Chemoenzymatic synthesis of symmetrically structured triacylglycerols possessing short-chain fatty acids

Synthesis of symmetrically structured triacylglycerols possessing bioactive n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid or docosahexaenoic acid) at the 2-position and a short-chain fatty acid (C₂, C₄, C₆) located at the end-positions by a highly efficient two-step chemoenzymatic process is described. Full regiocontrol devoid of any acyl-migration side reactions was obtained in both a lipase promoted step to introduce the short-chain fatty acids exclusively into the primary alcohol positions of glycerol using activated vinyl esters at low temperature and a subsequent coupling reaction involving free EPA and DHA using EDAC as a coupling agent.     

Unsubstituted and Hydroxy Substituted Fatty Acids in a Recent Lacustrine Sediment: (Lake Léman,Geneva, Switzerland)

Abstract

Unsubstituted as well as α-, β- and (ω-1)-hydroxy substituted fatty acids were analyzed in a 5 m long sediment core taken from Lake Léman (Switzerland). All these acids occur in three forms: unbound, bound and tightly bound and our results show that there is no conversion from one form to another. The fact that below a burial depth of 30 cm the abundance profiles show no decreasing trend indicates that the diagenetic reactions do not operate below that depth. On the basis of our results, compared with other published data, source correlations are postulated for each of the acid classes. The presence of unsubstituted monounsaturated acids in the C₂₀ to C₃₂ range probably indicates that long chain fatty acids cannot be considered only as indicators of inputs from higher plants. Finally, C₂₇, C₂₉ and C₃₁ (ω-1)-hydroxyacids with unusual structures have also been found in these sediments, as well as 2-methyl nonacosanoic acid; their origin has not yet been established.     

Thermally produced ω-(o-alkylphenyl)alkanoic acids provide evidence for the processing of marine products in archaeological pottery vessels

ω-(o-Alkylphenyl)alkanoic acids with 16, 18 and 20 carbon atoms were identified in archaeological pottery vessels from coastal sites in Southern Brazil. Such compounds are presumed to form during heating of triunsaturated fatty acids (C_16:3, C_18:3 and C_20:3), which are commonly found in the tissues of marine animals. The detection of these unusual cyclic compounds together with the isoprenoid fatty acids, 4,8,12-trimethyltetradecanoic acid and phytanic acid and substantial quantities of archaeological bones of fish and mollusca, provides evidence for the processing of marine animal products in archaeological pottery.     

Oxygenated acids of the lipids ofOnopordum acanthium seeds

The structures of the oxygenated fatty acids of the lipids ofOnopordum acanthium L. seeds have been studied by the methods of chemical, chromatographic, and spectral analyses. Triepoxy acids of the C₁₈ series and 24 monohydroxy acids with chain lengths of C₁₄–C₁₈ have been identified, of which the 8-OH-9Z,12Z-18:2 and the 14-OH-9Z,12Z-18:2 acids have been isolated as natural compounds for the first time.     

Survival of Freeze-dried Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus plantarum Related to Their Cellular Fatty Acids Composition during Storage

Lactic acid bacteria strains Lactobacillus plantarum CWBI-B534 and Leuconostoc ssp. mesenteroïdes (L. mesenteroïdes) Kenya MRog2 were produced in bioreactor, concentrated, with or without cryoprotectants. In general, viable population did not change significantly after freeze-drying (p?>?0.05). In most cases, viable population for cells added with cryoprotectants was significantly lower than those without (p?16:0), palmitoleic (C_16:1), stearic (C_18:0), oleic (C_18:1), linoleic (C_18:2), and linolenic (C_18:3) acids were identified. Four of them, C_16:0, C_16:1, C_18:0, and C_18:1, make up more than 94% or 93% of the fatty acids in L. mesenteroides and L. plantarum, respectively, with another one, namely, C18:3, making a smaller (on average 5–6%, respectively) contribution. The C_18:2 contributed very small percentages (on average?≤?1%) to the total in each strain. C_16:0 had the highest proportion at most points relative to other fatty acids. Moisture content and water activity (a _w) increased significantly during the storage period. It was observed that C_16:1/C_16:0, C_18:0/C_16:0 and C_18:1/C_16:0 ratios for freeze-dried L. mesenteroides or L. plantarum, with or without cryoprotectants, did not change significantly during the storage period. According to the packaging mode and storage temperatures, C_18:2/C_16:0 and C_18:3/C_16:0 ratios for freeze-dried L. mesenteroides and L. plantarum with or without cryoprotectants decreased as the storage time increased. However, a higher C_18:2/C_16:0 or C_18:3/C_16:0 ratio for L. mesenteroides and L. plantarum was noted in the freeze-dried powder held at 4 °C or under vacuum and in dark than at 20 °C or in the presence of oxygen and light.     

An improved derivatization method for sensitive determination of fatty acids by high-performance liquid chromatography using 9-(2-hydroxylethyl)-carbazole as derivatization reagent with fluorescence detection

Summary Tagging techniques with reagents used for fluorescent detection for short and long-chain fatty acids using high-performance liquid chromatography are evaluated in terms of the tagging reactions, handing, flexibility, stability of the reagents. Emphasis is given to the applications of the tagging techniques to relatively high molecular mass fatty acids. The fatty acids or carboxylic compounds were derivatized to their corresponding esters with 9-(2-hydroxy ethyl)-carbazole (HEC) in acetonitrile at 60°C with N, N′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) as a coupling agent in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). A mixture of esters of C₁−C₂₀ fatty acids was completely separated with 45 min using gradient elution on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column. The maximum fluorescence emission for the derivatized fatty acids is at 365 nm (λ_ex 293 nm). Studies on derivatization conditions indicated that fatty acids react rapidly and smoothly with HEC in the presence of CDI and DMAP in acetonitrile to give the corresponding sensitively fluorescent derivatives. The application of this method to the analysis of long chain fatty acids in plasma is also investigated. The LC separation shows good selectivity and reproducibility for fatty acids derivatives. The relative standard deviations (n=6) for each fatty acid derivative are <5.0%. The detection limits are at 38–57 fmol levels for C₁₄−C₂₀ fatty acids and lower levels for <C₁₄ fatty acids.     

Synthesis of C-glycosyl β-amino acids by asymmetric Mannich-type three-component reactions

C-Galactosyl and C-ribosyl β-amino acids were prepared by one-pot InCl₃-catalyzed Mannich-type three-component condensation (3CC) by combining the corresponding formyl C-glycoside, p-methoxybenzyl amine, and a ketene silyl acetal. In each case the reaction was highly stereoselective and afforded only one single product in good to excellent yields.     

Thermal behaviors of vinyl esters of long-chain fatty acids and their comblike polymers

Phase transition behaviors of vinyl esters of long-chain fatty acids (C₁₂–C₁₈) and their comblike polymers have been investigated by the thermal analysis combining with X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Effect of the length of hydrocarbon chain on the thermal behaviors of both monomers and polymers have been elucidated. Vinyl stearate exhibits three crystalline modifications, α (hexagonal), β₁ (monoclinic, M_∥) and β₂ (monoclinic, O⊥) forms. With shortening of the alkyl chain the polymorphic behaviors become simpler. The thermal behaviors of the resultant polymers are influenced by the packing mode of monomer molecules and the polymerization temperature.     

Study of the GC–MS determination of the palmitic–stearic acid ratio for the characterisation of drying oil in painting: La Encarnación by Alonso Cano as a case study

The correct identification of drying oils plays an essential role in providing an understanding of the conservation and deterioration of artistic materials in works of art. To this end, this work proposes the use of peak area ratios from fatty acids after ensuring that the linear responses of the detector are tested. A GC-MS method, previously reported in the literature, was revisited to its developed and validated in order to identify and quantify of eight fatty acids that are widely used as markers for drying oils in paintings, namely myristic acid (C_14:0), palmitic acid (C_16:0), stearic acid (C_18:0), oleic acid (C_18:1), linoleic acid (C_18:2), suberic acid (2C₈), azelaic acid, (2C₉) and sebacic acid (2C₁₀). The quaternary ammonium reagent m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (TMTFAH) was used for derivatization prior to GC-MS analysis of the oils. MS spectra were obtained for each methyl ester derivative of the fatty acids and the characteristic fragments were identified. The method was validated in terms of calibration functions, detection and quantification limits and reproducibility using the signal recorded in SIR mode, since two of the methyl derivatives were not totally separated in the chromatographic run. The proposed method was successfully applied to identify and characterise the most widely used drying oils (linseed oil, poppy seed oil and walnut oil) in the painting La Encarnación. This 17th century easel painting is located in the main chapel of the cathedral in Granada (Spain) and was painted by the well-known artist of the Spanish Golden Age, Alonso Cano (1601-1667).     

Interrelation between parameters of isotherms of adsorption of fatty acids on the surface of magnetite and volume effects of their dissolution in n-hexane and carbon tetrachloride at 298.15 K

The adsorption of unsaturated C_18:n fatty acids on magnetite and volume effects of their dissolution in n-hexane and carbon tetrachloride are studied. It is established that an increase in the values of limiting adsorption of a series of oleic, linolic, and linolenic acids corresponds to positive volume effects of their dissolution in CCl₄. Opposite picture of the adsorption behavior of studied acids in n-hexane corresponds to negative volume effects of the dissolution of the acids in this solvent.     

Self-assembled liquid crystalline materials with fatty acids

Two new series of liquid crystalline materials with non-mesomorphic fatty acids, viz. nonanoic (C₉), capric (C₁₀), undecanoic (C₁₁), tridecanoic (C₁₃), myristic (C₁₄), palmitic (C₁₆) and stearic acids (C₁₈), are prepared with non-mesomorphic proton acceptors, viz. (4-pyridyl)-benzylidene-p-n-alkylanilines (PyBnA; n = 12 and 16). The smectic phase structures formed between the proton donor (fatty acid) and proton acceptor moieties are found due to the intermolecular hydrogen bonding (HB) and are monotropic. The presence of HB is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in all the compounds. The characteristic optical textures of smectic phases are observed through polarizing optical microscope, provided with a hot stage and a camera. The phase transition temperatures and the enthalpy changes across the phase transitions are determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The smectic phase exhibited by the HB complexes is confirmed by miscibility studies as smectic-B. The π–π stacking interactions in layers are found to influence the mesomorphism in these HB complexes.     

Determination of fatty acids in atmospheric samples via GC/MS

Summary Atmospheric precipitation and aerosol samples are characterized by a complex mixture of several organic compounds. A simple method for the simultaneous determination of the main compound classes by GC/MS is presented. In detail, seasonal variations of C₈–C₃₂ fatty acids in precipitation in a semirural area have been studied. Total fatty acids concentrations of 7–53 g/l were detected. Summer rain is characterized by high amounts of fatty acids >C₂₀ and lower amounts of C₁₁–C₂₀ species. Two effects may be responsible: larger emission rates of fatty acids during vegetation periods and an increased influence of vapour phase due to higher temperatures during summer. CPI values showed no general trend; lower CPI values for winter rain could not be observed. This would be expected if anthropogenic sources play an important role. Monounsaturated fatty acids (C_16:1, C_18:1) were more abundant during winter than in summer. High concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (C_18:x) could be detected during summer. High relative concentrations of the potential oxidation products of the unsaturated species, nonanedioic acid and w-oxononanoic acid, are associated with relatively low concentrations of their precursors.     

Analytical characterization of mannosylerythritol lipid biosurfactants produced by biosynthesis based on feedstock sources from the agrofood industry

Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are currently one of the most promising biosurfactants because of their multifunctional applications and good biodegradability. Depending on the yeast strain and the feedstock used for the fermentation process, structural variations in the MELs obtained occur. Therefore, MELs produced by Pseudozyma aphidis DSMZ 70725 with a soybean oil feedstock were characterized by chromatography and mass spectrometry (MS). Column chromatography with silica provided fractionation of the different types of MEL. High-performance liquid chromatography combined with MS was employed for the analysis of the MEL fractions and crude mixtures. A characteristic MS pattern for the MELs was obtained and indications of the presence of new MEL homologues, showing the incorporation of longer and more unsaturated fatty acid chains than previously reported, were given. Gas chromatography?CMS analysis confirmed the presence of such unsaturated fatty acid chains in the MELs, demonstrating the incorporation of fatty acids with lengths ranging from C₈ to C₁₄ and with up to two unsaturations per chain. The incorporation of C₁₆ and C₁₈ fatty acid chains requires further investigation. MS/MS data allowed the unambiguous identification of the fatty acids present in the MELs. The product ion spectra also revealed the presence of a new isomeric class of MELs, bearing an acetyl group on the erythritol moiety.     

Surface Activity of Fatty Acid Salts in Aqueous Solutions

The surface activity of sodium, potassium and, ammonium salts of fatty acids [stearic, oleic, synthetic fatty acids (C_{1 3}-C_{1 5} fractions), higher fatty acids contained in bottoms after separation of volatile fatty acids from cotton oil] in aqueous solutions was studied and analyzed.     

Characterization of humic acids in sediments from dam reservoirs by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using tetramethylammonium hydroxide: Influence of the structural features of humic acids on iron(II) binding capacity

The structural features of humic acids (HAs) isolated from sediments on the bottom of dam reservoirs that can affect their binding capacities for Fe(II) were investigated by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH-py-GC/MS). The binding capacities for Fe(II) increased with increasing O/C molar ratio, suggesting that the oxygen-containing functional group content plays a role in the binding of Fe(II). However, it was not possible to identify specific binding-sites for Fe(II) by TMAH-py-GC/MS analysis. Although C_16:1ω7, iso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0 fatty acids, which serve as molecular markers of anaerobic microbial activity, were detected in all of the HA samples, the contents of these acids were not correlated with binding capacities for Fe(II). However, the ratio of C_16:0 to C_16:1ω7 fatty acids, which is used as an index of anaerobic bacterial activity, increased with increasing Fe(II) binding capacities of the HAs. It thus appears likely that the activities of anaerobic bacteria on the bottom of dam reservoirs contribute to alterations in the structural features for HAs, and that this process results in increased binding capacities for Fe(II).     

Correlations Between FAS Elongation Cycle Genes Expression and Fatty Acid Production for Improvement of Long-Chain Fatty Acids in Escherichia coli

Microorganisms have been used for biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester) production due to their significant environmental and economic benefits. The aim of the present research was to develop new strains of Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 and to increase the content of long-chain fatty acids by overexpressing essential enzymes that are involved in the fatty acid synthase elongation cycle. In addition, the relationship of β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase (fabH), β-ketoacyl-ACP reductase (fabG), β-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydrase (fabZ), and β-enoyl-ACP reductase (fabI) with respect to fatty acid production was investigated. The four enzymes play a unique role in fatty acid biosynthesis and elongation processes. We report the generation of recombinant E. coli strains that produced long-chain fatty acids to amounts twofold over wild type. To verify the results, NAD⁺/NADH ratios and glucose analyses were performed. We also confirmed that FabZ plays an important role in producing unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) as E. coli SGJS25 (overexpressing the fabZ gene) produced the highest percentage of UFAs (35 % of total long-chain fatty acids), over wild type and other recombinants. Indeed, cis-9-hexadecenoic acid, a major UFA in E. coli SGJS25, was produced at levels 20-fold higher than in wild type after 20 h in culture. The biochemically engineered E. coli presented in this study is expected to be more economical for producing long-chain fatty acids in quality biodiesel production processes.     

HPLC of fatty acid esters of mono- and polyhydric alcohols. Part 1: Analytical separation

This paper shows how simply and yet very rapidly fatty acid esters of monohydric alcohols, but particularly partial and full fatty acid esters of fully hydric alcohols can be separated and determined by means of high-pressure liquid chromatography on LiChrosorb RP-8 with methanol/water. We have separated quantitatively the methylesters of the fatty acids C_8:0 to C_22:0 and C_24:0, the i-propyl-, i-butyl-, n-hexyl- and i-octyl-esters of the even-numbered fatty acids C_8:0 to C_18:0, mono- and difatty acid esters of the 1,3-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-hydantoin, mono-, di- and triesters of the trimethylolpropane as well as the tetraesters of the penta-erythrite.     

Analysis of fatty acids in sputum from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry preceded by solid-phase microextraction and post-derivatization on the fiber

A method based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and post-derivatization on the fiber coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was developed for the analysis of fatty acids in sputum from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The sputum specimens were digested, hydrolyzed, extracted, derivertized, injected and analyzed without cultivation or isolation of the microorganism. Under optimized conditions, the relative standard deviations (RSD, n = 5) for all analytes were below 17% and the limits of detection varied from 1.68 (C_24:0) to 150.4 μg L⁻¹ (C_12:0). Good linearity was observed for all the fatty acids studied except for C_12:0 within a wide concentration range of three orders of magnitudes with the correlation coefficients ranging from 0.91 (C_24:0) to 0.99 (C_14:0). Fatty acids in sputum specimens from 21 persons were directly analyzed using the proposed method. The results show that in all the sputum specimens from patients, who were clinically diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), tuberculosis stearic acid (TBSA) was detected, while in all the sputum samples from persons without TB, TBSA was not found. The possibility of using the proposed method to detect mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) via the identification of TBSA in sputum was discussed. The comparison with other methods including sputum culture and microscopy of direct smears indicated that the proposed method is fast and sensitive for the analysis of fatty acids in sputum and offers an alternative for the detection of MTB in sputum.     

Analysis of long-chain fatty acids in grey wastewater with in-vial derivatisation

The presence and levels of long-chain fatty acids (C₆–C₂₀) in grey wastewater from bathrooms have been investigated. The acids were purified and concentrated by solid-phase extraction on strong anion exchange discs, in-vial derivatised to their corresponding methyl ester and subsequently analysed by GC-MS. The method was able to quantify the acids at concentration <1?µg/L with a recovery of 31–97%. The levels of fatty acids were found in the range of <0.5 to 27?100?µg/L and the highest levels were found for the saturated lauric (C₁₂), palmitic (C₁₆) and stearic (C₁₈) acids. The treatment efficiency of a local treatment plant was evaluated by comparing concentrations of fatty acids at the inlet and the outlet. It was found that the treatability decreases with increasing chain length for the saturated acids (19–100% degradation) whereas the corresponding mono unsaturated acids were more easily degraded.     

Nonglyceride complex of the seed oil ofOnopordum acanthium

Extraction of the comminuted seeds has yielded an oil from which have been isolated: C₃₃-C₂₅, C₁₈ and C₁₇ paraffinic hydrocarbons, C_18:1, C_18:2, C_18:3, C_17:1, C_17:2 and C_17:3 olefinic hydrocarbons, ethyl esters of C_32:0, C_31:0, C_30:0, C_29:0, and C_28:0 fatty acids, sterols with molecular weights of 414, 412, and 400, and the alcohols α-amyrin and lupeol with their natural acetates. Extraction of the uncomminuted seeds has shown that the paraffinic hydrocarbons, ethyl esters, and alcohol acetates pass into the oil from the husks of the seeds. This is the first time that the C_31:0 and C_29:0 fatty acids have been detected as natural compounds, and it is the first time that the ethyl esters of C₃₄, C₃₃, C₃₂, C₃₁, and C₃₀ fatty acids have been isolated from seed oils of higher plants.