Fatty acid composition,cholesterol and fat‐soluble vitamins of wild‐caught freshwater spiny eel,Mastacembelus simack (Walbaum, 1792)

Because of its local commercial value, the proximate nutritional composition, fatty acid composition, cholesterol and fat‐soluble vitamins of spiny eel (Mastacembelus simack Walbaum, 1792) were determined in 20 specimens caught in Keban Dam Lake, Elaz??, Turkey in September 2009. Moisture, protein, lipid, ash and cholesterol contents of the spiny eel were 75.9, 17.1, 10.9, 1.0% and 52.6 mg per 100 g, respectively. Fatty acid composition showed that total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were the highest (37.1%), followed by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA, 35.5%) and saturated fatty acids (SFA, 27.4%). The relation between PUFA and SFA (1.35) was comparable to that of some fish species, and PUFA : MUFA : SFA ratio (1.35 : 1.29 : 1) was very close to that recommended by nutritionists. Among the vitamins (A, D, E and K) analyzed, the vitamin E content was highest followed by D, K and A. In conclusion, M. simack is rich in proteins, unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins and low in cholesterol, with a reasonable PUFA : SFA and PUFA : MUFA : SFA ratio as recommended by nutritionists. M. simack can therefore be recommended for human consumption as a good source of nutrition.     

Development of web based database on biochemical characteristics of rapeseed-mustard

Rapeseed-mustard oil is an essential dietary component, in India. The modification of rapeseed- mustard for fatty acid composition of seed oil to develop new genotypes having alternative oil and meal characteristics has been an important objective in quality breeding. Moreover, Breeding efforts in India are in progress to develop double low varieties to meet the internationally acceptable standards of oil and seed meal. So, information on the nutritional and anti-nutritional make-up of rapeseed-mustard oil and seed meal of the existing germplasm would be quite useful for the researchers especially breeders involved in the quality improvement programmes. In the present study database on biochemical characteristics of rapeseed-mustard has been developed using open source technology LAMP. The database provides the information on 14 important biochemical characters such as oil, saturated fatty acids, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, eicosenoic, erucic acid, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), ω6/ω3 ratio, protein, glucosinolate, phenol, and fiber content. It offers web interface to submit and search data in the database. The database presently comprises biochemical characteristics of germplasm accessions, advance breeding lines and notified varieties of rapeseed-mustard. The database developed will be useful to the breeders in the selection of desired genotype with specific traits.     

Acute ingestion of different dietary fatty acid species modulates postprandial lipid responses in New Zealand white rabbits

Although several investigations have linked the degree of fatty acid saturation to plasma lipid responses in the postprandial state, further evaluation is necessary. In this study, we compared the effect of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids on postprandial lipid metabolism using complementary in vivo and in vitro approaches. Fat (10 g) cholesterol (0.5 g) test meals that provided either lard (SFA), olive oil (MUFA), or sunflower oil (PUFA) were ingested by chow-fed New Zealand white rabbits (n = 8). In addition, hepatic uptake of triglyceride-cholesterol-rich lipoproteins (TCRL) isolated from rabbits chronically ingesting SFA, MUFA, or PUFA diets was measured using freshly isolated chow-fed rabbit hepatocytes. Whatever dietary fatty acids ingested, postprandial triglyceridemia and occurrence of radiolabelled dietary lipids in plasma were not markedly different. Conversely, SFA induced higher postprandial cholesterolemia and phospholipemia than MUFA (P < 0.05) whereas PUFA prevented postprandial cholesterol increase. TCRL disappearance from cultured liver cell media was delayed with SFA-rich TCRL and faster with PUFA whereas MUFA-rich TCRL showed an intermediate figure. From these data, we conclude that SFA, MUFA, and PUFA elicited different postprandial plasma and lipoprotein lipid responses. The fatty acid composition of TCRL had a major impact on their subsequent metabolism, especially uptake by cultured hepatocytes. The SFA-induced hypercholesterolemia could be related to an altered hepatic uptake whereas a faster clearance and hepatic uptake could explain the cholesterol-lowering effect of PUFA in rabbits. MUFA, like PUFA, accelerate uptake by hepatocytes but favor cholesterol ester enrichment of TCRL.     

Comparison of fatty acids and some mineral matter profiles of wild and farmed snails,Cornu aspersum Müller, 1774

ABSTRACT

The fatty acid and mineral matter compositions of the visceral mass and pedal mass of wild and farmed Cornu aspersum were compared. The relative fatty acid amounts of the visceral and pedal masses of wild and farmed snails are: polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) > saturated fatty acid (SFA) > monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), PUFA?>?SFA?>?MUFA, MUFA?>?PUFA?>?SFA and PUFA?>?MUFA?>?SFA, respectively. Wild snails had a higher concentration of iron and zinc than farmed snails. Selenium was 2.82 times higher in the pedal mass of farmed snails than the pedal mass of wild snails. Ca:P ratios in the visceral mass of wild snails, visceral mass and pedal mass of farmed snails were 1.76:1, 1.12:1 and 3.87:1 respectively. Both wild and farmed snails have high contents of oleic, linoleic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids and are a good source of minerals. Careful attention should be paid, however, as to which diet will be used during farming because the composition of fatty acid in the snail is affected by diet.     

Effects of boiling,deep‐frying,and microwave treatment on the proximate composition of rainbow trout fillets: changes in fatty acids,total protein,and minerals

This study was conducted to investigate the differences in the proximate composition (moisture, fat, protein and ash), cholesterol content, energy, mineral composition (Na, Ca, Mg, K, P, Fe and Zn) and fatty acid profile of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, after frying, boiling, or microwaving. Results showed that all cooking methods reduced moisture and increased total protein, fat and ash contents. Also all minerals increased significantly during the microwave and frying methods. Statistical results showed that the major fatty acids among the saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in each fish were palmitic (C16:0) and oleic (C18:1) acids, respectively. In addition, linoleic acid (C18:2) was predominant in the n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in both cooked and raw trout. The EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid; C20:5 ω3) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid; C22:6 ω6) acids were the major fatty acids among total n‐3 acids in fish samples. The fatty acids profile of the cooked fish showed a saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) decrease and an increase in PUFA contents. However, the ω‐3 fatty acids content increased in microwaved samples but decreased in the fried samples. Moreover, the PUFA/SFA and Hypocholesterolaemic/Hypercholesterolaemic (HH) ratios increased in both fried and microwaved trout, whereas significant increases in ω3/ω6 as well as EPA + DHA/C16 content were observed only in microwaved samples. A significant increase in energy content was observed in all cooked samples, whereas the cholesterol decreased. Research results show that microwaving is recommended as the best cooking method for a healthy consumption of rainbow trout.     

Effect of Dietary Mono- and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on the Fatty Acid Composition of Pigs' Adipose Tissues

In two experiments with growing-finishing pigs six different dietary fats were added to a conventional diet (control - C) to study the effects of dietary monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the fatty acid composition of backfat and kidney fat at similar amounts of double bonds in feed (Exp. 1:7% pork fat - PF, 4.95% olive oil - OO, 3.17% soybean oil - SO) or a constant amount of 5% of processed fats (Exp. 2: partially hydrogenated fat - SAT, fractionated pork fats: olein - OLE, stearin - STE). Compared with the control, PUFA were only slightly increased in backfat of pigs fed PF, OLE, STE or OO, although dietary PUFA intake was up to 70% higher. With SO PUFA were significantly increased in adipose tissues, predominantly at the expense of MUFA. Consequently, a non-linear relationship was found between PUFA intake and proportion in backfat. MUFA were incorporated at the expense of SFA, therefore, adipose tissues of OO fed animals were lowest in SFA. Despite comparable amounts of double bonds in feed (Exp. 1), the degree of unsaturation measured as fat score (sum of double bonds) was in the order SO > OO > PF > C. In contrast, the proportion of SFA was C > PF = SO > OO. Regarding the decisive role of SFA for fat consistency it may be concluded that MUFA should also be considered in feeding recommendations for pigs. Furthermore, in case of a high dietary supply of MUFA, a simple index of double bonds might not be sufficiently conclusive to judge pig fat quality.     

Nutritional composition of frog (Rana esculanta) waste meal

In the present study, the waste obtained from the frozen frog leg industry was used for the production of frog waste meal, and its proximate, amino acids, fatty acids, mineral and vitamin compositions were evaluated to determine the nutritional quality. In addition, the total bacterial count, Salmonella, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N, mgN/100g) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA, mg malonaldehyde/kg) were also measured to determine the microbiological and chemical quality of frog waste meal (FWM). The crude protein, fat and ash content of FWM on a dry weight basis were 68.6%, 17.0% and 13.2%, respectively. The amino acid profiles were found to be fairly close to those of fish meal in terms of protein sources and rich in the glutamic acid, glycine, proline, arginine, and methionine. The proportions of fatty acid composition in FWM were analysed and findings were 26.7% for total saturated fatty acid (SFA), 42.5% for total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), 17.0% for total n - 6 and 3.3% for n - 3 ratio. The major SFA, MUFA and PUFA in FWM were palmitic acid (19.1%), oleic acid (26.0%) and linoleic acid (16.7%), respectively. FWM was found to be high in mineral content, especially Zn, K, Cu, Mn, and Mg and high level of some vitamins such as folic acids and thiamin. The total bacterial count was found to be 2.9x10(4) CFU/g, and Salmonella was not observed. TVB-N and TBA in FWM was determined to be 157.4+/-5.8 mg N/100g and 1.2+/-0.1 mg malonaldehyde/kg, respectively.     

Effect of replacing calcium salts of palm oil distillate with incremental amounts of conventional or high oleic acid milled rapeseed on milk fatty acid composition in cows fed maize silage-based diets

Based on potential benefits to human health, there is increasing interest in altering the composition of ruminant-derived foods. Including rapeseeds in the dairy cow diet is an effective strategy for replacing medium-chain saturated fatty acids (SFA) with cis-monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in bovine milk, but there is limited information on the optimum level of supplementation. Decreases in SFA due to plant oils are also accompanied by increases in milk trans fatty acid (FA) content and it is possible that high oleic acid rapeseeds may result in a higher enrichment of cis-9 18:1 and lower increases in trans FAs in milk compared with conventional varieties. Seven multiparous lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were allocated to one of seven treatments in an incomplete Latin square design with five 28-day experimental periods, to evaluate the effect of replacing calcium salts of palm oil distillate (CPO; 41 g/kg diet dry matter, DM) with 128, 168 or 207 g/kg diet DM of conventional (COR) or a high oleic acid (HOR) rapeseed fed as a supplement milled with wheat. Rapeseed variety and inclusion level had no effect (P > 0.05) on DM intake, milk yield and composition. Both rapeseed varieties decreased linearly (P < 0.001) milk fat SFA content, which was partially compensated for by a linear increase (P < 0.001) in cis-9 18:1 concentration. Reductions in milk SFA were also associated with increases (P < 0.05) in trans 18:1 and total trans FA content, with no difference (P > 0.05) between rapeseed varieties. Replacing CPO in the diet with milled rapeseeds had no effect (P > 0.05) on total milk conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration. Relative to a COR, inclusion of a high oleic acid variant in the diet increased (P = 0.01) the ratio of trans-MUFA : trans-polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk that may have implications with respect to cardiovascular disease risk in humans. In conclusion, data indicated that replacing CPO with milled rapeseeds at levels up to 1150 g oil/day could be used as a nutritional strategy to lower milk SFA content without inducing adverse effects on DM intake and milk production. HOR reduced milk fat SFA content to a greater extent than a conventional variety, but did not minimise associated increases in trans FA concentrations. However, the high oleic acid variant did alter the relative abundance of specific trans 18:1, CLA and trans 18:2 isomers compared with conventional rapeseeds.     

Brain protection by rapeseed oil in magnesium-deficient mice

Diets given for 30 days with various mono-(MUFA) and poly-(PUFA) unsaturated fatty acid contents were evaluated for brain protection in magnesium-deficient mice: a commercial and three synthetic diets (n-6PUFA, n-3PUFA and MUFA-based chows enriched with 5% corn/sunflower oils 1:3, with 5% rapeseed oil and with 5% high oleic acid sunflower oil/sunflower oil 7:3, respectively). Unlike magnesium deprivation, they induced significant differences in brain and erythrocyte membrane phospholipid fatty acid compositions. n-3PUFA but not other diets protected magnesium-deficient mice against hyperactivity and moderately towards maximal electroshock- and NMDA-induced seizures. This diet also inhibited audiogenic seizures by 50%, preventing animal deaths. Because, like n-6PUFA diet, matched control MUFA diet failed to induce brain protections, alpha-linolenate (ALA) rather than reduced n-6 PUFA diet content is concluded to cause n-3PUFA neuroprotection. Present in vivo data also corroborate literature in vitro inhibition of T type calcium channels by n-3 PUFA, adding basis to ALA supplementation in human anti-epileptic/neuroprotective strategies.     

Rearing system and oleic acid supplementation effect on carcass and lipid characteristics of two muscles from an obese pig breed

Quality of pork depends on genotype, rearing and pre- and post-slaughter conditions. However, no information is available on rearing system changes and oleic acid supplementation on carcass characteristics and fatty acid (FA) profile of pork from the Alentejano (AL) pig, an obese breed. This study evaluates the effects of feeding low (LO) or high oleic acid diets (HO) to AL pigs reared in individual pens (IND) or outdoor (OUT) with access to pasture. Carcass composition was obtained and longissimus dorsi and semimembranosus samples were collected to analyse chemical composition and neutral and polar intramuscular lipids FA profile by gas chromatography. Statistical analysis was performed by a two-way ANOVA for rearing system and diet effects. OUT-reared pigs presented leaner carcasses than IND-reared ones. Both muscles presented lower intramuscular lipid content in OUT-reared pigs. Treatments affected the FA profile of muscles. Overall, OUT-reared pigs presented lower n-6/n-3 FA ratios, whereas pigs fed the HO diet exhibited lower saturated fatty acids (SFA), higher monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) levels and lower thrombogenic indexes on neutral intramuscular lipids than LO-fed pigs. On the polar fraction, OUT-reared pigs presented lower SAT and n-6/n-3 FA ratio, and higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) levels on both muscles. Pigs fed the HO diet exhibited higher MUFA and lower PUFA levels on both muscles, and lower SAT levels on semimembranosus. This study shows rearing system and oleic acid supplementation have complementary effects and influence carcass composition and the nutritional quality of meat.     

GLC analysis of Indian rapeseed-mustard to study the variability of fatty acid composition

Rapeseed-mustard is one of the most economically important oilseed crops in India. Speciality oils having high amounts of a specific fatty acid are of immense importance for both nutritional and industrial purposes. Oil high in oleic acid has demand in commercial food-service applications due to a long shelf-life and cholesterol-reducing properties. Both linoleic and linolenic acids are essential fatty acids; however, less than 3% linolenic acid is preferred for oil stability. High erucic acid content is beneficial for the polymer industry, whereas low erucic acid is recommended for food purposes. Therefore, it is important to undertake systematic characterization of the available gene pool for its variable fatty acid profile to be utilized for specific purposes. In the present study the Indian rapeseed-mustard germplasm and some newly developed low-erucic-acid strains were analysed by GLC to study the fatty acid composition in these lines. The GLC analysis revealed that the rapeseed-mustard varieties being commonly grown in India are characterized by high erucic acid content (30-51%) in the oil with low levels of oleic acid (13-23%). However, from among the recently developed low-erucic-acid strains, several lines were identified with comparatively high oleic acid (60-70%), moderate to high linoleic acid (13-40%) and low linolenic acid (< 10%) contents. Work is in progress at TERI (New Delhi, India) to utilize these lines for development of strains with particular fatty acid compositions for specific purposes.     

Tissue fatty acid composition of pigs fed different fat sources

Dietary fat influences the physico-chemical properties of meat, and fatty acid (FA) composition may have implications on human health. The objectives of the experiment were to study tissue FA partitioning and the effect of dietary fat source on tissue FA composition. Seventy crossbred gilts (61.8 ± 5.2 kg BW average) were fed one of seven treatments: a diet containing a very low level of fat (no fat (NF)) and six fat-supplemented diets (10%: tallow (T), high-oleic sunflower oil (HOSF), sunflower oil (SFO), linseed oil (LO), fat blend (FB: 55% tallow, 35% SFO, 10% LO) and fish oil blend (FO: 40% fish oil, 60% LO). Differential tissue FA depositions were observed, with flare fat being the most saturated, followed by intermuscular, and subcutaneous being the least saturated. Monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) deposition showed an opposite tissue pattern. Subcutaneous fat showed the highest MUFAs, intermuscular fat showed intermediate values and flare fat showed the lowest MUFAs. Intramuscular polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content was less susceptible to dietary treatment modifications compared with other depots. Significant tissue FA modifications were observed due to dietary treatments, mainly in diets rich in PUFA. The saturated fatty acids (SFA) were high in NF-fed and low in HOSF-fed animals, MUFA were high in HOSF-fed and low in SFO-, LO- and FO-fed animals, while PUFA were high in SFO- and LO-fed and low in HOSF-, T- and NF-fed animals. Pigs fed LO and FB showed detectable levels of EPA, which depended on the linolenic content of the diet. The only effective way to increase tissue DHA contents was to add DHA in the diet through FO feeding. Araquidonic acid was high in SFO diets and low in LO and FB diets, and also high in intramuscular fat compared with other tissues. EPA and DHA were also high in intramuscular fat compared with other fat depots. The deposition of oleic and linoleic acids depended on the composition of dietary fat, as their deposition varied between diets, even at similar levels of intake of each FA. The NF diet resulted in the greatest proportion of SFAs (palmitic and stearic) of all treatments tested. SFAs were less susceptible to modification than MUFA in response to the different PUFA levels supplemented in the diet. T resulted in less fat deposition in some of the fat depots and more in others, suggesting that T could partition fat differently among fat depots.     

饥饿胁迫对瓦氏黄颡鱼脂肪代谢的影响

在水温(252)℃条件下, 对初始体重为(23.652.82) g的瓦氏黄颡鱼进行30d饥饿处理, 于饥饿第0、第7、第15和第30天取样, 分析了饥饿胁迫对瓦氏黄颡鱼的生长、体成分、脂肪酸组成和脂肪代谢相关基因表达的影响. 结果表明: 饥饿胁迫显著降低了瓦氏黄颡鱼肥满度、脂体比及肝体指数(p0.05). 肌肉脂肪含量也随着饥饿时间的延长而下降(p0.05). 肝脏中的饱和脂肪酸和肌肉中的单不饱和脂肪酸显著下降, 而肝脏中多不饱和脂肪酸和单不饱和脂肪酸及肌肉中的多不饱和脂肪酸显著上升(p0.05). 此外, 肌肉中的n-6和n-3及肝脏中的n-6多不饱和脂肪酸显著上升, 而肝脏中的n-3多不饱和脂肪酸显著下降(p0.05), 表明瓦氏黄颡鱼饥饿期间主要消耗饱和脂肪酸及单不饱和脂肪酸供能, 保留多不饱和脂肪酸. 饥饿胁迫15-30d, 瓦氏黄颡鱼肝脏脂蛋白酯酶、肝酯酶及肉碱酰基转运酶mRNA表达显著高于对照组(0d)(p0.05), 而脂肪酸结合蛋白及脂肪酸合成酶mRNA的表达显著低于对照组(p0.05), 表明饥饿胁迫可能会促进肝脏脂肪分解供能, 降低脂肪的生物合成.       

Fatty acid content of the dorsal muscle—an indicator of fat quality in freshwater fish

In 56 samples of freshwater fish, most were low in fat, ≤ 5% of dry weight (D.W.), and the sum of all fatty acids (ΣFA) was about 2% of D.W. Trout, whitefish, and grayling had the highest content of the long-chained FA. of ω3 type, EPA and DHA (1·7–2·6% of D.W.). Two large, low-fat pikes with ΣFA of about12–3% of D.W. and a medium-fat whitefish had the highest ω3/ω6 ratios, 8–9, whereas the fattiest fishes, eels from two lakes and the Baltic (ΣFA =17–26% of D.W.) had lower ω3/ω6 ratios, 1·1–1·8 (ω3 and ω6 FA are two important series of FA). The results indicate that ΣA controls the content of saturated FA (SAFA) and monounsaturated FA (MUFA), whereas the polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) was independent of ΣFA after a break point of about 10%ΣFA of D.W. The P/S ratio (PUFA/SAFA) and the PUFA/ΣFA ratio decreased with increased ΣFA, whereas the ω3/ω6 ratio showed no clear correlation to ΣFA. The difference in fatty acid patterns lay between low-fat and high-fat fishes, rather than between marine and freshwater fishes. The variation, both within and between species of the separate FA is small in fish with similar ΣFA content. Also, low-fat and medium-fat fishes tend to be more dietarily favourable than high-fat fishes, when considering the latest criteria for high nutritional value to humans. Abbreviations used in the text: FA, fatty acids; ΣFA, sum of all FA; AA, arachidonic acid (20 : 4ω6); EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid (20 : 5ω3); DHA, docosahexaenoic acid (22 : 6ω3); SAFA, saturated fatty acids; MUFA, monounsaturated fatty acids; PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acids; D.W., dry weight; F.W. fresh weight; CV, coefficient of variation; ω3 FA, series of PUFA with the first double bond located at carbon number 3; ω6 FA, series of PUFA with the first double bond located at carbon number 6. The fatty acids are described by three numbers, x:ywz, where x=number of carbon atoms, y=number of double bonds, and z=position of the first double bond counted from the methyl end of the molecule.     

Effect of sex,dietary glycerol or dietary fat during late fattening,on fatty acid composition and positional distribution of fatty acids within the triglyceride in pigs

The effect of sex, source of saturated fat (lard v. palm oil) and glycerol inclusion in the fattening diet on composition and fatty acid positional distribution in the triglyceride molecule was studied in pigs from 78 to 110 kg BW. Average daily gain and carcass characteristics, including ham and loin weight, were not affected by dietary treatment but sex affected backfat depth (P<0.01). A significant interaction between sex and glycerol inclusion was observed; dietary glycerol increased lean content in gilts but not in barrows (P<0.05 for the interaction). Individual and total saturated fatty acid (SFA) concentrations were greater in barrows than in gilts. In contrast, the concentration of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and of C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, C20:3n-9 and C20:4n-6 in the intramuscular fat (IMF) was higher (P<0.05) in gilts than in barrows. Sex did not affect total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) concentration in the IMF. The proportion of SFA in the subcutaneous fat (SF) was higher in barrows than in gilts (P<0.001). Within the individual SFA, sex affected only the concentrations of C14:0 and C16:0 (P<0.001). Dietary fat did not affect total SFA or PUFA concentrations of the IMF but the subcutaneous total MUFA concentration tended to be higher (P=0.079) in pigs fed lard than in pigs fed palm oil. Dietary glycerol increased total MUFA and C18:1n-9 concentration in the IMF and increased total MUFA and decreased C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3 and total PUFA concentrations in the SF. The data indicate that altering the fatty acid composition of the triglyceride molecule at the 2-position, by dietary intervention during the fattening phase, is very limited.     

Thermal Adaptation and Fatty Acid Composition of Major Phospholipids in the Plain Sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myoxocephalus jaok</Emphasis> at Different Temperatures of Natural Habitat

The composition of phospholipids (PLs), fatty acids (FAs), molecular species of major membrane lipids phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) as well as the cholesterol (CL) level in the gills and liver of the plain sculpin Myxocephalus jaok were analyzed at different habitat temperatures (18, 9, 0°C). Polar lipids and cholesterol were shown to be actively involved in adaptation of the plain sculpin to changes in environmental temperature. A decrease in temperature evoked multidirectional changes in the level of monoenoic (MUFA) and polyenoic (PUFA) FAs, ω-3 PUFA, etheric PLs, and in the unsaturation index (UI) of FAs in PC and PE of th e plain sculpin organs. Changes in the composition of PL molecular forms were unidirectional in all organs but showed some organ specificity. Thus, PC showed an increase in the total percentage of SFA/PUFA and MUFA/PUFA containing predominantly 20:5, 22:5 and 22:6 of PUFA and a decrease in the percentage of SFA/MUFA and PUFA/PUFA as well as in the level of alkylacyl forms of PC. PE showed an increase in the percentage of MUFA/PUFA and a decrease in that of SFA/PUFA and PUFA/PUFA as well as in the level of alkenylacyl forms of PE. Despite a close FA composition of PC and PE, the repertoire of their molecular forms differed in an organ- and temperature-dependent manner. Molecular mechanisms of thermal adaptation in the plain sculpin organs were traced more distinctly at the level of PC and PE molecular forms rather than in their FA spectrum.     

Fatty acid composition of membrane bilayers: Importance of diet polyunsaturated fat balance

In one of the most extensive analyses to date we show that the balance of diet n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is the most important determinant of membrane composition in the rat under 'normal' conditions. Young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed one of twelve moderate-fat diets (25% of total energy) for 8weeks. Diets differed only in fatty acid (FA) profiles, with saturate (SFA) content ranging 8-88% of total FAs, monounsaturate (MUFA) 6-65%, total PUFA 4-81%, n-6 PUFA 3-70% and n-3 PUFA 1-70%. Diet PUFA included only essential FAs 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3. Balance between n-3 and n-6 PUFA is defined as the PUFA balance (n-3 PUFA as % of total PUFA) and ranged 1-86% in the diets. FA composition was measured for brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscle, erythrocytes and plasma phospholipids, as well as adipose tissue and plasma triglycerides. The conformer-regulator model was used (slope=1 indicates membrane composition completely conforming to diet). Extensive changes in diet SFA, MUFA and PUFA had minimal effect on membranes (average slopes 0.01, 0.07, 0.07 respectively), but considerable influence on adipose tissue and plasma triglycerides (average slopes 0.27, 0.53, 0.47 respectively). Diet balance between n-3 and n-6 PUFA had a biphasic influence on membrane composition. When n-3 PUFA<10% of total PUFA, membrane composition completely conformed to diet (average slope 0.95), while diet PUFA balance>10% had little influence (average slope 0.19). The modern human diet has an average PUFA balance ~10% and this will likely have significant health implications.     

Impact of UV-B Radiation on Thylakoid Membrane and Fatty Acid Profile of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirulina platensis</Emphasis>

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation to thylakoid membrane and fatty acid profile has been investigated in cyanobacterium, Spirulina platensis. The thylakoid membrane was isolated by mechanical disruption of the freeze-dried and lysozyme-treated cells followed by differential density gradient centrifugation and morphological variations were examined. UV radiation distorted the membrane on the outer side with reduced chlorophyll a (chl a) content compared to its untreated counterpart. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used for characterization of chl a of the thylakoid membrane. UV-B exposure resulted in alterations in the pigment-protein complexes 47 kDa and 43 kDa. Furthermore, 94 kDa and 20 kDa protein appeared in UV-B-exposed thylakoid membrane of S. platensis. The composition of fatty acid in response to UV-B radiation was detected by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry having 23.5% saturated fatty acid (SFA), 76.4% monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). In contrast to its UV-B-untreated counterpart, SFA was 46.6%, and MUFA and PUFA were 53.3%. Our findings suggest that UV-B radiation not only affects membrane morphology and its protein profile but also reduces saturated fatty acid and increases unsaturated fatty acids in S. platensis.     

Membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids and lithium-sodium countertransport in human erythrocytes

Two groups of individuals, 26 normotensive normolipemic and 37 normotensive hyperlipemic, all without family history of hypertension have been selected in attempt to demonstrate whether Li-Na countertransport of erythrocytes is influenced by plasma and membrane lipid composition. The maximal rate of Li-Na countertransport was elevated in hyperlipemics (0.344 +/- 0.168 vs 0.220 +/- 0.074 mmol/l erythrocytes/h). This difference is highly significant. Hyperlipemics had different composition of membrane lipids than normals. The most important variations were: increase of palmitic, palmitoleic and total saturated fatty acids (SFA) as well as increase of cholesterol/phospholipids ratio (C/PL); in contrast, hyperlipemics had a reduced amount of linoleic acid and total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) as well as total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Consequently, UFA/SFA and PUFA/SFA ratios were lower than in normals. Li-Na countertransport was negatively correlated with the amount of PUFA (P less than 0.02), whereas it was positively correlated with the following parameters: oleic/linoleic ratio (p less than 0.02), monounsaturated fatty acids/polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio (p less than 0.03) as well as with the SFA + monounsaturated fatty acid/PUFA ratio (p less than 0.03). These findings suggest that the V max of Li-Na countertransport in erythrocytes is influenced by the lipid composition of the membrane.     

Effect of long term feeding of rice bran oil upon lipids and lipoproteins in rats

The effects of feeding two levels of rice bran oil (RBO) on the growth, lipid parameters, and fatty acid composition of the plasma and liver of rats (Wistar strain) were compared with those produced on animals which had been fed the same levels of peanut oil (PNO). The control animals were fed synthetic diets containing 5 and 20% peanut oil (PNO) and the experimental groups were fed similar diets, containing the same level of rice bran oil (RBO). There was no significant difference with respect to the organ weights between the control and the experimental groups. In general, groups fed 20% oil gained more weight than groups fed 5% oil. The animals which received rice bran oil in their diet had, in general, comparatively lower levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids. On the other hand, animals receiving 20% rice bran oil in their diet, showed an increase of 20% in high density lipoproteins (HDL-C), within 18 weeks (p<0.05), when compared to the animals fed with peanut oil. Similarly, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were lower in RBO-fed groups, than in the PNO-fed groups. There was, however, no significant differences in the cholesterol/phospholipid (C/P) ratio of the two groups. Analysis of plasma and of liver fatty acids indicated, in a general way, the type of fat consumed. There were no significant difference in the P/S ratio, nor any in the oleic/linoleic, oleic/stearic, palmitoleic/palmitic, oleic/palmitic, and oleic/palmitoleic ratios. Furthermore, levels of saturated (SAFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids were identical in both the groups. Thus, our results suggest that feeding a high level of rice bran oil (RBO) has no deleterious effect on the growth and blood lipid profile of rats.Abbreviations PNO peanut oil - RBO rice bran oil - HDL-C high density lipoprotein cholesterol - LDL-C low density lipoprotein cholesterol - VLDL-C very low density lipoprotein cholesterol - SAFA saturated fatty acids - MUFA mono-unsaturated fatty acids