Sources and Bioactive Properties of Conjugated Dietary Fatty Acids

The group of conjugated fatty acids known as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers have been extensively studied with regard to their bioactive potential in treating some of the most prominent human health malignancies. However, CLA isomers are not the only group of potentially bioactive conjugated fatty acids currently undergoing study. In this regard, isomers of conjugated α‐linolenic acid, conjugated nonadecadienoic acid and conjugated eicosapentaenoic acid, to name but a few, have undergone experimental assessment. These studies have indicated many of these conjugated fatty acid isomers commonly possess anti‐carcinogenic, anti‐adipogenic, anti‐inflammatory and immune modulating properties, a number of which will be discussed in this review. The mechanisms through which these bioactivities are mediated have not yet been fully elucidated. However, existing evidence indicates that these fatty acids may play a role in modulating the expression of several oncogenes, cell cycle regulators, and genes associated with energy metabolism. Despite such bioactive potential, interest in these conjugated fatty acids has remained low relative to the CLA isomers. This may be partly attributed to the relatively recent emergence of these fatty acids as bioactives, but also due to a lack of awareness regarding sources from which they can be produced. In this review, we will also highlight the common sources of these conjugated fatty acids, including plants, algae, microbes and chemosynthesis.     

Sequential Feeding of Lipid Supplement Enriches Beef Adipose Tissues with 18:3n-3 Biohydrogenation Intermediates

The present study was designed to determine if feeding steers extruded flaxseed and hay (25 and 75%; DM basis) together as a total mixed ration (TMR), or sequentially (non-TMR) would result in different enrichments of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and their biohydrogenation intermediates (BHI) in beef adipose tissues [subcutaneous (SC) vs perirenal (PR) fat]. Forty-eight Angus cross steers (325 ± 16 kg) were stratified by weight to six pens, and pens were randomized to either TMR or non-TMR and fed ad libitum for an average of 242 days. The concentrations of α-linolenic acid increased by 18 mol% in both SC and PR in non-TMR steers compared to TMR steers (P < 0.01). trans 18:1 isomers were more concentrated in PR than SC (14.4 vs 9.5 mol%; P < 0.01) and increased by 10 mol% in both fat depots for non-TMR (P < 0.01). Other BHI including non-methylene-interrupted 18:2 (atypical dienes), conjugated linoleic acids and conjugated linolenic acids (CLnA) were affected by diet × tissue interactions (P < 0.01). The CLnA and CLA contents were higher in both fat depots when feeding the non-TMR, but the effect of diet was more pronounced in PR than in SC (P < 0.01). Atypical dienes were highest in PR from non-TMR and lowest in TMR fed steers (4.3 and 3.6 mol%) with SC contents being intermediate. The sequential feeding of lipid supplement can thus profoundly affect the enrichment of PUFA and their BHI in beef fat and their differentially enrichment is also fat depot dependant.     

Optimum conditions for testing N-nitrosamine formation potential (FP) through ozonation in wastewater samples

N-nitrosamines are potential carcinogens that are formed during disinfection by chlorination/chloramination or ozonation. In this study, the main objective was to optimize ozonation experimental conditions (pH and temperature) for the production of N-nitrosamines by using the CCD method in wastewater matrices. As the results, maximum NDMA FP_O3 (formation potential by ozonation) occurred at pH 8.96 and a temperature of 20.0 °C. Furthermore, attempts to reduce the concentrations of eight N-nitrosamines revealed that none was removed or reduced in concentration by ozonation using Milli-Q water for 2 h.     

Synthesis of hydroxyphenylglycine-derived novel poly(silylenevinylenephenyleneethynylene)s

The hydrosilylation polymerization of d-(−)-p-hydroxyphenylglycine-derived diethynyl monomers 1p and 1m with dihydrosilanes Si1 and Si2 was carried out using RhI(PPh₃)₃ as a catalyst to give optically active novel poly(silylenevinylenephenyleneethynylene)s [(E)-poly(1p-Si1), (E)-poly(1p-Si2), (E)-poly(1m-Si1), (E)-poly(1m-Si2), and (Z)-poly(1p-Si1)] with number-average molecular weights ranging from 2800 to 17,000 in 41-92% yields. Polymers having (E)- and (Z)-olefin moieties were obtained, wherein the (E)-/(Z)-ratios depended on the reaction conditions. The UV-vis absorption edge of (E)-poly(1p-Si1) was positioned at a wavelength longer than that of (Z)-poly(1p-Si1), indicating that (E)-vinylene-linkage extends the conjugation more largely than the (Z)-counterpart. This was also confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy. Alkaline hydrolysis of ester moieties of these polymers gave the corresponding polymers having carboxy groups. The (E)-polymers showed different solubility in hydrophobic solvents before and after hydrolysis, but the non-hydrolyzed and hydrolyzed (Z)-polymers exhibited the same solubility.     

Rapid Determination of Degradation in Frying Oils with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Measures of free fatty acids (FFA), total polar materials (TPM), and conjugated dienoic acids (CDA), typical indices of oil degradation, were analyzed in daily oil aliquots taken from soybean oils with different linolenic acid concentrations used to fry French fries. The oils also were scanned with a reflectance near-infrared spectrometer using a wavelength range of 350–2,500 nm. By using partial least squares and one-out cross validation, calibrations were developed to quantitatively determine FFA, TPM, and CDA by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The coefficients of determination (R ²) when compared to the standard methods were 0.973 for FFA, 0.984 for TPM, and 0.902 for CDA. NIRS was an accurate and fast method to determine FFA, TPM, and CDA in oxidized oils. The ability to obtain different parameters simultaneously makes NIRS a potentially valuable tool for food quality assurance.     

Determination of conjugated linolenic acid content of selected oil seeds grown in Turkey

Seeds originating from some Turkish sources were analyzed with respect to their characteristics and FA compositions. These seeds represented pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), bitter grourd (Momordica charantia L.), pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), catalpa (Catalpa bignonoides), bourdaine (Rhamnus frangula L.), Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), sarsaparilla (Smilax aspera), mahaleb (Prunus mahaleb L.), black-thorn (Prunus spinosa L.), cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.), and firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea). Bitter gourd and bourdaine seeds contain more than 20% oil. Catalpa, bourdaine, Oregon grape, blackthorn, and cherry laurel seed oil contents ranged from 15 to 20%. In the seeds from plants belonging to the Rosacea family, oil content ranged from 4.5 to 18.5%. Among the seed oils analyzed, pot marigold had one of the lowest oil contents (5.9%). Pomegranate contained the highest amount of total conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) (86.0%). Seed oils of bitter grourd, pot marigold, mahaleb, and catalpa were rich in CLNA: 60.0, 29.5, 27.6, and 27.5%, respectively. Bourdaine, Oregon grape, and sarsaparilla seeds contained low amounts of CLNA. On the other hand, mahaleb, bourdaine, catalpa, Oregon grape, sarsaparilla, cherry laurel, blackthorn, and firethorn seed oils are basically oleic and linoleic acid-rich oils and therefore have little drying ability (semidrying oil). The results show a potential for the use of endogenous Turkish seeds as a source of CLNA.     

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.     

Co3O4负载纳米Au催化剂的制备

利用共沉淀法（CP）和沉积-沉淀法（DP）制备了Au／C0304催化剂,考察了制备条件及不同制备方法对金粒子大小的影响。结果表明,负载量为1wt％Au／Co3O4金粒子最小,分散度最好,而焙烧温度太高不利于金粒子的分散,另外,DP法制备的金粒子比CP法制备的要小。     

Selective intermacromolecular complex formation between phenolic and nonionic polymers

The selective intermacromolecular complex formation between p-bromophenol-formaldehyde copolymer (PPF) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) has been investigated. PVP has been found to have greater ability for complex formation compared to PEO with respect to PPF. An open-chain mechanism has been proposed for the substitution reaction between PVP and PPF-PEO complex. The abnormal behaviour of viscosity curves has been interpreted on the basis of probable association between the nonionic polymers.     

Body Compositional Changes and Growth Alteration in Chicks from Hens Fed Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Effects of feeding conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to hens on progeny chick development and composition at hatch (NHC) and three weeks of age (TWC) were assessed. CLA (0 or 0.5%, composed of mixed isomers of cis-9,trans-11 or trans-10,cis-12-CLA) was fed to hens with either safflower (SO) or olive oil (OO) (3 or 3.5%) to assure successful hatch for 2 weeks prior to collection for incubation. Maternal CLA feeding had no effect on hatchability, but improved egg fertility (p < 0.05). Maternal feeding of CLA with SO increased 21 day-old progeny growth, while CLA with OO decreased growth (oil*CLA, p < 0.05). In 25 day-old chicks (TWC), but not NHC, maternal CLA decreased the proportion of total body water (p < 0.05) and increased body ash (p < 0.05). While monounsaturated fatty acids were decreased and saturated fatty acids increased in eggs and NHC from hens fed CLA, no differences in fatty acid composition were observed in chicks at 25 days of age from hens fed CLA. Maternal CLA feeding resulted in the presence of c9,t11 and t10,c12-CLA in NHC, but only c9,t11 in the TWC. In conclusion, hens fed CLA led to improved fertility and altered body composition at 3 weeks of age.     

Enhancement of electroluminescence properties of red diketopyrrolopyrrole-doped copolymers by oxadiazole and carbazole units as pendants

Two novel diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-based copolymers P1-2 were prepared by doping red emitting DPP monomer (1 mol%) into benzothiadiazole, alkoxybenzene and 9,9-dialkylfluorene-based copolymers through base-free Suzuki polymerization. P1 contained the pendants of electron-transport oxadiazole and hole-transport carbazole, but P2 did not contain them. P1 had higher glass transition temperature than P2. The electroluminescence (EL) devices of P1 and P2 (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer/CsF/Al) exhibited red emission with external quantum efficiency of 0.63% and 0.18%, and with brightness of 2681 and 885 cd/m², respectively. The results show that the EL properties of P1 are much better than that of P2 due to the introduction of oxadiazole and carbazole as the pendants. The pendants could restrain aggregation which might induce fluorescence quenching and are of benefit to keep high charge mobility. The efficient energy transfer existed among the pendants, polymer backbone and DPP unit. These factors should be responsible for the higher EL performance of P1.     

Dietary fibers and cardiometabolic diseases

The high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is largely attributable to the contemporary lifestyle that is often sedentary and includes a diet high in saturated fats and sugars and low ingestion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), fruit, vegetables, and fiber. Experimental data from both animals and humans suggest an association between increased dietary fiber (DF) intakes and improved plasma lipid profiles, including reduced low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations. These observations underline that the intake of DF may protect against heart disease and stroke.     

Influence of the introduction of phenylene units into the polymer backbone on bandgap of conjugated poly(heteroarylene methines)

A series of conjugated poly(heteroarylene methines) containing alternating aromatic and quinoid phenylene-thiophene moieties in the main chain have been synthesized. These polymers are soluble in common organic solvents, such as chloroform, THF. The optical and electrochemical properties of the conjugated poly(heteroarylene methines), such as band gap, redox potentials, ionization potential, and electron affinity, were found to be significantly modified by the size of lateral groups on phenylene units and the number of phenylene units on the phenylene-thiophene moieties. With the increase of the size of lateral groups on phenylene units, the polymers show much bigger conjugated length. And the introduction of two phenylene units between two thiophene units lowers much more band gap than that of one phenylene unit.     

Effect of Accelerated Storage on Microencapsulated Kenaf Seed Oil

In order to improve the quality and protect against degradation, kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed oil was microencapsulated by using spray drying. The microencapsulated kenaf seed oil (MKSO) was then stored at 65 °C for 24 days, the changes of fatty acids and bioactive compounds were examined every six days. Bulk (unencapsulated) kenaf seed oil was used as a control and was compared to the MKSO. The fatty acids and phytosterols compositions were determined by using gas chromatography, while tocopherols and phenolic acids of microencapsulated kenaf seed oil were determined by using high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in bioactive compounds in kenaf seed oil while the bioactive compounds in MKSO were maintained in a stable condition upon accelerated storage. Microencapsulation was shown to protect kenaf seed oil against oxidation, as well as preventing the degradation and/or loss of bioactive compounds in kenaf seed oil.     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble poly(N-heptyl indole)

In view of preparing soluble polyindole, indole was N-alkylated using bromoheptane and polymerized to poly(N-heptyl indole) which is soluble in common organic solvents. This process is being reported for the first time. Poly(N-heptyl indole) was characterized by spectral, thermal methods and it shows photoluminescence in liquid state.