Antibacterial and antioxidant activity and essential oil composition of Grammosciadium scabridum Boiss. from Iran

The in vitro antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the essential oil and its two main components of Grammosciadium scabridum Boiss. (Apiaceae) growing wild in Iran, as well as the composition of its essential oil were studied. A total of 19 compounds representing 99.9% of the oil has been identified. Gamma-Terpinene (73.5%), p-cymene (14.2%) and (E)-beta-farnesene (5.3%) were characterized as the main components. The oil showed remarkable activity against three Gram-negative and four Gram-positive test bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0.31 to 10.00 mg/ml. The oil and its two main components were also subjected to screening for their possible antioxidant activity by using the 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The free radical scavenging capacity of the oil was determined with an IC50 value of 6.6 mg/ml.     

An olive oil-rich diet results in higher concentrations of LDL cholesterol and a higher number of LDL subfraction particles than rapeseed oil and sunflower oil diets

We investigated the effect of olive oil, rapeseed oil, and sunflower oil on blood lipids and lipoproteins including number and lipid composition of lipoprotein subclasses. Eighteen young, healthy men participated in a double-blinded randomized cross-over study (3-week intervention period) with 50 g of oil per 10 MJ incorporated into a constant diet. Plasma cholesterol, triacylglycerol, apolipoprotein B, and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were 10;-20% higher after consumption of the olive oil diet compared with the rapeseed oil and sunflower oil diets [analysis of variance (ANOVA), P < 0.05]. The size of IDL, VLDL, and LDL subfractions did not differ between the diets, whereas a significantly higher number (apolipoprotein B concentration) and lipid content of the larger and medium-sized LDL subfractions were observed after the olive oil diet compared with the rapeseed oil and sunflower oil diets (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Total HDL cholesterol concentration did not differ significantly, but HDL(2a) cholesterol was higher after olive oil and rapeseed oil compared with sunflower oil (ANOVA, P < 0.05).In conclusion, rapeseed oil and sunflower oil had more favorable effects on blood lipids and plasma apolipoproteins as well as on the number and lipid content of LDL subfractions compared with olive oil. Some of the differences may be attributed to differences in the squalene and phytosterol contents of the oils.     

4 种不同脂肪源对太平洋鲑生长和体组成的影响

在日粮中添加11.5%的4 种不同来源脂肪饲养180 尾初始重约为110g 的太平洋鲑(Oncorhynchus spp.)于水泥池中56d。实验分4 组,每组3个平行池,每池15尾鱼。研究日粮中4 种不同来源脂肪对淡水养殖太平洋鲑生长性能、体组成与品质的影响。4 组脂肪源分别为鱼油(实验1 组)、大豆油(实验2 组)、大豆磷脂(实验3 组)和玉米油(实验4 组)。实验表明:(1) 实验各组太平洋鲑存活率相似,但大豆磷脂组的特定生长率显著好于鱼油组、大豆油组和玉米油组(P0.05)。大豆磷脂组、大豆油组和玉米油组的饲料效益显著好于鱼油组(P< 0.05); (2) 大豆油组、大豆磷脂组和玉米油组太平洋鲑肠系膜脂肪与肝脏脂肪含量不同程度低于鱼油组,而肌肉中脂肪含量不同程度低于鱼油组; (3) 实验各组太平洋鲑肝脏脂肪、肌肉脂肪和肠脂中总多不饱和脂肪酸组成基本相似,但玉米油组、大豆磷脂组和大豆油组太平洋鲑总n-3 多不饱和脂肪酸比例较鱼油组显著下降,而总n-6 系多不饱和脂肪酸比例显著提高(P<0.05);(4) 玉米油组、大豆磷脂组和大豆油组太平洋鲑血浆中脂肪分解酶、甘油三酯和高密度脂蛋白指标较鱼油组不同程度上升;(5) 实验各组太平洋鲑解剖组织学检查未见异常病理变化。实验结果表明,淡水养殖条件下,太平洋鲑日粮中脂肪以添加大豆磷脂的生长性能最好,大豆油、玉米油和鱼油效果相似,添加玉米油、大豆磷脂和大豆油均不影响太平洋鲑健康状况和品质。       

湘西南龙底自然保护区油料植物组成与资源价值分析

分析了龙底自然保护区油料植物组成与资源特点。结果表明：（1）油料植物107科281属477种,其中精油植物131种,樟科（7属27种）、芸香科（6属21种）、唇形科（11属17种）等11个科为优势科,以木本植物为主,占73.38%。（2）以种子种皮为主要含油部位的植物占71.47%,植物含油量＞20.0%的有211种,＞50.0%的43种;油脂脂肪酸含量＞70.0%的有7科11种,亚油酸含量＞70.0%的有12科20种。（3）在精油植物中,57种植物含精油量＞1.0%,13种＞4.0%。龙底自然保护区内油料植物资源丰富,特别是富油植物资源种类较多,是油料植物富集之地,具开发利用潜力。     

Black currant seed oil and fish oil supplements differ in their effects on fatty acid profiles of plasma lipids, and concentrations of serum total and lipoprotein lipids, plasma glucose and insulin

European diets provide a suboptimal intake of eicosapentaenoic (20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n3) acids, which are derived mainly from fish oils. The present study indicates that black currant seed oil, which contains 14.5% alpha-linolenic (18:3n3), 12.6% gamma-linolenic (18:3n6), 47.5% linoleic (18:2n6) and 2.7% stearidonic (18:4n3) acids, could potentially serve as alternative to fish oil as a n3 fatty acid source. Fifteen healthy females participated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study including two 4-week periods with either 3 g/day of black currant seed oil or 2.8 g/day of fish oil separated by a 4-week washout period. The results show that black currant seed oil supplementation increased the proportion of 18:3n6 in triacylglycerols (TAG) and cholesteryl esters (CE), and that of dihomo-gamma-linolenic (20:3n6) in TAGs, CEs and glycerophospholipids (GPL) (P<.05). Proportion of 18:3n6 was higher (P<.05) after black currant seed oil than after fish oil in TAGs and CEs, and that of 20:3n6 in TAGs, CEs and GPLs. Black currant seed oil supplementation caused only minor changes in the proportions of 20:5n3 or 22:6n3. Serum levels of LDL cholesterol were lower (P<.05) after black currant seed oil compared to fish oil. Plasma glucose concentration decreased during the fish oil supplementation (P<.05).     

Effect of fish oil diet on immune response and proteinuria in mice

In this study, we examined the immune response and proteinuria caused by dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids in normal NZW/N and autoimmune NZB/NZW mice. Mice were maintained more than one year on five dietary groups: normal (5% corn oil), calorie-restricted, high fat (20% corn oil), high fat (20% fish oil), and Purina laboratory rodent chow. Normal mice fed with the fish oil diet had a more reduced anti-sheep red blood cells (SRBC) plaque-forming cell (PFC) response and less interleukin-2 (IL-2) enhancement of PFC than did the group with the restricted diet and the young control group. The corn oil (5 and 20%) diet animals also showed reduced PFC response and IL-2 utilization. NZB/NZW mice fed with the fish oil diet showed similar reduced PFC response but had a significantly lower response to IL-2 than did those on the corn oil diets and the restricted diet. The IL-2 production by macrophages from NZW/N mice was reduced in both the fish oil and corn oil diet groups. However, mice fed with the fish oil diet had less proteinuria and good survival rates, similar to the group with the restricted diet. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of the fish oil diet in these animals may be attributed in part to the immunosuppression mechanism.     

The Short‐Term Effect of Diacylglycerol Oil Consumption on Total and Dietary Fat Utilization in Overweight Women

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is a natural component of edible oils with metabolic characteristics distinct from those of triacylglycerol (TAG). Consumption of DAG oil (containing >80% DAG) induces greater fat oxidation than consumption of TAG oil. We compared the effects of 4 days of DAG oil consumption with those of TAG oil consumption on total and dietary fat oxidation over 24 h in overweight women using a whole‐room respiratory chamber. Overweight (BMI (kg/m²) ≥25) females participated in this double‐blind, crossover‐controlled trial. The subjects consumed test diets containing either TAG or DAG oil as 15% of their total caloric intake (mean test oil intake was 33.0 ± 3.1 g/day) during each 4‐day treatment. Fat oxidation and energy expenditure were measured in a respiratory chamber on the 4th day of each treatment. Compared with TAG oil, DAG oil consumption significantly increased total fat oxidation and dietary fat oxidation in overweight subjects. Total energy expenditure (TEE) and carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation did not significantly differ between DAG oil and TAG oil consumption in overweight subjects. Compared with TAG oil, DAG oil consumption enhanced total fat oxidation and dietary fat oxidation in overweight subjects. The enhanced fat metabolism in overweight subjects that consumed DAG oil partly explains the greater loss of body weight and body fat related to DAG oil consumption in weight‐loss studies.     

Chemical composition and nutritional value of para-rubber seed and its products for chickens

Para-rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seed and its products were subjected to different methods of processing such as decortication, oil extraction, autoclaving and fermentation and assayed for their chemical composition and nutritional value. Peanut oil meal and yellow maize were also assayed similarly for comparison.

Decortication reduced the crude fibre content, with proportionate increases in other nutrients and energy value. Autoclaving and fermentation failed to improve the nutritional value of undecorticated rubber seed oil meal.

Crude protein content of rubber seed and its products ranged from 11.5% in rubber seeds to 27.4% in commercial decorticated rubber seed oil meal. The oil content of the rubber seeds and kernels was 24.0 and 40.1%, respectively. The available carbohydrate content of rubber seed and its products ranged from 6.3% in rubber seeds to 15.9% in commercial decorticated rubber seed oil meal; these values may be compared with the value of 59.0% for yellow maize.

Both undecorticated and decorticated rubber seed oil meals appeared to be deficient in sulphur-containing amino acids and lysine. The gross protein value of undecorticated and decorticated rubber seed oil meals and peanut oil meal was estimated to be 43.6, 47.0 and 49.7, respectively.

Both undecorticated and decorticated rubber seed oils were rich in oleic and stearic acids, but relatively poor in poly-unsaturated fatty acids, compared with peanut oil.

Determined apparent ME (AME) values were (kcal/g dry matter): rubber seeds, 2.91; kernels, 4.70; undecorticated rubber seed oil meal, 2.00; and decorticated rubber seed oil meal, 2.80. The true ME (TME) values were 3.24, 5.16, 2.22 and 3.00 kcal/g dry matter, respectively. In general, TME values were about 10% higher than the AME values.     

Effect of Oil Content and Composition on the Gelling Properties of Egg-SPI Proteins Stabilized Emulsion Gels

Effects of different oils on the rheological properties, textural profile, water loss (WL), oil loss (OL) and microstructure of egg-soybean protein isolate (SPI) stabilized emulsion gels were investigated at neutral pH, wherein soybean oil, olive oil and menhaden oil were used to form emulsions. The results showed that viscosity of emulsions progressively increased with the increase of oil content. Similarly, analysis of the rheological behavior of the formulated emulsion gels revealed an increase in the mechanical strength (G’) with the increase in oil concentration, indicating that oil droplets played a significant role in the formation of the gel structure. In addition, at high levels of oil, the hardness and chewiness of emulsion gels were also high, while a slight decrease in springiness and cohesiveness were observed. A linear relationship between hardness and water/oil loss was found, whereas the Pearson correlation suggested that less drainage of water may slow down the outflow of oil. The microstructural images showed a more compact network as a result of the increase of oil content in the formulation. Scarce significant differences were found among emulsion gels formulated with different oil type, suggesting oil composition played a dispensable role on the gelling properties of emulsion gels.

     

Surface structure and properties of plant seed oil bodies

Storage triacylglycerols (TAG) in plant seeds are present in small discrete intracellular organelles called oil bodies. An oil body has a matrix of TAG, which is surrounded by phospholipids (PL) and alkaline proteins, termed oleosins. Oil bodies isolated from mature maize (Zea mays) embryos maintained their discreteness, but coalesced after treatment with trypsin but not with phospholipase A2 or C. Phospholipase A2 or C exerted its activity on oil bodies only after the exposed portion of oleosins had been removed by trypsin. Attempts were made to reconstitute oil bodies from their constituents. TAG, either extracted from oil bodies or of a 1:2 molar mixture of triolein and trilinolein, in a dilute buffer were sonicated to produce droplets of sizes similar to those of oil bodies; these droplets were unstable and coalesced rapidly. Addition of oil body PL or dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine, with or without charged stearylamine/stearic acid, or oleosins, to the medium before sonication provided limited stabilization effects to the TAG droplets. High stability was achieved only when the TAG were sonicated with both oil body PL (or dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine) and oleosins of proportions similar to or higher than those in the native oil bodies. These stabilized droplets were similar to the isolated oil bodies in chemical properties, and can be considered as reconstituted oil bodies. Reconstituted oil bodies were also produced from TAG of a 1:2 molar mixture of triolein and trilinolein, dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine, and oleosins from rice (Oryza sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum), rapeseed (Brassica napus), soybean (Glycine max), or jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis). It is concluded that both oleosins and PL are required to stabilize the oil bodies and that oleosins prevent oil bodies from coalescing by providing steric hindrance. A structural model of an oil body is presented. The current findings on seed oil bodies could be extended to the intracellular storage lipid particles present in diverse organisms.     

Regulation of glucose transport and transporter 4 (GLUT-4) in muscle and adipocytes of sucrose-fed rats: effects of N-3 poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids.

The goal of this study was to compare the short-term effects of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated (fish oil) and monounsaturated (olive oil) fatty acids on glucose transport, plasma glucose and lipid controls in a dietary insulin resistance model using sucrose-fed rats. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms were also determined in the muscle and adipose tissue. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (5 weeks old) were randomized for diets containing 57.5 % (w/w) sucrose and 14 % lipids as either fish oil (SF), olive oil (SO) or a mixture of standard oils (SC) for 3 weeks. A fourth control group (C) was fed a diet containing 57.5 % starch and 14 % standard oils. After three weeks on the diet, body weight was comparable in the four groups. The sucrose-fed rats were hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic in response to glucose load. The presence of fish oil in the sucrose diet prevented sucrose-induced hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia, but had no effect on plasma glucose levels. Insulin-stimulated glucose transport in adipocytes increased after feeding with fish oil (p < 0.005). These modifications were associated with increased Glut-4 protein (p < 0.05) and mRNA levels in adipocytes. In the muscle, no effect was found on Glut-4 protein levels. Olive oil, however, could not bring about any improvement in plasma insulin, plasma lipids or Glut-4 protein levels. We therefore conclude that the presence of fish oil, in contrast to olive oil, prevents insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia in rats on a sucrose diet, and restores Glut-4 protein quantity in adipocytes but not in muscle at basal levels. Dietary regulation of Glut-4 proteins appears to be tissue specific and might depend on insulin stimulation and/or duration of dietary interventions.     

Effect of Shale Kerogen Oxidation Products on Biodegradation of Oil and Oil Products in Soil and Water

The effect of oxidation products of shale kerogen (high-molecular-weight acids with 6–22 carbon atoms) on biodegradation of oil and oil products in soil and water was studied. High-molecular-weight acids (HMWA) not only affected the layer of oil and/or oil products and dispersed it into small particles, but also stimulated growth of Rhodococcus erythropolis VKM AS-1339D, degraders of oil and oil products. Addition of 0.001–0.003% HMWA to a medium to be purified from oil products increased the extent of bacterial biodegradation by a factor of 1.1–5.0.     

Dietary fat modulation of apoA-II metabolism and prevention of senile amyloidosis in the senescence- accelerated mouse

Senescence-accelerated mouse-prone (SAMP1; SAMP1@Umz) is an animal model of senile amyloidosis with apolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II) amyloid fibril (AApoAII) deposits. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of dietary fats on AApoAII deposits in SAMP1 mice when purified diets containing 4% fat as butter, safflower oil, or fish oil were fed to male mice for 26 weeks. The serum HDL cholesterol was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in mice on the diet containing fish oil (7.4 +/- 3.0 mg/dl) than in mice on the butter diet (38.7 +/- 12.5 mg/dl), which in turn had significantly lower (P < 0.01) HDL levels than mice on the safflower oil diet (51.9 +/- 5.6 mg/dl). ApoA-II was also significantly lower (P < 0.01) in mice on the fish oil diet (7.6 +/- 2.7 mg/dl) than on the butter (26.9 +/- 7.3 mg/dl) or safflower oil (21.6 +/- 3.7 mg/dl) diets. The mice fed fish oil had a significantly greater ratio (P < 0.01) of apoA-I to apoA-II, and a smaller HDL particle size than those fed butter and safflower oil. Severe AApoAII deposits in the spleen, heart, skin, liver, and stomach were shown in the fish oil group compared with those in the butter and safflower oil groups (fish oil > butter > safflower oil group, P < 0.05). These findings suggest that dietary fats differ in their effects on serum lipoprotein metabolism, and that dietary lipids may modulate amyloid deposition in SAMP1 mice.     

Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Dicyclophora persica Boiss. from Iran

The chemical composition of the essential oil of Dicyclophora persica Boiss. was identified by GC and GC-MS analysis. The analysis of the oil resulted in the identification of forty-five components constituting 98.6% of the total oil. The main constituents were a-pinene (31.5%), (Z)-beta-ocimene (23.3%), p-cymene (6.7%) and (E)-beta-ocimene (5.4%). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested by the disk diffusion method against four Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis) and three Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria together with a fungus (Aspergillus niger). The oil showed strong inhibition activity toward all the tested microorganisms except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Combined supplementation of vanadium and fish oil suppresses tumor growth, cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in DMBA-induced rat mammary carcinogenesis

The anti-cancer activity of vanadium and fish oil has been shown in a large number of studies. This study was undertaken to analyze the combined effect of vanadium and fish oil on 7,12-dimethylbenz(α)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats. The whole experiment was divided into three parts: (1) DNA strand breaks study, (2) morphological analysis, and (3) histological and immunohistochemical study. Rats were treated with DMBA (0.5 mg/0.2 ml corn oil/100 g body weight) by a tail vein injection. Rats received vanadium (w/v) as ammonium monovanadate at a concentration of 0.5 ppm (4.27 μmol/L) in the drinking water and given ad libitum and/or fish oil (0.5 ml/day/rat) by oral gavage. Histology, morphology, DNA strand breaks, cell proliferation, and apoptosis of the mammary tissue were assessed in this study. Treatment with vanadium or fish oil alone significantly reduced the DNA strand breaks, palpable mammary tumors, tumor multiplicity, and cell proliferation but the maximum protection effect was found in the group that received both vanadium and fish oil and the combination treatment offered an additive effect (P < 0.05). Furthermore, vanadium and fish oil significantly increased the TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells (P < 0.05) but the increase was maximal with combination treatment and had an additive effect. These results affirm the benefits of administration of vanadium and fish oil in the prevention of rat mammary carcinogenesis which was associated with reduced DNA strand breaks, palpable mammary tumors and cell proliferation and increased TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells.     

Age and Gender-Based Comparison of Nickel Content of Scalp Hair of Edible Oil- and Hydrogenated Oil-Consuming Populations

Nickel concentrations (μ g/g, dry weight) in the scalp hair of vegetable oil– and hydrogenated oil–consuming categories of male and female donors, ages between 1–66 years, were estimated by the atomic absorption method to assess the contribution of nickel as a contaminant in the hydrogenated oil. Comparative estimates of hair Ni content revealed enhanced metal levels for donors consuming hydrogenated oil both for male (29.33 μg/g, dry weight) and female (27.09 μg/g, dry weight) population segments, whereas for oil-consuming donors the corresponding levels were 11.51 μg/g and 13.49 μg/g, respectively. The Ni content of hair of elderly donors consuming hydrogenated oil was found significantly higher than that of younger male/female donors. Hair Ni levels as high as 63.59 μg/g and 68.40 μg/g were estimated for hydrogenated oil–consuming males and females, respectively. The Ni concentrations exhibited strong positive correlation with age for the hydrogenated oil–consuming male (r = 0.713) and female (r = 0.707) categories, whereas negative correlations were found for both oil-consuming categories. The regression relationships linking hair nickel content with the donor age of either sex indicated a negative dependence for oil-consuming donors, whereas strong direct dependence was observed for hydrogenated oil-consuming donors. The overall results evidenced an index of elevated nickel levels in the hair of population segment consuming hydrogenated oil, believed to arise from excessive residual nickel in the hydrogenated oil, present at concentrations surpassing the limit recommended by the World Health Organization for the safe ingestion of nickel in food commodities.     

The steam volatile oil of Wollemia nobilis and its comparison with other members of the Araucariaceae (Agathis and Araucaria)

The leaf essential oil of Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Pine) has been investigated and compared with other members of the family Araucariaceae. All araucaroids examined yielded steam volatile oils in low yields. The oil from Wollemia nobilis was composed mainly of (+)-16-kaurene (60%), together with alpha-pinene (9%) and germacrene-D (8%). Oils from Agathis species endemic to Australia were high in monoterpenes, in contrast to those isolated from extra-Australian species. The major constituents of A. atropurpurea oil were phyllocladene (13%) and 16-kaurene (19%), followed by alpha-pinene (8%) and delta-cadinene (9%). A. microstachya yielded oil in which alpha-pinene (18%) was the major component; the only other components in excess of 5% were myrcene (7%), bicyclogermacrene (6%) and delta-cadinene (6%). A. robusta oil contained spathulenol (37%) and rimuene (6%). Approximately 40% of the oil was unidentified sesquiterpenes. A. australis oil contained 16-kaurene (37%), sclarene (5%) and an unidentified oxygenated diterpene K (12%) as major components; the only other compound in excess of 5% was germacrene-D (9%). 5,15-Rosadiene (60%), and 16-kaurene (7%) were the major constituents of A. macrophylla oil. A. moorei oil was rich in sesquiterpenes, but the only compounds in excess of 5% were allo-aromadendrene (6%), germacrene-D, delta-cadinene (10%), an unidentified sesquiterpene (12%) and 16-kaurene (6%). In A. ovata oil the most significant compounds were caryophyllene oxide (15%) and phyllocladene (39%). Araucaria angustifolia contained germacrene-D (9%) and the diterpenes hibaene (30%) and phyllocladene (20%) as major components of its essential oil. Oils of A. bidwillii, A. columnaris and A. cunninghamii were all low in mono- and sesquiterpenes and high in diterpenes. In the first, hibaene (76%) was the major constituent; the second contained hibaene (9%), sclarene (6%), luxuriadiene (13-epi-dolabradiene)(23%) and two unidentified diterpene hydrocarbons (B) (33%) and (E) (10%). In the last, 16-kaurene (53%) was the most significant component followed by hibaene (29%). A. heterophylla was unusual in that over half the oil was made up of the monoterpenoid alpha-pinene (52%), with phyllocladene (32%) being the only other compound of significance. alpha-Pinene (18%) was a significant component of A. hunsteinii oil; sclarene (11%) and germacrene-D (5%) were the only other compounds present in concentrations of more than 5%. A. luxurians oil was composed of 5,15-rosadiene (20%) and luxuriadiene (13-epi-dolabradiene) (66%), previously unreported from natural sources. The major components of A. montana were phyllocladene (61%) and 16-kaurene (23%). Sclarene (20%), luxuriadiene (19%) and the unidentified diterpene hydrocarbons (B) (25%) and (E) (10%) were the most important constituents of A. muelleri oil. A. scopulorum contained large amounts of 16-alpha-phyllocladanol (41%) as well as luxuridiene (10%) and delta-cadinene and alpha-copaene, both at 6%.     

The adaptive effects of dietary fish and safflower oil on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in perfused rat liver

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the plasma triacylglycerol-lowering effects of certain fish oils, livers from male rats fed either a standard commercial diet (controls) or diets supplemented with 15% (w/w) fish or safflower oils were perfused with undiluted rat blood. Rates of hepatic lipogenesis, measured by the incorporation of 3H2O into fatty acids, followed the order: control greater than safflower oil greater than fish oil. Secretion of newly synthesized fatty acids in very-low-density lipoproteins was also inhibited by the feeding of both oil-supplemented diets with the greater suppression being seen in livers from animals fed fish oil. The hepatic release of very-low-density lipoprotein triacylglycerol mass was also significantly depressed in animals fed the fish oil-supplemented diet but not in those fed safflower oil. Ketogenesis did not differ between livers from rats fed the control and safflower oil diets but was significantly raised in the fish oil group. Increased ketogenesis with fish oil was paralleled by a decrease in the sensitivity of carnitine palmitoyl transferase of isolated mitochondria to inhibition by malonyl-CoA. The inhibitory effect of malonyl-CoA in the safflower oil group was intermediate between that in the fish oil and control groups. Activities of glycerophosphate acyltransferase with either palmitoyl-CoA or oleyl-CoA were increased by feeding oil-supplemented diets. Activity with palmitoyl-CoA that was suppressible by N-ethylmaleimide was also considerably diminished in both groups. The results indicate that the lowering of plasma triacylglycerols by fish oil reflects: (a) diminished lipogenesis; (b) increased fatty acid oxidation possibly in peroxisomes; and (c) diminished secretion of triacylglycerols by the liver.     

Characterisation and some possible uses of Plukenetia conophora and Adenopus breviflorus seeds and seed oils

Crude oil-polluted soil (five parts of weathered crude oil per 100 parts of soil; equivalent to 50,000 mg oil kg(-1) soil) samples were slurried in deionised water (300% of the water retention capacity of the soil) and treated with various amounts of natural-rubber processing sludge (nitrogen content 62.15 mg kg(-1) and phosphorus contents 8.75 mg kg(-1)) in a well-stirred, continuously-aerated tank at 29 degrees C. Changes in the total hydrocarbon content of the soil sample were determined, using a spectrophotometric technique, as a function of time. The extent of crude oil degradation was markedly higher (by up to 100%) in the sludge-treated soil than in the untreated soil sample. The efficiency of biodegradation of the crude oil hydrocarbons using the slurry-phase technique was compared with that of solid-phase technique.     

Effect of n-6 and n-3 dietary fatty acids on phospholipid composition of plasma, platelets and aorta in the rat

Female Wistar rats were fed with diets containing as dietary lipids 10% of hydrogenated coconut oil, grape-seed oil, olive oil, linseed oil and fish oil, respectively, for a period of 60 days. At the end of dietary treatment plasma, platelets and aorta phospholipids were extracted and fatty acid spectra determined. Plasma and platelet phospholipids showed the largest diet dependent changes. Anyway in aorta samples too, phospholipids showed marked increase in oleic (olive oil group) linoleic (grape-seed oil group) and alpha linoleic (linseed oil group) acids percentage. Conversely decreased amounts of arachidonic acid were detected in rats fed with diets containing linseed and fish oils. In these samples eicosapentenoic acid partly replaced arachidonic one.