Characterization of glucocerebrosides and the active metabolite 4,8-sphingadienine from Arisaema amurense and Pinellia ternata by NMR and CD spectroscopy and ESI-MS/CID-MS

Sphingolipid metabolites regulate cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In this study, glucocerebrosides (GluCer) from rhizomes of Arisaema amurense and Pinellia ternata were fully characterized using 1- and 2-dimensional nuclear magnetic spin resonance (NMR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and tandem collision-induced dissociation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/CID-MS). Three new acylated and seven known GluCer were elucidated with 4,8-sphingadienine (4,8-SD, d18:2) as backbone. 4,8-SD is a metabolite after enzymatical hydrolysis of GluCer in the gut lumen. In this study, 4,8-SD was hydrolyzed from GluCer and chromatographically purified on silica gel. In contrast to the GluCer, 4,8-SD showed cytotoxic effects in the WST-1 assay. GluCer with 4,8-SD as sphingoid backbone are present in plants consumed as food, such as spinach, soy, and eggplant.     

Analysis and comparison of glucocerebroside species from three edible sea cucumbers using liquid chromatography-ion trap-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Sphingolipids constitute a highly diverse and complex class of molecules and exhibit important physiological functions. Glucocerebrosides are anticipated to play a positive role in human nutrition. In this study, complicated glucocerebrosides from three specimens of edible sea cucumbers, specifically, Acaudina molpadioides, Cucumaria frondosa, and Apostichopus japonicus, were rapidly identified using liquid chromatography-ion trap-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LCMS-IT-TOF), which is a powerful analysis tool. [M + H](+), [M + Na](+), and [M + H - H(2)O](+) in positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode were used for MS/MS analysis to obtain product ion spectra. Various long-chain bases of glucocerebrosides were found in these sea cucumbers. Two of the most common long-chain bases were 2-amino-1,3-dihydroxy-4-heptadecene (d17:1) and 4,8-sphingadienine (d18:2), which were acylated to form saturated and monounsaturated nonhydroxy and monohydroxy fatty acids with 18-25 carbon atoms. The glucocerebroside molecular species were the most complicated in the sea cucumber C. frondosa and were the simplest in the sea cucumber A. molpadioides.     

Stearidonic acid soybean oil enriched with palmitic acid at the sn-2 position by enzymatic interesterification for use as human milk fat analogues

Stearidonic acid (SDA, C18:4n-3) enriched soybean oil may be added to the diet to increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs). Human milk fat has ≥60% of palmitic acid (PA), by weight, esterified at the sn-2 position to improve absorption of fat and calcium in infants. Enzymatic interesterification of SDA soybean oil and tripalmitin produced structured lipids (SLs) enriched with PA at the sn-2 position of the triacylglycerol. Reactions were catalyzed by Novozym 435 or Lipozyme TL IM under various conditions of time, temperature, and substrate mole ratio. Response surface methodology was used to design the experiments. Model optimization conditions were predicted to be 1:2 substrate mole ratio at 50 °C for 18 h with 10% (by weight) Lipozyme TL IM resulting in 6.82 ± 1.87% total SDA and 67.19 ± 9.59% PA at sn-2; 1:2 substrate mole ratio at 50 °C for 15.6 h resulting in 8.01 ± 2.41% total SDA and 64.43 ± 13.69% PA at sn-2 with 10% (by weight) Novozym 435 as the biocatalyst. The SLs may be useful as human milk fat analogues for infant formula formulation with health benefits of the omega-3 FAs.     

Relevance of isotopic and molecular biomarkers for the authentication of milk according to production zone and type of feeding of the cow

The first objective of the present paper was to assess the potential of both isotopic ( (18)O/ (16)O in milk water) and molecular biomarkers (terpenes, fatty acids, carotenoids, and vitamins) and milk color to discriminate the production zone (lowland or upland areas) from which 49 tanker bulk milks were collected over one year from a total of 204 farms. The milk water (18)O enrichment was higher in lowland (<500 m altitude) than in upland (>700 m altitude), but the delta (18)O values failed to discriminate systematically the production zone at the scale of the year because of its high variability related to the sampling period. In contrast with vitamins A and E, carotenoids, and milk color measurements, terpenes and fatty acids were confirmed to be relevant tracers of the production zone. The milk compounds with the strongest discriminative potential were fatty acids, which were determined by high-resolution gas chromatography. The calculation of fatty acid ratios, which permits the limitation of using fatty acid relative quantity expressed in percentage of total fatty acids to be overcome, was shown to be particularly relevant in discriminating upland from lowland milk ratios. The selection of two pairs of ratios, namely, iso-C17:0/C18:3 n-3 and iso-C15:0/iso-C14:0, enabled the authentication of 100% of the highland versus lowland milks whatever the season. The second objective was to evaluate the relevance of fatty acid composition to discriminate milks according to the proportion of corn silage in the diets of dairy cows. The selection of two fatty acids ratios, namely, trans11 cis15-C18:2/trans11-C18:1 and cis9-C16:1/iso-C16:0, enabled the correct classification of 100% of the milk samples according to the proportion of corn silage in the basic fodder rations (<25% vs >30%). The relationship between the milk production zone and the type of forage fed to the cows is discussed.     

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of sphingomyelin species from calf brain, ox liver, egg yolk, and krill oil

In this study, molecular species of sphingomyelin (SM) in egg yolk, calf brain, ox liver, and krill oil were investigated. Classes of phospholipids (PLs) were purified, identified, and quantified by normal phase semipreparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with evaporative light scattering detectors (ELSD). For SM molecular species identification, pure SM collected through a flow splitter was loaded to HPLC-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS(2)), with 100% methanol containing 5 mM ammonium formate as mobile phase. In addition to classes of PLs, the used approach allowed the determination of profiles of SM species in egg yolk, ox liver, and calf brain, whereas krill oil turned out not to contain any SM. It also allowed the separation and identification of SM subclasses, as well as tentative identification of species with the same molecular mass, including isomers. The results showed that egg yolk contained the highest proportion of (d18:1-16:0)SM (94.1%). The major SM molecular species in ox liver were (d18:1-16:0)SM (25.5%), (d18:1-23:0)SM (19.7%), (d18:1-24:0)SM (13.2%), and (d18:1-22:0)SM (12.5%). Calf brain SM was rich in species such as (d18:1-18:0)SM (40.7%), (d18:1-24:1)SM (17.1%), and (d18:1-20:0)SM (10.8%).     

Fatty acid composition of traditional and novel forages

Managing the fatty acid composition of grazing ruminant diets could lead to meat and milk products that have higher conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentrations, but forage fatty acid dynamics must be more fully understood for a range of forages before grazing systems can be specified. The fatty acid profiles of 13 different forages, including grasses, legumes, and forbs, grown under greenhouse conditions, were determined. Three separate harvests, at 3-week intervals, were made of each plant material. alpha-Linolenic [C18:3, 7.0-38.4 mg g(-1) of dry matter (DM)], linoleic (C18:2, 2.0-10.3 mg g(-1) of DM), and palmitic (C16:0, 2.6-7.5 mg g(-1) of DM) acids were the most abundant fatty acids in all species at each harvest, together representing approximately 93% of the fatty acids present. Concentrations of fatty acids declined as plants developed, but the fractional contribution of each fatty acid to total fatty acids remained relatively stable over time. Grasses had a uniform composition across species with a mean of 66% of total fatty acids provided by C18:3, 13% by C18:2, and 14% by C16:0. The fractional contribution of C18:3 to total fatty acids was lower and more variable in forbs than in grasses. Intake of fatty acid by grazing ruminants would be affected by the forage species consumed.     

Lipase-catalyzed acidolysis of tripalmitin with hazelnut oil fatty acids and stearic acid to produce human milk fat substitutes

Structured lipids (SLs) containing palmitic, oleic, stearic, and linoleic acids, resembling human milk fat (HMF), were synthesized by enzymatic acidolysis reactions between tripalmitin, hazelnut oil fatty acids, and stearic acid. Commercially immobilized sn-1,3-specific lipase, Lipozyme RM IM, obtained from Rhizomucor miehei was used as the biocatalyst for the enzymatic acidolysis reactions. The effects of substrate molar ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the incorporation of stearic and oleic acids were investigated. The acidolysis reactions were performed by incubating 1:1.5:0.5, 1:3:0.75, 1:6:1, 1:9:1.25, and 1:12:1.5 substrate molar ratios of tripalmitin/hazelnut oil fatty acids/stearic acid in 3 mL of n-hexane at 55, 60, and 65 degrees C using 10% (total weight of substrates) of Lipozyme RM IM for 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. The fatty acid composition of reaction products was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). The fatty acids at the sn-2 position were identified after pancreatic lipase hydrolysis and GLC analysis. The results showed that the highest C18:1 incorporation (47.1%) and highest C18:1/C16:0 ratio were obtained at 65 degrees C and 24 h of incubation with the highest substrate molar ratio of 1:12:1.5. The highest incorporation of stearic acid was achieved at a 1:3:0.75 substrate molar ratio at 60 degrees C and 24 h. For both oleic and stearic acids, the incorporation level increased with reaction time. The SLs produced in this study have potential use in infant formulas.     

Application of ethyl esters and d3-methyl esters as internal standards for the gas chromatographic quantification of transesterified fatty acid methyl esters in food

Ethyl esters (FAEE) and trideuterium-labeled methyl esters (d3-FAME) of fatty acids were prepared and investigated regarding their suitability as internal standards (IS) for the determination of fatty acids as methyl esters (FAME). On CP-Sil 88, ethyl esters of odd-numbered fatty acids eluted approximately 0.5 min after the respective FAME, and only coelutions with minor FAME were observed. Depending on the problem, one or even many FAEE can be added as IS for the quantification of FAME by both GC-FID and GC-MS. By contrast, d3-FAME coeluted with FAME on the polar GC column, and the use of the former as IS requires application of GC-MS. In the SIM mode, m/z 77 and 90 are suggested for d3-methyl esters of saturated fatty acids, whereas m/z 88 and 101 are recommended for ethyl esters of saturated fatty acids. These m/z values give either no or very low response for FAME and can thus be used for the analysis of FAME in food by GC-MS in the SIM mode. Fatty acids in sunflower oil and mozzarella cheese were quantified using five saturated FAEE as IS. Gravimetric studies showed that the transesterification procedure could be carried out without of loss of fatty acids. GC-EI/MS full scan analysis was suitable for the quantitative determination of all unsaturated fatty acids in both food samples, whereas GC-EI/MS in the SIM mode was particularly valuable for quantifying minor fatty acids. The novel GC-EI/MS/SIM method using fatty acid ethyl esters as internal standards can be used to quantify individual fatty acids only, that is, without determination of all fatty acids (the common 100% method), although this is present. This was demonstrated by the exclusive quantification of selected fatty acids including methyl-branched fatty acids, erucic acid (18:1n-9trans), and polyunsaturated fatty acids in cod liver oil and goat's milk fat.     

Phospholipid, sphingolipid, and fatty acid compositions of the milk fat globule membrane are modified by diet

The phospholipid and sphingolipid composition of milk is of considerable interest regarding their nutritional and functional properties. The objective of this article was to determine the lipid composition of the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) of milk from cows fed a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The experiments were performed with 2 groups of 6 cows feeding on (i) maize silage ad libitum (+ grassland hay, mixture of cereals, soyabean meal) or (ii) the maize silage-based diet supplemented with extruded linseed (bringing a lipid proportion of 5% of dry matter). The phospholipid and sphingolipid composition of the MFGM was determined using HPLC/ELSD. The fatty acid (FA) composition of total lipids and phospholipids was determined using GC. As expected, the linseed-supplemented diet decreased the saturated FA and increased the unsaturated FA content in milk fat. MFGM in milk from cows fed the diet rich in polyunsaturated FA resulted in (i) a higher amount of phospholipids (+ 18%), which was related to a smaller size of milk fat globules (ii) an increase of 30% (w/w) of the concentration in sphingomyelin, (iii) a higher content in stearic acid (1.7-fold), unsaturated FA (1.36-fold), and C18:1 trans FA: 7.2 +/- 0.5% (3.7-fold). The MFGM contained a higher concentration of unsaturated FA (C18:1, C18:2, and C18:3) and very long-chain FA (C22:0, C23:0, C24:0, EPA, DHA) compared with total lipids extracted from milk. The technological, sensorial, and nutritional consequences of these changes in the lipid composition of the MFGM induced by dietary manipulation remain to be elucidated.     

Differential effects of powdered whole soy milk and its hydrolysate on antiobesity and antihyperlipidemic response to high-fat treatment in C57BL/6N mice

This study was performed to investigate the beneficial effects of powdered whole soy milk and its hydrolysate, compared to the processed soy milk and its hydrolysate, on the alteration of lipid metabolism and their possible effects on antiobesity in C57BL/6N mice fed a high-fat and -cholesterol diet. The mice were divided into a control group (20% casein) and four test groups for 5 weeks: soy milk (SM, 20% soy milk protein), soy milk hydrolysate (SMH, 20% hydrolyzed soy milk protein), whole soy milk (WSM, 20% whole soy milk protein), and whole soy milk hydrolysate (WSMH, 20% whole soy milk hydrolysate protein). The body weight and adipose tissue weights were significantly lowered in SMH, WSM, and WSMH groups compared to the control group despite providing an isoenergetic diet. Plasma lipid concentrations and hepatic fatty acid synthase (FAS) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities were significantly lowered in all soy milk groups; however, the hepatic lipid contents and malic enzyme (ME) activity were only significantly lowered in the WSM and WSMH groups, compared to the control group. Data suggest that powdered WSM or WSMH appears to be more beneficial than SM or SMH in overall antiobesity and antihyperlipidemic properties following in the order WSMH/WSM, SMH, SM, and casein.     

Lipase-catalyzed incorporation of different Fatty acids into tripalmitin-enriched triacylglycerols: effect of reaction parameters

Tripalmitin-enriched triacylglycerols were concentrated from palm stearin by acetone fractionation and as the substrate reacted with a mixture of equimolar quantities of fatty acids (C8:0-C18:3). The incorporation degree and acyl migration level of the fatty acids and acylglycerols composition were investigated, providing helpful information for the production of human milk fat substitutes. Higher incorporation degrees of the fatty acids were obtained with lipase PS IM, Lipozyme TL IM, and Lipozyme RM IM followed by porcine pancreatic lipase and Novozym 435-catalyzed acidolysis. During reactions catalyzed by Lipozyme TL IM, Lipozyme RM IM, and lipase PS IM, incorporation degrees of C12:0, C14:0, C18:1, and C18:2 were higher than those of other fatty acids at operated variables (molar ratio, temperature, and time), and the triacylglycerols content reached the highest (82.09%) via Lipozyme RM IM-catalyzed acidolysis. On the basis of significantly different levels of acyl migration to the sn-2 position, lipases were in the order of lipase PS IM < Lipozyme TL IM < Lipozyme RM IM.     

光对油菜胚中蛋白质和脂肪酸生物合成的影响

为探究光对油菜胚中蛋白质和脂肪酸生物合成中的影响,本研究于油菜开花后25 d(25 d)起,对油菜角果用锡箔进行遮光处理,分别收集遮光处理后3 d(28 d)和10 d(35 d)角果种子中的胚,以未遮光处理的油菜种子胚为对照。结果表明,与对照相比,经遮光处理的胚中叶绿素和蛋白质含量显著降低;脂肪酸组分发生明显变化,其中棕榈酸(C16:0)、硬脂酸(C18:0)和油酸(C18:1)含量显著增加,而不饱和脂肪酸中的亚油酸(C18:2)和亚麻酸(C18:3)含量却大幅下降。进一步将开花后25 d油菜胚在加入电子传递抑制剂DCC培养基中进行体外培养,发现胚中不饱和脂肪酸的生物合成以及叶绿素含量均受到ATP的调节。综上,油菜胚发育过程中光照可以影响质体中氨基酸和脂肪酸的生物合成,从而调控油菜营养物的积累。本研究揭示了质体光合作用在油菜种子油脂积累过程中的作用,为今后培育高含油量、高品质油菜品种提供了理论依据。     

不同牧场及饲养方式下阿拉善双峰驼乳脂肪酸特征及产地溯源研究

为研究距离较近的不同牧场及不同饲养方式下双峰驼乳脂肪酸特征,并建立产地溯源模型,本试验从内蒙古自治区阿拉善左旗采集5个牧场共139份双峰驼乳样品,用气相色谱法测定驼乳中脂肪酸含量,并利用脂肪酸指纹特征建立不同牧场及不同饲养方式下驼乳的溯源模型。结果表明,不同牧场及不同饲养方式下的驼乳中含量较高的脂肪酸为棕榈酸、油酸、硬脂酸及肉豆蔻酸。相比谷饲,草饲方式下驼乳的饱和脂肪酸(SFA):单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA):多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)比例(S:M:P为12:6:1)更接近联合国粮农组织(FAO)和世界卫生组织(WHO)建议的居民膳食S:M:P比例(1:1:1),更符合居民营养需求。建立的不同牧场及饲养方式下驼乳的溯源模型交叉验证准确率分别为82.7%及95.0%。此外,硬脂酸、棕榈油酸、木焦油酸、豆蔻油酸、二十碳五烯酸、二十二碳二烯酸、十七烷酸、亚油酸、花生酸、γ-亚麻酸、花生二烯酸、十五烷酸、反亚油酸、二十碳烯酸及二十一烷酸是鉴别牧场来源的关键重要性因子,二十碳五烯酸、二十碳烯酸、十五烷酸、木焦油酸、硬脂酸、棕榈油酸、十三烷酸、十五碳烯酸、十七碳烯酸、花生酸、二十一烷酸、豆蔻油酸及肉豆蔻酸是鉴别不同饲养方式的关键重要性因子。综上,脂肪酸指纹分析法可有效鉴别短距离的双峰驼乳来源,为双峰驼乳近距离的产地溯源及真实性鉴别提供了技术支持。     

Evaluation of fatty acid extraction methods for Thraustochytrium sp. ONC-T18

Various extraction methods were assessed in their capacity to extract fatty acids from a dried biomass of Thraustochytrium sp. ONC-T18. Direct saponification using KOH in ethanol or in hexane:ethanol was one of the most efficient techniques to extract lipids (697 mg g(-1)). The highest amount of fatty acids (714 mg g(-1)) was extracted using a miniaturized Bligh and Dyer extraction technique. The use of ultrasonics to break down cell walls while extracting with solvents (methanol:chloroform) also offered high extraction yields of fatty acids (609 mg g(-1)). Moreover, when the transesterification mixture used for a direct transesterification method was doubled, the extraction of fatty acids increased approximately 77% (from 392 to 696 mg g(-1)). This work showed that Thraustochytrium sp. ONC-T18 has the ability to produce over 700 mg g(-1) of lipids, including more than 165 mg g(-1) of docosahexaenoic acid, which makes this microorganism a potential candidate for the commercial production of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Finally, other lipids, such as myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, and oleic acids, were also produced and recovered in significant amounts (54, 196, 123, and 81 mg g(-1)), respectively.     

Differential characteristics of fatty acids in cheese from milk of various animal species by capillary gas chromatography

The kind of milk used in the manufacture of cheese has been identified by analysis of the fatty acids. The milk fat is extracted from the cheese and saponified. The methyl esters of the fatty acids are prepared and determined by capillary column gas chromatography. Seven major fatty acids are separated and quantitated, namely, C8:0, C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1. Many of the 21 simple ratios that can be formed from these 7 quantities are characteristic of the type of milk from which the fatty acids were obtained. The method allows the identification of cheese prepared with the milk of cows, buffalo, sheep, or goats. Substitution or adulteration of milk can also be detected.     

Mathematical method for the prediction of retention times of fatty acid methyl esters in temperature-programmed capillary gas chromatography

An accurate method for identification of fatty acids in complex mixtures analyzed by temperature-programmed capillary gas chromatography is described. The method is based on a mathematical approach using regression curves obtained by plotting the relative retention times of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) analyzed in isothermal and gradient temperature conditions. The method was applied to a complex biological sample (human milk), and it was possible to identify 64 fatty acids, including branched-chain and other fatty acids for which reference standards were not readily available. The identities of the majority of the peaks were confirmed by mass spectrometry. The relative residuals and the relative differences between estimated and measured relative retention times of individual FAMEs varied from 0.03 to 3.15% and from 0.0 to 2.9%, respectively. The method is useful for identification of fatty acids in routine analysis.     

Screening of the entire USDA castor germplasm collection for oil content and fatty acid composition for optimum biodiesel production

Castor has tremendous potential as a feedstock for biodiesel production. The oil content and fatty acid composition in castor seed are important factors determining the price for production and affecting the key fuel properties of biodiesel. There are 1033 available castor accessions collected or donated from 48 countries worldwide in the USDA germplasm collection. The entire castor collection was screened for oil content and fatty acid composition by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography (GC), respectively. Castor seeds on the average contain 48.2% oil with significant variability ranging from 37.2 to 60.6%. Methyl esters were prepared from castor seed by alkaline transmethylation. GC analysis of methyl esters confirmed that castor oil was composed primarily of eight fatty acids: 1.48% palmitic (C16:0), 1.58% stearic (C18:0), 4.41% oleic (C18:1), 6.42% linoleic (C18:2), 0.68% linolenic (C18:3), 0.45% gadoleic (C20:1), 84.51% ricinoleic (C18:1-1OH), and 0.47% dihydroxystearic (C18:0-2OH) acids. Significant variability in fatty acid composition was detected among castor accessions. Ricinoleic acid (RA) was positively correlated with dihydroxystearic acid (DHSA) but highly negatively correlated with the five other fatty acids except linolenic acid. The results for oil content and fatty acid composition obtained from this study will be useful for end-users to explore castor germplasm for biodiesel production.     

Determining milk isolated and conjugated trans-unsaturated fatty acids using fourier transform Raman spectroscopy

The feasibility of Raman spectroscopy in combination with partial least-squares (PLS) regression for the determination of individual or grouped trans-monounsaturated fatty acids (trans-MUFA) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) in milk fat is demonstrated using spectra obtained at two temperature conditions: room temperature and after freezing at -80 °C. The PLS results displayed capability for direct semiroutine quantification of several individual CLA (cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 C18:2) and trans-MUFA (trans-4-15 C18:1) in minor concentrations (below 1.0 g/100 g of milk fat). Calibration models were based on reference data cross-correlation or determined by specific scattering signals in the Raman spectra. Distinct bands for trans-MUFA (1674 cm(-1)) and CLA (1653 cm(-1)) from the trans isolated and cis,trans conjugated C ═ C bonds were identified, as well as original evidence for the temperature effect (new bands, peak shifts, and higher intensities) on the Raman spectra of fatty acid methyl ester and triacylglyceride standards, are supplied.     

Fatty acid profile of table olives and its multivariate characterization using unsupervised (PCA) and supervised (DA) chemometrics

The fatty acid composition of 67 commercial presentations of table olives was determined. The most abundant fatty acids, in decreasing order of presence, were C18:1, C16:0, C18:2 n-6, and C18:0. The ranges, expressed as grams of fatty acids per 100 g of edible portion, for the different nutritional fractions were as follows: saturated fatty acids, 2.07-5.99; monounsaturated fatty acids, 5.67-19.42; polyunsaturated fatty acids, 0.52-3.87; and trans-fatty acids, 0.08-0.44. Principal component analysis of the matrix of the fatty acid composition led to the deduction of new factors. The first accounted for 55.10% of the total variance and was mainly related to C16:10, C18:0, C20:0, C22:0, C24:0, C18:1, C18:1t, and C20:1. The second factor accounted for 10.33% of variance and was related to C16:1 and C18:2 n-6. They did not permit differentiation among elaboration types or cultivars. However, discriminant analysis was successfully applied for this objective. The fatty acids that most contributed to discriminate among elaboration styles were C17:1, C18:1, C16:0, C17:0, and C18:0 (function 1) and C17:0, C17:1, C20:0, C16:0, C18:1, and C24:0 (function 2). In the case of cultivars, they were C20:0, C18:1, C17:1, C18:2 n-6, C18:1t, and C18:2t (function 1); C18:2 n-6, C18:1, C16:0, C20:0, C18:0, and C18:2t (function 2); and C17:0, C18:3 n-3, and C17:1 (function 3). Results from this study have shown differences among the fatty acid composition and fat content of the diverse commercial presentations of table olives, which can be applied in predictive and classification discriminant analysis.     

Enhancing alpha-tocopherol and linoleic acid in ewe's milk by feeding emulsified sunflower oil and DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate in a chemically treated protein matrix

Chemically treated dietary supplements (CTDS) were prepared with defatted soy flour, sunflower oil, dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (TA), and 2,3-butanedione (a generally recognized as safe chemical), and the effects on alpha-tocopherol (VE) concentration and fatty acid profile in ewe's milk were estimated. Ewes fed control diet (CD) had the lowest levels of milk VE (0.66 microg/mL) and serum VE (1.59 microg/mL). Feeding ewes the CD plus 500 IU of TA increased milk and serum VE by 30 and 70%, respectively, compared to ewes fed the CD. The CTDS-fed ewes showed further increased milk and serum VE levels by 40 and 32%, respectively, over those in ewes fed the CD plus 500 IU of TA. Feeding ewes CTDS did not affect milk fat content (3.13%) but altered the fatty acid composition by decreasing the levels of hypercholesteremic fatty acids, while increasing the content of linoleic acid (8.5%). Inclusion of CTDS in ruminant diets might produce nutritionally enhanced milk products.