Composition of bovine milk lipids

Recent literature on the composition of milk lipids is reviewed and discussed. Many additional exotic fatty acids, mainly branched chain, keto, hydroxy and isomers containing double bonds, have been identified, often with the aid of mass spectrometry. It is estimated that ca. 500 fatty acids have been found in milk lipids. Components of lipid classes have been isolated and their structure determined, e.g., glucosyl and lactosyl ceramide, sphingomyelin, ether lipids, etc. The fatty acid composition of “protected” milk is discussed. This milk, obtained from cows fed polyunsaturated oils encapsulated with formaldehyde-treated casein, contains about five times more linoleic acid than regular milk. The future of research on milk lipids is promising, as there are still many intriguing problems of separation and identification. One of eight papers presented in the symposium “Milk Lipids,” AOCS Meeting, Ottawa, September 1972. Contribution No. 528, Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Connecticut, Storrs.     

Characteristic distributions of fatty acids in different lipids from Jack beans (Canavalia gladiata DC.)

Extracted lipids obtained from Jack beans (white and red) were fractionated by TLC into nine subfractions. The major components were TAGs (TAG: 43.8–45.7 wt%) and phospholipids (PL: 46.7–47.0 wt%), while other components were also present in minor proportions (0.3–2.7 wt%). The principal fatty acids (FA) are generally palmitic (18.8–28.8%), stearic (0.7–6.8%), oleic (42.0–51.8%), linoleic (16.2–22.8%), and α‐linolenic (3.0–8.2%) acids, the distribution of which differs according to these lipid classes. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the positional distribution of FA in the TAG; unsaturated FA (97.5%) were predominantly concentrated in the sn‐2 position while saturated FA (33.3%) primarily occupied the sn‐1 position or sn‐3 position. However, significant differences (p<0.05) in FA distribution existed when the individual PL were compared between the white and red beans. Based on the FA composition of these lipids, it seems that the two cultivars of Jack beans are very similar to each other with a few exceptions. The results could be useful to both producers and consumers for our daily diet to improve value of the Japanese diet. Practical applications : The lipid composition suggests that these beans could be a good source of nutraceuticals with providing heath benefits. The white and red beans may be well incorporated into our daily Japanese diets to improve nutritional value. The data obtained in this study provide valuable information for manufacturing functional drinks such as Jack bean tea in Japan.     

Dietary sandalwood seed oil modifies fatty acid composition of mouse adipose tissue, brain, and liver

Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) seed oil, which occurs to about 50% of the weight of the seed kernels, contains 30–35% of total fatty acids (FA) as ximenynic acid (XMYA). This study was designed to obtain basic information on changes in tissue FA composition and on the metabolic fate of XMYA in mice fed a sandalwood seed oil (SWSO)-enriched diet. Female mice were randomly divided into three groups, each receiving different semisynthetic diets containing 5.2% (w/w) fat (standard laboratory diet), 15% canola oil, or 15% SWSO for 8 wk. The effects of SWSO as a dietary fat on the FA composition of adipose tissue, brain, and liver lipids were determined by analyses of FA methyl ester derivatives of extracted total lipid. The FA compositions of the liver and adipose tissue were markedly altered by the dietary fats, and mice fed on a SWSO-enriched diet were found to contain XMYA but only in low concentration (0.3 3%) in these tissues; XMYA was not detected in brain. Oleic acid was suggested to be a principal XMYA biotransformation product. The results were interpreted to suggest that the metabolism of XMYA may involve both biohydrogenation and oxidation reactions.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>10,<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>12-18:2-Induced Milk Fat Depression is Less Pronounced in Cows Fed High-Concentrate Diets

In intensively reared dairy cows, milk fat secretion is reduced in response to high-concentrate diets and it is often referred to as the “milk fat depression” (MFD) syndrome. Some trans fatty acid (FA) isomers produced in the rumen of the cows, including t10,c12-18:2, are known for their inhibitory effect on mammary lipogenesis. To study whether this effect depends on the basal diet, duodenal infusions of t10,c12-18:2 were performed on cows fed four different diets (a factorial arrangement of forage:concentrate ratio and linseed oil supplementation). The overall response obtained with t10,c12-18:2 infusion was consistent with previous studies: a decrease in milk fat content and yield without significant variations in milk yield. Mean transfer efficiency of infused t10,c12-18:2 was 19.6%. However, the decrease in milk fat and FA yields (both de novo synthesis and preformed long-chain FA) was less pronounced in cows fed high-concentrate diets (−27% of the initial level), compared with cows fed low-concentrate diets (−42% of initial level). This difference was independent of dietary oil supplementation and milk FA yield before infusion. Results pertaining to effects of dietary forage:concentrate ratio were confirmed by statistical meta-analysis of data from previously published t10,c12-18:2 infusion experiments. This study shows that in cows fed MFD diets the mammary gland becomes more resistant to or experiences a lower response potential to further inhibition of lipogenesis and/or delta-9 desaturation of FA.     

Effect of Linseed Fed as Rolled Seeds,Extruded Seeds or Oil on Fatty Acid Rumen Metabolism and Intestinal Digestibility in Cows

Linseed, a source of linolenic acid, is used in ruminant diets to increase polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA) in animal products. Seed processing is known to have an impact on FA rumen metabolism, but few data are available for linseed. We studied the effect of linseed lipid on ruminal metabolism and intestinal digestibility in cows. Three modes of linseed processing: rolled linseed (RL), extruded linseed (EL) and linseed oil plus linseed meal (LO), supplemented at 7.5% of DM intake, were compared to a control diet (C). Duodenal flows, intestinal digestibility and plasma composition were determined. The duodenal flow of linolenic acid was similar among diets. The sum of t10 and t11-18:1, which were coeluted, was increased with lipid-supplemented diets and represented more than 60% of trans 18:1 for EL and LO diets. The main 18:2 isomers were c9, c12 and t11, c15 among the non-conjugated isomers, and t11, t13 among CLA. Linseed supplementation increased the duodenal flow of unsaturated intermediates of biohydrogenation, and this effect was more pronounced for extruded seeds and oil than for rolled seeds. For most 18-carbon FA, intestinal digestibility was slightly higher for C and LO diets than for RL and EL. Plasma concentrations of non-conjugated 18:2 and linolenic acid were similar among the lipid-supplemented diets. Within diet, profiles of 18:1 isomers (except c9) remained very similar between duodenal and plasma FA.     

Interactive effects of dietary palm oil concentration and water temperature on lipid digestibility in rainbow trout, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the interactive effects of dietary crude palm oil (CPO) concentration and water temperature on lipid and FA digestibility in rainbow trout. Four isolipidic diets with 0, 5, 10, or 20% (w/w) CPO, at the expense of fish oil, were formulated and fed to groups of trout maintained at water temperatures of 7, 10, or 15 degrees C. The apparent digestibility (AD) of the FA, measured using yttrium oxide as an inert marker, decreased with increasing chain length and increased with increasing unsaturation within each temperature regimen irrespective of CPO level fed to the fish. PUFA of the n-3 series were preferentially absorbed compared to n-6 PUFA in all diet and temperature treatments. Except for a few minor FA, a significant (P < 0.05) interaction between diet and temperature effects on FA digestibility was found. Increasing dietary levels of CPO lead to significant reductions in the AD of saturates and, to a lesser extent, also of the other FA. Lowering water temperature reduced total saturated FA digestibility in trout regardless of CPO level. Based on the lipid class composition of trout feces, this reduction in AD of saturates was due in part to the increasing resistance of dietary TAG to digestion. Increasing CPO level and decreasing water temperature significantly increased TAG content in trout fecal lipids, with saturates constituting more than 60% of the FA composition. Total monoene and PUFA digestibilities were not significantly affected by water temperature in fish fed up to 10% CPO in their diet. The potential impact of reduced lipid and FA digestibility in cold-water fish fed diets supplemented with high levels of CPO on fish growth performance requires further research.     

Comprehensive and quantitative profiling of lipid species in human milk,cow milk and a phospholipid‐enriched milk formula by GC and MS/MSALL

Here we present a workflow for in‐depth analysis of milk lipids that combines gas chromatography (GC) for fatty acid (FA) profiling and a shotgun lipidomics routine termed MS/MS^ALL for structural characterization of molecular lipid species. To evaluate the performance of the workflow we performed a comparative lipid analysis of human milk, cow milk, and Lacprodan^® PL‐20, a phospholipid‐enriched milk protein concentrate for infant formula. The GC analysis showed that human milk and Lacprodan have a similar FA profile with higher levels of unsaturated FAs as compared to cow milk. In‐depth lipidomic analysis by MS/MS^ALL revealed that each type of milk sample comprised distinct composition of molecular lipid species. Lipid class composition showed that the human and cow milk contain a higher proportion of triacylglycerols (TAGs) as compared to Lacprodan. Notably, the MS/MS^ALL analysis demonstrated that the similar FA profile of human milk and Lacprodan determined by GC analysis is attributed to the composition of individual TAG species in human milk and glycerophospholipid species in Lacprodan. Moreover, the analysis of TAG molecules in Lacprodan and cow milk showed a high proportion of short‐chain FAs that could not be monitored by GC analysis. The results presented here show that complementary GC and MS/MS^ALL analysis is a powerful approach for characterization of molecular lipid species in milk and milk products. Practical applications : Milk lipid analysis is routinely performed using gas chromatography. This method reports the total fatty acid composition of all milk lipids, but provides no structural or quantitative information about individual lipid molecules in milk or milk products. Here we present a workflow that integrates gas chromatography for fatty acid profiling and a shotgun lipidomics routine termed MS/MS^ALL for structural analysis and quantification of molecular lipid species. We demonstrate the efficacy of this complementary workflow by a comparative analysis of molecular lipid species in human milk, cow milk, and a milk‐based supplement used for infant formula. A workflow for milk lipid analysis based on combined gas chromatography and high‐resolution shotgun lipidomics. In‐depth structural characterization and quantification of molecular lipid species in milk and milk products.     

Lactational changes in the fatty acid composition of human milk gangliosides

The objectives of this work were to study the FA composition of milk gangliosides, as well as to gain further insight into the characterization of human milk gangliosides. The potential capacity of human milk gangliosides to adhere to human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC-strains) was also studied. Human milk gangliosides were isolated and identified by high-performance TLC or immunoassay. The latter also was used to assay bacterial adhesion. The FA composition of gangliosides was studied by GC. The presence of O-acetyl GD3 (Neu5,9Ac₂α2–8 NeuAcα2–3Galβ1–4GlcCer) and trace amounts of GM1 [Galβ1–3GalNAcβ1,−3(NeuAcα2–3)Galβ1–4GlcCer] in human milk was confirmed. Medium-chain FA were almost absent in colostrum, whereas in the subsequent stages they rose to 20%. The levels of long-chain FA decreased after colostrum. With respect to the degree of saturation, gangliosides from colostrum were richer in monounsaturated FA than gangliosides synthesized during the rest of the lactation period, opposite to the pattern for PUFA. A human-ETEC colonization factor antigen II-expressing strain showed binding capacity to human milk GM3 (NeuAcα2–3Galβ1–4GlcCer). New data on human milk gangliosides have been gathered. A thorough knowledge of their composition is needed since they may have important biological implications in regard to newborns' defense against infection. The ganglioside nomenclature of Svennerholm (34) is followed.     

The effect of a salmon diet on blood clotting,platelet aggregation and fatty acids in normal adult men

This study was designed to measure the effect of dietary n−3 fatty acids (FA) on platelets and blood lipids. Healthy men (n=9), ages 31 to 65, were fed diets in which salmon was the source of n−3 fatty acids. They were confined in a nutrition suite at this Center for 100 days. Food intake and exercise levels were rigidly controlled. Initially they were placed on a stabilization diet for 20 days, then six men were fed the salmon diet for 40 days. The others remained on the stabilization diet. The two groups switched diets for the last 40 days of the study. Both diets were isocaloric [16% protein, 54% carbohydrate, and 30% fat by energy-% (En%)]. The salmon diet contained 7.5% of calories from n−6 FA and 2% from n−3 FA, primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a 40∶60 ratio, while the stabilization diet contained 7.5% of calories from n−6 FA and less than 0.3% n−3 FA, mainly 18∶3n−3. The bleeding time was unaffected by the diets in this study. The prothrombin time was shortened (11.6 sec.vs. 12.6 sec., p<0.01) for the subjects consuming the salmon diet as compared to that measured after 20 days of the stabilization diet. Mean platelet volume increased significantly during the period in which the volunteers consumed the salmon diet compared to the baseline diet (p<0.01), while the mean platelet levels decreased. Platelet aggregation (PA) was measured in platelet rich plasma before, during, and after the salmon diet using collagen, ADP, arachidonic acid (AA), and thrombin agonists. The PA threshold for ADP was significantly increased for the subjects on the salmon diet (p<0.05). No change in the PA threshold was detected for collagen or thrombin. The PA threshold for AA was unchanged also, but the platelets in subjects consuming the salmon diet had a prolonged time to maximum aggregation (p<0.01) with this reagent compared to platelets from men on the stabilization diet. Plasma, red cell, and platelet total FA composition was determined by capillary GLC. While the men consumed the salmon diets, there were marked increases (3 to 10-fold) in the EPA and DHA levels in all blood components with concomitant decreases in linoleic acid and AA levels. Thus, a salmon diet, high in n−3 FA, did not influence the bleeding times, but it decreased the sensitivity of platelets to ADP and AA, increased the mean platelet size, decreased the platelet count, and changed the FA composition of the plasma, RBC and platelet membrane lipids.     

Modification of fillet composition and evidence of differential fatty acid turnover in sunshine bass Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis following change in dietary lipid source

Marine oil-based finishing diets have been used to restore fillet FA profile in several “medium-fat” fleshed aquaculture species, and a simple dilution model describing FA turnover has been established to predict and tailor final fillet composition. We evaluated finishing diet efficacy and suitability of the dilution model to describe patterns of FA change in a lean-fleshed model, sunshine bass. Two practical diet (45% crude protein, 15% crude lipid) were formulated, respectively containing corn oil (CO) or menhaden oil (MO) as the primary lipid sources. Sunshine bass (age 1 [⊃ 14 mo], 347 ±8.6 g, mean individual weight ±SEM) were stocked in a recirculating system and fed the diets according to different feeding regimens during the final 28 wk of the production cycle. Control groups were fed the CO or the MO feeds exclusively; whereas, the remaining treatment groups were transitioned from the CO diet to the MO diet at 4−, 8−, or 12-wk intervals. Upon completion of the feeding trial, fish were harvested, and production performance and fillet composition were assessed. Replacing MO with CO as the primary lipid source in sunshine bass diets yielded fillets with distinctly different FA profiles; however, finishing with a MO-based diet offered significant compensation for CO-associated reductions in fillet long-chain highly unsaturated FA (LC-HUFA). Although complete restoration was not observed, we achieved significant augmentation of endogenous n−3 FA within 4 wk of feeding the MO diet, and observed a significant increase in LC-HUFA and a beneficial shift in n−3∶n−6 FA ratio after 8 weeks. Simple dilution accurately predicted tissue composition for most FA; however, deviations from the model were noted, suggesting selective retention of n−3, PUFA, and LC-HUFA and preferential catabolism of saturates. We conclude marine oil-based finishing diets can rapidly augment beneficial FA levels in sunshine bass fillets; however, simple dilution models do not fully describe selective FA metabolism observed for this lean-fleshed fish. Presented at Aquaculture America 2006, February 13–16, 2006 Las Vegas, nevada and Aqua 2006, May 9–13, 2006 Florence, Italy     

Triacylglycerols and Polar Lipids in Cow and Goat Milk are Differentially Affected by Various Lipid Supplemented Diets

This study characterizes milk triacylglycerol (TAG) and polar lipid (PL) fractions from cows and goats fed various lipid supplements modulating milk fat content. Twelve Holstein cows and 12 Alpine goats, at 86 ± 24.9 and 61 ± 1.8 days in milk, respectively, are allocated to one of 4 groups to receive diets supplemented with either corn oil [5% dry matter intake (DMI)] plus wheat starch (COS), marine algae powder (MAP; 1.5% DMI) or hydrogenated palm oil (HPO; 3% DMI), or a no-added-lipid control diet (CTL), according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28 d experimental periods. Milk TAG and PL contents are determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Multivariate analysis and ANOVA demonstrate major between-species differences in diet effects. In cows, COS specifically increases TAG 54:3 and 54:4 associated with milk fat depression (MFD), and increases the sum of phosphatidylcholines (PC) and phosphatidylinositols (PI). In addition to causing a MFD, MAP diet increases long-chain polyunsaturated TAG in both species, with higher magnitude in cows than in goats, and decreases the sum of PI in goats. HPO increases TAG 52:1 and the sum of PI in cows, but not in goats. Practical applications: Feed strategies can quickly and efficiently modulate the ruminant milk fat production and composition to improve nutritional quality for consumers. Certain starch-rich diets supplemented with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)-rich vegetable oils and diets supplemented with marine products (long-chain PUFA) reduce milk fat secretion and modify the milk fatty acid (FA) profile in cows, but not—or less so—in goats. Advanced analysis of both the TAG and PL fractions of milk fat is required to unravel these differences in lipid metabolism between cows and goats fed various lipid-supplemented diets. This study brings new insight on using nutritional strategies to control milk lipid composition according to ruminant species.     

Variations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis> octadecenoic acid in milk fat induced by feeding different starch-based diets to cows

The impact of starch sources differing in their velocities of ruminal degradation on the milk fat of dairy cows was studied. The animals received diets containing a slowly degradable (potatoes) or rapidly degradable (wheat) starch concentrate (40% of the dry matter) in a total mixed diet. Milk fat was the only animal performance factor affected: Cows produced significantly less milk fat when fed the wheat diet than the potato diet (−3.3 g/kg, −122 g/d; P<0.05). With the wheat diet, milk fat was poorer in short-chain FA and richer in unsaturated longchain FA, especially in trans octadecenoic acid (4.4 vs. 2.7% of the total FA, P<0.05). A very large increase in the isomer trans-10 18∶1 (+1.46% of the total FA) was observed. Because no difference in volatile FA concentrations in the rumen was revealed, the increase in trans octadecenoic acids, and particularly the isomer trans-10 18∶1, was associated with the larger postprandial drop in ruminal pH with wheat. Similar concentrate levels and FA profiles in both diets indicated that the decrease in milk fat was due to changes in the ruminal environment. Quicker degradation of wheat starch, and hence a greater drop in pH with this diet associated with the absence of any effect on volatile FA, strengthen the hypothesis developed in the literature of enzyme inhibition via increased levels of trans octadecenoic acids, especially the trans-10 isomer. Hence, milk fat can be decreased with rapidly degradable starch sources and not only with high levels of concentrates in the diet or added fat. More detailed work is necessary to elucidate the microorganisms involved and to determine whether metabolic pathways similar to those reported for high-concentrate diets are involved.     

Prediction of the goat milk fatty acids by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to predict the goat milk fatty acid (FA) profile. The ability of cow milk broad‐based calibration equations to predict the goat milk FA profile was assessed. Three hundred twenty‐eight samples in the calibration set and 108 in the validation set were analyzed. We showed that the bias and unexplained error were significant for most of the FA despite an adequate standardized Mahalanobis distance (index to establish the boundaries of a population of samples) which allowed us to test the ability of bovine models to predict goat milk FA profiles. To better predict the goat milk FA composition, a specific goat model was investigated. The cross‐validation coefficient of determination (R²CV; proportion of variance explained by the model in cross‐validation) and residual predictive deviation (RPD; index which allows to standardize the standard error of prediction (SEP)) were >0.90 and 3, for saturated, monounsaturated, and unsaturated FA, total trans FA, isomer cis9trans11 of CLA, cis9‐, trans10‐, and trans11‐C18:1, respectively. Monitoring of the equation performance of milk FA included the calculation of the bias and unexplained error. Practical applications: In this work, we evaluated the ability of NIRS to predict FA composition of goat milk and tested the ability of using broad‐based cow milk calibration equations to monitor an independent set of goat milk samples. We tested the hypothesis that the calibration equations obtained for FA from cow milk could be applied on goat milk. As the spectra of goat milk are similar to those of cow milk when they are measured by the standardized Mahalanobis distance (index to establish the boundaries of a population of samples), we can accept the hypothesis. It will be possible to use the existing calibration equations for predicting FA profile on spectra of milk of a different specie. However, the rejection of the hypothesis would put in doubt the use of Mahalanobis distance as the unique index for testing the performance of calibration equations on different milk populations for predicting FA.     

Introduction to the symposium on milk lipids

Milk lipids, often referred to as “milk fat,” have been of interest to man for centuries. Milk fat is a major component of bovine milk and most dairy foods and has the highest economic value of any of the milk constituents. In 1970, over 4 billion pounds of milk fat were produced by 12 million cows in the U.S. Practically all this fat was used in food products and provided ca. 16% of the total visible and invisible fat consumed by Americans. Although milk fat has been the subject of many investigations in the past, there is continuing interest in its complex composition and its chemical, physical and nutritional properties. The purpose of this symposium is to review contemporary knowledge of milk lipids and to focus attention on recent developments of interest to individuals associated with the field of edible fats and oils. One of eight papers presented in the symposium “Milk Lipids,” AOCS Meeting, Ottawa, September 1972.     

Effect of dietary n−6 and n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on peroxidizability of lipoproteins in steers

The susceptibility of major plasma lipoproteins to lipoperoxidation was studied in relation to the FA composition of their neutral and polar lipids in steers given PUFA-rich diets. Two trials used, respectively, 18 (“sunflower” experiment, S) or 24 (“linseed” experiment, L) crossbred Salers x Charolais steers. Each involved three dietary treatments over a 70-d period: a control diet (CS or CL diets) consisting of hay and concentrate, or the same diet supplemented with oilseeds (4% diet dry matter) fed either as seeds (SS or LS diets) or continuously infused into the duodenum (ISO or ILO diets). Compared with control diets, ISO and ILO treatments tended to decrease the resistance time of LDL and HDL classes to peroxidation, mainly owing to the enrichment of their polar and neutral lipids with PUFA. With diets SS and LS, sensitivity of major lipoprotein classes (LDL, light and heavy HDL) was not affected because ruminal hydrogenation of dietary PUFA decreased their incorporation into lipoparticles. ISO and ILO treatments induced a more important production of conjugated dienes and hydroperoxides generated by peroxidation in the three lipoprotein classes due to the higher amounts of PUFA esterified in lipids of the core and the hydrophilic envelope of particles. The production of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased in steers fed linseed supplements, indicating that MDA production did not occur with linoleic acid provided by sunflower oil supplements. Thus, plasma peroxidation of PUFA generates toxic products in steers fed diets supplemented with PUFA and can be deleterious for the health of the animal during long-term treatment.     

The Effects of dietary n−3/n−6 ratio on brain development in the mouse: a dose response study with long-chain n−3 fatty acids

This study examines the effects of the ratio of n−3/n−6 fatty acids (FA) on brain development in mice when longchain n−3 FA are supplied in the diet. From conception until 12 days after birth, B6D2F₁ mice were fed liquid diets, each providing 10% of energy from olive oil, and a further 10% from different combinations of free FA concentrates derived from safflower oil (18∶2n−6), and fish oil (20∶5n−3 and 22∶6n−3). The range of dietary n−3/n−6 ratios was 0,025, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0, with an n−6 content of greater than 1.5% of energy in all diets, and similar levels of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). In an additional group of ratio 0.5, 18∶2n−6 was partially replaced by its δ6 desaturation product, 18∶3n−6. Biochemical analyses were conducted on 12-day-old pup brains, as well as on samples of maternal milk. No obvious effects on overall pup growth and development were observed, apart from a smaller litter size at ratio 1. Co-variance analysis indicated that increasing the n−3/n−6 ratio was associated with slightly smaller brains, relative to body weight. We found that 18∶2n−6 and 20∶5n−3 were the predominant n−6 and n−3 FA in the milk; in the brain these were 20∶4n−6 and 22∶6n−3, respectively. Increasing dietary n−3/n−6 ratios generally resulted in an increase in n−3 FA, with a corresponding decrease in n−6 FA. The n−3/n−6 ratio of the milk lipids showed a strong linear relationship with the diet, but in the brain the rate of increase tended to decrease beyond 0.5 (phosphatidylcholine, PC) and 0.25 (phosphatidylethanolamine, PE), such that there was a significant quadratic contribution to the relationship. The partial replacement of dietary 18∶2n−6 with 18∶3n−6 raised levels of 20∶4n−6 in milk, brain PC, and brain PE. These results indicate that the n−3/n−6 ratio of the phospholipids in the developing mouse brain responds maximally to maternal dietary long-chain n−3/n−6 ratios of between 0.25 and 0.5.     

Trans-18:1 acid content and profile in human milk lipids. Critical survey of data in connection with analytical methods

This study presents an in-depth, critical survey of the current knowledge about trans- 18:1 acid content and profile in human milk lipids. Emphasis is placed on the analytical methods employed to quantitate trans- 18:1 acids, most of which lead to imprecise quantitative data. It is demonstrated that data obtained by single gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) on polar capillary columns are underestimates by 25–40%. Several experiments indicate that the total content of trans-18:1 acids in human milk is directly related to the quantities ingested the previous day(s), provided no gross weight loss occurs during breast-milk feeding. Equations have been proposed to describe this relationship, and apparently the percentage of trans-18:1 isomers, relative to total fatty acids, is approximately three-fourths the quantity (in g) ingested by lactating mothers. That is, the determination of the trans-18:1 acid percentage in human milk is a convenient means to estimate trans-18:1 acid consumption by corresponding populations. Adapted methods (i.e., silver-ion thin-layer chromatography, coupled with GLC on long polar capillary columns) allow accurate quantitation of most individual trans- 18:1 acids, more particularly of the trans-Δ16 isomer. This determination, along with a knowledge of the distribution of individual isomers in ruminant fats and partially hydrogenated oils, is a convenient means to estimate the relative contribution of these two dietary sources to the distribution of individual trans-18:1 isomers in human milk lipids. A comparison of human milk and infant formulas is made with regard to trans-18:1 acid content and profile. Important differences are noted between data from European countries and from North America.     

Human milk fatty acid composition from nine countries varies most in DHA

Many published studies of breast milk FA composition are limited to populations from one or two countries. We aimed to examine the degree to which FA compositions vary across a number of diverse populations. Because diet and maternal adipose stores influence breast milk FA composition, differences in FA composition between groups most likely reflect habitual dietary differences. Approximately 50 breast milk samples (full breast expression) were collected from women in Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The proportion of saturated FA was relatively constant among countries, with the exception of the Philippines, where levels of lauric and myristic acids were elevated (means greater than two times the mean of most other countries). Monounsaturated FA also varied little, with the exception of low levels of oleic acid in the Philippines and high levels of erucic acid in China. Although arachidonic acid (C20∶4n−6) levels were similar among all countries (means ranging from 0.36 wt% to 0.49 wt%), mean DHA (C22∶6n−3) levels ranged from 0.17 to 0.99 wt%, with the highest levels in Japanese milk and the lowest levels in Canadian and U.S. samples. The results of this study demonstrate that the proportion of saturated and monounsaturated FA are relatively constant across a large number of countries, whereas the level of some of the PUFA, especially DHA, are highly variable.     

Effect of Feeding a Low Level of Encapsulated Fish Oil to Dairy Goats on Milk Yield,Composition, and Fatty Acid Profile

Contradictory results have been found in the response of dairy goats to the supplementation of fish oil in their diet to improve the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in milk. The responses to the inclusion of fish oil in the diet of ruminants either induced milk fat depression, increased milk fat content, and/or negatively impacted milk yield. The objective of this study was to determine whether including a low dose of encapsulated fish oil in the diet of goats can modify yield, milk composition, and the fatty acid (FA) profile of milk. Ten Alpine goats were divided into two homogeneous subgroups and assigned to either the control or experimental diet. The control animals received the basal diet without supplementation of fish oil, whereas the experimental group was given the same basal diet supplemented with encapsulated fish oil (1.14 g /kg of concentrate) for 56 days. Milk samples were analyzed for chemical composition and FA profile. The inclusion of encapsulated fish oil in the goat diet did not affect the yield and composition of goat milk. The effect of diet was not significant on the FA profile of goat milk, except that 20:0 was lower (P < 0.05) in the milk of goats that received fish oil. The low dose of encapsulated fish oil supplement used in this study did not impact (P > 0.05) the PUFA content of goat milk or milk composition and yield; however, the atherogenicity index (AI), which is beneficial to heart health, was lower (P < 0.05) in the milk of goats that received fish oil as a supplement in their diet compared to the control.     

Incorporation of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fed Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Bran

This study evaluated the effect of the inclusion of chia bran in the diet of Nile tilapia on the composition of n‐3 fatty acids (FA). Omega‐3 fatty acids provide health benefits such as reducing the risks of coronary heart disease, hypertension and inflammation, and the precursor alpha‐linolenic acid is considered strictly essential because it cannot be synthesized by humans, therefore must be ingested. Tilapias grown in tanks for a period of 45 days were treated with diets supplemented with either soybean oil (TI) or chia bran (TII). Proximal composition analysis of the feeds showed no significant difference. Feed FA quantification showed that the chia diet (TII) had a higher alpha‐linolenic acid (LNA) content. A significant increase was observed in the concentrations of LNA (8.38–81.31 mg 100 g^?1 fillets), eicosapentaenoic acid (1.12–1.56 mg 100 g^?1 fillets) and docosahexaenoic acid (19.55–26.55 mg 100 g^?1 fillets) in tilapia fillets between 0 and 45 days for TII. Total lipids at 45 days under TII were fractionated into neutral lipids (67.66 %) and polar lipids (18.90 %). Thus, dietary supplementation with chia bran contributed to raising the nutritional quality of Nile tilapia fillets.