Formation of red pigment by a two-step 2-thiobarbituric acid reaction of alka-2,4-dienals. Potential products of lipid oxidation

Reaction of 2,4-hexadienal, 2,4-nonadienal and 2,4-decadienal with 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) in aqueous acetic acid produced a 532-nm absorbing red pigment. While the 1∶1 reaction of the aldehyde and TBA produced little pigment, reaction of the aldehyde with an excess amount of TBA produced significant amounts. Instant heating of the reaction mixture did not produce the pigment. However, initial reaction at 5°C and subsequent heating to 100°C produced the pigment efficiently (two-step reaction). Pigment formation required water and dissolved oxygen. The yield of the pigment from the alka-2,4-dienals was 1/10–1/20 of that from malonaldehyde. In the first step of the reaction at 5°C, the 1∶1 adducts of the aldehydes at the5-position of TBA and several other uniden-tified adducts were formed. In the second step, these adducts were converted at 100°C, in the presence of water and oxygen, into the red pigment. The structure of the red pigment from 2,4-hexadienal was elucidated to be the 1∶2 adduct of malonaldehyde and TBA. 2-Hexenal andt-butylhydroperoxide showed marked synergistic effects on the pigment formation from the alka-2,4-dienals. Red pigment formation due to the alka-2,4-dienals may be enhanced by the presence of other aldehydes and hydro-peroxides.     

Reaction of thiobarbituric acid with saturated aldehydes

The reaction of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) with saturated aldehydes, i.e., 1-butanal, 1-hexanal and 1-heptanal, produced a 455-nm yellow and a 532-nm red pigment. Formation of the pigments depended on the reaction conditions. The yellow pigment was unstable in the presence of excess amounts of the saturated aldehydes. The red pigment was formed only when the reaction was performed at a TBA/aldehyde ratio of 1∶1 in aqueous acetic acid. Formation of the yellow and red pigments required molecular oxygen. The colorless adducts, intermediates for the yellow and the red pigments, were isolated from the reaction mixtures. Aldol condensation and dehydration of 2 mol of the saturated aldehydes initially gave the α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, which in turn reacted with TBA to form the colorless adducts, pyranopyrimidine derivatives. The adducts were then converted into the yellow and red pigments under aerobic conditions.     

Chylomicron and VLDL TAG structures and postprandial lipid response induced by lard and modified lard

Alterations in chylomicron and VLDL TAG and the magnitude of postprandial lipemia were studied in healthy volunteers after two meals of equal FA composition but different TAG-FA positional distribution. Molecular level information of individual lipoprotein TAG regioisomers was obtained with a tandem MS method. The incremental area under the response curve of VLDL TAG was large (P=0.021) after modified lard than after lard. In plasma TAG, the difference did not quite reach statistical significance (P=0.086). In general, there were less TAG with palmitic acid in the sn-2 position and more TAG with oleic acid in the sn-2 position in chylomicrons than in fat ingested. From 1.5 to 8 h postprandially, the proportion of individual chylomicron TAG was constant or influenced by TAG M.W. VLDL TAG regioisomerism was similar regardless of the positional distribution of fat ingested. Significant alterations were seen in VLDL TAG FA, in M.W. fractions, and in individual regioisomers with respect to time. The TAG sn-14∶0-18∶1-18∶1+sn-18∶1-18∶1-14∶0, sn-16∶0-16∶1-18∶1+sn-18∶1-16∶1-16∶0, and sn-16∶1-18∶1-18∶1+sn-18∶1-18∶1-16∶1 decreased (P<0.05); and sn-16∶0-16∶0-18∶2+sn-18∶2-16∶0-16∶0, sn-16∶0-16∶0-18∶1+sn-18∶1-16∶0-16∶0, sn-16∶0-18∶1-16∶0, and sn-16∶0-18∶1-18∶2+sn-18∶2-18∶1-16∶0 increased (P<0.05) after both meals. In conclusion, positional distribution of TAG FA was found to affect postprandial lipid metabolism in healthy normolipidemic subjects.     

Triacylglycerols of human milk: Rapid analysis by ammonia negative ion tandem mass spectrometry

Human milk traicylglycerols (TAG) were analyzed by ammonia negative ion chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The deprotonated molecular ions of triacylglycerols were fractionated at the first mass spectrometry (MS) stage. Twenty-nine of the deprotonated TAG ions were further analyzed based on their collisionally activated (CA) spectra. The tandem MS analysis covered eleven major acyl carbon number fractions, two of which contained odd carbon number fatty acids. Fatty acids of 28 different molecular weights were recorded from the daughter spectra. Hexadecanoic acid was present in all CA spectra, octadecenoic acid in the CA spectra of all mono- and higher unsaturated TAG, and octadecadienoic acid in the CA spectra of all di- and higher unsaturated TAG. The major fatty acid combinations in triacylglycerols were: with 0 double bonds (DB), 12∶0/12∶0/16∶0; with 1 DB, 12∶0/16∶0/18∶1; with 2 DB, 16∶0/18∶1/18∶1; with 3 DB, 16∶0/18∶2/18∶1; with 4 DB, 18∶2/18∶1/18∶1; and with 5 DB, 18∶2/18∶2/18∶1; hexadecanoic acid typically occupied thesn-2 position. The most abundant TAG was shown to besn-18∶1–16∶0–18∶1, comprising about 10% of all triacylglycerols.     

Molecular species composition of glycerophospholipids from white matter of human brain

The molecular species composition of the major glycerophospholipids from white matter of human brain were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography of the 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl derivatives of the corresponding diradylglycerols. In phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylserine (PS), molecular species containing only saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) comprised 85.7 and 82.4% of the respective totals, with 18∶0/18∶1 predominant in PS and 16∶0/18∶1 in PC. These molecular species were also abundant in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), but in this phospholipid species containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), largely 18∶0/22∶6n−3 and 18∶0/20∶4n−6, accounted for over half the total; 18∶1/18∶1 was also abundant in PE. In contrast, 1-O-alk-1′-enyl-2-acylsn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (GPE) had much more SFA- and MUFA-containing species, predominantly 16∶0a/18∶1, 18∶0a/18∶1 and 18∶1a/18∶1, with low amounts of species containing 20∶4n−6 and 22∶6n−3. In alkenylacyl GPE, 22∶4n−6 was the major PUFA and 16∶0a/22∶4n−6 and 18∶1a/22∶4n−6 the main PUFA-containing species. There was six times more 22∶6n−3, twice as much 20∶4n−6 and half the amount of 22∶4n−6 in PE as compared to alkenylacyl GPE. Molecular species are abbreviated as follows:e.g., 16∶0/18∶1 PE is 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine; the corresponding alkenylacyl species, 1-O-hexadec-1′-enyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine is 16∶0a/18∶1.     

Fatty acids in femaleMacracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (Acanthocephala)

Neutral lipids and phospholipids in the body wall, lemnisci and pseudocoel and neutral lipids of fluid found in the “tube” system of the lemnisci and the lacunar system of the body wall ofMacracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (Acanthocephala) were determined by the technique of thin layer chromtography and gas chromatography (GC). Sixteen different fatty acids from nonpolar lipids were identified as follows: 8∶0, 10∶0, 11∶0, 12∶0, 13∶0, 14∶0, 14∶1, 16∶0, 18∶0, 18∶1, 18∶2 and/or 20∶0, 18∶3 and/or 20∶1, 20∶3, 22∶1, 24∶1 and 22∶6. In addition, there were three unidentified GC peaks corresponding to chain lengths greater than 20 carbons. Sixteen different fatty acids from phospholipids were identified in each of the three fractions analyzed. They were as follows: 10∶0, 11∶0, 12∶0, 13∶0, 14∶0, 14∶1, 16∶0, 16∶1, 18∶0, 18∶1, 18∶2 and/or 20∶0, 20∶2, 20∶3, 22∶1, 24∶1, and 22∶6. Four unidentified peaks were also observed. There was a significant difference in the percentage of lipid as well as the concentration of particular fatty acids when each fraction was compared. There was also an abundant supply of sterols and glycerides in each fraction.     

Molecular species composition of phosphatidylinositol from the brain,retina, liver and muscle of cod (Gadus morhua)

The molecular species composition of phosphatidylinositol (PI) purified from four different tissues from cod was found to show large tissue-specific differences. In brain 18∶0/20∶5 was the most abundant species (40.8%) followed by 18∶1/20∶5 (13.5%). In retina, 24–26% each of PI was the 16∶0/22∶6 and 18∶0/20∶4 species with 16–18% each of 18∶0/20∶5 and 18∶0/22∶6. In liver, almost half of the PI was 18∶0/20∶4 with 18% 18∶1/20∶4. In contrast, muscle contained almost 40% of 18∶0/22∶6 with 10–14% each of 18∶0/20∶4, 18∶0/20∶5 and 18∶1/22∶6. Molecular species are abbreviated as follows:e.g., 18∶0/20∶4 PI is 1-stearoyl-2-eicosatetraenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoinositol.     

Fatty acid and positional selectivities of gastric lipase from premature human infants:in vitro studies

Gastric lipase activity in aspirates from premature human infants was tested for fatty acid and positional selectivity using racemic diacid triacylglycerols (TG) as substrates. The resulting free fatty acids and monoacylglycerols (MG) were recovered and analyzed. Octanoic acid (8∶0) and decanoic acid (10∶0) were hydrolyzed with a preference of 61.5∶1 and 2.4∶1 compared to palmitic acid (16∶0) fromrac-16∶0–8∶8∶0 andrac-16∶0–10∶0–10∶0, respectively. The ratio of lauric acid (12∶0) to oleic acid (18∶1) hydrolyzed fromrac-18∶1–12∶0 was 13∶1. Myristic acid (14∶0), 18∶1 and linoleic acid (18∶2) were released at similar rates. These data and the composition of the MG suggest that,in vitro, the lipase is selective for shorter chain fatty acids and for fatty acids on the primary positions of the TG backbone.     

The structure of the triacylglycerols of meadowfoam oil

The triacylglycerols of meadowfoam oil have been resolved by HPLC in the silver ion and reversed-phase modes, and by the two techniques used in a complementary fashion. The fractions obtained were collected and quantified by gas chromatography of their methyl esters in the presence of an internal standard. Silver ion chromatography gave a distinctive resolution in which fractions differing solely in the position and chain-length of a single monoenoic fatty acyl group were resolved, the order of elution being 11−20∶1, 5−20∶1, 13−22∶1, 5−18∶1 and 9−18∶1. Reversed-phase chromatography also gave fractions containing single positional isomers, (11−20∶1<5−20∶1<13−22∶1<5−22∶1), but the pattern was more difficult to discern since fractions containing 22∶2 tended to overlap with those containing 20∶1. The species (5−20∶1)(5−20∶1)(22∶2), (5−20∶1)(5−20∶1)(5−20∶1) and (5−20∶1)(5−20∶1)(13−20∶1) were found to be the most abundant, and together comprised 67% of the total. A small but significant trilinolein fraction was detected and its presence may have biosynthetic implications.     

Plackett-burman design for determining the preference of Rhizomucor miehei lipase for FA in acidolysis reactions with coconut oil

The preference of lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) from Rhizomucor miehei in the incorporation of 11 FA, ranging from C10∶0 to C22∶6, into coconut oil TAG during acidolysis was studied by applying the Plackett-Burman experimental design. Enzymatic acidolysis reactions were carried out in hexane at 37°C for 48 h with coconut oil (0.1 M) and a mixture of 11 FA at a TAG to FA molar ratio of 1∶1. Lipase was used at the 5 wt% level. The incorporation of FA into coconut oil TAG was determined by GC. The lipase showed preference for long-chain saturated FA for incorporation into coconut oil TAG. The FA with 18 carbon atoms showed a high incorporation rate (18∶1>18∶1>18∶3). The lipase showed the least preference for the incorporation of 12∶0, which occurs in maximal concentration (46%), whereas the most preferred FA, 18∶0, occurs at a very low concentration (<2%) in coconut oil. The overall preference of lipase for the incorporation of different FA into coconut oil TAG was 18∶0>18∶2, 22∶0>18∶1, 18∶3, 14∶0, 20∶4, 22∶6>16∶0>12∶0≫10∶0.     

Molecular speciation of fish sperm phospholipids: Large amounts of dipolyunsaturated phosphatidylserine

The molecular species compositions of the main diacyl phosphoglyceride classes and ether-linked subclasses from sperm of three species of fish, sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax, Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and Chinook salmon Onchorhynchus tsawytscha, were determined. The phospholipids from sperm were highly unsaturated, dipolyunsaturated fatty acid (diPUFA) molecular species comprised 64.6 to 71.8% of phosphatidylserine (PS), 10.1 to 17.4% of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and 3.3 to 10.1% of phosphatidylcholine (PC). In sea bass sperm, di22∶6n-3 phospholipid was the predominant diPUFA molecular species, but in both salmon species 22∶5n-3/22∶6n-3 was also a major constituent of PS. Phospholipids containing 22∶6n-3 dominated in sea bass sperm with 16∶0/22∶6n-3 as a major component of PC and PE, and 18∶0/22∶6n-3 of PE and PS in addition to di22∶6n-3 in the latter two classes. In contrast, both salmon species contained much more 20∶5n-3 and less 22∶6n-3 so that saturated/20∶5n-3 and monounsaturated/20∶5n-3 molecular species were more abundant than the corresponding molecules containing 22∶6n-3. Ether-linked lipids comprised 11.3–36.3% of choline and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides in each fish species. Molecular species containing 22∶6n-3 were the major components of 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-glycerophosphocholine, especially 16∶0a/22∶6n-3 in sea bass and 18∶1a/∶6n-3 in the two salmon species, while in 1-O-alk-1′-enyl-2-acyl-glycerophosphoethanolamine, 16∶0a/22∶6n-3 was the major component in both salmon and 18∶0a/22∶6n-3 in sea bass with 18∶1a/22∶6n-3 abundant in all three species. In Atlantic salmon 1-O-alkyl-2-acylglycerophosphoethanolamine comprised 24.6% of ethanolamine glycerophospholipids which were predominantly 16∶0a/22∶6n-3 and 18∶1a/22∶6n-3. Phosphatidylinositol from sperm was dominated by stearoyl/C₂₀ PUFA molecular species, in sea bass overwhelmingly 18∶0/20∶4n-6, while in both salmon species 18∶0/20∶4n-6 and 18∶0/20∶5n-3 were equally abundant.     

Phospholipid synthesis by chick retinal microsomes: Fatty acid preference and effect of fatty acid binding protein

The acylation of 1-palmitoyl-sn-glycerophosphocholine (1-16∶0-GPC) or 1-palmitoyl-sn-glycerophosphoethanolamine (1-16∶0-GPE) was measured using the microsomal fraction prepared from retinas of 14–15-day-old chick embryos. Rates of incorporation of exogenously supplied fatty acids into diacyl-GPC were generally 5–7 times greater than into diacyl-GPE. Substrate preferences for incorporation into diacyl-GPC and diacyl-GPE were, respectively, 18∶2>18∶3=20∶5>20∶4>18∶1>22∶6=18∶0 and 18∶2>22∶6≽18∶3=18∶0≽20∶4=18∶1>20∶5. The apparent selectivities were not consistent with the reported fatty acid compositions of these lipid classes. The addition of partially purified fatty acid binding protein (FABP) to the reaction had no effect either on overall rates of incorporation or on the substrate preference. When fatty acyl-CoA substrates were used, rates of incorporation of the 18∶0 derivative were much higher than with the fatty acid, while rates with other fatty acyl-CoA were similar to those with the respective fatty acid. Substrate preferences for CoA derivatives incorporated into diacyl-GPC were: 18∶0>20∶4>18∶2≽22∶6, and into diacyl-GPE: 20∶4=22∶6>18∶0>18∶2. Polyunsaturated fatty acyl CoA (PUFA-CoA) were thus favored for incorporation into diacyl-GPE, and to a lesser extent into diacyl-GPC, a result that is consistent with composition data. When purified FABP was added to the reactions, there was an increase in the incorporation of 18∶0-CoA and a decrease or no change in the incorporation of PUFA-CoA. The deacylation/reacylation cycle thus appears to play a role in the modification of phospholipid composition. The data are not consistent, however, with a role for FABP in directing PUFA toward membrane lipid synthesis.     

Preparation of radiolabeled tetracosa mono- and dienoic acid methyl esters from rat erythrocyte lipids by thin layer chromatography

An easy method of obtaining pure fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) of tetracosa mono- and dienoic acids (24∶1, 24∶2) using thin layer chromatography (TLC) is described. The total lipids isolated from rat erythrocytes were treated with methanolic-NaOH. Sphingomyelin was unaffected by this treatment and was separated from FAME of glycerolipids and cholesterol by TLC. FAME of sphingomyelin were then prepared by acid methanolysis. These esters migrated into 2 distinct bands on TLC. The slow moving band contained FAME of 16∶0, 16∶1, 18∶0, 18∶1, 19∶0 and 20∶0 whereas the fast moving band contained FAME of 22∶0, 23∶0, 24∶0, 24∶1 and 24∶2. After AgNO₃-TLC, the FAME of the fast moving band separated into 3 species; esters of saturated acids, 24∶1 and 24∶2, respectively. With erythrocyte lipids of rats fed a fat-free diet and injected with¹⁴C-18∶1, this method yielded¹⁴C-24∶1. From rats injected with¹⁴C-18∶2 and maintained on a corn oil diet,¹⁴C-24∶2 was obtained. Presented at the ISF-AOCS Congress, April 27–May 1, 1980, New York City.     

Molecular weight distribution and regioisomeric structure of triacylglycerols in some common human milk substitutes

Triacylglycerol (TAG) molecular weight distribution and regioisomeric structure of selected molecular weight species in human milk and in 32 human milk substitutes was determined. Negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry was used to determine the molecular weight distribution and collisionally induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry applied to identify the sn-2 and sn-1/3 positions of fatty acids in TAG. The main molecular weight species of human milk TAG in decreasing order of abundance were 52∶2, 52∶3, 52∶1, 54∶3, 50∶2, 50∶1, 54∶4, 48∶1, 54∶2, 48∶2, 46∶1, 52∶4, and 50∶3 (acyl carbon number/number of double bonds), constituting 83 mol% of total TAG molecular species. In human milk substitutes, the proportion of the corresponding molecular weight species varied from 33 to 87 mol%. The main TAG regioisomers within the molecular weight species 52∶2, 52∶3, and 50∶1 in human milk were 18∶1-16∶0-18∶1 (83 mol%), 18∶1-16∶0-18∶2 (83 mol%), and 18∶1-16∶0-16∶0 (80 mol%), respectively. In human milk substitutes, the corresponding proportions varied in a wide range of 0–82 mol%, 0–100 mol%, and 0–73 mol%, respectively. Although TAG structures in some human milk substitutes closely resembled those in human milk, the great variation among samples leads to the conclusion that it is still possible to improve the TAG composition in human milk substitutes by applying novel methods to synthesize structured TAG.     

1-O-alk-1′-enyl-2-acyl-glycerophosphoethanolamine content and molecular species composition in fish brain

Ethanolamine glycerophospholipids from the brains of both trout and cod comprised 36–38% of 1-O-alk-1′-enyl-2-acyl-glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE) determined using two methods. In 1-O-alk-1′-enyl-2-acyl-GPE from trout brain, the main molecular species were 18∶1a/18∶1, 18∶0a/18∶1 and 16∶0a/18∶1, which totalled 63.3%, while polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) containing species totalled only 18.2%. 1-O-Alk-1′-enyl-2-acyl-GPE from cod brain was much more unsaturated with PUFA containing species totalling 52.6%, of which 18∶0a/20∶5n−3, 18∶1a/20∶5n−3 and 18∶1a/22∶6n−3 were predominant. In cod 18∶1a/18∶1, 18∶0a/18∶1 and 16∶0a/18∶1 were the only other species present at over 5% each, totalling 31.8%. In both cod and trout, small amounts of species containing 22∶4n−6 were found. The results of this and earlier studies indicate that there is considerable specificity of composition at the level of molecular species between different lipid classes and subclasses. Molecular species of 1-O-alk-1′-enyl-2-acyl-GPE are abbreviated as follows:e.g., 16∶0a/18∶1 GPE is 1-O-hexadec-1′-enyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine. The corresponding diacyl species, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, is abbreviated as 16∶0/18∶1.     

Dietary fats containing concentrates ofcis ortrans octadecenoates and the patterns of polyunsaturated fatty acids of liver phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine

The effects of the mixedcis- 18∶1 isomers and mixedtrans-18∶1 isomers present in partially hydrogenated soybean oil (PHSO) upon the patterns of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in liver phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were studied in rats fed concentrates ofcis- 18∶1 ortrans- 18∶1 isomers isolated as triacylglycerides from PHSO. Thecis- 18∶1 andtrans- 18∶1 concentrates were fed at levels equal to those present in PHSO fed at 17.9% of the diet. All diets contained the required amounts of both linoleic and linolenic acids. Thetrans- 18∶1 concentrate was found to suppress the levels of 20∶4ω6 and 20∶3ω9, and to increase the levels of 18∶2ω6 and 20∶5ω3 in PC and PE. Thecis- 18∶1 concentrate suppressed 20∶4ω6 in PC, 20∶5ω3 in PC and PE, and 18∶2ω6 was more effective than thetrans concentrate in suppressing 22∶6ω3. Thetrans- 18∶1 concentrate was more effective in suppressing 20∶4ω6. Thetrans-18∶ isomers appear to modify PUFA metabolism by inhibition of PUFA synthesis, whereas thecis- 18∶1isomers appear to compete with 2-position fatty acyl transfer and to inhibit ω3 PUFA acylation.     

The fatty acids ofEntomophthora coronata

The total lipids and fatty acid composition ofEntomophthora coronata were determined. The fungus was grown on a chemically defined medium and a chemically nondefined medium (Sabouraud dextrose yeast extract) for a period of 26 days. The organism contained from 16.2% to 44.6% total lipids depending upon the days of growth. The major fatty acids were 12∶0 (5.5–9.0%), 13∶0 (1.2–8.2%), 14∶0 (33.5–43.5%), 16∶0 (9.7–13.9%), 18∶1₉ (20.4–22.4%), and 18∶2_9,12 (3.5–10.5%). Lesser amounts of 15∶0, 16∶1, 16∶2, 17∶0, 18∶0, two other 18∶2 (both having conjugated double bonds), 18∶3_6,9,12, another 18∶3 (conjugated double bonds), 20∶3_8,11,14, 20∶4_5,8,11,14, another 20∶4 (conjugated double bonds), and 24∶1 acids were found. Trace amounts of 20∶0, 20∶1, 20∶2, 22∶0 and 24∶0 were also present. The relative percentage of most of the fatty acids did not vary appreciably with growth. However, 18∶2_9,12 and 20∶4_5,8,11,14 increased with age of the chemically defined culture. Peak E (18∶2, conjugated double bonds) increased and 13∶0 and 18∶3_6,9,12 decreased with age of the chemically nondefined culture. The fatty acids were predominately saturated (56.9–69.1%) and contained a high percentage of shorter chain fatty acids (C 12 to C 15). The fatty acids of the chemically defined culture were more unsaturated than the Sabouraud culture and the unsaturation increased with age of the culture.     

Dietary very long chain fatty acids directly influence the ratio of tetracosenoic (24∶1) to tetracosanoic (24∶0) acids of sphingomyelin in rat liver

Twenty-one groups of weanling male Wistar rats were fed semipurified diets containing 5% (w/w) of different dietary fats. After 2 wk, liver sphingomyelin (SM) fatty acid composition was determined. The ratio of 24∶1 to 24∶0 in liver SM varied over a tenfold range in response to dietary fat type. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that dietary 24∶1, 24∶0, and 22∶1 were the most significant factors in predicting the 24∶1/24∶0 ratio of liver SM. The mathematical relation between the dietary fatty acid composition and liver SM 24∶1/24∶0 was y=1.88 (24∶1)−1.49 (24∶0)+0.21 (22∶1)+0.01 (18∶1)+0.26, r ²=0.95, P<0.0001. These results were confirmed by a second experiment in which the rats were fed olive oil-based diets supplemented with various fatty acid ethyl esters.     

Acyl moieties modulate the effects of phospholipids on β-carotene uptake by Caco-2 cells

The intestinal absorption of carotenoids is though to be mediated by the carotenoid assembly in mixed micelles, followed by its transfer into the enterocytes and subsequent secretion to the lymph as chylomicron particles. In the present study we investigated the effects of phospholipids and lysophospholipids with diverse fatty acyl moieties on the uptake of β-carotene solubilized in mixed micelles by Caco-2 cells. Compared with phospholipid-free mixed micelles (NoPL), those containing long-chain PC inhibited β-carotene uptake (16∶0, 18∶1-PC≅16∶0, 18∶2-PC<14∶0, 14∶0-PC≅16∶0, 14∶0-PC <16∶0, 16∶0-PC<NoPL). However, mixed micelles containing medium-chain PC enhanced β-carotene uptake (NoPL<8∶0, 8∶0-PC<12∶0, 12∶0-PC<10∶0, 10∶0-PC), and short-chain PC did not affect the uptake. Among the lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) class, a marked increase of β-carotene uptake by medium-to-long-chain LysoPC was observed (NoPL<12∶0-LysoPC<14∶0-LysoPC<18∶1-LysoPC<16∶0-LysoPC), although short-to-medium-chain LysoPC (6∶0-LysoPC to 10∶0-LysoPC) did not affect β-carotene uptake. The long-chain 16∶0,18∶1-PC increased the β-carotene efflux from cells and drastically changed the β-carotene UV-visible absorbance spectrum, compared with those of NoPL micelles. The acyl moieties of long-chain PC may interact with the carotenoid in the micelle interior, shifting the β-carotene partition toward the micellar phase. Medium-chain PC and long-chain LysoPC, which have nearly equivalent hydrophobicities, may enhance β-carotene uptake through their interaction with the cell membrane.     

Lipid metabolism of the yellow clam,Mesodesma mactroides: 3-Saturated fatty acids and acetate metabolism

The fate of labeled palmitate, stearate, and acetate administered to the yellow clam,Mesodesma mactroides, was investigated. 1-¹⁴C palmitic and 1-¹⁴C stearic acids were oxidized to CO₂ to a limited extent. They were mainly incorporated in diacylglycerols and triacylglycerols and were converted to higher homologs. After administration, palmitic acid was converted to stearic and oleic acids, whereas administered stearic acid was converted to 18∶1, 18∶2, 20∶1, and 20∶2 acids. Labeled acetate was readily included by the clam in 12∶0, 14∶0, 14∶1, 15∶0, 16∶1, 16∶1, 16∶2, 18∶2, 18∶1, 18∶2, 20∶1, 20∶2, and 20∶3 acids.