Microbial Lipid Based Biorefinery Concepts: A Review of Status and Prospects.

The use of lignocellulosic biomass as a raw material for the production of lipids has gained increasing attention, especially in recent years when the use of food in the production of biofuels has become a current technology. Thus, the competition for raw materials for both uses has brought the need to create technological alternatives to reduce this competition that could generate a reduction in the volume of food offered and a consequent commercial increase in the value of food. Furthermore, the use of microbial oils has been studied in many industrial branches, from the generation of renewable energy to the obtainment of several value-added products in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Thus, this review provides an overview of the feasibility and challenges observed in the production of microbial lipids through the use of lignocellulosic biomass in a biorefinery. Topics covered include biorefining technology, the microbial oil market, oily microorganisms, mechanisms involved in lipid-producing microbial metabolism, strain development, processes, lignocellulosic lipids, technical drawbacks, and lipid recovery.

Cupuassu juice fermentation by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp62 produces an antioxidant enriched probiotic beverage.

The present work aimed to produce a cupuassu juice (Theobroma grandiflorum) fermented by the probiotic bacterium Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp62 and to analyze its antioxidant potential, antimicrobial activity, and resistance to biological barriers. The fermented beverage showed an increase in the content of phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant potential. The culture showed antagonistic activity against pathogens, but this result was not observed when the juice was tested. The probiotic strain remained viable under refrigeration, even in an acidified environment, and survived simulated gastrointestinal transit in vitro. L. plantarum Lp62 showed 30% adherence to HT-29 intestinal cells and proved to be safe in terms of antibiotic resistance and production of virulence factors. Fermentation increased the functional characteristics of cupuassu juice. This drink proved to be a good vehicle for the delivery of the probiotic bacteria L. plantarum Lp62.

Production and characterization of nanoemulsion with low-calorie structured lipids and its potential to modulate biomarkers associated with obesity and comorbidities.

Structured lipids (SL) containing behenic acid have been produced in order to obtain low-calorie lipids for foods; however, the development of a high nutritional value and a stable nanoemulsion carrier system for these SL is an interesting breakthrough for this field of research, improving technologic and biological potential for food application. In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of a nanoemulsion containing SL NeSL (produced with olive oil, soybean oil and fully hydrogenated crambe oil), the behavior during in vitro digestion and the effects on biomarkers involved in the obesity in cell models. The samples showed good stability throughout storage (30 days) under refrigeration and room temperature and after the gastric digestion phase compared to the controls (nanoemulsion of olive and soybean oil). After the intestinal phase, there was an increase in oil droplet size and zeta potential, a characteristic of coalescence. In the lipid accumulation model in adipocytes, the highest concentration (50 µL/mL) of NeSL resulted in 42% less lipid accumulation, compared to the control. Furthermore, the sample was able to reduce inflammatory cytokines produced by macrophages provoked by LPS (lipopolysaccharide). The combination of the oils in NeSL resulted in a fatty acid profile with beneficial health properties, which may have contributed to less lipid accumulation and improved inflammatory parameters. This SL in the form of a nanoemulsion, may be used as a partial fat substitute in low-calorie food products.

Modulatory Effect of Polyphenolic Compounds from the Mangrove Tree Rhizophora mangle L. on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Insulin Resistance in High-Fat Diet Obese Mice.

No scientific report proves the action of the phytochemicals from the mangrove tree Rhizophora mangle in the treatment of diabetes. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of the acetonic extract of R. mangle barks (AERM) on type 2 diabetes. The main chemical constituents of the extract were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and flow injection analysis electrospray-iontrap mass spectrometry (FIA-ESI-IT-MS/MS). High-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were used as model of type 2 diabetes associated with obesity. After 4 weeks of AERM 5 or 50 mg/kg/day orally, glucose homeostasis was evaluated by insulin tolerance test (kiTT). Hepatic steatosis, triglycerides and gene expression were also evaluated. AERM consists of catechin, quercetin and chlorogenic acids derivatives. These metabolites have nutritional importance, obese mice treated with AERM (50 mg/kg) presented improvements in insulin resistance resulting in hepatic steatosis reductions associated with a strong inhibition of hepatic mRNA levels of CD36. The beneficial effects of AERM in an obesity model could be associated with its inhibitory α-amylase activity detected in vitro. Rhizophora mangle partially reverses insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis associated with obesity, supporting previous claims in traditional knowledge.

Production and characterization of structured lipids with antiobesity potential and as a source of essential fatty acids.

The objective of this work was to produce structured lipids (SLs) from olive oil (O), soybean oil (S), and fully hydrogenated crambe oil - FHCO (C) mixtures by enzymatic interesterification, comparing Lipozyme TL IM and Rhizopus sp. performances as catalysts, and to evaluate their physical and chemical modifications. Among other blends (OC 90:10 w/w and SC 90:10 w/w), OSC (45:45:10, w/w), presented the most nutritionally interesting amounts of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as behenic acid. Interesterification caused an increase in crystallization time and a decrease in the solid fat content in all blends. The fatty acid redistribution in the TAGs caused a change in thermal behavior, leading to a decrease in the onset and end temperatures during crystallization, which indicates that new TAGs were formed. Regarding regiospecificity, Lipozyme TL IM lipase acted randomly, while Rhizopus sp. lipase was specific for the sn-1,3 position. Therefore, it was possible to synthesize SLs presenting different physical and chemical properties, compared to the original OSC blend, containing behenic acid at the sn-1,3 position and unsaturated fatty acids at the sn-2 position, by enzymatic interesterification catalyzed either by Lipozyme TL IM or by Rhizopus sp. lipases.

Evaluation of structured lipids with behenic acid in the prevention of obesity.

Obesity affects all social classes, making it necessary to develop effective products that aid weight loss or help prevent weight gain. The objective of this work was to study the anti-obesity effects of structured lipids (SL) obtained by enzymatic interesterification, based on olive oil, soy oil and fully hydrogenated crambe oil. Twenty-four C57Bl/6 mice were distributed into four experimental groups according to the diet consumed: Control Diet (CD), Structured Lipids Diet (SLD), High-fat Control Diet (HCD), High-fat Structured Lipids Diet (HSLD). The animals that were fed SLs presented a smaller weight gain, despite a larger intake of the diet. The lowest weight gain was reflected in reduced amounts of adipose tissue and lower liver weight. A significant increase in lipids excreted by the animals in the feces was observed, despite there being no sign of toxicity or presence of diarrhea. The animals that consumed the HSLD presented lower total and LDL-cholesterol, increased HDL-cholesterol and increased hepatic arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid levels. In addition, they did not develop hepatic steatosis. The study therefore showed that SLs could play a major role in combating or preventing obesity and other resultant diseases, without producing side effects.