Expression of a high-activity diacylglycerol acetyltransferase results in enhanced synthesis of acetyl-TAG in camelina seed oil.

Acetyl-triacylglycerols (acetyl-TAG) contain an acetate group in the sn-3 position instead of the long-chain fatty acid present in regular triacylglycerol (TAG). The acetate group confers unique physical properties such as reduced viscosity and a lower freezing point to acetyl-TAG, providing advantages for use as emulsifiers, lubricants, and 'drop-in' biofuels. Previously, the synthesis of acetyl-TAG in the seeds of the oilseed crop camelina (Camelina sativa) was achieved through the heterologous expression of the diacylglycerol acetyltransferase gene EaDAcT, isolated from Euonymus alatus seeds that naturally accumulate high levels of acetyl-TAG. Subsequent work identified a similar acetyltransferase, EfDAcT, in the seeds of Euonymus fortunei, that possesses higher in vitro activity compared to EaDAcT. In this study, the seed-specific expression of EfDAcT in camelina led to a 20 mol% increase in acetyl-TAG levels over that of EaDAcT. Coupling EfDAcT expression with suppression of the endogenous competing enzyme DGAT1 further enhanced acetyl-TAG accumulation, up to 90 mol% in the best transgenic lines. Accumulation of high levels of acetyl-TAG was stable over multiple generations, with minimal effect on seed size, weight, and fatty acid content. Slight delays in germination were noted in transgenic seeds compared to the wild type. EfDAcT transcript and protein levels were correlated during seed development with a limited window of EfDAcT protein accumulation. In high acetyl-TAG producing lines, EfDAcT protein expression in developing seeds did not reflect the eventual acetyl-TAG levels in mature seeds, suggesting that other factors limit acetyl-TAG accumulation.

Identification of genes associated with ricinoleic acid accumulation in Hiptage benghalensis via transcriptome analysis.

BACKGROUND: Ricinoleic acid is a high-value hydroxy fatty acid with broad industrial applications. Hiptage benghalensis seed oil contains a high amount of ricinoleic acid (~ 80%) and represents an emerging source of this unusual fatty acid. However, the mechanism of ricinoleic acid accumulation in H. benghalensis is yet to be explored at the molecular level, which hampers the exploration of its potential in ricinoleic acid production. RESULTS: To explore the molecular mechanism of ricinoleic acid biosynthesis and regulation, H. benghalensis seeds were harvested at five developing stages (13, 16, 19, 22, and 25 days after pollination) for lipid analysis. The results revealed that the rapid accumulation of ricinoleic acid occurred at the early-mid-seed development stages (16-22 days after pollination). Subsequently, the gene transcription profiles of the developing seeds were characterized via a comprehensive transcriptome analysis with second-generation sequencing and single-molecule real-time sequencing. Differential expression patterns were identified in 12,555 transcripts, including 71 enzymes in lipid metabolic pathways, 246 putative transcription factors (TFs) and 124 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Twelve genes involved in diverse lipid metabolism pathways, including fatty acid biosynthesis and modification (hydroxylation), lipid traffic, triacylglycerol assembly, acyl editing and oil-body formation, displayed high expression levels and consistent expression patterns with ricinoleic acid accumulation in the developing seeds, suggesting their primary roles in ricinoleic acid production. Subsequent co-expression network analysis identified 57 TFs and 35 lncRNAs, which are putatively involved in the regulation of ricinoleic acid biosynthesis. The transcriptome data were further validated by analyzing the expression profiles of key enzyme-encoding genes, TFs and lncRNAs with quantitative real-time PCR. Finally, a network of genes associated with ricinoleic acid accumulation in H. benghalensis was established. CONCLUSIONS: This study was the first step toward the understating of the molecular mechanisms of ricinoleic acid biosynthesis and oil accumulation in H. benghalensis seeds and identified a pool of novel genes regulating ricinoleic acid accumulation. The results set a foundation for developing H. benghalensis into a novel ricinoleic acid feedstock at the transcriptomic level and provided valuable candidate genes for improving ricinoleic acid production in other plants.

Transgenic and Genome Editing Approaches for Modifying Plant Oils.

Vegetable oils are important for human and animal nutrition and as renewable resources for chemical feedstocks. We provide an overview of transgenic and genome editing approaches for modifying plant oils, describing useful model and crop systems and different strategies for transgenic modifications. We also describe new genome editing approaches that are beginning to be applied to oilseed plants and crops. These approaches are illustrated with examples for modifying the nutritional quality of vegetable oils by altering fatty acid desaturation, producing non-native fatty acids in oilseeds, and enhancing the overall accumulation of oil in seeds and leaves.

Respiratory effects of the hebei spirit oil spill on children in taean, Korea.

PURPOSE: The oil spill from the Heibei Spirit in December 2007 contaminated the Yellow Coast of South Korea. We evaluated the respiratory effects of that spill on children who lived along the Yellow Coast. METHODS: Of 662 children living in the area exposed to the oil spill, 436 (65.9%) were enrolled as subjects. All subjects completed a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. A health examination, including a skin prick test, pulmonary function test, and methacholine bronchial provocation test (MBPT), was administered. The children were assigned to two groups: those who lived close to the oil spill area and those who lived far from the oil spill area. RESULTS: The children who lived close to the oil spill area showed a significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), an increased prevalence of 'asthma ever' (based on a questionnaire), and 'airway hyperresponsiveness' (based on the MBPT) than those who lived far from the oil spill area (FEV1; P=0.011, prevalence of 'asthma ever' based on a questionnaire; P=0.005, prevalence of 'airway hyperresponsiveness' based on the MBPT; P=0.001). The onset of wheezing after the oil spill was significantly higher in children who lived close to the oil spill area than in those who lived far from the oil spill area among the 'wheeze ever' group (P=0.002). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, male sex, family history of asthma, and residence near the oil spill area were significant risk factors for asthma (sex [male/female]: odds ratio [OR], 2.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-4.91; family history of asthma [No/Yes]: OR, 3.77; 95% CI, 1.83-7.75; exposure group [low/high]; OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.27-4.65). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that exposure to an oil spill is a risk factor for asthma in children.

Respiratory Effects of the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill on Children in Taean, Korea

PURPOSE: The oil spill from the Heibei Spirit in December 2007 contaminated the Yellow Coast of South Korea. We evaluated the respiratory effects of that spill on children who lived along the Yellow Coast. METHODS: Of 662 children living in the area exposed to the oil spill, 436 (65.9%) were enrolled as subjects. All subjects completed a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. A health examination, including a skin prick test, pulmonary function test, and methacholine bronchial provocation test (MBPT), was administered. The children were assigned to two groups: those who lived close to the oil spill area and those who lived far from the oil spill area. RESULTS: The children who lived close to the oil spill area showed a significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), an increased prevalence of 'asthma ever' (based on a questionnaire), and 'airway hyperresponsiveness' (based on the MBPT) than those who lived far from the oil spill area (FEV1; P=0.011, prevalence of 'asthma ever' based on a questionnaire; P=0.005, prevalence of 'airway hyperresponsiveness' based on the MBPT; P=0.001). The onset of wheezing after the oil spill was significantly higher in children who lived close to the oil spill area than in those who lived far from the oil spill area among the 'wheeze ever' group (P=0.002). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, male sex, family history of asthma, and residence near the oil spill area were significant risk factors for asthma (sex [male/female]: odds ratio [OR], 2.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-4.91; family history of asthma [No/Yes]: OR, 3.77; 95% CI, 1.83-7.75; exposure group [low/high]; OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.27-4.65). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that exposure to an oil spill is a risk factor for asthma in children.

Respiratory Effects of the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill on Children in Taean, Korea

PURPOSE: The oil spill from the Heibei Spirit in December 2007 contaminated the Yellow Coast of South Korea. We evaluated the respiratory effects of that spill on children who lived along the Yellow Coast. METHODS: Of 662 children living in the area exposed to the oil spill, 436 (65.9%) were enrolled as subjects. All subjects completed a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. A health examination, including a skin prick test, pulmonary function test, and methacholine bronchial provocation test (MBPT), was administered. The children were assigned to two groups: those who lived close to the oil spill area and those who lived far from the oil spill area. RESULTS: The children who lived close to the oil spill area showed a significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), an increased prevalence of 'asthma ever' (based on a questionnaire), and 'airway hyperresponsiveness' (based on the MBPT) than those who lived far from the oil spill area (FEV1; P=0.011, prevalence of 'asthma ever' based on a questionnaire; P=0.005, prevalence of 'airway hyperresponsiveness' based on the MBPT; P=0.001). The onset of wheezing after the oil spill was significantly higher in children who lived close to the oil spill area than in those who lived far from the oil spill area among the 'wheeze ever' group (P=0.002). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, male sex, family history of asthma, and residence near the oil spill area were significant risk factors for asthma (sex [male/female]: odds ratio [OR], 2.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-4.91; family history of asthma [No/Yes]: OR, 3.77; 95% CI, 1.83-7.75; exposure group [low/high]; OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.27-4.65). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that exposure to an oil spill is a risk factor for asthma in children.

Elaioconiose: relato de caso / Elaioconiosis: case report

Elaioconiose é uma dermatose ocupacional do tipo acneiforme que afeta as áreas expostas de trabalhadores que lidam com óleos ou graxas. Atualmente, com o uso dos equipamentos de proteção individual, medidas de higiene pessoal e lavagem dos uniformes de trabalho, sua incidência diminuiu. Apesar de não ser uma doença rara, é pouco relatada na literatura, principalmente na nacional. Seu tratamento é lento e para a resolução das lesões, requer o afastamento do trabalhador de suas atividades laborativas.

Elaioconiosis is a work-related acneiform dermatosis which affects the exposed skin of individuals working with oils or greases. Its incidence has decreased with the introduction of personal protective equipment, personal hygiene measures and the cleaning of work clothes. Although not a rare disease, elaioconiosis is seldom reported in the literature, particularly in Brazil. Sufferers need to take time off work to proceed with the prolonged treatment to resolve the lesions caused by this condition.

La fritura de los alimentos: el aceite de fritura: [revisión] / Deep frying: [review]

Durante el proceso de fritura todos los aceites, sin importar la fuente, presentan cambios en el contenido de nutrientes que pueden generar compuestos tóxicos que pasan al alimento. Las transformaciones se presentan de manera lenta o rápida, según el manejo durante el proceso de cocción, de las cuales las más críticas son: la temperatura; el tipo de alimento a freír, la relación aceite/alimento, el material de fabricación del equipo utilizado, la adición de aceite nuevo como reposición del que se pierde por el proceso; la limpieza y el almacenamiento del aceite. Este artículo de revisión proporciona un marco de las investigaciones que evalúan el uso de los aceite de fritura como medio de cocción, las prácticas de manejo y los efectos del proceso sobre la composición de los ácidos grasos, tocoferoles, carotenoides y polifenoles, los indicadores de calidad y las formas rápidas para determinarlos, mejorando la evidencia con relación a la calidad de los aceites de fritura.

The oil changes during deep-frying independent of kind. The change can be reduction of nutrients or formation of toxic component that through to food and then can be consumption. The transformation can be slow or fast depend of care during cooking, of parameter like as the control of temperature, kind of food, relation oil: food, equipment, addition of new oil as reposition, clean of oil and storage, something else. To know that the polar components and the monomer and polymers of cyclic acid fatty are the parameters internationals of quality and how can be identificated easy and quietly, it’s important because when an oil for deep-frying is no good it won’t be used and this way prevent risk for health of people like fried food.