Carole Boue

Follow-up of the Δ4 to Δ16 trans-18:1 isomer profile and content in French processed foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils during the period 1995-1999. Analytical and nutritional implications.

A survey of the total content of trans-18∶1 acids and their detailed profile in French food lipids was conducted in 1995–1996, and 1999. For this purpose, 37 food items were chosen from their label indicating the presence of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO) in their ingredients. The content as well as the detailed profile of these isomers was established by a combination of argentation thin-layer chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) on long polar capillary columns. With regard to the mean trans-18∶1 acid contents of extracted PHVO, a significant decrease was observed between the two periods, i.e., from 26.9 to 11.8% of total fatty acids. However, only minor differences were noted in the mean relative distribution profiles of individual trans-18∶1 isomers with ethylenic bonds between positions Δ4 and Δ16 for the two periods. The predominant isomer was Δ9–18∶1 (elaidic) acid, in the wide range 15.2–46.1% (mean, 27.9±7.2%) of total trans-18∶1 acids, with the Δ10 isomer ranked second, with a mean of 21.3% (range, 11.6 to 27.4%). The content of the unresolved Δ6 to Δ8 isomer group was higher than the Δ11 isomer (vaccenic acid), representing on average 17.5 and 13.3%, respectively. Other isomers Δ4, Δ5, Δ12, Δ13/Δ14, Δ15, and Δ16, were less than 10% each: 1.0, 1.6, 7.4, 7.1, 1.8, and 1.0%, respectively. However, considering individual food items, it was noted that none of the extracted PHVO were identical to one another, indicating a considerable diversity of such fats available to the food industry. A comparison of data for French foods with similar data recently established for Germany indicates that no gross differences occur in PHVO used by food industries in both countries. Estimates for the absolute mean consumption of individual isomers from ruminant fats and PHVO are made for the French population and compared to similarly reconstructed hypothetical profiles for Germany and North America. Differences occur in the total intake of trans-18∶1 acids, but most important, in individual trans-18∶1 isomer intake, with a particular increase of the Δ6–Δ8 to Δ10 isomers with increasing consumption of PHVO. It is inferred from the present and earlier data that direct GLC of fatty acids is a faulty procedure that results (i) in variable underestimates of total trans-18∶1 acids, (ii) in a loss of information as regards the assessment of individual isomeric trans-18∶1 acids, and (iii) in the impossibility of comparing data obtained from human tissues if the relative contribution of dietary PHVO and ruminant fats is not known.

Trans fatty acids in adipose tissue of French women in relation to their dietary sources

This study reports the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous adipose tissue in French women with special emphasis on the content of trans fatty acids originating from two main dietary sources, ruminant fats and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO). Adipose tissue trans fatty acid levels from 71 women, recruited between 1997 and 1998, were determined using a combination of capillary gas chromatography and silver nitrate thin-layer chromatography. Results indicate that on average cis monounsaturates accounted for 47.9% of total fatty acids, saturates for 32.2%, and linoleic acid for 14.4%. Cis n−3 polyunsaturates represented only 0.7%. Total content of trans fatty acids was 2.32±0.50%, consisting of trans 18∶1 (1.97±0.49%), trans 18∶2 (0.28±0.08%), and trans 16∶1 (0.06±0.03%). Trans 18∶3 isomers were not detectable. The level of trans fatty acids found in adipose tissue of French women was lower than those reported for Canada, the United States, and Northern European countries but higher than that determined in Spain. Therefore, trans fatty acid consumption in France appears to be intermediate between that of the United States or North Europe and that of Spain. Based on the equation of Enig et al., we estimated the mean daily trans 18∶1 acid intake of French women at 1.9 g per person. The major trans 18∶1 isomer in adipose tissue was Δ11trans, as in ruminant fats. Estimates of relative contribution of trans fatty acid intake were 55% from ruminant fats and 45% from PHVO. This pattern contrasts sharply with those established for Canada and the United States where PHVO is reported to be the major dietary source of trans fatty acids.

Dose effect of α-linolenic acid on PUFA conversion, bioavailability, and storage in the hamster

If an increased consumption of α-linolenic acid (ALA) is to be promoted in parallel with that of n−3 long-chain-rich food, it is necessary to consider to what extent dietary ALA can be absorbed, transported, stored, and converted into long-chain derivatives. We investigated these processes in male hamsters, over a broad range of supply as linseed oil (0.37, 3.5, 6.9, and 14.6% energy). Linoleic acid (LA) was kept constant (8.5% energy), and the LA/ALA ratio was varied from 22.5 to 0.6. The apparent absorption of individual FA was very high (>96%), and that of ALA remained almost maximum even at the largest supply (99.5%). The capacity for ALA transport and storage had no limitation over the chosen range of dietary intake. Indeed, ALA intake was significantly correlated with ALA level not only in cholesteryl esters (from 0.3 to 9.7% of total FA) but also in plasma phospholipids and red blood cells (RBC), which makes blood components extremely reliable as biomarkers of ALA consumption. Similarly, ALA storage in adipose tissue increased from 0.85 to 14% of total FA and was highly correlated with ALA intake. As for bioconversion, dietary ALA failed to increase 22∶6n−3, decreased 20∶4n−6, and efficiently increased 20∶5n−3 (EPA) in RBC and cardiomyocytes. EPA accumulation did not tend to plateau, in accordance with identical activities of Δ5- and Δ6-desaturases in all groups. Dietary supply of ALA was therefore a very efficient means of improving the 20∶4n−6 to 20∶5n−3 balance.