Selective Seasonal Fatty Acid Accumulation and Mobilization in the Wild Raccoon Dog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nyctereutes procyonoides</Emphasis>)

Previous studies on laboratory rodents, rabbits and humans have demonstrated that fatty acid (FA) mobilization from white adipose tissue (WAT) is selective and its efficiency is related to FA structure. Selective FA mobilization was also documented in a carnivore, the farmed raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), fasted for 8 weeks. The present study explored whether similar selectivity of FA mobilization was manifested in wild mammals experiencing seasonal food scarcity and abundance. Fractional mobilization from and incorporation into WAT of a wide spectrum of FA were studied by gas–liquid chromatography from the subcutaneous WAT of free-ranging raccoon dogs with the same individuals sampled in consecutive seasons. The wintertime FA mobilization was selective and mostly confirmed the patterns of FA release in captivity. Mobilization correlated inversely with the FA chain length but increased with unsaturation and when the first double bond was located closer to the methyl end. 18–20C n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) and 14–17C monounsaturated FA (MUFA) were preferentially mobilized while 19–24C saturated FA and MUFA were preserved during wintering. The summertime FA incorporation correlated inversely with the chain length and increased with unsaturation and in MUFA and PUFA with double bonds closer to the methyl end. The principles of selective FA mobilization were valid in wild mammals. FA incorporation was also selective and reversed the wintertime losses of the preferably mobilized FA.     

Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid and <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-10, <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-12-Conjugated Linoleic Acid Differentially Alter Oxylipin Profiles in Mouse Periuterine Adipose Tissue

Diets containing high n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) decrease inflammation and the incidence of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease while trans-fatty acids (TFA) intake increases the incidence of these conditions. Some health benefits of n-3 PUFA are mediated through the impact of their oxygenated metabolites, i.e. oxylipins. The TFA, trans-10, cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; 18:2n-6) is associated with adipose tissue (AT) inflammation, oxidative stress, and wasting. We examined the impact of a 4-week feeding of 0, 0.5, and 1.5% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) in the presence and absence of 0.5% CLA on AT oxylipin profiles in female C57BL/6N mice. Esterified oxylipins in AT derived from linoleic acid (LNA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), DHA, and putative from CLA were quantified. CLA containing diets reduced AT mass by ~62%. Compared with the control diet, the DHA diet elevated concentrations of EPA-and DHA-derived alcohols and epoxides and LNA-derived alcohols, reduced ARA-derived alcohols, ketones, epoxides, and 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F_1α (P < 0.05), and had mixed effects on ALA-derived alcohols. Dietary CLA lowered EPA-, DHA-, and ALA-derived epoxides, ARA-derived ketones and epoxides, and ALA-derived alcohols. While dietary CLA induced variable effects in EPA-, DHA-, and LNA-derived alcohols and LNA-derived ketones, it elevated ARA-derived alcohols and PGF_1α, PGF_2α, and F2-isoprostanes. DHA counteracted CLA-induced effects in 67, 57, 43, and 29% of total DHA-, ARA-, EPA-, and ALA-derived oxylipins, respectively. Thus, CLA elevated proinflammatory oxylipins while DHA increased anti-inflammatory oxylipins and diminished concentration of CLA-induced pro-inflammatory oxylipins in AT.     

Docosahexaenoic Acid and Eicosapentaenoic Acid Did not Alter <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-10,<Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid Incorporation into Mice Brain and Eye Lipids

trans 10,cis 12‐CLA has been reported to alter fatty acid composition in several non‐neurological tissues, but its effects are less known in neurological tissues. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if CLA supplementation would alter brain and eye fatty acid composition and if those changes could be prevented by concomitant supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n3) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n3). Eight‐week‐old, pathogen‐free C57BL/6N female mice (n = 6/group) were fed either the control diet or diets containing 0.5% (w/w) t10,c12‐CLA in the presence or absence of either 1.5% DHA or 1.5% EPA for 8 weeks. CLA concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) greater in the eye but not in the brain lipids of the CLA group when compared with the control group. The sums of saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and n3:n6 ratio did not differ between these two groups for both tissues. The n3:n6 ratio and concentrations of 20:5n3 and 22:5n3 were significantly greater, and those of 20:4n6, 22:4n6, and 22:5n6 were lesser in the CLA + DHA and CLA + EPA groups than in the control and CLA groups for either tissue. DHA concentration was higher in the CLA + DHA group only but not in the CLA + EPA group when compared with the CLA group for both tissues. The dietary fatty acids generally induced similar changes in brain and eye fatty acid concentration and at the concentrations used both DHA and EPA fed individually with CLA were more potent than CLA alone in altering the tissue fatty acid concentration.     

FA monoalkylesters from rice bran oil by <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> esterification

Extraction and in situ esterification of rice bran oil with ethanol were investigated by studying the effects of rice bran oil FFA content and water content of ethanol. Ethyl ester formation in the ethanol phase increased as FFA content increased. Neutral oil solubility in this phase fell considerably, resulting in a high ethyl ester content. The decrease of the water content in ethanol led to an increase in neutral oil solubility in ethanol and promoted the equilibrium of reaction to ethyl-ester formation, resulting in lower FFA content of the product. The main factor that affected yield and monoester content when using high-acidity bran and various monohydroxy alcohols was the solubility of neutral oil in alcohol. The highest monoester content was obtained with methanol.     

Lipid Classes and Fatty Acid Composition of the Tropical Nudibranch Mollusks <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chromodoris</Emphasis> sp. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllidia coelestis</Emphasis>

Two nudibranch mollusks, Chromodoris sp. and Phyllidia coelestis, collected from tropical waters of the Northwestern Pacific, were analyzed for lipids. The aim of this study was to fill the gap in knowledge of lipid biochemistry of mollusks. Phospholipids (PL) were the dominating lipid class followed by sterols (13%). Neutral lipids were not detected in Chromodoris sp. By contrast, P. coelestis contained TAG, diacylglyceryl ether, long chain alcohol and esters of sterols. Among PL, PC was predominant (about 50%); PE, PS and CAEP were almost in equal proportions. Sixty five FA were identified as methyl esters and N-acyl pyrrolidides by GC-MS. The sea slugs exhibited a wide diversity of FA. The common marine n-3 PUFA, 20:5n-6 and 22:6n-3, constituted 0.6-1.3% of the total FA, whereas n-6 PUFA, 22:4n-6, 20:4n-6, and 18:2n-6, were the main (25%). Among monounsaturated FA, 7-21:1 was the main (up to 6.2%). The non-methylene-interrupted (NMI) FA were found (9.4 and 12.4%), including the known 5,11-20:2, 5,13-20:2, 7,13-22:2, 7,15-22:2 and a novel isomer 7,13-21:2 (up to 3.9%). The pathway of its biosynthesis was suggested. A series of very long chain FA (VLC FA), with the main 5,9-25:2 and 5,9-26:2, were identified. High level of VLC FA (8.7 and 11.7%) in sea slugs is apparently the result of predation on sponges. Another unique feature concerned a high abundance of various odd and branched FA (16.7 and 34%), which could have originated from the dietary origin or symbiotic bacteria. This is the first report on lipid and FA composition of nudibranchs.     

Altered Lipid Response in Hamsters Fed <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-9,<Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-11+<Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-8,<Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-10 Conjugated Linoleic Acid Mixture

The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of cis-9,trans-11 + trans-8,cis-10 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) mixture to those of cis-9,trans-11 + trans-10,cis-12 CLA mixture and linoleic acid (LA) on lipoprotein profile, hepatic lipids, body composition and digestibility of dietary fat in hamsters (n = 17) fed diets containing 2% of experimental fat (w/w) for 28 days. The cis-9,trans-11 + trans-10,cis-12 CLA mixture showed higher LDL cholesterol concentrations than LA and the cis-9,trans-11 + trans-8,cis-10 CLA mixture. The cis-9,trans-11 + trans-8,cis-10 CLA mixture induced similar plasma LDL cholesterol and hepatic lipid concentrations, and coefficient of digestibility as LA, indicating no effect of the trans-8,cis-10 CLA isomer on these lipid parameters. On the other hand, the cis-9,trans-11 + trans-8,cis-10 CLA mixture induced higher plasma VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides than LA and the cis-9,trans-11 + trans-10,cis-12 CLA mixture. The cis-9,trans-11 + trans-8,cis-10 CLA mixture also induced the highest plasma glucose concentrations compared with the two other groups, indicating an impairment of glycemic control. No differences in body composition were noted between the three groups. The present results thus show that the cis-9,trans-11 + trans-8,cis-10 CLA mixture can deteriorate plasma VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides in hamsters, possibly due to an increased flux of glucose.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fabp1/Scp</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">2/Scp</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> Ablation on Whole Body and Hepatic Phenotype of Phytol-Fed Male Mice

Liver fatty acid binding protein (Fabp1) and sterol carrier protein‐2/sterol carrier protein‐x (SCP‐2/SCP‐x) genes encode proteins that enhance hepatic uptake, cytosolic transport, and peroxisomal oxidation of toxic branched‐chain fatty acids derived from dietary phytol. Since male wild‐type (WT) mice express markedly higher levels of these proteins than females, the impact of ablating both genes (TKO) was examined in phytol‐fed males. In WT males, high phytol diet alone had little impact on whole body weight and did not alter the proportion of lean tissue mass (LTM) versus fat tissue mass (FTM). TKO conferred on dietary phytol the ability to induce weight loss as well as reduce liver weight, FTM, and even more so LTM. Concomitantly TKO induced hepatic lipid accumulation, preferentially threefold increased phospholipid (PL) at the expense of decreased triacylglycerol (TG) and total cholesterol. Increased PL was associated with upregulation of membrane fatty acid transport/translocase proteins (FATP 2,4), cytosolic fatty acid/fatty acyl‐CoA binding proteins (FABP2, ACBP), and the rate limiting enzyme in PL synthesis (Gpam). Decreased TG and cholesterol levels were not attributable to altered levels in respective synthetic enzymes or nuclear receptors. These data suggest that the higher level of Fabp1 and Scp2/Scpx gene products in WT males was protective against deleterious effects of dietary phytol, but TKO significantly exacerbated phytol effects in males.     

Chemical Composition and Nutritional Characteristics of the Seed Oil of Wild <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lathyrus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lens</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum</Emphasis> Species from Southern Spain

The fatty acid composition of the seed oil of 19 wild legume species from southern Spain was analyzed by gas chromatography. The main seed oil fatty acids ranged from C_14:0 to C_20:0. Among unsaturated fatty acids, the most abundant were linoleic, oleic and linolenic acids, except for Lathyrus angulatus, L. aphaca, L. clymenum, L. sphaericus and L. nigricans where C_18:3 contents were higher than C_18:1 contents. Palmitic acid was the most abundant saturated acid in studied species, ranging from 11.6% in Lathyrus sativus to 19.3% in Lens nigricans. All studied species showed higher amounts of total unsaturated fatty acids than saturated ones. Among studied species, the ω6/ω3 ratio was variable, ranging from 2.0% in L. nigricans to 13.8% in L. sativus, there being eight species in which the ω6/ω3 ratio was below 5. The fatty acids observed in these plants supports the use of these plants as a source of important dietary lipids.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trans</Emphasis> FA content in Danish margarines and shortenings

Margarines and shortenings have been major contributors to the intake by humans of the probably atherogenic trans FA (TFA). In 1999, all 73 brands of margarines and shortenings on the Danish market were analyzed by GLC on a 50-m highly polar capillary column, and the results were compared with similar investigations in 1992 and 1995. A gradual decline of TFA in Danish margarines was observed. From 1992 to 1995, a reduction of TFA from 10.4 to 3.6% took place in margarines with 20–40% linoleic acid. In 1999, TFA was practically absent in all the margarines, but it remained unchanged in shortenings, averaging about 6–7%. Long-chain TFA from hydrogenated fish oil, although present in 13 brands in 1995, were not found at all in the 1999 samples. Trans-linoleic acids or CLA were not found. The reduction in TFA content in margarines has not resulted in a systematic change over the years in the content of saturated FA, monounsaturated FA, or PUFA. Calculated from sales figures, the intake of TFA decreased from 2.2 g per capita per year in 1992, to 1.5 g in 1995, and to 0.4 g in 1999.     

Hybrid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hibiscus</Emphasis> seed oil compositions

The seeds of cultivated Hibiscus spp. were extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide, and the resulting extracts were analyzed to identify the major TG components as the corresponding FAME. The seed oils were composed predominantly of oleic and linoleic FA (69.6–83.4%) with lesser amounts of palmitic acid (14.8–27.0%). Minor amounts of C14, C18, and C20 saturated FA were also detected. The oil content of the seeds was determined to be between 11.8 and 22.1 wt% for hybrid varieties and between 8.9 and 29.5 wt% for the native species from which the hybrid varieties were developed. The protein content of the defatted seed meal averaged 20% for the hybrid varieties. The composition of the extracted hibiscus seed oils suggests potential edible applications.     

Fatty Acid Composition of Turkish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhododendron</Emphasis> Species

This study describes work aimed at the rapid evaluation of the fatty acid (FA) composition of Turkish Rhododendron species, particularly the leaves and the flowers of the toxic plants, R. ponticum and R. luteum. The FA profiles of the available parts of three other nonpoisonous Rhododendron species were also investigated. Subtotal extracts obtained (using n-hexane, chloroform and methanol) from total chloroform:methanol (1:1) extracts were analyzed and compared to each other. Palmitic acid was found to be the most abundant FA in almost all Rhododendron extracts, and the majority of leaf and flower extracts contained significant portions of C18 unsaturated FAs (18:1n-9, 18:2n-6, 18:3n-3). The n-hexane extracts of R. ponticum leaves and R. luteum flowers were unique, as they contained an unusual series of even-chain iso FAs (C16–C24). Especially the n-hexane extracts were found to comprise uncommon FAs with odd-numbered carbons (C13–C29). Overall, n-hexane proved to be the best solvent by representing the richest FA profile, whereas chloroform or methanol appeared less suitable for FA analyses. Appreciable intra-species variations in FA compositions among the leaves as well as other anatomical parts examined were observed. This study highlights the chemotaxonomical importance of the FAs for the genus Rhododendron.     

Phospholipid FA from indian ocean tunicates <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eudistoma bituminis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cystodytes violatinctus</Emphasis>

Two tunicates (Fudistoma bituminis and Cystodytes violatinctus, family Polycitoridae) were investigated for the FA content of their phospholipids. GC-MS analysis of their methyl esters and N-acyl pyrrolidides revealed 40 FA in E. bituminis, and 26 in C. violatinctus. In both cases, the most abundant FA were the saturated ones (C₁₀ to C₁₈). Cystodytes violatinctus contained considerable oleic acid (20%). Both E. bituminis and C. violatinctus contained phytanic acid and Δ¹⁰-unsaturated FA, which had not previously been found in such organisms. The two tropical tunicates contained only trace amounts of PUFA, which are usually predominant in this phylum.     

High Arachidonic Acid Levels in the Tissues of Herbivorous Fish Species (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Siganus fuscescens,Calotomus japonicus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kyphosus bigibbus</Emphasis>)

The lipid and fatty acid compositions in the various organs (muscle, liver, other viscera) and stomach contents of three common herbivorous fish species in Japan, Siganus fuscescens, Calotomus japonicus and Kyphosus bigibbus, were examined to explore the stable 20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid, ARA) sources. Triacylglycerol (TAG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn), and phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) were the dominant lipid classes, while the major FA contents were 16:0, 18:1n-9, 16:1n-7, 14:0, 18:0, 18:1n-7, and some PUFA, including ARA, 20:5n-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA), 22:5n-3 (docosapentaenoic acid, DPA), and 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA). The amounts of these fatty acids were varied among species and their lipid classes. Phospholipids contained higher levels of PUFA than TAG. However, ARA in both phospholipids and TAG was markedly present in the muscle and viscera of all specimens, particularly in C. japonicus and K. bigibbus. Moreover, their ARA levels were higher than the levels of DHA and EPA. The observed high ARA level is unusual in marine fish and might be characteristic of herbivorous fish. Furthermore, ARA was the dominant PUFA in the stomach contents of the three species, suggesting that the high ARA level originated from their food sources. The above indicates that these three herbivorous fishes are ARA-rich marine foods and have potential utilization as stable ARA resources.     

Seasonal Variations of Lipid Content and Composition in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perna viridis</Emphasis>

The total lipid content, composition of main lipid classes, composition of sterols and composition of fatty acids in the main glycerolipids of Perna viridis were analyzed through four seasons using TLC-FID and GLC. Mussel samples were collected during different seasons between 2003 and 2004 from Shengsi Island, Zhejiang Province, China and stored frozen prior to freeze-drying and lipid extraction. Ten grams of dried mussel powder of each season were analyzed. Total lipid content ranged from 14.5 g/100 g in spring month to 7.8 g/100 g dried mussel powder in autumn month. The predominant lipid in spring month was triacylglycerol (TAG), however, in the other three seasons the phospholipids (PL) was the main lipid class. The most abundant fatty acid in TAG, PL and phosphatidylcholine (PC) was 16:0, with the summer samples having the highest proportion (24-30% of total fatty acid) and winter the lowest (14-22%). In phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), the spring samples had the highest proportions of 16:0. The predominant polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were 22:6n-3 and 20:5n-3 in TAG, PL, PE and PC (25-40%). The proportions of 22:6n-3 and 20:5n-3 were higher in spring than in other seasons in PL and PE. There were nine sterols identified, with cholesterol being the predominant sterol, and other main ones were desmostersol/brassicasterol and 24-methylenecholesterol. Proportions of other fatty acids in different lipid fractions and the sterol compositions as well also varied seasonally. There were subject to the seasonal variations. Differences in lipid content and composition, fatty acid composition in different lipid fractions may be caused by multiple factors such as lifecycle, sex, variation of plankton in different seasons and temperature, which could influence physiological activities and metabolism.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>8, <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>10+<Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>9, <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>11 Conjugated Linoleic Acid Mixture on Lipid Metabolism in 3T3-L1 Cells

Evidence suggests that minor isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), such as trans8, cis10 CLA, can elicit unique biological effects of their own. In order to determine the effect of a mixture of t8, c10+c9, t11 CLA isomers on selected aspects of lipid metabolism, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated for 8 days in the presence of 100 μM linoleic acid (LA); t8, c10+c9, t11 CLA; t10, c12+c9, t11 CLA or purified c9, t11 CLA. Whereas supplementation with c9, t11 and t10, c12+c9, t11 CLA resulted in cellular triglyceride (TG) concentrations of 3.4 ± 0.26 and 1.3 ± 0.11 μg TG/μg protein, respectively (P < 0.05), TG accumulation following treatment with CLA mixture t8, c10+c9, t11 was significantly intermediate (2.5 ± 0.22 μg TG/μg protein, P < 0.05) between the two other CLA treatments. However, these effects were not attributable to an alteration of the Δ⁹ desaturation index. Adiponectin content of adipocytes treated with t8, c10+c9, t11 mixture was similar to the individual isomer c9, t11 CLA, and both the t8, c10+c9, t11 and c9, t11 CLA groups were greater (P < 0.05) than in the t10, c12+c9, t11 CLA group. Overall, these results suggest that t8, c10+c9, t11 CLA mixture affects TG accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells differently from the c9, t11 and t10, c12 isomers. Furthermore, the reductions in TG accumulation occur without adversely affecting the adiponectin content of these cells.     

2-Methoxylated FA Display Unusual Antibacterial Activity Towards Clinical Isolates of Methicillin-Resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> (CIMRSA) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

The naturally occurring (6Z)-(±)-2-methoxy-6-hexadecenoic acid (1) and (6Z)-(±)-2-methoxy-6-octadecenoic acid (2) were synthesized in 7–8 steps with 38 and 13% overall yields, respectively, by using an acetylide coupling approach, which made it possible to obtain a 100% cis-stereochemistry for the double bonds. In a similar fashion, the acetylenic analogs (±)-2-methoxy-6-hexadecynoic acid (3) and (±)-2-methoxy-6-octadecynoic acid (4) were also synthesized in 6–7 steps with 48 and 16% overall yields, respectively. The antibacterial activity of acids 1–4 was determined against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ClMRSA) and Escherichia coli. Among the series of compounds, acid 4 was the most active bactericide towards CIMRSA displaying IC_50s (half maximal inhibitory concentrations) between 17 and 37 μg/mL, in sharp contrast to the 6-octadecynoic acid, which was not bactericidal at all. On the other hand, acids 1 and 3 were the only acids that displayed antibacterial activity towards E. coli, but 1 stood out as the best candidate with an IC₅₀ of 21 μg/mL. The critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of acids 1–4 were also determined. The C18 acids 2 and 4 displayed a five-fold lower CMC (15–20 μg/mL) than the C16 analogs 1 and 3 (70–100 μg/mL), indicating that 4 exerts its antibacterial activity in a micellar state. None of the studied acids were inhibitory towards S. aureus DNA gyrase discounting this type of enzyme inhibition as a possible antibacterial mechanism. It was concluded that the combination of α-methoxylation and C-6 unsaturation increases the bactericidal activity of the C16 and C18 FA towards the studied bacterial strains. Acids 1 and 4 stand out as viable candidates to be used against E. coli and CIMRSA, respectively.     

Phospholipid Composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jatropha curcus</Emphasis> Seed Lipids

Jatropha curcus L. oil has emerged as one of the most important raw materials for biodiesel production. However, no detailed study has been reported on characterizing the lipid constituents of jatropha oil. The present study revealed that the total oil content of jatropha seeds was 32% with a composition of 97.6% neutral lipids, 0.95% glycolipids and 1.45% phospholipids. The fatty acid composition of total lipids, neutral lipids, phospholipids and glycolipids was also determined and found to contain oleic acid (18:1) and linoleic acids (18:2) as major fatty acids. The phospholipids fraction was further characterized and quantified and found to contain phosphatidyl choline (PC) 60.5%, phosphatidyl inositol (PI) 24% and phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) 15.5%. The fatty acid composition and the positional distribution of the fatty acids of individual phospholipids were also reported.     

Dietary fatty acids influence the growth and fatty acid composition of the yellow mealworm <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tenebrio molitor</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Fat is the second most abundant component of the nutrient composition of the mealworm Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) that represents also an interesting source of PUFA, especially n-6 and n-3 fatty acids, involved in prevention of cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the possibility of modifying the fat content and the FA composition of yellow mealworms through feeding and how this would be influenced by developmental stages, pupal sex, and generation with the future aim of applying this coleopteran as a diet supplement for human health. Growth rate and cumulative mortality percentage on the different feeding substrates were also evaluated to select the optimal conditions for a mass-raising of this insect species. Despite the different fat content in the six different breeding substrates used, T. molitor larvae and pupae contained a constant fat percentage (>34% in larvae and >30% in pupae). A similar total fat content was found comparing larvae and male and female pupae of the second generation to those of the first generation. On the contrary, FA composition differed both in larvae and pupae reared on the different feeding substrates. However, the exemplars reared on the diets based on 100% bread and 100% oat flour showed SFA, PUFA percentages, and an n-6/n-3 ratio more suitable for human consumption; the diet based on beer yeast, wheat flour, and oat flour resulted in a contemporary diet that most satisfied the balance between a fat composition of high quality and favorable growth conditions.     

Effects of Drought Stress on Oil Characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carthamus</Emphasis> Species

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is one of the oldest domesticated crops, mainly grown as oilseed in the arid and semi arid regions of the world. Cross‐ability of Carthamus species has made wild safflower species a suitable source for transferring drought tolerant genes to cultivated species. This study was conducted to investigate seed yield per plant, oil content and fatty acid composition of some Carthamus species and to identify the effects of drought stress on these measured traits. In this regard, 27 genotypes from C. tinctorius, C. palaestinus, C. oxyacanthus, C. lanatus and C. glaucus were planted in the field under normal and drought‐stress conditions for two years. Results showed that some studied species differed in oil content, seed yield per plant and fatty acid profiles. As an example, the highest seed oil content (32%) was found in genotype number 22 from C. palaestinus, and the lowest (18%) was obtained for the genotype number 11 from C. lanatus. For all the species, oil content was not affected by moisture stress and did not change over different environments. Similar and stable responses of various Carthamus species for fatty acid composition indicated that hybridization between these species for genetic improvement of drought tolerance may have no adverse effects on oil quality. Considerable diversity within species for all measured traits, similarity in fatty acid profiles and almost the same pattern of changes under drought stress showed that the wild species especially the crossable ones, are good candidates to be used in breeding of cultivated safflower.     

The Diversity of Health Effects of Individual <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis> Fatty Acid Isomers

There are multiple adverse effects of trans fatty acids (TFA) that are produced by partial hydrogenation (i.e., manufactured TFA), on CVD, blood lipids, inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial health, body weight, insulin sensitivity, and cancer. It is not yet clear how specific TFA isomers vary in their biological activity and mechanisms of action. There is evidence of health benefits on some of the endpoints that have been studied for some animal TFA isomers, such as conjugated linoleic acid; however, these are not a major TFA source in the diet. Future research will bring clarity to our understanding of the biological effects of the individual TFA isomers. At this point, it is not possible to plan diets that emphasize individual TFA from animal sources at levels that would be expected to have significant health effects. Due to the multiple adverse effects of manufactured TFA, numerous agencies and governing bodies recommend limiting TFA in the diet and reducing TFA in the food supply. These initiatives and regulations, along with potential TFA alternatives, are presented herein.