Search Results (388)

Microbial lipids produced by oleaginous yeasts are a sustainable alternative to conventional lipid sources because of their ability to generate nutritionally valuable fatty acids. This study evaluated the effects of carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, modified through molasses concentration, and cultivation temperature (15 and 25 °C) on biomass production, lipid accumulation, fatty acid composition, and nutritional quality of lipids produced by the native yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa 6S. Biomass, lipids, sugar consumption, and growth kinetics were determined, while fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography and nutritional quality was assessed through lipid nutritional indices. Biomass production was mainly influenced by the C/N ratio, whereas temperature had the greatest effect on lipid accumulation and fatty acid composition. Cultivation at 25 °C enhanced lipid yield and productivity, while 15 °C promoted faster growth and higher accumulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), resulting in lipids with superior nutritional quality. The combination of 15 °C and a C/N ratio of 12 produced the most favorable lipid profile, with higher unsaturation, improved PUFA/SFA and MUFA/SFA ratios, balanced ω-6/ω-3 and LA/ALA ratios, low atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices, and a high hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio. These findings demonstrate the potential of molasses as a sustainable substrate for producing high-quality microbial lipids. Full article

This integrative review examines the potential of dates, omega-3 (ω-3) and omega-6 (ω-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), dietary fibers (DFs), and probiotic bacteria to support gut health through complementary nutritional pathways. The literature was searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for English-language studies published through June 2026. Dates contain fermentable substrates, including DFs and non-digestible oligosaccharides, that can serve as growth substrates for beneficial gut microbes. However, the whole fruit has not been formally established as a prebiotic under current consensus definitions. ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids contribute to membrane integrity, eicosanoid synthesis, immune regulation, and inflammatory signaling, with effects influenced by dietary balance. DFs support gastrointestinal function, glycemic regulation, lipid metabolism, and colonic fermentation, including short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, whereas probiotics may exert strain-specific effects on microbial balance, barrier function, immune responses, and host metabolism. Together, these components may influence gut microbiota, oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic homeostasis. However, the evidence is heterogeneous, combined interventions are scarce, and several proposed effects rely mainly on preclinical studies or surrogate human outcomes. Thus, potential collaborative effects and disease-prevention implications remain unconfirmed. Well-designed human trials using standardized preparations, realistic intake levels, and clinically relevant outcomes are needed to clarify their combined effects. Full article

The flavor characteristics of three commercially important, cultivated mussel species (Mytilus coruscus, Mytilus galloprovincialis, and Perna viridis) were investigated through analyses of free amino acids, organic acids, 5′-nucleotides, fatty acids, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Distinct differences among species–sex groups were observed in both volatile and non-volatile flavor compounds. M. coruscus and M. galloprovincialis showed greater umami potential than P. viridis. Female M. galloprovincialis exhibited the highest equivalent umami concentration (EUC) (2.56 ± 0.21 g MSG/100 g), whereas male M. galloprovincialis and male M. coruscus contained the highest levels of sweet-tasting amino acids (605.42 ± 28.72 mg/100 g) and umami-tasting amino acids (209.29 ± 13.31 mg/100 g), respectively. Gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) analysis identified 67 volatile compounds, and 12 key discriminative volatiles were selected, including three aldehydes, four ketones, three alcohols, 2-ethylfuran, and acetic acid. Males generally showed higher omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs)and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-6 PUFAs) proportions than females, with the highest ω-3 PUFAs proportion in male M. coruscus (45.12 ± 0.22%) and the highest ω-6 PUFAs proportion in male P. viridis (8.13 ± 0.30%). Correlation analysis suggested that ω-6 PUFAs were more closely associated with aldehydes, whereas ω-3 PUFAs were more closely associated with alcohols and ketones. These associations provide preliminary evidence for understanding flavor differences among cultivated mussel groups. Full article

Environmental temperature is a major ecological factor shaping physiological and molecular evolution in mammals. Fatty acid desaturase genes (FADS1 and FADS2) play essential roles in the biosynthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are critical for membrane structure and metabolic regulation. However, their evolutionary responses to climatic variation in wild mammals remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed 27 rodent species distributed across diverse climatic regions to investigate the relationship between environmental temperature and the evolutionary rates of the FADS1 and FADS2 genes. Phylogenetic comparative methods, including phylogenetic ANOVA, phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS), and branch model analyses, were applied to estimate ω (dN/dS) ratios and assess selection patterns. Branch-site model analyses were further performed to test for episodic positive selection acting on specific codons in low-temperature-associated lineages. Our results showed that species inhabiting lower-temperature environments exhibited significantly higher ω values for both FADS genes compared with those in warmer environments. PGLS analyses revealed consistent negative associations between temperature variables and evolutionary rates, particularly for BIO5, and branch model analyses further indicated elevated ω values in low-temperature-associated lineages relative to background branches. Branch-site analyses detected significant signatures of episodic positive selection in Spermophilus dauricus and Microtus oregoni, with candidate positively selected codons identified in both lineages. Similar temperature-associated evolutionary rate patterns were also observed in expanded mammalian datasets, suggesting a broader cross-taxa trend. Overall, these findings indicate that environmental temperature is associated with heterogeneous evolutionary rate patterns in FADS genes and suggest that lipid metabolism genes may be recurrently influenced by cold-related selective pressures across mammals. Full article

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs), specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are critical modulators of cardiovascular physiology, acting through anti-inflammatory signaling, membrane remodeling, and transcriptional regulation. Despite strong biological plausibility, clinical evidence remains heterogeneous. This narrative review evaluates the complexities of ω-3 supplementation, moving beyond standardized dosing to discuss the emerging role of biomarker-based assessments. While traditional low-dose mixed formulations often failed to show significant benefits, high-dose purified EPA (icosapent ethyl, 4 g/day) has demonstrated a substantial reduction in residual cardiovascular risk in specific populations. However, this clinical success is accompanied by a modest but consistent increase in atrial fibrillation risk at pharmacological doses, suggesting a need for better risk stratification. We highlight that therapeutic efficacy is closely tied to bioavailability—driven by chemical form and dietary context. In this setting, objective metrics such as the ω-3 Index or EPA/arachidonic acid (AA) ratio are discussed as validated biomarkers of ω-3 status that, although not yet incorporated into clinical guidelines as routine treatment targets, may help account for inter-individual variability. Furthermore, we address the environmental burden of marine-derived oils, considering microalgae-based alternatives as sustainable solutions. Ultimately, this review advocates for a more nuanced approach that integrates clinical evidence, the potential of biomarker monitoring, and global environmental responsibility. Full article

Fueled by the rapid growth of the global companion animal industry, the development of nutritional additives for improving canine intestinal health has emerged as a prominent research area in pet nutrition. Excessive reactive oxygen species accumulation triggers severe oxidative stress, inducing intestinal inflammation, abnormal epithelial senescence, and tight junction destruction to damage intestinal mucosal integrity. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) have proven antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potency, yet divergent functions of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on canine ileal epithelial cells (cIECs) remain unclear. Here, an H₂O₂-stimulated oxidative injury model was built to compare their protective capacity. Under all equivalent gradient concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 10 μM in this experiment, Equal-dose DHA failed to alleviate cell damage, while EPA effectively rescued impaired cIEC viability. Biochemical tests showed EPA lowered malondialdehyde and boosted key antioxidant enzyme activities. Transcriptomics confirmed EPA suppressed overactivated TNF-α/IFN-γ inflammatory and senescence pathways. Western blot verified EPA downregulated p-Chk1, p53, p57, and p73 and restored telomere-protective and tight junction proteins. In summary, EPA protects cIECs via antioxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-senescence, supporting its development as a promising functional feed additive for canine intestinal care. Full article

Hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) is recognised as a valuable source of nutritionally important lipids, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Despite growing interest in hempseed oil, the combined influence of extraction and derivatisation on fatty acid profiling remains poorly understood, limiting comparability and standardisation of lipidomic analyses, particularly for fibre-type hemp cultivars. This study evaluated the effects of microwave-assisted and Soxhlet extraction, combined with acidic and basic derivatisation, on fatty acid composition, lipid quality indices, and oxidative stability in Romanian fibre-type hempseed cultivars. The analysed oils were dominated by linoleic and α-linolenic acids, with favourable PUFA/SFA and ω-6/ω-3 ratios, low atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, and high hypocholesterolaemic/hypercholesterolaemic ratios, indicating excellent nutritional quality. Statistical analyses confirmed that extraction and derivatisation significantly influenced fatty acid composition and lipid quality indices, while principal component analysis identified extraction methodology as the main source of variability. Oxidative stability showed moderate correlations with fatty acid composition, suggesting that differences in lipid profiles may influence susceptibility to oxidation. Overall, the study demonstrates that Romanian fibre-type hemp cultivars are valuable sources of nutritionally favourable lipids and emphasises the need for standardised extraction and derivatisation protocols to improve the reliability and comparability of hempseed lipidomic analyses. Full article

Chronic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation of heart failure (HF) often result in sarcopenia. The combined effect of Mediterranean diet (MD) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the advanced lipidomic profile of HF patients remains poorly defined. Objective: Our objective was to analyze the specific effects of a MD plus omega-3-enriched oral nutritional supplements (MD+ONS) versus MD alone on the metabolic lipid profile of patients with HF, stratified by sarcopenia status. Methods: In this prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial, 38 patients with HF were assigned to MD alone or MD+ONS (24 weeks). Advanced lipoprotein profiling (triglycerides, cholesterol, particle size, and concentration for VLDL, LDL, and HDL subclasses) was performed using 2D ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Results: At baseline, NT-proBNP levels correlated positively with ω6/ω7ω9 fatty acids and IDL-TG (p < 0.05). Over 24 weeks, VLDL-C, VLDL-TG, and VLDL-P significantly decreased in the whole cohort (p < 0.001). However, stratified analysis revealed that in patients with sarcopenia, these reductions were primarily driven in the MD group (p < 0.01). Conversely, in patients without sarcopenia, the MD+ONS group showed significant reductions in VLDL-TG, VLDL-P, and VLDL-Z (p < 0.05). Regarding intermediate lipoproteins, IDL-C significantly increased in the MD group (p < 0.05) but not in the MD+ONS group. In the LDL fraction, total LDL-P and small LDL-P decreased in the MD group (p < 0.05), while medium LDL-P increased across both groups (p < 0.01). Total HDL-P decreased (p < 0.05), yet large HDL-P significantly increased in the whole cohort and the MD group (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in structural lipids or total fatty acid families. Conclusions: MD+ONS induces lipidomic shifts that are significantly modulated by baseline sarcopenia. The intervention appears to stabilize VLDL and IDL levels in patients with sarcopenia compared to diet alone, while promoting a more favorable VLDL reduction in individuals without sarcopenia, suggesting that early nutritional support for improving body composition is a critical determinant of the metabolic response to specific interventions in patients with HF. Full article

Background: Effective strategies for delivering neuroprotective agents to the brain remain a major challenge due to the poor solubility, rapid metabolism, and low bioavailability of promising molecules, such as 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF). This small-molecule TrkB receptor agonist exhibits significant antioxidant, neuroprotective properties, and additional effects on metabolic regulation, but its therapeutic potential is limited by unfavorable pharmacokinetic characteristics. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems are increasingly explored to improve drug stability, enhance bioavailability, and facilitate direct nose-to-brain transport following intranasal administration. In this study, lipid nanoparticles encapsulating 7,8-DHF were developed using a fish-oil-based lipid core enriched with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA and EPA) and naturally derived excipients, including soybean lecithin and ε-polylysine. Methods: The formulation was optimized using a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach based on a 2³ full factorial design, evaluating drug concentration, lecithin concentration, and surfactant type (Pluronic^® F127 or Tween^® 80). The main formulation responses considered were particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency. Results: The optimized nanoparticles exhibited nanometric dimensions (<250 nm); spherical morphology, confirmed by TEM; low polydispersity (PDI < 0.3); and adequate encapsulation efficiency. Stability studies in simulated biological fluids indicated good physicochemical stability for up to 48 h, while interaction studies with mucin suggested a good interaction within the mucus environment. ROS scavenging capacity was confirmed through the DPPH chemical assay, and in vitro experiments on olfactory ensheathing cells, selected as a biologically relevant model for their anatomical localization along the olfactory pathway, showed reduced cytotoxicity of the encapsulated drug compared with the free form. Conclusions: Collectively, these results support the potential application of the developed nanoformulation in the intranasal delivery of 7,8-DHF. Full article

Background: Retinoid signaling is implicated in regulating membrane-bound polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which serve as substrates for oxylipin biosynthesis. Dysregulated vitamin A status and altered oxylipin profiles have both been associated with the development of metabolic diseases. However, whether early-life vitamin A deficiency (VAD) causally influences oxylipin metabolism and liver health remains unclear. Methods: C57BL/6J mouse pups were exposed to either a vitamin A-deficient (VD) or vitamin A-replete (VR) AIN-93G-based diet during the fetal and suckling periods, and they weremaintained on the same diet from weaning (3 weeks of age) to 9 weeks of age. Oxylipin composition in plasma, liver and cerebral tissues was analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Hepatic and cerebral expressions of genes involved in inflammation, phospholipid and PUFA catabolism, and oxylipin synthesis were analyzed using RT-qPCR. Results: Dietary deprivation induced severe VAD, which significantly altered 21 oxylipins in the liver and 34 oxylipins in the cerebrum, but did not affect the plasma oxylipin profile. In the liver, all altered oxylipins were elevated by VAD, the majority being ω-6-derived species with pro-inflammatory properties. In contrast, 27 altered oxylipins were lower in the VD cerebrum, including more ω-3-derived species. Multivariate analysis identified 11,12-EpETrE, 8,9-EpETrE, and 20-HETE as key hepatic oxylipins distinguishing VAD. VAD also altered hepatic expression of genes involved in membrane phospholipid remodeling (PNPLA8, PLA2G6, LPCAT3), and oxylipin metabolism (ALOX5, EPHX2), and it upregulated inflammatory signaling in the liver only, while fibrosis markers (TGFB1, COL1A1) remained unchanged. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that early-life VAD is associated with tissue-specific alterations in oxylipin metabolism and hepatic inflammatory responses. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) involves metabolic alterations that may affect breast milk composition. Imbalances in protein and fatty acid (FA) profiles have been reported in mature milk from mothers with GDM. However, evidence for colostrum and transitional milk is limited, despite the key role of ω-3 and ω-6 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in neonatal neurodevelopment. This study compared ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs and protein concentrations in colostrum and transitional milk from women with and without GDM. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2023 to December 2024. Women aged ≥ 18 years with GDM and non-GDM pregnancies recruited at Hospital General de México “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga” were included. Colostrum and transitional milk samples were collected at 0–5 and 6–14 days postpartum, respectively. To assess whether postpartum time (hours) and maternal group (non-GDM vs. GDM) affected milk volume, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed. Differences in milk composition between the GDM and non-GDM groups were assessed using Student’s t test or the Mann–Whitney U test, according to variable distribution. Results: A total of 71 milk samples were analyzed: 51 colostrum samples (25 from women with GDM and 26 from women with non-GDM) and 20 transitional milk samples (10 from women with GDM and 10 from women with non-GDM). A moderate correlation was observed between milk volume and postpartum time, with no significant differences between the GDM and non-GDM groups. Colostrum from women with GDM had lower protein content compared with milk from women with non-GDM (3.8 ± 0.4 vs. 5.2 ± 0.5 g/dL, p = 0.02) and transitional milk (1.4 ± 0.2 vs. 2.2 ± 0.2 g/dL, p = 0.02). Transitional milk from GDM group showed higher total fat (5.7 ± 1.8 vs. 2.0 ± 0.4 g/100 g, p = 0.05) and fat-to-protein ratio (3.9 ± 1.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.3, p = 0.02), along with an increased ω-6/ω-3 ratio driven by higher linoleic acid and lower α-linolenic acid concentrations. Conclusions: GDM was associated with variations in breast milk protein and FA profiles with a potential negative impact on the newborn’s neurodevelopment. Full article

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), an important unicellular yeast species in the biotechnology, beverage, and food industries, has remarkable applications in ethanol production. Lipids in SC play a crucial role in stress management during the fermentation process. Despite the importance of SC yeasts, comprehensive lipid profiling across multiple yeast strains remains limited. This study aimed to elucidate the comprehensive lipidomic profiles of 48 wine yeast strains of the SC species using a nontargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry approach. A total of 135 lipid species were identified, representing five major lipid categories. Among the SC strains, strain 19 contained the highest relative concentrations of α-linolenic acid (ω-3) and linoleic acid (ω-6). Levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were 4.6-fold higher in SC46 compared to SC13, suggesting strain-specific variations. Glycerolipids were the most abundant lipid components, with triacylglycerols showing the highest relative abundance in SC10, SC41, and SC48. These findings should be interpreted in light of the semi-quantitative nature of the dataset. Interestingly, bioactive lipids, such as N-acyl lysophosphatidylethanolamines, were putatively identified and structurally characterized using high-resolution mass spectra and MS/MS fragmentation patterns. This study provides insight into strain-specific differences in the yeast lipidome and may help improve our understanding of fermentation kinetics and industrial wine quality. Full article

This study evaluated breast meat quality of broiler chickens following dietary inclusion of full-fat Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) sourced from three food-waste production sites in a nutritionally balanced diet. Broilers were fed diets containing 0%, 3%, 6%, or 9% BSFL sourced from 3 different facilities in a 3 × 4 factorial design. At 42 days of age, breast meat samples were collected for evaluation of physicochemical traits, chemical composition, amino acid, and fatty acid profiles. Inclusion of dietary BSFL had no adverse effects on key meat quality parameters, including water-holding capacity, pH, color, cooking loss, or shear force. Breast meat protein content increased significantly in broilers fed the 9% BSFL diet compared with the control, while essential amino acid composition remained unchanged across treatments. In contrast, BSFL inclusion substantially modified the fat profile of breast meat, characterized by enrichment of short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acids, increased eicosapentaenoic acid, reduced ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and an improved ω-3/ω-6 ratio. These results demonstrate that food-waste-derived full-fat BSFL can be incorporated into broiler diets at levels up to 9% without compromising breast meat quality, while enhancing its nutritional fat profile and protein content. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease in which alterations in the gut microbiota and dietary lipid composition play a central role; this study aimed to evaluate the effects of synbiotics, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and their combination on clinical, macroscopic, microbiological, and histopathological outcomes in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in Wistar rats. Methods: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to four groups (n = 18/group) and received 5% DSS in drinking water for eight days to induce colitis. Following DSS withdrawal and histological confirmation of colitis in sentinel animals, groups were treated for 8 days as follows: DSS (control), DSS-S (synbiotics, Ecologic^® 825), DSS-Ω3 (omega-3 fatty acid-enriched diet, ProSure^®), or DSS-S&Ω3 (combined therapy). Eight rats per group were sacrificed on days 4 and 8 post-DSS. Body weight, Disease Activity Index (DAI), distal colon length, hematologic parameters, bacterial translocation to the liver and mesenteric lymph nodes, histological colitis score, and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-positive cell counts were assessed. Results: DSS induced severe colitis characterized by diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and extensive mucosal erosions. After 8 days of treatment, the DSS-S&Ω3 group showed the greatest body-weight recovery (206.1→222.9 g, p < 0.05 vs. other groups), significantly preserved distal colon length, and the largest reduction in DAI (p < 0.05). Both the DSS-S and DSS-S&Ω3 groups demonstrated reduced bacterial translocation compared with DSS. The DSS-Ω3 group demonstrated persistent MPO-positive neutrophil infiltration compared with the DSS-S and DSS-S&Ω3 groups, whereas combined therapy was associated with lower MPO-positive cell counts. Histological colitis scores were significantly improved only in the DSS-S&Ω3 group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this DSS colitis model, the DSS-S&Ω3 group demonstrated superior clinical and histological outcomes compared with DSS-S or DSS-Ω3 alone, supporting further evaluation of combined synbiotic and omega-3 therapy as an adjunctive approach in ulcerative colitis. Full article

Proximate composition, lipid classes, and fatty acid profile were comparatively analyzed in different body parts of carp (Cyprinus carpio) cultivated in Madagascar. Higher (p < 0.05) protein values (163.3–200.1 g·kg⁻¹ range) were detected in muscle tissue (epaxial, hypaxial, and tail) than in the liver tissue (118.4 g·kg⁻¹). The average lipid content showed the following decreasing tissue sequence: liver > hypaxial > tail > epaxial. The highest levels (p < 0.05) of phospholipids and sterols were obtained in the epaxial muscle part (94.0 and 24.0 g·kg⁻¹ of lipids, respectively). A high presence of free fatty acids (183.2 g·kg⁻¹ of lipids) was detected in the liver. In all tissues, α-tocopherol provided higher values (p < 0.05) than γ- and δ-tocopherol compounds; among body parts, the liver showed the highest levels (p < 0.05) for all tocopherols. Fatty acid (FA) groups revealed a higher range value (g·100 g⁻¹ of total FAs) for monounsaturated FAs (48.19–52.57) than for saturated FAs (SFAs; 28.50–29.41) and polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs; 17.96–22.57). The following increasing sequence was observed for ω3-PUFA/ω6-PUFA ratios in body parts: liver < hypaxial < tail < epaxial. All parts of muscle tissue contained higher (p < 0.05) PUFA/SFA values (0.72–0.77) than liver (0.61). Comparison of body parts revealed an inhomogeneous distribution of bioactive compounds. The liver tissue was found a good source of valuable constituents. Full article