Ailanthus altissima Seed Oil-A Valuable Source of Lipid-Soluble Components with DNA Protective and Antiproliferative Activities.

The present study is focused on the chemical and lipid composition of seed oil of the European ornamental and invasive wood plant Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae). Total lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, ash, and moisture in the seeds were determined. A high yield of glyceride oil (30.7%) was found, as well as a high content of fibers (29.6%) and proteins (18.7%). Physicochemical properties of the oil define it as semi-dry (129.4 g I2/100 g Iodine value) with oxidative stability, refractive index, saponification value, and relative density similar to widely used oils with nutritional value and health benefits. The composition of the seed oil was determined chromatographically. Unsaturated fatty acids (95.3%) predominated in the seed oil, of which linoleic acid (48.6%) and oleic acid (44.8%) were the major ones. The main lipid-soluble bioactive components were ß-sitosterol (72.6%), γ-tocopherol (74.6%), phosphatidylinositol (29.5%), and phosphatidic acids (25.7%). The proven in vitro DNA-protective ability of seed oil is reported for the first time. The seed oil exhibited a weak antiproliferative effect on HT-29 and PC3 tumor cell lines and showed no cytotoxicity on the BALB/c 3T3 cell line. In brief, the present study reveals that A. altissima seed oil can be used as a healthy food.

Chemical Composition, Lipid-Soluble Bioactive Compounds and Potential Health Benefits of the Moss Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw.

Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. is the main species for Moss surveys (ICP Vegetation programme) in Southeastern Europe and is widely distributed in the region. In addition to their biomonitoring role, mosses are applied in some countries as a traditional medicine for the treatment of eczema, cuts, burns, eye diseases, etc. Therefore, the chemical and lipid composition of the moss H. cupressiforme is of interest to establish their possible application in different fields. The chemical composition of the moss was examined regarding total lipids, proteins, carbohydrates (i.e., fibres), ash, and moisture content. The main lipid-soluble bioactive components were determined as sterols, tocopherols, phospholipids and fatty acids. The major fatty acids were linoleic (14.9%), oleic (13.8%), palmitic (12.5%) and α-linolenic (11.3%) acids. Unsaturated fatty acids (56.4%) prevailed in the glyceride oil, in which the polyunsaturated ones constituted 32.5%. The lipid indices (atherogenicity, thrombogenicity, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio, peroxidability, and oxidation stability index) were also theoretically calculated based on the fatty acid composition of the moss lipids to establish their health benefits and the rate of oxidation. The primary results of this study revealed H. cupressiforme to be a promising alternative source of bioactive compounds that could be implemented in supplements with health-promoting effects.

Koelreuteria paniculata Seed Oil-A Rich Natural Source of Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Phytocompounds with DNA Protective Potential.

The present work is focused on the physicochemical characteristics, chemical composition, and some biological activities of Koelreuteria paniculata seed oil. The glyceride oil, obtained with a Soxhlet apparatus by extraction with hexane, was characterized by a relatively high oil content (over 20%), and it is defined as a non-drying oil (iodine value-44 gI2/100 g) with good oxidative stability (over 50 h). There were identified 11 fatty acids, 6 sterols, 3 tocopherols, and 6 phospholipids, as the last group was reported for the first time. The major components among them were-monounsaturated eicosenoic and oleic acids, ß-sitosterol, ß-tocopherol, and phosphatidylcholine. The in vitro tests demonstrated DNA protective activity and a lack of cytotoxicity of the oil, data that has been reported for the first time. The in vitro MTT test of the oil on HT-29 and PC3 cell lines did not indicate antitumor activity. The seed oil studied contains valuable bio-components, which have proven benefits for human health, and that is why it could be used in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products.

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil of Fruits from Vitex agnus-castus L., Growing in Two Regions in Bulgaria.

The chemical composition of Vitex agnus-castus L. (Verbenaceae family) fruits, collected from two regions in Bulgaria (south-central and north-east Bulgaria), was investigated. The content of proteins (5.3-7.4%), carbohydrates (73.9-78.8%), fiber (47.2-49.9%), ash (2.5-3.0%), essential oils (0.5%), and vegetable oil (3.8-5.0%) were identified in the fruits. The composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Vitex fruits from both regions was determined; the main compounds were 1,8-cineole (16.9-18.8%), α-pinene (7.2-16.6%), sabinene (6.7-14.5%), and bicyclogermacrene (7.3-9.0%), but significant differences in the quantitative and qualitative composition of EOs between the regions were found. The EOs of plants from north-east Bulgaria demonstrated antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic species Salmonella abony, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis, but the Gram-negative bacteria Esсherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited resistance to the oil. Linoleic acid predominated in vegetable oil from both regions, followed by oleic acid. ß-sitosterol and γ-tocopherol were the main components in the sterol and tocopherol fraction of the lipids. Phosphatidic acids were the main components in the vegetable oil from north-east Bulgaria, while in the vegetable oil from south-central Bulgaria, all phospholipids were found in almost the same quantity. Overall, significant differences were observed in the chemical composition (proteins, carbohydrates, ash and moisture) of the fruits from the two regions of Bulgaria, as well as in the content of the main components of their essential and vegetable oils.

Comparative analysis of nutrient content and energy of eggs from different chicken genotypes.

BACKGROUND: Eggs are important foods in the daily diet of humans and have great biological activity and a high digestibility. Egg yolk is a good source of biologically active substances such as fatty acids, phospholipids, sterols and tocopherols. The eggs of seven chicken genotypes were analyzed for their chemical composition, and a detailed study of the lipids in egg yolk was conducted. RESULTS: Energy composition of the egg yolk and egg albumen was 29.06-30.51 MJ kg-1 and 19.77-20.93 MJ kg-1 respectively. Regarding their chemical composition: water ranged from 471.7 to 515.4 g kg-1 and 878.3-885.9 g kg-1 ; fat content in dry matter ranged from 607 to 647 g kg-1 and 6.7-11.6 g kg-1 ; protein varied from 302 to 331.7 g kg-1 and 823.6-892.5 g kg-1 ; ash ranged from 33.7 to 37.7 g kg-1 and 63.8-74.0 g kg-1 ; and nitrogen-free extracts ranged from 12.7 to 36.5 g kg-1 and 35.0-96.2 g kg-1 . The sterols and phospholipids in the yolk lipids were 16-26 g kg-1 and 59-127 g kg-1 . The main fatty acids in the lipids were oleic (39.1-47.3%) and palmitic (26.0-35.5%) acids. Cholesterol in the yolk lipids ranged from 15.9 to 25.9 g kg-1 . Phosphatidylcholine (389-573 g kg-1 ), phosphatidylethanolamine (219-355 g kg-1 ) and phosphatidylinositol (112-284 g kg-1 ) were the main phospholipids. The content of saturated fatty acids in the phospholipids was significantly higher than that in triacylglycerols. CONCLUSION: Small variations in the chemical composition of eggs from seven different genotypes were observed. Significant differences in the fatty acid compositions of the main classes of phospholipids and the triacylglycerol fraction were established. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Biologically active components in Madia sativa seed oil.

Biologically active components in lipids (fatty acids, phospholipids, sterols and tocopherols) from three varieties of Madia sativa seeds introduced in Bulgaria (BGR 457 and BGR 458 with German origin, and BGR 459 with US origin) were investigated. Glyceride oil in the seeds was found to be 36.6, 34.2 and 35.4%, respectively. Total phospholipid content was 2.4, 1.7 and 2.6% and the main classes were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The amount of sterols in the oil was 0.3% for all samples and the major component was ß-sitosterol, followed by campesterol and stigmasterol. Total tocopherols in the oils were 768, 795 and 856 mg kg-1, respectively and α-tocopherol predominated (more than 70.0%). Fatty acid composition of triacylglycerols and sterol esters was also established. Main fatty acids in triacylglycerols were linoleic (47.5-50.5%), oleic (30.2-32.4%) and palmitic acids (13.0-13.5%). The content of saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic) in sterol esters (40.1-50.9%) was significantly higher than in triacylglycerols (18.3-19.4%).

Lipid composition of Castanea sativa Mill. and Aesculus hippocastanum fruit oils.

BACKGROUND: Sweet and horse chestnut fruit contain carbohydrates, fibers, proteins, lipids, vitamins, glycosides and coumarin. The lipids are rich in biologically active substances as fatty acids, phospholipids, sterols and tocopherols. The fruit has been used as food, and for medicinal purposes to treat inflammatory and vascular problems. RESULTS: The fruits of sweet and horse chestnut contain 20 and 81 g kg(-1) glyceride oil respectively. The content of phospholipids in the oils was 49 and 3 g kg(-1). Sterols were found to be 8 and 12 g kg(-1). In the tocopherol fraction (1920 and 627 mg kg(-1)) γ-tocopherol predominated in the sweet chestnut oil (927 g kg(-1)); γ-tocopherol (591 g kg(-1)) and α-tocopherol (402 g kg(-1)) in horse chestnut oil. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids predominated in the triacylglycerols. Higher quantities of palmitic and oleic acids were established in the phospholipids and sterol esters. CONCLUSION: The fruits of horse and sweet chestnut have a close lipid composition. The oils are rich in essential fatty acids, such as linoleic and linolenic, as well as biologically active substances: phospholipids, sterols and tocopherols. This fact determines the good food value of sweet chestnut fruit and the possibilities for use of horse chestnuts in pharmacy and for technical purposes.