Fatty acid composition of Greek margarines and their change in fatty acid content over the past decades

Thirty-one brands of margarines from the Greek market were analyzed for their fatty acid composition including trans-fatty acids by gas chromatography. Trans fatty acids (TFAs) were found within the range of 0.16–0.97% of total fat content, with no sample found to have TFA in a concentration more than 1% of the total fat content. Increased levels of either saturated or cis-unsaturated was observed in each brand. Saturated, cis-monounsaturated and cis-polyunsaturated were found in the ranges of 11.26–51.75%, 22.98–60.37% and 12.09–56.30% of total fat content respectively, with mean values of 30.81 ± 10.40%, 34.41 ± 10.46% and 34.28 ± 14.02% of total fat. The chemical analysis of Greek margarines over the past decades has indicated that the TFA content of Greek margarines has declined over the past 20 years by approximately 95%.     

Fatty acid composition of Costa Rican foods including trans fatty acid content

To further understand the fatty acid–disease relationships in an epidemiologic context, detailed composition tables are required. The composition of the major saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids that are most abundant in the diet, is available for numerous foods in many countries, but data on the content of individual fatty acids with relative low abundance are scarce. We conducted a study to establish a fatty acid composition database that includes fatty acids with low relative abundance as well as trans fatty acids for the main sources of fat in the Costa Rican diet. Fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography. We present in-depth fatty acid composition tables for foods that are commonly used in Costa Rica. These analyses include information on alpha-linolenic, gamma-linolenic, arachidonic acid and trans fatty acids, which are important for health but where information is scarce. Of particular interest is the high content of trans fatty acids in partially hydrogenated soybean oil in Costa Rica, although decreasing over time. In a period of 10 years the amount of total trans fatty acids in Costa Rican soybean oil has decreased from an average of 20 to 1.5%, while alpha-linolenic has increased from an average of 1.87 to 6.06%. Our data will be of special interest for studies on Latin American countries requiring dietary information.     

Fatty acids composition of Greek margarines. Margarine consumption by the population of Crete and its relationship to adipose tissue analysis

Ten brands of margarines from the Greek market were analysed. The fatty acid (FA) composition was estimated by using gas liquid chromatography (GLC) with a capillary column. A sample of Cretan olive oil was used as a control. The brands of the same margarines were bought and analysed twice (June and October 1991) in order to observe differences between batches. During the second part of the study it was possible to distinguish between the cis and trans isomers of the unsaturated fatty acids. The ratios of polyunsaturated/saturated, monounsaturated/polyunsaturated and saturated/monounsaturated (P/S, M/P, S/M) fatty acids were calculated as well as the ω-6/ω-3 ratio. Four brands contained at least 40% saturated fatty acids. Trans double bonds were additionally regarded as simple bonds and the conventional ratios were recalculated. The amount of the 18:1 trans fatty acid ranged from 5.40 to 9.54% and that of cis-trans and trans-cis 18:2 fatty acids from 0.40 to 3.65%. The 18:2 trans-trans fatty acids ranged from 0 to 1.23%. Food consumption surveys in Crete showed that in selective population samples, margarine consumption was approximately 9 g/day for children and 2 g/day for adults. The analysis of fatty acids in adipose tissue of 70 Cretan lawyers showed 0.90 ± 0.25% (0.46–1.67) for 4 trans isomers of oleic acid and 0.14 ± 0.06% (0.05–0.31) and 0.04 ± 0.01% (0.02–0.06) for trans-cis and cis-trans isomers of linoleic acid respectively. Although margarine consumption in Crete is still low, trans fatty acids content is reflected in the adipose fatty acid composition. The industry must consider the potential health risks that consumption of such margarines will have on the population, and they must try to improve their products.     

The linoleic acid and trans fatty acids of margarines.

Fifty brands of margarine were analysed for cis-polyunsaturated acids by lipoxidase, for trans fatty acid by infared spectroscopy, and for fatty acid composition by gas-liquid chromatography. High concentrations of trans fatty acids tended to be associated with low concentrations of linoleic acid. Later analyses on eight of the brands, respresenting various proportions of linoleic to trans fatty acids, indicated that two of them contained still higher levels of trans fatty acids (greater than 60%) and negligible amounts of linoleic acid. It is proposed that margarine could be a vehicle for the distribution of some dietary linoleic acid and that the level of linoleic acid and the summation of the saturated plus trans fatty acids be known to ascertain nutritional characteristics.     

Breast milk composition: fat content and fatty acid composition in vegetarians and non-vegetarians

Milk from vegetarians contained a lower proportion of fatty acids derived from animal fat and a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from dietary vegetable fat. No significant differences were observed between dietary groups in percent fat in the milk or in proportions of fatty acids synthesized de novo in the mammary gland. Among women consuming less than 35 g animal fat per day, percent milk fat was significantly correlated with animal fat intake. Among women consuming greater than 35 g animal fat, percent fat in milk was positively correlated with percent of C10:0, C12:0, and C18:3 and negatively correlated with percent of C16:0 and C18:0 in the milk fat. These findings suggest that there is a maximum amount of C16:0 and C18:0 that can be taken up from the blood and subsequently secreted into the milk.     

Lipid content and fatty acid composition in foods commonly consumed by nursing Congolese women: incidences on their essential fatty acid intakes and breast milk fatty acids

The fat content and fatty acid (FA) composition of nearly 40 foods, currendy consumed by 102 nursing Congolese mothers living in Brazzaville, were determined to assess their impact on mothers' essential fatty acid (EFA) intakes and breast milk FA. Data on mothers' milk FA and dietary habits which allowed food selection were recently published (Rocquelin et al., 1998). Most foods were locally produced. Food samples were collected at local markets, bleached if necessary to avoid microbial degradation, and stored at +4°C or-20°C. They were lyophilized upon their arrival in the laboratory before lipid analyses. FA composition of food lipids was determined by capillary gas chromatography. Staple diets included low-fat, high-carbohydrate foods (processed cassava roots, wheat bread) and high-polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) foods: soybean oil (high in 18 : 2 n-6 and α-18 : 3 n-3), bushbutter (dacryodes edulis), peanuts, avocado (high in fat and 18 : 2 n-6), freshwater and salt-water fish (high in LC n-3 and/or n-6 PUFA), and leafy green vegetables (low in fat but very high in α-18 : 3 n-3). Their frequent consumption by nursing mothers provided enough EFA to meet requirements due to lactation. It also explains why mothers' breast milk was rich in C8-C14 saturated FA (26% of total FA) and in n-6, n-3 PUFA (respectively 15.0% and 2.4% of total FA) highly profitable for breastfed infants' development. From this point of view, dietary habits of Congolese mothers have to be sustained for they are more adequate than most Western-type diets.     

Trends in the Mexican infant mortality paradox over the past two decades

PurposeMexicans in the United States have lower rates of several important population health metrics than non-Hispanic whites, including infant mortality. This mortality advantage is particularly pronounced among infants born to foreign-born Mexican mothers. However, the literature to date has been relegated to point-in-time studies that preclude a dynamic understanding of ethnic and nativity differences in infant mortality among Mexicans and non-Hispanic whites.MethodsWe assessed secular trends in the relation between Mexican ethnicity, maternal nativity, and infant mortality between 1989 and 2006 using a linked birth–death data set from one US state.ResultsCongruent to previous research, we found a significant mortality advantage among infants of Mexican relative to non-Hispanic white mothers between 1989 and 1991 after adjustment for baseline demographic differences (relative risk = 0.78, 95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.98). However, because of an upward trend in infant mortality among infants of Mexican mothers, the risk of infant mortality was not significantly different from non-Hispanic white mothers in later periods.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the “Mexican paradox” with respect to infant mortality is resolving. Changing sociocultural norms among Mexican mothers and changes in immigrant selection and immigration processes may explain these observations, suggesting directions for future research.     

human and bovine milk gangliosides differ in their fatty acid composition

Gangliosides are considered bioactive components in human infant nutrition, and their fatty acid composition alters their biological effects. We used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) MS and GLC to analyze the fatty acid composition of the predominant gangliosides, the monosialoganglioside GM(3) [sialic acid (Sia) alpha2-3 galactose (Gal) beta1-4 glucose (Glc) beta1-1 ceramide] and the disialoganglioside GD(3) (Sia alpha2-8 Sia alpha2-3 Gal beta1-4 Glc beta1-1 ceramide), in pooled human and bovine milk, the latter being a source for gangliosides in infant formula. Compared with whole milk lipids, both human and bovine milk gangliosides were selectively enriched with certain fatty acids, and the fatty acid composition of milk gangliosides in the 2 species was significantly different. The amount of long-chain fatty acids (> or =20 C atoms) was higher in bovine milk gangliosides (GM(3): 73.71 +/- 3.39%; GD(3): 79.19 +/- 2.79%) than in human milk gangliosides (GM(3): 51.25 +/- 0.65%; GD(3): 34.04 +/- 1.80%). Tricosanoic acid (23:0) dominated in bovine milk gangliosides (GM(3): 24.05 +/- 1.37%; GD(3): 26.66 +/- 1.24%), whereas it only played a minor role in human milk gangliosides (GM(3): 2.88 +/- 0.10%; GD(3): 1.84 +/- 0.29%). We hypothesized that the differences in the fatty acid composition of milk gangliosides result in physiological distinctions between breast-fed and formula-fed infants and therefore are of importance for human infant nutrition.     

Population health in South Africa: dynamics over the past two decades

South Africa has experienced a rapid and complex health transition over the past two decades. Mortality has worsened in virtually all age groups, driven largely by HIV and AIDS. The morbidity profile comprises coexisting infectious and non-communicable diseases--including new infections such as HIV and AIDS, and emerging conditions such as vascular illness and diabetes--together with persisting child diarrhea and malnutrition, and high levels of interpersonal violence and accidents. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease are high even in rural parts of the country, with high levels of obesity rendering women at greater risk for metabolic disease. Reducing the negative impacts of the health transition will require targeted efforts within the health and social sectors, as well as broader development initiatives. Government should provide strong leadership, and priorities for action must be underpinned by a robust evidence base.     

Fatty acid composition of salami from different countries and their nutritional implications

‘Milano-type’ salami from 13 European and American countries were analysed to establish their nutritional value in relation to fat and fatty acid composition. The fat content, fatty acid profile, ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, ratio of hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (h/H) and the contribution to the daily intake recommended for the population were studied. Differences (P<0.05) in the dry matter, pH, water activity, fat content, and percentages of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were found.

Principal component analysis permitted samples to be separated into three different groups: (1) salamis from Chile, Mexico and Brazil, with high n-6/n-3 ratios (14–16), medium iodine index (73–76) and high h/H ratios (2.6–2.7); (2) European salamis and salamis from Costa Rica and USA, with medium and high n-6/n-3 ratios (8–15), low iodine index (62–72) and low h/H ratios (2.1–2.6); and (3) products from Peru, with the lowest n-6/n-3 ratio (7.2), the highest iodine index (about 80) and medium h/H ratio (2.5).     

Induction of lipid peroxidation and change of fatty acid composition in rats fed methylmercury

Four groups of rats, with 5 animals in each, were fed a diet to which 1, 2, 4 or 8 ppm of methylmercury (MeHg) were added while another group of 5 rats was fed a diet containing no MeHg as a control. Moreover, each rat was daily supplied the same volume of these diets. During the experimental period of 40 days, body weights of the rats were daily checked individually. On day 40, expired air of the rats was collected to analyse for ethane and pentane production, and then the rats were sacrificed to obtain the liver, kidneys, brain and plasma. Thio-barbituric acid (TBA)-reactants in the selective organs and plasma were measured to investigate the effects of MeHg on lipid peroxidation. Further, gas-chromatographic analyses of fatty acids were carried out on the samples of the selective organs and plasma to examine the effects of MeHg on lipid metabolism. Results obtained were as follows: 1. The fifth day after the experiment started, the growth rates of the groups fed a diet containing MeHg (the MeHg groups) were higher than those of the control group. Moreover, the growth rates tended to increase with increases of MeHg concentrations in food from days 25 to 32 of the experimental period. Furthermore, the weights of the kidneys increased with increases in MeHg concentrations in food. 2. The amounts of expired ethane and pentane did not increase proportionally with increases in MeHg concentrations in food but those of expired ethane and pentane were higher in the MeHg groups than in the control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Dietary essential fatty acids change the fatty acid profile of rat neural mitochondria over time.

This experiment examined the time course over which the amount of dietary essential fatty acids (EFA) affects brain mitochondrial fatty acids. Weanling rats were fed 20% (wt/wt) fat diets that contained either 4 or 15% (wt/wt of diet) EFA for 1, 2, 3 or 6 wk or a 10% EFA diet for 3 or 6 wk. The EFA ratio [18:2(n-6)/18:3(n-3)] of all diets was approximately 30. Fatty acid analysis of brain mitochondrial phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and cardiolipin revealed that the largest dietary effect was on 18:2(n-6), which was 30% higher in rats fed the 15 vs. 4% EFA diets after 1 wk. This difference increased to twofold by 3 wk and was still twofold after 6 wk. These results demonstrate several facts: 1) the response of 18:2(n-6) in cardiolipin to dietary EFA is very fast and large, relative to changes in other quantitatively major fatty acids observed in weanling rats; 2) the 18:2(n-6) level in neural cardiolipin stabilizes after 3 wk of feeding at a level dependent upon the amount of dietary EFA; and 3) at least one neural fatty acid, 18:2(n-6), is very sensitive to amounts of dietary EFA that are well above the animal's EFA requirement.     

Assessment of fatty acids content in margarines available on Polish market in the years 1996-2000

Fatty acids content in margarines from Polish market in the years 1996-2000 was investigated. 56 samples of low fat, 40 normal fat and 78 stick were examined derived from different producers. Considerable differences in amount of particular groups of fatty acids were observed during investigation period i.e. saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and trans isomers in the same type of margarines. The low fat soft type of margarines showed the most desirable from nutritional point of view fatty acids content--such as low level of saturated acids as well as absence of trans isomers.     

Effect of maternal dietary linoleic acid and trans-octadecenoic acid on the fatty acid composition and prostaglandin content of rat milk

The effects of seven levels of dietary linoleic acid (18:2), with and without trans-octadecenoic acid (18:1t), on the fatty acid composition and prostaglandin content of milk were investigated in lactating rat dams. At parturition, 14 groups of 4 rats each were fed diets containing 20% fat, with mixtures of coconut and safflower oils providing seven concentrations of 18:2 ranging from 3.6 +/- 0.5 to 44.5 + 2.3% of total fatty acids. Hydrogenated soybean oil was added such that 18:1t comprised 10.3 +/- 0.3% of total fatty acids. Milk samples were collected on day 12 postpartum for prostaglandin analyses and on day 16 for fatty acid analyses. The relationship of dietary 18:2 to milk 18:2 was linear (r = 0.98; P = 0.0001), with milk 18:2 ranging from 2.6 +/- 0.1% of total fatty acids at the lowest level of dietary 18:2 to 27.9 +/- 1.6% at the highest. Milk 18:1t was highly correlated (r = 0.99; P = 0.0001) with the amount of dietary 18:1t. In rats fed hydrogenated fat, milk 18:1t averaged 7.0 +/- 0.2% of total fatty acids. Transfer from diet to milk was 46.4 +/- 4.2% for 18:2 and 37.5 +/- 1.7% for 18:1t. Mean concentrations of prostaglandin F2 alpha and E in rat milk were 269 +/- 16 pg/mL and 477 +/- 24 pg/mL respectively. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of either prostaglandin relative to 18:1t consumption at any level of 18:2.     

Effects of dietary fatty acid composition on macronutrient selection and synaptosomal fatty acid composition in rats

Our previous work showed that rats consuming 20% (wt/wt) lard diets selected more protein and less carbohydrate than did rats fed 20% (wt/wt) soybean oil diets. To determine if this effect is specific to saturated fat source and to measure changes in fatty acid composition of synaptosomal phospholipids, male Wistar rats were fed a 20% (wt/wt) soybean oil or tallow diet with 24% protein and 48% carbohydrate for 2 wk. Rats then self-selected from two diets with the same fat previously fed but different protein and carbohydrate composition (5% protein, 67% carbohydrate and 55% protein, 17% carbohydrate). Tallow-fed rats selected more protein and less carbohydrate than did soybean oil-fed rats. Dietary fat also affected fatty acid composition of synaptosomal phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine being most affected and phosphatidylinositol most resistant. Later studies determined if selection differences were due to taste. When rats self-selected without prior exposure to diets, tallow-fed rats selected more protein and less carbohydrate than did soybean oil-fed rats during the last 2 wk but not the first 2 wk. When rats selected from diets with identical protein and carbohydrate composition but different dietary fat, rats consumed slightly greater amounts of the tallow diet at each protein level. The relative intake of tallow and soybean oil diets, however, did not vary significantly with dietary protein treatment. These results confirm that rats fed saturated fat diets select more protein and less carbohydrate than do rats fed polyunsaturated fat diets and suggest this difference is not due to taste factors.     

Fatty acid and sn-2 fatty acid composition in human milk from Granada (Spain) and in infant formulas

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in fatty acid and sn-2 fatty acid composition in colostrum, transitional and mature human milk, and in term infant formulas. SETTING: Departament de Nutrició i Bromatologia, University of Barcelona, Spain and University Hospital of Granada, Spain. SUBJECTS: One-hundred and twenty mothers and 11 available types of infant formulas for term infants. DESIGN: We analysed the fatty acid composition of colostrum (n=40), transitional milk (n=40), mature milk (n=40) and 11 infant formulas. We also analysed the fatty acid composition at sn-2 position in colostrum (n=12), transitional milk (n=12), mature milk (n=12), and the 11 infant formulas. RESULTS: Human milk in Spain had low saturated fatty acids, high monounsaturated fatty acids and high linolenic acid. Infant formulas and mature human milk had similar fatty acid composition. In mature milk, palmitic acid was preferentially esterified at the sn-2 position (86.25%), and oleic and linoleic acids were predominantly esterified at the sn-1,3 positions (12.22 and 22.27%, respectively, in the sn-2 position). In infant formulas, palmitic acid was preferentially esterified at the sn-1,3 positions and oleic and linoleic acids had higher percentages at the sn-2 position than they do in human milk. CONCLUSION: Fatty acid composition of human milk in Spain seems to reflect the Mediterranean dietary habits of mothers. Infant formulas resemble the fatty acid profile of human milk, but the distribution of fatty acids at the sn-2 position is markedly different.     

Dietary trans fatty acids alter diaphragm phospholipid fatty acid composition, triacylglycerol content and glucose transport in rats

The present study evaluates the effect of dietary trans fatty acids on diaphragm phospholipid fatty acid composition, intramyocellular triacylglycerol content and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in comparison with dietary saturated fatty acids. Male weanling WNIN rats were divided into three groups and fed for 3 months on one of the following diets containing 10 % oil differing in fatty acid composition: control diet, saturated fatty acid diet and trans fatty acid diet. Dietary trans fatty acids increased the intramyocellular triacylglycerols and decreased the ratio of 20 : 4n-6 to 18 : 2n-6 and long-chain PUFA levels (20 %) in diaphragm phospholipids, indicating inhibition of PUFA biosynthesis. However, saturated fatty acids decreased both 18 : 2n-6 and 20 : 4n-6 without change in the ratio. Trans fatty acid-induced alterations in diaphragm phospholipid fatty acid composition and intramyocellular triacylglycerol content were associated with decreased insulin-stimulated glucose transport in the diaphragm. These observations suggest that dietary trans fatty acids decrease diaphragm insulin sensitivity, possibly due to increased intramyocellular triacylglycerol accumulation and decreased long-chain PUFA in phospholipids.