Monocyclic saturated fatty acids formed from oleic acid in heated sunflower oils

Identification of cyclopropyl fatty acids in walnut (Juglans regia L.) oil

AIM

Identification of cyclopropyl fatty acids in walnut oil.

METHOD

GC/MS method was developed for the determination of eight cyclopropyl fatty acids in walnut (Juglans regia) oil.

RESULTS

Monocyclopropane acids: methyl 9-cyclopropyl-nonanoate, 6,7-methylene-, 8,9-methylene-, 9,10-methylene-, 11,12-methylene octadecanoates, and dicyclic acid - methyl 9,10,12,13-dimethylene octadecanoate, tricyclic acid - methyl 9,10,12,13,15,16-trimethylene octadecanoate, and unsaturated - methyl 2-octylcyclopropene-1-octanoate were detected in walnut oil by GC-MS and their mass spectra studied. Four cyclic fatty acids were identified for the fist time in seed oils.

CONCLUSIONS

Eight cyclopropyl fatty acids were detected in the Mediterranean nuts for the first time.

A laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry investigation into triacylglycerols oxidation during thermal stressing of edible oils

Laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI-TOF MS) was used to characterize olive and sunflower oils before and after thermally assisted oxidation in order to develop a rapid fingerprinting method for oil that contains unchanged and oxidized components. No matrix was used to assist laser desorption, and simplified mass spectra were obtained in the mass range of interest (m/z 500-1000), where triacyl- and diacylglycerol ions were observed. Sample preparation was reduced to dissolving oil in chloroform saturated with NaCl. Sodiated triacylglycerols (TAGs), their epoxy/hydroxy and hydroperoxy derivatives, as well as TAGs with shortened chain fatty acids (beta-scission products) were clearly observed in the spectra. LDI-TOF MS rapidly provides semiquantitative information about the oxidation level of edible oil, and thus represents a very useful quality control tool.

Isolation and structural analysis of the cyclic fatty acid monomers formed from eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids during fish oil deodorization

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) present in fish oils are thermolabile molecules. Among the degradation reactions encountered, thermal cyclization occurs during refining or other heat treatments. Numerous studies have been carried out in the past to quantify and determine the structures of cyclic fatty acid monomers (CFAMs) formed from oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids in heated vegetable oils. Recently, much attention have been given to LC-PUFAs due to their potential health benefits. However, data on quantification of CFAMs formed from these fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, cis-5, cis-8, cis-11, cis-14, cis-17 20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, cis-4, cis-7, cis-10, cis-13, cis-16, cis-19 22:6), the two main LC-PUFAs in fish oils, are scarce. In the present study, structural analyses of CFAMs formed from EPA and DHA during the deodorization of fish oil are presented. Fish oil sample was deodorized at 250 degrees C for 3 h under a pressure of 1.5 mbar in a laboratory deodorizer. The CFAMs formed during heat treatment of fish oil were isolated by a combination of saponification, esterification, urea fractionations and column chromatography. Structural analyses of C20- and C22-CFAMs were achieved by gas-chromatography electronic-ionization mass-spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) of their 4,4-dimethyloxazoline (DMOX) derivatives. We identified seven out of 13 possible structures of hydrogenated CFAMs formed from EPA, and nine out of 16 possible structures of CFAM formed from DHA. Major CFAMs from both EPA and DHA were cyclohexyl isomers. All possible cyclohexyl isomers were found but only nine out of 18 of the cyclopentyl isomers were present in concentration sufficient for identification. Chemical mechanisms involved in the formation of polyunsaturated LC-PUFAs have been investigated. The results have shown that general principle involved in the cyclization of LC-PUFAs is same as that for the thermal cyclization of oleic, linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids.

Cyclic fatty acid monomer formation in domestic frying of frozen foods in sunflower oil and high oleic acid sunflower oil without oil replenishment

During the frying process, oxidation, hydrolysis, polymerization, isomerization, and cyclization occur. Polymers and Cyclic fatty acid monomers (CFAM) are potentially toxic, and the latter are detected at relatively low levels (0.01-0.7%) in used frying oils. Twenty fryings of different frozen foods were carried out over 10 consecutive days in sunflower oil (SO) and in high oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSO). Fatty acid methyl ester derivates were hydrogenated with platinum oxide catalyst under hydrogen. Ethyl palmitate was added as an internal standard before hydrogenation. The CFAM obtained were isolated, concentrated and quantified by HPLC using a reverse-phase column followed by gas chromatography. Linear adjustments between total and individual CFAM content and the number of frying operations performed with both oils were established by analysis of variance. The comparison between linear equation adjustments of both oils was performed by a two-way analysis of covariance. After 20 fryings 15.4 +/- 0.06 g polar content/100 g oil, 7.15 +/- 0.08 g polymers/ oil, 11.52 +/- 0.08 g polymers/100g oil and 855 +/- 8.9 mg CFAM/kg oil were detected in SO. A 10 mg/100 mg oil of altered fatty acid content correspond to 700 mg/kg CFAM, while 25% polar material and 10% polymer content would correspond to about 850-1,000 mg CFAM/kg oil. Data suggest that frying with SO produces in each new frying 9 mg CFAM/kg more than frying with HOSO (p < 0.001). After frying cyclopentyl structures were more than twice as abundant as cyclohexyl fatty acids in both oils. Bicyclic compound formation was significantly higher in SO (p < 0.001). Because digestion and absorption of polar material, polymers and CFAM occur, data clearly show the advantageousness and advisability of frying with HOSO rather than SO.

Cyclic fatty acid monomers from heated oil modify the activities of lipid synthesizing and oxidizing enzymes in rat liver

Cyclic fatty acid monomers purified from a heated linseed oil were given for 2 wk to adult rats as triacylglycerol at two dose levels, i.e., 0.1 and 1 g/100 g diet, to determine their effect on some aspects of lipid metabolism. Indirect evidence of a peroxisome proliferator-like effect was observed, as determined by an elevation of some characteristic enzyme activities, such as peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase, and the microsomal omega- but also (omega-1)-laurate hydroxylase (CYP4A1 and CYP2E1, respectively). The dietary cyclic fatty acids induced a coordinated regulation between the activities of the lipogenic enzymes studied (Delta9-desaturase, phosphatidate phosphohydrolase) and peroxisomal oxidation, but not with mitochondrial beta-oxidation. The dose-dependent decrease of Delta9-desaturase activity (P < 0.05) with cyclic fatty acid monomer intake was accompanied by a similar decrease of the monounsaturated fatty acid level in liver. The increase in the gamma-linolenic acid level also suggested an increase in Delta6-desaturase activity with cyclic fatty acid intake (P < 0.05). In addition, our results strongly suggested that the altered liver levels of eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic acids were due to the peroxisomal retroconversion process in rats fed cyclic acids. Finally, an effect of these cyclic compounds on the carbohydrate metabolism cannot be disregarded because they decreased liver glycogen concentration. We conclude that cyclic fatty acid monomers affect different aspects of lipid metabolism, including a phenotypic peroxisome proliferator response. This provides the ground for further studies investigating the biochemical pathways that underlie the nutritional effect of such molecules.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods for structural analysis of fatty acids

Procedures for structural analysis of fatty acids are reviewed. The emphasis is on methods that involve gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and, in particular, the use of picolinyl ester and dimethyloxazoline derivatives. These should be considered as complementing each other, not simply as alternatives. However, additional derivatization procedures can be of value, including hydrogenation and deuteration, and preparation of dimethyl disulfide and 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione adducts. Sometimes complex mixtures must be separated into simpler fractions prior to analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Silver ion and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography are then of special value. In particular, a novel application of the latter technique, involving a base-deactivated stationary phase and acetonitrile as mobile phase, is described that is suited to the separation of fatty acids in the form of picolinyl ester and dimethyloxazoline derivatives, as well as methyl esters.