative analyses of seeds of wild fruits of Rubus and Sambucus species from Southern Italy: Fatty acid composition of the oil,total phenolic content,antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the methanolic extracts

Fruit seeds are byproducts from fruit processing. Characterisation of the bioactive compounds present in seeds and evaluation of their potential biological properties is therefore of particular importance in view of a possible valorisation of seeds as a source of health beneficial components. In this work, we have analysed the seeds of Sambucus and Rubus species in order to identify their bioactive components and to determine the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts. We first analysed their oil content, in order to assess the fatty acid profile and tocopherol content. Moreover, the methanolic extracts of the seeds were analysed for their total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities. Polyphenols were identified by HPLC–ESI–MS/MS analysis. Furthermore, extracts were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the production of LPS-induced inflammatory mediators (NO, CCL-20) in RAW 264.7 cells.