Search Results (1,006)

Waste from the fat-processing industry represents a challenging stream due to its physicochemical properties and environmental impact. Valorization through recovery and reuse offers ecological, economic, and social benefits. This study focused on mushy lipid residues generated during cold pressing of oilseeds (sunflower, flax, blue poppy, hemp, black cumin, and walnut) and evaluated their potential for lactone biosynthesis. The waste was analyzed for protein and fat content, while fatty acid profile, acid and peroxide values, oxidation stability, and health-related indices characterized the extracted oils. Polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of the residues were also determined. Subsequently, the waste was used as a substrate in biotransformation processes with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Yarrowia lipolytica. The results showed high protein (13.1–19.4%) and fat levels (65.0–77.3%) across all residues. The lipid fractions were rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, comprising nearly 90% of the total fatty acids, with oleic and linoleic acids being the dominant components. These features highlight their strong valorization potential, particularly for the microbial synthesis of aroma-active lactones. Under the applied conditions, the production of γ-dodecalactone and δ-decalactone reached 0.76 g/L and 1.62 g/L, respectively, confirming the suitability of cold-press residues as substrates for sustainable biotechnological applications. Full article

There is a wealth of information available about endogenous fatty acid ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/δ/γ (PPARα/δ/γ); however, there are few comparative studies of PPARα/δ/γ activation using standardized experimental systems. This study investigated which of 14 major free long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs: C12:0–C22:6) and 15-deoxy-Δ^12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) activate PPARα/δ/γ using a coactivator recruitment assay. We recently discovered that eight different synthetic PPAR agonists recruit four different coactivator peptides (PGC1α, CBP, SRC1, TRAP220) with varying potency and efficacy, so we examined the ligand-concentration-dependent recruitment of these four coactivators. All 15 fatty acids (FAs) activated PPARα/δ at high concentrations, but only palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid significantly activated PPARα/δ at physiologically relevant concentrations. Lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and 15d-PGJ2 activated PPARγ at high concentrations, but only palmitic acid slightly activated PPARγ at physiologically relevant concentrations. FA ligands exhibited different coactivator preference compared to synthetic PPAR agonists, including approved drugs such as pemafibrate, seladelpar, and pioglitazone, suggesting that these agonists may regulate target gene transcription in a different manner than natural FA ligands. Such differences may be relevant to the pathogenesis of side effects of synthetic PPAR agonists occasionally observed in (pre)clinical studies. Full article

The efficient conversion of free fatty acids (FFAs) to fatty acid methyl esters via esterification is a crucial step in biodiesel production from low-cost high-FFA feedstocks, which supports global efforts toward renewable energy and reduced dependence on fossil fuels. However, this esterification process is hindered by slow reaction kinetics, high energy demand, and low catalyst efficiencies. This study investigates tungsten disulfide (WS₂) as a heterogeneous catalyst for the esterification of a mixture of oleic and linoleic acids with methanol under ultrasonic activation, aiming to improve catalytic performance, reaction efficiency, and enhance process sustainability. Four commercial WS₂ powders from various suppliers, varying in particle size (2 μm and 90 nm), were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Micron-sized WS₂ exhibited higher catalytic activity than nano-scaled WS₂ due to a higher density of edge defects and abundance of catalytically active edge sites. Variation in reaction parameters demonstrated that the ester yield increases from 7% to 53% as the catalyst loading rises from 2% to 32% and reaches a 95% yield at an FFAs-to-methanol molar ratio of 1:15 under ultrasonic activation at 75 °C for 1 h. Comparative experiments confirmed that ultrasound treatment increases the yield of esterification compared to thermal activation. The results suggest WS₂ as a heterogeneous catalyst appropriate for efficient sonochemical esterification in biodiesel production. These kinetic and catalytic data are valuable for future process design, scalability assessments, and techno-economic evaluations of sustainable biodiesel production. Full article

This systematic review evaluated 28 peer-reviewed studies on the use of hydroponic forage in ruminant diets, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Hydroponic barley sprouts contain on average 14.8 ± 2.1% CP, 3.6 ± 0.4% EE, 12.9 ± 1.7% NDF, 7.8 ± 1.2% ADF, and 10.5 ± 2.8% DM (mean ± SD; n = 21 studies), and mineral content, though limited by high moisture and low dry matter yield. Among the included studies, 61% focused on barley, confirming its suitability for hydroponic cultivation. In dairy cattle, hydroponic forage improved milk fat content and oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), and α-linolenic acid (C18:3) and reduced saturated fatty acids without compromising yield. In buffaloes, inclusion enhanced cheese quality and reduced energy footprint, though costs were higher. For small ruminants and growing animals, moderate inclusion (5–25% dry matter) improved intake, digestibility, and growth, while excessive replacement reduced feed intake or digestibility, likely due to rumen microbiota shifts. Additionally, hydroponic feeding reduced methane emissions in lambs, highlighting its environmental potential. Overall, hydroponic forage can serve as a sustainable complement to conventional feed resources, promoting resource efficiency and animal performance when properly integrated into balanced diets. Further studies should define optimal inclusion rates and evaluate economic and environmental trade-offs under different production systems. Full article

Obesity is linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but the molecular mechanisms and effective treatments remain unclear. This study investigated whether ST32db, an inducer of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), affects lipid metabolism in MASLD. An in vitro model was established involving the treatment of HepG2 cells with 1 mM oleic acid (OA) with or without 20 µM ST32db. In an in vivo model, C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 18 weeks to induce obesity and treated or not with ST32db (1 mg kg⁻¹). ST32db significantly decreased intracellular lipid accumulation in OA-treated HepG2 cells. In these cells, ST32db remarkably decreased mRNA and protein levels of adipogenesis- and lipogenesis-related genes and increased mRNA levels of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), a lipolytic enzyme. In HFD-fed mice, the ST32db treatment significantly decreased the liver weight, serum triglycerides, and fat vacuole and triglyceride accumulation in the liver. Livers from these mice also showed significantly decreased CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β mRNA and protein levels, increased ATF3 mRNA and protein and ATGL mRNA levels, and increased levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein kinase A (PKA). These findings suggest that ST32db may exert protective effects against MASLD through activating hepatic AMPK and PKA pathways. Full article

Natural resources, such as wood components (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) and plant oils, have drawn significant interest for the development of polymeric biocomposites. Despite some advantages of soybean hull (SH) and soybean meal (SM), such as high abundance, low cost, and high functionality, both materials lack film-forming properties and mechanical performance and are highly hydrophilic, which makes them incompatible with most polymer matrices. This study demonstrates the suitability of using various ratios of SH and SM in combination with other soy-based derivatives—soy oil-derived polymers—simultaneously in the development of cross-linked biocomposites. For this purpose, we reacted SH or SM with maleic anhydride (via hydroxyl groups) to introduce reactive sites for free-radical polymerization, followed by the bulk polymerization of the maleinized SH and SM in the presence of high-oleic soybean oil-based acrylic monomer (HOSBM). As a result, simultaneous “grafting from” polymerization on the filler surface and formation of the HOSBM homopolymer occur. The synthetic procedure results in a homogeneous distribution of fillers, both modified with soy-derived polymeric chains in the biocomposite matrix (polyHOSBM). In the study, up to 35 wt.% of total SH and SM was incorporated into the biocomposites, further cross-linked via post-polymerization autoxidation of polyHOSBM unsaturated functionalities. The mechanical characterization shows that incorporating 25 wt.% soybean hull leads to an enhanced Young’s modulus and tensile strength in comparison to other investigated biocomposites. Overall, the resulting cross-linked biocomposite films exhibit Young’s modulus in a range of 50–140 MPa, tensile strength of 1–2.9 MPa, and elongation at break of 18–55%. This work demonstrates the potential of the developed synthetic procedure to homogeneously distribute two abundant natural fillers simultaneously in cross-linked biocomposites. Full article

Lycopene is a naturally potent lipophilic antioxidant, which limits its bioavailability for absorption during intestinal digestion. Therefore, this study utilized a self-emulsifying delivery system (SEDS) to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of lycopene and investigated the effects of nonionic surfactant mixtures at varying hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) values and surfactant-to-oil ratios (SORs) on SEDS using oleic acid (OA), medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), and sunflower oil (SO) as oil matrices. The resulting water-in-oil-in-water emulsions exhibited droplet sizes (181.70 to 572.27 nm), polydispersity indices (0.29 to 0.86), and ζ-potentials (−22.90 to −53.70 mV), with stability varying according to the type of oil and formulation parameters. Antioxidant activities of SO-based SEDS were higher compared to MCT-based and OA-based ones due to lycopene loading increase. In vitro simulated intestinal digestion revealed differences in lipolysis kinetics, with MCT-based lycopene-loaded SEDS exhibiting enhanced cumulative release and bioaccessibility in the duodenal (1.1–2.1 mEq/g) and jejunal (1.6–2.2 mEq/g) segments. This study revealed a comprehensive strategy encompassing lycopene extracts, SEDS preparation, quality indices, lipolysis dynamics, and proximal intestine solubilization amounts that successfully enhanced lycopene bioavailability. Optimized MCT-based lycopene-loaded SEDS with high HLB (10.72) and SOR (1.00) enhanced hydrophobic bioactive delivery efficiency, offering a novel low-energy strategy for developing functional supplements. Full article

Unsaturated fatty acids have the potential to reduce residual cardiovascular risk. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) contains several valuable bioactive substances, including lipids with a balanced fatty acid composition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sea buckthorn seed lipid extract (SBS-LE) on residual cardiovascular risk in high-risk patients. In this pilot study, 86 patients with chronic coronary syndrome receiving statin (atorvastatin or rosuvastatin) and/or ezetimibe were enrolled. SBS-LE capsules (1000 mg, twice daily) were prescribed in addition to standard medical therapy, with each capsule containing 300 mg of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, 370 mg of omega-6 linoleic acid, 170 mg of omega-9 oleic acid and 7 mg of the plant sterol beta-sitosterol. For this clinical trial, SBS-LE was produced via supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide. Clinical effects and impacts on laboratory test results were evaluated at baseline and after three months. Additionally, lipidomics testing was performed to confirm the bioavailability of the formulation. Significant reductions in systolic blood pressure by 2.9 mmHg (2.1%, p = 0.012), LDL-C by 0.3 mmol/l (12.0%, p = 0.005) and CRP by 1.0 mg/l (37.0%, p = 0.032) were observed. These data suggest that SBS-LE may have potential as an add-on preventive strategy for residual cardiovascular risk reduction. Full article

The influence of different lipid blends on the physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory characteristics of short dough biscuits was investigated in comparison with a conventional formulation containing palm oil. Six different lipid matrices were employed: palm oil, butter, high-oleic sunflower oil, butter/extra virgin olive oil, butter/high-oleic sunflower oil, and a coconut/sunflower oil mixture. Biscuits were analyzed for fatty acid composition, sterols, tocols, oxidative stability, texture, and sensory attributes. The results showed a variability in the lipid composition. In particular, formulations containing high-oleic sunflower oil and its blends exhibited higher monounsaturated fatty acids and α-tocopherol, while coconut-based samples displayed greater saturated fatty acids and an improved oxidative stability. Butter-containing biscuits had the highest sterol concentration, mainly cholesterol. Textural and sensory evaluations revealed how the lipid fraction significantly affected crispiness, friability, and flavour perception. Biscuits formulated with high-oleic sunflower oil or butter achieved desirable structural and sensory properties, while the coconut/sunflower oil sample obtained the highest overall acceptability. The findings demonstrate that replacing palm oil with selected lipid blends can produce biscuits with an improved lipid quality and oxidative stability and satisfactory sensory performance, contributing to healthier and more sustainable bakery products. Full article

This study focused on analyzing the direction of changes in recognized health-promoting fatty acids, antioxidant activity, and total polyphenolic compound in the three most popular types of nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, and peanuts, before and after roasting under various conditions. The roasting process caused changes in the content of selected health-promoting fatty acids in the tested nuts, which depended on both the type of nut and the roasting conditions used. The main fatty acids in walnuts are linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, while in peanuts and hazelnuts, oleic acid was the main fatty acid. The highest losses of these acids were observed after convective roasting, and the lowest after microwave roasting with a protective coating, which promoted better preservation of these acids in the nut fat. Walnuts exhibited a relatively high antioxidant potential, which was greater than the level in peanuts and hazelnuts. Roasting (regardless of its type) increased the antioxidant potential of all tested nuts. Microwave roasting seems to be a good option in the search for optimal process conditions for the protection of health-promoting ingredients, especially since the processing time is significantly shortened. Full article

As a core component of emerging quantum-dot display technology, the stability of quantum-dot materials is crucial to determining the performance of quantum-dot photoluminescent diffuser plates. This study successfully synthesized high-stability thick-shell CdZnSeS/CdZnS/ZnS core–shell structured green-alloy quantum dots suitable for photoluminescent diffuser plates, providing an innovative solution for performance breakthroughs in this field. Through orthogonal experimental design, the synthesis parameters of the CdZnSeS alloy core were precisely optimized to achieve an ideal balance in emission wavelength, full width at half maximum (FWHM), and quantum yield (QY). Furthermore, by systematically adjusting ligands and synthesis parameters, a thick-shell CdZnSeS/CdZnS/ZnS core–shell structure was constructed, significantly improving the stability of the quantum dots. Critically, the replacement of the original oleic-acid ligands with tetradecylphosphonic-acid (TDPA) ligands at high temperature doubled the stability of the quantum-dot diffuser plates. Under extreme accelerated-aging conditions such as intense blue light, high temperature, and high humidity, the T90 lifetime of the diffuser plate exceeded 1000 h, and the xy chromaticity coordinate shift was strictly controlled within 1%, fully meeting the stringent commercial requirements. This achievement not only overcomes the stability bottleneck of quantum dots in the application of photoluminescent diffuser plates but also paves the way for their large-scale commercialization, promising to promote the development of display technology toward higher color gamut and longer lifetimes. Full article

This study aimed to collaboratively investigate the mechanism of variations in intramuscular fat (IMF) content in Wandong cattle using transcriptomics and metabolomics techniques. Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle samples were collected from thirteen free-range Wandong cattle in Fengyang County, Anhui Province, China. From this initial cohort, eight animals closely matched in age and body weight were selected. Based on IMF content measured by Soxhlet extraction, these eight cattle were divided into two groups: the high-IMF (HF, n = 4) and low-IMF (LF, n = 4) groups. Subsequent analyses were performed on integrated datasets comprising the transcriptome, metabolome, and fatty acid profile. The results revealed a significant increase in IMF in the HF group compared to the LF group (p < 0.05). Specifically, α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3) and γ-linolenic acid (C18:3n6) were significantly more abundant in the LF group compared to the HF group (p < 0.05), whereas oleic acid (C18:1n9c) and cis-9-palmitoleic acid (C16:1) predominated in the HF group. However, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), such as myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), and Margaric acid (C17:0), did not show significant differences (p > 0.05). A total of 9164 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified via transcriptome analysis, with 2202 genes upregulated and 6962 genes downregulated in the HF group compared to the LF group. The expression profiles exhibited a distinct pattern, characterized by the upregulation of genes such as FABP1, SREBF1, and LIPE, while genes including SCD, PPARGC1A, and LEP were downregulated. GO enrichment analysis demonstrated that the majority of DEGs were predominantly abundant across 25 distinct functional categories distributed across the three primary ontologies. KEGG pathway analysis further identified 341 significantly enriched signaling pathways in the HF group (p < 0.05), predominantly involving metabolic pathways, FoxO, AMPK, and PPAR signaling pathways. Untargeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) metabolomics analysis revealed 404 differential accumulated metabolites (DAMs), with 187 in positive ion mode and 217 in negative ion mode (p < 0.05). These DAMs were notably enriched in pathways such as glycerophospholipid metabolism, terpene and steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid degradation, and fatty acid metabolism. Notably, C16:1, C18:1n9c, arachidonic acid (peroxide free) (C20:4n6), oleoyl-L-carnitine, and linoleoyl-carnitine were identified as key players in lipid metabolism. Integrating transcriptomics with metabolomics data unveiled significant associations between DAMs linked to lipid metabolism and DEGs. Specifically, C18:1n9c exhibited a positive correlation with LPIN3, while C16:1 showed negative associations with PPAP2B, PPAP2A, CDS2, HADHA, LPL, HSD17B12, ELOVL5, ACSL1, and ACOX1, and positive correlations with PLA2G15, CDIPT, AGPSBG1, and GPD1. In summary, the variation in IMF content in Wandong cattle is co-regulated by key genes (SREBF1, ACSL1, SCD) via the AMPK, PPAR, and FoxO signaling pathways, coupled with alterations in specific fatty acid metabolites such as C18:1n9c, C16:1, and C20:4n6. These findings provide critical molecular insights for the genetic selection and breeding of Wandong cattle, which are renowned for their superior meat quality. Full article

Studies in taurine breeds have shown that genetic selection can improve the fatty acid (FA) profile of bovine milk, but studies are scarce considering Zebu animals. In this study, genetic parameters for FA concentrations and unsaturation indexes in the milk fat of Zebu cows were estimated, with emphasis on Gir and Guzerá breeds. Milk samples from 299 Gir and 266 Guzerá cows belonging to 22 herds distributed throughout Brazil were analyzed using gas chromatography. Fourteen individual FAs, 11 FA groups, four nutritional indexes, and five unsaturation indexes were evaluated. Tri-trait Bayesian models were applied, including 305-day milk and fat yields as “anchor” traits. Systematic effects such as contemporary group, age at calving, diet, sampling age class, and days in milk were considered. Palmitic acid was the most abundant FA, followed by oleic, stearic, and myristic acids. Heritability estimates ranged from moderate to high: 0.28–0.66 in Gir cows, and 0.25–0.74 in Guzerá cows, for individual FAs and FA groups. Unsaturation indexes also showed moderate to high heritability. Genetic correlations were generally strong, with long-chain FAs negatively correlated with short- and medium-chain FAs. The results suggest that genetic selection can be applied to improve the nutritional profile of milk fat in Zebu cattle. Full article

Sinomenine (SIN), as a potential therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), exhibits advantages such as non-addictiveness. However, its low aqueous solubility and poor membrane permeability result in limited bioavailability, which compromises its therapeutic efficacy in conventional formulations. To address these limitations, this study developed nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) with optimized formulations and evaluated their pharmacodynamic performance. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to screen excipients and analyze the blending system. SIN-loaded NLCs (SIN-NLCs) were prepared using high-pressure homogenization. Single-factor experiments were performed to optimize the processing conditions of SIN-NLCs. A three-factor, three-level experimental design was established using Design Expert 13 software and further refined through Box–Behnken design (BBD) response surface methodology. This approach enabled cross-validation between molecular dynamics simulations and conventional experiments. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine morphology, while X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were employed to characterize the physicochemical state of SIN in NLCs. Pharmacodynamic evaluation was performed in a RA model, supplemented by single-pass intestinal perfusion study (SPIP). Initially, MD simulations were employed to evaluate drug–excipient compatibility, thereby identifying suitable formulation excipients: stearic acid and oleic acid as lipid components, and Poloxamer 188 as the surfactant. Subsequently, single-factor experiments combined with the BBD response surface methodology were employed to optimize preparation parameters, establishing the ideal process conditions: drug-to-lipid ratio of 1:42, solid-to-liquid lipid ratio of 5.58:4.42, and Poloxamer 188 concentration of 1.20%. The optimized SIN-NLCs exhibited spherical particles with uniform dispersion and no agglomeration. The average particle size was 173.90 ± 1.97 nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.18 ± 0.01, a zeta potential of −22.65 ± 0.60 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of 91.27% ± 0.01. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed that SIN existed in an amorphous state and was successfully encapsulated within the lipid matrix. In vivo, SIN-NLCs significantly reduced paw swelling and arthritis scores in model rats, promoted synovial cell proliferation, and suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration. The intestinal perfusion study demonstrated that SIN-NLCs were primarily absorbed in the small intestine and markedly enhanced drug permeability. SIN-NLCs represent an effective delivery system to enhance the solubility and permeability of SIN. This study provides a novel strategy and methodology for the formulation of hydrophobic drugs, offering valuable insights for future pharmaceutical development. Full article

A series of clay–spinel nanocomposites reinforced by tungstophosphoric acid (TPA) were prepared and examined for the esterification of oleic acid. The type of spinel (ZnAl₂O₄ and CuAl₂O₄) and the weight ratio of clay-to-spinel were evaluated. The characterization results revealed that the clay–ZnAl₂O₄ nanocomposite formed better than the clay–CuAl₂O₄, with fewer other phases, such as ZnO or CuO. Moreover, clay–ZnAl₂O₄ showed higher pore volume and pore size, which led to higher conversion of oleic acid to biodiesel. The nanocomposite exhibited a good interaction between the spinel phase and clay, preventing the agglomeration of TPA. Assessing the weight ratio of clay-to-ZnAl₂O₄ (0.5, 1, and 1.5) showed that the same ratio of clay-to-spinel provided higher activity. It can be attributed to its rough surface, which facilitates vortex flow on the catalyst surface, its high pore volume (0.122 cc/g), and pore size (24.6 nm), enabling the diffusion of reactants and the egression of products, as well as its high acidic (453.9 μmol/g) and basic (731.6 μmol/g) properties. The clay–ZnAl₂O₄(1)–TPA with the largest particle size in the range of 10–30 nm converted 81.9% of oleic acid under the conditions of 120 °C, a 12 molar ratio of methanol-to-oleic acid, 4 wt.% of catalyst, and 4 h of reaction time. Due to both acidic and basic properties, along with its good reusability, the clay–ZnAl₂O₄(1)–TPA nanocatalyst can be a suitable catalyst for industrial biodiesel production via esterification and transesterification reactions. Full article