Effect of Essential Fatty Acid Proportion in Feed on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

This investigation was carried out to determine the effect of Essential Fatty Acids proportion (EFAs [n-6, n-3]) in feed through the mixture of soy, olive, canola or chia oil on EFA profile in eggs as well as productive and reproductive performance of Japanese quail. We used 120 quail from 7 to 22 weeks of age, in 15 cages in groups of 6 females and 2 males assigned according to the completely randomized design to 3 treatments with 5 replicates. The treatments were n-6:n-3 proportions 10:1 (control), 4:1 and 1:1. FA profile in yolk, feed intake, laying rate, egg weight, fertility, hatchability, and embryonic mortality were measured. In the egg yolk, n-6 content was similar in the proportions (p>0.05), while n-3 content increased (p 0.01) as n-6:n-3 ratio decreased in the feed. Feed consumption per quail was similar between treatments (p>0.05). In 4:1 and 1:1 proportion laying percentage was greater, but egg weight was lower (p 0.01). Fertility and hatchability were similar between proportions n-6, n-3 (p>0.68). Early and total embryonic mortality was lower in 10:1 and 4:1 proportion (p 0.01); while intermediate and late mortality was similar (p>0.30). The results of the experiment indicate that the mixture of soy, olive, canola or chia oil, to obtain n-6:n-3 proportion of 1:1, 4:1 and 10:1 does not modify feed consumption, laying rate, egg weight, fertility, and hatchability; but, 4:1 and 10:1 proportions favor a lower embryonic mortality.(AU)

Effect of Essential Fatty Acid Proportion in Feed on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

This investigation was carried out to determine the effect of Essential Fatty Acids proportion (EFAs [n-6, n-3]) in feed through the mixture of soy, olive, canola or chia oil on EFA profile in eggs as well as productive and reproductive performance of Japanese quail. We used 120 quail from 7 to 22 weeks of age, in 15 cages in groups of 6 females and 2 males assigned according to the completely randomized design to 3 treatments with 5 replicates. The treatments were n-6:n-3 proportions 10:1 (control), 4:1 and 1:1. FA profile in yolk, feed intake, laying rate, egg weight, fertility, hatchability, and embryonic mortality were measured. In the egg yolk, n-6 content was similar in the proportions (p>0.05), while n-3 content increased (p 0.01) as n-6:n-3 ratio decreased in the feed. Feed consumption per quail was similar between treatments (p>0.05). In 4:1 and 1:1 proportion laying percentage was greater, but egg weight was lower (p 0.01). Fertility and hatchability were similar between proportions n-6, n-3 (p>0.68). Early and total embryonic mortality was lower in 10:1 and 4:1 proportion (p 0.01); while intermediate and late mortality was similar (p>0.30). The results of the experiment indicate that the mixture of soy, olive, canola or chia oil, to obtain n-6:n-3 proportion of 1:1, 4:1 and 10:1 does not modify feed consumption, laying rate, egg weight, fertility, and hatchability; but, 4:1 and 10:1 proportions favor a lower embryonic mortality.

Composition in fatty acids of mature milk of nursing mothers / Composição em ácidos graxos do leite maduro de nutrizes

Abstract Objectives: to determine the fatty acid composition of mature milk of nursing mothers and its distribution according to some maternal variables. Methods: this is a cross-sectional observational epidemiological study based on the eva-luation of the fatty acid profile of mature human milk. Samples of mature breast milk were taken from 106 nursing mothers, by manual milking and who were after the 5th postpartum week. The milk fat extraction was carried out by using the Bligh and Dyer method and methy-lated with 0.25 mol/L sodium methoxide in methanol diethyl ether. The fatty acid of the milk profile was determined by a Gas Chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. Results: among the saturated fatty acids, the highest values were observed for palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), myristic (C14:0) and lauric (C12:0) fatty acids, respectively. Among the monounsaturated fatty acids, there was a higher contribution of oleic (C18:1) and palmi-toleic (C16:1) fatty acids, respectively. The total essential fatty acids (linoleic and α-linolenic) was 14.94%. Conclusions: a low content of essential fatty acids in the breast milk of the nursing mothers was observed in the present study, which are important for infant growth and deve-lopment. We suggest the need to implement nutrition education strategies aimed for pregnant women and nursing mothers who should be advised to eat healthier foods.

Resumo Objetivos: determinar a composição em ácidos graxos do leite maduro de nutrizes e sua distribuição segundo algumas variáveis maternas. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico observacional, transversal realizado a partir da avaliação do perfil de ácidos graxos do leite humano maduro. Amostras de leite materno maduro foram obtidas de 106 nutrizes, a partir da 5ª semana pós-parto, por meio de ordenha manual. A extração da gordura do leite foi realizada através do método de Bligh e Dyer, e metiladas com metóxido de sódio 0,25 mol/L em metanol dietil - éter. O perfil de ácidos graxos do leite foi determinado por um Cromatógrafo a Gás equipado com detector por ionização de chamas. Resultados: dentre os ácidos graxos saturados, foram observados valores mais elevados para os ácidos graxos palmítico (C16:0), esteárico (C18:0), mirístico (C14:0) e láurico (C12:0), respectivamente. Entre os ácidos graxos mono-insaturados, verificou-se maior contribuição dos ácidos graxos oleico (C18:1) e palmitoleico (C16:1), respectivamente. O total de ácidos graxos essenciais (linoleico e α- linolênico) foi de 14,94%. Conclusões: foi observado baixo teor de ácidos graxos essenciais no leite materno das nutrizes do presente estudo, que são importantes para o crescimento e desenvolvimento do lactente, sugerindo-se a necessidade de implementação de estratégias de educação nutricional direcionadas a gestantes e nutrizes que devem ser orientadas a consumir alimentos mais saudáveis.

Efeito de ácidos graxos essenciais e tocoferol na dieta de vacas em lactação / Effect of essential fatty acids and tocoferol in the diet of lactanting cows

A inclusão de aditivos na alimentação animal tem se tornado uma preocupação dos consumidores devido os riscos à saúde humana, portanto, os aditivos extraídos de plantas podem ser uma alternativa para substituir os antibióticos melhorando a produtividade. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o desempenho produtivo, composição do leite e carga parasitária de vacas Holandesas lactantes suplementadas com aditivo rico em ácidos graxos essenciais e tocoferol. Utilizou-se 16 vacas em lactação, divididas em dois grupos, animais tratados com o aditivo (10/g/animal/dia) e animais do grupo controle. A cada 15 dias foi realizado o Califórnia mastite teste e o controle leiteiro, para análise dos seguintes parâmetros: produção de leite; proteína, gordura; lactose; sólidos totais e contagem de células somáticas. A cada 14 dias foram realizados a contagem de ovos por grama de fezes, e a contagem de moscas (Haematobia irritans) e carrapatos (Rhiphicephalus Boophilus microplus). Não houve diferença na qualidade e produção de leite, assim como na carga parasitária dos animais, verificando que a administração do aditivo não melhorou o desempenho produtivo e não diminuiu a carga parasitária de vacas holandesas. (AU)

The inclusion of additives in animal feed has become a concern of consumers due to the risks to human health, therefore the additives extracted from plants can be an alternative to replace the antibiotics improving productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance, milk composition and worm burden of lactating Holstein cows supplemented with essential fatty acid and tocopherol. Sixteen lactating cows were divided in two groups, animals treated with the additive (10 μg/animal/day) and animals from the control group. Every 15 days, the California mastitis test and evaluation of milk were made to analyze the following parameters: milk production; protein, fat; lactose; total solids and somatic cell counts. The counting of eggs per gram of feces and counting of flies (Haematobia irritans) and ticks (Rhiphicephalus Boophilus microplus) were performed every 14 days. There was no difference in the quality and milk yield, as well as in the worm burden of the animals, verifying that the administration of the additive did not improve the productive performance and did not decrease the worm burden of the Holstein cows.(AU)

Efeito de ácidos graxos essenciais e tocoferol na dieta de vacas em lactação / Effect of essential fatty acids and tocoferol in the diet of lactanting cows

A inclusão de aditivos na alimentação animal tem se tornado uma preocupação dos consumidores devido os riscos à saúde humana, portanto, os aditivos extraídos de plantas podem ser uma alternativa para substituir os antibióticos melhorando a produtividade. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o desempenho produtivo, composição do leite e carga parasitária de vacas Holandesas lactantes suplementadas com aditivo rico em ácidos graxos essenciais e tocoferol. Utilizou-se 16 vacas em lactação, divididas em dois grupos, animais tratados com o aditivo (10/g/animal/dia) e animais do grupo controle. A cada 15 dias foi realizado o Califórnia mastite teste e o controle leiteiro, para análise dos seguintes parâmetros: produção de leite; proteína, gordura; lactose; sólidos totais e contagem de células somáticas. A cada 14 dias foram realizados a contagem de ovos por grama de fezes, e a contagem de moscas (Haematobia irritans) e carrapatos (Rhiphicephalus Boophilus microplus). Não houve diferença na qualidade e produção de leite, assim como na carga parasitária dos animais, verificando que a administração do aditivo não melhorou o desempenho produtivo e não diminuiu a carga parasitária de vacas holandesas.

The inclusion of additives in animal feed has become a concern of consumers due to the risks to human health, therefore the additives extracted from plants can be an alternative to replace the antibiotics improving productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance, milk composition and worm burden of lactating Holstein cows supplemented with essential fatty acid and tocopherol. Sixteen lactating cows were divided in two groups, animals treated with the additive (10 μg/animal/day) and animals from the control group. Every 15 days, the California mastitis test and evaluation of milk were made to analyze the following parameters: milk production; protein, fat; lactose; total solids and somatic cell counts. The counting of eggs per gram of feces and counting of flies (Haematobia irritans) and ticks (Rhiphicephalus Boophilus microplus) were performed every 14 days. There was no difference in the quality and milk yield, as well as in the worm burden of the animals, verifying that the administration of the additive did not improve the productive performance and did not decrease the worm burden of the Holstein cows.

Characterization of phospholipid molecular species and peptide molecules in wheat sprout hydroalcoholic extract.

The phospholipid molecular species and the main peptide molecules of wheat sprout hydroalcoholic extract have been fully characterized by normal-phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled online with positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The extract that resulted was rich in phospholipid molecular species formed by the combination of the two essential fatty acids (α-linoleic and α-linolenic). These species accounted for 51.7% of total phosphatidic acid, 47.3% of total phosphatidylethanolamine, 37.7% of total phosphatidylcholine, and 14.1% of total phosphatidylinositol. The last one showed the highest amounts of species containing palmitic acid, thus representing the most saturated phospholipid class. The extract was also shown to contain several peptide sequences with both potential antioxidant domains and interaction sites for phospholipids (i.e., H-Ala-Gly-Ser-Met-Met-Cys-NH2, H-Tyr-Met-Thr-Val-Val-Ala-Cys-NH2, etc.); this latter finding can have a highly positive impact on the poor peptides bioavailability. Because of the presence of essential fatty acids-rich phospholipids and bioactive peptides, wheat sprout hydroalcoholic extract can be considered a potential functional food ingredient.

The chemical and sensory qualities of smoked blood sausage made with the edible by-products of goat slaughter.

The aim was to evaluate smoked blood sausage prepared using goat blood (50%), viscera (10%) and meat fragments (20%). Microbiological, chemical and sensory evaluations were conducted. The quality analyses showed that smoked goat blood sausage is rich in high biological value proteins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and iron (26.65mg/100g). The smoked goat blood sausage was rated to have a sensory acceptance of greater than 80%. The use of edible by-products from the slaughter of goats in the formulation of smoked blood sausage is viable because it uses low-cost raw materials; furthermore, the utilisation of these by-products can generate income for producers, allowing them to offer a meat product of high nutritional and sensory quality.

Fatty acid composition in the mature milk of Bolivian forager-horticulturalists: controlled comparisons with a US sample.

Breast milk fatty acid (FA) composition varies greatly among individual women, including in percentages of the long-chain polyunsaturated FAs (LCPUFA) 20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid, AA) and 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), which are important for infant neurological development. It has been suggested that owing to wide variation in milk LCPUFA and low DHA in Western diets, standards of milk FA composition should be derived from populations consuming traditional diets. We collected breast milk samples from Tsimane women at varying lactational stages (6-82 weeks). The Tsimane are an indigenous, natural fertility, subsistence-level population living in Amazonia Bolivia. Tsimane samples were matched by lactational stage to samples from a US milk bank, and analysed concurrently for FA composition by gas-liquid chromatography. We compared milk FA composition between Tsimane (n = 35) and US (n = 35) mothers, focusing on differences in LCPUFA percentages that may be due to population-typical dietary patterns. Per total FAs, the percentages of AA, DHA, total n-3 and total n-6 LCPUFA were significantly higher among Tsimane mothers. Mean percentages of 18:2n-6 (linoleic acid) and trans FAs were significantly higher among US mothers. Tsimane mothers' higher milk n-3 and n-6 LCPUFA percentages may be due to their regular consumption of wild game and freshwater fish, as well as comparatively lower intakes of processed foods and oils that may interfere with LCPUFA synthesis.

Characterization of the pulp and kernel oils from Syagrus oleracea, Syagrus romanzoffiana, and Acrocomia aculeata.

Vegetable oils are important sources of essential fatty acids. It is, therefore, important to characterize plant species that can be used as new oil sources. This study aimed to characterize the oils from guariroba (Syagrus oleracea), jerivá (Syagrus romanzoffiana), and macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata). The physicochemical characterization was performed using official analytical methods for oils and fats, free fatty acids, peroxide value, refractive index, iodine value, saponification number, and unsaponifiable matter. The oxidative stability was determined using the Rancimat at 110 °C. The fatty acid composition was performed by gas chromatography. The results were submitted to Tukey's test for the medium to 5% using the ESTAT program. The pulp oils were more unsaturated than kernel oils, as evidenced by the higher refractive index and iodine value, especially the macaúba pulp oil which gave 1.4556 and 80 g I(2) /100 g, respectively, for these indices. The kernel oils were less altered by oxidative process and had high induction period, free fatty acids below 0.5%, and peroxide value around 0.19 meq/kg. The guariroba kernel oil showed the largest induction period, 91.82 h. Practical Application: The vegetable oils, besides being consumed directly as food, are important raw material for the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. In recent years, the world market of vegetable oils has been characterized by stronger growth of demand over supply. Several species of palm trees are shown to be promising sources of oils. The characterization of oils extracted from some species, such as guariroba, jerivá, and macaúba, has not yet been fully elucidated. For this reason, it becomes important to investigate the physicochemical characterization of these oils, aiming at a possible use in food or in the industry.

Essential and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status and fatty acid composition of breast milk of lactating adolescents.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate essential fatty acids (EFA) and long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) status in lactating adolescents and its association with breast milk composition. Healthy nursing adolescents from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (n 30; 14-19 years; 30-120 d postpartum), exclusively or predominantly breast-feeding, participated in this study. Breast milk and blood samples were collected after overnight fasting. Fatty acid composition of breast milk, erythrocyte membrane (EM) and plasma NEFA were determined by GC. Indices of fatty acid status (mean melting point (MMP); EFA status index; DHA status indices, 22 : 5n-6:22 : 4n-6 and 22 : 6n-3:22 : 5n-6 ratios) were calculated from EM fatty acid composition. Dietary intake of n-3 fatty acids was low when compared with current recommendations for lactating women. MMP was associated with indices of DHA status, some individual fatty acids in EM and years post-menarche and weeks postpartum, suggesting the use of erythrocyte MMP as a possible comprehensive biochemical marker of LCPUFA status in this physiological condition. The DHA status of lactating adolescents and their milk DHA concentrations were similar to the values of Brazilian lactating adults, but lower compared with the values of lactating adults from other countries. Therefore, these lactating adolescents were apparently not disadvantaged, as compared with the Brazilian adults, when EM and breast milk fatty acid composition were considered. In general, PUFA in milk from adolescents presented few associations with their concentrations in plasma NEFA and with maternal status. However, milk DHA was associated with maternal LCPUFA and DHA states.

[The importance of essential fatty acids and the effect of trans fatty acids in human milk on fetal and neonatal development]. / Importância dos ácidos graxos essenciais e os efeitos dos ácidos graxos trans do leite materno para o desenvolvimento fetal e neonatal.

Breastfeeding has a major impact on public health, since human breast milk is the best food for infants up to six months of age. The lipid fraction in human milk is the main source of energy for the infant and supplies essential nutrients such as fat-soluble vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Essential fatty acids (EFA), specifically linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3), are precursors of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), including docosahexaenoic (DHA) and arachidonic (ARA) acids. Quality of lipids in secreted milk is precisely related to maternal ingestion. LC-PUFAs protect against allergy and infection and are important for visual and cognitive development in infancy. Industrial food processing has introduced the trans fatty acids (TFA) among the nutrients available to the population. TFA can interfere with the metabolism of essential fatty acids by decreasing LC-PUFA synthesis. It is thus important to raise population awareness on the importance of adequate PUFA consumption and reduced TFA intake during prenatal and postnatal development.

n-6 and n-3 Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the erythrocyte membrane of Brazilian preterm and term neonates and their mothers at delivery.

Placental transfer of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids is selectively high to maintain accretion to fetal tissues, especially the brain. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the essential fatty acid (EFA) and LCPUFA status at birth of preterm and term Brazilian infants and their mothers, from a population of characteristically low intake of n-3 LCPUFA, and to evaluate the association between fetal and maternal status, by the determination of the fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane. Blood samples from umbilical cord of preterm (26-36 weeks of gestation; n = 30) and term (37-42 weeks of gestation; n = 30) infants and the corresponding maternal venous blood were collected at delivery. The LCPUFA composition of the erythrocyte membrane and DHA status were similar for mothers of preterm and term infants. Neonatal AA was higher (P < 0.01) whereas its precursor 18:2n-6 was lower (P < 0.01) than maternal levels, as expected. There was no difference in LCPUFA erythrocyte composition between preterm and term infants, except for DHA. Term infants presented a worse DHA status than preterm infants (P < 0.01) and than their mothers (P < 0.01) at delivery. There was a negative correlation of neonatal DHA with maternal AA and a positive correlation between neonatal AA and maternal AA and 18:2n-6 only at term. These results suggest that the persistent low DHA maternal status, together with the comparatively better AA and 18:2n-6 status, might have affected maternal-fetal transfer of DHA when gestation was completed up to term, and possibly contributed to the worse DHA status of term neonates compared with the preterm neonates.

Influence of essential fatty acid deprivation on thrombocyte aggregation in rainbow trout

Many reports have indicated that differences in blood cells formation and function in fish could be of dietary origino Essential fatty acids are certainly connected with these cells by virtue of being a source of important compounds like eicosanoids, platelet activating factor in mammals, as well as the cell membrane phospholipids. The thrombocytes from fish fed the commercial diet containing adequate amount of essential fatty acids exhibited greater capacity for aggregation when induced by Collagen Type I(56%), however, this capacity was reduced when fish were fed the essential fatty acids deficient diet (37%). The results obtained in this study demonstrated that EFA exert influence in thrombocytes by affecting their aggregation capacity.

Indicações sobre alterações na formação das células sanguíneas e em suas funções nos peixes têm sido relatadas em diversos trabalhos. Os ácidos graxos essenciais (EFA) certamente estão ligados a essas células devido ao fato de constituírem fonte de componentes importantes, como os eicosanoides, fatores de ativação de plaquetas nos mamíferos, bem como de fosfolipídios de membrana. Trombócitos oriundos de peixes alimentados com uma dieta comercial contendo quantidades adequadas de EFA mostraram uma grande capacidade de agregação quando induzidos por colágeno do tipo I (56%), contudo, essa capacidade encontrou-se reduzida quando os peixes foram alimentados com uma dieta deficiente em EFA (37%). Os resultados obtidos nesse estudo demonstraram que os ácidos graxos essenciais exercem influência nos trombócitos afetando sua capacidade de agregação.

Influence of essential fatty acid deprivation on thrombocyte aggregation in rainbow trout / Influência da privação dos ácidos graxos essenciais na agregação de trombócitos em trutas arco-íris

Many reports have indicated that differences in blood cells formation and function in fish could be of dietary origino Essential fatty acids are certainly connected with these cells by virtue of being a source of important compounds like eicosanoids, platelet activating factor in mammals, as well as the cell membrane phospholipids. The thrombocytes from fish fed the commercial diet containing adequate amount of essential fatty acids exhibited greater capacity for aggregation when induced by Collagen Type I(56%), however, this capacity was reduced when fish were fed the essential fatty acids deficient diet (37%). The results obtained in this study demonstrated that EFA exert influence in thrombocytes by affecting their aggregation capacity.(AU)

Indicações sobre alterações na formação das células sanguíneas e em suas funções nos peixes têm sido relatadas em diversos trabalhos. Os ácidos graxos essenciais (EFA) certamente estão ligados a essas células devido ao fato de constituírem fonte de componentes importantes, como os eicosanoides, fatores de ativação de plaquetas nos mamíferos, bem como de fosfolipídios de membrana. Trombócitos oriundos de peixes alimentados com uma dieta comercial contendo quantidades adequadas de EFA mostraram uma grande capacidade de agregação quando induzidos por colágeno do tipo I (56%), contudo, essa capacidade encontrou-se reduzida quando os peixes foram alimentados com uma dieta deficiente em EFA (37%). Os resultados obtidos nesse estudo demonstraram que os ácidos graxos essenciais exercem influência nos trombócitos afetando sua capacidade de agregação.(AU)

The type of oil used for cooking is associated with the risk of nonfatal acute myocardial infarction in costa rica.

Palm oil and soybean oil are the 2 most widely used cooking oils in the world. Palm oil is consumed mainly in developing countries, where morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) are on the rise. Although claims about adverse or protective effects of these oils are commonly made, there are no epidemiologic studies assessing the association between these oils and cardiovascular disease endpoints. We examined whether consumption of palm oil relative to soybean oil and other unsaturated oils (predominantly sunflower) is associated with myocardial infarction (MI) in Costa Rica. The cases (n = 2111) were survivors of a first acute MI and were matched to randomly selected population controls (n = 2111). Dietary intake was assessed with a validated semiquantitative FFQ. Adipose tissue profiles of essential fatty acids were assessed to validate cooking oil intake and found to be consistent with self-reported major oils used for cooking. The data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression. Palm oil users were more likely to have an MI than users of soybean oil [odds ratio (OR) = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.08-1.63] or other cooking oils (OR = 1.23; CI: 0.99-1.52), but they did not differ from users of soybean oil with a high trans-fatty acid content (OR = 1.14; CI: 0.84-1.56). These data suggest that as currently used in Costa Rica, and most likely in many other developing countries, the replacement of palm oil with a polyunsaturated nonhydrogenated vegetable oil would reduce the risk of MI.

Evaluación de la situación de ácidos grasos esenciales y derivados de cadena larga en la dieta de lactantes menores de un año en Chile / Assessment of the status for essential fatty acids and long-chain derivatives in the diet of children younger than 1 year old from Chile

Los ácidos grasos esenciales (AGE) son precursores de ácidos grasos de muy larga cadena. Se concentran en el tejido nervioso, habiéndose sugerido que tienen un rol crítico en el desarrollo cerebral y visual. Se desconoce si la conversión de AGE a estos ácidos grasos es suficiente para sustentar una función óptima, por lo tanto es prioritario definir los requerimientos de AGE y sus derivados. Algunos autores sugieren incorporar estos ácidos grasos derivados en las fórmulas lácteas. Este artículo revisa y evalúa la ingesta aparente de ácidos grasos esenciales y derivados a partir de la fórmula láctea consumida por los lactantes beneficiarios del Programa Nacional de Alimentación Complementaria durante el primer año de vida, comparándola con las recomendaciones de lípidos recientemente propuestas. Se observó una ingesta deficitaria de ácido docosahexaenoico en lactantes alimentados con fórmulas lácteas no modificadas o sin adición de derivados de cadena larga.

Maternal and infant essential fatty acid status in Havana, Cuba.

BACKGROUND: Adequate intake of essential fatty acids (EFAs) is required for optimal development of the central nervous system and visual acuity in infants. Little information exists regarding the EFA status of vulnerable populations living in Southern regions. OBJECTIVE: We examined the adequacy of EFA status in Cuban breast-feeding mothers and their infants. DESIGN: Blood and breast-milk samples were obtained from a cross-sectional sample of mothers and term infants in Havana at 2 mo postpartum. We determined the fatty acid profiles of total lipids in breast milk, plasma, and erythrocytes and assessed infant visual acuity by using Teller acuity cards. RESULTS: Of the 56 mothers and infants examined, none showed biochemical signs of poor EFA status. Compared with values reported in the literature, mothers had an adequate EFA profile in their breast milk, plasma, and erythrocytes. The docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentration in breast milk was 0.43 +/- 0.26% of total fatty acids. It appeared that these breast-fed infants had an adequate dietary supply of DHA, as reflected by the mean plasma and erythrocyte DHA concentrations (2.82 +/- 0.84% and 7.41 +/- 1.16% of total fatty acids, respectively). Infant visual acuity testing showed a mean of 2.00 +/- 0.68 cycles/degree, which is within the normal range of mean binocular acuities for 2-mo-old term infants. The data did not show any relation between EFA concentrations and visual acuity. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that n-3 fatty acid deficiency and potential related deficits in early visual neural development are rare, if they exist at all, in breast-feeding women and their infants in Havana.

Isolamento de fungos produtores de ácido gama-linolênico de solo da estação ecológica de Juréia-Itatins, SP / Fungi producers of gama-linolenic acid isolated from the soil of the Ecologic Station of Juréia-Itatins, SP

Trinta e dois fungos zigomicetos da ordem Mucorales, produtores de ácido gama-linolênico, foram isolados do solo da Estação Ecológica de Juréia-Itatins, SP, a maioria deles pertencentes ao gênero Mucor. O ácido gama-linolênico tem despertado grande interesse devido às suas crescentes aplicações na indústria farmacêutica. A produção de ácido gama-linolênico por fungos zigomicetos é uma via alternativa à obtenção por sementes. A produção deste ácido foi avaliada após 4 dias de incubação a 25ºC, a 150 rpm em meio líquido contendo 2 por cento de glicose e 1 por cento de extrato de leveduras, seguido da adição de 20 por cento de meio e incubação por mais 3 dias a 12ºC sem agitação. A quantidade de ácido gama-linolênico na biomassa variou de acordo com o tipo de microrganismo.

Total lipids and fatty acids of strains of "Metarhizium anisopliae"

Two growth stages, conidia (C) and mycelium (M), and two media, minimal medium (MM) and complete medium (MC), were compared in 10 strains of "M. anisopliae", and two strains of "M. anisopliae" var. "majus" were similar in percentages of total lipids. Tukey test for average of lipid content in conidia (C) and mycelia (M) cultured on minimal (MM) and complete (MC) media showed significant differences between means at the 5(per cent) level of mycelia and conidia, indicating variability in total lipid production and storage during growth. Strains 5 and 7, both variety "majus", did not present sizable differences from variety "anisopliae". For fatty acids, C18:1 and C18:2, oleic and linoleic, respectively, the differences were all highly significant (p=1(per cent)) with highest means being obtained for conidia for fatty acid C18:1 and for mycelia for fatty acid C18:2.

Fatty acids specifically related to the anisotropic properties of plasma membrane from rat urothelium.

Four different luminal surfaces of rat urothelium differing in their fatty acid composition were prepared by dietary induction. In order to induce lipid changes, each of four groups of rat received a basal diet rich in one of the unsaturated n-3, n-6 or n-9 fatty acid families and a commercial (control) diet. The effects of the dietary regime on the fatty acid composition of luminal urothelial membranes and their relation to the mobility of fluorescent probes were studied. In comparison with the control diet membrane, all three fatty acid-rich diets induced a decrease of the percentage amount of saturated fatty acid while that of the unsaturated fatty acids was increased. Accordingly, all three diets increased the unsaturation index in comparison with the control diet. The anisotropy across each membrane fraction was assessed using the n-(9-anthroyloxy) fatty acid fluorescent probes 3-AS, 7-AS and 12-AS, which locate at different depths in the membrane. Two different anisotropy profiles were observed. One profile showed the highest anisotropy at the C7 depth, whereas the other exhibited a continuous decrease of the anisotropy from the surface to the center of the bilayer. The molecular properties (isomerization) of 18:2n-9 fatty acid may account, at least in part, for the observed V-shaped profile (the ascending trend) of the membrane anisotropy values as a function of the respective 18:2n-9 fatty acid contents. Nevertheless, the minimum value of the profile did not correspond to the minimum 18:2n-9 fatty acid content, but rather to the higher amount of docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3) fatty acid. Thus, a modulating role of the 22:6n-3 fatty acid on the rigidifying effect of 18:2n-9 fatty acid is suggested, possibly mediated by relationships between fatty acid composition, saturated and unsaturated chain lengths, and freedom of motion of the phospholipid acyl chains.