Enzymatic preparation of structured oils containing short-chain fatty acids.

Structured oils prepared by enzymatic transacylation with triacylglycerols (TAGs) and various fatty acids (FAs) were characterized. Transacylation with trilaurin and saturated FAs (C4:0-C16:0) was performed using Lipozyme RM-IM under standard reaction conditions. The structured oils thus produced had transacylation ratios of 25-37%, as medium-chain FAs > long-chain FAs > short-chain FAs.

Novel fractionation method for squalene and phytosterols contained in the deodorization distillate of rice bran oil.

Since deodorization distillate, a by-product of rice bran oil production, contains squalene (ca. 8%) and phytosterols (ca. 4%) as unsaponifiable components, the concentration of those materials for their use in the cosmetics and food industries is desirable.

Comparison of gamma-oryzanol contents in crude rice bran oils from different sources by various determination methods.

Although there are various determination methods for gamma -oryzanol contained in rice bran oil by absorptiometry, normal-phase HPLC, and reversed-phase HPLC, their accuracies and the correlations among them have not been revealed yet. Chloroform-containing mixed solvents are widely used as mobile phases in some HPLC methods, but researchers have been apprehensive about its use in terms of safety for the human body and the environment.In the present study, a simple and accurate determination method was developed by improving the reversed-phase HPLC method.

Pursuit of oxidation behavior for conjugated polyenoyl glycerols and establishment of their novel oxidation prevention method.

Although conjugated oils are paid much attentions to their interesting physiological properties such as anticancer, anti-arteriosclerosis, anti-hypertension activities, loss in body fat etc, there is few information on their oxidation behavior. In the present work, their oxidation behavior and oxidation prevention method were evaluated to utilize as functional foods or drugs. As results, an oxidation behavior of conjugated oils was different from that of corresponding non-conjugated oils, and conjugated oils were supposed to form not only hydroperoxides but also kinds of cyclic peroxides as primary oxidation products in the autoxidation.

Anti-oxidative effects of rooibos tea extract on autoxidation and thermal oxidation of lipids.

Powdered rooibos tea extract (RTE), which is rich in polyphenols, is made from rooibos tea by freeze-drying. "Rooibos" is Afrikaans for "red bush," and the scientific name is "Aspalathus linearis." It is a broom-like member of the legume family of plants and is used to make an herbal tea which has been popular in South Africa for generations and is now consumed in many countries.

Lipase specificity in the transacylation of triacylglycerin.

The Lipase-catalyzed transesterification method is utilized as a safe and effective method for preparing various structured oils. As each lipase shows different fatty acid specificity, it is important to select an appropriate lipase according to fatty acid species incorporated into oils. In the present study fatty acid specificities of lipases obtained from different origins were evaluated by transacylation between oils and various fatty acids.