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Effects of dietary oil related to the toxic oil syndrome on the lipids of guinea pig liver microsomes.

The potential effects of oil specimens related to cases of toxic oil syndrome (TOS) on the liver microsomal lipid composition from guinea pigs were investigated. For four weeks, animals were fed diets supplemented with either "case oil" (oil related to cases of TOS) or "control oil" (oil unrelated to cases of TOS), either previously heated or not. Results were compared with those from guinea pigs fed the same diet with no oil. The administration of case oil produced changes in liver microsomal lipid composition. Statistically significant differences were also found between heated case and heated control oils. The cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratios and the major phospholipid class distribution were unaffected under these diet conditions. However, increases in the relative contents of linoleic and arachidonic acids and, simultaneously, a reduction in palmitic and palmitoleic acid levels were observed by diet effects. Heated oil administration decreased the saturated/unsaturated ratios in all cases. Our data suggest that changes observed in the fatty acid composition are attributable to the free fatty acid contents of administered oils. The toxic constituents of case oil seem to be able to alter the liver microsomal lipid composition.

Aniline Compounds↗

Consumption of tomato products with olive oil but not sunflower oil increases the antioxidant activity of plasma.

Health benefits of lycopene from tomato products have been suggested to be related to its antioxidant activity. Dietary fat may influence the absorption and hence the plasma levels and antioxidant activity of lycopene. In the present study, we have compared the effect of consumption of tomato products with extra-virgin olive oil vs. tomato products plus sunflower oil on plasma lycopene and antioxidant levels. Results show that the oil composition does not affect the absorption of lycopene from tomato products because similar levels of plasma lycopene (mean +/- SD) were obtained on feeding tomatoes (providing approximately 46 mg lycopene/d) for 7 d with either olive oil (0.66 +/- 0.26 vs 1.20 +/- 0.20 micromol/l, p <.002) or sunflower oil (0.67 +/- 0.27 vs. 1.14 micromol/l, p <.001). However, consumption of tomato products with olive oil significantly raised the plasma antioxidant activity (FRAP) from 930 +/- 150 to 1118 +/- 184 micromol/l, p <.01) but no effect was observed when the sunflower oil was used. The change (supplementation minus start values) in FRAP following the consumption of tomato products with oil was significantly higher for olive oil (190 +/- 101) than for sunflower oil (-9.6 +/- 99, p <. 005). In conclusion, the results of the study show that consumption of tomato products with olive oil but not with sunflower oil improves the antioxidant activity of the plasma.

Adult↗

Rapeseed oil, olive oil, plant sterols, and cholesterol metabolism: an ileostomy study.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether olive oil and rapeseed oil have different effects on cholesterol metabolism. DESIGN: Short-term experimental study, with controlled diets. SETTING: Outpatients at a metabolic-ward kitchen. SUBJECTS: A total of nine volunteers with conventional ileostomies. INTERVENTIONS: Two 3-day diet periods; controlled diet including 75 g of rapeseed oil or olive oil. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cholesterol absorption, ileal excretion of cholesterol, and bile acids. Serum levels of cholesterol and bile acid metabolites. Differences between diets evaluated with Wilcoxon's signed rank sum test. RESULTS: Rapeseed oil diet contained 326 mg more plant sterols than the olive oil diet. Rapeseed oil tended to decrease cholesterol absorption by 11% (P = 0.050), and increased excretion of cholesterol, bile acids, and their sum as sterols by 9% (P = 0.021), 32% (P = 0.038), and 51% (P = 0.011) compared to olive oil. A serum marker for bile acid synthesis (7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one) increased by 28% (P = 0.038) within 10 h of consumption, and serum cholesterol levels decreased by 7% (P = 0.024), whereas a serum marker for cholesterol synthesis (lathosterol) as well as serum levels of plant sterols remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Rapeseed oil and olive oil have different effects on cholesterol metabolism. Rapeseed oil, tends to decrease cholesterol absorption, increases excretion of cholesterol and bile acids, increases serum marker of bile acid synthesis, and decreases serum levels of cholesterol compared to olive oil. This could in part be explained by different concentrations of natural plant sterols. SPONSORSHIP: Supported by the Göteborg Medical Society, the Swedish Medical Society, the Swedish Board for Agricultural Research (SJFR) grant 50.0444/98 and by University of Göteborg.

Adult↗

Comparison of the effects of medium-chain triacylglycerols, palm oil, and high oleic acid sunflower oil on plasma triacylglycerol fatty acids and lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in humans.

Although medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs, composed of medium-chain fatty acids 8:0 and 10:0) have long been described as having neutral effects on serum cholesterol concentrations, experimental evidence supporting this claim is limited. In a randomized, crossover, metabolic-ward study, we compared the lipid effects of a natural food diet supplemented with either MCTs, palm oil, or high oleic acid sunflower oil in nine middle-aged men with mild hypercholesterolemia. Rather than having a neutral effect, MCT oil produced total cholesterol concentrations that were not significantly different from those produced by palm oil (MCT oil: 5.87 +/- 0.75 mmol/L; palm oil: 5.79 +/- 0.72 mmol/L) but significantly higher than that produced by high oleic acid sunflower oil (5.22 +/- 0.52 mmol/L). Low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations paralleled those of total cholesterol. MCT oil tended to result in higher triacylglycerol concentrations than either palm oil or high oleic acid sunflower oil, but this difference was not significant. There were no differences in high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. The palmitic acid and total saturated fatty acid content of plasma triacylglycerols in the MCT-oil diet was not significantly different from that in the palm oil diet. On the basis of percentage of energy, this study suggests that medium-chain fatty acids have one-half the potency that palmitic acid has at raising total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations.

Aged↗

Exocrine pancreatic secretion is stimulated in piglets fed fish oil compared with those fed coconut oil or lard.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding diets containing fat sources with different fatty acid composition (fish oil, coconut oil or lard, 10 g/100 g diet) on exocrine pancreatic secretion in piglets after weaning. A total of 16 barrows were weaned at 4 wk of age; 3 d later, they were surgically fitted with a catheter in the pancreatic duct for continuous collection of pancreatic juice. Collections of pancreatic juice were made every other day starting 4 d postsurgically. Piglets fed the fish oil diet secreted a significantly greater volume of pancreatic juice than piglets fed the coconut oil or lard diets. The output [U/(h. kg(0.75))] of lipase was higher in piglets fed fish oil than in piglets fed lard or coconut oil. The output of colipase was greater in piglets fed fish oil and coconut oil than in those fed lard. The dietary treatments did not affect the output of carboxylester hydrolase. The output of trypsin was significantly lower in piglets fed lard than in piglets fed fish oil or coconut oil diets and the output of carboxypeptidase B was greater in those fed the fish oil diet. Protein, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase A, elastase and amylase outputs did not differ among the dietary treatment groups. The apparent digestibilities of nutrients and energy were measured in feces and did not differ among groups. Thus, the greater output of lipase in fish oil-fed piglets did not result in a greater digestibility of fat in this diet.

Animals↗

Antithrombotic lipid minor constituents from vegetable oils. Comparison between olive oils and others.

Many epidemiological studies suggest that vegetable oils and especially olive oil present a protective effect against atherosclerosis. In this study, total lipids (TL) of Greek olive oils and seed oils of four kinds, namely, soybean, corn, sunflower, and sesame oil, were separated into total polar lipids (TPL) and total neutral lipids (TNL) via a novel extraction procedure. TPL and TNL of olive oil were fractionated by HPLC for further study. Each lipid fraction from HPLC separation along with TL, TPL, and TNL lipid samples from oils were tested in vitro for their capacity to induce or to inhibit washed rabbit platelet aggregation. Comparison between olive and seed oils supports the superiority of olive oil as high levels of platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists have been detected, mainly in TPL. In addition, the structure of the most active fraction from olive oil was elucidated, as a glycerol-glycolipid. Because it has already been reported that PAF plays a pivotal role in atherogenesis, the existence of PAF agonists and antagonists in vegetable oils may explain their protective role against atherosclerosis.

Acetylation↗

Impact of oil and oil-dispersant mixtures on flora and water chemistry parameters in freshwater ponds.

Oil and oil-dispersant mixtures at nominal concentrations of 100 and 20 ppm, respectively, were added to a series of ponds constructed for the study. In the pond treated with oil, there were no discernible short or long term effects on the phytoplankton. Both oil-dispersant treated ponds exhibited fluctuations in the dominant class of algae while the concentration of oil was greater than in the water column. Once the oil concentrations were below this value, there was no apparent effect. Periphytic material on the sides and bottoms of the oiled and control ponds were similar in mass and composed of a large number of species. Periphyton biomass was at least three times greater in both oil-dispersant-treated ponds with one genus dominating the growth. These conditions persisted in one of the oil-dispersant-treated ponds one year after treatment but those in the other pond had decreased to levels in the control pond at this time. Dissolved oxygen (DO) values decreased to about 4.6 ppm in both oil-dispersant-treated ponds shortly after treatment, but remained at approximately the saturation level in the other ponds for 6 weeks after treatment. Then these lower values gradually increased until they were slightly greater than in the controls. During the late winter months, both oil-dispersant ponds had anoxic zones above the sediment, the extent depending on the contours of the bottom. The DO values in the other ponds were at the saturation level. In the early spring, the nitrate ion-concentrations in control and oil-treated ponds were twice those measured for the oil-dispersant ponds. No discernible differences dependent on treatment were observed for nutrients or other ions monitored on a regular basis.

Chlorophyll↗

The effects of crude oil and the effectiveness of cleaner application following oiling on US Gulf of Mexico coastal marsh plants.

Field studies were conducted in two different marsh habitats in Louisiana coastal wetlands to evaluate the effects of oiling (using South Louisiana Crude oil, SLC) and the effectiveness of a shoreline cleaner (COREXIT 9580) in removing oil from plant canopies. The study sites represented two major marsh habitats; the brackish marsh site was covered by Spartina patens and the freshwater marsh was covered by Sagittaria lancifolia. Field studies were conducted in each habitat using replicated 5.8 m2 plots that were subjected to three treatments; oiled only, oiled + cleaner (cleaner was used 2 days after oiling), and a control. Plant gas exchange responses, survival, growth, and biomass accumulation were measured. Results indicated that oiling led to rapid reductions in leaf gas exchange rates in both species. However, both species in 'oiled + cleaned' plots displayed improved leaf conductance and CO2 fixation rates. Twelve weeks after treatment initiation, photosynthetic carbon fixation in both species had recovered to normal levels. Over the short-term, S. patens showed more sensitivity to oiling with SLC than S. lancifolia as was evident from the data of the number of live shoots and above-ground biomass. Above-ground biomass remained significantly lower than control in S. patens under 'oiled' and 'oiled + cleaned' treatments while it was comparable to controls in S. lancifolia. These studies indicated that the cleaner removed oil from marsh grasses and alleviated the short-term impact of oil on gas exchange function of the study plants. However, use of cleaner had no detectable effects on above-ground biomass production or regeneration at the end of the first growing season in S. patens. Similarly, no beneficial effects of cleaner on carbon fixation and number of live shoots were apparent beyond 12 weeks in S. lancifolia.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Corn fiber oil lowers plasma cholesterol levels and increases cholesterol excretion greater than corn oil and similar to diets containing soy sterols and soy stanols in hamsters.

The aims of this study were to compare the cholesterol-lowering properties of corn fiber oil (CFO) to corn oil (CO), whether the addition of soy stanols or soy sterols to CO at similar levels in CFO would increase CO's cholesterol-lowering properties, and the mechanism(s) of action of these dietary ingredients. Fifty male Golden Syrian hamsters were divided into 5 groups of 10 hamsters each, based on similar plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels. The first group of hamsters was fed a chow-based hypercholesterolemic diet containing either 5% coconut oil + 0.24% cholesterol (coconut oil), 5% CO, 5% CFO, 5% CO + 0.6% soy sterols (sterol), or 5% CO + 0.6% soy stanols (stanol) in place of the coconut oil for 4 weeks. The stanol diet significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma TC compared to all other dietary treatments. Also, the CFO and sterol diets significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma TC compared to the CO and coconut oil diets. The CFO, sterol, and stanol diets significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to the CO and coconut oil diets. The stanol diet significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared to all other dietary treatments. The sterol diet significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma HDL-C compared to the CO and coconut oil diets, whereas the CFO diet significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma HDL-C compared to the coconut oil diet only. No differences were observed between the CFO and CO for plasma HDL-C. There were no differences observed between groups for plasma triglycerides. The CO and CFO diets had significantly less hepatic TC compared to the coconut oil, sterol, and stanol diets. The CO and CFO diets had significantly less hepatic free cholesterol compared to the sterol and stanol diets but not compared to the coconut oil diet; whereas the coconut oil and sterol diets had significantly less hepatic free cholesterol compared to the stanol diet. The CFO, sterol, and stanol diets excreted significantly more fecal cholesterol compared to the coconut oil and CO diets. In summary, CFO reduces plasma and hepatic cholesterol concentrations and increases fecal cholesterol excretion greater than CO through some other mechanism(s) in addition to increase dietary sterols and stanols-possibly oryzanols.

Journal Article↗

Toxic effects of crude oil combined with oil cleaner simple green on yolk-sac larvae and adult rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND, GOAL AND SCOPE: Cleaner CRYSTAL Simple Green (SG) was used for the cleanup of the oil spill in the Baltic Sea near Lithuania in 2001. No scientific data are available on the effects and consequences of its application for local aquatic life. The aim of this study was to determine and compare sublethal effects of a) solution SG; b) crude oil alone; c) SG in combination with oil on rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss at different stages of its development in laboratory conditions. METHODS: Laboratory studies were performed on adult rainbow trout (4-day duration) and on yolk-sac larvae (25-day duration) evaluating their biological parameters. Concentrations of water-soluble and thin-dispersed fractions of petroleum hydrocarbons were measured using gas chromatography. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: SG solution (0.5 mg/l) did not affect the survival of larvae and adult fish, and no significant changes were determined in respiratory parameters of the exposed lar vae and adult fish. The most expressed alterations were found in morphological parameters (a decrease in the average body mass) of larvae and in haematological indices (a decrease in the leukocyte count) of adult fish at the end of the tests. Crude oil (1610 mg/l) did not affect the survival of adult fish during the 4-day exposure. An increase in larvae mortality rate (approximately 36%) was recorded at the end of the tests. A significant decrease in the average body mass and heart rate of larvae as well as in gill ventilation frequency of larvae and adult fish were determined. SG combined with oil induced an increase in larval mortality approximately 46% of individuals died at the end of the tests. No mortality was recorded in adult fish. The average body mass and heart rate of larvae were significantly decreased. Marked changes were also found in respiratory parameters (gill ventilation frequency of larvae and adult fish significantly decreased, while 'coughing' rate increased). A 1-day, 2-day exposure of fish to SG combined with oil induced a significant decrease in the leukocyte count of adult fish, which was also determined at the end of the tests. The augmentation of adverse impact could be explained by the data obtained from our studies. When SG was added into dilution water with crude oil the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in the mixture increased 3 approximately 4.5 times after 24 h and 96 h, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The comparative study of the effects of crude oil alone, SG and SG combined with oil showed that their toxic effects on fish differed. Oil combined with SG was found to be more toxic to fish (larvae and adults) than SG alone and oil alone. Fish at early stages of development (yolk-sac larvae) were more sensitive to the effects of the compounds studied than adults. RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLOOK: To diminish the negative impact of oil spill cleanup using chemicals on aquatic ecosystems, it is recommended to carry out more comprehensive studies of their effects and after-effects in laboratory conditions using a wide scale of local aquatic organisms. The selected species of the most sensitive aquatic organisms should include those which are unable to escape the impact of combined action of oil and cleaners. Special attention should be directed to the research of effects of these pollutants on studied organisms at their most sensitive stages of life (reproduction, hatching, early stages of development), as after-effects of exposure to pollutants may be observed in future generations.

Animals↗

Anaerobic biodegradation of vegetable oil and its metabolic intermediates in oil-enriched freshwater sediments.

Anaerobic biodegradation of vegetable oil in freshwater sediments is strongly inhibited by high concentrations of oil, but the presence of ferric hydroxide relieves the inhibition. The effect of ferric hydroxide is not due to physical or chemical interactions with long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) that are produced as intermediates during metabolism of vegetable-oil triglycerides. The anaerobic biodegradation of canola oil and mixtures of acetic and oleic acids, two important intermediates of vegetable-oil metabolism, were investigated using sediments enriched on canola oil under methanogenic and iron-reducing conditions to determine whether the effect of ferric hydroxide has a biological basis. Sediments enriched under both conditions rapidly and completely converted canola oil to methane when the initial oil concentration was relatively low (1.9 g oil/kg sediments), but the biotransformation was strongly inhibited in sediments enriched under methanogenic conditions when the initial concentration was 19 g/kg (< 30% of the oil-derived electron equivalents were transferred to methane in a 420-day incubation period). Sediments enriched under iron-reducing conditions, however, completely transformed canola oil to methane in about 250 days at this initial oil concentration. The anaerobic biotransformation of mixtures of acetate and oleic acid followed a similar pattern: the rate and extent of conversion of these electron-donor substrates to methane was always higher in sediments enriched under iron-reducing than under methanogenic conditions. These results suggest that enrichment on canola oil in the presence of ferric hydroxide selects a microbial community that is less sensitive to inhibition by LCFAs than the community that develops during enrichment under methanogenic conditions.

Anaerobiosis↗

Mutagenicity tests of cashewnut shell liquid, rice-bran oil and other vegetable oils using the Salmonella typhimurium/microsome system.

In view of the shortage of edible oils in India, nutritional and toxicological evaluations have been carried out on some unconventional oils to determine whether they might be safe for human consumption. As part of these evaluations, eight unconventional oils were tested by the Ames mutagenicity assay, using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 with and without metabolic activation with S-9 mix prepared from the livers of rats pretreated with sodium phenobarbitone or Aroclor 1254. Of the oils tested, metsa oil (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and cashewnut shell liquid were mutagenic with and without metabolic activation with S-9 of either source. No mutagenic activity (with or without S-9 of either source) was observed with any of the other oils tested (rice-bran oil, Cleome viscosa oil, mango-kernel oil, mahua oil, kapok oil and neem oil).

Animals↗

Black currant seed oil and fish oil supplements differ in their effects on fatty acid profiles of plasma lipids, and concentrations of serum total and lipoprotein lipids, plasma glucose and insulin.

European diets provide a suboptimal intake of eicosapentaenoic (20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n3) acids, which are derived mainly from fish oils. The present study indicates that black currant seed oil, which contains 14.5% alpha-linolenic (18:3n3), 12.6% gamma-linolenic (18:3n6), 47.5% linoleic (18:2n6) and 2.7% stearidonic (18:4n3) acids, could potentially serve as alternative to fish oil as a n3 fatty acid source. Fifteen healthy females participated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study including two 4-week periods with either 3 g/day of black currant seed oil or 2.8 g/day of fish oil separated by a 4-week washout period. The results show that black currant seed oil supplementation increased the proportion of 18:3n6 in triacylglycerols (TAG) and cholesteryl esters (CE), and that of dihomo-gamma-linolenic (20:3n6) in TAGs, CEs and glycerophospholipids (GPL) (P<.05). Proportion of 18:3n6 was higher (P<.05) after black currant seed oil than after fish oil in TAGs and CEs, and that of 20:3n6 in TAGs, CEs and GPLs. Black currant seed oil supplementation caused only minor changes in the proportions of 20:5n3 or 22:6n3. Serum levels of LDL cholesterol were lower (P<.05) after black currant seed oil compared to fish oil. Plasma glucose concentration decreased during the fish oil supplementation (P<.05).

Adult↗

Solid-phase extraction-thin-layer chromatography-gas chromatography method for the detection of hazelnut oil in olive oils by determination of esterified sterols.

The sterol composition of extra virgin olive oil is very characteristic and, thus, has become a helpful tool to detect adulterations with other vegetable oils. Special attention has been addressed to the separate determination of the free and esterified sterol fractions, since both have different compositions and can thus provide more precise information about the actual origin of the olive oil. In the case of admixtures with small amounts of hazelnut oil, this approach can be extremely useful, because the similarity between the fatty acid compositions of both oils hampers the detection of the fraud. A hyphenated chromatographic method was developed for a sensitive and precise determination of esterified sterols in olive oils. The oil was subjected to silica solid-phase extraction (SPE) fractionation, cold saponification of the collected fraction and purification on silica TLC. The sterol band was then injected into an SPB-5 (30 m x 0.25 mm I.D., 0.25 microM film thickness) and the ratio [% campesterol x (% 7-stigmastenol)2]/(% 7-avenasterol) was calculated. The method was tested on extra virgin olive oil; good sterol recoveries and repeatability were obtained. The results were compared with another method. which has a different sample preparation sequence (silica column chromatography, hot saponification and silica TLC). Similar results were achieved with both methods; however, the SPE-cold saponification-TLC-capillary GC was faster, required less solvent and prevented sterol decomposition. The SPE-method was applied to an admixture with 10% of hazelnut oil and to a screening of 11 oils (husk oil, virgin and refined olive oils) from different Mediterranean countries.

Chromatography, Gas↗

Blood coagulation and osmolar tolerance of erythrocytes in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats given rapeseed oil or soybean oil as the only dietary fat.

The life-span of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) has been reported to become shorter by ingestion of some vegetable oils, including rapeseed oil, when given as the sole dietary fat. The present study was undertaken to examine if the ingestion of rapeseed (canola) oil affects blood coagulating time and erythrocyte membranes. Namely, SHRSP were orally given canola oil or soybean oil as the only dietary fat (10% of diet) for 4 weeks. After the 4-week feeding, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in the canola oil group (19.9+/-0.5 s, N=8) was significantly shorter than that in the soybean oil group (21.6+/-0.6 s, N=8, P<0. 05), though there were no between-group differences in plasma Ca(2+), platelet density and platelet aggregation. Erythrocytes from the canola oil group were less tolerant to low osmotic pressure than those from soybean oil group; the EC(50) values for NaCl concentration to cause hemolysis were 0.42+/-0.004 and 0.40+/-0.005% in the canola oil and the soybean oil groups, respectively (N=10, P<0.01). The canola oil-induced shortening of blood coagulation time and increased fragility in erythrocyte membranes may have relevance to the promotion of strokes in SHRSP.

Animals↗

Effect of feeding tuna oil or soyabean oil as supplements to sows in late pregnancy on piglet tissue composition and viability.

To investigate whether long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could cross the porcine placenta in late pregnancy and alter neonatal piglet tissue composition, multiparous sows (seven per diet) were fed on diets containing a supplement (30 g/kg) of either soyabean oil or tuna oil for the last 21 d of pregnancy and the first 7 d of lactation. The proportions of all fatty acids, except 18:1n-7, differed between diets: in particular, the tuna-oil-containing diet supplied more 22:6n-3 and less 18:2n-6 fatty acids than the soyabean-oil-containing diet. The proportions of n-3 fatty acids, particularly 22:6n-3 (g/100 g total fatty acids) in sow plasma, colostrum and milk were increased and the proportion of 18:2n-6 was decreased by feeding tuna oil. Piglet tissue n-3 fatty acid proportions (particularly 22:6n-3), obtained shortly after birth, were increased in piglets born to tuna-oil-fed sows compared with progeny of soyabean-oil-fed sows. The increase in the proportion of n-3 fatty acids (g/100 g total fatty acids) in piglet tissues as a result of tuna-oil feeding, compared with soyabean-oil-feeding, was in the order plasma > liver > erythrocytes > spleen > brain > retina. Piglets born to tuna-oil-fed sows had a lower viability score at birth than the progeny of soyabean-oil-fed sows. The proportions of long-chain n-3 fatty acid in tissues of new-born piglets were increased by feeding tuna oil to the sow in late pregnancy; however no improvements in piglet viability were observed.

Animal Feed↗

Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from garlic (Allium sativum) and clove bud (Eugenia caryophyllata) oils against the Japanese termite (Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe).

Plant essential oils from 29 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against the Japanese termite, Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe, using a fumigation bioassay. Responses varied with plant material, exposure time, and concentration. Good insecticidal activity against the Japanese termite was achived with essential oils of Melaleuca dissitiflora, Melaleuca uncinata, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus polybractea, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus dives, Eucalyptus globulus, Orixa japonica, Cinnamomum cassia, Allium cepa, Illicium verum, Evodia officinalis, Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Cacalia roborowskii, Juniperus chinensis var. horizontalis, Juniperus chinensis var. kaizuka, clove bud, and garlic applied at 7.6 microL/L of air. Over 90% mortality after 3 days was achieved with O. japonica essential oil at 3.5 microL/L of air. E. citriodora, C. cassia, A. cepa, I. verum, S. tenuifolia, C. roborowskii, clove bud, and garlic oils at 3.5 microL/L of air were highly toxic 1 day after treatment. At 2.0 microL/L of air concentration, essential oils of I. verum, C. roborowskik, S. tenuifolia, A. cepa, clove bud, and garlic gave 100% mortality within 2 days of treatment. Clove bud and garlic oils showed the most potent antitermitic activity among the plant essential oils. Garlic and clove bud oils produced 100% mortality at 0.5 microL/L of air, but this decreased to 42 and 67% after 3 days of treatment at 0.25 microL/L of air, respectively. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to the identification of three major compounds from garlic oil and two from clove bud oils. These five compounds from two essential oils were tested individually for their insecticidal activities against Japanese termites. Responses varied with compound and dose. Diallyl trisulfide was the most toxic, followed by diallyl disulfide, eugenol, diallyl sulfide, and beta-caryophyllene. The essential oils described herein merit further study as potential fumigants for termite control.

Animals↗

Chemical correlates of pathogenicity of oils related to the toxic oil syndrome epidemic in Spain.

The identity of the etiologic agent that caused the 1981 epidemic of toxic oil syndrome in Spain has not been established, and toxicologic study of oil specimens from the outbreak has been hampered by uncertainty about which oils were actually capable of causing illness. To identify chemical characteristics associated with pathogenicity, the authors compared specimens collected during the Spanish government's oil recall program in June and July 1981 from affected and unaffected households in the two contiguous towns of Alcorcón and Leganés (Madrid Province). Oils were blind-coded for laboratory analysis, and personnel with no knowledge of the laboratory results determined whether illness was present in a family. Contamination with free aniline and oleyl, linoleyl, and palmityl anilides was strikingly more frequent and extensive in oils collected from the case (affected) families. There was a clear-cut dose-response effect, with increasing concentrations of aniline and anilides associated with increasing risk of illness. Differences in fatty acid and sterol compositions among oils indicated more rapeseed oil admixture in the case group, but these indicators of rapeseed oil admixture did not contribute significantly to risk after the degree of aniline/anilide contamination had been taken into account. The authors conclude that the presence of relatively high levels of aniline and fatty acid anilides in oil specimens collected during the epidemic in the two towns studied indicates a high probability of the current or prior presence of the etiologic agent of toxic oil syndrome. Although these data do not necessarily indicate that any of the compounds measured actually caused the illness, further toxicologic work should concentrate on oils with substantial concentrations of the marker compounds.

Anilides↗