Identification and quantification of neuroactive <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-acylethanolamines in cottonseed processing fractions

N-Acylethanolamines (NAE) include lipid species that have been identified as potent endocannabinoid mediators in mammalian physiology. Here we have isolated, identified, and quantified the NAE naturally present in cottonseed refining fractions. Among the fractions examined, NAE were most prevalent in finished meal, totaling approximately 8.5 μg/g fresh weight. These NAE were identified by GC-MS as ethanolamides of myristic (14∶0), palmitic (16∶0), stearic (18∶0), oleic (18∶1), and linoleic (18∶2) acids, with NAE18∶2 and NAE16∶0 being the most abundant. NAE were not detected in refined, bleached, and deodorized oil, although they were present in less-purified oil fractions. At micromolar concentrations, both NAE18∶2 and NAE16∶0 exhibited neuromodulatory activities in murine neuronal networks cultured and evaluated on microelectrode arrays. It follows that oilseed processing fractions may represent a novel, natural source of bioactive NAE.