Lipidology, Volume 2, Issue 2 (June 2025) – 6 articles

Microbial lipids are substances of high added value produced by single-cell organisms grown on simple substrates. These lipids, depending on the producing organism, may contain rare fatty acids, whose isolation and purification from non-microbial sources usually is an inefficient and costly procedure. Such fatty acids mostly include members of the omega-3 and omega-6 families of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are credited with potential anticancer, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective actions. However, their poor solubility in aqueous solutions often restricts their potential applications, as routes other than dietary consumption are unavailable. A promising approach for administering them is their conversion into alkali salts, mostly with lithium or potassium, which are water-soluble and bio-assimilable. In this article, all studies investigating the potential anticancer effects of alkali salts of fatty acids isolated from microorganisms were reviewed in an attempt to sum up existing knowledge and encourage further research. Full article

In the first part of this paper, we introduce the marine copepod Calanus finmarchicus, its lifecycle and ecology, and describe the technologies developed for harvesting and extracting oil from this copepod. Calanus oil has a unique composition, with its fatty acids—including a high concentration of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs)—bound to long chain fatty alcohols in the form of wax esters. In the second part of this paper, we review pre-clinical and clinical studies conducted over the last two decades, which demonstrate the potential health benefits of Calanus oil. These studies highlight its role in preventing obesity-related metabolic distortions, such as inflammation and reduced insulin sensitivity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent studies show that the gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in the (patho)physiology of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), likely via metabolites they produce that are transported via the portal vein towards the liver where they first encounter liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). LSECs may modulate the effects the gut microbes have on the liver, e.g., on the progression of MASLD. Methods: This review aims to describe the current knowledge on the role of LSECs in mediating the effect of gut microbial products in MASLD. Results: Various studies show that LSECS have a contributing role in MASLD pathogenesis, suggesting that proper LSEC functionality is required to protect the liver from gut-driven attacks. Conclusions: Dedicated studies on the role and effects of gut-derived molecules on LSEC functionality are lacking, likely because such studies depend on labor-intensive techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Full article

Background: Neem seed oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) is widely used in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and food industries due to its antiseptic, fungicidal, pesticidal, and antioxidant properties, attributed to over 300 bioactive compounds and a high content of unsaturated fatty acids. Methods: This study aimed to characterize a commercial sample of neem oil regarding its physicochemical properties and identity profile, using official methodologies from the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS), and to compare the results with literature data. Results: The sample exhibited the following parameters: free fatty acids (2.0 ± 0.02%), acidity index (3.9 ± 0.04 mg KOH/g), peroxide value (3.2 ± 0.1 mEq/kg), iodine value (116 ± 12 g I₂/100 g), and saponification index (198 ± 8 mg KOH/g). The predominant coloration was yellowish, with total chlorophyll and carotenoid levels below the equipment’s quantification limits. Fatty acid composition was mainly long-chain (C16–C18), with notable levels of linoleic acid (46%), oleic acid (28%), palmitic acid (12%), linolenic acid (5.5%), and stearic acid (4.1%). The triacylglycerol profile showed a predominance of triunsaturated (51%) and diunsaturated species (41%). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed crystallization events between −6 °C and −57 °C and fusion events between −44 °C and −1 °C, consistent with the high unsaturation level of the lipids. Conclusions: The analyzed neem oil sample meets quality and identity criteria, making it suitable for various industrial applications. The characterization confirms its potential and aligns with literature data, emphasizing its relevance for industrial use. Full article

Background: Adipose tissue growth follows a biphasic process involving both cellular hyperplasia (an increase in adipocyte number) and hypertrophy (an increase in adipocyte size). Rumen-protected fatty acid supplements have been utilized to alter fat deposition, modify the fatty acid composition of meat, and reduce methane emissions. However, limited research has explored how different fatty acid mixtures influence adipose tissue’s biphasic growth phases. Methods: The objectives of this study are to investigate the effects of fatty acid mixtures (seven different mixtures) on: (1) hyperplasia of undifferentiated stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells, or (2) hypertrophy of chemically differentiated SVF cells isolated from subcutaneous adipocytes of finished steers. Results: Mixtures containing palmitic and linoleic acids stimulated hyperplasia, enhancing the proliferation of undifferentiated SVF cells, while mixtures with oleic acid (50%) predominantly promoted hypertrophy, driving lipid accumulation and adipocyte maturation. Conversely, mixtures composed solely of saturated fatty acids (50% palmitic and 50% stearic acids) exhibited a profound inhibitory effect on both hyperplasia and hypertrophy, underscoring the importance of fatty acid composition in regulating adipogenesis. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the composition of fatty acid mixtures directly influences adipogenesis and lipogenesis in vitro, highlighting their potential role in designing tailored rumen-protected supplements for modifying fat deposition in livestock. Full article

(1) Background: Musculoskeletal trauma from combat wounds, accidents, or surgeries is highly associated with infections and hospitalization. The current “gold standard” for such injuries when access to hospitals is limited is administering antibiotics and opioids; however, they are not ideal treatments due to their contributions to antibiotic resistance and the opioid epidemic. Electrospun chitosan acylated with lipids and loaded with hydrophobic drugs has been shown to release the therapeutics systemically and to prevent infections. (2) Methods: Electrospun chitosan membranes (ESCMs) were fabricated and acylated using decanoyl chloride. FTIR was used to confirm acylation through the presence of ester bonds and acyl chains. ESCMs were loaded with the quorum-sensing molecule cis-2-decenoic acid (C2DA) and the local anesthetic bupivacaine and then implanted in rat femurs for 3 days. Afterward, the rats were euthanized, and CFUs were measured on retrieved bone, tissue, and treatment material. (3) Conclusions: While ESCMs prevented bacterial growth on the surface of the material, controls outperformed treatment groups. This is possibly due to bupivacaine’s role in inhibiting sodium channels, which favors the production of Th2-type cytokines associated with immune response suppression. Furthermore, ESCMs provide a large surface area for bacteria to grow on and form bridges between nanofibers. Full article