Cristina Cruz-Hernandez

Bioavailability of bioactive food compounds: a challenging journey to bioefficacy

Bioavailability is a key step in ensuring bioefficacy of bioactive food compounds or oral drugs. Bioavailability is a complex process involving several different stages: liberation, absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination phases (LADME). Bioactive food compounds, whether derived from various plant or animal sources, need to be bioavailable in order to exert any beneficial effects. Through a better understanding of the digestive fate of bioactive food compounds we can impact the promotion of health and improvement of performance. Many varying factors affect bioavailability, such as bioaccessibility, food matrix effect, transporters, molecular structures and metabolizing enzymes. Bioefficacy may be improved through enhanced bioavailability. Therefore, several technologies have been developed to improve the bioavailability of xenobiotics, including structural modifications, nanotechnology and colloidal systems. Due to the complex nature of food bioactive compounds and also to the different mechanisms of absorption of hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactive compounds, unravelling the bioavailability of food constituents is challenging. Among the food sources discussed during this review, coffee, tea, citrus fruit and fish oil were included as sources of food bioactive compounds (e.g. (poly)phenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)) since they are examples of important ingredients for the food industry. Although there are many studies reporting on bioavailability and bioefficacy of these bioactive food components, understanding their interactions, metabolism and mechanism of action still requires extensive work. This review focuses on some of the major factors affecting the bioavailability of the aforementioned bioactive food compounds.

Biological Functions and Metabolism of Oleoylethanolamide

The present review is focused on the metabolism and the emerging roles of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) with emphasis on its effects on food intake control and lipid metabolism. The biological mechanism of action, including a non-genomic effect mediated through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) and transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) receptor, is discussed. The research related to fatty acid ethanolamides has been focused until recently on anandamide and its interaction with cannabinoid receptor subtype 1. The roles of other N-acyl ethanolamine fatty acid derivatives have been neglected until it was demonstrated that OEA can modulate food intake control through interaction with PPAR-α. Further investigations demonstrated that OEA modulates lipid and glucose metabolism, and recent study confirmed that OEA is an antagonist of TRVP1. It has been demonstrated that OEA has beneficial effects on health by inducing food intake control, lipid β-oxidation, body weight loss and analgesic effects. The investigation of the mechanism of action revealed that OEA activates PPAR-α and stimulates the vagal nerve through the capsaicin receptor TRPV1. Pre-clinical studies showed that OEA remains active when administered orally.

Identification of the botanical origin of pine nuts found in food products by gas-liquid chromatography analysis of fatty acid profile.

Pine nuts are traditionally used in various part of the world for the preparation of desserts or sauces or in salads. Local production is not sufficient to cope with the high demand of pine nuts around the world, and countries such as China or Pakistan are exporting much of their production to Western countries. Almost all the nuts that are traditionally consumed belong to the Pinus genus, but over the past years, the number of consumer complaints following consumption of commercial pine nuts increased. Some consumers experienced taste disturbance lasting for up to two weeks after consumption. Food safety agencies raised some concerns regarding pine nuts imported from Asia and their association with taste disturbance. However, even though a formal association has not been found to date, the Pinus genus comprises species that are not classified as edible and could be eventually used to adulterate edible species. Pinus spp. seed lipids are known to contain very specific polyunsaturated fatty acids know as Delta5-olefinic acids. Seed fatty acid profile of conifers had been used in the past as a taxonomic marker, and in the present study to identify the botanical origin of pine nut in nine commercial products. Fast gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) was used to resolve the complete fatty acid profile of Pinus spp. samples in less than 5 min. A diagnostic index based on the relative levels of the main fatty acids including distinctive Delta5-olefinic acids was used to identify botanical origins. Results revealed the occurrence of the following Pinus spp. in commercial products: P. pinea, P. koraiensis, P. gerardiana, P. armandii and P. massoniana. The later two species, known as Chinese white pine and Chinese red pine, are only cultivated in China and are not listed as common source of edible pine nuts by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The present study shows that the botanical origin of pine nuts can be identified in products based on the fatty acid profile.

Identification of Δ6-monounsaturated fatty acids in human hair and nail samples by gas-chromatography–mass-spectrometry using ionic-liquid coated capillary column

Lipids found in human sebum contain specific fatty acids such as sapienic (cis-6 16:1), cis-8 18:1 and sebaleic (cis-5, cis-8 18:2) acids. These fatty acids belong to the n-10 series and the initial step involved in their synthesis is the desaturation of palmitic acid by the Δ6-desaturase to form sapienic acid. The occurrence in human hair and nail of sapienic (cis-6 16:1), cis-8 18:1 and sebaleic (cis-5, cis-8 18:2) acids has not been reported to our knowledge nor has the formation of Δ6-monounsaturated fatty acids from other saturated fatty acids such as stearic acid. The pre-requisite for such identification is the ability to separate cis-6 from cis-8 monounsaturated fatty acid derivative (i.e. cis-6 18:1 from cis-8 18:1 methyl esters) by gas-chromatography (GC) and such separation is not achievable using cyanoalkyl based highly polar capillary columns. In the present study, we used the 100 m SLB-IL 111 ionic liquid based capillary column recently commercialized by Supelco (Bellefonte, PA). The identification was performed by gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) with electronic impact (EI) ionization using 4,4-dimethyloxazoline (DMOX) derivatives. Baseline separation between critical cis-6 18:1 and cis-8 18:1 isomers was obtained allowing unambiguous identification based on MS fragmentation and pure standards. In sebum, hair and nail samples, sapienic, cis-8 18:1 and sebaleic acids were found and more importantly, petroselinic acid was identified in these human tissues for the first time. In addition, we identified in hair and nail lipids cis-6 14:1, cis-6 15:1, iso-cis-6 16:1, aiso-cis-6 17:1 and cis-6 17:1 as their DMOX derivatives based on molecular ion as well as diagnostic ion fragments at m/z 167, 180 and 194. Possible biosynthesis scenario is postulated to explain the occurrence of these Δ6-monounsaturated fatty acids in human sebum, hair and nail lipids.

Benefits of Structured and Free Monoacylglycerols to Deliver Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) in a Model of Lipid Malabsorption

In the present study, we used a preclinical model of induced lipolytic enzyme insufficiency, and hypothesized that the use of monoacylglycerols (MAG) will enhance their bioavailability and delivery to the tissues. Experimental diets containing 20% lipids were fed to rats for 21 days with or without Orlistat. The control diet of fish oil (FO), a source of EPA and DHA, was tested against: structured (A) vanillin acetal of sn-2 MAG (Vanil + O) and (B) diacetyl derivative of sn-2 MAG (Acetyl + O) and (C) free MAG (MAG + O). FA profiles with an emphasis on EPA and DHA levels were determined in plasma, red blood cells (RBC), liver, spleen, brain and retina. We observed significant reduction of lipid absorption when rats co-consumed Orlistat. As expected, the FO groups with and without Orlistat showed the biggest difference. The Vanil + O, Acetyl + O and MAG + O groups, demonstrated higher levels of EPA (5.5 ± 1.9, 4.6 ± 1.6 and 5.6 ± 0.6, respectively) in RBC compared with FO + O diets (3.3 ± 0.2, 2.6 ± 0.2). Levels of EPA incorporation, in plasma, were similar to those obtained for RBC, and similar trends were observed for the collected tissues and even with DHA levels. These observations with two MAG derivatives providing the fatty acid esterified in the sn-2 position, show that these molecules are efficient vehicles of EPA in malabsorption conditions which is in line with our hypothesis. Free MAG, characterized as having exclusively sn-1(3) isomers of EPA, demonstrated better absorption efficiencies and accretion to tissues when compared to structured MAG. The study demonstrated that structured and free MAG can be used efficiently as an enteral vehicle to supply bioactive fatty acids such as EPA and DHA in lipid malabsorption where diminished lipolytic activity is the underlying cause.

Recent Advances in Fast Gas-Chromatography: Application to the Separation of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters

Abstract Gas-chromatography (GC) is a powerful separation technique for resolving and quantifying a wide range of compounds, such as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) derivatives. Separation of common FAME is typically achieved on highly polar or polyethylene glycol stationary phases that can separate fatty acids according to chain length, number and geometry of ethylenic double bonds. GC is one of the most commonly available methods for fatty acid analysis with constant improvements for different applications. One such improvement is faster GC analysis, which has long been the focus of investigators researching the application and benefits of this technique. A greater speed of analysis offers many key benefits, such as increased sample throughput, reduced analytical expenses, and increased laboratory productivity. Fast GC analysis can be accomplished by using a short column with reduced column film thickness, high carrier gas velocity, and fast program temperatures. A summary of options for fast GC analysis with emphasis on FAME analysis is discussed in the present review.

Identification of monoacylglycerol regio-isomers by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Monoacylglycerols (MAGs) are lipids found in trace amounts in plants and animal tissues. While they are widely used in various industrial applications, accurate determination of the regio-specific distribution is hindered by the lack of stable, commercially available standards. Indeed, unsaturated beta-MAG (or Sn-2 MAG) readily undergoes isomerization into alpha-MAG (acyl chain is attached to the Sn-1 or the Sn-3 position). In the present study, we describe structural elucidation of alpha- and beta-regio-isomers of monopalmitoyl-glycerol (MAG C16:0) as model compounds in their silylated forms using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with electronic impact (EI) ionization. MS fragmentation of alpha-MAG C16:0 is characterized by the loss of methylene(trimethylsilyl)oxonium (103 amu) and the consecutive loss of acyl chain yielding a fragment ion at m/z 205. The fragmentation pattern of beta-MAG C16:0 shows a series of diagnostic fragments at m/z 218, 203, 191 and 103 that are not formed from the alpha-isomer and hereby enable reliable distinction of these regio-isomers. Possible fragmentation scenarios are postulated to explain the formation of these marker ions, which were also applied to characterize the regio-isomer composition of a complex mixture of MAG sample containing n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

In vitro digestion of citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (CITREM) and CITREM-containing infant formula/emulsions

CITREM is an emulsifier used in the food industry and contains citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (GCFE). It is generally recognized as safe but no publication on its digestibility under gastrointestinal conditions and impact on fat digestion was available. It was shown here that fatty acids are released from CITREM by gastric lipase, pancreatic lipase, pancreatic-lipase-related protein 2 and carboxyl ester hydrolase. A two-step in vitro digestion model mimicking lipolysis in the stomach and upper small intestine of term and preterm infants was then used to evaluate the digestibility of CITREM alone, CITREM-containing infant formula and fat emulsions, and isolated GCFE fractions. Overall, it was shown that fat digestion is not significantly changed by the presence of CITREM, and fatty acids contained in CITREM compounds are released to a large extent by lipases. Nevertheless, undigestible water-soluble compounds containing glycerol and citric acid units were identified, indicating that the ester bond between citric acid and glycerol is not fully hydrolyzed throughout the proposed digestion.

Identification of the botanical origin of commercial pine nuts responsible for dysgeusia by gas-liquid chromatography analysis of Fatty Acid profile.

Over the last 10 years, complaints were increasingly reported from consumers that experienced dysgeusia following the consumption of pine nuts. In the present study, pine nuts samples (N = 16) from consumers that reported dysgeusia have been analyzed to identify the botanical origin of critical pine nuts samples. The fatty acid composition of the samples was performed, and diagnostic index values were used to identify the botanical origin of the samples. Pinus armandii nuts were identified in all the samples pure or in mixture with P. koraiensis nuts. P. armandii is not reported as edible pine nuts by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This study confirmed that consumption of P. armandii nuts may lead to dysgeusia. Based on the present study and previous work, we advise import companies to trade pine nuts from traditionally recognized species such as P. pinea, P. sibirica, P. koraiensis, or P. gerardiana.

Differential effect of maternal diet supplementation with α-Linolenic acid or n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on glial cell phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine fatty acid profile in neonate rat brains

BackgroundDietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) are of crucial importance for the development of neural tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a dietary supplementation in n-3 fatty acids in female rats during gestation and lactation on fatty acid pattern in brain glial cells phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS) in the neonates.MethodsSprague-Dawley rats were fed during the whole gestation and lactation period with a diet containing either docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 0.55%) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 0.75% of total fatty acids) or α-linolenic acid (ALA, 2.90%). At two weeks of age, gastric content and brain glial cell PE and PS of rat neonates were analyzed for their fatty acid and dimethylacetal (DMA) profile. Data were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate statistics.ResultsIn the neonates from the group fed with n-3 LC-PUFA, the DHA level in gastric content (+65%, P < 0.0001) and brain glial cell PE (+18%, P = 0.0001) and PS (+15%, P = 0.0009) were significantly increased compared to the ALA group. The filtered correlation analysis (P < 0.05) underlined that levels of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), DHA and n-3 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) were negatively correlated with arachidonic acid (ARA) and n-6 DPA in PE of brain glial cells. No significant correlation between n-3 and n-6 LC-PUFA were found in the PS dataset. DMA level in PE was negatively correlated with n-6 DPA. DMA were found to occur in brain glial cell PS fraction; in this class DMA level was correlated negatively with DHA and positively with ARA.ConclusionThe present study confirms that early supplementation of maternal diet with n-3 fatty acids supplied as LC-PUFA is more efficient in increasing n-3 in brain glial cell PE and PS in the neonate than ALA. Negative correlation between n-6 DPA, a conventional marker of DHA deficiency, and DMA in PE suggests n-6 DPA that potentially be considered as a marker of tissue ethanolamine plasmalogen status. The combination of multivariate and bivariate statistics allowed to underline that the accretion pattern of n-3 LC-PUFA in PE and PS differ.