Natural Sulfur Compounds, Allyl Isothiocyanate and Diallyl Disulfide, Promote Cis to Trans Isomerization of Fatty Acid Esters during Heat Treatment

The effects of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and diallyl disulfide (DADS), widely found in edible vegetables, on thermal isomerization of unsaturated fatty acid esters (oleic acid methyl ester [OA-ME], linoleic acid methyl ester [LA-ME], and eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester [EPA-EE]) were investigated. Although heating with AITC and DADS significantly promoted cis to trans isomerization of all fatty acid esters, the isomerization trends varied greatly depending on the type of fatty acid. Specifically, AITC promoted thermal isomerization of OA-ME and LA-ME more efficiently than DADS; however, an opposite result was obtained for EPA-EE. For example, when OA-ME was heated at 180°C for 1 h with 1.0 equivalent of AITC and DADS, its trans isomer ratios reached 29.0 ± 7.1 and 7.6 ± 0.6%, respectively, and when EPA-EE was heated under the same conditions, its trans isomer ratios reached 4.2 ± 0.4 and 8.6 ± 0.2%, respectively. These results indicate that isothiocyanates and polysulfides would promote the formation of trans fatty acids in food processing under heating conditions.

Treating sepsis with vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone: Exploring the quest for the magic elixir

The administration of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) alone or in combination with thiamine (vitamin B1) and corticosteroids (VCTS) has recently been hypothesized to improve hemodynamics, end-organ function, and may even increase survival in critically ill patients. There are several clinical studies that have investigated the use of vitamin C alone or VCTS in patients with sepsis and septic shock or are ongoing. Some of these studies have demonstrated its safety and potential benefit in septic patients. However, many questions remain regarding the optimal dosing regimens and plasma concentrations, timing of administration, and adverse effects of vitamin C and thiamine. These questions exist because the bulk of research regarding the efficacy of vitamin C alone or in combination with thiamine and corticosteroids in sepsis is limited to a few randomized controlled trials, retrospective before-and-after studies, and case reports. Thus, although the underlying rationale and mechanistic pathways of vitamin C and thiamine in sepsis have been well described, the clinical impact of the VCTS regimen is complex and remains to be determined. This review aims to explore the current evidence and potential benefits and adverse effects of the VCTS regimen for the treatment of sepsis.

Analysis of hydroxy triacylglycerol as a lactone precursor in milk fat using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Heating milk fat leads to lactone formation. Hydroxy fatty acids, esterified in triacylglycerol (TAG), are likely precursors of lactones in milk fat, but respective hydroxy TAG isomers have not been directly detected for several decades. In this study, we separated hydroxy TAG isomers-1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-(5-hydroxy decanoyl)-rac-glycerol (PP(C10-5OH)-TAG), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-(5-hydroxy dodecanoyl)-rac-glycerol (PP(C12-5OH)-TAG), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-(5-hydroxy tetradecanoyl)-rac-glycerol (PP(C14-5OH)-TAG), and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-(4-hydroxy dodecanoyl)-rac-glycerol-by using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) with an octacocyl silylation column. This method revealed the presence of PP(C10-5OH)-TAG, PP(C12-5OH)-TAG, and PP(C14-5OH)-TAG in butter oil, whereas no hydroxy TAG isomers were detected in heat-treated butter oil. Furthermore, a heating test of hydroxy TAG standards showed a decrease in hydroxy TAG levels and an increase in the corresponding lactone levels. These changes were stimulated by adding a small amount of water. This is the first reported analysis of respective hydroxy TAG isomers in milk fat using LC-ESI-MS/MS.

Simple Quantification of Lactones in Milk Fat by Solvent Extraction Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

The analysis of lactones as an indicator of milk quality is important in food manufacturing. However, the extraction of lactones requires sensitive conditions due to their volatility. In this study, the parameters for resolution of lactone standards were evaluated by gas chromatography-electron ionization/mass spectrometry (GC-EI/MS) to develop a rapid and simple method for the quantification and compositional analysis of lactones in edible fats, especially milk fat. Fourteen lactone standards consisting of 6-16 carbon atoms were analyzed and their correction factors (CFs) were obtained by using δ-undecalactone as an internal standard. The CFs of the lactone standards followed the same trend for δ-lactones and γ-lactones. Three volume equivalents of organic solvent per unit sample yielded the best recovery in the lactone analysis. Notably, 91-114% lactone recovery for the standards was achieved with methanol as the extractant. This method was also applicable to other fat samples, such as virgin coconut oil that is thought to contain large amounts of lactones. The recovery of lactones from virgin coconut oil was in the range of 87-104%, indicating that the developed method is also applicable to solid or semi-solid fat samples. The lactone content of butter oil, coconut oil, and butter samples was calculated by using the obtained CFs and the results were in good agreement with those of previous reports. Consequently, the GC-EI/MS method developed in this study is deemed applicable for the quantification of lactones in fat samples.

Cerebro-spinal lactate status in childhood pyogenic meningitis in Nigeria

This study was undertaken to ascertain the status of cerebrospinal (CSF) lactate level in Nigerian children with pyogenic meningitis. Forty patients aged from 1 month to 12 years with proven meningitis were the subjects in the study which lasted 8 months. All the patients who had pyogenic meningitis had mean cerebrospinal lactate level over 25 mg/dl. The patients who recovered with neurological deficit had higher level of cerebrospinal lactate than those who recovered without any neurological deficit, on admission and on-discharge, although the differences were not statistically significant. The patients who died had persistently high mean CSF lactate on admission and at death. The study suggests that persistently elevated CSF lactate in cases of pyogenic meningitis receiving adequate antibiotic therapy might indicate poor prognosis with increased mortality. It is not being suggested that CSF lactate determination should replace the conventional tests for meningitis. However, it can provide pertinent, rapid, and reliable diagnostic information, and can also provide useful evaluation information at different stages of treatment of proven meningitis with appropriate antibiotics.