Nutritional Quality of Basal Resource in Stream Food Webs Increased with Light Reduction-Implications for Riparian Revegetation.

Biofilms are considered a basal resource with high nutritional quality in stream food webs, as periphytic algae are abundant of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). PUFAs are essential for growth and reproduction of consumers who cannot or have very limited capacity to biosynthesize. Yet, how the nutritional quality based on PUFA of basal food sources changes with light intensity remains unclear. We conducted a manipulative experiment in mesocosms to explore the response and mechanisms of nutritional quality to shading, simulating riparian restoration. We found a significant increase in PUFA% (including arachidonic acid, ARA) under shading conditions. The increased PUFA is caused by the algal community succession from Cyanobacteria and Chlorophyta to Bacillariophyta which is abundant of PUFA (especially eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; docosahexaenoic acid, DHA). On the other hand, shading increased PUFA via upregulating enzymes such as Δ12 desaturase (FAD2, EC:1.14.19.6) and 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS, EC:2.3.1.199) in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid elongation pathways. Our findings imply that riparian reforestation by decreasing light intensity increases the nutritional quality of basal resources in streams, which may enhance transfer of good quality carbon to consumers in higher trophic levels through bottom-up effects.

Investigation of guanidino acetic acid and rumen-protected methionine induced improvements in longissimus lumborum muscle quality in beef cattle.

This study examined the impact of dietary guanidino acetic acid (GAA) and rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on beef quality in Simmental bulls. For 140 days, forty-five bulls (453.43 ± 29.05 kg) were randomly divided into control (CON), 0.1% GAA (GAA), and 0.1% GAA + 0.1% RPM (GAM) groups with 15 bulls in each group and containing 3 pen with 5 bulls in each pen. Significant improvements in eye muscle area, pH48h, redness (a*) value, and crude protein (CP) content of longissimus lumborum (LL) muscles were observed in the GAA and GAM groups (P < 0.05). Conversely, the lightness (L*) value, drip loss, cooking loss, and moisture contents decreased (P < 0.05). Additionally, glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) concentrations of LL muscles in GAM were higher (P < 0.05), while malondialdehyde (MDA) content of LL muscles in GAA and GAM groups were lower (P < 0.05). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) profiles were enriched in beef from GAM group (P < 0.05). The addition of GAA and RPM affected the expression of genes in LL muscle, such as HMOX1, EIF4E, SCD5, and NOS2, which are related to hypoxia metabolism, protein synthesis, and unsaturated fatty acid synthesis-related signaling pathways. In addition, GAA and RPM also affected the content of a series of metabolites such as L-tyrosine, L-tryptophan, and PC (O-16:0/0:0) involved in amino acid and lipid metabolism-related signaling pathways. In summary, GAA and RPM can improve the beef quality and its nutritional composition. These changes may be related to changes in gene expression and metabolic pathways related to protein metabolism and lipid metabolism in beef.

Relationship between Markers of Gut Barrier Function and Erythrocyte Membrane PUFAs in Diarrhea-Predominant IBS Patients Undergoing a Low-FODMAP Diet.

Many patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have a compromised intestinal barrier associated with low-grade inflammation. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are potential mediators of inflammation: omega-6 PUFAs are pro-inflammatory, while omega-3 PUFAs are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Zonulin is a potential biomarker for small intestinal permeability (s-IP). This study investigated the relationship between PUFAs and gastrointestinal (GI) barrier integrity in IBS patients with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D). We evaluated GI barrier function indicators in the urine and bloodstream and erythrocyte membrane PUFA composition in 38 IBS-D patients (5 men, 33 women, 44.11 ± 1.64 years), categorized at baseline by fecal zonulin levels into high (≥107 ng/mL, H-FZ) and normal (<107 ng/mL N-FZ) groups. Evaluations were conducted prior to and following a 12-week diet low in FODMAPs (LFD). At baseline, H-FZ patients had s-IP significantly higher than the reference value, lower n-3 PUFAs levels, and higher n-6/n-3 PUFAs and arachidonic acid (AA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ratios than N-FZ. After LFD, H-FZ patients showed significant increases in n-3 PUFAs levels; decreases in n-6 PUFAs, n-6/n-3 PUFAs and AA/EPA ratios; and improved s-IP. The n-6/n-3 PUFAs ratio positively correlated with fecal zonulin levels in all subjects. These findings highlight the relationship between PUFAs and the intestinal barrier, suggesting their role in IBS-D pathophysiology and confirming the positive effects of LFD in managing IBS-D.

Changes in the Fatty Acid Profile of Lactating Women Living in Poland-A Comparison with the Fatty Acid Profile of Selected Infant Formulas.

The present study examined the fatty acid content of human milk from Polish women living in the Warmia and Mazury region with regard to different lactation periods and compared it with the fatty acid content of selected infant formulas. The analysis included samples of breast milk-colostrum (n = 21), transitional milk (n = 26), and mature milk (n = 22). Fat was extracted using the Rose-Gottlieb method, and the fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (FID). The proportion of SFAs (saturated fatty acids) > MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) > PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) was determined in each fraction of breast milk and infant formula. Palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids predominated in breast milk and infant formulas. Colostrum contained lower contents of selected SFAs (caprylic, capric, lauric) and higher contents of selected MUFAs (ercucic) and PUFAs (arachidonic and docosahexaenoic) (p < 0.05) relative to transitional and mature milk. Infant formulas were distinguished from human milk in terms of their SFA (caproic, caprylic, lauric, arachidic), MUFA (oleic), and PUFA (linoleic, α-linoleic) content. It should be noted that infant formulas contained significantly lower trans fatty acid (TFA) content-more than thirty-six and more than nineteen times lower than in human milk. Furthermore, human milk contained branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) at 0.23-0.28%, while infant formulas contained only trace amounts of these acids. The average ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids for human milk was 6.59:1 and was close to the worldwide ratio of 6.53 ± 1.72:1. Both principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) indicated significant differences in the fatty acid profile relative to lactation and a different profile of infant formulas relative to breast milk.

A deep learning-guided automated workflow in LipidOz for detailed characterization of fungal fatty acid unsaturation by ozonolysis.

Understanding fungal lipid biology and metabolism is critical for antifungal target discovery as lipids play central roles in cellular processes. Nuances in lipid structural differences can significantly impact their functions, making it necessary to characterize lipids in detail to understand their roles in these complex systems. In particular, lipid double bond (DB) locations are an important component of lipid structure that can only be determined using a few specialized analytical techniques. Ozone-induced dissociation mass spectrometry (OzID-MS) is one such technique that uses ozone to break lipid DBs, producing pairs of characteristic fragments that allow the determination of DB positions. In this work, we apply OzID-MS and LipidOz software to analyze the complex lipids of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains transformed with different fatty acid desaturases from Histoplasma capsulatum to determine the specific unsaturated lipids produced. The automated data analysis in LipidOz made the determination of DB positions from this large dataset more practical, but manual verification for all targets was still time-consuming. The DL model reduces manual involvement in data analysis, but since it was trained using mammalian lipid extracts, the prediction accuracy on yeast-derived data was reduced. We addressed both shortcomings by retraining the DL model to act as a pre-filter to prioritize targets for automated analysis, providing confident manually verified results but requiring less computational time and manual effort. Our workflow resulted in the determination of detailed DB positions and enzymatic specificity.

A MEPS-UHPLC-MS/MS analytical platform to detect isoprostanoids and specialized pro-resolving mediators in the urinary extracellular vesicles of mountain ultramarathon runners.

Oxylipins are powerful signalling compounds derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and involved in regulating the immune system response. A mass spectrometry-based method was developed and validated for the targeted profiling of 52 oxylipins (e.g., isoprostanoids, prostaglandins, epoxy- and hydroxy-fatty acids, specialized pro-resolving mediators) and 4 PUFAs in small urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs). Ultrasound-assisted extraction using a 50:50 v/v MeOH:H2O mixture ensured optimal analytical performances. Limits of detection ranged between 10 and 400 pg/mL for oxylipins and 0.10-3 ng/mL for PUFAs. Satisfactory recoveries (85-116 %) and good intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD ≤15 %) were obtained for all the analytes. The reliability of the procedure was tested in a real case scenario by monitoring ultramarathon runners during the world Tor des Géants® (TDG) race. Both F2- and E2-isoprostanes were detected in small uEVs of the ultramarathon runners, suggesting the onset of an oxidant insult. 5-F2t-IsoP exhibited significant pre- to post-race variations, thus potentially representing a non-invasive marker of in-vivo lipid peroxidation. The presence of specialized pro-resolving mediators suggests the activation of pro-resolution signalling cascade resolving inflammation. These outcomes may help manage post-exercise recovery and improve training.

Efficient Strategy for Characterization and Quantification of Polyunsaturated Lipids by Microwave-Assisted MMPP Epoxidation.

Lipids play integral roles in biological processes, with carbon-carbon double bonds (C═C) markedly influencing their structure and function. Precise characterization and quantification of unsaturated lipids are crucial for understanding lipid physiology and discovering disease biomarkers. However, using mass spectrometry for these purposes presents significant challenges. In this study, we developed a microwave-assisted magnesium monoperoxyphthalate hexahydrate (MMPP) epoxidation reaction, coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), to analyze unsaturated lipids. Microwave irradiation expedited the MMPP epoxidation, achieving complete derivatization in 10 min without byproducts. A diagnostic ion pair, displaying a 16 Da mass difference, effectively identified the location of the C═C bond in mass spectra. Microwave irradiation also significantly facilitated the epoxidation reaction of polyunsaturated lipids, achieving yields greater than 85% and yielding a complete epoxidation product. This simplifies chromatographic separation and aids in accurate quantification. Additionally, a purification process was implemented to remove excess derivatization reagents, significantly reducing mass spectrometry response suppression and enhancing analytical reproducibility. The method's effectiveness was validated by analyzing unsaturated lipids in rat plasma from a type I diabetes model. We quantified nine unsaturated lipids and characterized 42 fatty acids and glycerophospholipids. The results indicated that unsaturated fatty acids increased in diabetic plasma while unsaturated glycerophospholipids decreased. Furthermore, the relative abundances of Δ9/Δ11 isomer pairs also exhibited a close association with diabetes. In conclusion, microwave-assisted MMPP epoxidation coupled with LC-MS/MS provides an effective strategy for characterization and quantification of polyunsaturated lipids, offering deeper insight into the physiological impact of unsaturated lipids in related diseases.

Effectiveness of different antioxidants in suppressing the evolution of thermally induced peroxidation products in hemp seed oil.

Several scientific studies have warned that the ingestion of dietary lipid oxidation products (LOPs) may initiate or exacerbate the development of several chronic non-communicable diseases in humans. Indeed, the constantly increasing consumption of culinary oils by larger global populations indicates the need for scientific techniques to suppress the evolution of LOPs in thermo-oxidised oils. This study employed a 600.13 MHz frequency NMR spectrometer in evaluating the effect of 10, 50, and 100 ppm concentrations of chemical compounds reported to have antioxidant properties in continuously-stirred and thermally stressed polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich hemp seed oil at a frying temperature of 180℃ for 180 min. Research data acquired showed that the antioxidants α- and γ-tocopherol, γ-oryzanol, ß-carotene, eugenol, resveratrol, ascorbyl palmitate, gentisic acid, and L-ascorbic acid all played a vital role in suppressing the evolution of secondary aldehydic lipid oxidation products in hemp seed oil. However, the most ineffective LOP-suppressing agent was L-lysine, an observation which may be accountable by its poor oil solubility. Nonetheless, trends deduced for compounds acting as antioxidants were mainly unique for each class of agent tested. Conversely, the antioxidant capacity of resveratrol was consistently higher, and this effect was found to be independent of its added amounts. This report provides a direct approach in developing scientific methods for the suppression of LOPs in thermo-oxidatively susceptible PUFA-rich cooking oils.

Stability, chromatic characteristics and chemical changes of sacha inchi (Plukenetia huayllabambana) oil enriched with aguaje oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.) rich in carotenoids.

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia huayllabambana) oil is a food matrix that contains more than 80 % of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic and α-linolenic acids. The objective of this study was to develop blends of sacha inchi oil (P. huayllabambana) enriched with aguaje oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.) and evaluate the induction period, total carotenoid content, nutritional quality indices and oxidative stability from the fatty acid composition. The analytical tests were conducted for oil blends that had the following proportions: sacha inchi oil enriched with aguaje oil at 5, 10 and 20 %. The results prove that the enrichment of sacha inchi oil with aguaje oil (SIO-PH-AO) leads to an improvement in oxidative stability and nutritional and physical properties. For example, the oxidative stability index (OSI) varied from 0.87 to 2.53 h. The content of total carotenoids produces an increase from 0.35 to 99.90 mg/kg, while total polyphenols from 47.45 to 126.90 mg GAE/g, and chroma from 39.91 to 69.02 units. Regarding the fatty acid profile, the oxidizability value improves with the addition of aguaje oil. Reduces levels of PUFA, PUFA/SFA, and hypo-and hypercholesterolemic ratio (h/H). Additionally, an increase in SFA and MUFA levels, while the ω6/ω3 ratio remained constant. Finally, it can be noted that the enrichment of sacha inchi oil with aguaje oil (rich in carotenoids) provides better stability and can be used for commercial applications as a mechanism to establish new vegetable oils with better properties.

Phytochemical investigation of the n-hexane-extracted oil from four umbelliferous vegetables using GC/MS analysis in the context of antibacterial activity.

Umbelliferous (Apiaceae) vegetables are widely consumed worldwide for their nutritive and health benefits. The main goal of the current study is to explore the compositional heterogeneity in four dried umbelliferous vegetables viz, celery, coriander, dill, and parsley targeting their volatile profile using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 133 volatile metabolites were detected belonging to 12 classes. Aromatic hydrocarbons were detected as the major components of the analyzed vegetables accounting ca. 64.0, 62.4, 59.5, and 47.8% in parsley, dill, celery, and coriander, respectively. Aliphatic hydrocarbons were detected at ca. 6.39, 8.21, 6.16, and 6.79% in parsley, dill, celery, and coriander, respectively. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of various health benefits were detected in parsley and represented by roughanic acid and α-linolenic acid at 4.99 and 0.47%, respectively. Myristicin and frambinone were detected only in parsley at 0.45 and 0.56%. Investigation of antibacterial activity of umbelliferous vegetables n-hexane extract revealed a moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with higher activity for celery and dill against Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zone 20.3 mm compared to 24.3 mm of the standard antibacterial drug.

Revealing the intrinsic relationship between microbial communities and physicochemical properties during ripening of Xuanwei ham.

To clarify the relationship between microorganisms and physicochemical indicators of Xuanwei ham. Six ham samples for the first, second and third year were selected, respectively. The changes of physicochemical properties, the free fatty acids and microbial communities of Xuanwei ham were investigated by GC-MS and high-throughput sequencing technology. Results showed that scores of colour, overall acceptability, texture, taste and aroma were the highest in the third year sample. With increasing ripening time, moisture content, water activity (Aw), lightness (L*), springiness, and resilience decreased continuously, and yellowness (b*) was the highest in the second year sample. 31 free fatty acids were detected, and unsaturated fatty acids such as palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid were the major fatty acids. The content of palmitoleic acid, oleic acid and eicosenoic acid increased significantly during processing. At the phylum level, the dominant bacteria were Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, and fungi were Ascomycota. At the genus level, the dominant bacteria were Staphylococcus and Psychrobacter, and fungi were Aspergillus. Correlation analysis showed that water content and Aw were closely related to microorganisms, and most unsaturated fatty acids were significantly correlated with microorganisms. These findings showed that microorganisms played an important role in the quality of Xuanwei ham, and provided a scientific basis for the quality control of Xuanwei ham.

Impact of FADS genotype on polyunsaturated fatty acid content in human milk extracellular vesicles: A genetic association study.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular vesicles in human milk are critical in supporting newborn growth and development. Bioavailability of dietary extracellular vesicles may depend on the composition of membrane lipids. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the fatty acid desaturase gene cluster impact the content of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in human milk phospholipids. This study investigated the relation between variation in FADS1 and FADS2 with the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in extracellular vesicles from human milk. METHODS: Milk was obtained from a cohort of mothers (N = 70) at 2-4 weeks of lactation. SNPs in the FADS gene locus were determined using pyrosequencing for rs174546 in FADS1 and rs174575 in FADS2. Quantitative lipidomic analysis of polyunsaturated fatty acids in human milk and extracellular vesicles from human milk was completed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The rs174546 and rs174575 genotypes were independent predictors of the arachidonic acid content in extracellular vesicles. The rs174546 genotype also predicted eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in extracellular vesicles. The reduced content of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in extracellular vesicles in human milk may be due to lower fatty acid desaturase activity in mothers who are carriers of the A allele in rs174546 or the G allele in rs174575. CONCLUSION: The polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of milk extracellular vesicles is predicted by the FADS genotype. These findings yield novel insights regarding extracellular vesicle content and composition that can inform the design of future research to explore how lipid metabolites impact the bioavailability of human milk extracellular vesicles.

The Associations of Prenatal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter and Its Chemical Components with Allergic Rhinitis in Children and the Modification Effect of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Birth Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to protect against fine particulate matter <2.5µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5)-induced hazards. However, limited evidence is available for respiratory health, particularly in pregnant women and their offspring. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the association of prenatal exposure to PM2.5 and its chemical components with allergic rhinitis (AR) in children and explore effect modification by maternal erythrocyte PUFAs. METHODS: This prospective birth cohort study involved 657 mother-child pairs from Guangzhou, China. Prenatal exposure to residential PM2.5 mass and its components [black carbon (BC), organic matter (OM), sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), and ammonium (NH4+)] were estimated by an established spatiotemporal model. Maternal erythrocyte PUFAs during pregnancy were measured using gas chromatography. The diagnosis of AR and report of AR symptoms in children were assessed up to 2 years of age. We used Cox regression with the quantile-based g-computation approach to assess the individual and joint effects of PM2.5 components and examine the modification effects of maternal PUFA levels. RESULTS: Approximately 5.33% and 8.07% of children had AR and related symptoms, respectively. The average concentration of prenatal PM2.5 was 35.50±5.31 µg/m3. PM2.5 was positively associated with the risk of developing AR [hazard ratio (HR)=1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16, 2.96 per 5 µg/m3] and its symptoms (HR=1.79; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.62 per 5 µg/m3) after adjustment for confounders. Similar associations were observed between individual PM2.5 components and AR outcomes. Each quintile change in a mixture of components was associated with an adjusted HR of 3.73 (95% CI: 1.80, 7.73) and 2.69 (95% CI: 1.55, 4.67) for AR and AR symptoms, with BC accounting for the largest contribution. Higher levels of n-3 docosapentaenoic acid and lower levels of n-6 linoleic acid showed alleviating effects on AR symptoms risk associated with exposure to PM2.5 and its components. CONCLUSION: Prenatal exposure to PM2.5 and its chemical components, particularly BC, was associated with AR/symptoms in early childhood. We highlight that PUFA biomarkers could modify the adverse effects of PM2.5 on respiratory allergy. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13524.

Optimization of Bear Oil Extraction Process and Hair Growth Activity.

According to ancient Chinese books, bear grease has the effects of strengthening muscles and bones, which is beneficial for weakness, but there is relatively little research on it. Thus, the extraction of it is beneficial for compensating for research in this area. In this study, a uniform experimental design method was used to optimize the extraction process of bear grease by enzymatic hydrolysis extraction, and the extraction rate can reach 81.89% under optimized extraction conditions. Furthermore, the components of bear grease obtained by this study were analyzed by GC-MS, and the results showed that ursolic oil was rich in unsaturated fatty acids (67.51%), which was higher than that of the traditional method (66.92%). The composition of bear grease extracted by the enzymatic method was also better than that extracted by the traditional method. In addition, bear grease obtained in this study had the obvious activity of promoting hair growth. The length, weight, and number of hair follicles in the depilation area of mice in the high-dose group were significantly different from those in the blank group (p < 0.01). This study optimized the extraction process of bear grease and conducted a preliminary analysis of its fatty acid composition, which is expected to provide some reference for the development of the medicinal value of bear grease.

Functional Evaluation of Fermented Rice Bran and Extracted Rice Bran Oil Addressing for Human Health Benefit.

Rice bran (RB) and rice bran oil (RBO) are exploring as prominent food component worldwide and their compositional variation is being varied among the world due to regional and production process. In this study, Fermented Rice Bran (FRB) was produced by employing edible gram-positive bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Bifidobacterium bifidum) at 125×10 5 spore g -1 of rice bran, and investigated to evaluate nutritional quality. The Crude Rice Bran Oil (CRBO) was extracted from RB and its quality was also investigated compared to market available rice bran oil (MRBO) in Bangladesh. We found that fermentation of rice bran with lactic acid bacteria increased total proteins (29.52%), fat (5.38%), ash (48.47%), crude fiber (38.96%), and moisture (61.04%) and reduced the carbohydrate content (36.61%). We also found that essential amino acids (Threonine, valine, leucine, lysine, histidine and phenylalanine) and non-essential amino acids (alanine, aspartate, glycine, glutamine, serine and tyrosine) were increased in FRB except methionine and proline. Moreover, total phenolic content, tannin content, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity were increased in FRB. The RBO analysis showed that γ-oryzanol content (10.00 mg/g) were found in CRBO compared to MRBO (ranging 7.40 to 12.70 mg/g) and Vitamin-E content 0.20% were found higher in CRBO compared to MRBO (ranging 0.097 to 0.12%). The total saturated (25.16%) and total unsaturated fatty acids (74.44%) were found in CRBO whereas MRBO contained total saturated (22.08 to 24.13%) and total unsaturated fatty acids (71.91 to 83.29%) respectively. The physiochemical parameters (density, refractive index, iodine value) were found satisfactory in all sample except acid value and peroxide value higher in CRBO. Heavy metal concentration was found within an acceptable range in both CRBO and MRBO. Thus FRB and RBO could be value added food supplement for human health.

Antibiotics and probiotics-induced effects on the total fatty acid composition of feces in a rat model.

Fatty acids (FAs) play important roles as membrane components and signal transduction molecules. Changes in short chain FA (SCFA) composition are associated with gut microbiota modifications. However, the effect of bacteria-driven changes on the detailed FA spectrum has not been explored yet. We investigated the effect of antibiotics (ABx) and/or probiotics, in four treatment groups on rat stool FA composition. Principal component analysis indicated that the chromatogram profiles of the treatment groups differ, which was also observed at different time points. Linear mixed effects models showed that in the parameters compared (sampling times, treatments. and their interactions), both the weight percentage and the concentration of FAs were affected by ABx and probiotic administration. This study found that the gut microbiome defines trans and branched saturated FAs, most saturated FAs, and unsaturated FAs with less carbon atoms. These results are among the first ones to demonstrate the restoring effects of a probiotic mixture on a substantial part of the altered total FA spectrum, and also revealed a previously unknown relationship between gut bacteria and a larger group of FAs. These findings suggest that intestinal bacteria produce not only SCFAs but also other FAs that may affect the host's physiological processes.

Molecular phylogenetics of the Umbelopsis genus-identification of new species and evaluation of their oil application value.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to reconstruct the evolutionary framework of the genus Umbelopsis by using modern taxonomic strategies and evaluating the quality of oil and prospective uses of three distinct species. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three species of Umbelopsis were identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic evidence obtained from three genes (ITS, LSU, and ACT). A new species of Umbelopsis was described and illustrated, and subsequently named U. ophiocordycipiticola. The characteristics of U. ophiocordycipiticola exhibited sporangia with a diameter ranging from 8 to 17 µm. and sporangiospores that were oval to ellipsoidal in shape, irregularly angular, with dimensions of ∼1.9-2.9 × 1.7-3.0 µm. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to examine the composition of fatty acids. Notably, U. ophiocordycipiticola showed a significantly higher oil content of 50.89% in dry cell weight (DCW) compared to U. vinacea and U. ramanniana. The mean proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in U. ophiocordycipiticola was 32.38%, and the maximum levels of γ-linolenic acid (GLA), arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in U. ophiocordycipiticola were found to be 14.51, 0.24, 0.54, and 0.53%, respectively. The biodiesel quality from all three species complied with applicable standards set by the American Association for Testing and Materials (ASTM 6751) and the Brazilian National Petroleum Agency (ANP 255). CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of a novel species, U. ophiocordycipiticola, was strongly supported by morphological and molecular evidence. Umbelopsis ophiocordycipiticola exhibited a high-value PUFA content. Additionally, three Umbelopsis species demonstrated good quality for biodiesel production.

Aqueous enzymatic extraction of macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) pulp oil: A green and sustainable approach for high-quality oil production.

Aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) of macauba pulp oil (MPO) was performed in this study with five commercial enzymatic pools. The chemical, nutritional, and thermal properties of the oils with high oil efficiency by AEE were evaluated and compared with mechanical pressing (MP) and organic solvent extraction (SE). Among the AEE processes, the pectinase pool (at pH 5.5 and 50 °C) exhibited the highest process efficiency (88.6 %). The oils presented low acidity values (0.4-3.1 %) and low molar absorptivities, indicating minimal oil degradation. Bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, were found in MPO. The iodine index and the fatty acid profile of the oils revealed a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic and linoleic acids, with excellent nutritional scores, as evidenced by anti-atherogenicity and anti-thrombogenicity indices. These findings emphasized that AEE is an eco-friendly approach for extracting high-quality MPO with beneficial health compounds for food products.

Dynamic changes at high-protein dietary pattern of major fatty acids in healthy lactating women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Fatty acids (FAs) in human milk are important nutrients for infants. They play important roles in energy supply, nervous system development, and metabolic function maintenance. However, how the composition of major milk FAs change with lactation stages remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the concentration range of major FAs in human milk at various lactation stages. METHODS: A total of 12 papers involving 50 sets of data with 3507 participants were reviewed according to the PRISMA checklist and flow diagram. The inclusion criteria was the literatures had the FAs contents in breast milk of healthy lactation mothers at three lactation stages and the dietary patterns could be calculated. The exclusion criteria were: the studies were duplicates, were unrelated to dietary patterns or breast milk composition, and/or the study populations were unhealthy. We searched PubMed, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, and Web of science. Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) was used to assess the bias of studies. The mean values of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and saturated fatty acids (SFAs, including lauric acid and palmitic acid), in human milk at three lactation stages (colostrum 1-7 d, transitional milk 8-14 d, mature milk 15 d-3 mo) of healthy lactating women were investigated in terms of the high protein dietary pattern. Publication biases were evaluated by Egger's test. RESULTS: According to the percentage in total fat of colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk (% wt/wt), respectively, the results showed that PUFA (25.72%, 24.92%, and 22.69%), AA (0.85%, 0.76%, and 0.59%), DHA (0.53%, 0.47%, and 0.39%), EPA (0.15%, 0.10%, and 0.10%), and MUFA (37.39%, 37.21%, and 36.14%) contents in breast milk decreased with lactation, while another two PUFA forms, LA (17.47%, 17.82%, and 17.48%), and ALA (1.09%, 1.39%, and 1.24%) arrived at a peak in the transitional milk and then decreased in the mature milk, SFA (37.46%, 38.64%, and 40.52%), and lauric acid contents (2.78%, 4.91%, and 4.97%) increased with the lactation stages. CONCLUSION: These findings could shed light on the dynamic change progress of major FA metabolism, potentially enhancing the knowledge of lactation biology, and improving infant feeding practices to meet their needs.

Pre-gestational overweight and polyunsaturated fatty acids in human milk: theoretical causality model. / Excesso de peso pré-gestacional e ácidos graxos poli-insaturados no leite humano: modelo teórico de causalidade.

A number of studies have focused on the evaluation of the relationship between pre-pregnancy overweight and polyunsaturated fatty acids content in human milk. However, given the complexity of potentially confounding risk factors, the use of graphical tools is recommended to identify possible biases. This article aims to propose a theoretical model of causality using the directed acyclic graph between pre-pregnancy overweight and polyunsaturated fatty acids content in human milk. Methods: An extensive literature review was performed to identify variables with causal relationships with exposure and/or outcome. The choice of variables for adjustment followed the graphic algorithm that comprises six criteria for selecting a minimum set of potentially confounding variables. Socioeconomic conditions, interpartum interval, maternal age and food consumption pattern were the variables that would have to be adjusted in order to estimate the total effect of pre-pregnancy overweight on polyunsaturated fatty acids content in human milk. The minimum set of variables found in the present study can be used in the analysis of other studies that evaluate this association.

Inúmeros estudos têm se detido na avaliação da associação entre o excesso de peso pré-gestacional e os ácidos graxos poli-insaturados no leite humano. Todavia, diante da complexidade de fatores de risco potencialmente confundidores, é recomendável a utilização de ferramentas gráficas para identificar possíveis vieses. O objetivo deste artigo é propor um modelo teórico de causalidade utilizando o gráfico acíclico direcionado entre o excesso de peso pré-gestacional e os ácidos graxos poli-insaturados no leite humano. Foi realizada ampla revisão da literatura para identificar as variáveis com relações causais com a exposição e/ou desfecho. A escolha das variáveis para ajuste seguiu o algoritmo gráfico que compreende seis critérios para a seleção de um conjunto mínimo de variáveis potencialmente confundidoras. Condições socioeconômicas, intervalo interpartal, idade materna e padrão de consumo alimentar foram as variáveis ajustadas a fim de se estimar o efeito total do excesso de peso pré-gestacional sobre o conteúdo dos ácidos graxos poli-insaturados no leite humano. O conjunto mínimo de variáveis encontrado pelo presente estudo pode ser utilizado na análise de outros estudos que avaliem essa associação.