ALBERT

Description: Purpose Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria might be an inflammation trigger in adipose tissue. It has recently been proposed that there is a link between adipose tissue distribution and blood LPS. However, the number of studies on this topic is scarce, and further investigation in humans is required. In this study, we explored the association between plasma LPS concentrations and body fat distribution, as well as the biochemical parameters that may indicate the presence of metabolic disorders. Methods Sixty-seven young adult men with body mass index of 26–35 kg/m 2 were evaluated. Anthropometry, body composition and body fat distribution, blood pressure, energy expenditure, physical activity level, dietary intake, and biochemical parameters were assessed. Results Men with median plasma LPS ≥ 0.9 EU/mL presented higher sagittal abdominal diameter, trunk fat percentage, and android fat percentage, and mass, insulin and alanine aminotransferase concentrations, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and beta cell dysfunction (HOMA-B) than those with lower plasma LPS. LPS correlated positively with the trunk fat percentage, and android fat percentage, and mass, insulin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations, as well as HOMA-IR and HOMA-B. Conclusion Our results suggest that a higher plasma LPS concentration is associated with a less favorable phenotype as characterized by higher central adiposity, higher values of HOMA-IR, and beta cell function impairment in overweight/obese men.

Description: Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the musculoskeletal effects induced by ovariectomy-related fat mass deposition against the musculoskeletal effects caused by a high-fat diet. Methods A group of adult female rats was ovariectomized and fed a control diet. Two additional groups were sham-operated and fed a control or a high-fat diet for 19 weeks. Distal femur and serum bone parameters were measured to assess bone metabolism. Muscle protein metabolism, mitochondrial markers and triglyceride content were evaluated in tibialis anterior . Triglyceride content was evaluated in liver. Circulating inflammatory and metabolic markers were determined. Results The high-fat diet and ovariectomy led to similar increases in fat mass (+36.6–56.7 %; p  〈 0.05) but had different impacts on bone and muscle tissues and inflammatory markers. Consumption of the high-fat diet led to decreased bone formation (−38.4 %; p  〈 0.05), impaired muscle mitochondrial metabolism, muscle lipotoxicity and a 20.9 % increase in tibialis anterior protein synthesis rate ( p  〈 0.05). Ovariectomy was associated with higher bone turnover as bone formation increased +72.7 % ( p  〈 0.05) and bone resorption increased +76.4 % ( p  〈 0.05), leading to bone loss, a 17.9 % decrease in muscle protein synthesis rate ( p  〈 0.05) and liver lipotoxicity. Conclusions In female rats, high-fat diet and ovariectomy triggered similar gains in fat mass but had different impacts on bone and muscle metabolism. The ovariectomy-induced mechanisms affecting the musculoskeletal system are mainly caused by estrogen depletion, which surpasses the potential-independent effect of adiposity.

Description: In his offered opinion piece, (Dietary glycaemic load and cognitive performance in elderly subjects) Dr. Kawada comments upon the statistical analysis and suggests that the conclusions of the study should be interpreted with caution. Having closely examined these comments, we believe that they are over-stated and we draw different conclusions. At first viewing, the statistical arguments put forward by Dr. Kawada look complicated, but one may summarize that he believes the analysis lacked statistical power. This argument is directed towards two sets of regression analyses, a Poisson analysis on which one of the messages of the paper hinges, and a second logistic analysis that was acknowledged as statistically underpowered in our publication. No statistical argument is provided as to why the Poisson regression model is underpowered; the critique contains no new scientific content but relies on a technical re-iteration of the limitations of the study (that were highlighted in the original manuscript) combined with quasi philosophical arguments on data set size and the need for biochemical markers in observational dietary studies.

Description: Purpose Selenium is an essential trace mineral and a component of selenoproteins that are involved in the production of thyroid hormones and in regulating the immune response. We aimed to explore the effect of low-dose selenium supplementation on thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) concentration and thyroid function in pregnant women from a mild-to-moderate iodine-deficient population. Methods Samples and data were from a secondary analysis of Selenium in PRegnancy INTervention (SPRINT), a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study that recruited 230 women with singleton pregnancies from a UK antenatal clinic at 12 weeks of gestation. Women were randomized to receive 60 µg/day selenium or placebo until delivery. Serum thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured at 12, 20 and 35 weeks and thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab) at 12 weeks. Results 93.5 % of participants completed the study. Se supplementation had no more effect than placebo in decreasing TPO-Ab concentration or the prevalence of TPO-Ab positivity during the course of pregnancy. In women who were either TPO-Ab or Tg-Ab negative at baseline (Thy-Ab −ve ), TSH increased and FT4 decreased significantly throughout gestation ( P  〈 0.001), with no difference between treatment groups. In women who were Thy-Ab +ve at baseline, TSH tended to decrease and was lower than placebo at 35 weeks ( P  = 0.050). FT4 fell more on Se than placebo supplementation and was significantly lower at 35 weeks ( P  = 0.029). Conclusions Low-dose selenium supplementation in pregnant women with mild-to-moderate deficiency had no effect on TPO-Ab concentration, but tended to change thyroid function in Thy-Ab +ve women.

Description: Earlier findings on the nutritional benefits of diacylglycerols (DAGs) have attracted much attention on the synthesis of DAGs. In this study, we reported an improved method for the lipase-catalyzed synthesis of 1,3-diolein by the irreversible glycerolysis of vinyl oleate with glycerol. The effects of reaction system, lipase loading, molar ratio of vinyl oleate to glycerol, reaction temperature and time on 1,3-diolein content in crude reaction mixture were investigated. When the reaction was conducted in a solvent-free system at 30 °C for 8 h by reacting 2 mmol vinyl oleate with 1 mmol glycerol with 8 % (w/w, relative to total reactants) Lipozyme RM IM (Novozymes, Beijing, China) as catalyst, there were 90.5 ± 2.9 % (area/area) 1,3-diolein and (3.3 ± 0.3) % 1,2-diolein produced. After purification, 1,3-diolein was obtained at 81.4 % yield with 98.2 % purity. The lipase-catalyzed synthesis of 1,3-diolein using vinyl oleate as acyl donor by glycerolysis was also conducted using a medium with 50 mmol of glycerol and 100 mmol vinyl oleate. Compared to enzymatic esterification in a solvent, enzymatic glycerolysis for the synthesis 1,3-diolein is more effective due to the irreversible reaction, mild due to the low reaction temperature, and environmentally benign due to the use of solvent-free reaction system.

Description: Purpose Currently, obesity has become a worldwide health problem. Adipocyte differentiation is closely associated with the onset of obesity. Our previous studies suggested that persimmon tannin might be a potent anti-adipogenic dietary bioactive compound. However, the mechanism of persimmon tannin on adipocyte differentiation is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of persimmon tannin on adipogenic differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and the underlying mechanisms. Methods Adipogenic differentiation was induced by cocktail in the presence or absence of persimmon tannin. Intracellular lipid accumulation was determined by Oil red O staining and enzymatic colorimetric methods. Gene expression and protein levels were measured by real time RT-PCR and Western blot. Results Persimmon tannin inhibited intracellular lipid accumulation markedly, and the inhibitory effect was largely limited to the early stage of adipocyte differentiation. Persimmon tannin suppressed the expression of C/EBPα and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), significantly. Furthermore, genes related to lipogenesis, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, were down-regulated by persimmon tannin. In addition, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2), which is a target gene of PPARγ, was suppressed by persimmon tannin notably. Correspondingly, the expression of miR-27a and miR-27b were up-regulated by persimmon tannin from Day 2 to Day 8 significantly. Conclusion Persimmon tannin inhibited adipocyte differentiation through regulation of PPARγ, C/EBPα and miR-27 in early stage of adipogenesis.

Description: Canolol-enriched extracts obtained from the extraction of fluidized bed treated canola meal with supercritical carbon dioxide were added to high-oleic canola oil in different concentrations (200, 500 and 750 mg/kg). After 30 h of deep-fat frying, oils fortified with canolol-enriched extracts showed a two to three times better frying performance in comparison to the commonly used antioxidants (TBHQ, 200 mg/kg; rosemary extract, 40 and 200 mg/kg) and a control without antioxidants with regards to the formation of di- and polymer triacylglycerols, total polar compounds, secondary degradation products (anisidine value) and the iodine value. The canolol-enriched extracts were also able to slow down the degradation of α- and γ-tocopherol during frying resulting in significant amounts of tocopherols after 30 h of frying in comparison to the other oils. The influence of the canolol-enriched extracts indicated strongly concentration-dependent performance. With increasing concentration of the extract, the thermal stability of the fortified oil was improved. The only disadvantage of the addition of the extracts was an increase in the initial acid value, but within the frying time, only oil fortified with 750 mg canolol-enriched extract/kg reached the limit given in different countries.

Description: Purpose Evidence suggests that dietary patterns compatible with the traditional Mediterranean diet (MD) may protect against cognitive decline. We prospectively assessed whether adherence to MD in the Mediterranean country of Greece is inversely associated with cognitive decline in the elderly and whether any particular MD component may play a key role. Methods Elderly men and women ( N  = 401) residing in the greater Athens area had dietary variables ascertained in 1994–1999. Adherence to MD was represented by the MD score [MDS, 0–3 (low), 4–5 (intermediate), 6–9 (high)]. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was administered by trained professionals to individuals aged 65 years or older in 2004–2006 (first assessment) and re-administered in 2011–2012 (second assessment). MMSE change (cMMSE) was categorized as: improved/unchanged (cMMSE ≥ 0), mildly lower (cMMSE −1 to −4) or substantially lower (cMMSE ≤ −5). Associations were evaluated through multinomial logistic regression. Results Decline in MMSE performance was inversely associated with adherence to MD. For mild versus no decline, odds ratio (OR) comparing high to low MD adherence was 0.46 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.25–0.87, p  = 0.012]. For substantial versus no decline, OR comparing high to low MD adherence was 0.34 (95 % CI 0.13–0.89, p  = 0.025). Among the nine MDS components, only vegetable consumption exhibited a significant inverse association with cognitive decline. Conclusions Closer adherence to the traditional MD is highly likely to protect against cognitive decline in this elderly Mediterranean population. Higher vegetable consumption appears to play a key role, possibly in synergy with additional components of the diet.

Description: Cottonseed meal (CSM), a common agricultural by-product, was used as a nutrient source for the production of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) by Pythium irregulare . CSM can support good cell growth performance, as can yeast extract (YE). In terms of the maximum EPA content and EPA yield, CSM is superior to YE. Low concentrations of CSM are beneficial to lipid synthesis, and high concentrations favor the EPA content. Utilizing response surface methodology (RSM) analysis, the optimum contents of glucose and CSM in the fermentation medium were determined to be 40.2 and 16.1 g/l, respectively. After 6 days of fermentation at 25 °C and optimal conditions, the EPA yield and productivity were 245.3 and 40.9 mg/l day, respectively. Particle size of CSM was found to affect the EPA production, and a finely ground CSM (100 mesh) was determined to be best for EPA production. The variation in the fatty acid content of total fatty acid (TFA) indicates that EPA was synthesized through the n-6 route in P. irregulare and Δ12 desaturase was the key enzyme for EPA biosynthesis. Sodium carbonate was determined to be notably good at removing free gossypol attached to biomass. After fungal biomass from each flask had been harvested from Na 2 CO 3 -supplemented medium, 1 % (w/v) Na 2 CO 3 solution was used to wash the mycelia three times; free gossypol (FG) was not detected (detection limit 0.0018 %). This work provides a new approach using cottonseed meal to produce EPA through fungal fermentation.

Description: Steryl glucosides (SG) are common contaminants in biodiesel that form precipitates, which form and cause problems due to fouling during transport and storage. Therefore, their quantification is necessary to assess the quality of this fuel. The methods currently available for SG analysis require expensive instrumentation, need a previous concentration step by solid-phase extraction (SPE) or are of limited use for the quantitative assessment. We developed an enzymatic method for SG quantification in biodiesel samples based on the hydrolysis of the glucoside catalyzed by a broadly specific beta glucosidase and the subsequent determination of the glucose released by the reaction. The method is non-expensive, sensitive and was adapted to 96-well format fluorescence plate reader, making it useful for the parallel assay of multiple samples. The enzymatic assay presented here represent a valuable tool for both quality control and the development of improved biodiesel production and purification procedures.

Description: Di-hydroxylated soybean oil (DSO), a biobased polyol synthesized from epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) could be used to formulate resins for adhesives; however, current DSO synthesis requires harsh reaction conditions that significantly increase both cost and waste generation. In this paper, we investigate the kinetics of oxirane cleavage in ESO to DSO by water and elucidate the role of different process parameters in the reaction rate and optimization of reaction conditions. Our kinetic study showed that ESO oxirane cleavage was a first-order reaction and that the ESO oxirane cleavage rate was greatly influenced by tetrahydrofuran (THF)/ESO ratio, H 2 O/ESO ratio, catalyst content, and temperature. Optimized reaction parameters were THF/ESO of 0.5, H 2 O/ESO of 0.25, catalyst content of 1.5 %, and reaction time of 3 h at 25 °C. DSO with hydroxyl value of 242 mg KOH/g was obtained under these conditions. We also characterized the structure, thermal properties, adhesion performance, and viscoelasticity of UV-polymerized resins based on this DSO. The resin tape exhibited peel adhesion strength of 3.6 N/in., which is comparable to some commercial tapes measured under similar conditions.

Description:    The objective of this work was to synthesize a structured lipid (SL) enriched in stearidonic acid (SDA, C18:4 ω-3), from modified soybean oil (MSO) originally containing ~25% SDA. Low temperature crystallization (LTC) of MSO triacylglycerols (TAG) and free fatty acids (FFA) was performed. The TAG and FFA crystallization products (LTC-TAG and LTC-FFA, respectively) had SDA contents of 48.72 and 60.78%, respectively. Enzymatic acidolysis between MSO and LTC-FFA was studied utilizing Novozym 435 and Lipozyme TL IM as biocatalysts. Substrate molar ratio, incubation time, solvent, and enzyme load were explored. Equilibrium was reached at 96 and 48 h for Novozym 435 and Lipozyme TL IM-catalyzed reactions, respectively. The best conditions from these studies were also applied to the acidolysis of LTC-TAG and LTC-FFA. Utilizing Lipozyme TL IM and solvent free conditions, SLs with SDA contents of 37.61 ± 1.00% (20.86 ± 6.48% at sn -2 position) and 53.46 ± 1.85% SDA (36.37 ± 3.14% at sn -2 position) were obtained from the acidolysis reaction between MSO and LTC-FFA, and LTC-TAG and LTC-FFA, respectively. Compared to the original SDA content of MSO, this process leads to a 52 and 116% increase in SDA content, respectively. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2022-1 Authors Leslie Kleiner, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2610, USA Luis Vázquez, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2610, USA Casimir C. Akoh, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2610, USA Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Increasing oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, is reported to strike the best balance between cold flow properties and oxidative stability in soybean seed oil to enhance biodiesel and produce a better burning fuel. In addition, it is important that elevated oleic acid soybeans have the agronomic traits of local cultivars and maintain oleic acid stability across environments. Research was conducted in 2007–2008 to evaluate six Roundup Ready ® soybean recombinant inbred lines exhibiting enhanced levels of oleic acid. The six elevated oleic lines averaged a 55% increase in oleic acid and a 43% decrease in linolenic acid over the two commercial cultivars (AG3906 and AG4103). Some elevated oleic acid genotypes fulfilled the linear regression definition of a stable genotype. TN03-93RR was the best genotype because of its oleic acid content (397 g kg −1 ) and desirable regression estimates for stability. Iodine value (IV), peroxide value (PV), and induction period (IP) were used to evaluate the fuel properties of the two lines with the highest oleic acid content and the two commercial cultivars. The elevated oleic acid lines had significantly better IP, PV and IV for better biodiesel properties and oxidative stability than the two commercial cultivars. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2026-x Authors Benjamin D. Fallen, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2431 Joe Johnson Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA Katy Rainey, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, 915 W. State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA Carl E. Sams, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2431 Joe Johnson Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA Dean A. Kopsell, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2431 Joe Johnson Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA Vincent R. Pantalone, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2431 Joe Johnson Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    The aim of this study is to describe the physicochemical properties of Iranian virgin olive oil (Zard, Mari and Phishomi) cultivated in Roodbar, Gilan. There were statistically significant differences for most of the parameters ( P  〈 0.05). The acidity and peroxide value were in the limit established for classification as extra virgin olive oil. The oil of Zard had the highest amount of monounsaturated fatty acids followed by Mari and Phishomi oils. Mari oil proved to have the minimum value of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the highest amount of phenolic compounds and oxidative stability. The oil of Phishomi had the maximum amount of chlorophylls and carotenoids and therefore it had the highest color index. There were no significant differences between the cultivars regarding the refractive index (1.469 at 20 °C for all three cultivars). According to the high content of monounsaturated fatty acids, the lowest amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the highest amounts of phenolic compounds as well as the results of a Rancimat assay, it seems that the quality of the oil of Mari cultivar is better than Zard and Phishomi oils and is also more stable against oxidation. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2021-2 Authors Sepideh Haghighat Kharazi, Food Science and Technology Department, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, P.O. Box 578, Mazandaran, Iran Reza Esmaeilzadeh Kenari, Food Science and Technology Department, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, P.O. Box 578, Mazandaran, Iran Zeinab Raftani Amiri, Food Science and Technology Department, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, P.O. Box 578, Mazandaran, Iran Maryam Azizkhani, Department of Food Science and Technology, Khazar University, Mahmoudabad, Iran Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description: Erratum to: Quality Characteristics and Antioxidants of Mavrolia cv. Virgin Olive Oil Content Type Journal Article Category Erratum Pages 1-1 DOI 10.1007/s11746-011-1991-9 Authors Efstathios Anastasopoulos, Laboratory of Chemistry-Biochemistry-Physical Chemistry of Foods, Department of Science of Nutrition–Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece Nick Kalogeropoulos, Laboratory of Chemistry-Biochemistry-Physical Chemistry of Foods, Department of Science of Nutrition–Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece Andriana C. Kaliora, Laboratory of Chemistry-Biochemistry-Physical Chemistry of Foods, Department of Science of Nutrition–Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece Ageliki Falirea, Laboratory of Chemistry-Biochemistry-Physical Chemistry of Foods, Department of Science of Nutrition–Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece Vassilis N. Kamvissis, Analytical Laboratory Department, Minerva S.A. Edible Oils Enterprises, 165 Tatoiou and Odisseos Str, 14452, Metamorfosis Attica, Factory, 32009 Schimatari Viotias, Greece Nikolaos K. Andrikopoulos, Laboratory of Chemistry-Biochemistry-Physical Chemistry of Foods, Department of Science of Nutrition–Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    The aim of this study was to examine Peruvian anchovy oil fatty acid (FA) compositions, and to test the possibility of using the FA data to classify the oils according to geographical origin along the Peruvian coast. The levels of contaminants in a representative set of samples were determined to examine the general levels and investigate if such measurements could aid in future discrimination between oils. The FA results showed that the two known stocks of Peruvian anchovy displayed different levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) (southern stock; 14.4 ± 0.8% versus central-northern stock; 9.9 ± 1.2%). However, principal component analysis (PCA) of the FA data indicated clusters according to three regions; North, Center and South. Using a data set of 57 anchovy samples and 21 FA as input, a probabilistic neural network (PNN) was constructed. For the validation data sets, “North” oils was predicted accurately 100% of the time, “Center” oils 100% and “South” oils 83% of the time. The levels of contaminants in the oils determined were low in all but one sample. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2031-0 Authors Inger B. Standal, SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture, 7465 Trondheim, Norway José Rainuzzo, SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture, 7465 Trondheim, Norway David E. Axelson, MRi_Consulting, 8 Wilmot Street, Kingston, ON K7L 4V1, Canada Stig Valdersnes, National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), P.O. Box 2029, Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway Kåre Julshamn, National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), P.O. Box 2029, Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway Marit Aursand, MRi_Consulting, 8 Wilmot Street, Kingston, ON K7L 4V1, Canada Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    In this work, rapid and non-destructive methodology is proposed for screening of biodiesel/diesel blends with respect to the base oil, using near infrared spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis, since for both pure biodiesel and blends, the biodiesel/diesel are targets for tampering. Blends of diesel with cotton, sunflower and soybean oils were employed in this study. Two approaches were evaluated in the building of the classification model, using full-spectrum Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogy (SIMCA), and Principal Component Analysis–Linear Discriminant Analysis (PCA–LDA). The other approaches were the use of variable selection employing Genetic Algorithm (GA), Successive Projection Algorithm (SPA) and Stepwise all coupled with the LDA model. The results showed which preprocessed NIR spectra and chemometrics are a viable alternative the conventional methods that involve the consumption of large volumes of reagents. Multivariate data analysis methods using selected variables showed a better performance than the methods using a full spectrum. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2028-8 Authors Gildo W. B. Silva, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB 58429-500, Brazil Adriano A. Gomes, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, 58051-970 Brazil Priscila da Silva, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB 58429-500, Brazil Gean B. Costa, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB 58429-500, Brazil David Douglas Sousa Fernandes, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB 58429-500, Brazil Marcelo M. Fontes, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB 58429-500, Brazil Germano Veras, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB 58429-500, Brazil Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    An efficient solvent-free synthesis of a variety of highly pure 1,3- sn -diglycerides (1,3- sn -diacylglycerols) in a two-step one pot process is described. Heating glycerol carbonate (4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one) with fatty acid anhydrides 2a–d affords 1:1 mixtures of glycerol carbonate fatty esters 3a–3d and the corresponding fatty acids. Further heating the reaction mixtures in the presence of catalytic amounts of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) at 195–200 °C yields highly pure 1,3- sn -diglycerides 4a–4d . Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2165-0 Authors Mojgan Kargar, Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Alzahra University, Vanak, Tehran, Iran Rahim Hekmatshoar, Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Alzahra University, Vanak, Tehran, Iran Mehdi Ghandi, School of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran AbdolJalil Mostashari, Industrial Chemical R&D Organization, Tehran, Iran Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Pistacia terebinthus L. is an indigenous plant growing wild in the southern regions of Turkey. Its fruits are used in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics due to its high oil content (ca. 45 g/100 g). In the present study, it was found out that the kernel and the skin parts of the fruit differ significantly ( p  〈 0.05) both in terms of oil content and composition. Regardless of the geographical origin, the most abundant fatty acid was found to be monounsaturated oleic acid, 18:1n-9 whose content was in the range of 51.2–67.5 g/100 g. β-sitosterol is the predominant sterol in kernel and skin of the terebinthus fruits whose content was varying between 97.4 and 219.8 mg/100 g. Concerning different tocols (tocopherols and tocotrienols) detected in the kernel and skin, γ-T was the one with highest concentration (437.2 mg/kg) in kernels, while the most abundant one in skin parts was found to be α-T (348.7 mg/kg). In general the kernel of terebinthus fruits was more concentrated in PUFA, total sterol and tocopherols than skin, however, total tocotrienol content was higher in skin than kernel. On the basis of these findings it can be concluded that both kernel and skin are highly valuable in terms of bioactive compounds, whereas skin with a high amount saturated fatty acids is more suited to applications in cosmetic industry. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2168-x Authors Erdal Ertas, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Food Institute, P.O. Box 21, 41470 Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey Somer Bekiroglu, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Food Institute, P.O. Box 21, 41470 Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey Ibrahim Ozdemir, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Food Institute, P.O. Box 21, 41470 Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey Ilknur Demirtas, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Food Institute, P.O. Box 21, 41470 Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Effects of the alkyl chain length of rosmarinate alkyl esters on the oxidative stability in photosensitized oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions were determined by lipid hydroperoxides and headspace volatile analyses. Antioxidant capacities of 20 μM rosmarinate esters with alkyl chain length of 0, 4, 8, 12, 18, and 20 were tested in O/W emulsion containing stripped soybean oil, Tween 20 as an emulsifier, and riboflavin as a photosensitizer. Synergistic or antagonistic effects of 20 μM α-tocopherol in the presence of rosmarinate alkyl esters were also determined. Samples containing rosmarinate with 4 and 8 alkyl esters showed lower lipid hydroperoxides and headspace volatiles than those without rosmarinate and those with 0, 12, 18, and 20 alkyl esters, which indicates that phenolic free radical scavengers showed antioxidant capacities non-linearly in riboflavin photosensitized O/W emulsions. Antagonistic rather than synergistic effects were observed in all rosmarinate alkyl esters with α-tocopherol in current conditions although rosmarinates with 4, 8, and 12 alkyl esters showed better antioxidant capacities than those with other alkyl chain length. The results of this study clearly showed that rosmarinates need the proper length of non-polar groups to show optimum antioxidant capacities in O/W emulsions with Tween 20 as an emulsifier under riboflavin photosensitization. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2163-2 Authors Jae Hwan Lee, Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea Atikorn Panya, Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01002, USA Mickaël Laguerre, CIRAD, UMR IATE, Montpellier, 34398 France Christelle Bayrasy, CIRAD, UMR IATE, Montpellier, 34398 France Jérôme Lecomte, CIRAD, UMR IATE, Montpellier, 34398 France Pierre Villeneuve, CIRAD, UMR IATE, Montpellier, 34398 France Eric A. Decker, Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01002, USA Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Castor oil can be used in industry. The molecular species of triacylglycerols containing hydroxy fatty acids (FA) in castor oil have been identified. We report here the identification of twelve diacylglycerols (DAG) containing hydroxy FA in castor oil using positive ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of the lithium adducts. They were RR (diricinolein, R is ricinoleate), RL, RS, R-diOH18:0, R-diOH18:1, R-diOH18:2, R-triOH18:0, R-triOH18:1, R-triOH18:2, diOH18:0-diOH18:1, diOH18:1-diOH18:1 and diOH18:1-diOH18:2. The MS 2 fragment ions, [M + Li − FA] + and [FA + Li] + , from the lithium adducts of DAG containing hydroxy FA (one or two hydroxy FA), were used for the identification. The additional fragment ions from the neutral losses of FA lithium salts [M + Li − FALi] + were used for the identification of eleven DAG containing two normal FA in a soybean oil bioconversion product. The MS 2 fragment ions from the neutral losses of FA lithium salts [M + Li − FALi] + were not detected from the DAG containing hydroxy FA. The DAG containing FA with more hydroxyl groups than the other FA on the same DAG molecule tended to have a prominent fragment ion [FA + Li] + and an undetectable fragment ion [M + Li − FA] + while the FA was the more hydroxylated FA. Also the less hydroxylated FA of a DAG tended to have a prominent fragment ion [M + Li − FA] + and an undetectable fragment ion [FA + Li] + while the FA was the less hydroxylated FA. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2136-5 Authors Jiann-Tsyh Lin, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA Grace Q. Chen, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA Ching T. Hou, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, IL 61604, USA Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Quality characteristics of extra-virgin olive oils depend on several factors. In order to study the effects of genotype and growing location on olive oil quality, olives from cv. Coratina, Nocellara, Ogliarola, and Peranzana, picked in four locations of the Apulia region (Italy), were crushed by a three-phase system to produce mono-cultivar extra virgin olive oils that were analyzed for acidity, peroxide value, spectrophotometric indices, total phenolic content, phenolic profile and antioxidant activity. The experimental data concerning peroxide value, spectrophotometric indices, phenolic content and profile and antioxidant activity showed great variability among the cultivars grown in the same location and also among the oils produced with olives of the same cultivar but grown in different locations. For each cultivar, no significant differences were found among locations in terms of acidity and ΔK whereas peroxide value, K 232 , and K 270 differ significantly among locations for both Ogliarola and Peranzana cv. Concerning the phenolic content of Ogliarola cv., no differences were highlighted between the locations whereas the phenolic contents of Peranzana significantly changed as a function of the place of growing. On the basis of these results, the statistical multivariate analysis did not allow the classification into homogeneous groups neither of the oils belonging to the same cultivar nor of those obtained from olives picked in the same location. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2141-8 Authors Antonietta Baiano, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell’Ambiente, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy Carmela Terracone, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell’Ambiente, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy Ilaria Viggiani, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell’Ambiente, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy Matteo Alessandro Del Nobile, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell’Ambiente, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    This work evaluated the use of allyl fatty acid esters derived from vegetable oil (palmitic acid, soybean and sunflower oils) as reactive coalescing agents in a waterborne latex system. Allyl fatty acid derivatives (AFAD) from vegetable oils were synthesized by two different processes. The synthesis was monitored by IR-spectroscopy and the final product characterized by FT-IR, GC–MS, 1 H and 13 C NMR. The presence of conjugated double bonds in the aliphatic chain was confirmed, which is a determinant for the proposed autoxidative latexes drying mechanism. Each of the AFAD were subsequently added to a standard acrylic emulsion, in order to study its potential as reactive coalescing agent. The minimum film-forming temperature (MFT), glass transition temperature ( T g ), drying time and rubbing resistance to solvents were evaluated. The results showed that, when added to water-borne acrylic resins, an AFAD acts as a non-volatile plasticizer capable of autoxidative crosslinking with itself. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2114-y Authors Joana V. Barbosa, LEPAE, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal Fernanda Oliveira, CIN, Corporação Industrial do Norte, S.A., Estrada Nacional 13 (km 6), Apartado 1008, 4471-909 Maia, Portugal Jorge Moniz, Resiquímica, Resinas Químicas, S.A., Rua Francisco Lyon de Castro, 28, 2725-397 Mem Martins, Lisbon, Portugal Fernão D. Magalhães, LEPAE, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal Margarida M. S. M. Bastos, LEPAE, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    A selection of plant oils was catalytically transferred into 1,19-nonadecanedioate by a direct transesterification, isomerization and methoxycarbonylation under mild conditions using Pd/ o -C 6 H 4 (CH 2 P t Bu 2 ) 2 . Additionally, sulfuric acid was demonstrated as being able to substitute methane sulfonic acid as co-catalyst without any significant loss of activity and selectivity. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2143-6 Authors Guido Walther, Leibniz Institute for Catalysis at the University of Rostock (LIKAT), Albert-Einstein-Str. 29A, 18059 Rostock, Germany Andreas Martin, Leibniz Institute for Catalysis at the University of Rostock (LIKAT), Albert-Einstein-Str. 29A, 18059 Rostock, Germany Angela Köckritz, Leibniz Institute for Catalysis at the University of Rostock (LIKAT), Albert-Einstein-Str. 29A, 18059 Rostock, Germany Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Triolein was used as a model material to investigate the effect of concentration on self metathesis of vegetable oils. The metathesis reaction using Grubbs' second generation catalyst (used at a level of 2.5 mol % of triolein) was carried out at 38 °C using dichloromethane as the solvent. The products from three reaction concentrations were investigated: neat, 10 and 20 mmol/L. The products from the reactions were separated by column chromatography and the fractions were characterized by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, MS and FTIR. Mono-cyclic and multi-cyclic triacylglycerol-based compounds and different level aliphatic triacylglycerol-like oligomers were produced, but the compositions of the products were found to be significantly controlled by the reaction concentrations. Cyclic compounds were favorably produced at lower reaction concentrations, whereas, linear oligomers were favorably produced at higher reaction concentrations. Cyclic compounds were formed mainly from adjacent fatty acid chains on the glycerol backbone. In the neat reactions, only linear oligomers were produced. The trans / cis ratios increased as concentration was increased. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2106-y Authors Shaojun Li, Departments of Physics and Astronomy and Chemistry, Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada Leila Hojabri, Departments of Physics and Astronomy and Chemistry, Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada Suresh S. Narine, Departments of Physics and Astronomy and Chemistry, Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Omega-3 fatty acids, namely docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, have been linked to several beneficial health effects (i.e. mitigation effects of hypertension, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, depression, schizophrenia, asthma, macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.). The main source of omega-3 fatty acids is fish oil; lately however, fish oil market prices have increased significantly. This has prompted a significant amount of research on the use of single-cell oils as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Some of the microbes reported to produce edible oil that contains omega-3 fatty acids are from the genus Schizochytrium , Thraustochytrium and Ulkenia. An advantage of a single cell oil is that it usually contains a significant amount of natural antioxidants (i.e. carotenoids and tocopherols), which can protect omega-3 fatty acids from oxidation, hence making this oil less prone to oxidation than oils derived from plants and marine animals. Production yields of single cell oils and of omega-3 fatty acids vary with the microbe used, with the fermentative growing conditions, and extractive procedures employed to recover the oil. This paper presents an overview of recent advances, reported within the last 10 years, in the production of single cell oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Content Type Journal Article Category Review Article Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2154-3 Authors Roberto E. Armenta, Fermentation and Metabolic Engineering Group, Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited, 101 Research Drive, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4T6, Canada Mercia C. Valentine, Fermentation and Metabolic Engineering Group, Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited, 101 Research Drive, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4T6, Canada Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    This study examined the use of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO 2 ) in the extraction of triglycerides from de-shelled Aquilaria crassna seeds. A central composite response surface methodology was employed to evaluate the effects of pressure, temperature and solvent-to-solid ratio (SSR) on total yield (TY), concentration of triglycerides ( C TG ) and recovery of triglycerides ( R TG ). For this experimental design, pressures that ranged from 250 to 350 bar, temperatures that ranged from 313 to 333 K and SSR that ranged from 80 to 120 were investigated for the SC-CO 2 extractions of 15 g of powdered de-shelled A. crassna seeds at a CO 2 flow rate of 25 mL/min under the supercritical phase. The values of TY, C TG and R TG achieved were 36.89 %, 709.5 mg/g and 95.4 %, respectively, under the conditions of a pressure of 340 bar, a temperature of 333 K and an SSR of 115 obtained from the quadratic fitting models. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2147-2 Authors Chao-Rui Chen, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, No. 250, Kuokuang Road, Taichung, 40227 Taiwan, ROC Yang-Jung Cheng, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, No. 250, Kuokuang Road, Taichung, 40227 Taiwan, ROC Chwen-Jen Shieh, Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, No. 250, Kuokuang Road, Taichung, 40227 Taiwan, ROC Daina Hsiang, Department of Information Management, Taoyuan Innovation Institute of Technology, No. 414, Sec. 3, Jhongshan E. Road, Jhongli, 32091 Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC Chieh-Ming J. Chang, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, No. 250, Kuokuang Road, Taichung, 40227 Taiwan, ROC Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description: Objective   To evaluate the effects of 5 % weight loss, through diet only or diet plus exercise, on lipid profile, inflammation and endothelial function in obese individuals. Methods   In this randomized clinical trial, 48 obese individuals were randomized to either a diet only group (DI) or a diet and exercise group (DI + EXE). Treatment was maintained until 5 % of the initial body weight was lost. At baseline and upon completion, the following parameters were analyzed: total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and endothelial function (brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation—FMD). Results   Thirteen individuals dropped out before completing the weight loss intervention. The median time required for reduction of 5 % of initial body weight was 79.7 days for the DI group and 65.9 days for the DI + EXE group ( P  = 0.16). In both DI ( n  = 18) and DI + EXE ( n  = 17), total cholesterol (−15.8 ± 4.8 and −10.5 ± 4.9 mg/dL, respectively), triglycerides (−33.8 ± 10.0 and −39.4 ± 10.3 mg/dL, respectively) and hs-CRP (−1.35 ± 0.41 and −0.45 ± 0.43 mg/L, respectively) decreased significantly, and in a similar response (repeated measures ANOVA). Weight loss did not change significantly the fibrinogen and FMD in both groups. Conclusion   A 5 % weight loss improves lipid profile and reduces inflammation in obese individuals. Endothelial function did not change significantly. Weight loss has a significant impact on these cardiovascular risk factors, and this is independent of physical training. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0450-1 Authors Ana Paula Trussardi Fayh, Endocrine Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil André Luiz Lopes, Exercise Research Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Antônio Marcos Vargas da Silva, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil Álvaro Reischak-Oliveira, Exercise Research Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Rogério Friedman, Endocrine Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Aim   To investigate the effects of a neonatal low-protein diet on the number of macrophages in culture and the expression/production of proteins that regulate macrophage fusion in young and adult rats. Methods   Male Wistar rats ( n  = 18) were suckled by mothers fed diets containing 17 % protein (controls, C) or 8 % protein (undernourished, UN). All rats were fed a normal protein diet after weaning. Bronchoalveolar lavage was collected from 42-, 60- and 90-day-old rats. Alveolar macrophages were cultured for 4 days to assess the number of cells and the expression of cadherins, key proteins involved in macrophage fusion, by western blotting. IL-4 and IFN-γ levels in culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Results   Offspring from mothers fed a low-protein diet showed a lower body weight gain. The number of cells in cultured macrophages from UN was reduced at 42 and 60 days and increased at 90 days. IL-4 production was increased in the supernatants from UN group at 60 days but did not affect the expression of cadherins. IFN-γ production was increased in the supernatants from UN group at 42 and 60 days and reduced at 90 days. Conclusions   This study thus demonstrated that dietary restriction during lactation altered the number of alveolar macrophages in culture and the production of fusion proteins of offspring aged 42, 60 or 90 days but did not modify the expression of adhesion molecules important for the fusion of these cells. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0453-y Authors Juliana Félix de Melo, Department of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil Thacianna Barreto da Costa, Department of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil Tamara D. da Costa Lima, Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Campus UFPE, Recife, Brazil Maria E. C. Chaves, Keizo Asami Laboratory of Immunopathology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco 50670-901, Brazil Muriel Vayssade, UMR CNRS 6600, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Compiègne, France Marie-Danielle Nagel, UMR CNRS 6600, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Compiègne, France Célia M. M. B. de Castro, Department of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description:    To assess the suitability of microalgal strains for biodiesel production the lipid content and composition, especially individual triacylglycerols (TAG) and free fatty acids (FFA) must be determined. In this study, the compositions and concentrations of TAG and FFA were analysed in four halophytic algal species, Dunaliella salina , D. tertiolecta , D. bardawil , and D. granulata . These species were selected as part of a larger screen to identify species suitable for biofuel feedstocks. An accelerated solvent extraction instrument was used for lipids and fatty acid extraction using a dichloromethane–hexane solvent system. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) detection was optimized and applied to the quantitative analysis of TAG and FFA in the different algal extracts. Individual TAG were characterized structurally using direct electrospray ionization (ESI) MS and MS/MS techniques. Cationic adducts (NH 4 + ) of TAG were detected and quantified in the positive ESI MS and MS/MS modes, while the negative ESI mode was used for FFA analysis. Over 20 TAG were identified and quantified in the four Dunaliella strains. Analysis of FFA compositions demonstrated that the most abundant FFA in these four algal species were palmitic, linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2138-3 Authors Vera Samburova, Division of Atmospheric Sciences, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV 89512-1095, USA Mark S. Lemos, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-5294, USA Sage Hiibel, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557-0330, USA S. Kent Hoekman, Division of Atmospheric Sciences, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV 89512-1095, USA John C. Cushman, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557-0330, USA Barbara Zielinska, Division of Atmospheric Sciences, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV 89512-1095, USA Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    This communication entails development of a facile continuous flow lipase immobilized poly(glycidyl methacrylate- co -ethylene dimethacrylate (poly(GMA- co -EDMA)) monolith microreactor for application in lipid transformations. Candida antarctica lipase B was covalently immobilized on poly(GMA- co -EDMA) monolith prepared in a 700-μm (internal diameter) silica capillary. The specific activity of the immobilized lipase was calculated to be 30 ± 0.03 U/mg, where U refers to μg p -nitrophenol generated/min from 3.5 mM p -nitrophenyl butyrate solution. The microreactor performance was further tested for synthesis of lauryl laurate via esterification. Conversions of up to 97 % were realized at a flow rate of 10 μL/min of a mixture of 0.1 M in both lauric acid and lauryl alcohol. These microreactors could be reused at least 15 times over a 1 month time period, stored at room temperature, with minimal to no reduction in the activity of the enzyme. We have also demonstrated microreactors to be useful for facile transesterification of castor oil triglycerides with online ESI–MS analytics key in lipidomics applications. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2139-2 Authors Samuel M. Mugo, Department of Physical Sciences-Chemistry, Grant MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2, Canada Karl Ayton, Department of Physical Sciences-Chemistry, Grant MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2, Canada Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Three different analytical techniques, namely NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and dynamic light scattering, were used to unravel the structure and morphology of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR). This material is used as an emulsifier in the preparation of chocolate and other confectionary products. The use of 1D and 2D NMR techniques led to the distinction of two separate entities in commercial ricinoleic acid (RA) and PGPR samples, namely the monomeric and oligomeric RA (estolides). 1 H and 13 C spectra of PGPR confirmed the presence of polyglycerol moieties of various lengths being esterified by RA and estolides and to a lesser extent by oleic and linoleic acids. 13 C-NMR DOSY experiments demonstrated the occurrence of several species in PGPR. Electrospray Ionization and tandem Mass Spectrometry succeeded in identifying the presence of over 30 glycerol/polyglycerol species containing n glycerol moieties with n  = 1–6 esterified by monomeric and oligomeric RA molecules. Dynamic light scattering contributed to the characterization of PGPR morphology. The PGPR mixture contains relatively small-sized entities (monomers, dimmers, trimmers) and larger aggregates resulted from chain association. The percentage of larger aggregates is minimal compared to small-sized species. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2137-4 Authors Andreas Orfanakis, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, Voutes Campus, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Emmanuel Hatzakis, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, Voutes Campus, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Katerina Kanaki, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, Voutes Campus, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Spiros A. Pergantis, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, Voutes Campus, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Apostolos Rizos, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, Voutes Campus, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Photis Dais, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, Voutes Campus, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    This study was conducted to investigate the possible formation of trans fatty acids due to gamma-irradiation of ground beef and liquid egg via a radical path. The effects of irradiation on trans fatty acids in ground beef and liquid egg were evaluated by GC analysis. The control sample of ground beef had higher concentrations of total trans fatty acids than the liquid egg. C18:1-11t was the major trans fatty acid detected in non-irradiated ground beef. The results showed that irradiation led to a significant increase of total trans fatty acid content in both of the two food items with an absorbed dose range between 6.743 and 11.472 kGy ( P  〈 0.05). The change in C18:1-9t content was the most significant compared with other trans fatty acids. Additionally, gamma-irradiation caused a higher rate of trans fatty acid formation in liquid egg compared with ground beef. However, a slight decrease in the total trans fatty acid amount was observed in ground beef with an absorbed dose at 21.113 kGy. The increase in trans fatty acid content was negligible in liquid egg under the same absorbed dose. This result may be due to the oxidation of unsaturated configurations of both cis and trans fatty acids. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2125-8 Authors An Li, Institute of Agro-products Processing Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People’s Republic of China Feng Wang, Institute of Agro-products Processing Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People’s Republic of China Bei Fan, Institute of Agro-products Processing Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People’s Republic of China Weiming Li, Institute of Agro-products Processing Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People’s Republic of China Qingpeng Li, Institute of Agro-products Processing Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People’s Republic of China Hongjie Zhou, Institute of Agro-products Processing Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People’s Republic of China Yiming Ha, Institute of Agro-products Processing Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description: Purpose   To examine the association of red meat and whole-grain bread consumption with plasma levels of biomarkers related to glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation and obesity. Methods   Our cross-sectional study was based on 2,198 men and women who were selected as a sub-cohort for an investigation of biological predictors of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Potsdam study. Circulating levels of glycated hemoglobin, adiponectin, hs-CRP, gamma-glutamyltransferase, alanine-aminotransferase, fetuin-A, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were measured from random blood samples. Diet and lifestyle data were assessed by questionnaires, and anthropometric data were measured. Results   After multivariable adjustment, higher consumption of whole-grain bread was significantly ( P trend 〈0.05) associated with lower levels of GGT, ALT and hs-CRP, whereas higher consumption of red meat was significantly associated with higher levels of GGT and hs-CRP when adjusted for potential confounding factors related to lifestyle and diet. Further adjustment for body mass index and waist circumference attenuated the association between red meat and hs-CRP ( P  = 0.19). Conclusions   The results of this study suggest that high consumption of whole-grain bread is related to lower levels of GGT, ALT and hs-CRP, whereas high consumption of red meat is associated with higher circulating levels of GGT and hs-CRP. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0340-6 Authors Jukka Montonen, Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany Heiner Boeing, Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany Andreas Fritsche, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, Germany Erwin Schleicher, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, Germany Hans-Georg Joost, Department of Pharmacology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany Matthias B. Schulze, Department of Molecular Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany Annika Steffen, Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany Tobias Pischon, Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   We explored the pathophysiologic mechanisms of long-term fructose-induced lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in rats. Methods   Male Wistar rats were fed with fructose for 3 or 6 months. Biochemical and transcystometric parameters were compared between fructose-fed and age-matched normal-diet rats. Pelvic nerve and external urethral sphincter-electromyogram activity recordings were performed to investigate fructose effects on neural control of bladders. Mitochondrial structure, ATP and acetylcholine content and purinergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors were examined. Cytosolic cytochrome C staining by Western blot and immunocytochemistry for mitochondrial injury and PGP 9.5 stain for nerve density were also determined. Results   The fructose-fed rats with higher plasma triglyceride, LDL and fasting glucose levels displayed LUTS with increased frequency and suppressed voiding contractile amplitude in phase 1 and phase 2 duration versus normal-diet control. Fructose feeding altered the firing types in pelvic afferent and efferent nerves and external urethral sphincter-electromyogram activity. Increased mast cell number, disrupted and swollen mitochondria, increased cytosolic cytochrome C stain and expression and decreased nerve density in bladder smooth muscle layers appeared in the fructose-fed rats. Fructose feeding also significantly reduced ATP and acetylcholine content and enhanced protein expression of postsynaptic P 2 X 1 , P 2 X 2 and P 2 X 3 purinergic receptors and M 2 and M 3 muscarinic cholinergic receptors expression in the smooth muscles of urinary bladder. Conclusion   Long-term fructose feeding induced neuropathy and myopathy in the urinary bladders. Impaired mitochondrial integrity, reduced nerve density, ATP and acetylcholine content and upregulation of purinergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors expression may contribute to the bladder dysfunction of fructose-fed animals. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0342-4 Authors Shiu-Dong Chung, Department of Urology, Far-Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan Chiang-Ting Chien, Graduate Institution of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan Hong-Jeng Yu, Graduate Institution of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description:    Isoflavones, a group of phytoestrogens, are selective oestrogen receptor (ER) modulators. They may positively impact endocrine-related conditions but the current evidence is sparse. Equol, a non-steroidal oestrogen, is produced by the metabolism of the isoflavone daidzein by intestinal bacteria. In Western countries, 30–50% of individuals metabolize daidzein into equol and are known as equol producers. Equol production may be the source of benefit from isoflavones in endocrine disease. Content Type Journal Article Category Review Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0331-7 Authors Dana Shor, Hull York Medical School, Hull, UK Thozhukat Sathyapalan, Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Hull York Medical School, Hull, UK Stephen L. Atkin, Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Hull York Medical School, Hull, UK Natalie J. Thatcher, Food Standards Agency, London, UK Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Introduction   Obese β rats may be a suitable model to evaluate the association between calcium intake (CaI) and obesity during growth. Objective   The present study comparatively evaluated Ca absorption and retention, and changes in body composition in spontaneously genetically obese (β) male rats fed three different dietary Ca levels: high 0.9% (HCa); normal: 0.5% (NCa); low: 0.2% (LCa). Methods   Pregnant rats were fed isocaloric diets which varied in Ca content only. Male pups continued feeding the same maternal diet until postnatal day 60. The percentage of Apparent Ca absorption (CaA %), Ca balance (CaB), body composition, glucose, triglycerides (TGL), and insulin levels were evaluated. Results   Food consumption and body weight (BW) were higher in Group LCa than in Groups NCa and HCa ( p  〈 0.01); no differences were observed between the latter two groups. Group LCa presented the highest body fat, liver weight, perigonadal and retroperitoneal fat ( p  〈 0.05); conversely, body ashes and total skeleton bone mineral content were significantly lower compared with animals in both the NCa ( p  〈 0.01) and HCa groups ( p  〈 0.01). CaB (mg/day) reached a plateau at the highest CaI (mg/day) value ( r  = 0.985, p  〈 0.001). CaA%, serum glucose, insulin, and TGL levels rose as CaI decreased ( p  〈 0.01). Conclusions   Although further studies are required, low Ca consumption in this strain of rats could modulate BW inducing changes in several lipid metabolism parameters, which in turn lead to an increase in body fat. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0336-2 Authors Clarisa Marotte, National Council for Scientific and Technologic Research, (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina Adriana Weisstaub, Food Science and Nutrition Department, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina Gabriel Bryk, Medical Osteopathies Section, Clinical Hospital, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina Maria C. Olguin, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Rosario National University (UNR), Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina Marta Posadas, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Rosario National University (UNR), Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina Diego Lucero, Lipid and Lipoprotein Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina Laura Schreier, Lipid and Lipoprotein Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina Maria Luz Pita Martín de Portela, Food Science and Nutrition Department, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina Susana N. Zeni, National Council for Scientific and Technologic Research, (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Capsaicinoids are the active compounds in chili pepper. The present study investigated the effect of capsaicinoids on plasma lipids, functionality of aorta including atherosclerotic plaque development, cholesterol absorption biomarker, fecal sterol excretion, and gene expression of major receptors, enzymes, and transporters involved in cholesterol metabolism. Methods   Hamsters were divided into five groups and fed a high-cholesterol diet containing 0 % (CON), 0.010 % (LD), 0.015 % (MD), 0.020 % (HD), and 0.030 % (VD) capsaicinoids, respectively, for 6 weeks. Plasma lipids were measured using the enzymatic kits, and the gene expression of transporters, enzymes, and receptors involved in cholesterol absorption and metabolism was quantified using the quantitative PCR. Endothelial function was assessed by measuring the acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations in aorta. Results   Capsaicinoids reduced plasma total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triacylglycerols with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol being unaffected. All four experimental groups had a decrease in the atherosclerotic plaque compared with CON. Dietary capsaicinoids increased the fecal excretion of total acidic sterols possibly mediated by up-regulation of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and down-regulation of liver X receptor alpha. Plasma sterol analysis demonstrated that capsaicinoids decreased the ratio of plasma campesterol/cholesterol, suggesting they decreased cholesterol absorption. Capsaicinoids could improve the endothelium-dependent relaxations and reduce the endothelium-dependent contractions by inhibiting the gene expression of COX-2. However, no dose-dependent effect of capsaicinoids on these parameters was seen. Conclusion   Capsaicinoids were beneficial in improving lipoprotein profile and aortic function in hamsters fed a high-cholesterol diet. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0344-2 Authors Yin Tong Liang, Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Xiao-Yu Tian, Institute of Vascular Medicine, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Jing Nan Chen, Kwong Living Trust Food Safety and Analysis Laboratory, Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China Cheng Peng, Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Ka Ying Ma, Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Yuanyuan Zuo, Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Rui Jiao, Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Ye Lu, Institute of Vascular Medicine, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Yu Huang, Institute of Vascular Medicine, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Zhen-Yu Chen, Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   The goals of this study were to monitor the effect of drinking of herbal tea from Sideritis clandestina subsp. clandestina for 6 weeks on behavioral and oxidant/antioxidant parameters of adult male mice and also to evaluate its phytochemical composition. Methods   The phytochemical profile of the Sideritis tea was determined by liquid chromatography-UV diode array coupled to ion-trap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization interface. The effects of two doses of the herbal infusion (2 and 4% w/v, daily) intake on anxiety-like state in mice were studied by the assessment of their thigmotactic behavior. The oxidant/antioxidant status of brain (-Ce), liver and heart of adult male Balb-c mice following the consumption of Sideritis tea was also evaluated via the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels using fluorometric assays. Our study was further extended to determine the antioxidant effects of the herbal tea on specific brain regions (cerebral cortex, cerebellum and midbrain). Results   The identified compounds were classified into several natural product classes: quinic acid derivatives, iridoids, phenylethanol glycosides and flavonoids. Our results showed that only the 4% Sideritis tea exhibited anxiolytic-like properties as evidenced by statistically significant ( p  〈 0.05) decrease in the thigmotaxis time and increase in the number of entries to the central zone in comparison with the control group. Consumption of both tea doses (2 and 4% w/v) elevated GSH (12 and 28%, respectively, p  〈 0.05) and decreased MDA (16 and 29%, p  〈 0.05) levels in brain (-Ce), while liver and heart remained unaffected. In regard to the effect of herbal tea drinking (2 and 4% w/v) on specific brain regions, it caused a significant increase in GSH of cerebellum (13 and 36%, respectively, p  〈 0.05) and midbrain (17 and 36%, p  〈 0.05). Similarly, MDA levels were decreased in cerebellum (45 and 79%, respectively, p  〈 0.05) and midbrain (50 and 63%, respectively, p  〈 0.05), whereas cerebral cortex remained unaffected. Conclusions   Mountain tea drinking prevents anxiety-related behaviors and confers antioxidant protection to rodent’s tissues in a region-specific, dose-dependent manner, and its phytochemical constituents are shown for the first time. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0292-2 Authors Catherine G. Vasilopoulou, Laboratory of Human and Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece Vassiliki G. Kontogianni, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece Zacharoula I. Linardaki, Laboratory of Human and Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece Gregoris Iatrou, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece Fotini N. Lamari, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece Alexandra A. Nerantzaki, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece Ioannis P. Gerothanassis, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece Andreas G. Tzakos, Human Cancer Biobank Center, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece Marigoula Margarity, Laboratory of Human and Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background   Nutritional factors is one of the most important regulators in the progression of cancer. Some dietary elements promote the growth of cancer but others, such as plant-derived compounds, may reverse this process. Purpose   We tried to investigate yet another approach of cancer prevention through cancer cell differentiation, using a common non-mutagenic flavonoid apigenin 7-glucoside. Methods   HL-60 cells were treated with or without apigenin 7-glucoside. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay, and the cell cycle distribution was estimated by propidium iodide staining of DNA. To determine cellular differentiation, cell surface differentiation markers CD11b and CD14 were used. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was then performed to identify proteins that may be important in HL-60 cell differentiation following apigenin 7-glucoside treatment. Results   Apigenin 7-glucoside inhibited HL-60 cell growth, dose- and time-dependently, but did not cause apoptosis. The distribution of cells at different stages in the cell cycle indicated an accumulation of treated cells in G 2 /M phase. Moreover, apigenin 7-glucoside induced granulocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells. Ten proteins that might play essential role in granulocytic differentiation were identified by proteomics. Conclusions   A complete understanding of the preventive effects of plant-based diet on cancer depends on the mechanisms of action of different plant components on processes. We hope these findings may contribute to the understandings of the different approaches for chemoprevention of cancer. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0282-4 Authors Eri Nakazaki, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan Soninkhishig Tsolmon, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan Junkyu Han, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan Hiroko Isoda, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Cranberry juice (CJ) contains a remarkably high concentration of polyphenols, considered to be beneficial for cardiovascular and bone health. The current double-blind, randomized study was designed to test whether daily consumption of double-strength Ocean Spray light CJ (2 × 230 ml) over 4 months has beneficial effects on vascular function and on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) carrying the osteoblastic marker osteocalcin in particular. Methods   A total of 84 participants (49.5 ± 16.2 years) with peripheral endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors were enrolled in this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial (69 completed the 4-month protocol—32 in the CJ group and 37 in the placebo group, respectively). Vascular responses to reactive hyperemia were measured non-invasively by peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained for EPC markers, as well as osteocalcin, and counted by flow cytometry. Results   Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. The effect of CJ on peripheral endothelial function and on circulating EPC counts (CD34 + /CD133 + /KDR + ) did not change during the study. A high percentage of EPCs expressed osteocalcin (59.4 ± 35.7%). CJ, as compared to placebo, induced a decrease in the fraction of EPCs expressing osteocalcin (−8.64 ± 48.98 and 19.13 ± 46.11%, respectively, p  = 0.019). Systemic levels of the adhesion marker ICAM correlated significantly with the number of EPCs expressing osteocalcin. Conclusions   The study demonstrated that long-term supplementation of polyphenol-rich CJ did not improve peripheral endothelial function. However, the decrease in the fraction of osteocalcin+ EPCs suggests a potential beneficial effect of polyphenol-rich CJ. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0334-4 Authors Andreas J. Flammer, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Elizabeth A. Martin, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Mario Gössl, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA R. Jay Widmer, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Ryan J. Lennon, Biomedical Statistics, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA Jasmine A. Sexton, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Darrell Loeffler, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Sundeep Khosla, Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA Lilach O. Lerman, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA Amir Lerman, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Meat and fish consumption are associated with changes in the risk of chronic diseases. Intake is mainly assessed using self-reporting, as no true quantitative nutritional biomarker is available. The measurement of plasma fatty acids, often used as an alternative, is expensive and time-consuming. As meat and fish differ in their stable isotope ratios, δ 13 C and δ 15 N have been proposed as biomarkers. However, they have never been investigated in controlled human dietary intervention studies. Objective   In a short-term feeding study, we investigated the suitability of δ 13 C and δ 15 N in blood, urine and faeces as biomarkers of meat and fish intake. Methods   The dietary intervention study ( n  = 14) followed a randomised cross-over design with three eight-day dietary periods (meat, fish and half-meat–half-fish). In addition, 4 participants completed a vegetarian control period. At the end of each period, 24-h urine, fasting venous blood and faeces were collected and their δ 13 C and δ 15 N analysed. Results   There was a significant difference between diets in isotope ratios in faeces and urine samples, but not in blood samples (Kruskal–Wallis test, p  〈 0.0001). In pairwise comparisons, δ 13 C and δ 15 N were significantly higher in urine and faecal samples following a fish diet when compared with all other diets, and significantly lower following a vegetarian diet. There was no significant difference in isotope ratio between meat and half-meat–half-fish diets for blood, urine or faecal samples. Conclusions   The results of this study show that urinary and faecal δ 13 C and δ 15 N are suitable candidate biomarkers for short-term meat and fish intake. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0328-2 Authors Gunter G. C. Kuhnle, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 226, Reading, RG6 6AP UK Annemiek M. C. P. Joosen, MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge, UK Catherine J. Kneale, McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Tamsin C. O’Connell, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Evaluate the hypothesis that relation of breast cancer associated with dietary fiber intakes varies by type of fiber, menopausal, and the tumor’s hormone receptor status. Methods   A case–control study of female breast cancer was conducted in Connecticut. A total of 557 incident breast cancer cases and 536 age frequency-matched controls were included in the analysis. Information on dietary intakes was collected through in-person interviews with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and was converted into nutrient intakes. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by unconditional logistic regression. Results   Among pre-menopausal women, higher intake of soluble fiber (highest versus lowest quartile of intake) was associated with a significantly reduced risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.38, 95% CI, 0.15–0.97, P trend  = 0.08). When further restricted to pre-menopausal women with ER − tumors, the adjusted OR for the highest quartile of intake was 0.15 (95% CI, 0.03–0.69, P trend  = 0.02) for soluble fiber intake. Among post-menopausal women, no reduced risk of breast cancer was observed for either soluble or insoluble fiber intakes or among ER + or ER − tumor groups. Conclusions   The results from this study show that dietary soluble fiber intake is associated with a significantly reduced risk of ER − breast cancer among pre-menopausal women. Additional studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm these results. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0305-9 Authors Qian Li, National Office of Cancer Prevention and Control, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 17 Panjiayuannanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021 China Theodore R. Holford, Division of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA Yawei Zhang, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA Peter Boyle, International Prevention Research Institute (IPRI), Lyon, France Susan T. Mayne, Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA Min Dai, National Office of Cancer Prevention and Control, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 17 Panjiayuannanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021 China Tongzhang Zheng, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   This study aimed firstly to investigate the contribution of maternal 25(OH) vitamin D to the association of maternal education and small-for-gestational-age birth weight (SGA) and secondly to examine whether the contribution of 25(OH) vitamin D differs by overweight, season, and maternal smoking. Methods   Logistic regression analysis was carried out in this study, using data of 2,274 pregnant women of Dutch ethnicity from the ABCD study, a population-based cohort study in the Netherlands. Maternal 25(OH) vitamin D was measured in early pregnancy. Stratified analyses were conducted for overweight, season of blood sampling, and smoking. Results   Low-educated women had lower 25(OH) vitamin D levels compared to high-educated women, and women in the lowest 25(OH) vitamin D quartile had a higher risk of SGA offspring. In addition, low-educated women had a higher risk of SGA offspring (OR 1.95 [95% CI: 1.20–3.14]). This association decreased with 7% after adjustment for 25(OH) vitamin D (OR 1.88 [95% CI 1.16–3.04]). In stratified analyses, adjustment for 25(OH) vitamin D resulted in a decrease in OR of about 17% in overweight women and about 15% in women who conceived in wintertime. Conclusions   25(OH) vitamin D appears to be a modifiable contributor to the association between low maternal education and SGA offspring, particularly in overweight women and women who conceived in the winter period. In those women, increasing the intake of vitamin D, either through dietary adaptation or through supplementation in order to achieve the recommendation, could be beneficial. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0327-3 Authors Gerrit van den Berg, Department of Pediatrics, EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, 9D11 Secretariaat kindergeneeskunde, P.O. Box 7057, Amsterdam, 1007 MB The Netherlands Manon van Eijsden, Department of Epidemiology, Documentation and Health Promotion, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Tanja G. M. Vrijkotte, Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Reinoud J. B. J. Gemke, Department of Pediatrics, EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, 9D11 Secretariaat kindergeneeskunde, P.O. Box 7057, Amsterdam, 1007 MB The Netherlands Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   We performed a single-day cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency as well as folate status in healthy young female volunteers well educated with respect to health information. Methods   We assessed dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium, serum concentrations of 25-OH-vitamin D 3 , folate, red blood cell folate and other dietary, laboratory, and lifestyle parameters in 215 young healthy women (age 18–30 years) on a single day at the end of the winter months. Primary aim was to investigate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. Folic acid status was a secondary study aim. Results   Mean daily ingestion of vitamin D was 2.25 μg/day with a daily calcium intake of 749 mg/day. 6.9% had hypovitaminosis D (25-OH-vitamin D 3 〈30 nmol/L) and 89.3% were vitamin D insufficient (〈75 nmol/L). Preplanned subpopulation comparison (lower vs. upper quartile) revealed a significant negative correlation ( P  = 0.048) between plasma PTH and 25-OH-vitamin D 3 levels. Fifteen individuals (6.9%) were folic acid deficient (〈140 ng/mL RBC folate). Only 9.3% reached RBC folate concentrations regarded as optimal for the prevention of fetal neural tube defects (〉400 ng/mL). Conclusions   The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in healthy young women trained in health care professions is low but 89.3% can be classified as vitamin D insufficient in spring. Folate status can also be considered not sufficient. Considering the emerging role of higher vitamin D plasma levels for many health conditions, a timely correction of vitamin D status in the general Austrian population appears appropriate. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0281-5 Authors Stefan T. Kaehler, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Holger Baumgartner, Ethics Committee, Innsbruck Medical University, (non-voting member), Innrain 43, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Martina Jeske, Pharmacy Department, University Hospital Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Markus Anliker, Central Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Harald Schennach, Central Institute of Blood Transfusion and Immunology, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Peter Marschang, Department of Internal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Anna Ratt, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Anna C. Colvin, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Jennifer Falk, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Astrid Gasser, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Julia Kirchebner, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Christine Scherer, Fhg-Zentrum für Gesundheitsberufe Tirol GmbH, Innrain 98, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Anna E. Purtscher, Fhg-Zentrum für Gesundheitsberufe Tirol GmbH, Innrain 98, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Andrea Griesmacher, Central Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Jörg Striessnig, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R) occur in a wide variety of important clinical conditions such as myocardial infarction. H/R injury is a complex phenomenon involving not only intracellular damage processes but also an injurious inflammatory response. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, has long been proved to be protective against several types of cardiovascular disease. However, its beneficial effect during H/R is inconclusive. In this study, we employed an in vitro model to examine whether DHA is protective against H/R-induced cell damage in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs). Methods   HCASMCs in the absence or presence of DHA (1, 3, 10, and 30 μM) were subjected to control or H/R treatment using a modular incubator chamber to create hypoxic condition. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric assays were used to measure the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), respectively. Inflammatory cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intracellular calcium mobilization was estimated microfluorimetrically using calcium indicator dye, fura 2-acetomethyl ester. Results   Hypoxia/reoxygenation caused significant injury in cultured HCASMCs. DHA at low concentrations (1, 3, and 10 μM) did not afford protection, whereas at 30 μM, it caused deleterious effects, presumably by enhancing the production of NO, ROS, IL-1β, and IL-6 and altering the intracellular calcium dynamics. Conclusions   Our results do not support the protective function of DHA in H/R-injured coronary arterial smooth muscle cells. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0278-0 Authors Guan-Ming Feng, Department of Plastic Surgery, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC Jia-Huei Chen, Institute of Physiology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC Cheng-I Lin, Institute of Physiology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC Jung-Mou Yang, Department of Emergency Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Sindian, New Taipei, Taiwan, ROC Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Plant sterols (PS) are well known for their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering effect. Until recently, they were believed to have little or no impact on blood triglycerides (TG). However, studies taken individually were possibly lacking statistical power to detect modest TG decreases. This study was performed to quantify the TG-lowering effect of PS by pooling individual subject data from 12 randomised controlled trials that investigated the effects of PS on blood lipids. Methods   The main outcome variable was the control-adjusted PS effect on relative (%) and absolute (mmol/L) changes in TG. The relative and absolute changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were also assessed. Differences in changes of serum lipid concentrations between PS and control treatments were estimated by an ANCOVA using a random effect model which included PS intake (active or control), study and predefined subject characteristics. Results   The twelve randomised controlled trials included in total 935 hypercholesterolaemic subjects not preselected based on their baseline TG concentrations. In most studies, the PS dose ranged between 1.6 and 2.5 g/day. PS intake significantly lowered serum TG by 6.0% (95% CI: −10.7, −1.2) or 0.12 mmol/L (95% CI: −0.20, −0.04). No significant interaction was observed between PS intake and baseline TG concentrations on relative changes, but, on absolute changes, interaction was significant with larger TG decreases observed with higher TG concentrations at baseline. No effects were observed on HDL-C concentrations. Conclusions   These results show that PS exert a modest TG-lowering effect which is dependent on baseline concentrations. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0297-x Authors Isabelle Demonty, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, P.O. Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands Rouyanne T. Ras, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, P.O. Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands Henk C. M. van der Knaap, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, P.O. Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands Linsie Meijer, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Peter L. Zock, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, P.O. Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands Johanna M. Geleijnse, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Elke A. Trautwein, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, P.O. Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   We investigated whether group-level bias of a 24-h recall estimate of protein and potassium intake, as compared to biomarkers, varied across European centers and whether this was influenced by characteristics of individuals or centers. Methods   The combined data from EFCOVAL and EPIC studies included 14 centers from 9 countries ( n  = 1,841). Dietary data were collected using a computerized 24-h recall (EPIC-Soft). Nitrogen and potassium in 24-h urine collections were used as reference method. Multilevel linear regression analysis was performed, including individual-level (e.g., BMI) and center-level (e.g., food pattern index) variables. Results   For protein intake, no between-center variation in bias was observed in men while it was 5.7% in women. For potassium intake, the between-center variation in bias was 8.9% in men and null in women. BMI was an important factor influencing the biases across centers ( p  〈 0.01 in all analyses). In addition, mode of administration ( p  = 0.06 in women) and day of the week ( p  = 0.03 in men and p  = 0.06 in women) may have influenced the bias in protein intake across centers. After inclusion of these individual variables, between-center variation in bias in protein intake disappeared for women, whereas for potassium, it increased slightly in men (to 9.5%). Center-level variables did not influence the results. Conclusion   The results suggest that group-level bias in protein and potassium (for women) collected with 24-h recalls does not vary across centers and to a certain extent varies for potassium in men. BMI and study design aspects, rather than center-level characteristics, affected the biases across centers. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0279-z Authors Sandra P. Crispim, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Anouk Geelen, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Jeanne H. M. de Vries, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Heinz Freisling, Dietary Exposure Assessment Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150, cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France Olga W. Souverein, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Paul J. M. Hulshof, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Marga C. Ocke, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands Hendriek Boshuizen, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Lene F. Andersen, Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway Jiri Ruprich, Department for Food Safety and Nutrition, National Institute of Public Health, Brno, Czech Republic Willem De Keizer, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium Inge Huybrechts, Dietary Exposure Assessment Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150, cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France Lionel Lafay, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES), Paris, France Maria S. de Magistris, Department of Public Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II, Naples, Italy Fulvio Ricceri, Human Genetics Foundation (HUGEF), Turin, Italy Rosario Tumino, Cancer Registry and Histopathology Unit, “Civile M.P.Arezzo” Hospital, Ragusa, Italy Vittorio Krogh, Nutritional Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy H. Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands Joline W. J. Beulens, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands Marie-Christine Boutron-Ruault, Inserm, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Villejuif, France Androniki Naska, Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, WHO Collaborating Center for Food and Nutrition Policies, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece Francesca L. Crowe, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Heiner Boeing, Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam, Rehbrücke, Germany Alison McTaggart, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Rudolf Kaaks, Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany Pieter van’t Veer, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Nadia Slimani, Dietary Exposure Assessment Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150, cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   The objective was to confirm the anti-obesity activity of a silk peptide (SP) and a silkworm pupa peptide (SPP) in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and to elucidate their action mechanism(s) in a preadipocyte culture system. Methods   In an in vitro mechanistic study, the differentiation and maturation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were stimulated with insulin (5 μg/mL), and effects of SP and SPP on the adipogenesis of mature adipocytes were assessed. In an in vivo anti-obesity study, male C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD containing SP or SPP (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0%) for 8 weeks, and blood and tissue parameters of obesity were analyzed. Results   Hormonal stimulation of preadipocytes led to a 50–70% increase in adipogenesis. Polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses revealed increases in adipogenesis-specific genes (leptin and Acrp30) and proteins (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and Acrp30). The hormone-induced adipogenesis and activated gene expression was substantially inhibited by treatment with SP and SPP (1–50 μg/mL). The HFD markedly increased body weight gain by increasing the weight of epididymal and mesenteric fat. Body and fat weights were significantly reduced by SP and SPP, in which decreases in the area of abdominal adipose tissue and the size of epididymal adipocytes were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and microscopic examination, respectively. Long-term HFD caused hepatic lipid accumulation and increased blood triglycerides and cholesterol, in addition to their regulatory factors Acrp30 and leptin. However, SP and SPP recovered the concentrations of Acrp30 and leptin, and attenuated steatosis. Conclusions   SP and SPP inhibit the differentiation of preadipocytes and adipogenesis by modulating signal transduction pathways and improve HFD-induced obesity by reducing lipid accumulation and the size of adipocytes. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0280-6 Authors Sun Hee Lee, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Dongsun Park, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Goeun Yang, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Dae-Kwon Bae, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Yun-Hui Yang, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Tae Kyun Kim, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Dajeong Kim, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Jangbeen Kyung, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Sungho Yeon, Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea Kyo Chul Koo, Worldway Co., Ltd., Jeoneui, Korea Jeong-Yong Lee, Worldway Co., Ltd., Jeoneui, Korea Seock-Yeon Hwang, Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Korea Seong Soo Joo, Division of Marine Molecular Biotechnology, Gangneung-Wonju National University, 7 Jukheongil, Gangneung, Gangwon 210-702, Korea Yun-Bae Kim, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   We examined whether high doses of folic acid and iron supplementation in early-to-mid pregnancy affect the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age neonates, in the mother–child cohort in Crete, Greece (Rhea study). Methods   We included 1,279 women with singleton pregnancies with complete data on supplements use in early-to-mid pregnancy and birth outcomes. Anthropometric measurements at birth were obtained from medical records. Red blood cell folate concentrations in cord blood were measured in a subsample of the study population ( n  = 58). Results   Sixty-six percent of the study participants reported high doses of supplemental folic acid use (5 mg/day), while 21 % reported excessive doses of folic acid use (〉5 mg/day) in early-to-mid pregnancy. Daily intake of 5-mg supplemental folic acid was associated with a 31 % decrease in the risk of preterm birth (RR, 0.69; 95 % CI, 0.44, 0.99), 60 % decrease in the risk of delivering a low birth weight neonate (RR, 0.40; 95 % CI, 0.21, 0.76), and 66 % decrease in the risk of delivering a small for gestational age (SGA) neonate (RR, 0.34; 95 % CI, 0.16, 0.73). Daily doses of iron supplementation more than 100 mg were associated with a twofold increased risk for SGA neonates (RR, 2.14; 95 % CI, 0.99, 5.97). Conclusion   These findings suggest that high daily doses of supplementary folic acid in early-to-mid pregnancy may be protective for preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age neonates, while high daily doses of supplementary iron may be harmful for fetal growth. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0339-z Authors Eleni Papadopoulou, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, Barcelona, Spain Nikolaos Stratakis, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, PO Box 2208, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Theano Roumeliotaki, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, PO Box 2208, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Katerina Sarri, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, PO Box 2208, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Domenic F. Merlo, National Cancer Research Institute, Genoa, Italy Manolis Kogevinas, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, Barcelona, Spain Leda Chatzi, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, PO Box 2208, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background   The use of rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) leaves and their constituents as a source of dietary antioxidants and flavoring agents is continuously growing. Carnosol and carnosic acid, two major components of rosemary extracts, have shown activity for cancer prevention and therapy. Aim of the study   In this study, we investigate the cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic activities of carnosol and carnosic acid, in order to get further insight into their mechanism of action. Results   Our results demonstrate that the mentioned diterpenes inhibit certain functions of endothelial cells, namely, differentiation, proliferation, migration and proteolytic capability. Our data indicate that their growth inhibitory effect, exerted on proliferative endothelial and tumor cells, could be due to, at least in part, an induction of apoptosis. Inhibition of the mentioned essential steps of in vitro angiogenesis agrees with the observed inhibition of the in vivo angiogenesis, substantiated by using the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Conclusions   The anti-angiogenic activity of carnosol and carnosic acid could contribute to the chemopreventive, antitumoral and antimetastatic activities of rosemary extracts and suggests their potential in the treatment of other angiogenesis-related malignancies. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0289-x Authors Auxiliadora López-Jiménez, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain Melissa García-Caballero, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain Miguel Ángel Medina, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain Ana R. Quesada, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   We aimed to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) with cardiometabolic risk. Methods   In this cross-sectional study, 21,038 men and 15,604 women who participated in a health check-up were included. Results   In both men and women, the area under the curve (AUC) of WHtR was significantly greater than that of BMI or WC in the prediction of diabetes, hypertension, high total cholesterol, high triglycerides, and low HDL-cholesterol ( P  〈 0.05 for all). The AUC for WHtR in the prediction of metabolic syndrome (MS) was also highest in the women ( P  〈 0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for MS for each standard deviation increase in BMI, WHtR, and WC were 1.47 (1.46–1.49), 1.32 (1.31–1.33), and 1.19 (1.18–1.19), respectively. Finally, patients of either sex with a normal BMI or WC level, but with an elevated WHtR, had higher levels of various cardiometabolic risk factors in comparison with their normal BMI or WC, but low WHtR, counterparts ( P  〈 0.05 for all). Conclusion   Among Taiwanese adults, a WHtR greater than 0.5 is a simple, yet effective indicator of centralized obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk, even among individuals deemed ‘healthy’ according to BMI and WC. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0286-0 Authors Wen-Cheng Li, Department of Occupation Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung Branch, No. 222, Maijin Rd., Keelung, 200 Taiwan I-Chuan Chen, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi Branch, No. 6, West Sec. Chia-Pu Rd, Put-Zu, Chiayi, 600 Taiwan Yu-Che Chang, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, No. 5, Fu-Hsing Street, Guei-Shan, Taoyuan, 333 Taiwan Song-Seng Loke, Department of Family Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Branch, No. 123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong Township, Kaohsiung County, 833 Taiwan Shih-Hao Wang, Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, 112 Taiwan Kuang-Yu Hsiao, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi Branch, No. 6, West Sec. Chia-Pu Rd, Put-Zu, Chiayi, 600 Taiwan Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Erratum to: Soy intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in Chinese Singaporeans Content Type Journal Article Category Erratum Pages 1-1 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0290-4 Authors Noel T. Mueller, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA Andrew O. Odegaard, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA Myron D. Gross, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA Woon-Puay Koh, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore Mimi C. Yu, The Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA Jian-Min Yuan, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA Mark A. Pereira, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent in Western older populations. MetS is an intriguing entity, because it includes potentially reversible risk factors. Some studies have suggested an inverse correlation between MetS and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but data regarding older subjects are scanty and conflicting. The aim of this study was to assess the association between HRQoL and MetS in older, unselected community-dwelling subjects. Methods   We analyzed data of 356 subjects aged 75+ living in Tuscania (Italy). HRQoL was assessed using the Health Utilities Index, Mark 3. Diagnosis of MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program’s ATP-III criteria. Results   MetS was reported by 137 (38%) participants. According to linear regression analysis, MetS was associated with significantly better HRQoL in men ( B  = 0.19 95% CI = 0.06–0.32; p  = 0.006), but not in women. Also, when the regression model was analyzed in men, MetS was associated with better HRQoL ( B  = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.01–0.32; p  = 0.035) only among participants aged 80+. No significant associations were found in men between HRQoL and any of the single components of MetS. Conclusions   MetS is not associated with worse HRQoL among community-dwelling elderly; it is associated with significantly better HRQoL among the oldest men. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0337-1 Authors Alice Laudisio, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Emanuele Marzetti, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Livia Antonica, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Francesco Pagano, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Davide L. Vetrano, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Roberto Bernabei, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Giuseppe Zuccalà, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Erratum to: Cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects of ellagitannins from European oak bark ( Quercus petraea L.) extract in rats Content Type Journal Article Category Erratum Pages 1-1 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0335-3 Authors Sunil K. Panchal, Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia Lindsay Brown, Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   To compare the effects of two low-fat, hypoenergetic diets differing in carbohydrate-to-protein ratio, on strength and aerobic capacity measures in overweight and obese men. Methods   In a parallel design, 56 men (age, 45.5 ± 8.7 years; BMI, 33.6 ± 3.9 kg/m 2 ) were randomly assigned to a low-fat, energy-restricted diet (7,000 kJ/day) with either high protein (HP: protein/carbohydrate/fat % energy, 35:40:25) or standard protein (SP, 17:58:25). Body weight, body composition, muscle strength and aerobic capacity were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results   Forty-two participants completed the study (HP, n  = 21; SP, n  = 21). Both groups experienced similar reductions in body weight (HP, −10.7 ± 5.3 kg [−9.8%]; SP, −8.7 ± 3.5 kg [−8.4%]) and fat-free mass (HP, −2.8 ± 3.6 kg; SP, −3.2 ± 2.7 kg; P  〈 0.001 time; P  〉 0.14 time × group interaction). There was a trend for a greater reduction in fat mass in the HP diet group, (−7.7 ± 4.3 kg [−21.2%] vs. −5.4 ± 3.3 kg [−15.1%]; P  〈 0.001 time; P  = 0.06 time × group interaction). Absolute peak oxygen uptake did not change in either group ( P  = 0.39 time; P  = 0.50 time × group interaction). Overall, in both groups, relative peak oxygen uptake increased (2.9 ± 2.8 ml kg −1  min −1 [8.9%]), peak isometric knee extensor strength increased (14.1 ± 35.7 Nm [7.1%]) and peak handgrip strength decreased (−1.6 ± 4.1 kg [−3%]) ( P  ≤ 0.02 time for all), with no diet effect ( P  ≤ 0.23 time × group interaction). Conclusion   In overweight and obese men, both a HP and SP diet reduced body weight and improved body composition with similar effects on strength and aerobic capacity. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0338-0 Authors Thomas P. Wycherley, Division of Health Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia Jonathan D. Buckley, Division of Health Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia Manny Noakes, Preventative Health Flagship, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Food and Nutritional Sciences, PO Box 10041 BC, Adelaide, 5000 Australia Peter M. Clifton, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Adelaide, Australia Grant D. Brinkworth, Preventative Health Flagship, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Food and Nutritional Sciences, PO Box 10041 BC, Adelaide, 5000 Australia Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background   Codex documents may be used as educational and consensus materials for member governments. Also, the WTO SPS Agreement recognizes Codex as the presumptive international authority on food issues. Nutrient bioavailability is a critical factor in determining the ability of nutrients to provide beneficial effects. Bioavailability also influences the quantitative dietary requirements that are the basis of nutrient intake recommendations and NRVs. Health claims   Codex, EFSA and some national regulatory authorities have established guidelines or regulations that will permit several types of health claims. The scientific basis for claims has been established by the US FDA and EFSA, but not yet by Codex. Evidence-based nutrition differs from evidence-based medicine, but the differences are only recently gaining recognition. Health claims on foods may provide useful information to consumers, but many will interpret the information to mean that they can rely upon the food or nutrient to eliminate a disease risk. Nutrient reference values   NRVs are designed to provide a quantitative basis for comparing the nutritive values of foods, helping to illustrate how specific foods fit into the overall diet. The INL-98 and the mean of adult male and female values provide NRVs that are sufficient when used as targets for individual intakes by most adults. World Trade Organization agreements   WTO recognizes Codex as the primary international authority on food issues. Current regulatory schemes based on recommended dietary allowances are trade restrictive. A substantial number of decisions by the EFSA could lead to violation of WTO agreements. Content Type Journal Article Category Supplement Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0306-8 Authors Peter J. Aggett, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, Lancashire, UK John Hathcock, Council for Responsible Nutrition, Washington, DC, USA David Jukes, University of Reading, Reading, UK David P. Richardson, University of Reading, Reading, UK Philip C. Calder, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Theresa Nicklas, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA Stefan Mühlebach, Vifor Pharma, Ltd, Glattbrugg, Switzerland Oran Kwon, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Janine Lewis, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Canberra, Australia Maurits J. F. Lugard, Sidley Austin LLP, Brussels, Belgium Peter Prock, European Nutraceutical Association, Basel, Switzerland Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   To investigate the influence of dietary proteins (casein, soy protein) and skimmed milk on the plasma kinetics of green tea (GT) catechins. Methods   In a randomized cross-over design with one-week intervals, 24 healthy normal-weight women consumed a test drink containing 1.75 g GT extract with or without the addition of different proteins. Treatments were GT (control), GT with skimmed milk (GT + M), GT with caseinate (GT + CS), or GT with soy protein (GT + S). Venous blood samples were taken before and several times during a period of 4.5 h after consumption of the test drink. Plasma concentrations of catechins were analyzed by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Results   Compared to control, consumption of GT with milk, caseinate, or soy protein significantly reduced the bioavailability (mean area under the plasma concentration–time curve) of total catechins (means ± SEM; GT + M, 87 ± 5%; GT + CS, 79 ± 5%; GT + S, 88 ± 4%), epigallocatechin gallate (GT + M, 68 ± 4%; GT + CS, 63 ± 5%; GT + S, 76 ± 5%), and epicatechin gallate (GT + M, 68 ± 5%; GT + CS, 66 ± 6%; GT + S, 77 ± 6%), while the bioavailability of non-galloylated catechins such as epigallocatechin (GT + M, 134 ± 9%; GT + CS, 118 ± 9 %; GT + S, 123 ± 8%) and epicatechin (GT + M, 125 ± 10%; GT + CS, 114 ± 11%; GT + S, 110 ± 8%) significantly increased. No significant differences in bioavailability of GT catechins were observed between the treatments GT + M, GT + CS, or GT + S. Conclusion   Simultaneous ingestion of dietary proteins reduces the bioavailability of galloylated catechins from GT in humans. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0330-8 Authors Sarah Egert, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutritional Physiology, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 11-13, 53115 Bonn, Germany Jane Tereszczuk, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany Silvia Wein, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany Manfred James Müller, Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany Jan Frank, Institute of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany Gerald Rimbach, Department of Food Science, Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany Siegfried Wolffram, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   At relatively low concentrations, flavanols induce inconsistent effects on isolated arterial tone, sometimes explained as being due to a structure–activity relationship. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of two flavanols at different doses on arterial functional state. Methods   The effects of two catechins, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and (−)-epicatechin (EP), on rat-isolated aorta tone were investigated on resting tension and on precontracted preparations, both in the presence and in the absence of endothelium. Results   At resting tension, endothelium-intact preparations, EGCG and EP (0.01–10 μM), induced a slight concentration-dependent, non-significant contraction. On endothelium-denuded preparations, both EGCG and EP induced a concentration-dependent contraction (significance at 0.1 and 1 μM concentrations of the two compounds, respectively). In phenylephrine (PE) (1 μM) precontracted, endothelium-intact preparations, EGCG and EP (0.01–10 μM), induced a concentration-dependent vasorelaxation, reaching significance at 1 μM concentration of both agonists. On endothelium-denuded preparations, EGCG and EP did not significantly affect PE (0.3 μM)-induced tone. In endothelium-intact precontracted preparations, Nω nitro- l -arginine (L-NNA), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity inhibitor, abolished the vasorelaxant effect of EGCG and EP (0.01–10 μM). At high concentrations, EGCG and EP (100 μM) elicited a marked relaxation. This was significantly larger in the presence than in the absence of endothelium or in the presence of L-NNA. Conclusions   Our findings highlight the important role played by an endothelium/NO-mechanism in the regulation of basal tone and in both mediating vasorelaxation and counteracting vasoconstriction induced by low concentrations of flavanols in rat thoracic aorta. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0320-x Authors Annalisa Aggio, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Davide Grassi, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Eugenia Onori, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Antonio D’Alessandro, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Francesco Masedu, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Marco Valenti, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Claudio Ferri, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid), a molecule obtained from diet, is involved in bile acid conjugation, blood pressure regulation, anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation. We performed the first prospective study of taurine and CHD risk. Methods   We conducted a case–control study nested in the New York University Women’s Health Study to evaluate the association between circulating taurine levels and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Taurine was measured in two yearly pre-diagnostic serum samples of 223 CHD cases and 223 matched controls and averaged for a more reliable measurement of long-term taurine levels. Results   Mean serum taurine was positively related to age and dietary intake of poultry, niacin, vitamin B1, fiber and iron, and negatively related to dietary intake of saturated fat (all p values ≤0.05). There was no statistically significant association between serum taurine levels and the risk of CHD in the overall study population. The adjusted ORs for CHD in increasing taurine tertiles were 1.0 (reference), 0.85 (95% CI, 0.51–1.40) and 0.66 (0.39–1.13; p for trend = 0.14). There was a significant inverse association between serum taurine and CHD risk among women with high total serum cholesterol (〉250 mg/dL) (adjusted OR = 0.39 (0.19–0.83) for the third versus first tertile; p for trend = 0.02) but not among those with low total serum cholesterol ( p for interaction = 0.01). The data suggest a possible inverse association of serum taurine with diabetes and hypertension risk. Conclusions   The findings suggest that high levels of taurine may be protective against CHD among individuals with high serum cholesterol levels. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0300-6 Authors Oktawia P. Wójcik, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 650 First Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016-3240, USA Karen L. Koenig, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 650 First Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016-3240, USA Anne Zeleniuch-Jacquotte, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 650 First Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016-3240, USA Camille Pearte, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA Max Costa, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 650 First Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016-3240, USA Yu Chen, New York University Cancer Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   To investigate the hepato-protective properties and underlying mechanisms of SAMC in a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rat model. Methods   Female rats were fed with a diet comprising highly unsaturated fat diet (30% fish oil) for 8 weeks to develop NAFLD with or without an intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg SAMC three times per week. After euthanasia, blood and liver samples of rats were collected for histological and biochemical analyses. Results   Co-treatment of SAMC attenuated NAFLD-induced liver injury, fat accumulation, collagen formation and free fatty acids (FFAs). At the molecular level, SAMC decreased the lipogenesis marker and restored the lipolysis marker. SAMC also reduced the expression levels of pro-fibrogenic factors and diminished liver oxidative stress partly through the inhibition in the activity of cytochrome P450 2E1-dependent pathway. NAFLD-induced inflammation was also partially mitigated by SAMC treatment via reduction in the pro-inflammatory mediators, chemokines and suppressor of cytokine signaling. The protective effect of SAMC is also shown partly through the restoration of altered phosphorylation status of FFAs-dependent MAP kinase pathways and diminished in the nuclear transcription factors (NF-κB and AP-1) activity during NAFLD development. Conclusions   SAMC is a novel hepato-protective agent against NAFLD caused by abnormal liver functions. Garlic or garlic derivatives could be considered as a potent food supplement in the prevention of fatty liver disease. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0301-0 Authors Jia Xiao, Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, L1-41, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR Yick Pang Ching, Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, L1-41, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR Emily C. Liong, Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, L1-41, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR Amin A. Nanji, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada Man Lung Fung, Department of Physiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong George L. Tipoe, Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, L1-41, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Serum level of under-carboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) is considered a sensitive measure of vitamin K status, and ucOC levels are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk in elderly persons. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between ucOC and BMD in early menopausal women. Methods   The data reported here come from the enrolment in a double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial comprising 334 healthy Norwegian women between 50 and 60 years, 1–5 years after menopause, not using warfarin or medication known to affect bone metabolism. Total hip, femoral neck, lumbar spine, and total body BMD and serum level of ucOC and total osteocalcin were measured, and information of lifestyle was collected through questionnaires. The association between ucOC and BMD at all measurement sites was assessed by multiple regression analyses adjusting for possible confounding variables. Results   The absolute serum level of ucOC was significantly and negatively associated with BMD at all measurements sites, both in univariate analyses ( p  〈 0.01) and in multivariate analyses adjusting for years since menopause, smoking status and weight ( p  〈 0.01). However, serum ucOC, expressed as percentage of the total osteocalcin level, was not associated with BMD at any site. Conclusions   Achievement of adequate vitamin K nutritional intake is important, but ucOC expressed as percentage of total osteocalcin levels as reflection of vitamin K status does not seem to play a central role in determining BMD levels in early menopausal women. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0285-1 Authors Nina Emaus, Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway Nguyen D. Nguyen, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Osteoporosis and Bone Biology Research Program, Sydney, Australia Bjørg Almaas, Haukeland University Hospital, 5000 Bergen, Norway Gro K. Berntsen, The National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway Jacqueline R. Center, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Osteoporosis and Bone Biology Research Program, St. Vincent’s Hospital and University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Monika Christensen, Haukeland University Hospital, 5000 Bergen, Norway Clara G. Gjesdal, Haukeland University Hospital, 5000 Bergen, Norway Anne S. Grimsgaard, The National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway Tuan V. Nguyen, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Osteoporosis and Bone Biology Research Program and School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Laila Salomonsen, The National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway John A. Eisman, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Osteoporosis and Bone Biology Research Program, St. Vincent’s Hospital and University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Vinjar M. Fønnebø, The National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Diabetic glomerulosclerosis is the hardening of the renal glomeruli that can lead to kidney failure. In the early stage of glomerulosclerosis occur renal mesangial expansion and renal filtration dysfunction. Purple corn has been classified as a functional food and is rich in anthocyanins exerting potential disease-preventive activities. The in vitro study using human renal mesangial cells examined that anthocyanin-rich purple corn butanol fraction (PCB) can attenuate high glucose (HG)-promoted mesangial cell proliferation and matrix accumulation. Methods   Cells were cultured for 3 days in media containing 33 mM glucose in the presence of 1–20 μg/mL PCB. In the in vivo animal study, db/db mice were treated with 10 mg/kg anthocyanin-rich polyphenolic extracts of purple corn (PCE) for 8 weeks. Results   HG enhanced mesangial production of the fibrosis biomarkers of collagen IV and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which was markedly attenuated by adding PCB. Such mesangial fibrosis entailed interleukin-8 activation via eliciting Tyk2-STAT signaling pathway. PCB dampened HG-promoted mesangial hyperplasia that appeared to be attributed to increased expression of platelet-derived growth factor. The 8-week administration of PCE lowered plasma glucose level of db/db mice and ameliorated severe albuminuria. Moreover, PCE lessened collagen fiber accumulation in kidney glomeruli and CTGF expression via retarding TGF-β signaling. Protein expressions of nephrin and podocin, key proteins for filtration barrier function of the glomerular capillary wall, were repressed by treating mice with PCE. Conclusion   Purple corn may be a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment for diabetes-associated glomerulosclerosis accompanying proteinuria and kidney filtration dysfunction. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0274-4 Authors Jing Li, Department of Food and Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-702 South Korea Min-Kyung Kang, Department of Food and Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-702 South Korea Jin-Kyu Kim, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, 200-702 Korea Jung-Lye Kim, Department of Food and Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-702 South Korea Sang-Wook Kang, Department of Food and Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-702 South Korea Soon Sung Lim, Department of Food and Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-702 South Korea Young-Hee Kang, Department of Food and Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-702 South Korea Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   The main objective of this study was to evaluate the association between dietary patterns and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its metabolic abnormalities among Lebanese adults, using data from a national nutrition survey. Methods   A cross-sectional analysis involving adults aged ≥18 years ( n  = 323) with no prior history of chronic diseases was conducted. Participants completed a brief sociodemographic and 61-item food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were also obtained. The International Diabetes Federation criteria were used to classify study participants with the metabolic syndrome. Dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of extracted patterns with MetS and its metabolic abnormalities. Results   Out of 323 participants, 112 (34.6%) were classified as having MetS. Three dietary patterns were identified: “Fast Food/Dessert,” “Traditional Lebanese,” and “High Protein.” Compared with participants in the lowest quintile of the Fast Food/Dessert pattern, those in the highest quintile had significantly higher odds for MetS (OR, 3.13; 95% CI: 1.36–7.22) and hyperglycemia (OR, 3.81; 95% CI: 159–9.14). Subjects with the highest intake of the High Protein pattern had an increased risk for hypertension (OR, 2.98; 95% CI: 1.26–7.02). The Traditional Lebanese pattern showed no association with MetS or its components. Conclusions   The findings of this study demonstrate a positive association of the Fast Food/Dessert pattern with MetS and hyperglycemia among Lebanese adults. These results may guide the development of improved preventive nutrition interventions in this adult population. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0291-3 Authors F. Naja, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut, 1107-2020 Lebanon L. Nasreddine, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut, 1107-2020 Lebanon L. Itani, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut, 1107-2020 Lebanon N. Adra, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut, 1107-2020 Lebanon A. M. Sibai, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut, 1107-2020 Lebanon N. Hwalla, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut, 1107-2020 Lebanon Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description:    The aim of the present study was to upgrade the bonding quality and water resistance of medium-density particleboards based on rice husks (RH) as a wood substitute and soybean protein concentrate (SPC) as the binder via chemical modification of SPC. Alkali (A), citric acid (CA) and boric acid (BA) were used to modify proteins and the carbohydrate complex in SPC. The effect of chemical treatment performed on SPC was followed by Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, thermo-gravimetric analysis and initial apparent viscosity measurements. Board properties were evaluated in terms of internal bond (IB) and physical properties. Results revealed that boards bonded with SPC treated with boric acid, exhibited the highest IB and the lowest water absorption and thickness swelling at 2 and 24 h, due to cross-linking reactions with exposed OH-groups in the amorphous region of cellulose of RH. Results demonstrate that boric acid-modified–SPC-bonded boards met the requirements of IB recommended by the US Standard ANSI A208.1-2009 for M1, MS, M2 and M3-grade medium-density particleboards but failed to pass the thickness swelling required. This issue of BSPC-RH boards is compensated for by the benefit of being formaldehyde-free which makes them suitable for indoor applications. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2058-2 Authors E. M. Ciannamea, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Av. J. B. Justo 4302 (7600), Mar del Plata, Argentina J. F. Martucci, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Av. J. B. Justo 4302 (7600), Mar del Plata, Argentina P. M. Stefani, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Av. J. B. Justo 4302 (7600), Mar del Plata, Argentina R. A. Ruseckaite, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Av. J. B. Justo 4302 (7600), Mar del Plata, Argentina Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    A reversed-phase gradient ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatographic method with a water–acetonitrile mobile phase and UV detection has been developed to rapidly determine the concentration of the major tocopherol components in B100. The described method requires minimal sample preparation and provides short analysis times compatible with the needs of small to mid-size laboratories involved in B100 analyses. The objectives of this work were twofold. We wished to develop an analytical method both to rapidly screen B100 samples for their tocopherol content and to provide additional information on the source (from the distribution of tocopherols) and the nature of the processing of the B100 (absence of tocopherols would suggest distillation). Information on the tocopherol content of the B100 can be used to assess the inherent antioxidant content of the B100 and the extent to which additional stabilizers are required. The method determines the concentration of alpha, gamma and delta tocopherols and has a chromatographic run time of 4.5 min with minimal sample preparation. Calibration curves were linear over the range of 5–350 μg/mL and had correlation coefficients exceeding 0.999. The short term precision of the method was evaluated, and relative standard deviations were typically 2 % or less. Recovery of spiked tocopherols averaged 97 %. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2061-7 Authors R. E. Pauls, Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description: Purpose   Plant sterol (PS)-enriched food products are known to reduce plasma cholesterol concentrations by inhibiting the absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol. The physiological responses induced by food intake in the gastrointestinal tract are all important factors in determining the overall effect of PS. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the effect of timing of consumption of a plant sterol (PS)–containing yoghurt drink relative to meal ingestion on gastric emptying (GE) of the drink and gallbladder (GB) volume. Methods   This is a randomized, single-centre, controlled study with crossover design in 12 healthy male volunteers. Three treatments were tested; a 100 mL PS yoghurt drink (labeled with 1,000 mg acetaminophen) was consumed 45 min prior to, during and 45 min after a solid meal. Plasma samples were taken, and gallbladder volumes were measured at baseline and at regular intervals during a 6-h study period. Results   When consumed before the consumption of a meal, the yoghurt drink exhibited fast GE. The solid meal intake caused a significant contraction of the gallbladder. Consumption of the PS drink before the meal had no significant effect on GB volume as compared to baseline and compared to during and after meal consumption. Conclusions   The PS-containing drink, which empties fast from the stomach, does not sufficiently trigger gallbladder contraction without co-ingestion of a solid meal and in consequence does not induce the necessary physiological changes needed to allow PS to exhibit their effect on inhibiting cholesterol absorption. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0440-3 Authors D. Keszthelyi, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands D. Knol, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, Olivier van Noortlaan 120, 3133 AT Vlaardingen, The Netherlands F. J. Troost, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands M. van Avesaat, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands M. Foltz, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, Olivier van Noortlaan 120, 3133 AT Vlaardingen, The Netherlands A. A. M. Masclee, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Biological effects of marine oils, fish oil (FO) and krill oil (KO), are mostly attributed to the high content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), predominantly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The study was aimed to investigate the influence of FO and KO on lipid homeostasis and inflammation in an animal model of persistent low-grade exposure to human tumor necrosis factor α (hTNF-α) and to evaluate whether these effects depend on the structural forms of EPA and DHA [triacylglycerols (TAG) vs. phospholipids]. Methods   Male C57BL/6 hTNF-α mice were fed for 6 weeks a high-fat control diet (24.50 % total fats, w/w) or high-fat diets containing either FO or KO at similar doses of n-3 PUFAs (EPA: 5.23 vs. 5.39 wt%, DHA: 2.82 vs. 2.36 wt% of total fatty acids). Results   We found that KO, containing bioactive n-3 PUFAs in the form of phospholipids, was capable of modulating lipid metabolism by lowering plasma levels of TAG and cholesterol and stimulating the mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation, as well as improving the overall carnitine turnover. Though the administration of FO was not as effective as KO in the lowering of plasma TAG, FO significantly improved the levels of all cholesterol classes in plasma. Except from the increase in the levels of IL-17 in FO-fed mice and a trend to decrease in MCP-1 levels in KO-fed animals, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were not substantially different between treatment groups. Conclusion   Our findings demonstrate that FO and KO are comparable dietary sources of n-3 PUFAs. However, when quantitatively similar doses of n-3 PUFAs are administered, KO seems to have a greater potential to promote lipid catabolism. The effect of dietary oils on the levels of inflammatory markers in hTNF-α transgenic mice fed a high-fat diet needs further investigations. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0441-2 Authors Natalya Filipchuk Vigerust, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway Bodil Bjørndal, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway Pavol Bohov, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway Trond Brattelid, National Institute of Fisheries, NIFES, 5804 Bergen, Norway Asbjørn Svardal, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway Rolf Kristian Berge, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   It is relatively unknown how different dietary components, in partnership, regulate gene expression linked to colon pathology. It has been suggested that the combination of various bioactive components present in a plant-based diet is crucial for their potential anticancer activities. This study employed a combinatorial chemopreventive strategy to investigate the impact of selenium and/or isothiocyanates on DNA methylation processes in colorectal carcinoma cell lines. Methods   To gain insights into the epigenetic-mediated changes in gene expression in response to these dietary constituents cultured Caco-2 and HCT116 cells were exposed for up to 12 days to different concentrations of selenium methylselenocysteine and selenite (ranging from 0.2 to 5 μM) either alone or in combination with sulforaphane and iberin (ranging from 6 to 8 μM), and changes to gene-specific ( p16 INK4A and ESR1 ), global (LINE-1) methylation and DNMT expression were quantified using real-time PCR-based assays. Results   No effects on the methylation of CpG islands in ESR1 , p16 INK4A or of LINE-1, a marker of global genomic methylation, were observed after exposure of Caco-2 and HCT116 cells to selenium or isothiocyanates. Only transient changes in DNMT mRNA expression, which occurred mostly in the treatment groups containing isothiocyanates, were observed, and these occurred only for specific DNMT transcripts and did not lead to the modification of the aberrant methylation status present in these cells. Conclusion   These data suggest that treatment for colon cancer cells with selenium and/or isothiocyanates, either individually or in combination does not impact abnormal methylation patterns of key genes involved in the complex multistep process of colon carcinogenesis in vitro. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0442-1 Authors Lawrence N. Barrera, Department of Nutrition, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ UK Ian T. Johnson, Institute of Food Research, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UA UK Yongping Bao, Department of Nutrition, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ UK Aedin Cassidy, Department of Nutrition, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ UK Nigel J. Belshaw, Institute of Food Research, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UA UK Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description:    In this study, the stability of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions prepared with structured lipid (SL) were evaluated in which the SL was produced through lipase-catalyzed interesterification between soybean oil and rice bran oil. After interesterification, the major TAG species in the SL were PLP (22.5 %), PLL/OOLn (21.8 %), LPL (16.1 %), and LLS/PLO (16.1 %), and the total amount of tocopherol and tocotrienol was 20.9 mg/100 g of SL. Sophorolipid was used as an emulsifier for preparing SL-based O/W emulsions, and the effect of pH (pH 5.8, 7 and 7.2) on stability was studied by analyzing the fat globule size. From the results, SL-based O/W emulsions showed similar stabilities to those prepared with Tween 20 at the neutral environment. In the oxidation study, any antioxidant addition of propyl gallate (PG), ascorbic acid 6-palmitate (AP) or quercetin hydrate (Que) distinctively prevented peroxide formation on the SL-based O/W emulsion throughout the 23 days of storage while AP was less effective to lower TBARS values than PG and Que. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2133-8 Authors Cheng-Lian Xue, Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 305-764 South Korea Daniel K. Y. Solaiman, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA Richard D. Ashby, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA Jonathan Zerkowski, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA Jeung Hee Lee, Department of Food and Nutrition, Daegu University, Jillyang, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 712-714, South Korea Soon-Taek Hong, Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 305-764 South Korea Dan Yang, Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 305-764 South Korea Jung-Ah Shin, Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 305-764 South Korea Chen-Ming Ji, Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 305-764 South Korea Ki-Teak Lee, Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 305-764 South Korea Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description: Background and aims   Protein malnutrition affects resistance to infection by impairing the inflammatory response, modifying the function of effector cells, such as macrophages. Recent studies have revealed that glutamine—a non-essential amino acid, which could become conditionally essential in some situations like trauma, infection, post-surgery and sepsis—is able to modulate the synthesis of cytokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of glutamine on the expression of proteins involved in the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathway of peritoneal macrophages from malnourished mice. Methods   Two-month-old male Balb/c mice were submitted to protein-energy malnutrition ( n  = 10) with a low-protein diet containing 2 % protein, whereas control mice ( n  = 10) were fed a 12 % protein-containing diet. The haemogram and analysis of plasma glutamine and corticosterone were evaluated. Peritoneal macrophages were pre-treated in vitro with glutamine (0, 0.6, 2 and 10 mmol/L) for 24 h and then stimulated with 1.25 μg LPS for 30 min, and the synthesis of TNF-α and IL-1α and the expression of proteins related to the NF-κB pathway were evaluated. Results   Malnourished animals had anaemia, leucopoenia, lower plasma glutamine and increased corticosterone levels. TNF-α production of macrophages stimulated with LPS was significantly lower in cells from malnourished animals when cultivated in supraphysiological (2 and 10 mmol/L) concentrations of glutamine. Further, glutamine has a dose-dependent effect on the activation of macrophages, in both groups, when stimulated with LPS, inducing a decrease in TNF-α and IL-1α production and negatively modulating the NF-κB signalling pathway. Conclusions   These data lead us to infer that the protein malnutrition state interferes with the activation of macrophages and that higher glutamine concentrations, in vitro, have the capacity to act negatively in the NF-κB signalling pathway. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0443-0 Authors Fabiana da Silva Lima, Experimental Hematology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Lineu Prestes, 580 Bloco 17, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil Marcelo Macedo Rogero, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Mayara Caldas Ramos, Experimental Hematology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Lineu Prestes, 580 Bloco 17, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil Primavera Borelli, Experimental Hematology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Lineu Prestes, 580 Bloco 17, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil Ricardo Ambrósio Fock, Experimental Hematology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Lineu Prestes, 580 Bloco 17, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description:    Oleic acid (OA) is a renewable monounsaturated fatty acid obtained from high oleic sunflower oil. This work was focused on the oxidative scission of OA, which yields a mono-acid (pelargonic acid, PA) and a di-acid (azelaic acid, AA) through an emulsifying system. The conventional method for producing AA and PA consists of the ozonolysis of oleic acid, a process which presents numerous drawbacks. Therefore, we proposed to study a new alternative process using a green oxidant and a solvent-free system. OA was oxidized in a batch reactor with a biphasic organic-aqueous system consisting of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 , 30 %) as an oxidant and a peroxo–tungsten complex Q 3 {PO 4 [WO(O 2 ) 2 ] 4 } as a phase-transfer catalyst/co-oxidant. Several phase-transfer catalysts were prepared in situ from tungstophosphoric acid, H 2 O 2 and different quaternary ammonium salts (Q + , Cl – ). The catalyst [C 5 H 5 N( n -C 16 H 33 )] 3 {PO 4 [WO(O 2 ) 2 ] 4 } was found to give the best results and was chosen for the optimization of the other parameters of the process. This optimization led to a complete conversion of OA into AA and PA with high yields (〉80 %) using the system OA/H 2 O 2 /[C 5 H 5 N( n -C 16 H 33 )] 3 {PO 4 [WO(O 2 ) 2 ] 4 } (1/5/0.02 molar ratio) at 85 °C for 5 h. In addition, a new treatment was developed in order to recover the catalyst. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2134-7 Authors Anaïs Godard, Université de Toulouse, INPT-ENSIACET, LCA (Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle), ENSIACET, 4 Allée Emile Monso, 31030 Toulouse, France Pascale De Caro, Université de Toulouse, INPT-ENSIACET, LCA (Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle), ENSIACET, 4 Allée Emile Monso, 31030 Toulouse, France Sophie Thiebaud-Roux, Université de Toulouse, INPT-ENSIACET, LCA (Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle), ENSIACET, 4 Allée Emile Monso, 31030 Toulouse, France Emeline Vedrenne, Université de Toulouse, INPT-ENSIACET, LCA (Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle), ENSIACET, 4 Allée Emile Monso, 31030 Toulouse, France Zéphirin Mouloungui, Université de Toulouse, INPT-ENSIACET, LCA (Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle), ENSIACET, 4 Allée Emile Monso, 31030 Toulouse, France Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    The availability of a reliable methodology for the quantification of fatty acid esters of monochloropropropanediol (MCPD) and glycidol is essential for understanding the mechanism of formation of these process contaminants and for developing effective mitigation strategies. While several analytical methods for the determination of MCPD esters have already been developed and evaluated, only very few procedures are currently available for the analysis of glycidyl esters. This work presents a new indirect method for the simultaneous quantification of fatty acid esters of 2-MCPD, 3-MCPD and glycidol. The method is based on the acid-catalyzed conversion of glycidyl esters into 3-monobromopropanediol (3-MBPD) monoesters which, owing to the structural similarity to MCPD esters, are quantified by using the procedure we previously optimized for the analysis of MCPD esters. The critical step of the method, which is the conversion of glycidyl esters, was optimized by testing different reagent concentrations and varying other condition settings. The novel method showed good repeatability (RSD 〈2.5 %) and between-day reproducibility (RSD ≤5 %). The limit of detection was 0.04 mg/kg for bound 2-MCPD and 3-MCPD and 0.06 mg/kg for bound glycidol. The trueness of the method was evaluated by the analysis of spiked samples and by interlaboratory comparison. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2132-9 Authors A. Ermacora, Department of Fat Technology, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, Olivier van Noortlaan 120, 3133 AT Vlaardingen, The Netherlands K. Hrncirik, Department of Fat Technology, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, Olivier van Noortlaan 120, 3133 AT Vlaardingen, The Netherlands Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description: Purpose   Animal and laboratory studies suggest that long-chain omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat found in fatty fish, may protect against carcinogenesis, but human studies on dietary intake of polyunsaturated fats and fish with endometrial cancer risk show mixed results. Methods   We evaluated the associations between endometrial cancer risk and intake of fatty acids and fish in a population-based sample of 556 incident cancer cases and 533 age-matched controls using multivariate unconditional logistic regression methods. Results   Although total n-3 fatty acid intake was not associated with endometrial cancer risk, higher intakes of eicosapentaenoic (EPA 20:5) and docosahexaenoic (DHA 22:6) fatty acids were significantly associated with lower risks (OR = 0.57, 95 % CI: 0.39–0.84; OR = 0.64, 95 % CI: 0.44–0.94; respectively) comparing extreme quartiles. The ratio of n-3:n-6 fatty acids was inversely associated with risk only on a continuous scale (OR = 0.84, 95 % CI: 0.71–0.99), while total fish intake was not associated with risk. Fish oil supplement use was significantly associated with reduced risk of endometrial cancer: OR = 0.63 (95 % CI: 0.45–0.88). Conclusions   Our results suggest that dietary intake of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA in foods and supplements may have protective associations against the development of endometrial cancer. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0436-z Authors Hannah Arem, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Marian L. Neuhouser, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA Melinda L. Irwin, Yale School of Public Health, School of Medicine, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Brenda Cartmel, Yale School of Public Health, School of Medicine, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Lingeng Lu, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Harvey Risch, Yale School of Public Health, School of Medicine, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Susan T. Mayne, Yale School of Public Health, School of Medicine, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Herbert Yu, Yale School of Public Health, School of Medicine, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Active hexose-correlated compound (AHCC) is a commercial extract obtained from Basidiomycetes under controlled conditions, yielding a 74 % content in oligosaccharides, especially α-glucans. AHCC has a number of therapeutic effects, including intestinal anti-inflammatory activity. Bifidobacterium longum BB536 is a probiotic with potential health-promoting effect at the gut level. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of synergism between AHCC, which is believed to act as a prebiotic, and B. longum BB536. Methods   We used the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid model (TNBS) of colitis in rats. AHCC (100 or 500 mg kg −1 ) and B. longum BB536 (5 × 10 6  CFU rat −1  day −1 ) were administered together or separately for 7 days prior to colitis induction and then for another 7 days and compared with control (noncolitic) and TNBS rats. Results   The results show that both treatments had intestinal anti-inflammatory activity separately, which was enhanced when used in combination, as shown by changes in body weight gain, colonic weight to length ratio, myeloperoxydase activity and iNOS expression. Interestingly, the association of AHCC 100 mg kg −1  +  B. longum BB536 showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusions   Our data provide a preclinical experimental basis for the synergistic effect of AHCC and B. longum BB536 on inflammatory bowel disease. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0347-z Authors Borja Ocón, Department of Pharmacology, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain Andrea Anzola, Department of Pharmacology, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain Mercedes Ortega-González, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain Antonio Zarzuelo, Department of Pharmacology, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain María D. Suárez, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain Fermín Sánchez de Medina, Department of Pharmacology, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain Olga Martínez-Augustin, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Objective   There is increasing evidence that anorexia of aging can cause physical and mental impairment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between anorexia and sarcopenia in elderly persons aged 80 years or older. Methods   Data are from the baseline evaluation of 354 subjects enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study. The ilSIRENTE study is a prospective cohort study performed in the mountain community living in the Sirente geographic area (L’Aquila, Abruzzo) in Central Italy. We defined anorexia as the presence of loss of appetite and/or lower food intake. According to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria, diagnosis of sarcopenia required the documentation of low muscle mass plus the documentation of either low muscle strength or low physical performance. The relationship between anorexia and sarcopenia was estimated by deriving odds ratios from the multiple logistic regression models considering sarcopenia as the dependent variable. Results   Nearly 21 % of the study sample showed symptoms of anorexia. Using the EWGSOP-suggested algorithm, 103 subjects (29.1 %) with sarcopenia were identified. Thirty-four (46.6 %) participants were affected by sarcopenia among subjects with anorexia compared to 69 subjects [24.6 %] without anorexia ( p  〈 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders including age, gender, functional and cognitive impairment, physical activity, urinary incontinence, comorbidity, congestive heart failure, COPD, depression, anti-cholinergic drugs, and TNF-α plasmatic levels, participants with anorexia had a higher risk of sarcopenia compared with non-anorexic subjects (HR 1.88, 95 % CI 1.01–3.51). Conclusions   Anorexia is common among community-dwelling older subjects in Italy. Our results suggest that among old–old subjects, anorexia is independently associated with sarcopenia. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0437-y Authors Francesco Landi, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Rosa Liperoti, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Andrea Russo, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Silvia Giovannini, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Matteo Tosato, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Christian Barillaro, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Ettore Capoluongo, Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Roberto Bernabei, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Graziano Onder, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Peptide YY (PYY) is a gastrointestinal hormone with physiological actions regulating appetite and energy homoeostasis. The cellular mechanisms by which nutrients stimulate PYY secretion from intestinal enteroendocrine cells are still being elucidated. Methods   This study comprehensively evaluated the suitability of intestinal STC-1 cells as an in vitro model of PYY secretion. PYY concentrations (both intracellular and in culture media) with other intestinal peptides (CCK, GLP-1 and GIP) demonstrated that PYY is a prominent product of STC-1 cells. Furthermore, acute and chronic PYY responses to 15 short (SCFAs)- and long-chain (LCFAs) dietary fatty acids were measured alongside parameters for DNA synthesis, cell viability and cytotoxicity. Results   We found STC-1 cells to be reliable secretors of PYY constitutively releasing PYY into cell culture media (but not into non-stimulatory buffer). We demonstrate for the first time that STC-1 cells produce PYY mRNA transcripts; that STC-1 cells produce specific time- and concentration-dependent PYY secretory responses to valeric acid; that linoleic acid and conjugated linoleic acid 9,11 (CLA 9,11) are potent PYY secretagogues; and that chronic exposure of SCFAs and LCFAs can be detrimental to STC-1 cells. Conclusions   Our studies demonstrate the potential usefulness of STC-1 cells as an in vitro model for investigating nutrient-stimulated PYY secretion in an acute setting. Furthermore, our discovery that CLA directly stimulates L-cells to secrete PYY indicates another possible mechanism contributing to the observed effects of dietary CLA on weight loss. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0439-9 Authors Katharine V. Hand, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK Christine M. Bruen, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland Fiona O’Halloran, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland Harsh Panwar, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK Danielle Calderwood, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK Linda Giblin, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland Brian D. Green, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description:    In this study, two different groups of fat samples were prepared in a way that samples of each group had different trans fatty acid (TFA) composition but similar solid fat content (SFC). Samples of the first group (named group A) had TFA between 0.0 and 56.23 %, while the samples of the second group (group B) contained trans isomers ranging from 0.0 to 44.4 %. A polarized microscope was used to monitor the differences between the samples in terms of crystal size and crystal number during isothermal crystallization. In general, increasing TFA resulted in formation of larger crystals in a shorter time. Similar findings were also observed when small deformation time and frequency sweep experiments were conducted. A higher TFA content led to higher complex modulus values during isothermal crystallization. On the other hand, when the samples were stored at 4 °C for 48 h, the samples with the lower trans isomer had higher hardness values. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2131-x Authors Behic Mert, Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey Hakan Erinc, Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey Kubra Sahin, Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ankara, Diskapi, 06110 Ankara, Turkey Aziz Tekin, Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ankara, Diskapi, 06110 Ankara, Turkey Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    The physicochemical properties and chemical composition of oils extracted from two varieties of mature seeds of Allanblackia gabonensis and A. stanerana were assessed. The physicochemical properties of oils from Allanblackia gabonensis and A. stanerana were respectively 5.35 and 22.023 % for the water content; 68.15 and 69.87 % for the extraction yield on a dry basis; 0.35 and 0.30 mg KOH/g oil for the acid index; 35.57 and 29.75 g of I 2 /100 g oil for the iodine index; 1.3740 and 1.4150 for the refractive index. The fatty acid profile of those oils showed respectively four saturated fatty acids 60.61 and 70.94 %, two monounsaturated fatty acids 37.46 and 28.22 %, two polyunsaturated fatty acids 0.82 and 0.81 % for Allanblackia gabonensis and A. stanerana oils respectively. In both cases, fatty acids C18:0 and C18:1 were dominant. Most of the physicochemical properties showed significant variation ( P  〈 0.05) from one oil to other, the difference being insignificant ( P  〉 0.05) between the two chemical compositions. The analysis of these characteristics showed interesting application features for these oils. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2130-y Authors Martin Pengou, Department of Chemistry, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon Guy Bertrand Noumi, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon Emmanuel Ngameni, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    The oil-in-water emulsion formed during an aqueous extraction of yellow mustard seed flour was destabilized using isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in a four stage extraction process, with concurrent recovery of oil and water in separate phases. The emulsion was extracted using two different approaches: phase separation extraction (PSE) that used fresh IPA as the extraction solvent at each stage, and phase separation extraction with recycle (PSER) that reused the extracted water-rich phase, containing IPA, as the extraction solvent. Extraction processes by both approaches were modeled by the ternary liquid phase diagram of IPA, canola oil and water to characterize the extraction progress. PSER resulted in improved oil–water separation and IPA usage efficiency than PSE, but achieved only 84.0 % oil recovery, compared to 92.3 % by PSE. The ternary diagram of IPA, canola oil and water offered good approximation of the oil and water separation behavior of PSE and PSER by closely predicting the compositions of the separated phases; however, the weight ratio of the separated phases were not as closely predicted. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2127-6 Authors Youngmee Tiffany Jung, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3E5, Canada Levente L. Diosady, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3E5, Canada Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Oil content, fatty acid composition and karanjin content were studied in developing pongamia seeds, at intervals of 3 weeks from 30 weeks after flowering up to 42 weeks. Three marked stages in seed development were observed at the early green pod stage, the middle half brown stage and the late dark brown stage. Significant variation in seed biomass, pod and seed characteristics were observed. A significant ( P  〈 0.01) decrease in the moisture content of the seeds was observed during seed development. The oil content gradually increased from 32.06 to 36.53 % as the seed matured. A significant variation in fatty acid composition was detected across all stages of seed development. Palmitic acid (16:0) content marginally decreased from 11.81 to 10.18 %, while stearic acid (18:0) and linolenic acid (18:3) remained constant at all stages of seed maturity. A steady increase in oleic acid (18:1) content from 38.11 to 49.11 % was observed, while the linoleic acid (18:2) content decreased from 30.14 to 18.85 %. The iodine value increased, while the saponification number of oil decreased during seed development. The increase in karanjin content was steady. Seeds harvested after 42 week after flowering yielded the maximum oil with high oleic acid content which could be suitable for biodiesel production. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2126-7 Authors H. R. Pavithra, Biofuel Park, Department of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru, 560065 Karnataka, India Balakrishna Gowda, Biofuel Park, Department of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru, 560065 Karnataka, India K. Rajesh Kumar, Biofuel Park, Department of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru, 560065 Karnataka, India K. T. Prasanna, Biofuel Park, Department of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru, 560065 Karnataka, India M. B. Shivanna, Department of Applied Botany, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, Jnana Sahyadri, Shimoga, 577451 Karnataka, India Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    The study objective was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of aguaribay and cedron essential oils on oil-roasted and salted peanuts. Fried-salted peanuts (FP), fried-salted peanuts with addition of BHT (FP-BHT) aguaribay (FP-A) and cedron (FP-C) essential oils were prepared. Peroxide (PV) and p -anisidine (AV) values, conjugated dienes (CD) and sensory descriptive attributes were analyzed on the products during storage. The major compounds detected were 25.6 % spathulenol and 24.4 % geranial and 27.3 % neral in cedron essential oils and 12.7 % elemol, 11.7 % α-pinene, 9.3 % β-pinene, 8.3 % limonene and 8.2 % α-phellandrene in aguaribay essential oil. PV, AV and CD were lower in FP-BHT during storage. At storage day 112, PVs were 94.86, 82.74, 76.29, and 63.89 mequiv O 2 kg −1 in FP, FP-A, FP-C and FP-BHT, respectively. FP-C and FP-A had lipid oxidation values between FP and FP-BHT. The intensity ratings of oxidized and cardboard flavors increased more in the control sample (FP) than the other samples. At storage day 112, FP-A, FP-BHT and FP-C exhibited oxidized intensity ratings of 24.13, 24.9 and 26.1, respectively, lower than FP (35.83). Aguaribay and cedron essential oils showed protective effect against lipid oxidation in fried-salted peanuts. However, these essential oils could affect the sensory profile and consumer acceptance of this product. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2129-4 Authors Rubén H. Olmedo, Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias (UNC), IMBIV-CONICET, CC 509, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina Valeria Nepote, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales (UNC), IMBIV-CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina Nelson R. Grosso, Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias (UNC), IMBIV-CONICET, CC 509, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description: Background   Procyanidins are extensively metabolized via phase-II and microbial enzymes. However, their distribution in the body is not well characterized. Aim   This study investigates the distribution of procyanidins (monomers and dimers) and their phase-II metabolites in plasma and tissues (thymus, heart, liver, testicle, lung, kidney, spleen and brain). Methods   Wistar rats were fed with 1 g of cocoa cream (CC), 50 mg of procyanidin hazelnut skin extract (PE) and 50 mg PE in 1 g CC (PECC). The rats were killed at 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4 and 18 h after gavage, and the plasma and tissues were analyzed by UPLC–MS/MS. Results   Epicatechin–glucuronide was the main metabolite in the plasma after the CC intake, with C max at 423 nM and t max at 2 h, and methyl catechin–glucuronide (301 nM, 2 h) was the main metabolite in the plasma after the PE intake. As a result of the PECC enrichment, epicatechin–glucuronide (452 nM, 1.5 h) and catechin–glucuronide (297 nM, 2 h) were the main metabolites in the plasma. Methyl catechin–glucuronide was found in the liver after PE (8 nmol/g tissue, 4 h) and PECC (8 nmol/g, 1.5 h). The kidney was found to contain a high concentration of phase-II metabolites of procyanidins and is therefore thought to be the main site of metabolism of the compounds. Methyl catechin–sulfate (6.4 nmol/g, 4 h) was only quantified in the brain and after PE intake. Catechin metabolites were not found in the spleen or heart. Phenolic acids were detected in all tissues. Conclusions   The formulation of a product enriched or fortified with procyanidins is a way to increase their bioavailability, with clear effects on the plasmatic pharmacokinetics, and a greater accumulation of phenolic metabolites in such tissues as the liver, kidney, lung and brain. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0409-2 Authors Aida Serra, Department of Food Technology, XaRTA-UTPV, Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Agrària, Universitat de Lleida, Avda/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain Alba Macià, Department of Food Technology, XaRTA-UTPV, Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Agrària, Universitat de Lleida, Avda/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain Laura Rubió, Department of Food Technology, XaRTA-UTPV, Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Agrària, Universitat de Lleida, Avda/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain Neus Anglès, R+D+i Department, La Morella Nuts, S.A.U., Camí Ample s/n, 43392 Castellvell del Camp, Spain Nàdia Ortega, R+D+i Department, La Morella Nuts, S.A.U., Camí Ample s/n, 43392 Castellvell del Camp, Spain José Ramón Morelló, R+D+i Department, La Morella Nuts, S.A.U., Camí Ample s/n, 43392 Castellvell del Camp, Spain Maria-Paz Romero, Department of Food Technology, XaRTA-UTPV, Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Agrària, Universitat de Lleida, Avda/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain Maria-José Motilva, Department of Food Technology, XaRTA-UTPV, Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Agrària, Universitat de Lleida, Avda/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background   Depression is a very common disorder in elderly, especially in those institutionalized. Nutrition could play an important role in the onset and/or progression of depression, since the intake of carbohydrates with a high glycaemic index (GI) or diets with a high glycaemic load (GL) may increase the insulin-induced brain serotonin secretion. Objective   The aim of our study was to analyse the association between dietary GI and GL and the odds of suffering depression in institutionalized elderly people without antidepressant treatment. Methods   This cross-sectional study included 140 institutionalized elderly people from the Madrid region (Spain) (65–90 years of age) whose diets were recorded using a precise weighing method over seven consecutive days. Energy and nutrient intakes were recorded and the GI and GL calculated. The participants’ affective capacity was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Subjects were grouped into non-depressed (GDS ≤ 5) and depressed (GDS 〉 5). Since GDS scores and gender were statistically associated ( p  〈 0.01), the data were grouped considering this association. Results   Dietary GI (51.09 ± 3.80) and GL (97.54 ± 13.46) were considered as medium. The dietary GL was significantly higher in the non-depressed (100.00 ± 12.13) compared with the depressed group (93.97 ± 14.04, p  〈 0.01). However, a similar GI was observed between non-depressed (51.50 ± 3.29) and depressed groups (50.52 ± 4.46). Additionally, participants with a dietary GL placed in the second and third tertiles had a 67.4 % and 65.3 %, respectively, less odds of suffering depression than those in the first tertile. GDS scores and dietary GL were inversely related; therefore, an increase in one unit in the dietary GL scale decreased the GDS score by 0.058 units. Conclusions   Glyaemic load is associated with a lower odd of depression. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0412-7 Authors A. Aparicio, Departamento de Nutrición, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain F. Robles, Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital de Cantoblanco-Gregorio Marañón, Crta de Colmenar Km 14.5, Madrid, Spain A. M. López-Sobaler, Departamento de Nutrición, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain R. M. Ortega, Departamento de Nutrición, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background   Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are synthesized and secreted by immune and epithelial cells that are constantly exposed to environmental microbes. AMPs are essential for barrier defense, and deficiencies lead to increased susceptibility to infection. In addition to their ability to disrupt the integrity of bacterial, viral and fungal membranes, AMPs bind lipopolysaccharides, act as chemoattractants for immune cells and bind to cellular receptors and modulate the expression of cytokines and chemokines. These additional biological activities may explain the role of AMPs in inflammatory diseases and cancer. Modulating the endogenous expression of AMPs offers potential therapeutic treatments for infection and disease. Methods   The present review examines the published data from both in vitro and in vivo studies reporting the effects of nutrients and by-products of microbial metabolism on the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes in order to highlight an emerging appreciation for the role of dietary compounds in modulating the innate immune response. Results   Vitamins A and D, dietary histone deacetylases and by-products of intestinal microbial metabolism (butyrate and secondary bile acids) have been found to regulate the expression of AMPs in humans. Vitamin D deficiency correlates with increased susceptibility to infection, and supplementation studies indicate an improvement in defense against infection. Animal and human clinical studies with butyrate indicate that increasing expression of AMPs in the colon protects against infection. Conclusion   These findings suggest that diet and/or consumption of nutritional supplements may be used to improve and/or modulate immune function. In addition, by-products of gut microbe metabolism could be important for communicating with intestinal epithelial and immune cells, thus affecting the expression of AMPs. This interaction may help establish a mucosal barrier to prevent invasion of the intestinal epithelium by either mutualistic or pathogenic microorganisms. Content Type Journal Article Category Review Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0415-4 Authors Yan Campbell, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 307 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA Mary L. Fantacone, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 307 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA Adrian F. Gombart, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 307 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Postprandial metabolic stress as a consequence of ingestion of high-energy meals is recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory and antioxidant response of the body to the acute ingestion of a high-fat meal (HFM). Methods   Fifteen healthy overweight subjects were recruited for the study. After HFM consumption, plasma glucose, insulin, uric acid (UA), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), thiols (SH), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and dietary antioxidants were measured at 0, 0, 5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h points from ingestion. Results   The ingestion of HFM induced significant increases in both TG and TC, with peaks at 4 h ( p  〈 0.001) and 8 h ( p  〈 0.01), respectively. IL-6 and TNF-α significantly increased postprandially, reaching maximum concentrations 8 h after meal consumption ( p  〈 0.001). Whereas plasma concentrations of vitamins and carotenoids were not changed by HFM, SH and UA increased, peaking 2–4 h postingestion ( p  〈 0.001 and 0.01, respectively). Increments of SH and UA were positively correlated with AUC for TG (Pearson coefficient 0.888, p  〈 0.001 and 0.923, p  〈 0.001, respectively). Conclusions   Present results indicate that as a consequence of an excess of dietary fat, the body responds through an inflammatory reaction, which is accompanied by an increment of endogenous antioxidant defenses, mediated by UA and SH, but not by vitamins C and E and carotenoids. Although further studies are needed, results of the current investigation represent novel findings on endogenous strategies of redox defense from fat overloads. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0420-7 Authors Cristiana Miglio, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Ilaria Peluso, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Anna Raguzzini, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Deborah V. Villaño, Food and Nutrition Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy Eleonora Cesqui, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Giovina Catasta, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Elisabetta Toti, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Mauro Serafini, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description:    Fatty acids in each neutral lipid (NL) class from non-starch (NSL) and starch lipids (SL) were quantified in maize and rye flours, and sourdough—to ascertain the effect of mixing, and between sourdough and broa (a traditional Portuguese sourdough bread)—to assess the effect of fermentation. Maize and rye flour lipid extracts showed distinct fatty acid profiles. Maize flour exhibited a higher amount of most fatty acid species and of total NL—where triacylglycerols (TAG) and free fatty acids (FA) represented the dominant NL. The fatty acid profiles varied throughout breadmaking (i.e. from the mixture of flours with water, through fermentation until baking): in NSL, the highest concentrations were found in the flour mixture (i.e. 59 % of maize and 41 % of rye flour) or sourdough, whereas in SL they were found in broa ; additionally, SL levels increased, and NSL levels decreased during dough preparation and baking. Palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1) and linoleic (C18:2) acids were the major fatty acids in all food items. Cumulative percentages of C16:0, C18:1 and C18:2 in NSL and SL were over 81 and 75 %, respectively, in the flour mixture, 86 and 66 % in sourdough, and 83 and 82 % in broa . In particular, C18:2 accounted for 52 % of the total fatty acids. The content of sterol esters remained essentially constant throughout fermentation and baking; those of TAG decreased from flours to fermentation, while diacylglycerol and monoacylglycerol increased; the NL fractions were essentially unaffected by baking, yet their FA contents increased. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-21 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2110-2 Authors João M. Rocha, CBQF/Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal Paavo J. Kalo, Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, P. O. Box 27, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00014 Helsinki, Finland F. Xavier Malcata, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description: Effect of Support Acidic Properties on Sulfur Tolerance of Pd Catalysts for Partial Hydrogenation of Rapeseed Oil-Derived FAME Content Type Journal Article Category Letter to the Editor Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2112-0 Authors Natthida Numwong, The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand Apanee Luengnaruemitchai, The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand Nuwong Chollacoop, National Metal and Materials Technology Center, Pathumthani, Thailand Yuji Yoshimura, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description: Purpose   To identify the key parameters involved in cereal starch digestion and associated glycaemic response by the utilisation of a dynamic gastro-duodenal digestion model. Methods   Potential plasma glucose loading curves for each meal were calculated and fitted to an exponential function. The area under the curve (AUC) from 0 to 120 min and total digestible starch was used to calculate an in vitro glycaemic index (GI) value normalised against white bread. Microscopy was additionally used to examine cereal samples collected in vitro at different stages of gastric and duodenal digestion. Results   Where in vivo GI data were available (4 out of 6 cereal meals) no significant difference was observed between these values and the corresponding calculated in vitro GI value. Conclusion   It is possible to simulate an in vivo glycaemic response for cereals when the gastric emptying rate (duodenal loading) and kinetics of digestible starch hydrolysis in the duodenum are known. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0386-5 Authors Simon Ballance, Nofima AS, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway Stefan Sahlstrøm, Nofima AS, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway Per Lea, Nofima AS, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway Nina E. Nagy, Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, Ås, Norway Petter V. Andersen, Nofima AS, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway Tzvetelin Dessev, Nofima AS, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway Sarah Hull, Leatherhead Food Research, Leatherhead, UK Maria Vardakou, Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK Richard Faulks, Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Effect of Added Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Iodine Concentrations on Conjugated Linoleic Acid-Rich Soy Oil Oxidative Stability Content Type Journal Article Category Letter to the Editor Pages 1-3 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2094-y Authors Ramesh R. Yettella, Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas, 2650 N. Young Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72704, USA Chelsey Castrodale, Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas, 2650 N. Young Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72704, USA Andrew Proctor, Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas, 2650 N. Young Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72704, USA Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Drying and cooling are preparatory operations typically applied in the soybean processing industry to reduce the moisture content and temperature of the flakes fed to the extractor. Although these parameters are important for a safe and optimal process of extraction, limited or even inexistent schemes for their control are available. To deal with this problem, the current investigation suggests the use of a PID controller to manipulate the speed of the conveyor belt in order to keep the temperature of the flakes in the discharge of the dryer–cooler close to 61 °C without exceeding the acceptable outlet moisture content range from 9.9 to 12.3 % dry basis (d.b.). Closed-loop responses for the controlled variables when considering simultaneous arbitrary disturbances on operating conditions confirmed the reliability of the current control strategy. A dynamic model represented by a system of two partial differential equations obtained by energy and mass balances for the solute in the bed was used as a virtual conveyor-belt dryer-cooler. Its consistency was checked by a comparison between experimental and calculated results for moisture content and temperature at the exit of a size-scale dryer–cooler of soybean flakes at typical industrial operating conditions. The ISE technique and the simplex method of optimization were used to tune the set of PID parameters in which process control was stable. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2089-8 Authors Augusto Marcos da Silva Hofmann, Polytechnic Center (DTQ/ST/UFPR), Graduate School of Food Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil Cristina Benincá, Polytechnic Center (DTQ/ST/UFPR), Graduate School of Food Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil Valesca Kotovicz, Polytechnic Center (DTQ/ST/UFPR), Graduate School of Food Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil Everton Fernando Zanoelo, Polytechnic Center (DTQ/ST/UFPR), Graduate School of Food Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    In this study, our aim was to enrich olive oil with stearidonic acid (SDA) together with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) by lipase-catalyzed acidolysis using olive oil (OO) and free fatty acids of Echium oil, in the presence of Lipozyme ® TL IM. The reaction conditions were optimized by using response surface methodology. A three-factor, five level central composite circumscribed designs was used to generate the design points. The factors chosen were: substrate molar ratio ( S r , 4–6 mol/mol), reaction temperature ( T , 55–65 °C), and reaction time ( t , 6–9 h). Targeted incorporation (5 %) of SDA into OO was achieved at substrate molar ratio of 6 mol/mol, 55 °C, and 8.4 h. Model verification performed under these conditions for mg- and g-scale production yielded SDA contents of 4.9 and 4.8 %, respectively. Moreover, it was observed that the structured lipid (SL) obtained under optimum conditions contained approximately 42 % oleic acid and 43 % PUFA including linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and γ-linolenic acid. Omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio of SLs was 0.7. Analysis of oxidative properties resulted in lower oxidative stability of SL than unmodified OO. This type of SL containing SDA and other PUFA is believed to be beneficial for human health. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2097-8 Authors Sena Bilgiç, Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469 Istanbul, Turkey Neşe Şahin Yeşilçubuk, Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469 Istanbul, Turkey Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Lipase from Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) latex of the Zidi variety was purified 80.5-fold with 68.5 % recovery using silica gel chromatography. The molecular weight of the enzyme was 29 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE. High lipolytic activity was found in the crude extract during the fruit ripening process. The activity of purified lipase (ZL) seemed to depend strongly on chain length and showed a preference to long chain triacylglycerols. Indeed, ZL specific activity was 370.3 UI/mg using olive oil as a substrate at 45 °C and pH 5.5. In contrast, activity towards short chain triacylglycerols (tributyrin) was 12-fold lower (32 UI/mg). The enzyme was quite stable in the pH range 4–8, and thermally stable at 60 °C displaying t 1/2 about 90 min using olive oil as a substrate. The values of K m app and V m were found to be 14.3 mM and 294.1 μmol/min/mg, respectively. ZL activity was strongly reduced by Fe 2+ , Mg 2+ and Zn 2+ , while significantly increased by Ca 2+ and Cu 2+ . The enzyme was stimulated by sodium dodecyl sulfate, and Tween-80, while Triton X-100 and EDTA had a slight inhibitory effect. No Effect was observed in addition of PMSF and iodoacetic acid. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2095-x Authors Houda Lazreg-Aref, Laboratoire de Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio ressources (UR 03ES09), Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia Habib Mosbah, Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Génie Enzymatique des Lipases, ENIS, Sfax, Tunisia Abdelwaheb Fekih, Laboratoire de Chimie, 03/UR/1202, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia Massoud Mars, Laboratoire U.R. Agro biodiversité, Département des Sciences Horticoles, Institut Supérieur Agronomique, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia Khaled Said, Laboratoire de Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio ressources (UR 03ES09), Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Lipase (Lipozyme TL IM)-mediated biocatalysis in a solvent-free system was effectively employed to convert coconut oil and fusel oil to flavor-active octanoic acid esters (mainly ethyl-, butyl-, isobutyl- and (iso)amyl octanoate). Response surface methodology based on five-level-three-factor central composite design was applied to investigate the effects of single and multiple interactive factors on the conversion. Results indicated that the studied independent parameters including reactant molar ratio, enzyme loading and shaking speed were all significant factors that affected the formation of octanoic acid esters during transesterification reaction. According to the developed polynomial model ( R 2  = 0.947), the optimum transesterification conditions were determined as follows: molar ratio of 3.25:1 (alcohol/oil), enzyme loading of 16.7 % (wt%) and shaking speed of 160 rpm. Under the optimized reaction conditions an average conversion of 62.0 % was achieved which was in reasonable agreement with the predicted value of 64.1 % and about 9.4 mg of ethyl octanoate, 14.4 mg of isobutyl octanoate, 0.3 mg of butyl octanoate and 49.2 mg of (iso)amyl octanoate were produced per gram of coconut oil. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2099-6 Authors Jingcan Sun, Food Science and Technology Programme, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, Singapore Jin Hua Chin, Food Science and Technology Programme, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, Singapore Weibiao Zhou, Food Science and Technology Programme, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, Singapore Bin Yu, Firmenich Asia Pte Ltd, Tuas, Singapore, Singapore Philip Curran, Firmenich Asia Pte Ltd, Tuas, Singapore, Singapore Shao-Quan Liu, Food Science and Technology Programme, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, Singapore Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Three strains of Pseudomonas ( P. ) bacteria were screened for their capabilities of degrading chemically synthesized saturated branched-chain fatty acids (sbc–FA). Mixtures of sbc–FA with the methyl-branch located at various locales along the fatty acid were used as a carbon feedstock in shake-flask culture. Utilization (and hence degradability) of the sbc–FA was monitored based on positive bacterial growth, fatty acid recovery rates and chromatographic (gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectroscopy (MS)) analysis of the recovered carbon source. P. putida KT2442 and P. oleovorans NRRL B-14683 were both able to grow on sbc–FA utilizing 35 wt% and 27 wt% of the carbon source, respectively after 144 h. In contrast, P. resinovorans NRRL B-2649 exhibited the most efficient use of the carbon source by utilizing 89 % of the starting material after 96 h resulting in a cell dry weight (CDW) of 3.1 g/L. GC and GC–MS analysis of the recovered carbon source revealed that the bacterial strains selectively utilized the isostearic acid in the sbc–FA mixture, and a new group of C 10 , C 12 , C 14 and C 16 -linear and/or branched-chain fatty acids (approximately 4–29 wt%) were formed during degradation. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2092-0 Authors Helen L. Ngo, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 E. Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA Richard D. Ashby, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 E. Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA Alberto Nuñez, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 E. Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4 ω-3) content of modified soybean oil (MSO) containing ~25 % SDA, was increased by lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis. Four non-immobilized powdered lipases, Lipase AY 30 ( Candida rugosa ), Lipase G 50 ( Penicillium camembertii ), Lipomod™ 34P-L034P ( Candida cylindracea [ rugosa ]), Lipomod™ 36P-L036P ( Rhizopus oryzae ), and an immobilized lipase, Lipozyme RM IM ( Rhizomucor miehei ) were assessed, at various incubation times, for their ability to hydrolyze MSO and specificity toward SDA. The SDA enriched products contained triacylglycerols (TAG), diacylglycerols (DAG) and monoacylglycerols (MAG). Lipase 34P-L034P exhibited specificity towards SDA, while Lipase AY was able to discriminate against it. The highest total SDA content (40.9 mol%) was obtained with Amano AY lipase at 4 h incubation (66.2 % hydrolysis). Unhydrolyzed TAG, 1,3-DAG, 2,3(1)-DAG, and MAG contained 37.7 (56.4 at the sn -2 position), 41.6, 51.5 (54.9 at the sn -2 position), and 49.9 % SDA, respectively. Amano AY lipase was also used to hydrolyze previously SDA-enriched TAG (48.7 % SDA) obtained from low temperature crystallization of MSO. The highest total SDA content (62. 7  mol%) was obtained at 12 h incubation (85.9 % hydrolysis). The SDA contents of unhydrolyzed TAG, 1,3-DAG, 2,3(1)-DAG, and MAG were 58. 7 (65.7 at the sn -2 position), 71.2, 70.2 (52.9 at the sn -2 position), and 59.4 %, respectively. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2108-9 Authors Leslie Kleiner, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2610, USA Luis Vázquez, Institute of Food Science Research (CIAL) (CSIC-UAM), UAM Cantoblanco Campus, Madrid, 28049 Spain Casimir C. Akoh, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2610, USA Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description:    Polyol derived from soybean oil was made from crude soybean oil by epoxidization and hydroxylation. Soy-based polyurethane (PU) foams were prepared by the in-situ reaction of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) polyurea prepolymer and soy-based polyol. A free-rise method was developed to prepare the sustainable PU foams for use in automotive and bedding cushions. In this study, three petroleum-based PU foams were compared with two soy-based PU foams in terms of their foam characterizations and properties. Soy-based PU foams were made with soy-based polyols with different hydroxyl values. Soy-based PU foams had higher T g (glass transition temperature) and worse cryogenic properties than petroleum-based PU foams. Bio-foams had lower thermal degradation temperatures in the urethane degradation due to natural molecular chains with lower thermal stability than petroleum skeletons. However, these foams had good thermal degradation at a high temperature stage because of MDI polyurea prepolymer, which had superior thermal stability than toluene diisocyanate adducts in petroleum-based PU foams. In addition, soy-based polyol, with high hydroxyl value, contributed PU foam with superior tensile and higher elongation, but lower compressive strength and modulus. Nonetheless, bio-foam made with high hydroxyl valued soy-based polyol had smaller and better distributed cell size than that using low hydroxyl soy-based polyol. Soy-based polyol with high hydroxyl value also contributed the bio-foam with thinner cell walls compared to that with low hydroxyl value, whereas, petroleum-based PU foams had no variations in cell thickness and cell distributions. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2109-8 Authors Ruijun Gu, Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada Samir Konar, Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada Mohini Sain, Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X

Description: Purpose   This study investigated the absorption mechanism of the phytochemicals indicaxanthin and betanin and the influence of their food matrix (cactus pear and red beet) on the intestinal transport. Methods   Trans-epithelial transport of dietary-consistent amounts of indicaxanthin and betanin in Caco-2 cell monolayers seeded on Transwell R inserts was measured in apical to basolateral (AP-BL) and basolateral to apical (BL-AP) direction, under an inwardly directed pH gradient (pH 6.0/7.4, AP/BL) mimicking luminal and serosal sides of human intestinal epithelium. The effect of inhibitors of membrane transporters on the absorption was also evaluated. Contribution of the paracellular route was investigated after EDTA treatment of the cell monolayer. In vitro digestion of betalainic food was performed to provide a post-intestinal fraction containing bioaccessible pigments. Results   Apparent permeability coefficients ( P app ) in the absorptive direction were (4.4 ± 0.4) × 10 −6 and (3.2 ± 0.3) × 10 −6  cm s −1 for indicaxanthin and betanin, respectively. Transport of indicaxanthin was non-polarized, linear as a function of time and concentration, and unaffected by inhibitors of membrane transporters. Betanin exhibited significantly different bidirectional P app values and non-linear efflux kinetics. The concentration-dependent betanin efflux was described by a kinetic model including one non-saturable ( K d  = 0.042 μL cm −2  min −1 ) and one saturable component identified as the apical multidrug resistance–associated protein 2 (MRP2; K m  = 275 μM; J max  = 42 pmol min −1 cm −2 ). Permeation of both betalains increased remarkably after EDTA treatment of the cell monolayer. Neither indicaxanthin nor betanin underwent metabolic transformation. Food matrix did not affect trans-epithelial transfer of indicaxanthin, but reduced the absorption rate of betanin, red beet more than cactus pear. Conclusions   Dietary indicaxanthin and betanin can substantially be absorbed through paracellular junctions of intestinal epithelial cells. Additional trans-membrane permeation can be considered for betanin, whose absorption is limited by a MRP2-mediated efflux and negatively affected by its food matrix. Present findings are consistent with the quite higher bioavailability of indicaxanthin over betanin established in humans. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0414-5 Authors L. Tesoriere, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy C. Gentile, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy F. Angileri, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy A. Attanzio, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy M. Tutone, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy M. Allegra, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy M. A. Livrea, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description:    Free fatty acids (FFA) are measured before alkaline transesterification of oil and when testing quality of the produced biodiesel. Titration of FFA is usually monitored on a potentiometer (EN 14104 and ASTM D 664 methods) or employing the indicator phenolphthalein (AOCS Cd 3d-63). Both procedures have some disadvantages including relatively large sample masses (2–20 g), elaborate maintenance of the electrode, subjective observation of the color transition, etc. Here we describe a microtitration method based on absorbance/fluorescence of pyranine (aqueous p K 7.3). All reactants were dissolved in a medium with universal solubility, which allowed accurate optical measurements. FFA standards and test samples (5–150 mg) were titrated on standard equipment, and the sigmoid titration curves were produced. The upper bend of each sigmoid corresponded to neutralization of FFA. Fluorescence of pyranine had better “signal to noise” characteristics than absorbance when working with heavily pigmented oil samples. Blind examination of different experimental mixtures (FFA = 0.15–40 %) revealed a close correspondence between the pyranine method and two other established procedures (EN 14104 and a variant of AOCS Cd 3d-63). Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11746-012-2117-8 Authors Sergey N. Fedosov, Department of Engineering Science, Aarhus University, Science Park, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark Jesper Brask, Novozymes A/S, Krogshøjvej 36, Bagsværd, 2880 Copenhagen, Denmark Xuebing Xu, Department of Engineering Science, Aarhus University, Science Park, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark Journal Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society Online ISSN 1558-9331 Print ISSN 0003-021X