Activation of long chain fatty acids by subcellular fractions of rat liver: I. Activation oftrans-unsaturated acids

The optimal fatty acid to protein ratio for maximum rat liver microsomal or mitochondrial activation of thetrans-monounsaturated acids elaidate ortrans-vaccenate is similar to the ratio for maximum palmitate activation but approximately double the optimal ratio for maximum activation of thecis-unsaturated fatty acids, oleate,cis-vaccenate, or of thetrans-diunsaturated linelaidic acid. However, when the substrate is a fatty acid-albumin complex rather than free fatty acids, optimal fatty acid activation appears to be independent of geometrical configuration or degree of unsaturation. All-trans retinoate, d-α-tocopheryl acid succinate, and dihomogeranoate are not activated themselves, but at low concentrations extensively inhibit activation ofcis-acids (oleate,cis-vaccenate, petroselenate, linoleate, linolenate, arachidonate) and thetrans-diunsaturated linelaidate but do not affect activation of palmitate ortrans-monounsaturated acids elaidate andtrans-vaccenate. Anionic, cationic or nonionic detergents in a pH 7.4 buffered incubation medium were shown to inhibit, have no effect on, or apparently activate oleate activation, respectively, while not affecting or inhibiting palmitate and elaidate activation. The effect observed was dependent on the fatty acid to protein ratio, the fatty acid configuration and the detergent concentration.     

The effects oftrans fatty acids on fatty acyl Δ5 desaturation by human skin fibroblasts

The effectiveness of different fatty acids as inhibitors of fatty acyl Δ5 desaturation activity in human skin fibroblasts has been investigated. When incubated with 2.25 μM [¹⁴C] eicosatrienoate (20∶3ω6) in otherwise lipid-free medium, these cells rapidly incorporate the radiolabeled fatty acid into cellular glycerolipids and desaturate it to produce both [¹⁴C] arachidonate and [¹⁴C] docosatetraenoate. The Δ5 desaturation activity can be enhanced by prior growth of the cells without serum lipids. Elaidate (9t–18∶1) is a potent inhibitor of Δ5 desaturation whiletrans-vaccenate (11t–18∶1) is virtually without effect. Oleate and linoleate are only mildly inhibitory. Linoelaidate (9t, 12t–18∶2) is more inhibitory than linoleate but significantly less effective than elaidate. The effects of elaidate can be readily overcome by increasing the concentration of exogenous eicosatrienoate. Studies with a variety oftrans monounsaturates of differing chain lengths indicate that the ω9trans fatty acids are potent inhibitors of Δ5 desaturation, while ω7trans fatty acids are relatively ineffective. Intact human fibroblasts could thus be important in characterizing novel fatty acids as selective inhibitors of arachidonate synthesis in vivo.     

Desaturation of positional and geometric isomers of monoenoic fatty acids by microsomal preparations from rat liver

A range ofcis- andtrans-monoenoic fatty acids was tested as substrates for desaturation in microsomal preparations from rat liver.Trans-monoenoic acids were generally desaturated in the Δ9 position to the same extent as stearic acid. Acids with Δ7-trans- and Δ11-trans-olefinic unsaturation produced Δ7-trans,9-cis- and Δ9-cis,11-trans-conjugated dienoic acids, respectively, but the Δ8-trans- and Δ10-trans-monoenoic acids did not give Δ8,9- or Δ9,10-allenes. Of thecis-monoenoic acids examined, only those with double bonds at or beyond the Δ14 position gave any measurable Δ9 desaturation. When Δ9 desaturation of long chain saturated acids was inhibited by adding sterculic acid, these saturated acids were desaturated at the Δ5 and Δ6 positions. Many of the monoenoic acids tested were also desaturated at the Δ5 and/or Δ6 positions, although the percentage conversions were always low. Δ9-cis,11-trans-, Δ9-cis,12-trans- and Δ9-cis,13-trans-dienoic acids, produced in situ by Δ9 desaturation of the corresponding monoenoic acids, were extensively desaturated in the Δ6 position. These results are discussed in terms of: (a) the various models proposed to explain the substrate specificities of the desaturases, and (b) the metabolism of unnatural fatty acids ingested from dietary sources.     

Isomerization during hydrogenation of soap: II. Potassium elaidate and potassium linoleate

Potassium elaidate in slightly alkaline solution was hydrogenated for up to 7 hr with 1.5% of Rufert nickel catalyst at 150 C and 20 kg/sq cm pressure. Potassium linoleate was similarly hydrogenated with 1.0% catalyst for 7 hr, and the hydrogenation continued for another 7 hr after addition of 0.5% fresh catalyst. Periodic samples from each were analyzed for component acids. The positional isomers in thecis andtrans monoenes, isolated by preparative argentation thin layer (TLC) or column chromatography, were estimated after oxidation to dicarboxylic acids. Some diene fractions were isolated for further examination. In potassium elaidate hydrogenation,cis monoenes were initially produced in considerable amounts, but to a lesser extent thereafter. Positional isomers were similarly distributed in bothcis andtrans monoenes after prolonged hydrogenation. In the hydrogenation of potassium linoleate, a drop in iodine value (IV) of 60 units occurred in the first hour, and 38% oftrans monoenes (in which the 10- and 11-monoenes constitute 32% each) were formed. The IV then fell only slowly, and up to 38% ofcis monoene (mostly 9- and 12-isomers) was formed. Addition of fresh catalyst caused a major shift ofcis monoenes totrans forms. The diene fraction was mostly nonconjugated material with the first double bond at the 9, 8 and 10-positions. Minor amounts of conjugated dienes were present as well as a dimeric product.     

Fatty acid metabolism inDrosophila melanogaster: II. Metabolic origin of monoenes

Evidence is presented thatDrosophila larvae produce monounsaturated fatty acids by two independent pathways. One of these pathways, involving the direct desaturation of long chain precursors, is sensitive to inhibition by linoleate. The other pathway is resistant to linoleate inhibition and probably has tetradecnoate-Δ⁵ cis and tetradecnoate-Δ⁷ cis as intermediates in the synthesis of palmitoleate and oleate, respectively. The use of radioactive precursors of varying chain length and labeled at different positions in the carbon chains provided evidence for the isolation and structure of intermediates involved in the linoleate resistant pathway.     

Separation of saturated,unsaturated, and acetylenic fatty acid isomers by silver resin chromatography

A column packed with silver-saturated ion exchange resin (Amberlyst XN 1010) was found to have lipid separation capabilities superior to Amberlyst XN 1005 and similar to Amberlite XE 284. The separation of unsaturated fatty methyl ester isomers by silver resin chromatography using methanol as the eluting solvent has been extended to mixtures containing polyunsaturate and acetylenic fatty esters. Separations are possible on the basis of both total number of double bonds and the geometric configuration. Mixtures containing saturates, elaidate, oleate, linoleate, and linolenate can be separated, but 10% 1-hexene must be added to the methanol to elute the linolenate. Mixtures containingtrans,trans-;trans,cis-; andcis,cis-octadecadienoate isomers have also been separated, and partial resolution ofcis-9,cis-12- andcis-2,cis-15-octadecadienoate isomers was obtained. Sterolate, a monounsaturated acetylenic fatty ester was eluted at the same time as oleate. Crepenynate (cis-9-octadecen-12-ynoate) can be separated from linoleate but not fromcis,trans-octadecadienoate. Employed at the Northern Regional Research Center under a USDA cooperative education program with Purdue University.     

The positional and fatty acid selectivity of oat seed lipase in aqueous emulsions

The positional and fatty acid selectivities of oat (Avena sativa L.) seed lipase (triacylglycerol hydrolase EC 3.1.1.3) were examined. Pure triacylglycerols were used as substrates. The products of lipolysis were examined by thin-layer chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography. Only symmetrical triacylglycerols were used as substrates; thus potential complications arising from stereobias were avoided. Controls were carried out with a lipase specific for primary positions. The lipase from oat seeds catalyzed the hydrolysis of both primary and secondary esters. When the lipase was tested upon mixtures of homoacid triacylglycerols (triacylglycerols composed of the same three fatty acids), the lipase acted most rapidly upon those containing oleate, elaidate, linoleate and linolenate. Strong intermolecular selectivity against homoacid triacylglycerols containing palmitate, petroselinate and stearate was observed. Comparison of assays performed at 26°C with those performed at 45°C showed that selectivity was temperature-independent. When mixed-acid triacylglycerols containing both oleate and stearate were treated with lipase, intramolecular selectivity was observed, with oleate hydrolysis predominating. From this work and earlier work, it can be concluded that the selectivity exhibited by the oat seed lipase is similar to that of the lipase fromGeotrichum candidum, except that the oat seed lipase attacks elaidate, a fatty acyl group with atrans double bond, whereas theG. candidum lipase strongly discriminates against elaidate.     

Chromatographic separation ofcis andtrans fatty esters by argentation with a macroreticular exchange resin

Methyl oleate and methyl elaidate, as well as other monoenecis andtrans isomers of fatty esters, can be separated quickly and conveniently by a preparative chromatographic procedure in which a silver-saturated ion-exchange resin is used. Separations are based on differences in stabilites of the silver-olefin complexes. Recoveries of better than 95% were made, and puretrans andcis monoene fractions were collected. This method can be used to separate saturates fromcis andtrans monoenes. Thecis,trans,cis,cis, andtrans,trans-9-12-octadecadienoates were separated. Whilecis,trans andtrans,trans dienes were cluted separately, thecis,cis diene isomer remained on the column. Presented at AOCS Meeting, in Minneapolis, 1963. A laboratory of the No. Utiliz. Res. and Dev. Div., ARS, USDA.     

The composition of hydrogenated fats by high-resolution13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The high-resolution¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of twelve hydrogenated fats have been examined. Each spectrum contains 50–100 signals and reveals much about the nature of the acyl chains of both double-bond position and configuration. The signals for the ω1, ω2 and ω3 carbon atoms give information on thecis andtrans isomers of the Δ15, Δ14, Δ13 and Δ12 18:1 esters, respectively. Allylic signals distinguish betweencis andtrans esters, and the proportion of totalcis to totaltrans isomers can be obtained from these. Olefinic signals are the most informative, and most of these have been assigned. This leads to a semi-quantitative estimate of the various 18:1 isomers present. Assignments are based mainly on information already in the literature, but some were confirmed after urea fractionation of the acids from a hydrogenated oil in whichcis andtrans monoene acids were separately concentrated.     

Effect of dietary fatty acids on Δ5 desaturase activity and biosynthesis of arachidonic acid in rat liver microsomes

The effect of different fatty acids supplemented to a fat-free diet on the activity of Δ5 desaturase was studied. Fat-free diet produces a reduction in the conversion of eicosa-8,11,14-trienoic acid to arachidonic acid. The addition of thecis-ω6 acids, linoleic, γ-linolenic or arachidonic to the diet produces an increase of eicosatrienoic acid desaturation, shifting Δ5 desaturase activity towards the controls on a balanced diet. This reactivation is apparently produced by induction of enzyme biosynthesis since linoleate effect was suppressed by simultaneous cycloheximide injection. On the contrary, no changes in Δ5 desaturation activity were found when the diet was supplemented with palmitic or 9-trans,12-trans-linoleic acid. The changes on the activity of Δ5 desaturase were compared with the fatty acid composition of plasma and liver microsomes.     

The Δ5 and Δ6 desaturation of fatty acids of varying chain length by rat liver: A preliminary report

The Δ6 desaturase of rat liver can accommodate substrates with a wide range of chain lengths. Δ9-cis,12-cis-Dienoic acids of chain lengths 14–22 carbon atoms were all desaturated at the Δ6 position by microsomal preparations from rat liver. By contrast, the Δ5 desaturase appeared much more chain-length sensitive. The percentage Δ5 desaturation of a series of Δ8-cis- and Δ9-trans-monoenoic acids increased with increasing chain length (from C₁₆ to C₂₀).     

Selective hydrogenation of soybean oil: IV. Fatty acid isomers formed with copper catalysts

Two samples of soybean oil hydrogenated with copper-containing catalysts at 170 and 200 C were analyzed for their natural and isomeric fatty acids. Methyl esters of the hydrogenated oils were separated into saturates, monoenes, dienes and trienes by countercurrent distribution between acetonitrile and pentane-hexane. Monoenes were further separated intocis- andtrans-isomers on a silver-saturated resin column. Double bond location in these fractions was determined by a microozonolysis-pyrolysis technique. The diene fraction was separated with an argentation countercurrent distribution method, and linoleate was identified by infrared, ozonolysis and alkaliisomerization data. The double bonds in thecis-monoenes were located in the 9-position almost exclusively. However, the double bonds in thetrans-monoene were quite scattered with 10- and 11-isomers predominating. About 86% to 92% of the dienes consisted of linoleate as measured by alkali isomerization. Other isomers identified as minor components includecis,trans andtrans, trans conjugated dienes and dienes whose double bonds are separated by more than one methylene group. No. Utiliz. Res. Dev. Div., ARS, USDA.     

Conifer seeds: Oil content and fatty acid composition

The seed oils from twenty-five Conifer species (from four families—Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, Taxodiaceae, and Taxaceae) have been analyzed, and their fatty acid compositions were established by capillary gas-liquid chromatography on two columns with different polarities. The oil content of the seeds varied from less than 1% up to 50%. Conifer seed oils were characterized by the presence of several Δ5-unsaturated polymethylene-interrupted polyunsaturated fatty acids (Δ5-acids) with either 18 (cis-5,cis-9, 18∶2,cis-5,cis-9,cis-12 18∶3, andcis-5,cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 18∶4 acids) or 20 carbon atoms (cis-5,cis-11 20∶2,cis-5,cis-11,cis-14, 20∶3, andcis-5,cis-11,cis-14,cis-17 20∶4 acids). Pinaceae seed oils contained 17–31% of Δ5-acids, mainly with 18 carbon atoms. The 20-carbon acids present were structurally derived from 20∶1n-9 and 20∶2n-6 acids. Pinaceae seed oils were practically devoid of 18∶3n-3 acid and did not contain either Δ5-18∶4 or Δ5-20∶4 acids. Several Pinaceae seeds had a Δ5-acid content higher than 50 mg/g of seed. The only Taxaceae seed oil studied (Taxus baccata) had a fatty acid composition related to those of Pinaceae seed oils. Cupressaceae seed oils differed from Pinaceae seed oils by the absence of Δ5-acids with 18 carbon atoms and high concentrations in 18∶3n-3 acid and in Δ5-acids with 20 carbon atoms (Δ5-20∶3 and Δ5-20∶4 acids). Δ5-18∶4 Acid was present in minute amounts. The highest level of Δ5-20∶4 acid was found inJuniperus communis seed oil, but the best source of Δ5-acids among Cupressaceae wasThuja occidentalis. Taxodiaceae seed oils had more heterogeneous fatty acid compositions, but the distribution of Δ5-acids resembled that found in Cupressaceae seed oils. Except forSciadopytis verticillata, other Taxodiaceae species are not interesting sources of Δ5-acids. The distribution profile of Δ5-acids among different Conifer families appeared to be linked to the occurrence of 18∶3n-3 acid in the seed oils.     

Catalytic hydrogenation of linoleic acid on nickel,copper, and palladium

The catalytic activity and selectivity for hydrogenation of linoleic acid were studied on Ni, Cu, and Pd catalysts. A detailed analysis of the reaction product was performed by a gas-liquid chromatograph, equipped with a capillary column, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. Geometrical and positional isomerization of linoleic acid occurred during hydrogenation, and many kinds of linoleic acid isomers (trans-9,trans-12; trans-8,cis-12 orcis-9,trans-13; cis-9,trans-12; trans-9,cis-12 andcis-9,cis-12 18∶2) were contained in the reaction products. The monoenoic acids in the partial hydrogenation products contained eight kinds of isomers and showed different isomer distributions on Ni, Cu, and Pd catalysts, respectively. The positional isomers of monoenoic acid were produced by double-bond migration during hydrogenation. On Ni and Pd catalysts, the yield ofcis-12 andtrans-12 monoenoic acids was larger than that ofcis-9 andtrans-9 monoenoic acids. On the contrary, the yield ofcis-9 andtrans-9 monoenoic acids was larger than that ofcis-12 andtrans-12 monoenoic acids on Cu catalyst. From these results, it is concluded that the double bond closer to the methyl group (Δ12) and that to the carboxyl group (Δ9) show different reactivity for hydrogenation on Ni, Cu, and Pd catalysts. Monoenoic acid formation was more selective on Cu catalyst than on Ni and Pd catalysts.     

Effect of different acids with Δ9,12-dienoic structures on Δ9 desaturation activity in rat liver microsomes

The effect of oral administration, for 24 or 48 hr, of different octadeca fatty acids containing a 9,12-dienoic structure on the fatty acid composition and Δ9 desaturation activity of liver microsomes of rat fed a fat-free diet was studied. The ethyl esters of linoelaidic and γ-linolenic acids, the methyl ester of linoleic acid and free columbinic acid were administered to rats maintained on a fat-free diet. The supplementation of the fat-free diet with linoelaidate produced no relevant changes in the fatty acid composition pattern of liver microsomes and did not modify the percentage of conversion of palmitic to palmitoleic acid. The addition of linoleate or γ-linolenate to the fat-free diet returned liver microsome Δ9 desaturation activity toward the control and partially restored the liver microsome fatty acid spectrum found in the fat-free diet. Columbinic acid (5-trans-9-cis,12-cis-18∶3), which cannot be transformed into arachidonic acid, also decreased the Δ9 desaturation activity enhanced by the fat-free diet and evoked changes in the microsomal fatty acid composition similar to those produced by the ω6 fatty acids. These results suggest that the modulation of Δ9 desaturase activity evoked by dietary administration of unsaturated acids of ω6 series would depend on thecis double bond configuration of these acids.     

Deuteration of methylcis-9,cis-15-octadecadienoate with nickel catalyst

Methylcis-9,cis-15-octadecadienoate was partially deuterated with nickel catalyst, and the product was separated into saturate, monoene and diene fractions. Monoenes were separated intotrans andcis fractions, and dienes intotrans,trans, cis,trans andcis,cis fractions. Monoene isomers with double bonds at the 9 and 15 positions predominated in bothcis- andtrans-monoene fractions. Considerable amounts of isomers with double bonds situated on either side of the original 9 and 15 positions were found in thetrans-monoene fraction. Diene was extensively isomerized to positional and geometrical isomers, and deuterium was incorporated into these isomers. Double bond migration was greatest intrans,trans-dienes and smallest incis,cis-dienes. The amount of deuterium in the dienes was proportional to the extent of isomerization experienced by the dienes. ARS, USDA.     

Methoxylation of methyl oleate in the presence of dealuminated Y faujasites in their protonic form

Methoxylation of methyl oleate into methyl methoxy stearate was carried out in a batch reactor at temperatures ranging from 150 to 190°C in the presence of dealuminated H-Y faujasites as catalysts. In the presence of an excess of methanol, the H-Y faujasite with a Si/Al ratio of 15 was shown to achieve the title reaction with a yield of methyl methoxy stearate that does not exceed 40% because of the parallel formation, at comparable rates, of methyl oleate isomers identified as methyl elaidate, methyl trans-vaccenate, and methyl cis-vaccenate. Isomerization reactions were confirmed to occur rapidly in an independent manner. FFA are also present in small amounts owing to the in situ dehydration of methanol and subsequent hydrolysis of the esters. Finally, starting from pure oleic acid leads to results similar to those obtained with methyl oleate as the starting material.     

13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis of the triacylglycerol composition of some margarines

The triacylglycerol fraction of three samples of margarine, namely “Flora” (Holland), “Kaliakra” (Bulgaria), and “Corona” (Holland), were studied by¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. By examining the various carbon chemical shifts of the saturated and unsaturated carbon nuclei, “Flora” margarine was shown to contain a mixture of hydrogenated and unhydrogenated vegetable oils. This technique allowed all major acyl groups (saturated, oleate, linoleate, and linolenate) and minor acyl components [different positional isomers of long-chain (E)- and (Z)-monoenoic moieties, arising as by-products during catalytic hydrogenation] to be identified. The amount of each fatty acid present in the margarine was also estimated from the relative intensities of the corresponding signals. “Kaliakra” margarine consisted of a blend of unhydrogenated natural fats and oils that contained saturated fatty acids, oleate, and linoleate. There were no signs in the spectrum of “Kaliakra” of any (E)-isomers, nor signals associated with positional unsaturated acyl groups (other than oleate and linoleate). The sample of “Corona” margarine consisted of a mixture of hydrogenated and unhydrogenated vegetable oils and butter (1.3%). The presence of butter in this sample was identified by the characteristic carbon shifts of the C-1 to C-4 carbon atoms of butyrate. The distribution of the fatty acids on the glycerol “backbone” also was estimated by this technique.     

trans Fatty acid content of commercial margarine samples determined by gas liquid chromatography on OV- 275

Gas liquid chromatography (GLC) of margarine methyl esters on a 20 ft × 1/8 in. column containing 15% OV-275 on 100/120 mesh Chromosorb P AW-DMCS at 220 C provided practical separations oftrans octadecamonoenoates from the correspondingcis-isomers and oftrans, trans- andcis,trans- octa-decadienoates from the correspondingcis.cis-isomers.Trans content by GLC was in reasonable agreement (±1–2%) with totaltrans content by infrared analysis in six of seven commercial margarine samples.     

Fatty Acid Desaturation and Elongation Reactions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma</Emphasis> sp. 1-OH-2-3

The fatty acid desaturation and elongation reactions catalyzed by Trichoderma sp. 1-OH-2-3 were investigated. This strain converted palmitic acid (16:0) mainly to stearic acid (18:0), and further to oleic acid (c9-18:1), linoleic acid (c9,c12-18:2), and α-linolenic acid (c9,c12,c15-18:3) through elongation, and Δ9, Δ12, and Δ15 desaturation reactions, respectively. Palmitoleic acid (c9-16:1) and cis-9,cis-12-hexadecadienoic acid were also produced from 16:0 by the strain. This strain converted n-tridecanoic acid (13:0) to cis-9-heptadecenoic acid and further to cis-9,cis-12-heptadecadienoic acid through elongation, and Δ9 and Δ12 desaturation reactions, respectively. trans-Vaccenic acid (t11-18:1) and trans-12-octadecenoic acid (t12-18:1) were desaturated by the strain through Δ9 desaturation. The products derived from t11-18:1 were identified as the conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) of cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid and trans-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid. The product derived from t12-18:1 was identified as cis-9,trans-12-octadecadienoic acid. cis-6,cis-9-Octadecadienoic acid was desaturated to cis-6,cis-9,cis-12-octadecatrienoic acid by this strain through Δ12 desaturation. The broad substrate specificity of the elongation, and Δ9 and Δ12 desaturation reactions of the strain is useful for fatty acid biotransformation.