Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism explores a number of major roles of PUFA in the body, including its role as a component of cell membranes and how it provides substrates for the synthesis of lipid second messengers. Recent studies are unraveling the effect of interactions between diet and endocrine factors and genetic and epigenetic variation on the regulation of PUFA biosynthesis in animals. Together, these recent findings provide novel insights into the impact of differences in PUFA supply on health. This book captures these findings in a manner that marks the state-of-the-art, placing them in the wider context of PUFA metabolism and nutritional science. Users will find a comprehensive discussion on the topic that presents the contributions of leading researchers who combine their knowledge to create a cohesive academic resource for researchers, those involved in production, and health policymakers. - Provides a comprehensive view of polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism - Describes underlying metabolism on lipids that include polyunsaturated fatty acids - Includes discussions on recent findings on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism

Presents the State-of-the-Art in Fat Taste TransductionA bite of cheese, a few potato chips, a delectable piece of bacon - a small taste of high-fat foods often draws you back for more. But why are fatty foods so appealing? Why do we crave them? Fat Detection: Taste, Texture, and Post Ingestive Effects covers the many factors responsible for the se

A collection of papers that comprehensively describe the major areas of research on lipid metabolism of plants. State-of-the-art knowledge about research on fatty acid and glycerolipid biosynthesis, isoprenoid metabolism, membrane structure and organization, lipid oxidation and degradation, lipids as intracellular and extracellular messengers, lipids and environment, oil seeds and gene technology is reviewed. The different topics covered show that modern tools of plant cellular and molecular biology, as well as molecular genetics, have been recently used to characterize several key enzymes of plant lipid metabolism (in particular, desaturases, thioesterases, fatty acid synthetase) and to isolate corresponding cDNAs and genomic clones, allowing the use of genetic engineering methods to modify the composition of membranes or storage lipids. These findings open fascinating perspectives, both for establishing the roles of lipids in membrane function and intracellular signalling and for adapting the composition of seed oil to the industrial needs. This book will be a good reference source for research scientists, advanced students and industrialists wishing to follow the considerable progress made in recent years on plant lipid metabolism and to envision the new opportunities offered by genetic engineering for the development of novel oil seeds.

Basado en el 28 Seminario Néstle Nutrition celebrado en Mexico, 27-30 de noviembre de 1990.

Over the past several years, extensive research has been done on the microbial production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Regardless, research on the oleaginous microalgae used as feedstock for biofuels production and the overall story about the production of nutraceutical fatty acids from oleaginous microalgae has been very limited. This volume provides an exclusive insight on the production of nutraceutical fatty acids from oleaginous microalgae and their role on human health. Some saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids can be synthesized by humans, whereas long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid cannot and are deemed essential. The products of these acids, such as DHA, which is important for early visual and neurological development, are extremely important to human health. Replacing SFAs with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and prevent Alzheimer's, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, among other benefits. The ever-rising global demand for omega-3 & 6 PUFAs, however, cannot be met solely by fish oil, due to diminishing fish stocks and pollution of marine ecosystems, which has led to increased interest in alternative sustainable sources. Vegetable oils from genetically engineered plant oilseeds and microorganisms are two potential alternatives to fish oil, even though omega-3 PUFAs are highest in the latter. Although transgenic plants present numerous advantages, their production is dependent on seasonal and climatic conditions and the availability of arable land. Moreover, there are public concerns regarding the cultivation of transgenic crops in open ecosystems. These, together with regulatory issues restrict the large-scale production of genetically modified crops. Microorganisms, however, are known natural producers of microbial oils similar to those obtained from plants and animals and a possible source of nutritionally important omega-3 & 6 PUFAs. This groundbreaking volume presents invaluable new research on essential fatty acids, their production from various oleaginous microorganisms, biochemical and metabolic engineering to improve PUFAs content in oil, extraction and purification of omega 3 fatty acids, and the current market scenario. Whether a veteran engineer or scientist using it as a reference or a professor using it as a textbook, this outstanding new volume is a must-have for any engineer or scientist working in food science.

Protecting Infants through Human Milk: Advancing the Scientific Evidence provides a forum in which basic scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, and policy makers exchange the latest findings regarding the effects of human milk and breastfeeding on infant and maternal health, thereby fostering new and promising collaborations. This volume also integrates data from animal and in vitro laboratory studies with clinical and population studies to examine human milk production and composition, the mechanisms of infant protection and/or risk from human milk feeding, and proposed interventions related to infant feeding practices. Additionally, it stimulates critical evaluation of, and advances in, the scientific evidence base and research methods, and identifies the research priorities in various areas.

The publication at hand gives an outline of recent advances in both of these topics, including a general discussion on fatty acid nutrition amd metabolism. Moreover, issues such as vascular functions, inflammation, bone metabolism, cancer, obesity and lipoprotein metabolism are dealt with in this context. Finally, the book also contains new findings on bioactive lipids such as anandamide and related compounds, as well as on conjugated linoleic acid. Scientists interested in nutrition, cardiovascular disease, behavior and psychiatry as well as fatty acid metabolism and lipids in general will find this publication a most welcome source of information.

Every aspect of immune function and host defense is dependent upon a proper supply and balance of nutrients. Severe malnutrition can cause significant alteration in immune response, but even subclinical deficits may be associated with an impaired immune response, and an increased risk of infection. Infectious diseases have accounted for more off-duty days during major wars than combat wounds or nonbattle injuries. Combined stressors may reduce the normal ability of soldiers to resist pathogens, increase their susceptibility to biological warfare agents, and reduce the effectiveness of vaccines intended to protect them. There is also a concern with the inappropriate use of dietary supplements. This book, one of a series, examines the impact of various types of stressors and the role of specific dietary nutrients in maintaining immune function of military personnel in the field. It reviews the impact of compromised nutrition status on immune function; the interaction of health, exercise, and stress (both physical and psychological) in immune function; and the role of nutritional supplements and newer biotechnology methods reported to enhance immune function. The first part of the book contains the committee's workshop summary and evaluation of ongoing research by Army scientists on immune status in special forces troops, responses to the Army's questions, conclusions, and recommendations. The rest of the book contains papers contributed by workshop speakers, grouped under such broad topics as an introduction to what is known about immune function, the assessment of immune function, the effect of nutrition, and the relation between the many and varied stresses encountered by military personnel and their effect on health.

Health Effects of the Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Seafoods emerged from the 1985 Proceedings of a Conference on Health Effects of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Seafoods held in Washington, D.C., spearheaded by the National Fisheries Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Commerce (DOC), and the National Fisheries Institute (NFI). The conference aims to review the data about the health effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids in seafood; the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on eicosanoid formation, thrombosis, and inflammation; and the role of docosahexaenoic acid in membrane function and metabolism. It also encourages the researchers to study the possible origin of the health effects of seafood in the American diet. Composed of seven parts, the book begins by discussing the summary, conclusions, and recommendations the chairman of each working groups presented during the conference. It also explains the effects of fatty acids on lipoprotein and generation of products of the 5-Lipoxygenase pathway and the membrane functioning and metabolism. Moreover, it discusses the status of the fishery industries worldwide, the different classes of lipids that contain fatty acids, and recipes with seafood as the main ingredient. This book will be of great interest to the scientists such as basic researchers, clinical investigators, and epidemiologists, as well as to health personnel and consumers.