The aim of this work was to describe and compare the main fatty acids and biodiesel indices of some green and brown macroalgae (seaweeds) collected from the Persian Gulf, as an alternative raw material for renewable biodiesel production. The macroalgae showed low lipid content (< 10% DW) but marine macroalgae with total lipid content > 5% DW are a good source for biodiesel production. The total lipid content and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) of green algae were higher than that of brown algae, while higher accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs) was observed in brown seaweeds. Further, the main fatty acid in all studied seaweeds was palmitic acid (C16:0), which was followed by oleic acid (C18:1). The results of this work showed that three of the green algae, especially C. sertularioides, could be a potential source of fatty acids for biodiesel production owing to their high total lipid content, high cold flow indices (long chain saturated factor, cold filter plugging point and cloud point) and a fatty acid profile rich in SFAs with a high amount of C18:1, which is suitable for oil-based bio products. In contrast, the brown seaweeds Sargassum boveanum and Sirophysalis trinodis lipid content had a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which makes them suitable for replacing fish oil.

As biomarkers of dietary intake or disease risk factor, n-3 fatty acid (FA) can be measured in plasma phospholipids (PL), total lipids (TL) or erythrocytes. However, the numeric relationships between n-3 FA in these lipid pools are not clear. Our goal was to derive conversion ratios for plasma and erythrocyte n-3 FA. Potential studies were identified through systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library of Systematic reviews (1950 to October 2014). In all, fifty-six studies reporting n-3 in healthy individuals were included, of which thirty-four articles reported plasma PL and erythrocytes, and twenty-two reported plasma TL and erythrocytes. Meta-regressions were performed to quantify the ratio between plasma and erythrocyte n-3 FA weight percentages, controlling for covariates including age, sex and study design. The conversion ratios from plasma PL to erythrocytes for EPA, DHA, DPA and total n-3 PUFA are 0·75, 1·16, 2·32 and 1·22; the corresponding conversion ratios from plasma TL to erythrocytes are 1·00, 2·10, 3·85 and 2·08, respectively. The conversion ratios were validated using reported values from the literature and measured data from fifty individuals. The relative error of the predicted results were within 10 % of the mean reported values except for EPA, and the individual measured data except for DPA, in plasma TL. The conversion ratios between plasma PL and erythrocytes were more stable compared with plasma TL. Such conversion ratios will be useful for nutritionists or public health professionals to assess FA profiles of different populations using data collected with different methodologies.

We previously reported that rice endosperm protein (REP) has renoprotective effects in Goto–Kakizaki rats, a non-obese diabetic model. However, whether these effects occur in obese diabetes remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the effects of REP on obese diabetes, especially on fatty liver and diabetic nephropathy, using the obese diabetic model Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. In total, 7-week-old male ZDF rats were fed diets containing 20 % REP or casein (C) for 8 weeks. Changes in fasting blood glucose levels and urinary markers were monitored during the experimental period. Hepatic lipids and metabolites were measured and renal glomeruli were observed morphologically. HbA1c levels were significantly lower in rats fed REP, compared with C (P<0·05). Compared with C in the liver, REP prevented lipid accumulation (total lipid, TAG and total cholesterol, P<0·01). Liver metabolome analysis indicated that levels of metabolites associated with glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway and carnitine metabolism were significantly greater in the REP group than in the C group (P<0·05), suggesting activation of both glucose catabolism and fatty acid oxidation. The metabolite increases promoted by REP may contribute to suppression of liver lipid accumulation. Urinary excretion of albumin and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase was significantly reduced in rats fed REP for 8 weeks (P<0·01). In addition, there was a distinct suppression of mesangial matrix expansion and glomerular hypertrophy in response to REP (P<0·01). Thus, REP had preventive effects on obese diabetes, fatty liver and diabetic nephropathy.

Se estudió de contenido en ácidos grasos de los lípidos totales, polares y neutros en músculo, hepatopáncreas y ovario de hembras de Penaeus kerathurus antes y después de la puesta. El ovario fue el organo que presentó un mayor descenso del contenido lipídico total (50,9%), que se transfirió a los huevos durante la oogénesis. En los diferentes organos estudiados, el contenido de lípidos polares fue superior al de lípidos neutros. Sin embargo, durante la puesta se transfirieron mayores cantidades de lípidos neutros que de polares tanto en el ovario como en el hepatopáncreas. El contenido de los ácidos grasos saturados de los lípidos totales del ovario disminuyó un 66,3%, el de monoinsaturados un 56,5% y el de los poliinsaturados un 62,6%. Acidos grasos como el 16:0, 16:1 n − 7 y 18:1 n − 9 contribuyeron de una forma importante a la compositión lipídica de los huevos. Mientras que el 20:5 n − 3 y el 22:6 n − 3 significaron un 4% y un 4,5% respectivamente de los lípidos totales del ovario que se aportaron a la puesta.