Lipids and fatty acid composition of developing winged bean seeds

The moisture, lipids and fatty acid composition of developing winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) seeds were studied. The moisture content decreased steadily as the seeds matured. The lipid content increased gradually and reached a maximum ca 6 weeks after flowering (WAF). In the early stage (2 WAF) of the developing seeds there were more polar lipids (glycolipids and phospholipids) than neutral lipids but, as the seeds developed, neutral lipids gradually accumulated while the polar lipids decreased until 6 WAF. Thereafter, both the neutral lipid and polar lipid levels remained little changed. The amounts of palmitic and stearic acids decreased, but the level of behenic acid increased as the seeds matured. On the other hand, the oleic acid content increased while that of linolenic acid decreased rapidly as the seeds matured. The concentration of linoleic acid, however, fluctuated during the development of the seeds.     

Changes in fatty acid composition of lipid classes in developing mustard seed

Maturation of mustard (Sinapis alba) seed proceeds with a sharp decrease in the amounts of palmitic and linoleic acids in the total lipids up to 6 weeks after flowering (WAF). Concomitantly, the concentration of oleic acid increases, reaching a plateau at 4 WAF, which is followed by chain elongation of oleic acid to gadoleic and erucic acids. Compositional changes in constituent fatty acids of individual lipid classes indicate that the very long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (C₂₀ and C₂₂), as opposed to common long-chain fatty acids (C₁₆ and C₁₈), are metabolized to triacylglycerols mainly by esterification to preformed diacylglycerols and monoacylglycerols, rather than via esterification to glycerol-3-phosphate or lysophosphatidic acids.     

Changes in the amounts of chlorogenic and caffeic acids during tobacco seed maturation

During maturation of tobacco seed, the amount of chlorogenic acid rapidly increased between days 7 and 11 after anthesis and then decreased until day 15. Chlorogenic acid was not detected in fully mature seed. On the other hand, caffeic acid appeared from day 15, reached a maximum at day 21, and rapidly disappeared by day 25 although the amount was always low in comparison with that of chlorogenic acid. Changes in dry wt, water content, testa color and germination of tobacco seeds during maturation were also investigated. The results suggested that there were rapid biochemical changes in seed between days 11 and 15 after anthesis.     

Triacylglycerol and polar lipid metabolism in germinating sea buckthorn seeds

Dark germination of sea buckthorn (Hippophal rhamnoides L.) seeds was characterized by an initial 3-day-long lag-period, when the contents of triacylglycerols (TAGs) and polar lipids (PLs) remained nearly the same due to a retardation in lipid metabolization. Subsequently, TAG content declined rapidly, and by the 10th day of germination, it did not exceed 5% of total lipids. In this case, total saturated (S) and total unsaturated (U) fatty acids (FAs), as well as various TAG types such as S₂U, SU₂, and U₃, were consumed at nearly similar relative rates. At the same time, separate TAG groups, which included one of the individual FAs, such as palmitic (P), stearic (St), oleic (O), linoleic (L), or linolenic (Le), differed from each other in the intensity of degradation. For L- and Le-TAGs, initial and final concentrations were similar, while initial concentrations of St- and O-TAGs by the 10th day of germination increased 2.3- and 1.5-fold, respectively, and as regards P-TAGs, this value decreased 3.5-fold. Thus, P-TAGs considerably exceeded other TAG groups in their consumption rate in seedlings, while St- and O-TAGs ranked below them in this respect. By the 10th day, the absolute level of PLs increased 16-fold due to a de novo formation of lipid membranes of the cells in the course of growth and differentiation of seedling tissues; this increase was accompanied by an increase in the S-FA concentration in PLs and a decrease in the amount of U-FAs.     

烟草种子成熟过程中膜脂的变化规律研究

该研究采用脂类组学方法,系统地研究了烟草种子成熟过程中膜脂含量及组成比例的变化规律。结果表明:(1)构成叶绿体和类囊体膜的重要脂类质体膜脂的含量及其在总膜脂中的组成比例,在种子成熟的整个过程中保持下降趋势;而构成细胞膜的重要脂类质外体膜脂含量在种子成熟前期则下降显著,在授粉21 d后基本保持不变。(2)总膜脂含量的变化规律与质体膜脂类似,但在授粉后第29天后含量却达到稳定状态。(3)因油脂在种子成熟过程中不断积累,且化学结构与膜脂相似,质体膜脂含量的降低可能与种子成熟过程中种子对油脂累积的持续需求以及对叶绿体及类囊体的需求降低有关。(4)质外体膜脂含量在授粉21 d后基本保持不变的原因,可能是由于脂质外体膜脂是细胞膜组成的主要膜脂,细胞膜在种子成熟以及成熟种子萌发过程中均发挥重要作用,因此质外体膜脂只在种子成熟的前期有部分转化为油脂。     

Effect of light and temperature on epicuticular fatty acid and fatty alcohol of tobacco

Genetically uniform burley tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) was grown under field and various controlled-environment conditions to determine whether environment influenced epicuticular alkane, fatty acid, and fatty-alcohol composition of the leaves. Quantity and quality of alkanes, fatty acids, and fatty alcohols were greatly influenced by environmental conditions. Highest light intensity did not result in the largest total long aliphatic carbon-chain production. Generally, long photoperiod and cool temperature were associated with highest long aliphatic carbon-chain production on a leaf area basis. Quantity of the individual alkane, fatty acid, or fatty alcohol classes present under the different growth conditions varied in relation to the leaf metabolic status and not leaf size.     

不同产地山茱萸种子中油脂含量及脂肪酸组成分析

山茱萸( Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.)为山茱萸科( Cornaceae)山茱萸属( Cornus Linn.)的多年生木本植物[1],主要产自中国的陕西、河南和浙江等地,在四川、安徽和山东等地亦有栽培[2]。山茱萸是世界三大名贵木本药材之一[3],临床上常以成熟果实去核后的果肉入药,而占山茱萸果实质量约80%的种子则被大量废弃。因此,对山茱萸种子资源的研究有利于提高山茱萸的综合利用价值。     

DNA polymorphisms in bovine fatty acid synthase are associated with beef fatty acid composition

The objective of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the thioesterase (TE) domain of the bovine fatty acid synthase (FASN) gene and to evaluate the extent to which they were associated with beef fatty acid composition. The four exons in FASN that encode for the TE domain were sequenced, and three SNPs, AF285607:g.17924A>G, g.18663T>C and g.18727C>T, were identified. Purebred Angus bulls (n = 331) were classified into three genotype groups, g.17924AA (n = 121), g.17924AG (n = 168) and g.17924GG (n = 42). The g.17924A>G genotype was significantly associated with fatty acid composition of longissimus dorsi muscle of Angus bulls. Cattle with the g.17924GG genotype had lower myristic acid (C14:0; P < 0.0001), palmitic acid (C16:0, P < 0.05) and total saturated fatty acid contents (P < 0.01), greater health index (P < 0.001), oleic acid content (C18:1; P < 0.001) and total monounsaturated fatty acid concentration (P < 0.01) in the total lipids and triacylglycerols fraction than did those with the g.17924AA genotype. Because of the linkage disequilibrium between SNPs g.17924A>G and g.18663T>C, similar significant associations of fatty acid contents with the g.18663T>C genotypes were observed. In conclusion, the SNPs g.17924A>G and g.18663T>C may be used as DNA markers to select breeding stock that have a healthier fatty acid composition.     

Lipid content and fatty acid composition of seeds of Capsella species from different geographical locations

Seeds of natural populations of Capsella bursa-pastoris, collected from temperate regions, weighed less and had a higher lipid content than those from colder regions. The long-chain (16:0, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2 and 18:3) and very long-chain (20:0, 20:1, 20:2 and 20:3) fatty acid compositions were, however, quite similar in the lipids of all the seed samples which indicates a rigid genetic, rather than environmental, control of fatty acid biosynthesis. Characteristics of the seeds of the diploid species C. rubella and C. grandiflora were similar to those of the tetraploid C. bursa-pastoris, with the exception of the distinctly lower lipid content in C. grandiflora seeds.     

Changes in the free and total amino acid composition of ripening chestnut seeds

The distribution of free and protein amino acids during seed development is described for three chestnut varieties. Asparagine accumulation was shown to correlate with protein biosynthesis. Accumulation of free amino acids takes place before that of proteins in ripening seeds. A temporary decrease was generally accompanied by protein biosynthesis and followed by final accumulation of both protein and free amino acids.     

Fatty acid composition and lipid synthesis in developing safflower seeds

Linoleic acid predominated in every lipid class during the whole period of seed development of safflower, while linolenic acid decreased with increasing maturation and it was not detected in mature seeds. Just before the initiation of triacylglycerol accumulation, the fatty acid composition of triacylglycerols changed more rapidly than those of phospholipids and glycolipids. Saturated fatty acids tended to accumulate at the 1- and 3-positions of the glycerol molecule and the more highly unsaturated acids at the 2-position. The fatty acid compositions at the 1- and 3-positions were similar in all cases investigated, but in none of the triacylglycerols was the distribution completely symmetrical. The positional distribution of linolenic acid in triacylglycerols prepared from the immature seeds 2 days after flowering and from the leaves was unusual; in spite of its highest degree of unsaturation, it was preferentially esterified at the 1- and 3-positions. When triacylglycerol was most rapidly accumulated (14–18 days after flowering), the incorporation of acetate-[U- ¹⁴C] into total lipids was also maximum and dienoic fatty acids were the principal acids labelled. Diacylglycerols and compound lipids reached the highest rate of synthesis 15 days after flowering, and then a maximum incorporation into triacylglycerol occurred 18 days after flowering. Incubation temperature affected the synthesis of individual lipid classes. Triacylglycerol was more rapidly synthesized at 32° than at 10°, while diacylglycerols and compound lipids were accumulated under the low-temperature condition. A rise of incubation temperature caused a depression in dienoic acid synthesis.     

Lipids of chill-sensitive and -resistant Passiflora species: Fatty acid composition and temperature dependence of spin label motion

Polar lipids were extracted from the leaves of Passiflora species which varied in their resistance to chilling injury. The fatty acid compositions of the 8 major polar lipid classes from P. caerulea (chill-resistant) were generally similar to those of the corresponding lipids from P. flavicarpa (chill-sensitive). Using ESR spectroscopy, the motion of spin-labelled molecules was measured in phospholipids isolated from a range of Passiflora species. The temperature dependence of the motion of the spin labels showed a change at 1° for lipids of the most chill-resistant species and at 9° for the lipids of the most chill-sensitive species. Lipids from other species showed changes at intermediate temperatures, and the greater the chilling sensitivity of the species, the higher was the temperature of the change. It is concluded that pronounced differences in chilling sensitivity of the Passiflora species are correlated with physical differences in their membrane lipids; however, the degree of unsaturation of the lipids is not a reliable guide to chilling sensitivity.     

Determination of quinolinic acid phosphoribosyl-transferase in tobacco

A fast procedure was developed for the extraction and assay of quinolinic acid (QA) phosphoribosyl (PR) transferase based on gel filtration through a prepacked disposable PD 10 column and on reversed-phase HPLC. This makes the use of radiolabelled QA unnecessary. The specific activities determined in different organs of tobacco and in cell suspension cultures were determined; they indicate that this enzyme is probably involved in the regulation of nicotine biosynthesis. With a preparation from the roots of Nicotiana tabacum var. Samsun, the K_m values for QA and PR-pyrophosphate were 5.1 and 21 μM, respectively.     

Preparation of fatty acid methyl esters for gas-liquid chromatography

A convenient method using commercial aqueous concentrated HCl (conc. HCl; 35%, w/w) as an acid catalyst was developed for preparation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from sterol esters, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and FFAs for gas-liquid chromatography (GC). An 8% (w/v) solution of HCl in methanol/water (85:15, v/v) was prepared by diluting 9.7 ml of conc. HCl with 41.5 ml of methanol. Toluene (0.2 ml), methanol (1.5 ml), and the 8% HCl solution (0.3 ml) were added sequentially to the lipid sample. The final HCl concentration was 1.2% (w/v). This solution (2 ml) was incubated at 45°C overnight or heated at 100°C for 1–1.5 h. The amount of FFA formed in the presence of water derived from conc. HCl was estimated to be <1.4%. The yields of FAMEs were >96% for the above lipid classes and were the same as or better than those obtained by saponification/methylation or by acid-catalyzed methanolysis/methylation using commercial anhydrous HCl/methanol. The method developed here could be successfully applied to fatty acid analysis of various lipid samples, including fish oils, vegetable oils, and blood lipids by GC.     

Changes and importance of oligomeric procyanidins during maturation of grape seeds

Flavans and procyanidins from the seeds of different grape varieties were separated and identified using HPLC techniques. The compounds identified were (+)-catechin and (?)-epicatechin, dimeric procyanidins B1, B2, B3 and B4, trimeric procyanidin C2 and gallic acid. During maturation of the grape berries, the flavan-3-ol content fell in the seeds whereas procyanidin levels increased. This suggests an interrelationship between the compounds. There was also evidence of varietal differences in the amounts of phenolic compounds in grape seeds.     

Phospholipid composition and fatty acid peroxidation during ageing of Acer platanoides seeds

Seeds of Norway maple ( Acer platanoides L.) differing in water content (10, 20 and 30%) were stored for 6 weeks at 20 to 30°C. During this period changes in phospholipids and fatty acids as well as in seed viability and germination capacity were studied. A considerable decrease in the phospholipid content was observed, which depended on the water content in the seeds and was related to the decrease of the seed germination capacity. The level of linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3) acids in the phospholipid fraction decreased considerably in the course of the accelerated seed ageing. The results obtained suggest that phospholipid degradation and peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, followed by membrane destruction, play a considerable role in maple seed ageing.     

半滑舌鳎受精卵、卵黄囊仔鱼和开口仔鱼氨基酸及脂肪酸的变化

采用气相色谱仪和氨基酸分析仪测定了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)受精卵、卵黄囊仔鱼和开口仔鱼的氨基酸与脂肪酸组成的变化。结果表明:总氨基酸组成在受精卵和卵黄囊仔鱼之间变化明显,但是在卵黄囊仔鱼和开口仔鱼之间只有细微的变化。开口仔鱼与其摄食的轮虫的总必需氨基酸组成相关。受精卵、卵黄囊仔鱼、开口仔鱼的游离氨基酸含量分别为139 mg/g、3.6 mg/g和2.5 mg/g,占总氨基酸含量的22.3%、3.6%和2.5%。饱和脂肪酸的总量从受精卵到卵黄囊仔鱼明显下降,但是发育到开口仔鱼含量无显著变化。单不饱和脂肪酸和多不饱和脂肪酸的总量在不同发育阶段无显著变化,而EPA和DHA的含量从卵黄囊仔鱼到开口仔鱼有明显下降。这表明在早期发育阶段半滑舌鳎主要利用饱和脂肪酸作为能量代谢的基质,对饱和脂肪酸的利用程度大于单不饱和脂肪酸和多不饱和脂肪酸。半滑舌鳎似乎需要长链的多不饱和脂肪酸如EPA、DHA和ARA。     

Traits of fatty acid accumulation in dimorphic seeds of the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa in saline conditions

The mechanism on of how salinity affects seed fatty acids accumulation remains unclear in halophytes. The present results revealed that the content of total unsaturated fatty acids in black seeds was higher than in brown seeds in the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa under controlled saline conditions. Salinity (200?mM NaCl) significantly increased the total oil content, unsaturated acid/saturated acid ratio, and content of α-linolenic acid (C18:3) (ALA), especially in brown seeds. The most abundant fatty acid in dimorphic seeds is linoleic acid (C18:2) (>70%). It appears that more ALA accumulated in brown seeds compared to black seeds. The enzyme activity of omega-3 fatty acid desaturase (ω-3 FAD) in brown seeds was much higher than that in black seeds, but salinity had no significant effect on the activity of ω-3 FAD in both brown and black seeds. The relative expression of SsFAD7 was increased by salinity, and the value in brown seeds was much higher than that in black seeds. This means salinity can, salinity can improve the quantity of fatty acids in dimorphic seeds of S. salsa, and the enzyme of ω-3 FAD and SsFAD7 may involve in the accumulation of ALA in dimorphic seeds under salinity.     

Changes in lipid profiles in the developing haustorium of oil palm seeds

Germinated oil palm seeds were placed in special trays in the field and at different intervals the haustoria were harvested. Changes in haustorial lipids were followed until the eighth week after germination. The moisture content decreased while the lipids increased. The haustorial fatty acid profile was similar to that of the palm kernel. Changes in fatty acid composition at different weeks after germination were observed. The major haustorial lipids were triacylglycerols; free fatty acids and diacylglycerols were also present     

Total fatty acid composition as a taxonomic index of some marine microalgae used as food in marine aquaculture

Total lipid and total fatty acid composition was studied in twelve marine microalgae species, belonging to the Eustigmatophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Haptophyceae and Prasinophyceae, cultured under comparable conditions.Species of the same class showed a particular fatty acid composition, indicating specific fatty acid bioconversion modes. The fatty acid composition of the different microalgae was compared to previously published data.