European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology最新文献

The following article for this Special Issue was published in an earlier Issue.

F. Tieves and F. Hollmann, “Enzymatic Valorization of Fatty Acids in Oleochemical Synthesis,” European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology 127 (2025): e70000. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejlt.70000. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejlt.70000

Wax-containing water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions are widely used in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum. However, waxy materials pose challenges to the stability of emulsions. This study investigated the relationship between beeswax (BW) crystallization behavior and W/O emulsion stability in five different oil systems: straight-chain alkanes, esters, branched-chain alkanes, and triglycerides. EM90 was chosen as an emulsifier. Results showed that BW crystallization behavior depended on its compatibility with emulsifiers and oils, directly impacting the stability of the emulsion. Specifically, in alkanes, poor compatibility with undecane and tridecane (C11–13) or isohexadecane (IHD) led to wax crystal agglomeration and reduced stability. In contrast, longer chain oils like squalane (SQU) and white oil (WHO) showed lower polarity and better compatibility with BW, forming robust crystal networks and improving stability. Moreover, the heterogeneous structure enhanced stability. In the triglycerides caprylic/capric triglyceride (GTCC) system, the compatibility between the oil-phase ingredients reached a relatively balanced state, allowing BW crystals to adsorb at the oil–water interface, providing an additional mechanism to enhance emulsion stability.

Practical Applications: In cosmetic formulations, wax-based emulsions enhance moisturization while maintaining desirable sensory properties. However, the inherent crystallization behavior of wax components often compromises emulsion stability. This investigation systematically examines wax crystallization dynamics in cosmetic-grade W/O emulsions, establishing key structure–function relationships between crystal morphology and emulsion stability. The findings advance formulation optimization strategies for lip care and facial cream products, particularly in balancing wax content reduction with structural integrity preservation.

Ceramides play a complex role in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its progressive form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Research shows that the plasma composition of ceramides differs among patients with MASLD and MASH, albeit with inconsistent results. In this study, an untargeted lipidomic analysis was performed on liver tissue and plasma simultaneously obtained from 72 participants at the time of histology. Ceramides were compared among patients with normal histology, MASLD without MASH, and MASH with and without advanced fibrosis in the liver tissue and plasma. Data analysis found a relative reduction in quantitation was observed for ceramides with 44–47 carbon atoms, whereas other ceramide species with ≤43 and ≥58 carbon atoms increased with progressive MASLD stages. Ceramides with ≥58 carbon atoms were significantly upregulated in patients with MASLD compared with controls and in patients with MASH compared with those without MASH. This was also correlated with the severity of steatosis and ballooning in liver histology. Specific ceramide species were also positively (e.g., ceramides 64:9;3O and 62:5;3O (r = 0.3–0.6)) or negatively (ceramide 46:5;3O (r = –0.5)) associated with the severity of histological features (p < 0.001). Plasma ceramide analysis showed similar trends but had no consistent pattern as observed in liver tissue. The findings suggest that the changes observed in liver tissue ceramide composition at different MASLD stages were not uniform. They differ based on the number of carbon atoms present, indicating the possibility that more than one metabolic pathway regulates ceramides in MASLD. Intervention to regulate specific ceramides can improve disease severity.

Practical Application: Ceramides are sphingolipids that play an important role in the pathophysiology of MASLD and its progression to MASH. A disparity between plasma and liver tissue ceramide levels at different stages of MASLD is seen. The effects of MASLD are not uniform for all species of ceramides. Compared with other ceramides, very long-chain ceramides show different patterns with MASLD progression. Intervention to modify specific ceramides (or groups) expression could benefit the management of MASLD and its progression.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of ɣ-irradiation on the phytochemical properties and quality parameters of peanut oil, with a focus on identifying changes in key compounds such as fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols, and total phenolic content (TPC). In this research, peanuts harvested from Edirne/Meric region were exposed to Cobalt-60 gamma irradiation at different doses (1.5, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 kGy). The impacts of irradiation on some quality parameters, such as fatty acids, and the phytochemical properties, such as phytosterols, tocopherol, and TPC in the peanut oil, were determined. Gamma irradiation significantly altered oil quality parameters; for instance, tocopherol content decreased from 125.4 to 103.6 mg/kg and phenolic content declined from 8.98 to 0.63 mg GAE/kg at 5.0 kGy. Although TPC decreased proportionally with higher irradiation doses, palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0) increased significantly (p < 0.05). Likewise, gamma irradiation significantly affected the total sterol amount and other sterol contents detected, but it did not cause significant changes in the β-sitosterol content. Gamma ray irradiation caused a reduction in the oil content of peanuts. These findings provide insights into the potential applications and limitations of gamma irradiation in enhancing the quality and safety of peanut oil.

Practical Applications: Peanut is an important oilseed for human health due to the oil, protein, carbohydrates, and various vitamins/minerals it contains. On the other hand, peanuts are considered the riskiest food in terms of aflatoxin contamination, which causes serious health problems all over the world. In order to ensure food safety, it was aimed to irradiate peanut with gamma ray within the scope of prevention and control strategies of mycotoxigenic mold formation. This study investigated the effects of five different irradiation doses on phytochemical properties and some quality parameters in the peanut oil.

This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the lipophilic compounds—including fatty acids (FAs), phytosterols (PSs), tocols (TCs), carotenoids (CAs), and squalene (SQ)—in quinoa seeds from 25 genotypes originating from South America, North America, and Europe, acclimatized to Polish growing conditions. Additionally, the contents of these compounds were correlated with seed physical properties and the antioxidant capacity (AC) of the lipophilic fraction. Total lipid content ranged from 5.24% to 7.11%, with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) accounting for 48.41%–51.76% of total FAs. Furthermore, quinoa seeds contained 66.44–117.45 mg SQ, 55.77–88.54 mg PSs, 9.68–13.65 mg TCs, and up to 1.14 mg CAs per 100 g of seed dry matter (d.m.). AC ranged from 25.13 to 42.57 m trolox equivalents (TEs)/100 g seed d.m. European genotypes exhibited smaller seeds with lower lipid content, yet had higher levels of PUFAs, SQ, and TCs. In contrast, North American genotypes showed the greatest variability in lipophilic compound composition.

Practical applications: Detailed profiling of lipophilic compounds in quinoa seeds provides valuable insights for both the food and health industries. The high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, tocols, carotenoids, and squalene reinforce quinoa's potential as a functional food ingredient with substantial health benefits, including cardiovascular protection and antioxidant activity. The results can support the selection of genotypes in breeding programs aimed at improving lipid profiles and guide food manufacturers in identifying optimal sources for oil extraction and product enrichment. The observed variation in lipid composition across quinoa genotypes enables targeted use in health-oriented products such as nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, and functional foods. Moreover, regional differences in lipophilic compound profiles allow for the strategic adaptation of quinoa varieties to specific dietary and industrial applications, facilitating tailored nutrition for diverse consumer groups.

Ethanolamine plasmalogen (PlsEtn) is a subclass of ethanolamine glycerophospholipids (EtnGpls) that has been reported to exhibit physiological and nutritional hepatic functions. However, the effects of dietary PlsEtn on acute liver injury remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the dietary effects of PlsEtn on acute hepatic injury in mice treated with an intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide and d-galactosamine (LG). The results obtained after administering the PlsEtn-rich diet were compared with those obtained after administration of a phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn)-rich diet, a major subclass of hepatic EtnGpls. Dietary EtnGpl rich in PlsEtn or PtdEtn suppressed the LG-induced increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase activity, which is a marker of liver cell injury. In the livers of LG-treated mice, the PlsEtn-rich diet suppressed the expression of cleaved caspase-3, an effector caspase for apoptosis, whereas the PtdEtn-rich diet suppressed p53 expression and maintained B-cell lymphoma 2 expression. Additionally, the PlsEtn-rich diet increased the ratio of docosahexaenoic acid, an anti-inflammatory factor, to total fatty acids in the livers of LG-treated mice, whereas this effect was not observed in mice fed the PtdEtn-rich diet. These results suggest that dietary EtnGpls alleviate acute hepatic injury; however, the mechanism of suppression may differ depending on its subclass.

Practical applications: Analyzing the beneficial effects of PlsEtn and PtdEtn, both subclasses of EtnGpl, contributes to understanding the protective mechanisms of glycerophospholipids against hepatic injuries. Although the concentration of PlsEtn in the liver is less than one-tenth that of PtdEtn, endogenous PlsEtn has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects and improve lipid metabolism in the liver. Consequently, both dietary PlsEtn and PtdEtn demonstrate significant hepatic protection; however, their mechanisms of suppression differ. These findings suggest that the structural characteristics of PlsEtn and PtdEtn, which are responsible for hepatic protection, vary.