Cultivation impacts nitrogen transformation in Indian forest ecosystems

Two forests and two croplands, converted from the forest ecosystem were studied for 2 years to quantify inorganic N, nitrification, N-mineralization and microbial-N. The available N-pool ranged from 15.23 μg g⁻¹ to 19.84 μg g⁻¹, microbial-N from 20.6 μg g⁻¹ to 80.02 μg g⁻¹ with maximum values in summer season and minimum values in the rainy season. The trend for nitrification and N-mineralization was opposite to that of the size of available N-pool. Mean annual net nitrification rates ranged from 7.07 μg g⁻¹ month⁻¹ to 44.84 μg g⁻¹ month⁻¹ (0.17–1.39 μg g⁻¹ day⁻¹) and net N-mineralization from 6.56 μg g⁻¹ month⁻¹ to 48.53 μg g⁻¹ month⁻¹ (0.21–1.56 μg g⁻¹ day⁻¹). On an average, the pool of available N was slightly higher by 4.81%, while the microbial-N was declined substantially by 41.78% after the conversion of forest into cropland. Cultivation reduced the mean annual net nitrification and net N-mineralization, respectively by 50.71% and 47.67%. Interestingly, seasonal moisture content is negatively correlated to microbial-N and inorganic N and positively related to nitrification and N-mineralization.     

Determination of selenium,arsenic, iodine and bromine in fish,plant and mammalian oils by cyclic instrumental neutron activation analysis

The concentrations of arsenic, selenium, iodine and bromine in a series of fish, plant and mammalian oils have been determined by cyclic instrumental neutron activation analysis (CINAA). Crude fish oils contain between 0.047 and 0.151 μg Se g⁻¹, 2.36–14.5 μg As g⁻¹, 2.36–9.63 μg Br g⁻¹ and 0.97–4.76 μgI g⁻¹. Seal oil contains the same four elements, but at levels below the lower end of the fish oil ranges. Iodine, bromine and arsenic were not detected in rape-seed or soybean oils and the concentration of selenium varied from < 0.010 to 0.042 μg g⁻¹. The levels of selenium, iodine and bromine are reduced markedly by hydrogenation of the menhaden oils. The CINAA method yielded results which were in agreement with pub-lished values obtained by other methods. The technique was rapid, requiring minimal sample manipulation, and was essentially free from interferences.     

Enhanced electrochemical performance of FeS<Subscript>2</Subscript> synthesized by hydrothermal method for lithium ion batteries

Iron disulfide (FeS₂) powders were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) had a great influence on the morphology, particle size, and electrochemical performance of the FeS₂ powders. The as-synthesized FeS₂ particles with CTAB had diameters of 2–4 μm and showed a sphere-like structure with sawtooth, while the counterpart prepared without CTAB exhibited irregular morphology with diameters in the range of 0.1–0.4 μm. As anode materials for Li-ion batteries, their electrochemical performances were investigated by galvanostatic charge–discharge test and electrochemical impedance spectrum. The FeS₂ powder synthesized with CTAB can sustain 459 and 413 mAh g⁻¹ at 89 and 445 mA g⁻¹ after 35 cycles, respectively, much higher than those prepared without CTAB (411 and 316 mAh g⁻¹). The enhanced rate capability and cycling stability were attributed to the less-hindered surface layer and better electrical contact from the sawtooth-like surface and micro-sized sphere morphology, which led to enhanced process kinetics.     

Differential Attractiveness of Potato Tuber Volatiles to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phthorimaea operculella</Emphasis> (Gelechiidae) and the Predator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orius insidiosus</Emphasis> (Anthocoridae)

The behavioral responses of the potato tuberworm moth Phthorimaea operculella and the polyphagous predator Orius insidiosus to volatiles emanating from exposed tubers were studied by four-arm olfactometer bioassays. Mated females of P. operculella distinguished volatiles released by intact potato tubers from volatiles damaged mechanically or by conspecific larvae. Volatiles from intact potato tubers were attractive to them. On the other hand, unmated females of P. operculella did not respond to tuber volatiles. Adults of O. insidiosus were attracted to volatiles from tubers damaged by P. operculella larvae, but did not respond to intact or mechanically damaged tubers. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) was the only compound identified from the headspace of potato tubers (GC-MS of direct headspace sampling). The amount varied with the type of induction, being 0.001 ± 0.0003 ng g⁻¹ in tissues of intact fresh tubers, 0.002 ± 0.0007 ng g⁻¹ in mechanically damaged tubers, and showing a six- to tenfold increase in P. operculella damaged tubers (0.090 ± 0.006 ng g⁻¹). Behavioral bioassays with synthetic MeJA confirmed that the response of the insects is dependent on MeJA concentration. Mated females of P. operculella showed the highest response at 0.001 ng g⁻¹ (concentration released by intact tubers), whereas O. insidiosus showed the highest response, between 0.01 and 0.05 ng g⁻¹, which is close to the concentration released by P. operculella damaged tubers. Based on these results, we postulate that P. operculella and O. insidiosus have adapted their responses to plant volatiles differently, enabling them to locate suitable hosts or prey.     

Fumigant and Contact Toxicities of Monoterpenes to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sitophilus oryzae</Emphasis> (L.) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tribolium castaneum</Emphasis> (Herbst) and their Inhibitory Effects on Acetylcholinesterase Activity

A comparative study was conducted to assess the contact and fumigant toxicities of eleven monoterpenes on two important stored products insects—, Sitophilus oryzae, the rice weevil, and Tribolium castaneum, the rust red flour beetle. The monoterpenes included: camphene, (+)-camphor, (−)-carvone, 1-8-cineole, cuminaldehyde, (l)-fenchone, geraniol, (−)-limonene, (−)-linalool, (−)-menthol, and myrcene. The inhibitory effect of these compounds on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity also was examined to explore their possible mode(s) of toxic action. Although most of the compounds were toxic to S. oryzae and T. castaneum, their toxicity varied with insect species and with the bioassay test. In contact toxicity assays, (−)-carvone, geraniol, and cuminaldehyde showed the highest toxicity against S. oryzae with LC₅₀ values of 28.17, 28.76, and 42.08 μg/cm², respectively. (−)-Carvone (LC₅₀ = 19.80 μg/cm²) was the most effective compound against T. castaneum, followed by cuminaldehyde (LC₅₀ = 32.59 μg/cm²). In contrast, camphene, (+)-camphor, 1-8-cineole, and myrcene had weak activity against both insects (i.e., LC₅₀ values above 500 μg/cm²). In fumigant toxicity assays, 1-8-cineole was the most effective against S. oryzae and T. castaneum (LC₅₀ = 14.19 and 17.16 mg/l, respectively). Structure-toxicity investigations revealed that (−)-carvone—, a ketone—, had the highest contact toxicity against the both insects. 1-8-Cineole—, an ether—, was the most potent fumigant against both insects. In vitro inhibition studies of AChE from adults of S. oryzae showed that cuminaldehyde most effectively inhibited enzyme activity at the two tested concentrations (0.01 and 0.05 M) followed by 1-8-cineole, (−)-limonene, and (l)-fenchone. 1-8-Cineole was the most potent inhibitor of AChE activity from T. castaneum larvae followed by (−)-carvone and (−)-limonene. The results of the present study indicate that (−)-carvone, 1,8-cineole, cuminaldehyde, (l)-fenchone, and (−)-limonene could be effective biocontrol agents against S. oryzae and T. castaneum.     

Phytosterol accumulation in canola, sunflower, and soybean oils: Effects of genetics, planting location, and temperature

To assess the potential of traditional selection breeding to develop varieties with increased phytosterol content, we determined concentrations of those sterols in canola, sunflower, and soybean seed oils produced from breeding lines of diverse genetic backgrounds. Seed oils were extracted and saponified, and the nonsaponifiable fractions were subjected to silylation. The major phytosterols brassicasterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol, were quantified by capillary gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection. Canola contained approximately twice the amount of total phytosterols (4590–8070 μg g⁻¹) as sunflower (2100–4540 μg g⁻¹) or soybean (2340–4660 μg g⁻¹) oils. Phytosterol composition varied among crops as expected, as well as within a crop. Both genetic background and planting location significantly affected total phytosterol concentrations. Soybean plants were maintained from flower initiation to seed maturity under three temperature regimes in growth chambers to determine the effect of temperature during this period on seed oil phytosterol levels. A 2.5-fold variability in total phytosterol content was measured in these oils (3210–7920 μg g⁻¹). Total phytosterol levels increased with higher temperatures. Composition also changed, with greater percent campesterol and lower percent stigmasterol and β-sitosterol at higher temperatures. In these soybean oils, total phytosterol accumulation was correlated inversely with total tocopherol levels. Owing to the relatively limited variability in phytosterol levels in seed oils produced under field conditions, it is unlikely that a traditional breeding approach would lead to a dramatic increase in phytosterol content or modified phytosterol composition.     

A simple unstructured model-based control for efficient expression of recombinant porcine insulin precursor by Pichia pastoris

Based on the fact that Pichia cell growth follows a Monod equation under the condition of methanol concentration limitation, a kinetics model of recombinant methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris expressing porcine insulin precursor (PIP) was developed in the quasi-steady state in the induction phase. The model revealed that the relationship between specific growth rate (μ) and substrate methanol concentration was in accord with the Monod equation. The fermentation kinetic parameters maximum specific growth rate (μ _max ), saturation constant (K _s ) and maintenance coefficient (M) were estimated to be 0.101 h⁻¹, 0.252 g l ⁻¹, and 0.011 g MeOH g⁻¹ DCW h⁻¹, respectively. The unstructured model was validated in methanol induction phase with different initial cell densities. Results showed that the maximum specific protein production rate (q _p.max ) of 0.098 mg g⁻¹ DCW h⁻¹ was achieved when μ was kept at 0.016 h⁻¹, and the maximum yield of PIP reached 0.97 g l ⁻¹, which was 1.5-fold as that of the control. Therefore, the simple Monod model proposed has proven to be a robust control system for recombinant porcine insulin precursor production by P. pastoris on pilot scale, which would be further applied on production scale. This work was presented at 13 ^th YABEC symposium held at Seoul, Korea, October 20–22, 2007.     

Influence of Proportion of Skin Present During Malaxing on Pigment Composition of Cold Pressed Avocado Oil

The effect of the proportion of ‘Hass’ avocado skin tissue present during aqueous cold pressed avocado oil extraction on the pigment concentration and oil quality was determined. Increasing amounts of skin (i.e., from 0 to 100% of available skin) were included with the flesh before grinding and malaxing in a laboratory-scale cold pressed extraction process. The recovered oils were analyzed for oil quality and color. The pigment concentrations in the oil were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). With increasing amounts of skin addition, there was an increase in the green color, as indicated by hue angle, of the avocado oils. There were also increased concentrations of carotenoids and chlorophylls in the oil as the proportion of skin during malaxing was increased. The lutein concentration in the oils increased from 1.13 to 3.21 μg g⁻¹ as the amount of skin added to the malaxer increased from 0 to 100% skin, and the total chlorophyll concentration in the same oils increased from 7.3 to 27.5 μg g⁻¹. The green color of cold pressed avocado oil and the pigment concentrations can be increased by adding more skin to the malaxer during oil extraction.     

Growth and eicosapentaenoic acid production byPhaeodactylum tricornutum in batch and continuous culture systems

Maximum specific growth rate (μ_max) ofPhaeodactylum tricornutum increased with increasing culture reactor surface-to-volume ratio. Values for μ_max of 0.647, 0.377 and 0.339 day⁻¹ were observed for the 75-mL tube, 5.6-L tank and the 16-L tank, respectively. Higher biomass was achieved in the 75-mL batch culture tube under continuous light as compared with light cycle conditions. Palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) accounted for over 60% of total fatty acids in the batch tube culture, with EPA content increasing to a maximum after three days. In chemostat cultures, run at dilution rates of 0.15 day⁻¹ (0.45 of μ_max) and 0.3 day⁻¹ (0.9 of μ_max), cell concentration reached a steady state of 2.18 and 0.7 g/L, respectively, while contents of EPA per liter of culture at steady state were 100.9 and 82.5 mg/L, respectively. At both dilution rates, EPA content of total fatty acids was the same (35.0–35.2%). At a dilution rate of 0.3 day⁻¹, the continuous culture system manifested productivities of 0.51 g/L/d and 25.1 mg/L/d for biomass and EPA, respectively.     

5,9,23-Triacontatrienoic methyl ester,an elastase inhibitor from the marine sponge Chondrilla nucula

A polyethylenic fatty ester was isolated from the marine sponge Chondrilla nucula. The structure was elucidated through NMR spectral data and MS analysis as 5,9,23-triacon-tatrienoic methyl ester 1. Compound 1 is an elastase inhibitor [ID₅₀=10 μg/mL (2·10⁻⁵M)].     

Physico-Chemical Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Moringa concanensis</Emphasis> Seeds and Seed Oil

The present work reports the characterization and comparison of Moringa concanensis seed oil from Tharparkar (a drought hit area), Pakistan. The hexane-extracted oil content of M. concanensis seeds ranged from 37.56 to 40.06% (average 38.82%). Protein, fiber, moisture and ash contents were found to be 30.07, 6.00, 5.88 and 9.00%, respectively. The extracted oil exhibited an iodine value of 67.00; a refractive index (40 °C) of 1.4648; its density (24 °C) was 0.8660 mg mL⁻¹; the saponification value (mg of KOH g⁻¹ of oil) was 179.00; unsaponifiable matter 0.78%; color (1 in. cell) 1.90R + 19.00Y; and acidity (% as oleic acid) 0.34%. Tocopherols (α, γ, and δ) in the oil accounted for 72.11, 9.26 and 33.87 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Specific extinctions at 232 and 270 nm were 3.17 and 0.65, respectively. The peroxide and p-anisidine values of the oil were found to be 1.75 and 1.84 meq kg⁻¹, respectively. The induction periods (Rancimat, 20 L h⁻¹, 120 °C) of the crude oil was 10.81 h and reduced to 8.90 h after degumming. The M. concanensis oil was found to contain high levels of oleic acid (up to 68.00%) followed by palmitic, stearic, behenic, and arachidic acids up to levels of 11.04, 3.58, 3.44 and 7.09%, respectively. The results of the present analytical study, compared with those for other Moringa species and different vegetable oils, showed M. concanensis to be a potentially valuable non-conventional seed crop for high quality oil.     

Deposition and characterization of nickel–niobium composite electrocoatings

Ni–Nb composite electrocoatings were obtained on carbon steel from Watts bath, containing suspended 20 μm size niobium powders. The effect of cathodic current density, electrolyte stirring rate and concentration of Nb particles in the bath on the deposit morphology and texture, volume fraction of co-deposited Nb particles and microhardness was investigated. The Ni–Nb composite layers presented a rough morphology with randomly oriented Ni grains, whereas pure Ni coatings obtained under the same experimental conditions were smooth and showed highly preferred orientation in the [110] or [100] direction. Stirring rate of the electrolyte and concentration of Nb particles in the bath are the main parameters affecting the incorporation of Nb particles. The Nb incorporated volume fraction was 11–14%, 17–19%, 27–32% and 34–37% for the 20 g L⁻¹ Nb/550 rpm, 20 g L⁻¹ Nb/400 rpm, 40 g L⁻¹ Nb/400 rpm and 40 g L⁻¹ Nb/550 rpm conditions, respectively. The microhardness of the Ni–Nb composite coatings obtained at 20 and 40 mA cm⁻² was higher than that of pure Ni layers, due to grain refining. Incorporation of Nb particles in Ni coatings improved the corrosion resistance of the deposits in NaCl and H₂SO₄ solutions.     

N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O fluxes and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> exchange at different N doses under elevated CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> concentration in boreal agricultural mineral soil under <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phleum pratense</Emphasis>

The effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration on N₂O fluxes, instant CO₂ exchange and the biomass production of timothy (Phleum pratense) were studied in the laboratory. Three sets of 12 farmed sandy soil mesocosms sown with Phleum pratense were fertilised with a commercial fertiliser in order to add 5, 10 and 15 g N m⁻², and equally distributed in four thermo-controlled greenhouses. In two of the greenhouses, the CO₂ concentration was kept at atmospheric concentration (360 μmol mol⁻¹), and in the other two at double the ambient concentration (720 μmol mol⁻¹). Forage was harvested and the plants fertilised twice during the N₂O measurements. This was followed by an extra fertilisation and harvesting. After the third harvest, the growth of P. pratense was maintained at a height of 18 cm for measurements of instant CO₂ exchange, performed in two growth chambers. N₂O exchange was monitored using a closed chamber technique and a gas chromatograph. Instant CO₂ exchange was monitored using an infrared gas analyser. N₂O was emitted from the soil in the low, moderate and high N treatments at both CO₂ concentrations when the moisture content was low, the N₂O probably being mainly derived from nitrification. The highest flux (3303 μg N₂O m⁻² h⁻¹) occurred in the highest N treatment before thinning the stand of P. pratense under elevated CO₂ concentration. P. pratense was acclimated to the elevated CO₂ concentration: the NEE and P _G of the elevated growth of P. pratense decreased, in contrast to the fluxes of the normal ambient growth, when measured at the changed CO₂ concentration (ambient). The rate of respiration (R _TOT) in the agroecosystem did not increase due to the elevated CO₂ concentration, but instead the results indicated decreased R _TOT (on average 2049 and 1808 mg CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ at ambient and elevated CO₂ concentration, respectively) when there was an abundant N supply. This infers the possibility of enhanced C accumulation in agriculture mineral soil via P. pratense under an increased atmospheric CO₂ supply.     

A highly active soluble diacylglycerol synthesizing system from developing rapeseed,Brassica napus L.

The subcellular distribution of the enzymes of triacylglycerol biosynthesis has been studied in developing oilseed rape. All in vitro enzymatic activities from oleoyl-CoA to triacylglycerol were sufficient to account for the known rate of oleate deposition in triacylglycerol in vivo. The enzymatic activities from oleoyl-CoA to diacylglycerol preferentially were localized in a 150,000 g supernatant fraction, while the diacylglycerol acyl-transferase mostly was associated with the microsomal (20,000 g pellet and 150,000 g pellet) and oil-body fractions. The soluble (150,000 g supernantant) fraction rapidly incorporated oleate from [1-¹⁴C]oleoyl-CoA into diacylglycerol with rates of 40 nm min⁻¹ g⁻¹ FW at 20 μM oleoyl-CoA. The pH optimum was 7.5–9.0, and normal saturation kinetics were seen with oleoyl-CoA; the S_0.5 was about 32 μM. Exogenous acyl acceptors, such as glycerol 3-phosphate, lysophosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine stimulated oleate incorporation into diacylglycerol. The detergents Triton X-100 and sodium cholate inhibited diacylglycerol formation at concentrations in the region of their critical micellar concentration, while n-octyl-β,D-glyco-pyranoside had no effect, even at high concentration. The significance of these findings for the mechanism of oil-body formation in developing oilseeds is discussed.     

Preliminary evaluation of NaClO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powder injection method for mercury oxidation: Bench scale experiment using iron-ore sintering flue gas

The injection of powdered sodium chlorite (NaClO₂(s)) for mercury oxidation into iron-ore sintering flue gas has been evaluated by using the bench scale of tubular flow reactor, where the flow rate and temperature of flue gas stream were controlled to 250 Nm³ hr⁻¹ and 135 °C, respectively, and either 50 or 260 μg Nm⁻³ of the mercury concentration was introduced intentionally to the gas stream. We have observed that 90% of Hg⁰ oxidation was obtained at 0.18 g Nm⁻³ NaClO₂(s) injection, indicating that the oxidized weight of Hg° by the loaded weight of NaClO₂(s) is 1026 (±333) (μg-Hg⁰) (g-NaClO₂(s))⁻¹. This result leads us to suggest that the simple injection of NaClO₂(s) into the flue gas has the potential to achieve over 90% mercury control in practical application.     

No Evidence for the Induction of Brown Algal Chemical Defense by the Phytohormones Jasmonic Acid and Methyl Jasmonate

Induced chemical defense reactions are widespread in marine brown algae. Despite the evidence that the biosynthesis of defense metabolites can be up-regulated upon herbivory, we do not know how this regulation of biosynthetic pathways to secondary metabolites is achieved in brown algae. In higher plants, the phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) is crucial for the mediation of induced chemical defenses, and several findings of this metabolite from marine sources have been reported. We tested the hypothesis that JA or related metabolites play a role in induced brown algal defense. Quantification of oxylipins with a detection limit around 20 ng g⁻¹ algal tissue did not reveal the presence of JA in the seven examined brown algal species Dictyota dichotoma, Colpomenia peregrina, Ectocarpus fasciculatus, Fucus vesiculosus, Himanthalia elongata, Saccharina latissima (formerly Laminaria saccharina), and Sargassum muticum. Moreover, treatment with ecologically relevant concentrations of JA and methyl jasmonate did not lead to a significant change in the profile of medium- and non-polar metabolites of the tested algae. Only when high concentrations of ≥500 μg ml⁻¹ medium of the phytohormones were applied that a metabolic response which could be attributed to unspecific stress was observed. Bioassays with D. dichotoma that focused on medium- and non-polar compounds confirmed the lack of a biological role of JA and methyl jasmonate in the induction of algal induced chemical defenses. The phytohormone-treated samples did not exhibit any increased defense potential towards the amphipod Ampithoe longimana and the isopod Paracerceis caudata. JA and related phytohormones, known to be active in higher plants, thus appear to play no role in brown algae for induction of the defense chemicals studied here.     

Effect of a Rugulosin-producing Endophyte in Picea glauca on Choristoneura fumiferana

Disease-free second instar Choristoneura fumiferana (eastern spruce budworm) were placed on trees infected with a rugulosin-producing needle endophyte in two experiments. They were allowed to grow to sixth instar when survivors were collected. First, by using 3-yr old trees, a comparison was made of budworm growth on infected and uninfected trees. A second experiment used 4-yr old trees to study the effect of rugulosin content in the needle on growth. This permitted an examination of a dose response in relation to growth, and allowed us to eliminate the potential for differences in environment or foliar chemistry affecting the results. At sixth instar, budworms feeding on infected trees that contained rugulosin were smaller than those on uninfected trees. At needle concentrations above the dietary low observed effect level of rugulosin for C. fumerana >0.5 μg g⁻¹, a dose response was seen. For the first time, this demonstrates an inverse effect in outdoor nursery experiments between budworm weight and rugulosin concentration.     

Effect of growing area on pigment and phenolic fractions of virgin olive oils of the arbequina variety in Spain

The purpose of this investigation was to study differences in the chlorophyll, carotenoid, and phenolic fractions of virgin olive oils from the Arbequina variety cultivated in different olive growing areas of Spain. Virgin olive oil from Lleida was less heavily pigmented, and these oils showed more negative values for the ordinate a^* (of the CIELAB colorimetric system). Pheophytin a was the major chlorophyll pigment, and lutein was the major component of the carotenoid fraction in all oils analyzed. The chlorophyll a concentration in virgin olive oils from Lleida was 700 μg kg⁻¹, but was 175 μg kg⁻¹ in oils from Jaén, and 200 μg kg⁻¹ in oils from Tarragona. Finally, the chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratio was 9 in oils from Lleida and around 0.6 in the other two Arbequina olive oils. In relation to the phenolic fraction, the hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol contents were significantly higher in olive oils from Jaén (grown at higher altitude and precipitation rates). The secoiridoid derivatives showed a significantly higher concentration in olive oils from Tarragona, probably due to the low altitude where they grow, and finally the ratio of (dialdehydic form of elenolic acid linked to tyrosol)/lignans had a value of 1.4 in olive oils from Lleida, whereas this value was around 0.7 in the other Arbequina olive oils.     

Effect of a Seaweed Extract on Fatty Acid Accumulation and Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Activity in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

This study was to determine the effect of a seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum extract (SE) containing 220 mg g⁻¹ phlorotannins on differentiation and fatty acid accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3T3-L1 cells (2 × 10⁴ mL⁻¹) were seeded to 24-well plates and proliferated to reach confluence and then were treated with media containing 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μg mL⁻¹ SE for 8 days. Dexamethasone, methyl-isobutylxanthine and insulin (DMI) were added to the media in the first 2 days to induce cell differentiation. On day 8 the adipocytes were harvested for measuring cellular fatty acid concentration and the activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH). It was found that treatment with SE increased (P < 0.01, n = 6) cellular myristoleic acid (C14:1), palmitoleic acid (C16:1) and oleic acid (C18:1) and total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) without significantly affecting the cell number and saturated fatty acid (SFA). Ratios of MUFA/SFA, C14:1/C14:0, C16:1/C16:0 and C18:1/C18:0 in cellular lipids increased (P < 0.05, n = 6) with the SE treatment in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.001). Treatment with 75 μg mL⁻¹ SE depressed (P < 0.05) cellular GPDH activity. The results indicate that the biological factors in the SE may be involved in differentiation and MUFA accumulation in adipocytes.     

Effects of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on de novo fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis in the rat

The effects of 1, 5, 10 and 20 μg/kg dosages of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) upon de novo fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis in liver and adipose tissue were determined in pair-fed rats. The incorporation of tritium from³H₂O into tissue lipids was measured. Hepatic and adipose fatty acid synthetic rates (μmoles acetyl units g⁻¹ hr⁻¹ in the control groups were 19.6±4 and 75.7±18.5, respectively, and the liver cholesterol synthetic rate was 2.9±0.5 TCDD (1 μg/kg) inhibited fatty acid synthesis in the liver and adipose tissue, by 44% and 41% respectively, and the liver cholesterol synthesis was inhibited by 37%. The extent of these inhibitions increased with increasing dosages of TCDD. The effect of TCDD on sterol synthesis in adipose tissue could not be determined, because the tritium incorporation into the sterol fraction in this tissue was not detectable.