Breed effect on quality veal production in mountain areas: emphasis on meat fatty acid composition

This study was designed to compare the quality of veal produced from 'Tudanca×Charolais' cross (n=6) and Limousin (n=6) breeds when allowed to feed freely on mountain pastures and suckle naturally from birth to 7months of age. After 80days of age calves also had access to concentrate (maximum of 3kg/day), while mothers did not. At slaughter, Limousin calves were heavier (P<0.01) and provided better carcass yield (P<0.05) and conformation (P<0.001) than Tudanca calves. Tudanca beef provided higher fat content (P<0.05) was less tough (P<0.05), and was scored as more tender and juicy (P<0.1) with higher acceptability than Limousin beef (P<0.1). In general, Tudanca had a better fatty acid profile than Limousin beef, especially in terms of the content of polyunsaturated (P<0.05), long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (P<0.05) and their n-6/n-3 ratios (P<0.1), as well as vaccenic acid (P<0.1) and the overall trans-18:1 isomer profile.     

Formation of trans fatty acids in edible oils during the frying and heating process

To assess an impact of heated edible oils on intake of trans fat, the formations of trans fatty acids (TFAs) in cooking conditions was estimated by a frying and heating model system. For the frying model, sliced raw potatoes (10% of the frying oil (w/w)) were fried in commercially available canola oil at 160, 180 and 200 °C, and the 10 frying cycles were performed. The TFAs contained both in fried potatoes and in frying oils were measured by gas chromatography (GC). Lipids content of raw potatoes was about 0.1% (w/w) and TFAs in the raw potatoes were negligible. On the other hand, fried potatoes contained lipids at the level of 8.8%–9.2% and their fatty acid composition was mostly in correspondence with that of the frying oil. The TFAs amount of potatoes fried by the tenth frying operation was at the level of 0.99–1.05 g/100 g lipids. When 100 g potatoes fried in this process were consumed, the TFAs intake was estimated at less than 0.1 g. After 10 frying operations, TFAs content, acid values and peroxide values of the frying oils were measured and compared with those of corresponding heated canola oils without food. The amounts of trans 18:1 FAs contained both in the frying oil and in heated oil were less than the quantitative limit (0.047 g/100 g oil). The increases of trans 18:2 FAs and trans 18:3 FAs of the used frying oil were 0.02 g/100 and 0.05 g/100 g, respectively, compared with those of the fresh oil. trans 18:2 FAs accumulation in the heated oil was slightly less than that in the frying oil. To elucidate TFAs accumulation in various edible oils during cooking, six kinds of commercially available edible vegetable oils were heated to 180 °C in glass test tubes. Small changes in TFAs amounts were observed after four hours heating. These results suggested that an ordinary frying process using unhydrogenated edible oils has little impact on TFAs intake from edible oils.     

Direct quantification of fatty acids in dairy powders with special emphasis on trans fatty acid content

In this study a validated procedure for accurate determination of fatty acids in dairy products, with special emphasis on total trans fatty acids (TFA) content is presented. Dairy fat naturally contains 4–6% of trans fatty acids, mainly trans-octadecenoic acids (i.e. vaccenic acid), and 0.3–1.5% of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA). The proposed procedure does not require lipid extraction, and transesterification of lipids could be carried out directly on dairy products. Optimal analytical conditions have been developed to allow accurate determination of TFA content without prior fractionation of cis/trans FAME isomers by thin-layer chromatography. The methodology requires the use of a highly polar open tubular capillary column having at least 100 m length. CLA and other fatty acids from C4:0 (butyric) acid to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) could also be analyzed. Therefore, the methodology presented is versatile and could be used for both targeted analysis (e.g. determination of TFA in dairy products) and determination of the broad fatty acid profile in dairy products.     

Effects of antioxidants on heat-induced trans fatty acid formation in triolein and trilinolein

To elucidate the relation between heat-induced cis/trans isomerisation and thermal oxidative degradation of double bonds in unsaturated lipids, we investigated the effects of several edible antioxidants on these two molecular structural changes of double bonds in triolein (cis-9, 18:1) and trilinolein (cis-9, cis-12, 18:2), which were heated at 180 °C. trans Isomerisation and oxidative degradation of each cis double bond in the triacylglycerols during heating were evaluated on the basis of the increase in the amount of trans isomers and decrease in the amount of cis isomers by gas chromatography analysis. The synchronous suppression in trans isomerisation and cis deterioration of double bonds in these triacylglycerols were found by addition of antioxidants, whose inhibitory effects were associated with their kinds and concentrations. When triolein was heated in the presence of antioxidant, suppression of heat-induced trans isomerisation was directly proportional to that of cis deterioration. The results of our analysis suggested that the appropriate addition of antioxidants to edible oils during processing and cooking would facilitate the control of not only thermal oxidative degradation but also heat-induced trans isomerisation of double bonds in unsaturated lipids.     

Trans18:1 and 18:2 isomers in blood plasma and milk fat of grazing cows fed a grain supplement containing solvent-extracted or mechanically extracted soybean meal

Thirty Holstein cows grazing mixed clover-grass pastures for 12 wk from May through July were fed a grain supplement containing solvent-extracted soybean meal (SES), or mechanically extracted soybean meal (MES) to determine whether differences in supplemental 18:2n6 fatty acid intake altered secretion of unsaturated fatty acids. Groups of 10 cows each were fed in two equal feedings a supplement (7.3 kg/d) containing ground corn plus either 1.8 kg of SES, 2.2 kg of MES, or 2.2 kg of MES plus 30 g of methionine hydroxy analog (Alimet; MESM). Fatty acid content (% of DM) of grass and clover in pastures averaged 1.9 and 1.5%, respectively. Concentration of 18:3n3 was higher in grass compared with clover (532 vs. 454 mg/g of total fatty acids). Yield of milk (32 kg/d average) and milk components did not differ by supplements. Total blood plasma fatty acids (mg/ml) during wk 4 were higher due to MESM (1.0) compared with MES (0.6) or SES (0.6). Cows fed MESM or MES had greater concentrations of 18:2n6, trans11-18:1, and cis9,trans11-18:2 in plasma compared with cows fed SES. The additional trans11-18:1 was found exclusively in plasma triglycerides, whereas the additional cis9,trans11-18:2 was found in plasma phospholipids and free fatty acids. Daily yields of 18:2n6, trans11-18:1 and cis9,trans11-18:2 in milk fat were greater for cows fed MES or MESM compared with SES. Results indicate yields of trans11-18:1, cis9, trans11-18:2, 18:2n6, and 18:3n3 in milk fat of pasture-fed cows were enhanced by feeding a grain supplement containing mechanically extracted, rather than solvent-extracted, soybean meal.     

Effects of different levels of trans fatty acids and oxidised lipids in diet on cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation products formation in rabbit

The objective was to assess the effects of trans fatty acids and oxidised lipids, present in dietary fat by-products used in feeds, on cholesterol and oxycholesterols in meat, liver and plasma of rabbits. A palm fatty acid distillate, before and after hydrogenation (trans fatty acid trial), and a sunflower–olive oil blend (70/30, v/v), before and after use in a commercial frying process (oxidised lipid trial), were used in experimental feeds (at 3%, w/w). High trans fatty acid and oxidised lipid diets caused significantly higher cholesterol and oxycholesterol levels in all tissues of rabbit (0.01 < p ? 0.05). The content of oxycholesterols in rabbit meat, liver and plasma obtained from trans fatty acid experiments varied from 9 to 34 μg/100 g, 24 to 61 μg/100 g and 60 to 138 μg/dl, respectively, from low to high levels. In the oxidised lipid experiments, content of oxycholesterols varied from 16 to 52 μg/100 g, 14 to 108 μg/100 g and 52 to 269 μg/dl in meat, liver and plasma, respectively. As a consequence, meat products from rabbits fed a diet containing higher levels of trans fatty acids or oxidised lipids may result in higher intakes of cholesterol and oxycholesterols by humans.     

The composition of fatty acids in the tissues of Tunisian swordfish (Xiphias gladius)

The objective of this study was to compare the composition of fatty acids stored in the various parts of swordfish. Muscle and organ sections of a series of swordfish samples were collected. Their chemical analysis allowed the classification of swordfish as a semi-fatty fish, with its byproducts totalling 35.6% of the total fatty acids (TFA) and its white and red muscles (MR) 7.2%. The highest contents were found in the liver (26%), the gonads (4.7%) and the red muscle (RM) (4.5%). The UFA/SFA ratio as recommended by nutritionists is 3; in the liver, skin and RM samples this ratio was, respectively, 3.5, 2.8 and 2.7. There is a high level of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) in swordfish. More than 40% of the muscular tissues are made up of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the n-3 series (EPA + DHA). The byproducts contain more than 30% of monounsaturated acids characterised by the fatty acids of the n-9 series and particularly by oleic acid.     

GC-MS quantification of fatty acid profile including trans FA in the locally manufactured margarines of Pakistan

Ten margarine brands of Pakistan were analyzed for their fatty acid composition with emphasis on trans fatty acids (TFA) using GC-MS. Saturated, cis-monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were present at 24.2–58.1, 5.7–35.4 and 3.8–37.4% of total fatty acids, respectively. Among the saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid (16.9–33.8%) was dominant in all analyzed margarine brands and its higher amount indicates that palm oil was a major contributor in the margarine manufacturing. Among samples tested only one contained a low level of TFA (2.2%) while the rest contained very high amounts of TFA (11.5–34.8%) which clearly shows that hydrogenated oils were used in the formulation of margarines. Fatty acid profiles demonstrated that all samples belong to the hard margarine category containing high amounts of trans and saturated fatty acids which is an alarming issue for the health of consumers.     

Stability of lipids and fatty acids in frozen and gamma irradiated Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) from the Southwestern Atlantic

Patagonian toothfish were captured in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (FAO Zone N° 41). The fatty acid profile of total lipids and the triacylglycerol and phospholipid content of control and irradiated samples (1 and 5 kGy) stored at −18 °C were analyzed at 0 and 293 days post irradiation. The fatty acids are mainly monounsaturated acids (47 g/100 g total fatty acids), the most abundant one being oleic acid (18:1 n-9). This is followed in order of abundance by saturated fatty acids (26 g/100 g total fatty acids), consisting mainly of palmitic acid (16:0). Polyunsaturated fatty acids were less abundant (17 g/100 g total fatty acids) and consisted mainly of eicosapentaeonic (20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic (22:6 n-3) acids. Triacylglycerol content was 563.07 mg/mL oil, whereas phospholipids were 11.21 mg/mL oil. Gamma irradiation did not significantly affect the fatty acid profile or triacylglycerol and phospholipid content of P. toothfish stored for 293 days at −18 °C. The results suggest that the species exhibits a marked stability when subjected to irradiation and prolonged storage in the frozen state.     

Changes in milk fat in response to dietary supplementation with calcium salts of trans-18:1 or conjugated linoleic fatty acids in lactating dairy cows

Milk fat was investigated in lactating dairy cows fed diets supplemented with Ca salts of trans fatty acids (Ca-tFA) or Ca salts of conjugated linoleic acids (Ca-CLA). Forty-five Holstein cows (115 days in milk) were fed a control diet (51% forage; dry matter basis) supplemented with 400 g of EnerG II (Ca salts of palm oil fatty acids) for 2 wk; subsequently, 5 groups of 9 cows each were assigned for 4 wk to the control diet or diets containing 100 g of Ca-CLA or 100, 200, or 400 g of Ca-tFA in a randomized block design. Treatments had no effect on dry matter intake, milk production, protein, lactose, or somatic cell count. Milk fat percentage was reduced from 3.39% in controls to 3.30, 3.04, and 2.98%, respectively, by the Ca-tFA diets and to 2.54% by the Ca-CLA diet. Milk fat yield (1.24 kg/d in controls) was decreased by 60, 130, and 190 g/d with increasing dose of Ca-tFA and by 290 g/d with the Ca-CLA supplement. Consistent with increased endogenous synthesis of cis-9-containing CLA from precursors provided by the Ca-tFA diets, total CLA were similar in milk of cows fed Ca-CLA or Ca-tFA. Compared with controls, the Ca-CLA diet increased trans-10, cis-12-18:2 yield in milk, without altering levels of trans-18:1 isomers. In contrast, yields of most trans-18:1 isomers were elevated in milk of cows fed Ca-tFA diets, whereas yields of trans-10, cis-12-18:2 remained similar to control values. We conclude that milk fat depression can occur without an increase in trans-10, cis-12-18:2 in milk and that other components, perhaps the trans-10-18:1 isomer, may be involved.     

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%.     

Evaluating the conjugated linoleic acid and trans 18:1 isomers in milk fat of dairy cows fed increasing amounts of sunflower oil and a constant level of fish oil

The objective was to evaluate different levels of sun-flower oil (SFO) in dairy rations to increase vaccenic (trans-11-18:1) and rumenic acids (cis-9,trans-11-18:2) in milk fat, and assess the content and composition of other trans-octadecenoic (trans-18:1) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) isomers. Eighty lactating Holstein cows were fed control diets for 4 wk and then placed on 4 diets for 38 d; milk fat was analyzed after 10 and 38 d. The treatments were: control, 1.5% SFO plus 0.5% fish oil (FO), 3% SFO plus 0.5% FO, and 4.5% SFO plus 0.5% FO. The forage-to-concentrate ratio was 50:50 and consisted of barley/alfalfa/hay silage and corn/barley grain concentrate. There were no differences in milk production. Supplementation of SFO/FO reduced milk fat compared with respective pretreatment periods, but milk protein and lactose levels were not affected. There was a linear decrease in all short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acids (SFA) in milk fat after 10 d (25.5, 24.1, 20.2, and 16.7%) and a corresponding linear increase in total trans-18:1 (5.2, 9.1, 14.1, and 21.3%) and total CLA (0.7, 1.9, 2.4, and 3.9%). The other FA in milk fat were not affected. Separation of trans-18:1 isomers was achieved by combination of gas chromatography (GC; 100-m highly polar capillary column) and prior separation of trans FA by silver ion-thin layer chromatography followed by GC. The CLA isomers were resolved by a combination of GC and silver ion-HPLC. The trans-11- and trans-10-18:1 isomers accounted for ∼50% of the total trans-18:1 increase when SFO/FO diets were fed. On continued feeding to 38 d, trans-11-18:1 increased with 1.5% SFO/FO, stayed the same with 3%, and declined with 4.5% SFO/FO. Rumenic acid showed a similar pattern on continued feeding as trans-11-18:2; levels increased to 0.43, 1.5, 1.9, and 3.4% at 10 d and to 0.42, 2.15, 2.09, and 2.78% at 38 d. Rumenic acid was the major CLA isomer in all 4 diets: 66, 77, 78 and 85%. The CLA isomers trans-7,cis-9-, trans-9,cis-11-, trans-10,cis-12-, trans-11,trans-13-, and trans-9,trans-11-/trans-10,trans-12-18:2 also increased from 0.18 (control) to 0.52% (4.5% SFO/FO). Milk fat produced from 3% SFO/FO appeared most promising: trans-11-18:1 and cis-9,trans-11-18:2 increased 4.5-fold, total SFA reduced 18%, and moderate levels of trans-10-18:1 (3.2%), other trans-18:1 (6.6%) and CLA isomers (0.5%) were observed, and that composition remained unchanged to 38 d. The 4.5% SFO/FO diet produced higher levels of trans-11-18:1 and cis-9,trans-11-18:2, a 28% reduction in SFA, and similar levels of other trans-18:1 (9.2%) and CLA isomers (0.52%), but the higher levels of trans-11-18:1 and cis-9,trans-11-18:2 were not sustained. A stable milk fat quality was achieved by feeding moderate amounts of SFO (3% of DM) in the presence of 0.5% FO that had 4% vaccenic and 2% rumenic acids.     

Total lipid content, fatty acids and 4-desmethylsterols accumulation in developing fruit of Pistacia lentiscus L. growing wild in Tunisia

This research has determined oil, fatty acid and sterol contents of the Tunisian Pistacialentiscus (Lentisc) fruits during maturation. Low oil accumulation was observed during the first 35 days after the fruiting (DAF) date (from 1.83% to 2.57%). After that, two phases were distinguished (35th until the 60th and 105th to the 145th DAF), where the rate of oil accumulation increased significantly. At the last stage of maturation, the lentisc fruits had the highest percentage of lipid content, 42.54%. The changing profile of fatty acids during maturation had been marked mainly by an increase in oleic acid content (from 19.49% to 50.72%) paralleling a decrease in linoleic acid content (from 42.5% to 21.75%). At the 15th DAF, the alpha-linolenic acid was found with a maximum of 13.81%. At full maturity, the main fatty acids were oleic acid, followed by palmitic and linoleic acid. Other fatty acids were present in trace proportions, such as palmitoleic, stearic, linolenic, gadoleic and arachidic acid. In all stages of ripening only four sterols were identified and quantified. β-Sitosterol was the major 4-desmethylsterol in samples tested, followed by campesterol. Cholesterol and stigmasterol were detected in trace amounts. During the first stage of ripening, the amount of total sterols was about 5.19/100 g of oil. It decreased to 0.43/100 g in the last stage. Sitosterol and campesterol showed nearly the same profile during the ripening of P. lentiscus fruit which could be linked to the relation between these compounds during their biosynthesis.     

Fat and fatty acids of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) in comparison to sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The study was undertaken to compare fat and fatty acid profiles in white lupin (Lupinus albus ssp. albus) and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), representing two different families, Fabaceae and Pedaliaceae. Fat levels were 10.74% and 55.44% in seeds of white lupin and sesame, respectively. The results indicated that oleic, linolenic and arachidic acids in seed fat were higher in white lupin than in sesame cultivars. Oleic acid was the predominant fatty acid in white lupin, whereas linoleic acid was predominant in sesame. Fat content (%) was statistically significantly correlated with linoleic, linolenic and arachidic acids at the genotypic level. The fatty acid composition of white lupin is useful for human consumption. Although oil content of white lupin was lower than that of sesame, white sweet lupin could be improved.     

Trans fatty acids in a range of UK processed foods

A survey to determine the trans fatty acid content of a range of processed foods was carried out in response to recent reformulation work by the food industry to lower the artificial trans fatty acid content of processed products. Sixty two composite samples, made up of between 5 and 12 sub-samples, were collected in 2010 and were analysed for fatty acids, and a range of nutrients. The foods analysed included pizza, garlic bread, breakfast cereals, quiche, fat spreads, a range of fish and meat products, chips, savoury snacks, confectionery and ice cream. Levels of trans fatty acids were reduced considerably compared with previous UK analyses of similar foods where comparisons are possible. Concentrations of trans elaidic acid (t9-C18:1) from hydrogenated oils in all samples were <0.2 g/100 g food. These results confirm information provided by the food industry in 2007 on the levels of trans fats in key processed food sectors.     

Synthesis of cyclopropane fatty acids in Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis and their cellular fatty acids changes following short term acid and cold stresses

An implemented GC method to separate and quantify the cell cyclopropane fatty acids lactobacillic (C19cyc11) and dehydrosterculic (C19cyc9) was used to study the adaptive response to sublethal acid and cold stresses in Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis. The comparison of the composition of cellular fatty acids of the two strains and their changes after 2 h of stress exposure under micro-aerobic and anaerobic conditions indicated that the aerobic biosynthetic pathway for unsaturated fatty acids is prevalent in L. sanfranciscensis, while the anaerobic pathway is prevalent in L. helveticus. Indeed in the latter strain, in the presence of a source of oleic acid and under micro-aerobic conditions, C18:1n11 and its post-synthetic derivative C19cyc11 accounted for overall proportion ranging from 52 to 28% of the total FAs. On the other hand L. sanfranciscensis synthesizes by aerobic pathway C18:1n9 and transforms it to C19cyc9. However in this species the cumulative level of these two FAs did not exceed 30%. The relevant proportion of dodecanoic acid in the latter species suggests that carbon chain shortening is the principal strategy of L. sanfranciscensis to modulate fluidity or chemico-physical properties of the membranes.