Neutral fat hydrolysis and long-chain fatty acid oxidation during anaerobic digestion of slaughterhouse wastewater

Neutral fat hydrolysis and long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) oxidation rates were determined during the digestion of slaughterhouse wastewater in anaerobic sequencing batch reactors operated at 25 degrees C. The experimental substrate consisted of filtered slaughterhouse wastewater supplemented with pork fat particles at various average initial sizes (D(in)) ranging from 60 to 450 microm. At the D(in) tested, there was no significant particle size effect on the first-order hydrolysis rate. The neutral fat hydrolysis rate averaged 0.63 +/- 0.07 d(-1). LCFA oxidation rate was modelled using a Monod-type equation. The maximum substrate utilization rate (kmax) and the half-saturation concentration (Ks) averaged 164 +/- 37 mg LCFA/L/d and 35 +/- 31 mg LCFA/L, respectively. Pork fat particle degradation was mainly controlled by LCFA oxidation rate and, to a lesser extent, by neutral fat hydrolysis rate. Hydrolysis pretreatment of fat-containing wastewaters and sludges should not substantially accelerate their anaerobic treatment. At a D(in) of 450 microm, fat particles were found to inhibit methane production during the initial 20 h of digestion. Inhibition of methane production in the early phase of digestion was the only significant effect of fat particle size on anaerobic digestion of pork slaughterhouse wastewater. Soluble COD could not be used to determine the rate of lipid hydrolysis due to LCFA adsorption on the biomass.     

腾格里沙漠草方格固沙林土壤颗粒组成、分形维数及其对土壤性质的影响

为了明确草方格人工固沙造林植被恢复过程中土壤颗粒组成、分形维数及对土壤理化性质的影响,以腾格里沙漠东南缘2016年(1 a)、2013年(4 a)和1987年(30 a)草方格固沙林为研究样地,以周围流动沙地为对照(CK),研究了草方格固沙造林后植被恢复过程中土壤颗粒组成、分形维数及与土壤理化性质的作用关系.结果表明: 100～250、250～500 μm土壤颗粒含量较高,分别为42.5%～80.1%、12.5%～42.2%;50～100 μm土壤颗粒含量居中,为0.2%～20.8%;<2和2～50 μm的土壤颗粒含量次之,分别在0～1.3%和0～22.7%;而500～1000 μm的土壤颗粒含量较低,在0.3%以下.<2和2～50 μm土壤颗粒仅在30 a固沙林有分布;50～100 μm土壤颗粒分布为30 a最高,4 a和1 a居中,而CK最低;100～250 μm土壤颗粒分布依次为4 a>1 a>CK>30 a;250～500 μm土壤颗粒分布为CK>1 a>4 a>30 a;但500～1000 μm土壤颗粒在各样地分布均较少,且不同样地之间无显著差异.研究区土壤颗粒分形维数为0.54～2.59,并且不同样地间存在显著差异,表现为30 a最高,4 a与1 a居中,而CK最低.土壤颗粒分形维数与土壤黏粒、粉粒、极细砂粒含量呈极显著正相关,而与土壤中砂粒呈极显著负相关.土壤颗粒分形维数与土壤电导率、有机碳、全氮和碳氮比均呈极显著正相关,而与土壤pH和含水量无相关性.土壤中<2、2～50、50～100 μm颗粒与土壤电导率、有机碳、全氮和碳氮比均呈极显著正相关,而250～500 μm土壤颗粒与上述4个土壤指标和土壤含水量呈显著负相关.500～1000 μm土壤颗粒与土壤含水量亦呈极显著负相关.在腾格里沙漠东南缘地区利用草方格进行人工固沙植被建设,可有效促进土壤颗粒细粒化,长期演变导致土壤黏粒和粉粒及土壤分形维数显著增加,促使土壤有机碳和全氮含量提高,有利于土壤理化性质改善和促进沙漠化治理.     

Hydrolysis of animall fats by lipase at temperatures below their melting points

Summary We have studied the hydrolysis of high melting animal fats by the lipase fromCandida rugosa at temperatures between 20°C and 37°C without the addition of surfactants or organic solvents. To establish the practical applications of this process we investigated the optimal conditions of the reaction at high substrate concentrations (50% fat w/v) to achieve 95% hydrolysis (or better) in 24 hours. Experiments were conducted in solid emulsions without constant stirring (500 ml total reaction volume). Under all conditions tested, edible pork lard was a better substrate than inedible beef tallow yielding up to 96% hydrolysis with as low as 0.3 g lipase/Kg fat or 98% hydrolysis with 0.5 g lipase/Kg fat. The optimum temperature for the hydrolysis of edible pork lard was around 30°C. Inedible beef tallow and pork lard did not exhibit a clear optimum temperature. Inedible lard gave results intermediate between those of edible lard and inedible beef tallow.     

Effects of dietary cholesterol on adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase in the baboon

The effects of infant diet (breast milk or formula containing 2, 30 or 60 mg/dl cholesterol) and subsequent dietary cholesterol (0.02, 1.0 or 1.7 mg/kcal) and fat (saturated or unsaturated) on heparin-releasable lipolytic activity from omental adipose tissue was estimated from 99 baboons of 5-8 years of age. This lipase activity was characterized as lipoprotein lipase based on salt inhibition and apolipoprotein C-II activation. Lipoprotein lipase activity released from adipose tissue by heparin was significantly (P less than 0.002) lower in high cholesterol-fed baboons than in those fed low cholesterol. Most of this difference was due to impaired long-term heparin release of lipoprotein lipase. Adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase increased with increasing fat cell size regardless of diet, but there was no effect of diet on adipocyte size. There were no significant effects of infant cholesterol intake nor adult saturated or unsaturated fat on lipoprotein lipase activity. Adult baboons breast fed as infants had lower adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity (P less than 0.07) than adults fed formula as infants.     

Membrane capacitance changes associated with particle uptake during phagocytosis in macrophages.

We report the use of capacitance measurements to monitor particle uptake after cellular exposure to phagocytic stimuli. In these studies, human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) and cells from the murine macrophage-like cell line J774.1 were exposed to immune complexes or sized latex particles (0.8 or 3.2 micron in diameter). An average decrease in cell capacitance of 8 pF was seen after exposure of the cells to immune complexes. Cells in which particle uptake was inhibited by cytochalasin B treatment before exposure to immune complexes showed an average increase of 0.5 pF. The decrease in membrane capacitance after exposure of cells to particulate stimuli was absent with the soluble stimulus, platelet-activating factor, further confirming that decreases in membrane capacitance were due to particle uptake. Exposure of cells to sized latex particles resulted in a graded, stepwise decrease in membrane capacitance. The average step size for 0.8-micron particles was 250 fF, and the average step change for the larger 3.2-micron particles was 480 fF, as calculated from Gaussian fits to the step size amplitude histograms. The predicted step size for the individual particles based upon the minimum amount of membrane required to enclose a particle and a specific capacitance of 10 fF/micron2 was 20 and 320 fF, respectively. The step size for the smaller particles deviates significantly from the predicted size distribution, indicating either a possible lower limit to the size of the phagocytic vacuole or multiple particles taken up within a single phagosome. Dynamic interaction between phagocytosis and exocytosis was observed in a number of cells as a biphasic response consisting of an initial rapid increase in capacitance, consistent with cellular exocytosis, followed by stepwise decreases in capacitance.     

Lipases operative at the fat cell surface: attempt at an integrated approach

Extracellular acylglycerols are hydrolysed by lipases active at the surface of intact fat cells isolated from rat or human adipose tissue. During short-term incubation, rat fat cells hydrolyse di-[3H]oleyl-[14C]glycerol at a rate of 70 +/- 7.7 mU/10(6) cells (mean +/- S.E.) versus 440 +/- 62 mU/10(6) cells for the hydrolysis of mono-[3H]oleylglycerol; these relatively high lipolytic potencies may serve, among other functions, to counteract the cytolytic effect of both esters. Reaction rates with both substrates are unchanged by addition of various apolipoproteins C and by the nutritional state of the animals. Fat cells incorporate 15-20 per cent of the total [3H]-oleic chains liberated by hydrolysis, with no correlation between uptake and hydrolysis rates. [3H]-oleic chains in cell lipids are found mainly as diacylglycerol (15 per cent) and triacylglycerol (80 per cent). Both lipolytic processes differ from the hydrolysis of trioleylglycerol by cell-bound lipoprotein lipase, which occurs at lower rates (6.5 +/- 0.6 mU/10(6) cells) and depends on apolipoprotein C-II and nutritional state of the animals. The results support the accepted view that lipoprotein lipase and monoacylglycerol lipase are distinct enzymes. Differences between lipoprotein lipase and diacylglycerol lipase activities raise the possibility of different catalytic entities. In conclusion, isolated fat cells in suspension hydrolyse and incorporate lipids. This model should approximate physiological conditions more closely than the use of lipases in the free state.     

Pseudomonas sp. RT-1低温脂肪酶的纯化及酶学特性

Pseudomonas sp. RT-1是从低温环境下分离的低温脂肪酶产生菌,对该菌产生的胞外脂肪酶(PL-1)进行纯化,并对其酶学特性进行初步研究。Pseudomonas sp. RT-1的发酵上清液经60%(NH4)2SO4沉淀、12~14000截留相对分子质量(MWCO)透析袋透析、Sephadex G75分子筛和超滤浓缩后,得到了电泳纯的P-L1。SDS-PAGE电泳估算其表观相对分子质量为4.43×104。对其酶学特性研究表明:PL-1是低温碱性脂肪酶且对有机溶剂的耐受性较好。10~40℃内有较好的催化活性,最适作用温度为18℃;0~50℃该酶的稳定性较好,当温度超过50℃时则容易失活;最适作用pH为10.2,且pH在9~11时较稳定;该酶对有机溶剂的耐受性较好,10mmol/L的Ca2+、K+、Na+和Fe3+对PL1的酶活力有促进作用,其中Ca2+促进作用最大,提高了146.07%,而10mmol/L的Cu2+、Co2+、Mn2+、Mg2+、Zn2+、Ba2+和Al3+对酶活力具有不同程度的抑制作用,其中Al3+抑制作用最强,抑制了98.55%;PL-1对C链长度小于或等于12的短链脂肪酸形成的甘油三酯具有较强的水解能力;1mmol/L的去氧胆酸盐(desoxycholate)和0.01%的Triton X100对酶活力具有提高作用,分别提高了30.74%和11.83%;0.01%的SDS和Tween-80、1mmol/L的EDTA和尿素对酶活都有抑制作用,其中EDTA的抑制作用最大,抑制了80%。     

Factors influencing hydrogen ion concentration in muscle after intense exercise

To assess the importance of factors influencing the resolution of exercise-associated acidosis, measurements of acid-base variables were made in nine healthy subjects after 30 s of maximal exercise on an isokinetic cycle ergometer. Quadriceps muscle biopsies (n = 6) were taken at rest, immediately after exercise, and at 3.5 and 9.5 min of recovery; arterial and femoral venous blood were sampled (n = 3) over the same time. Intracellular and plasma inorganic strong ions were measured by neutron activation and ion-selective electrodes, respectively; lactate concentration ([La-]) was measured enzymatically, and plasma PCO2 and pH were measured by electrodes. Immediately after exercise, intracellular [La-] increased to 47 meq/l, almost fully accounting for a reduction in intracellular strong ion difference ([SID]) from 154 to 106 meq/l. At the same time, femoral venous PCO2 increased to 100 Torr and plasma [La-] to 9.7 meq/l; however, plasma [SID] did not change because of a concomitant increase in inorganic [SID] secondary to increases in [K+], [Na+], and [Ca2+]. During recovery, muscle [La-] fell to 26 meq/l by 9.5 min; [SID] remained low (101 and 114 meq/l at 3.5 and 9.5 min, respectively) due almost equally to the elevated [La-] (30 and 26 meq/l) and reductions in [K+] (from 142 meq/l at rest to 123 and 128 meq/l). Femoral venous PCO2 rose to 106 Torr at 0.5 min postexercise and fell to resting values at 9.5 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Chemical Speciation of Lead and Cadmium in Different Size Fractions of Dust Samples from Two Busy Roads in Irbid City,Jordan

Concentrations of Pb and Cd in different size fractions in road dust samples taken from areas of high traffic flows in two streets in Irbid City, Jordan, have been measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). A series of road dust particles in the following size ranges, < 90, 90–106, 106–125, 125–250, 250–1000 and 1000-2000 μ m, were investigated to evaluate the ratio between metal content in each fraction of particle size and total metal content. Results show most of the highest levels were found in the small particle sizes. Sequential extraction procedure was used for chemical speciation in road dust samples of < 90 μ m. Two standard reference materials, CRM142R and SRM 2709, were analyzed to assess the accuracy and the reliability of the proposed method, and the precision of the results was expressed by relative standard deviation (rsd < 6%).     

The rabbit as an animal model of hepatic lipase deficiency

A natural deficiency of hepatic lipase in rabbits has been exploited to gain insights into the physiological role of this enzyme in the metabolism of plasma lipoproteins. A comparison of human and rabbit lipoproteins revealed obvious species differences in both low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), with the rabbit lipoproteins being relatively enlarged, enriched in triacylglycerol and depleted of cholesteryl ester. To test whether these differences related to the low level of hepatic lipase in rabbits, whole plasma or the total lipoprotein fraction from rabbits was either kept at 4 degrees C or incubated at 37 degrees C for 7 h in (i) the absence of lipase, (ii) the presence of hepatic lipase and (iii) the presence of lipoprotein lipase. Following incubation, the lipoproteins were recovered and subjected to gel permeation chromatography to determine the distribution of lipoprotein components across the entire lipoprotein spectrum. An aliquot of the lipoproteins was subjected also to gradient gel electrophoresis to determine the particle size distribution of the LDL and HDL. Both hepatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase hydrolysed lipoprotein triacylglycerol and to a much lesser extent, also phospholipid. There were, however, obvious differences between the enzymes in terms of substrate specificity. In incubations containing hepatic lipase, there was a preferential hydrolysis of HDL triacylglycerol and a lesser hydrolysis of VLDL triacylglycerol. By contrast, lipoprotein lipase acted primarily on VLDL triacylglycerol. When more enzyme was added, both lipases also acted on LDL triacylglycerol, but in no experiment did lipoprotein lipase hydrolyse the triacylglycerol in HDL. Coincident with the hepatic lipase-induced hydrolysis of LDL and HDL triacylglycerol, there were marked reductions in the particle size of both lipoprotein fractions, which were now comparable to those of human LDL and HDL3, respectively.     

Serum potassium during exercise in Hereford calves: influence of physical conditioning

We determined how rapidly serum potassium concentration ([K+]) increased, its magnitude, and how quickly it decreased during and after a 3.5-min exercise bout at maximal speed capability in eight Hereford steers, before and after physical conditioning. Serum [K+] values rose rapidly after the start of exercise and declined rapidly to within 7% of preexercise values 5 min after exercise ceased. Before physical conditioning, serum [K+] increased from an average of 4.19 meq/l at rest to 6.71 meq/l at the highest treadmill speed the animals could sustain (1.8-2.4 m/s at a 3 degrees incline). After physical conditioning, the serum [K+] increase at comparable treadmill speeds was approximately 5% lower than before conditioning (average of 6.37 meq/l); however, the animals could now exercise from 0.6 to 0.8 m/s faster than before conditioning, and their maximal serum [K+] rose to an average of 7.47 meq/l, a 10% increase over preconditioned maximal values. We conclude that higher speeds and accompanying increases in serum [K+] attained by conditioned animals may place them at greater risk of cardiotoxicity than before conditioning.     

Integrated processing and multiple re-use of immobilised lipase by magnetic separation technology

High-gradient magnetic separation based processing is demonstrated for the semi-continuous multicycle re-use of a lipase immobilised on magnetic microparticles. The lipase of Candida antarctica A-type (CALA) was immobilised on polyvinyl alcohol coated magnetic particles (1-2mum diameter) with epoxy functionalisation. The immobilised CALA was used to hydrolyse a model oil-water 2-phase-system composed of a phosphate buffer with tributyrin at up to 3l scale. The immobilised enzyme was subsequently recovered in a magnetic filter using high-gradient magnetic separation and reapplied in repeated cycles of hydrolysis and recovery. Two different temperatures of 30 and 50 degrees C, tributyrin concentrations (0.12 and 35gl(-1)) and reaction times were tested. In each case the reaction was followed by pH titration using NaOH, as well as by HPLC analysis. Consecutive cycles were conducted for each reaction condition and in total the immobilised CALA was subjected to 20 recovery and re-use cycles, after which approximately 14% of the initial specific activity still remained.     

Inhibition of human gastric lipase by intraduodenal fat involves glucagon-like peptide-1 and cholecystokinin

Seven healthy volunteers were intubated with two double lumen nasogastric tubes, one in the stomach, the other in the duodenum. This system allows simultaneous sampling of gastric juice and separate intraduodenal perfusion with a dietary fat (fish oil, 1269 kJ). Gastrin-17 was infused i.v. at a rate of 40 pmol/kg/h throughout the study. Gastric lipase was measured at 15-min intervals as activity (tributyrin) and as immunoreactivity (ELISA). Infusion of gastrin-17 resulted in a stable increase in the plasma concentration from a basal concentration of 8.3±0.8 pmol/l to 41.4±4.2 pmol/l. Perfusion with fat reduced gastric lipase activity from 24.2±5.3 to 7.2±2.5 kU/l (P<0.05), and immunoreactivity from 0.7±0.1 to 0.42±0.1 mg/l (P<0.05). After termination of fat perfusion, gastric lipase secretion increased again, though not reaching preinhibitory concentrations. During the intraduodenal perfusion with fat the plasma concentrations of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and cholecystokinin (CCK) increased from 6.9±0.5 to 15.1±1.5 pmol/l (P<0.05) and from 1.2±0.4 to 3.8±0.9 pmol/l (P<0.05). This study reveals a negative effect of fat in the duodenum on gastric lipase secretion. This effect may be mediated by GLP-1 and/or CCK.     

Magnetic lipase active in organic solvents

Magnetic lipase (magnetite particles coated with polyethylene glycol-modified lipase) was prepared in two steps: Lipase was coupled with 2,4-bis(O-methoxypolyethylene glycol)-6-chloro-s-triazine, activated PEG2, to obtain polyethylene glycol-modified lipase, PEG-lipase. The PEG-lipase was added to the solution of ferrous (Fe2+)- and ferric(Fe3+)-ions with the pH value adjusted to 8.0-8.5 to obtain magnetic lipase. The magnetic lipase was dispersed in organic solvents such as benzene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane with the particle size of 120 +/- 60 nm. The colloidal solution was very stable and no aggregation occurred even after 5 days. A high enzymic activity (11.6 mumol/min/mg protein) for lauryl laurate synthesis was observed in 1,1,1-trichloroethane. The magnetic lipase was readily recovered from the organic solvents in a magnetic field of 6000 Oe without loss of the enzymic activity.     

High throughput particle analysis: combining dielectrophoretic particle focussing with confocal optical detection

A micro flow cytometer has been fabricated that detects and counts fluorescent particles flowing through a microchannel at high speed based upon their fluorescence emission intensity. Dielectrophoresis is used to continuously focus particles within the flowing fluid stream into the centre of the device, which is 40 microm high and 250 microm wide. The method ensures that all the particles pass through an interrogation region approximately 5 microm in diameter, which is created by focusing a beam of light into a spot. The functioning of the device was demonstrated by detecting and counting fluorescent latex particles at a rate of up to 250 particles/s. A mixture of three different populations of latex particle was used, each sub-population with a distinct level of fluorescent intensity. The device was evaluated by comparison with a conventional fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS) and numerical simulation demonstrated that for 6 microm beads, and for this design of chip the theoretical throughput is of the order of 1000 particles/s (corresponding to a particle velocity of 10 mm s(-1)).     

Oil-bodies as substrates for lipolytic enzymes

Plant seeds store triacylglycerols (TAGs) in intracellular organelles called oil-bodies or oleosomes, which consist of oil droplets covered by a coat of phospholipids and proteins. During seed germination, the TAGs of oil-bodies hydrolysed by lipases sustain the growth of the seedlings. The mechanism whereby lipases gain access to their substrate in these organelles is largely unknown. One of the questions that arises is whether the protein/phospholipid coat of oil-bodies prevents the access of lipase to the oil core. We have investigated the susceptibility of almond oil-bodies to in vitro lipolysis by various purified lipases with a broad range of biochemical properties. We have found that all the enzymes assayed were capable of releasing on their own free fatty acids from the TAG of oil-bodies. Depending on the lipase, the specific activity measured on oil-bodies using the pH-stat technique was found to range from 18 to 38% of the specific activity measured on almond oil emulsified by gum arabic. Some of these lipases are known to have a dual lipase/phospholipase activity. However, no correlation was found to exist between the ability of a lipase to readily and efficiently hydrolyse the TAG content of oil-bodies and the presence of a phospholipase activity. Kinetic studies indicate that oil-bodies behave as a substrate as other proteolipid organelles such as milk fat globules. Finally we have shown that a purified water-soluble plant lipase on its own can easily hydrolyse oil-bodies in vitro. Our results suggest that the lipolysis of oil-bodies in seedlings might occur without any pre-hydrolysis of the protein coat.     

Casein micelle size from elastic and quasi-elastic light scattering measurements.

The average molecular weight, particle radius and size distribution of particles in skim milk from eight cows in mid-lactation have been measured by means of elastic and quasi-elastic light scattering techniques. The properties of sub-micellar casein particles in the milk of each cow were also studied. Particular attention has been given to the effects of particle size heterogeneity in the interpretation of results. The weight average molecular weight of the particles from different cows varied from 2.6-10(8) to 15-10(8) and the corresponding average particle radius varied between 90 and 130 nm. An unusual feature of these particles is their high water content, which was found to vary from 2.4 to 6.4 ml/g with a positive correlation between average particle density and average particle mass. Variations in particle water content can be most readily understood in terms of a gel-like casein micelle.     

黑河中游典型土地利用方式下土壤粒径分布及与有机碳的关系

土地利用方式是影响土壤粒径分布、土壤有机碳及其组成含量的重要因素。研究显示:黑河中游典型土地利用类型下,不同土壤粒径分布和土壤总有机碳(TOC)、活性有机碳(AOC)、非活性有机碳(NOC)的含量存在差异。剖面上TOC、AOC、NOC含量较高的旱地、水田、中覆盖度草地与含量较低的戈壁、裸土地、沙地、盐碱地相比,<1μm、1—5μm、5—10μm、10—50μm的粒径含量较高,而50—250μm、250—1000μm的含量较低,这种变化以50μm为分界,分析表明<50μm的粉粒和粘粒可起到固碳作用,而50—250μm、250—1000μm的砂粒起碳损失作用。统计结果表明,以50μm为分界,水田、戈壁、中覆盖度草地剖面上TOC、AOC、NOC与1—5μm、5—10μm、10—50μm呈正相关,与50—250μm、250—1000μm呈负相关。分析发现,粉粒和粘粒与土壤TOC、AOC、NOC的关系较显著,是影响和控制团聚体形成和稳定的重要因素。增加地表植被覆盖度、退化生态系统的植被恢复、农田耕种、防风固沙措施是提高土壤有机碳、粘粒和粉粒含量的方式,也为土壤团聚体的形成和稳定提供基础。     

Electricity generation from bio-treatment of sewage sludge with microbial fuel cell

A two-chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) with potassium ferricyanide as its electron acceptor was utilized to degrade excess sewage sludge and to generate electricity. Stable electrical power was produced continuously during operation for 250 h. Total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) of sludge was reduced by 46.4% when an initial TCOD was 10,850 mg/l. The MFC power output did not significantly depend on process parameters such as substrate concentration, cathode catholyte concentration, and anodic pH. However, the MFC produced power was in close correlation with the soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) of sludge. Furthermore, ultrasonic pretreatment of sludge accelerated organic matter dissolution and, hence, TCOD removal rate in the MFC was increased, but power output was insignificantly enhanced. This study demonstrates that this MFC can generate electricity from sewage sludge over a wide range of process parameters.     

Haemolymph lipids and fat body lipases of the southern armyworm moth

The haemolymph lipid of the southern armyworm moth, Prodenia eridania, is chiefly diglyceride with smaller amounts of triglyceride, monoglyceride, and free fatty acid also present. The stored lipid of moth fat body is almost all triglyceride. Although flight muscle contains a very active monoglyceride lipase, its ability to hydrolyse tri- and diglycerides is very low. The fat body contains enzymes able to hydrolyse tri-, di-, and monoglycerides. These data do not support the suggestion that fat body triglyceride is converted to diglyceride, which is carried in the haemolymph to the flight muscle and then hydrolysed to free fatty acid for oxidation during flight; rather, they indicate that triglyceride can be completely hydrolysed in the fat body, and the resulting free fatty acid is carried to the flight muscle to provide energy for flight.