Botryococcus braunii is a unique colonial green microalga and a great potential renewable resource of liquid fuel because of its ability to produce lipids. Due to the dense cell colonies and rigidly thick cell wall of B. braunii, the traditional Nile red method is usually of low sensitivity and bad repeatability and hard for the determination of lipid content in the cells. By dispersing the colony with ultrasonic, assisting permeation of Nile red across the cell wall with dimethyl sulfoxide and optimizing the staining conditions, we established an improved detection method. The details were as follows: after the colonial algal sample was treated by ultrasonic at 20 kHz for 20 s, 100 W transmitting power and with 1 s on/1 s off intermittent cycle, the equivoluminal 15% (V/V) dimethyl sulfoxide and 3 microg/mL Nile red were successively added and mixed evenly, then the staining system was incubated in dark at 40 degrees C for 10 min, and subsequently was measured by fluorescence spectroscopy detection with an excitation wavelength of 490 nm. Compared with the traditional method, the improved one not only had higher detection sensitivity which was increased by 196.6%, but also had obviously better detection repeatability whose characteristic parameter - relative standard deviation (RSD) was decreased from 10.91% to 1.84%. Therefore, the improved method could provide a rapid and sensitive detection of lipid content for B. braunii breeding and cultivation.
Chlorophyta ; chemistry ; Lipids ; analysis ; Microalgae ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; methods ; Ultrasonics

Ether lipids, such as plasmalogens, are peroxisome-derived glycerophospholipids in which the hydrocarbon chain at the sn-1 position of the glycerol backbone is attached by an ether bond, as opposed to an ester bond in the more common diacyl phospholipids. This seemingly simple biochemical change has profound structural and functional implications. Notably, the tendency of ether lipids to form non-lamellar inverted hexagonal structures in model membranes suggests that they have a role in facilitating membrane fusion processes. Ether lipids are also important for the organization and stability of lipid raft microdomains, cholesterol-rich membrane regions involved in cellular signaling. In addition to their structural roles, a subset of ether lipids are thought to function as endogenous antioxidants, and emerging studies suggest that they are involved in cell differentiation and signaling pathways. Here, we review the biology of ether lipids and their potential significance in human disorders, including neurological diseases, cancer, and metabolic disorders.
Animals ; Disease ; Ether ; chemistry ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipids ; chemistry

Lignin degradation products are toxic to microorganisms, which is one of the bottlenecks for fuel ethanol production. We studied the effects of phenolic ketones (4-hydroxyacetophenone, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-acetophenone and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-acetophenone) derived from lignin degradation on ethanol fermentation of xylose and cellular lipid composition of Pichia stipitis NLP31. Ethanol and the cellular fatty acid of yeast were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Results indicate that phenolic ketones negatively affected ethanol fermentation of yeast and the lower molecular weight phenolic ketone compound was more toxic. When the concentration of 4-hydroxyacetophenone was 1.5 g/L, at fermentation of 24 h, the xylose utilization ratio, ethanol yield and ethanol concentration decreased by 42.47%, 5.30% and 9.76 g/L, respectively, compared to the control. When phenolic ketones were in the medium, the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (UFA/SFA) of yeast cells was improved. When 1.5 g/L of three aforementioned phenolic ketones was added to the fermentation medium, the UFA/SFA ratio of yeast cells increased to 3.03, 3.06 and 3.61, respectively, compared to 2.58 of the control, which increased cell membrane fluidity and instability. Therefore, phenolic ketones can reduce the yeast growth, increase the UFA/SFA ratio of yeast and lower ethanol productivity. Effectively reduce or remove the content of lignin degradation products is the key to improve lignocellulose biorefinery.
Acetophenones ; chemistry ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Fermentation ; Industrial Microbiology ; Ketones ; chemistry ; Lignin ; chemistry ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Phenols ; chemistry ; Pichia ; chemistry ; Xylose ; chemistry

Chlorella is nutritious and has been used as a functional food much earlier than the other microalgae. C. pyrenoidosa, the potential microalgae which is currently cultured and developed for the new strategic industry of biofuels production and biological CO2 fixation, is a new resource food announced by the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China late 2012. Accumulation of high value-added substances in C. pyrenoidosa during the cultivation for lipid makes it possible to reduce the costs for C. pyrenoidosa-based biofuels production. Among these potential substances, hot water extract of Chlorella (CE), commercially known as "Chlorella growth factor", is the unique one that makes Chlorella more precious than the other algae, and the market price of CE is high. It is believed that CE is effective in growth promotion and immunoregulation. However, there is no systematic analysis on the research status of CE and its bioactivity. The present report summarized recent research progress of CE and its bioactivity. Generally, besides the main effect on immunoregulation and tumor inhibition, CE was efficient in improving metabolic syndrome, scavenging for free radicals, protecting against ultraviolet damage, chelating heavy metals, and protecting liver and bowel. Several major challenges in CE research as well as its prospects were also analysed in the present report.
Biofuels ; Chlorella ; chemistry ; Humans ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Water

OBJECTIVETo prepare solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) loaded tetrandrine (TET) extracted from traditional Chinese medicine with ultrasonication and high pressure homogenization, and to compare the physicochemical characteristics of the particles produced by the two methods.

METHODSTET was incorporated into SLN by ultrasonication and high pressure homogenization separately. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to study the shape. Particle characterization system and Zeta potential analyzer were used to study the diameter and Zeta potential of SLN in suspension. The entrapment efficiency was determined with the high-performance liquid chromatography. The stability of SLN was also studied.

RESULTSTET-SLNs prepared by these two methods were sheet-shaped and irregular, but the SLNs prepared by high pressure homogenization were smaller. The mean diameter of SLN prepared by ultrasonication was (92 +/- 6) nm with Zeta potential of (-21.11 +/- 2.12) mV in distilled water, and the mean entrapment efficiency was 95.27%. The mean diameter of TET-SLN prepared by high pressure homogenization was (47 +/- 3) nm with Zeta potential of (-32.99 +/- 2.54) mV, and up to 97.82% of TET was incorporated. The diameter of SLN prepared by high pressure homogenization and ultrasonication were (52 +/- 5) nm and (168 +/- 12) nm after 90 days of storage at room temperature.

CONCLUSIONCompared with ultrasonication, high pressure homogenization is a better method to prepare TET-SLN, which is smaller, steadier and highly incorporated.

Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Benzylisoquinolines ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; Sonication

Various geometric shapes and structures self-assembled of amphiphilic lipids when present in an aqueous environment, as active delivery vehicles, are becoming one of focuses of drug delivery system. Lipid-based cubic liquid crystalline nanoparticles (or Cubosomes) consisting of "honeycombed (cavernous)" structure spontaneously formed when a certain concentration of amphiphilic lipids dispersed in aqueous solution has curved bicontinuous lipid bilayer in three dimensions, separating two congruent networks of water channels. Its unique structure consists of internal double water channels and large interfacial areas, which reveal great flexibility in encapsulation efficiency of various polarities and amount of drugs, and has variegated range of drugs encapsulated. As a drug delivery vehicle, high drug payloads, stabilization of peptides or proteins and simple preparation process are also its advantages. The ability of cubic phase to incorporate and control release of drugs of varying size and polar characteristics, and biodegradability of lipids make it an interesting drug delivery system for various routes of administration, including oral, topical (or mucosal) and intravenous administrations, with extensive application in a multitude of dosage forms. Furthermore, a number of different proteins in cubic phase appear to retain their native conformation and bioactivity, and are protected against chemical and physical inactivation. In this paper, investigations of lipid-based cubic liquid crystalline nanoparticles are reviewed and summarized, with a hope to provide a reference for its in-depth study. At the end, the authors made a development prospect of this novel excellent candidate for active ingredients delivery vehicle.
Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Lipids ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Liquid Crystals ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles

OBJECTIVETo prepare quercetin nanostuctured lipid carriers (QT-NLC), and detect their physicochemical properties.

METHODQT-NLC was prepared by emulsification ultrasonic dispersion method, and the optimum prescription was screened out by orthogonal design. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe QT-NLC morphology. Granulometer was applied to determine zeta potential, particle size and distribution. DSC was adopted for phase analysis. Centrifugal ultra-filtration method was used to determine entrapment efficiency. Dialysis method was adopted to detect drug release in vitro of preparations.

RESULTQT-NLC prepared under optimum conditions was mostly spherical grains, with the average particle size of (175 +/- 25) nm, which were distributed evenly, and zeta potential was (-23 +/- 0.3) mV. DSC results indicated that the drug was dispersed in nano-particles in a non-crystalline state, with an entrapment efficiency of (95.43 +/- 0.23)% and a drug-loading capacity of (2.38 +/- 0.24)%. The in vitro drug release was 32.2% in 2 hours, which was followed by a sustained release.

CONCLUSIONEmulsification ultrasonic dispersion method is applicable for preparing QT-NLC, as nano-particles are distributed evenly, with good reliability. This processing technology is safe, reliable and highly reproducible.

Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Emulsions ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Particle Size ; Quercetin ; chemistry

Injectable lipid emulsions have been routinely used in patients since 1960s as a nutritional supplement for patients requiring parenteral nutrition. In recent years, lipid injectable emulsions have been extensively studied as a kind of novel drug carrier, also the quality problems of the lipid emulsion attract more and more attentions gradually. Large diameter tail of injectable lipid emulsions as a significant quality control indicator should pay more attention. Regarding to the defect of detecting large diameter tail of lipid injectable emulsions in our country, the purpose of this article is to summarize the techniques of detecting large diameter tail, illustrate the impacts of large lipid droplet on the quality of lipid injectable emulsions, emphasize the importance of detecting large diameter tail in lipid emulsions and provide guidance for researching and developing lipid emulsions in domestic market.
Drug Stability ; Fat Emulsions, Intravenous ; chemistry ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Parenteral Nutrition Solutions ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Quality Control

AIMTo compare lipophilicity measuring scale stemmed from immobilized artificial membrane chromatography and n-octanol/buffer systems.

METHODSA test set consisted of 27 structurally diverse compounds. The lipophilicity of these were evaluated by both immobilized artificial membrane chromatography (IAMC) and n-octanol/buffer systems, which were expressed as lg kIAM and lg DO/W,7.4, respectively.

RESULTSWith regard to each individual group, good correlation coefficient (r2) over 0.81 was obtained (0.82 for acid; 0.88 for neutral, 0.81 for base and 0.92 for ampholyte, respectively). However, a smaller r2 (0.62) was acquired for all compounds studied than that of each individual group.

CONCLUSIONIAMC and n-octanol/buffer systems were shown to be different in lipophilicity.

Buffers ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Membranes, Artificial ; Octanols ; chemistry ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; chemistry ; Phospholipids ; chemistry

Sexual reproduction is marked by the fusion of the sperm cell with the oocyte during fertilization to produce the diploid zygote, in which the lipids in the sperm plasma membrane play an important role. Due to the loss of most cell organelles and DNA transcription, spermatozoa lack protein expression and vesicular transport. However, the lipids of the sperm plasma membrane undergo complicated dynamic changes, which may facilitate the capacitation, binding with zona pellucida, acrosome reaction and fusion of the sperm cell with the oocyte. This paper summarizes the progress in the studies of the lipids in the sperm plasma membrane, their composition, structure, peroxidation, metabolism and role in fertilization.
Acrosome Reaction ; Animals ; Cell Membrane ; chemistry ; Fertilization ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Lipids ; metabolism ; Sperm Capacitation ; Spermatozoa ; chemistry