In vitro antioxidant study of vegetable oils containing conjugated linolenic acid isomers

Comparative study on chemical compositions and volatile profiles of seed oils from five common Cucurbitaceae species

The chemical compositions and volatile profiles of wax gourd seed oil (WGSO), watermelon seed oil (WSO), pumpkin seed oil (PSO), cucumber seed oil (CSO), and bitter gourd seed oil (BGSO) were comparatively explored for the first time. All oils complied with standards for physicochemical properties and BGSO had the highest phenolic content. Their mineral levels varied significantly. The fatty acid composition of WGSO, WSO, PSO, and CSO was similar, predominantly linoleic acid. Whereas BGSO exhibited a distinct fatty acid profile with 55.38 % α-eleostearic acid. All samples were rich in tocopherols and squalene, with WSO having the highest total tocopherol content and PSO having the highest squalene content. HS-GC-IMS and HS-SPME-GC-MS detected 118 and 67 VOCs, respectively, primarily consisting of aliphatic aldehydes, alcohols, esters, and ketones. Principal component analysis confirmed that BGSO had the most distinctive volatile characteristics, while the other four seed oils shared similar VOC profiles.

Recent advances in the development of bitter gourd seed oil: from chemical composition to potential applications

Non-conventional seed oils are being considered novelty foods due to the unique properties of their chemical constituents. Numerous such seed oils serve as nutritional and functional supplements, making them a point of interest for scholars. Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) seed oil (BGSO) has been widely used in folk medicine worldwide for the treatment of different pathologies, such as diabetes, cancer, and several inflammatory diseases. Therefore, its nutritional and medicinal value has been extensively studied. Considering the potential use of BGSO, it is imperative to have a comprehensive understanding of this product to develop and use its biologically active ingredients in innovative food and pharmaceutical products. An extensive understanding of BGSO would also help improve the economic feasibility of the bitter gourd seed processing industry and help prevent environmental pollution associated with the raw waste produced during the processing of bitter gourd seeds. This review addresses the potential uses of BGSO in terms of food and pharmaceuticals industry perspectives and comprehensively summarizes the oil extraction process, chemical composition, biological activity, and the application prospects of BGSO in clinical medicine.

Jacaranda oil administration improves serum biomarkers and bioavailability of bioactive conjugated fatty acids, and alters fatty acid profile of mice tissues

Jacaric acid, a conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) present in jacaranda oil (JO), is considered a potent anticarcinogenic agent. Several studies have focused on its biological effects, but the metabolism once consumed is not clear yet. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of two different daily doses of JO on serum parameters and fatty acid (FA) profile of mice tissues after 4 weeks of feeding. No significant changes on body weight gain, food intake, or tissue weight were determined after 0.7 or 2 ml/kg of JO supplementation compared to control animals. Significantly lower blood low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (20 mg/dl) and glucose (~147-148 mg/dl) levels were detected in both oil-treated groups compared to control (31.2 and 165 mg/dl, respectively). Moreover, jacaric acid was partially converted into cis9, trans11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and thus further incorporated into tissues. Liver evidenced the highest total conjugated fatty acid content (1.1%-2.2%), followed by epididymal (0.7%-1.9%) and mesenteric (1.4%-1.8%) fat. Lower saturated and higher unsaturated fatty acid content was detected in both oil-treated groups compared to control. Our results support the safety of JO and its potential application with a functional or nutraceutical propose, by increasing human CLNA consumption and further availability of CLA.

Structural Characterization of Unusual Fatty Acid Methyl Esters with Double and Triple Bonds Using HPLC/APCI-MS2 with Acetonitrile In-Source Derivatization

Double and triple bonds have significant effects on the biological activities of lipids. Determining multiple bond positions in their molecules by mass spectrometry usually requires chemical derivatization. This work presents an HPLC/MS method for pinpointing the double and triple bonds in fatty acids. Fatty acid methyl esters were separated by reversed-phase HPLC with an acetonitrile mobile phase. In the APCI source, acetonitrile formed reactive species, which added to double and triple bonds to form [M + C₃H₅N]^+• ions. Their collisional activation in an ion trap provided fragments helpful in localizing the multiple bond positions. This approach was applied to fatty acids with isolated, cumulated, and conjugated double bonds and triple bonds. The fatty acids were isolated from the fat body of early-nesting bumblebee Bombus pratorum and seeds or seed oils of Punicum granatum, Marrubium vulgare, and Santalum album. Using the method, the presence of the known fatty acids was confirmed, and new ones were discovered.

Enhancement of physicochemical and encapsulation stability of O1/W/O2 multiple nanoemulsions loaded with coenzyme Q10 or conjugated linoleic acid by incorporating polyphenolic extract

Multiple O1/W/O2 nanoemulsions and O1/W nanoemulsions fortified with CLA or CoQ10 were produced using extra virgin olive or olive pomace oil and were also incorporated with polyphenols extracted from olive kernel to enhance their kinetic and chemical stability. They were prepared using a high-speed ultrasonic homogenizer. Specifically, nanoemulsions with 6 wt% lipid phase and 6 wt% non-ionic emulsifier (Tween 40) were produced and they demonstrated a droplet diameter >200 nm and high encapsulation stability during 30 days of storage at 4 °C or 25 °C. The incorporation of CLA or CoQ10 and polyphenolic compounds facilitated the homogenization of emulsions, reducing the droplet size and enhancing their chemical stability, and their bioactive retention values were >79%. O1/W/O2 nanoemulsions were produced using a mixture of non-ionic emulsifiers (Span 20 and Tween 40) and the O1/W enriched nanoemulsion as the dispersed phase. All multiple emulsions showed a bimodal droplet size distribution and Newtonian behavior while polyphenols facilitated their homogenization. Both vegetable oils resulted in samples with high kinetic and chemical stability; the bioactive retention values were found to be >80% at the end of 30 days of storage at 4 °C or 25 °C. Extra virgin olive oil resulted in more stable nanoemulsions in regards to kinetic and chemical stability at 4 °C, showing limited creaming and sedimentation boundary. Multiple nanoemulsions with the lowest initial droplet size presented the lowest droplet diameter growth and phase separation and the highest retention values. By comparing O1/W nanoemulsions and O1/W/O2 nanoemulsions, we noted that the reduction in the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity during storage was higher in the O1/W type. However, both delivery systems protected CLA and CoQ10 presenting high retention during storage. FTIR spectra before and after ultrasonic homogenization indicated that the sonication process did not significantly affect the lipid phase of O1/W/O2 nanoemulsions.

Characteristics, composition, and antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino seed oil

BACKGROUND

In order to further develop and utilise Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino seeds, a detailed analysis of the characteristics of G. pentaphyllum seed oil (GPSO), including its physico-chemical parameters, fatty acid composition and unsaponifiable matter constituents, has been investigated in this study. The antioxidant potential of GPSO was evaluated by radical-scavenging activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay in vitro, and the antioxidant activity in vivo was examined by using an aged mice model.

RESULTS

The main components of the seeds are lipids (485.54 g kg^-1 ) and proteins (203.26 g kg^-1 ). The GPSO obtained by supercritical CO₂ fluid extraction was rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (92.85%), especially conjugated linolenic acid (88.17%); and various useful compounds (squalene, tocopherol and phytosterols) were identified in the unsaponifiable matter. The overall antioxidant capacity of GPSO in vitro was shown to be comparable to that of Camellia seed oil as a positive control. GPSO could provide protection to the aged mice against oxidative stress and minimised the impact of ageing.

CONCLUSION

All the results suggest that GPSO has direct and potent antioxidant activities; it could be utilised as a functional food to supplement or replace some conventional oils. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Health Benefits of Punicic Acid: A Review

Punicic acid (PA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (18:3 n-5), which is classified as a conjugated linolenic acid. PA is also referred as a "super CLnA" whose effect is even more potent than that of an ordinary CLnA. It is found mainly in the seeds of pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum) and Trichoxanthes kirilowii and some other minor sources. It possesses a wide array of biological properties including antidiabetic, antiobesity, antiproliferative, and anticarcinogenic activity against various forms of cancer. In spite of this, PA has not been explored as a nutraceutical or as an ingredient of food products which can be aimed at specific consumer target groups. This review details the various health-beneficial properties of PA and explores the possibilities of its utilization as an active ingredient in various food products.

Conjugated linolenic acids and their bioactivities: a review

Conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) is a mixture of positional and geometric isomers of octadecatrienoic acid (α-linolenic acid, cis9,cis12,cis15-18:3 n-3) found in plant seeds. Three 8,10,12-18:3 isomers and four 9,11,13-18:3 isomers have been reported to occur naturally. CLNA isomers such as punicic acid, α-eleostearic acid and jacaric acid have been attributed to exhibit several health benefits that are largely based on animal and in vitro studies. This review has summarized and updated the evidence regarding the metabolism and bioactivities of CLNA isomers, and comprehensively discussed the recent studies on the effects of anti-carcinogenic, lipid metabolism regulation, anti-inflammatory, anti-obese and antioxidant activities of CLNA isomers. The available results may provide a potential application for CLNA isomers from natural sources, especially edible plant seeds, as effective functional food ingredients and dietary supplements for the above mentioned disease management. Further research, especially human randomized clinical trials, is warranted to investigate the detailed physiological effects, bioactivity and molecular mechanism of CLNA.

Protective effect of conjugated linolenic acid isomers present in vegetable oils against arsenite-induced renal toxicity in rat model

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA), present in vegetable oils against arsenite-induced renal oxidative stress.

METHODS

Albino rats were divided into six groups. Group 1 was control and group 2 was treated with sodium arsenite (Sa; 10 mg/kg BW). Rats in groups 3 and 4 were treated with mixture of α-eleostearic acid and punicic acid (1:1) (0.5% and 1.0%, respectively), whereas rats in the groups 5 and 6 were treated with 0.5% of α-eleostearic acid and 0.5% of punicic acid, respectively, along with Sa by oral gavage once daily.

RESULTS

Results revealed that activity of antioxidant enzymes and total reduced glutathione content, total protein content, and phospholipid content in kidney were decreased significantly in arsenite-treated group compared with control. Activity of nitric oxide synthase, peroxidation of lipid, protein oxidation, total cholesterol content, total lipid content of kidney, and plasma creatinine level were increased significantly (P < 0.05) in arsenite-treated rats compared with control. Fatty-acid composition of renal lipids showed significant decrease in monounsaturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content, and increase in saturated fatty acid content due to oxidative stress. PUFA such as γ-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid decreased significantly with significant (P < 0.05) increase in arachidonic acid content after Sa treatment. Administration of blended product of both the isomers caused better restoration of renal fatty acids and other altered parameters.

CONCLUSION

CLnA isomers caused amelioration of renal oxidative stress and the isomers showed synergistic activity.