European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology最新文献

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.

In this study, we aimed to enhance the lipolytic properties of animal's fat utilized in dry-cured sausage production by combining it with aromatic plants. We found that combining beef fat with aromatic plants led to enhanced lipolytic properties. Fat lipolytic properties are analyzed using acidity test, peroxidation, and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test, as well as the determination of total fatty acid composition. Our findings reveal that 11 conditions were developed with improved characteristics when compared to control fat, with the combination of goat fat, beef fat, and coriander seeds addition being the most favorable. This combination increased unsaturated fatty acid content by 1.14% and reduced malonaldehyde levels to less than 0.008 mg/kg of fat. This increase enhances the nutritional and health quality of beef fat by 67.41% and 7.65%, respectively. Therefore, the addition of aromatic plants to animal fat enhances its quality and extends its shelf life.

Practical applications: Animal's fat is widely used in the meat industry worldwide; however, its consumption poses health risks to humans due to the production of various oxidation products. As a result, the industry is actively searching for solutions. This study shows that the addition of aromatic plants to the animals’ fat enhances its nutritional and health quality, thus reducing its risk to human health. The combination of fat and aromatic plants can be used as a perfect source for meat products in industrial applications.

The variations in tocopherols and phytosterols during the oxidation of walnut oils (Wen-185, Xiangling, and Dama oils) were analyzed, and their antioxidant effects were compared. Under both ambient temperature and accelerated oxidation conditions, the degradation order of tocopherols in walnut oils was α-tocopherol > γ-tocopherol > δ-tocopherol. Phytosterols exhibited less degradation than tocopherols under both oxidation conditions, and tocopherols were more strongly associated with oil oxidation than phytosterols. When δ-tocopherol degradation reached 15%–20%, the peroxide value approached 20 meq/kg, highlighting its potential as an indicator of oil oxidation. Further studies on the antioxidant effectiveness of tocopherols revealed that the optimal effect was achieved as 400 mg/kg α-tocopherol was added at Day 16 under ambient temperature. These findings suggested that δ-tocopherol can serve as an indicator of walnut oil oxidation, and appropriately timed and dosed α-tocopherol supplementation can significantly delay oxidation in walnut oils.

Practical Applications: This study compared the changes and degradation of tocopherols and phytosterols in different walnut oils. The results suggested that tocopherol degraded faster than phytosterol, with a closer correlation to oil oxidation, and α-tocopherol underwent degradation preferentially. Furthermore, the antioxidant effectiveness of tocopherols was analyzed. The results showed that proper quantity and timing of α-tocopherol addition can enhance antioxidant effect, and δ-tocopherol can assess the oxidation of walnut oils as an concomitant indicator. This study has expanded the application of endogenous concomitants in the antioxidant properties of walnut oils. It has laid a theoretical foundation for the antioxidant properties of walnut oils.

Cholesterol has limitations in food and nutraceutical applications due to health concerns. β-Sitosterol (βS) has become an alternative to cholesterol due to its nutritional characteristics and stability. We optimized βS-stabilized iron walnut oil (IWO) liposomes using a hybrid experimental design (Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken methodologies), addressing emulsion stability and scalability gaps. Key parameters, including soy lecithin concentration (9 mg/mL), βS/lecithin ratio (1:6), IWO/lecithin ratio (1:4), and ultrasonication conditions (21% Tween-80, 30 min, 425 W), were optimized. The resulting nanoliposomes achieved metrics: 92.51% encapsulation efficiency, 133.9 nm particle size (polydispersity Index [PDI] = 0.25), and −39.93 mV zeta potential, outperforming in thermal, centrifugal, and storage tests. βS synergizes with IWO's antioxidants, acting in dual roles as stabilizer and oxidation barrier, which is unachievable with conventional sterols. This innovation offers a safer and more effective option for food and nutraceutical applications.

Practical Applications: This work delivers scalable strategies for food, nutraceutical applications, and pharmaceutical sectors. β-Sitosterol enables plant-based liposomes to encapsulate bioactive compounds (e.g., iron walnut oil's PUFAs), combining stabilization and oxidation resistance for shelf-life extension without synthetic additives. Optimized parameters ensure reproducible production of stable nanocarriers (133.9 nm, 92.5% efficiency). Cholesterol replacement with phytosterols aligns with clean-label trends, whereas valorizing underutilized IWO fosters economic growth in Southwest China. The technology bridges lab-to-industry gaps, offering cost-effective encapsulation that addresses health priorities (heart-healthy formulations) and environmental sustainability through resource-efficient lipid protection.

Freshwater fish are an important source of high-quality fats for humans, and they can efficiently convert α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) endogenously into n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs). We assessed the application of transgenic rapeseed oil (RO) with high α-linoleic acid (C18:3n-3) content (28.46%–53.57%) in aquaculture feed. We designed four diets with various lipid levels and C18:3n-3 contents: low-fat RO, high-fat RO, low-fat high C18:3n-3 RO, and high-fat high C18:3n-3 RO. After an 8-week feeding trial, we assessed their effect on the fatty acid composition, lipid deposition, and muscle flavor of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Weight gain did not differ significantly between the high and low C18:3n-3 groups regardless of lipid levels. High C18:3n-3 RO feed influenced the expression patterns of liver lipid metabolism–related genes, effectively preventing lipid accumulation in the visceral and liver tissues. Additionally, high C18:3n-3 RO diets significantly increased antioxidant levels in both the liver and serum compared to low C18:3n-3 diets, while also increasing n-3 LC-PUFA content in the liver and muscle tissue and improving muscle flavor. Overall, a high C18:3n-3 RO diet improved the health, antioxidant performance, and nutritional components of yellow catfish.

Practical Applications: This study highlights the potential of metabolically engineered RO rich in C18:3n-3 as a sustainable alternative to fish oil in aquafeeds. The knowledge gained in the present study will provide valuable insights for the aquaculture industry, suggesting a viable strategy for reducing reliance on traditional fish oils while maintaining or improving the nutritional profile of fish.