Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.1
4.9
Journals
IJMS
Special Issues
Molecular Insight into the Processing and Characterization of Animal Fats...
ijms-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Molecular Insight into the Processing and Characterization of Animal Fats and Vegetable Oils

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 7093

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Pavel Mokrejš

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Vavrečkova 275, 760 01 Zlín, Czech Republic
Interests: biotechnological processing of poultry and fish by-products; processing of animal by-product fats; enzyme hydrolysis of fats; lipid-based systems in cosmetic matrices; preparation of gelatins and hydrolysates; food and cosmetics applications of gelatins and hydrolysates; collagen-based edible packaging materials; processing of collagen and keratin by-products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Animal fats and vegetable oils belong to the portfolio of important raw materials not only for the food industry, but are also used in non-food sectors such as the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and leather industries. A significant share is represented by fats and their wastes originating from untraditional animal fats and vegetable oils, including by-products. Current trends in the processing of raw materials significantly point towards compliance with the principles of the circular economy with respect to the environment. Therefore, research should be strategically oriented towards the innovation of methods, and above all, a deeper examination of the processing conditions. Special attention can be paid, for example, to the preparation of fatty acids by alkali and acid hydrolysis, using specific and nonspecific lipases, or the interesterification of fats. Obtained lipid-based systems can be used, for example, to prepare advanced carriers, which can alternatively be functionalized using unique active substances, usable in cosmetic matrices, membranes or films for medical applications or food packaging.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a representative and up-to-date overview of nutritional and molecular research on fats, processing of fats, oils and their wastes aimed at the preparation of products for common and advanced applications. The research focusing on the impact of fats and fatty acids on heart diseases, cancer or intestinal diseases, as well as the potential of omega-3 fatty acids in medical therapies are welcomed. Authors are encouraged to publish results on the preparation of second-generation biofuels as well. 

Prof. Dr. Pavel Mokrejš
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • lipid molecules
  • oils
  • fats
  • lipase
  • interesterification
  • hydrolysis
  • phospholipids
  • fatty acids
  • molecular research
  • nutrition
  • cosmetics matrices
  • medical applications
  • food
  • pharmacy
  • bioengineering
  • novel applications
  • biofuels

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 4348 KiB  
Article
Low Testosterone and High Leptin Activate PPAR Signaling to Induce Adipogenesis and Promote Fat Deposition in Caponized Ganders
by Mingming Lei, Yaxin Li, Jiaying Li, Jie Liu, Zichun Dai, Rong Chen and Huanxi Zhu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 8686; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168686 - 9 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1217
Abstract
Low or insufficient testosterone levels caused by caponization promote fat deposition in animals. However, the molecular mechanism of fat deposition in caponized animals remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the metabolomics and transcriptomic profiles of adipose tissues and study the effect of [...] Read more.
Low or insufficient testosterone levels caused by caponization promote fat deposition in animals. However, the molecular mechanism of fat deposition in caponized animals remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the metabolomics and transcriptomic profiles of adipose tissues and study the effect of testosterone and leptin on the proliferation of adipocytes. We observed a significant enlargement in the areas of adipocytes in the abdominal fat tissues in capon, as well as increased luciferase activity of the serum leptin and a sharp decrease in the serum testosterone in caponized gander. Metabolomics and transcriptomic results revealed differentially expressed genes and differentially expressed metabolites with enhanced PARR signal pathway. The mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ, fatty acid synthase, and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 in goose primary pre-adipocytes were significantly upregulated with high leptin treatment and decreased significantly with increasing testosterone dose. Hence, reduced testosterone and increased leptin levels after caponization possibly promoted adipocytes proliferation and abdominal fat deposition by altering the expression of PPAR pathway related genes in caponized ganders. This study provides a new direction for the mechanism through which testosterone regulates the biological function of leptin and fat deposition in male animals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insight into the Processing and Characterization of Animal Fats and Vegetable Oils)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2858 KiB  
Article
Study of Processing Conditions during Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Deer By-Product Tallow for Targeted Changes at the Molecular Level and Properties of Modified Fats
by Tereza Novotná, Pavel Mokrejš, Jana Pavlačková and Robert Gál
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 4002; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25074002 - 3 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1544
Abstract
In most cases, the unused by-products of venison, including deer tallow, are disposed of in rendering plants. Deer tallow contains essential fatty acids and can be used to prepare products for everyday food and advanced applications. This work aimed to process deer tallow [...] Read more.
In most cases, the unused by-products of venison, including deer tallow, are disposed of in rendering plants. Deer tallow contains essential fatty acids and can be used to prepare products for everyday food and advanced applications. This work aimed to process deer tallow into hydrolyzed products using microbial lipases. A Taguchi design with three process factors at three levels was used to optimize the processing: amount of water (8, 16, 24%), amount of enzyme (2, 4, 6%), and reaction time (2, 4, 6 h). The conversion of the tallow to hydrolyzed products was expressed by the degree of hydrolysis. The oxidative stability of the prepared products was determined by the peroxide value and the free fatty acids by the acid value; further, color change, textural properties (hardness, spreadability, stickiness, and adhesiveness), and changes at the molecular level were observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The degree of hydrolysis was 11.8–49.6%; the peroxide value ranged from 12.3 to 29.5 µval/g, and the color change of the samples expressed by the change in the total color difference (∆E*) was 1.9–13.5. The conditions of enzymatic hydrolysis strongly influenced the textural properties: hardness 25–50 N, spreadability 20–40 N/s, and stickiness < 0.06 N. FTIR showed that there are changes at the molecular level manifested by a decrease in ester bonds. Enzymatically hydrolyzed deer tallow is suitable for preparing cosmetics and pharmaceutical matrices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insight into the Processing and Characterization of Animal Fats and Vegetable Oils)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 962 KiB  
Article
A Novel Method for the Determination of Squalene, Cholesterol and Their Oxidation Products in Food of Animal Origin by GC-TOF/MS
by Małgorzata Czerwonka, Agnieszka Białek and Barbara Bobrowska-Korczak
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 2807; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052807 - 28 Feb 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1782
Abstract
Cholesterol present in food of animal origin is a precursor of oxysterols (COPs), whose high intake through diet can be associated with health implications. Evaluation of the content of these contaminants in food is associated with many analytical problems. This work presents a [...] Read more.
Cholesterol present in food of animal origin is a precursor of oxysterols (COPs), whose high intake through diet can be associated with health implications. Evaluation of the content of these contaminants in food is associated with many analytical problems. This work presents a GC-TOF/MS method for the simultaneous determination of squalene, cholesterol and seven COPs (7-ketocholesterol, 7α-hydroxycholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, 5,6α-epoxycholesterol, 5,6β-epoxycholesterol, cholestanetriol). The sample preparation procedure includes such steps as saponification, extraction and silylation. The method is characterized by high sensitivity (limit of quantification, 0.02–0.25 ng mL−1 for instrument, 30–375 μg kg of sample), repeatability (RSD 2.3–6.2%) and a wide linearity range for each tested compound. The method has been tested on eight different animal-origin products. The COP to cholesterol content ratio in most products is about 1%, but the profile of cholesterol derivatives differs widely (α = 0.01). In all the samples, 7-ketocholesterol is the dominant oxysterol, accounting for 31–67% of the total COPs level. The levels of the other COPs range between 0% and 21%. In none of the examined products are cholestanetriol and 25-hydroxycholesterol present. The amount of squalene, which potentially may inhibit the formation of COPs in food, ranges from 2 to 57 mg kg−1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insight into the Processing and Characterization of Animal Fats and Vegetable Oils)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 1284 KiB  
Review
Use of Natural Biomolecules in Animal Feed to Enhance Livestock Reproduction
by Ikram BenSouf, Mariem Saidani, Asma Maazoun, Bochra Bejaoui, Manel Ben Larbi, Naceur M’Hamdi, Hebib Aggad, Nicolas Joly, Janne Rojas, Marielba Morillo and Patrick Martin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2328; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052328 - 5 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1693
Abstract
Feed additives are crucial in livestock production, enhancing performance, health, and reproductive efficiency. Recently, there has been a shift toward natural biomolecules as feed additives, specifically targeting improved reproductive outcomes and sperm quality. This transition arises from concerns about antibiotic misuse, antimicrobial resistance, [...] Read more.
Feed additives are crucial in livestock production, enhancing performance, health, and reproductive efficiency. Recently, there has been a shift toward natural biomolecules as feed additives, specifically targeting improved reproductive outcomes and sperm quality. This transition arises from concerns about antibiotic misuse, antimicrobial resistance, and consumer preferences for eco-friendly products, along with the superior bioavailability, lower toxicity, and reduced environmental impact of natural biomolecules compared to synthetic alternatives. Collaboration among researchers, veterinarians, nutritionists, and regulators is essential to ensure safe and effective livestock management. The review explores advancements in using vital biomolecules in reproductive processes, including plant-derived bioactives such as phytochemicals and antioxidants. It investigates not only the mechanisms but also the intricate interactions of these compounds with animals’ hormonal and physiological systems. Additionally, the review critically assesses challenges and prospects related to incorporating natural biomolecules into livestock practices. The potential benefits include enhanced reproductive efficiency and improved sperm quality. However, successful implementation requires understanding factors like precise dosing, potential interactions, and long-term health impacts. Overall, this comprehensive review highlights recent research, technological strides, and the future potential of integrating natural biomolecules into animal diets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insight into the Processing and Characterization of Animal Fats and Vegetable Oils)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop