Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, ranging from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) particularly among chronic consumers of added sugar-rich diets. However, the impact of early consumption of such diets on NAFLD onset and progression is unclear. Thus, this study sought to characterise metabolic factors involved in NAFLD progression in young mice fed with a high-sucrose diet (HSD). Male Swiss mice were fed HSD or regular chow (CTR) from weaning for up to 60 or 90 days. Obesity development, glucose homeostasis and serum biochemical parameters were determined at each time-point. At day 90, mice were euthanised and white adipose tissue (WAT) collected for lipolytic function assessment and liver for histology, gene expression and cytokines quantification. At day 60, HSD mice presented increased body mass, hypertriglyceridemia, peripheral insulin resistance (IR) and simple steatosis. Upon 90 days on diet, WAT from HSD mice displayed impaired insulin sensitivity, which coincided with increased fasting levels of glucose and free fatty acids (FFA), as well as NAFLD progression to NASH. Transcriptional levels of lipogenic genes, particularly stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, were consistently increased, leading to hepatic leukocyte infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines spillover. Therefore, our dataset supports IR triggering in the WAT as a major factor for dysfunctional release of FFA towards portal circulation and consequent upregulation of lipogenic genes and hepatic inflammatory onset, which decisively concurred for NAFLD-to-NASH progression in young HSD-fed mice. Notwithstanding, this study forewarns against the early introduction of dietary sugars in infant diet, particularly following breastfeeding cessation.

Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is an important pest of Lathyrus sativus L. plants, and causes retarded plant growth and loss of seed production. The insect sucks cell sap from flowers and lays nymphs on flowers. Hence, an attempt has been made to observe whether flower surface wax compounds (alkanes and free fatty acids) from two cultivars (BIO L 212 Ratan and Nirmal B-1) of L. sativus could act as short-range attractant and stimulant for nymph laying by adult viviparous females. The n-hexane extracts of flower surface waxes were analyzed by TLC, GC-MS and GC-FID analyses. Twenty one and 22 n-alkanes between n-C12 and n-C36 were detected in BIO L 212 Ratan and Nirmal B-1, respectively; whereas 12 free fatty acids between C12:0 and C22:0 were identified in both cultivars. Pentadecane and tridecanoic acid were predominant n-alkane and free fatty acid, respectively. One flower equivalent surface wax of both cultivars served as short-range attractant and stimulant for nymph laying through Y-tube choice experiments and I-tube viviparity assays, respectively, by adult viviparous females. A synthetic blend of nonacosane, tridecanoic acid and linoleic acid, and a synthetic blend of tetradecane, pentadecane, nonacosane, tridecanoic acid and linoleic acid resembling in amounts as present in one flower equivalent surface wax of BIO L 212 Ratan and Nirmal B-1, respectively, served as short-range attractant and stimulant for nymph laying by adult viviparous females. This study suggests that both these blends could be used in lures in the development of baited traps in pest management programmes.

This study was designed to assess anti-diabetic potential of goat, camel, cow and buffalo milk in streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 1 diabetic albino wistar rats. A total of 48 rats were taken for the study where one group was kept as non-diabetic control group (8 rats) while others (40 rats) were made diabetic by STZ (50 mg/kg of body weight) injection. Among diabetic rats, a control group (8 rats) was kept and referred as diabetic control whereas other four groups (8 rats each) of diabetic rats were fed on 50 ml of goat or camel or cow or buffalo milk for 4 weeks. All the rats (non-diabetic and diabetic) were maintained on standard diet for four weeks. STZ administration resulted in enhancement of glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, HbA1c and reduction in high density lipoprotein in plasma and lowering of antioxidative enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) activities in pancreas, kidney, liver and RBCs, coupled with enhanced levels of TBARS and protein carbonyls in pancreas, kidney, liver and plasma. OGTT carried out at the end of 4 week milk feeding indicated that all milks helped in early maintenance of glucose level. All milks reduced atherogenic index. In camel milk fed diabetic group, insulin concentration enhanced to level noted for non-diabetic control while goat, cow and buffalo milk failed to restore insulin level. HbA1c level was also restored only in camel milk fed diabetic group. The level of antioxidative enzymes (catalase, GPx and SOD) in pancreas enhanced in all milk fed groups. Camel milk and to a reasonable extent goat milk reduced formation of TBARS and PCs in tissues and blood. It can be concluded that camel milk ameliorates hyperglycaemia and oxidative damage in type-1 diabetic experimental rats. Further, only camel milk completely ameliorated oxidative damage in pancreas and normalised insulin level.

Dietary supplementation is an effective means to improve EPA and DHA status. However, it is unclear whether lipid structure affects EPA+DHA bioavailability. We determined the effect of consuming different EPA and DHA lipid structures on their concentrations in blood during the postprandial period and during dietary supplementation compared with unmodified fish oil TAG (uTAG). In a postprandial cross-over study, healthy men (n 9) consumed in random order test meals containing 1·1 g EPA+0·37 g DHA as either uTAG, re-esterified TAG, free fatty acids (FFA) or ethyl esters (EE). In a parallel design supplementation study, healthy men and women (n 10/sex per supplement) consumed one supplement type for 12 weeks. Fatty acid composition was determined by GC. EPA incorporation over 6 h into TAG or phosphatidylcholine (PC) did not differ between lipid structures. EPA enrichment in NEFA was lower from EE than from uTAG (P=0·01). Plasma TAG, PC or NEFA DHA incorporation did not differ between lipid structures. Lipid structure did not affect TAG or NEFA EPA incorporation and PC or NEFA DHA incorporation following dietary supplementation. Plasma TAG peak DHA incorporation was greater (P=0·02) and time to peak shorter (P=0·02) from FFA than from uTAG in men. In both studies, the order of EPA and DHA incorporation was PC>TAG>NEFA. In conclusion, EPA and DHA lipid structure may not be an important consideration in dietary interventions.

Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas causes economic losses to creeping cucumber [Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi] growers in India and Bangladesh because adults feed on the leaves and flowers causing death of the plant. The insect is a generalist herbivore as it also causes damage to pumpkin, bottle gourd, sponge-gourd and gac fruit production by feeding on leaves and flowers of these plants. At present, insects are controlled with insecticides, which are harmful to human health and the environment. We studied the behavioural responses of adult A. foveicollis to flower surface waxes and synthetic compounds mimicking flower surface waxes to determine their potential for monitoring this pest. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) analyses of S. amplexicaulis flower (50 g) surface waxes indicated presence of 17.9 and 3.1 mg alkanes and free fatty acids, respectively. Seventeen n-alkanes from n-C15 to n-C34 and 16 free fatty acids from C10:0 to C22:0 were detected in the flower surface waxes. Heptacosane was predominant among n-alkanes representing 2748.1 µg; whereas, pentadecanoic acid was the major fatty acid accounting for 466.6 µg. Aulacophora foveicollis were attracted to the flower surface waxes at concentrations of 4 to 8 μg/ml, as demonstrated by a Y-tube olfactometer bioassay. Using a dose response bioassay, the insect was shown to be attracted to individual synthetic pentadecane, heptacosane, nonacosane, undecanoic acid and nonadecanoic acid at 0.70, 0.70, 1.20, 1.60 and 1.40 µg/ml, respectively. The insect displayed highest attraction to a synthetic mixture of 0.70, 1.23, 0.77, 0.84, 0.94 and 0.74 µg/ml of pentadecane, heptacosane, nonacosane, undecanoic acid, lauric acid and nonadecanoic acid, respectively, and hence, this combination might be used for insect pest management such as in baited traps.

The mobilization of fatty acids during food deprivation is a selective process studied in different species (humans, rodents, birds, viverrids). The aim of this work was to study the effect of fasting on selective mobilization in commercial pigs. A total of 16 barrows (Large White×Landrace (167 kg±12.5 kg live weight) were subdivided into two homogeneous groups, one subjected to 12 h and the other to 60 h of fasting (fasting time) before slaughtering. For each pig inner and outer backfat layer were sampled at slaughter and at ham trimming 24 h later (sampling time). Increasing the fasting time and the sampling time after slaughter caused an increase in the amount of free fatty acids in both layers. Therefore it can be argued that during fasting lipolysis is stimulated and remains active also after slaughtering. The factors that stimulate lipolysis determine a greater mobilization of unsaturated fatty acids than saturated ones. Thus fasting time may influence the suitability of pork for processing and conservation, since free fatty acids are more suitable for oxidation than the esterified ones.

The composition of fatty acids and sterols of Crangon crangon abdomen muscle was determined during two periods in the year 2010/2011. For determination of lipids classes, especially of fatty acids and sterols, high performance liquid chromatography with a laser light-scattering detector and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry were applied. Diversity and variety of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was the highest during the spring period. Twenty-seven free fatty acids with from nine to 24 carbon atoms were determined in the spring periods. Among this fraction, 14 saturated and 13 unsaturated fatty acids (eight mono- and five polyunsaturated) were present. Only seven saturated and four unsaturated free fatty acids (14:2, 17:1, 16:1 and 18:1) were identified in December 2010. Arachidonic acid (20:4) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) were detected in these two periods, and during the spring season an additional essential fatty acid—docosahexaenoic acid (22:6)—was present, which was not detected in the winter period. The number of identified sterols was correlated with phytoplankton, which was abundant during April 2011. Also, the sterol fraction in winter periods was very poor—only cholesterol was detected.

The aim of the present article is to evaluate critically the various methods employed in studies designed to quantify precisely skeletal muscle substrate utilization during exercise. In general, the pattern of substrate utilization during exercise can be described well from O2 uptake measurements and the respiratory exchange ratio. However, if the aim is to quantify limb or muscle metabolism, invasive measurements have to be carried out, such as the determination of blood flow, arterio-venous (a-v) difference measurements for O2 and relevant substrates, and biopsies of the active muscle. As many substrates and metabolites may be both taken up and released by muscle at rest and during exercise, isotopes can be used to determine uptake and/or release and also fractional uptake can be accounted for. Furthermore, the use of isotopes opens up further possibilities for the estimation of oxidation rates of various substrates. There are several methodological concerns to be aware of when studying the metabolic response to exercise in human subjects. These concerns include: (1) the muscle mass involved in the exercise is largely unknown (bicycle or treadmill). Moreover, whether the muscle sample obtained from a limb muscle and the substrate and metabolite concentrations are representative can be a problem; (2) the placement of the venous catheter can be critical, and it should be secured so that the blood sample represents blood from the active muscle with a minimum of contamination from other muscles and tissues; (3) the use of net limb glycerol release to estimate lipolysis is probably not valid (triacylglycerol utilization by muscle), since glycerol can be metabolized in skeletal muscle; (4) the precision of blood-borne substrate concentrations during exercise measured by a-v difference is hampered since they become very small due to the high blood flow. Recommendations are given in order to obtain more quantitative and conclusive data in studies investigating the regulatory mechanisms for substrate choice by muscle.

Phenomena generating FFAs, important flavour precursors, are significant in cheese ripening. In Camembert-like cheeses, it was intended to establish the relationships between the dynamics of FFA concentrations changes and the succession of ripening microflora during ripening. Experimental Camembert-type cheeses were prepared in duplicate from pasteurised milk inoculated with Kluyveromyces lactis, Geotrichum candidum, Penicillium camemberti, and Brevibacterium aurantiacum under aseptic conditions. For each cheese and each cheesy medium, concentrations of FFAs with odd-numbered carbons, except for 9[ratio ]0 and 13[ratio ]0, did not change over time. For long-chain FFAs, concentrations varied with the given cheese part (rind or core). K. lactis produced only short or medium-chain FFAs during its growth and had a minor influence on caproic, caprylic, capric, and lauric acids in comparison with G. candidum, the most lipolytic of the strains used here. It generated all short or medium-chain FFAs (4[ratio ]0–12[ratio ]0) during its exponential and slowdown growth periods and only long-chain ones (14[ratio ]0–18[ratio ]0) during its stationary phase. Pen. camemberti produced more long-chain FFAs (14[ratio ]0–18[ratio ]0) during its sporulation. Brev. aurantiacum did not generate any FFAs. The evidence of links between specific FFAs and the growth of a given microorganism is shown.

Cooling strategies for pumping of raw milk were evaluated. Milk was pumped for 450 s at 31 °C, or pumped after cooling to 4 °C and subsequently subjected to various incubation times. Two types of milk were used; i.e. milk from cows fed a diet high in saturated fat supplements resulting in significantly larger milk fat globules than the other type of milk which comes from cows fed a low-fat diet that stimulates high de novo fat synthesis. The content of liquid fat was determined by low-field 1H NMR, which showed that milk from cows given the saturated fat diet also contained less liquid fat at both 4 ° and 31 °C than the other type of milk. This can be ascribed to the differences in the fatty acid composition of the milk as a result of the fatty acid composition of the diets. After pumping of the milk at 31 °C, measurement of fat globule size distribution revealed a significant coalescence of milk fat globules in the milk obtained from the saturated fat diet due to pumping. Pumping at 4 °C or pumping the other type of milk did not result in coalescence of milk fat globules. Formation of free fatty acids increased significantly in both types of milk by pumping at 31 °C. Cooling the milk to 4 °C immediately before pumping inhibited an increased content of free fatty acids. However, when the milk was incubated at 4 °C for 60 min after cooling and then subjected to pumping, a significant increase in the formation of free fatty acids was observed in both types of milk. It is suggested that this increase in free fatty acids is caused by transition of polymorphic crystal forms or higher level of attached lipoprotein lipases to the milk fat globule before pumping.

A novel 2-stage gravity separation scheme was developed for fractionation of raw, whole bovine milk into fractions enriched in small (SFG) or large (LFG) fat globules. The volume mean diameter of fat globules in SFG, LFG or control (CTRL) milk was 3·45, 4·68 and 3·58 μm, respectively. The maximum in storage modulus (index of firmness) decreased with increasing fat globule size for rennet-induced gels formed from SFG, LFG or CTRL milks. Miniature (20 g) Cheddar cheeses were manufactured using each of the 3 milks. There were no significant (P>0·05) differences in the pH, moisture and fat in dry matter levels between cheeses made using any of the 3 milks, however, the fat content of the cheese made using SFG milk was ~1% lower than that of cheese made using LFG or CTRL milk in each of the 2 trials. Image analysis of confocal scanning laser micrographs of the cheeses illustrated that the star volume of fat globules in the cheeses decreased significantly (P[les ]0·05) as the size of fat globules in the milks used for cheesemaking was reduced. This indicates that it is possible to manipulate the size distribution of fat globules in Cheddar cheese by adjusting the fat globule size distribution of the milk used for cheesemaking. The concentration of free fatty acids (FFA) increased in all cheeses during ripening. At 120 d of ripening, the concentration of FFA varied significantly (P[les ]0·05 and P[les ]0·001 for trials 1 and 2, respectively) with fat globule size, with cheeses made in trial 2 from LFG, SFG or CTRL milks having total FFA levels of 3391, 2820 and 2612 mg/kg cheese, respectively.

Cell viability, autolysis and lipolysis were studied in Cheddar cheese made using Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris AM2 or Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris HP. Cheddar cheese was made in triplicate over a 3 month period and ripened for 238 days at 8 °C. Cell viability in cheese was lower for AM2 (a non-bitter strain) than for strain HP (a bitter strain). Autolysis, monitored by the level of the intracellular marker enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) in cheese ‘juice’ extracted by hydraulic pressure, was much greater in the cheese made using AM2 than that made with HP. Lipolysis was determined by the increase during ripening of individual free fatty acids (FFA) from butyric (C4[ratio ]0) to linolenic acid (C18[ratio ]3) measured using a high performance liquid chromatographic technique. Levels of individual FFA from butyric (C4[ratio ]0) to linolenic (C18[ratio ]3) acids increased significantly (P<0·05) during ripening in cheeses made with either starter culture. Palmitic (C16[ratio ]0) and oleic (C18[ratio ]1) acids were the most abundant FFA throughout ripening in all cheeses. Levels of caprylic (C8[ratio ]0), myristic (C14[ratio ]0), palmitic (C16[ratio ]0) and stearic (C18[ratio ]0) acids were significantly higher (P<0·05) in cheeses manufactured with Lc. lactis subsp. cremoris AM2 than in cheeses manufactured with Lc. lactis subsp. cremoris HP. Differences in levels of lipolysis between strains was not due to differences in the specific lipolytic or esterolytic activities in cell free extracts of the strains as measured by activity on triolein (lipase) and p-nitrophenylbutyrate (esterase) substrates. Therefore, evidence is provided for a relationship between the extent of starter cell autolysis and the level of lipolysis during Cheddar cheese ripening.

Investigations on storage insects infesting stored groundnuts was carried out in farms, markets, stores and out-door storage sites in order to find out the source of infestation. Farm samples were found to be free from infestation. Freshly harvested groundnuts that were just stacked into pyramids were also free from infestation. However, groundnuts stacked into pyramids at central storage areas of Kano and Gusau were highly infested following a year of storage. Groundnuts from stores and markets were moderately infested. The most abundant and widely distributed insect pests were Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauvel). Ephestia cautella (Wlk.) constituted less than 1% of insect pests found on the groundnuts, but Plodia interpunctella (Herbst) was absent in out-door pyramid storage.

Groundnuts kept in in-door storage had high moisture content, while nuts from farm and open air pyramid storage had low moisture content. Lipid, peroxide and free fatty acid (F.F.A) values from groundnuts were directly related to the levels of infestation.