Search Results (2,239)

The influence of altitude on the chemical composition of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) remains incompletely characterized despite its critical importance for geographical authentication and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certification. This study investigated the altitude-driven effects on the fatty acid and triacylglycerol (TAG) profiles of 25 EVOO samples collected across 21 distinct altitudes ranging from 450 to 1045 m above sea level in a mountainous olive-growing region. Chromatographic analyses (GC-FID and HPLC-RID) quantified 37 lipid parameters including 13 individual fatty acids and 24 TAG species. Correlation analysis revealed that higher altitudes were significantly associated with decreased saturated fatty acid (SFA) content (r = −0.417, p = 0.038), increased monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content (r = 0.401, p = 0.047), and an elevated MUFA/polyunsaturated (PUFA) ratio (from 16.3 at 450 m to 22.7 at 1045 m). Palmitoleic acid (C16:1; r = −0.695, p < 0.001) and oleic acid (C18:1; r = 0.434, p = 0.030) exhibited the strongest individual correlations with altitude. Among the TAGs, OOO+PoPP (1,2,3-trioleoylglycerol and 1-palmitoleoyl-2,3-dipalmitoylglycerol; co-eluting fraction) increased with altitude (r = 0.469, p = 0.018), whereas polyunsaturated TAG species decreased significantly. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) achieved a classification accuracy of 96.0% (24/25 samples correctly classified), with the first two discriminant functions explaining 91.1% of the between-class variance. These findings demonstrate that altitude exerts a systematic and quantifiable effect on EVOO lipid composition, providing an analytical framework for geographical authentication, PDO verification, and quality differentiation of mountain-origin olive oils. Full article

Background: Mammalian arachidonic acid lipoxygenases (ALOXs) are non-heme iron-containing enzymes that oxygenate polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with at least two isolated double bonds to hydroperoxy derivatives. The patho-physiological roles of these enzymes in inflammatory, hyperproliferative, and neurological diseases have made them promising targets for pharmacological interventions. Unfortunately, the expression levels of ALOX isoforms in mammalian cells are very low, which makes functional characterization of native enzymes and the development of isoform-specific inhibitors challenging. Methods: Here, we developed a unifying experimental protocol for fed-batch fermentation of mammalian ALOX isoforms in a bioreactor, followed by purification of the recombinant proteins and their functional characterization. Results: Our methodological protocol allowed the preparation of mg amounts of catalytically active human ALOX15, mouse Alox15 and human ALOX15B. The purified proteins are suitable for high-throughput inhibitor screening assays but can also be used as antigens for the preparation of isoform-specific antibodies and for direct structural analyses. Antibodies cross-reacting with human ALOX15 and ALOX15B have been detected in the blood of patients suffering from colorectal cancer. Conclusions: Our functional ALOX data stresses the catalytic differences between mouse and human ALOX15 orthologs, and these catalytic peculiarities need to be considered when the results of mechanistic studies obtained in mouse models of human diseases are transferred to the human situation. Full article

The study aimed to investigate the effect of the inclusion of Tenebrio molitor meal (TM) in the diet of layer hens on the quality characteristics of eggs and their fatty acid profile. A total of 90 layers (age 33 weeks) were involved in the trial. They were allocated to 5 dietary groups, each consisting of 6 replicate cages with 3 layers per cage. The layers were fed a basal diet (C) and diets including TM in amounts of 1% (T1), 2% (T2), 3% (T3), and 4% (T4) for a period of 10 weeks. The dietary incorporation of TM was associated with decreased weight of the eggs (p < 0.0001), albumen (p < 0.0001), yolk (p = 0.0008), and shell (p < 0.0001) as well as decreased shell thickness (p < 0.0001), corresponding to the deteriorated performance indicators. Additionally, the yolks of the hens receiving TM had a darker colour (p < 0.0001). The diets containing the insect meal led to significant decrease in the saturated (SFA) (p = 0.0019) and increase in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (p < 0.0001) in the yolks. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) declined in the groups fed TM (p = 0.0028), particularly T3 and T4. This was, however, compensated by the favourably lower peroxidability (PI) (p = 0.0137), atherogenic (AI) (p = 0.0111) and thrombogenic (TI) (p = 0.0070) index and raised ratio between hypo- and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (h/H) (p = 0.0039). 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

This study investigates the antioxidant efficacy and selectivity of a quercetagetin-rich extract (QG, 89% purity) from Tagetes erecta in soybean oil under accelerated storage conditions (65 °C, 56 days). Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) fatty acid profiling, Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) volatile analysis, and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) chemometrics, QG at 200 ppm was compared against a solvent control and propyl gallate (PG). QG preserved polyunsaturated fatty acids 5.2-fold more effectively than the control (p < 0.01), though it was less effective than PG in terms of overall Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) preservation. OPLS-DA-VIP analysis identified hexanal, hexanoic acid, and (E)-2-nonenal as preferentially suppressed volatiles (inhibition rates: 74.2%, 100%, and 81.2%, respectively), exceeding the average total volatile reduction (65.7%). A quantitative Selectivity Index (SI) combined with kinetic analysis supported preferential—rather than non-selective—inhibition of specific oxidation endpoints. Structure–activity relationship analysis suggested that the selectivity of the QG-rich extract may be associated with the catechol B-ring and unique 6-hydroxyl substitution of quercetagetin, its major component. The extract’s purity corresponds to a registered feed additive (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MOA) No. 618, 2022), ensuring industrial applicability. These findings establish the quercetagetin-rich extract as a promising selective natural antioxidant for PUFA-rich oils. Full article

This research examined how dietary bile acids (BAs) influence hepatic fatty acid composition and cecal microbial community of late-laying hens. A total of 1080 Hy-Line Brown hens, aged 76 weeks, were randomly divided into four groups, each receiving a basal diet with 0 (CON), 200 (BA200), 300 (BA300), or 500 (BA500) mg/kg BAs for 35 days. Results showed that hepatic stearic acid (C18:0) concentrations were significantly reduced in all BAs-supplemented groups (p < 0.05). The BA300 group exhibited a significant increase in oleic acid (C18:1n9c), total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), alongside a decreased n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the Chao1 index increased in all BAs-supplemented groups (p < 0.05), and the Simpson index was higher in BA300 (p < 0.05). LEfSe analysis indicated that the CON group had a higher abundance of opportunistic pathogens, while BA supplementation altered the cecal microbial composition. Notably, the BA300 group exhibited the most favorable microbial profile, characterized by enrichment of beneficial Enterococcus and improved microbial stability. In conclusion, supplementation with 300 mg/kg BAs most effectively improved hepatic fatty acid composition and cecal microbial diversity in late-laying hens, supporting its use as a nutritional strategy in the late laying phase. Full article

Introduction: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Given the significant adverse effects and inconsistent long-term efficacy of conventional immunosuppressive strategies, there is an unmet need for safer adjunctive therapies. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been proposed as potential candidates to address this therapeutic gap. Purpose: This narrative review summarizes the proposed mechanisms of action of omega-3 PUFAs in IgAN and critically evaluates the current clinical evidence regarding their therapeutic potential and limitations. Mechanisms: Emerging experimental data suggest that omega-3 PUFAs may modulate inflammatory and fibrotic pathways relevant to kidney injury. Proposed mechanisms include modulation of eicosanoid metabolism, attenuation of NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation, and generation of specialized pro-resolving mediators. In experimental studies, omega-3 PUFAs may also suppress nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-driven transcription and attenuate mesangial cell proliferation, IgA immune-complex deposition, and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)/Smad3-mediated fibrotic signaling. Clinical Evidence: Conclusions: Omega-3 PUFAs have biological plausibility as adjunctive therapy in IgAN, but their clinical benefit remains uncertain. Available randomized trials and meta-analyses suggest possible modest effects on proteinuria in some settings, whereas evidence for preservation of kidney function or prevention of kidney failure is inconsistent and of low certainty. Future well-designed trials incorporating guideline-directed background therapy and biomarker-guided patient selection are essential to determine optimal dosing, formulation, biological exposure, and whether any patient subgroups derive clinically meaningful benefit. Full article

This preliminary within-animal study focuses on the comprehensive characterization of pork jowl (PJ) by comparing it with pork belly (PB), Boston butt (BB), and spare ribs (SR) collected from the same ten castrated Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) pigs; headspace volatile analysis used a matched subset of six pigs. Instrumental quality, proximate composition, amino-acid and fatty-acid profiles, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) water distribution and headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) volatile profiles were evaluated. PB exhibited the lowest shear force, hardness, and chewiness. Across the four pork cuts, crude protein content ranged from 16.87% to 18.10%, whereas crude fat content ranged from 13.03% to 22.20%. BB had the lowest crude fat content (13.03%) and relatively high protein (18.10%) and amino-acid contents. PJ showed highest content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and the lowest numerical atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic indices (TI), but also the highest n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratio. LF-NMR showed that PJ had the highest T₂₃ and P23 values, consistent with its higher cooking and centrifugal losses. Sixty-five headspace volatile compounds were tentatively identified under the standardized 80 °C HS-SPME conditions. OPLS-DA differentiated the four cuts, and ten compounds meeting the combined criteria of VIP > 1, q < 0.05, and OAV > 1 were retained as candidate discriminant aroma-relevant compounds. Overall, the four cuts exhibited distinct quality profiles: PJ combined a MUFA-rich lipid fraction with greater free-water mobility and water loss, PB showed the greatest instrumental tenderness, BB had the lowest crude fat content and relatively high protein and amino-acid contents, and SR exhibited the greatest headspace volatile abundance. The data provide a reference for cut-specific utilization of pork raw materials. Full article

Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are associated with several health benefits, but their high susceptibility to lipid oxidation and low water dispersibility limit their incorporation into food products. In this study, an oil-in-water emulsion was developed from a commercial fish-oil concentrate containing 92% w/w total n-3 PUFA and 73% w/w docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), using octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA)-modified starch as the sole emulsifying carrier. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of oil content, ultrasound emulsification time and ultrasound amplitude on the volume-weighted mean droplet diameter, D[4,3]. The selected formulation, prepared with an oil content of 20% w/w relative to the total solids, an emulsification time of 180 s, and an ultrasound amplitude of 100%, exhibited a D[4,3] of 121 ± 1 nm. During storage at ambient temperature in darkness, the emulsion maintained low peroxide values, ranging from 1.2 to 1.4 meq O₂/kg oil, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values between 1.3 and 2.1 mmol/kg oil during the first 5 days, indicating that the formulation delayed lipid oxidation of the n-3 PUFA concentrate. The addition of α-tocopherol did not improve oxidative stability compared with the control emulsion. In contrast, ascorbic acid maintained low peroxide values and reduced TBARS accumulation during storage, with values lower than those of the control emulsion and close to the initial TBARS value of the n-3 PUFA concentrate. These results indicate that, under the conditions evaluated, ascorbic acid was more effective than α-tocopherol in delaying the formation of secondary lipid oxidation products. Full article

Endogenous bioactive lipids are complex signaling mediators actively involved in a plethora of pathophysiological processes, including energy homeostasis and fibrosis. Energy homeostasis is a stable internal state resulting from a dynamic balance between energy expenditure and storage. Dysregulated energy balance can contribute to fibrosis, exhibiting key metabolic effects on insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, lipid accumulation and metabolism, as well as on energy expenditure, ultimately leading to metabolic disorders. In this context, three major classes of endogenous lipid mediators derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)—eicosanoids, specialized pro-resolving mediators, and endocannabinoids—represent a key signaling network involved in the regulation of energy metabolism. Hence, alterations in their metabolism and signaling are often associated with fibrosis and other related molecular changes. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the role of the above-mentioned lipid classes in energy homeostasis and fibrosis by reviewing the available literature spanning nearly four decades, with a primary focus on studies published over the past 20 years. Full article

Krill oil (KO) is a marine-derived nutritional ingredient distinguished by its unique structural composition and increasing relevance in human nutrition, particularly in the context of healthy aging and preservation of intrinsic capacity. Approximately 30–65% of its fatty acids are esterified to phospholipids, a molecular configuration associated with enhanced bioavailability and efficient tissue incorporation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, even at relatively low doses. Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) originates from minimally impacted marine ecosystems, contributing to a favorable safety profile characterized by inherently low levels of environmental contaminants, including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. Beyond its structural and safety attributes, KO provides a complex nutrient matrix comprising approximately 25% total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including ~14% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and ~6.5% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), together with choline and astaxanthin. This compositional synergy may modulate inflammatory pathways, redox balance, membrane dynamics, and cellular signaling, thereby influencing physiological systems implicated in aging biology. This narrative review critically examines how these distinctive characteristics translate into clinically relevant outcomes supporting the multifunctional applications of KO in human nutrition. The analysis is structured within the framework of intrinsic capacity, encompassing locomotion, vitality, sensory, cognition and psychological dimensions, as a conceptual model for healthy aging. Considerations on bioavailability, tolerability, and sustainability are also discussed in the context of nutritional strategies promoting healthy longevity. Full article

For decades, industrial trans fatty acids (iTFAs) have remained a critical focus of the scientific community, the food industry, and regulatory authorities because of their well-established role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and chronic systemic inflammation. Rather than providing a descriptive overview, this review critically synthesizes current evidence on the elimination of industrial TFAs by integrating health, technological, regulatory, and sustainability perspectives into a comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis. The review outlines the biochemical characteristics and dietary sources of trans fatty acid isomers, highlighting the continuing scientific debate regarding the differential health effects of industrially produced and naturally occurring ruminant-derived TFAs. It also examines the evolution of scientific evidence that led to major regulatory actions by international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission, resulting in legally binding restrictions that have substantially reduced industrial TFA intake and improved public health. Particular emphasis is placed on the critical assessment of current fat reformulation strategies, considering not only their technological functionality but also their nutritional quality, long-term metabolic implications, and contribution to sustainable food systems. Full hydrogenation, fractionation, chemical and enzymatic interesterification, and oleogelation are comparatively evaluated with respect to their advantages, limitations, and potential technological, nutritional, and environmental trade-offs. In addition, lipid microencapsulation is discussed as an emerging strategy for protecting oxidation-sensitive polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), thereby facilitating their incorporation into functional foods while maintaining nutritional quality. Unlike previous reviews that primarily focus on health outcomes or individual processing technologies, this review systematically integrates the sustainability dimensions of alternative fat modification approaches, including resource efficiency, energy consumption, clean label product development, and circular economy principles. Furthermore, it identifies current knowledge gaps related to the long-term metabolic safety, industrial scalability, and environmental performance of emerging lipid technologies. By combining these complementary perspectives, the review provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary synthesis that supports evidence-based fat reformulation and offers practical guidance for researchers, food manufacturers, and policy makers seeking to develop safer, nutritionally improved, technologically functional, and environmentally sustainable lipid systems. 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