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PubMed1999

Comparative study on the triglyceride composition of almond kernel oil. A new basis for cultivar chemometric characterization.

Nine triglycerides (LLL, OLL, PLL, OLO, PLO, PLP, OOO, POO, and SOO; triglycerides are abbreviated using L, O, P, and S for linoleoyl, oleoyl, palmitoyl, and stearoyl fat acid radicals, respectively) in the almond kernel of 19 different cultivars have been determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariate techniques have been applied to the data from 114 chromatographic determinations. Principal component analysis efficiently reduces the number of variables so that the first two principal components explain 84.4% of the total variance. The classification obtained by the application of cluster analysis to triglyceride composition differentiates the American cultivar Texas from the rest of the cultivars. The Italian cultivars are grouped. The cultivars Achaak, Del Cid, Malagueña, Desmayo Largueta, and Chellaston form another group, and the largest group includes most of the Spanish cultivars. Discriminant analysis provides convenient functions to describe the four groups previously established by cluster analysis. The calculated classification functions correctly assign samples from the testing set to their respective groups.

Fatty Acids↗
PubMed2000

Lipase-catalysed production of biodiesel fuel from some Nigerian lauric oils.

Fatty acids esters were produced from two Nigerian lauric oils, palm kernel oil and coconut oil, by transesterification of the oils with different alcohols using PS30 lipase as a catalyst. In the conversion of palm kernel oil to alkyl esters (biodiesel), ethanol gave the highest conversion of 72%, t-butanol 62%, 1-butanol 42%, n-propanol 42% and iso-propanol 24%, while only 15% methyl ester was observed with methanol. With coconut oil, 1-butanol and iso-butanol achieved 40% conversion, 1-propanol 16% and ethanol 35%, while only traces of methyl esters were observed using methanol. Studies on some fuel properties of palm kernel oil and its biodiesel showed that palm kernel oil had a viscosity of 32.40 mm2/s, a cloud point of 28 degrees C and a pour point of 22 degrees C, while its biodiesel fuel had a viscosity of 9.33 mm2/s, a cloud point of 12 degrees C and a pour point of 8 degrees C. Coconut oil had a viscosity of 28.58 mm(2)/s, a cloud point of 27 degrees C and a pour point of 20 degrees C, while its biodiesel fuel had a viscosity of 7.34 mm2/s, a cloud point of 5 degrees C and a pour point of -8 degrees C. Some of the fuel properties compared favourably with international biodiesel specifications.

Alcohols↗
PubMed1990

Influence of dietary fats on butyrylcholinesterase and esterase-1 (ES-1) activity in plasma of rats.

We studied the effects of dietary fats, especially fish oil, on the activities of esterase-1 (ES-1) and butyrylcholinesterase in the plasma of rats. The identification of nutritional determinants of these enzymes could provide clues as to their physiological function. Fish oil, when compared with corn oil, consistently caused increased activities of both enzymes. Plasma ES-1 activity, but not butyrylcholinesterase activity, was increased after isocaloric replacement of carbohydrates by coconut fat. Dietary medium-chain triglycerides, when compared with corn oil, produced decreased and increased activities of butyrylcholinesterase and ES-1, respectively. Various plant fats, such as corn oil, linseed oil, coconut fat, palm oil, palm kernel oil, soybean oil and rapeseed oil, did not differentially influence butyrylcholinesterase activities. Plasma triglyceride concentrations were lowered by fish oil and increased by coconut fat and palm kernel oil. For individual rats in 5 out of 6 experiments, weak, negative correlation coefficients of the order of 0.3 were found between the changes in plasma butyrylcholinesterase activities and in plasma triglyceride concentrations.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Comparative quantitative fatty acid analysis of triacylglycerols using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and gas chromatography.

Quantitative analyses of fatty acids from five triacylglycerol products, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, palm oil, lard and cocoa butter, were carried out using two analytical methods: matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) and gas chromatography (GC), in an effort to validate the application of MALDI-TOFMS in quantitative fatty acid analysis. For the GC analysis, transmethylated products were used, whereas, for the MALDI-TOF analysis, saponified products were used. Under MALDI-TOF conditions, the acids were detected as sodiated sodium carboxylates [RCOONa + Na](+) consistent with the mode of ionization that was previously reported. Thus, the MALDI-TOF mass spectrum of saponified coconut oil showed the presence of sodiated sodium salts of caprylic acid (7.5 +/- 0.67, m/z 189), capric acid (6.9 +/- 0.83, m/z 217), lauric acid (47.8 +/- 0.67, m/z 245), myristic acid (20.4 +/- 0.51, m/z 273), palmitic acid (9.8 +/- 0.47, m/z 301), linoleic acid (0.9 +/- 0.07, m/z 325), oleic acid (4.8 +/- 0.42, m/z 327) and stearic acid (2.0 +/- 0.13, m/z 329). Saponified palm kernel oil had a fatty acid profile that included caprylic acid (3.5 +/- 0.59), capric acid (4.7 +/- 0.82), lauric acid (58.6 +/- 2.3), myristic acid (20.9 +/- 1.5), palmitic acid (7.2 +/- 1.1), oleic acid (3.8 +/- 0.62) and stearic acid (1.2 +/- 0.15). Saponified palm oil gave myristic acid (0.83 +/- 0.18), palmitic acid (55.8 +/- 1.7), linoleic acid (4.2 +/- 0.51), oleic acid (34.5 +/- 1.5), stearic acid (3.8 +/- 0.26) and arachidic acid (0.80 +/- 0.22). Saponified lard showed the presence of myristic acid (1.5 +/- 0.24), palmitic acid (28.9 +/- 1.3), linoleic acid (13.7 +/- 0.67), oleic acid (38.7 +/- 1.4), stearic acid (12.8 +/- 0.64) and arachidic acid (2.4 +/- 0.35). Finally, for saponified cocoa butter, the fatty acid distribution was: palmitic acid (32.3 +/- 1.0), linoleic acid (2.6 +/- 0.35), oleic acid (34.9 +/- 1.7) and stearic acid (30.3 +/- 1.6). Quantitative gas chromatographic analysis of the corresponding methyl esters from these triacylglycerol products yielded data that were mostly in agreement with the MALDI-TOFMS data. The MALDI-TOF experiment, however, proved to be superior to the GC experiment, particularly with regard to baseline resolution of unsaturated acids. Furthermore, the ability of MALDI-TOFMS to detect low concentrations of fatty acids rendered it more sensitive than the GC methodology.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Dietary cholesterol and fats at a young age: do they influence cholesterol metabolism in adult life?

The effects of dietary cholesterol and fats on cholesterol metabolism later in life were studied in Mongolian gerbils. Three groups were given a basic diet with soybean oil, palm kernel oil amounting to 8.75% (w/w), or the basic diet only. In three other groups, cholesterol (0.05%) was added to the above diets. Measurements were done in animals of the third generation on the diets. On all diets, teh serum cholesterol of the sucklings was increased as compared to the young that were suckled by mothers on the basic diet only, while body cholesterol was highest in sucklings of mothers on the basic diet or palm-kernel-oil-enriched diets. When the diets were replaced by the basic diets at 6 months of age, serum cholesterol was still increased at 12 months of age in animals previously fed on the cholesterol-enriched diets. Tissue cholesterol did not differ. However, after a challenge with cholesterol at that age, the differences in serum cholesterol were not significantly different.

Aging↗
PubMed2002

Effects of different fibre sources and fat addition on cholesterol and cholesterol-related lipids in blood serum, bile and body tissues of growing pigs.

Knowledge is limited on the efficacy of hindgut-fermentable dietary fibre to reduce blood, bile and body tissue cholesterol levels. In three experiments with growing pigs the effects of different kinds and levels of bacterially fermentable fibre (BFS) on cholesterol metabolism were examined. Various diets calculated to have similar contents of metabolizable energy were supplied for complete fattening periods. In the first experiment, a stepwise increase from 12 to 20% BFS was performed by supplementing diets with fermentable fibre from sugar beet pulp (modelling hemicelluloses and pectin). Beet pulp, rye bran (modelling cellulose) and citrus pulp (pectin) were offered either independently or in a mixture in the second experiment. These diets were opposed to rations characterized in carbohydrate type by starch either mostly non-resistant (cassava) or partly resistant (maize) to small intestinal digestion. The third experiment was planned to explore the interactions of BFS from citrus pulp with fat either through additional coconut oil/palm kernel oil blend or full-fat soybeans. In all experiments the increase of the BFS content was associated with a constant (cellulose) or decreasing (hemicelluloses, pectin) dietary proportion of non-digestible fibre. In experiment 1 an inverse dose-response relationship between BFS content and cholesterol in blood serum and adipose tissue as well as bile acid concentration in bile was noted while muscle cholesterol did not respond. In experiment 2 the ingredients characterized by cellulose and hemicelluloses/pectin reduced cholesterol-related traits relative to the low-BFS-high-starch controls whereas, except in adipose tissue cholesterol content, the pectinous ingredient had the opposite effect. However, the changes in serum cholesterol mainly affected HDL and not LDL cholesterol. Adipose tissue cholesterol also was slightly lower with partly resistant starch compared to non-resistant starch in the diet. Experiment 3 showed that the use of citrus pulp increased serum cholesterol concentrations when levels were low in the corresponding low-BFS diets (low-fat and soy bean diets), but caused no further increase in the coconut-oil/palm kernel oil blend diet. From the present results it seems that fermentable hemicelluloses have a more favourable effect of decreasing metabolic cholesterol and related traits than hardly digestible fibre, fermentable cellulose or, particularly, pectin. Furthermore, some types of fibre expressed a certain potential to reduce cholesterol content of fat pork and pork products by up to 10% (experiment 1) and 25% (experiment 2).

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2004

Squalene in oils and fats from domestic and commercial fryings of potatoes.

Squalene was determined in commercial frying oils and fats (sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, soybean oil, palm kernel oil, palm oil, vegetable shortening oil, and cooking fats) sampled during deep-frying of potatoes from 21 restaurants in Athens, Greece, and in domestic frying oils [virgin olive oil (VOO), vegetable shortening and sunflower oil] used during the domestic pan-frying and deep-frying of potatoes. The analyses were carried out after cold saponification of the oils followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the hexane extract. Quantification was carried out by reference curve, using standard squalene solutions. Fresh vegetable oils and fats were found to contain small amounts of squalene (10.2-49.3 mg/100 g oil or fat), with the exception of fresh VOO, which contained 454 mg/100 g. The squalene content of the frying oils was reduced during frying, its lower concentration found in cooked fats (5.9 mg/100 g fat) and its higher in fried VOO (428 mg/100 g oil) after the first frying session. Squalene appeared to be rather stable during frying. Its retention in used restaurant seed oils and fats remained over 50% even after 30 h of frying while a high recovery of 84-96% was observed during the domestic deep-frying of potatoes in VOO. It seems that by using VOO as frying medium a considerable amount of squalene is absorbed by the fried potatoes, thus becoming part of our diet.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗
PubMed1985

Changes of blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats dependent on the quantity and quality of fat intake.

The effect of diets rich or deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar rats (WR) was studied. The diets contained either sunflower oil (PUR-SOL), linseed oil (PUR-LIN), cod-liver oil or hydrogenated palm-kernel oil (PUFA-deficient) amounting to 15 or 3 weight percent of fat. They were started at weaning (4 weeks of age) for 22 weeks or prenatally one week before mating of the parents. During the development of hypertension in SHR, systolic blood pressure was decreased in animals of all dietary groups fed 15% fat when compared to SHR on normal food (pellets), i.e. independent of the various diets loaded, all diets containing 15% fat led to a marked delay in the onset of high blood pressure as compared to SHR on normal pellet food. After manifestation of hypertension, obviously a more differentiated effect on blood pressure could be shown in SHR in dependence on different amounts of PUFA loaded. In normotensive Wistar rats (WR) after feeding linseed oil or sunflower oil also a significant lowering in blood pressure could be observed in comparison to controls fed pellets. But after feeding cod-liver oil there was no decrease in blood pressure of normotensive Wistar rats, whereas palm-kernel oil resulted in a blood pressure lowering effect only at the later age of normotensive Wistar rats. Moreover, in SHR after prenatal feeding of a LA-rich, but also a PUFA-deficient diet the blood pressure lowering effect was more pronounced as compared to postnatal feeding of the diets. SHR fed a 15% fat diet showed a significantly lower body weight in comparison to SHR fed a 3% fat diet. In both dietary groups SHR were significantly smaller than SHR fed pellets. In WKY fed a 3% or a 15% fat diet the same body weight could be confirmed. Food intake in SHR fed a 3% fat diet ad libitum appeared higher than in SHR fed a 15% fat diet ad libitum. However, considering the uptake of energy no differences between the groups could be seen. Therefore, in SHR fed a 15% fat diet, body weight and blood pressure were lowest when compared with the other groups of SHR indicating that body weight in SHR might be nearly connected with blood pressure level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Composition of fatty acids triacylglycerols and unsaponifiable matter in Calophyllum calaba L. oil from Guadeloupe.

The composition of the kernel oils of two Calophyllum species (Calophyllum calaba L. and Calophyllum inophyllum L.) was investigated. The physico-chemical properties and fatty acid composition of the kernel oils were examined. In two species, oleic acid C18:1 (39.1-50%) is the dominating fatty acid followed by linoleic acid C18:2 (21.7-31.1%) as the second major fatty acid. Stearic C18:0 (13.4-14.3%) and palmitic C16:0 (11-13.7%) acids are the major saturates. The oils contains an appreciable amount of unsaturated fatty acids (70.8-73.10%). Most of the fatty acids are present as triacylglycerol (76.7-84%), twenty one triacylglycerols are detected with predominantly unsaturated triacylglycerols. The total unsaponifiable content, its general composition and the identity of the components of the sterol and tocopherol fractions are presented. In both species, analysis of the unsaponifiable fractions revealed the preponderance of phytosterols, mainly stigmasterol (35.8-45.1%) and beta-sitosterol (41.1-43.1%). Among the eight tocopherols and tocotrienols present in two species, variations exist; alpha-tocopherol (183 mg/kg) is the main tocopherol in Calophyllum calaba L. and Delta-tocotrienol (236 mg/kg) is the dominant tocotrienol in Calophyllum inophyllum L.

Calophyllum↗
PubMed2005

Biosynthesis and characterization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3- hydroxyhexanoate) from palm oil products in a Wautersia eutropha mutant.

Palm kernel oil, palm olein, crude palm oil and palm acid oil were used for the synthesis of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] by a mutant strain of Wautersia eutropha (formerly Ralstonia eutropha) harboring the Aeromonas caviae polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase gene. Palm kernel oil was an excellent carbon source for the production of cell biomass and P(3HB-co-3HHx). About 87% (w/w) of the cell dry weight as P(3HB-co-3HHx) was obtained using 5 g palm kernel oil/l. Gravimetric and microscopic analyses further confirmed the high PHA content in the recombinant cells. The molar fraction of 3HHx remained constant at 5 mol % regardless of the type and concentration of palm oil products used. The small amount of 3HHx units was confirmed by 13C NMR analysis. The number average molecular weight (M(n)) of the PHA copolymer produced from the various palm oil products ranged from 27 0000 to 46 0000 Da. The polydispersity was in the range of 2.6-3.9.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed2000

Determination of the fatty acid composition of saponified vegetable oils using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

A method using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) for the determination of the fatty acid composition of vegetable oils is described and illustrated with the analysis of palm kernel oil, palm oil, olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil, vernonia oil, and castor oil. Solutions of the saponified oils, mixed with the matrix, meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin, provided reproducible MALDI-TOF spectra in which the ions were dominated by sodiated sodium carboxylates [RCOONa + Na]+. Thus, palm kernel oil was found to contain capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid. Palm oil had a fatty acid profile including palmitic, linoleic, oleic, and stearic. The relative percentages of the fatty acids in olive oil were palmitoleic (1.2 +/- 0.5), palmitic (10.9 +/- 0.8), linoleic (0.6 +/- 0.1), linoleic (16.5 +/- 0.8), and oleic (70.5 +/- 1.2). For soybean oil, the relative percentages were: palmitoleic (0.4 +/- 0.4), palmitic (6.0 +/- 1.3), linolenic (14.5 +/- 1.8), linoleic (50.1 +/- 4.0), oleic (26.1 +/- 1.2), and stearic (2.2 +/- 0.7). This method was also applied to the analysis of two commercial soap formulations. The first soap gave a fatty acid profile that included: lauric (19.4% +/- 0.8), myristic (9.6% +/- 0.5), palmitoleic (1.9% +/- 0.3), palmitic (16.3% +/- 0.9), linoleic (5.6% +/- 0.4), oleic (37.1% +/- 0.8), and stearic (10.1% +/- 0.7) and that of the second soap was: lauric (9.3% +/- 0.3), myristic (3.8% +/- 0.5), palmitoleic (3.1% +/- 0.8), palmitic (19.4% +/- 0.8), linoleic (4.9% +/- 0.7), oleic (49.5% +/- 1.1), and stearic (10.0% +/- 0.9). The MALDI-TOFMS method described in this communication is simpler and less time-consuming than the established transesterification method that is coupled with analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The new method could be used routinely to determine the qualitative fatty acid composition of vegetable oils, and, when fully validated by comparison with standard analytical methodologies, should provide a relatively fast quantitative measurement of fatty acid mixtures and/or soap formulations that contain saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon moieties.

Esterification↗
PubMed1995

Regulation of guinea pig very low density lipoprotein secretion rates by dietary fat saturation.

We investigated the effects of dietary fat saturation on very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) production in guinea pigs fed semipurified diets containing 15% (w/w) fat, either corn oil (CO, 58% linoleic acid), lard (LA, 42% oleic and 24% palmitic acids) or palm kernel oil (PK, 52% lauric and 18% myristic acids) for 4 weeks. Animals were given an intravenous injection of Triton WR 1339 to block VLDL catabolism and rates of VLDL triacylglycerol (TAG) and apolipoprotein (apo) B secretion were measured over time. Plasma TAG concentrations increased linearly for 8 h (r = 0.99) and VLDL-TAG secretion rates were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in guinea pigs fed LA (72.7 +/- 14.7 mg/kg-h, n = 12) compared to animals fed PK (55.4 +/- 13.4 mg/kg-h, n = 12) or CO (48.6 +/- 17.5 mg/kg-h, n = 15). VLDL apoB secretion rates were highest in PK-fed animals (3.1 +/- 1.8 mg/kg-h) compared to guinea pigs fed LA (1.5 +/- 0.8 mg/kg-h) or CO (1.1 +/- 0.6 mg/kg-h) diets (P < 0.005). Concurrent with analysis of VLDL secretion, turnover of 125I-labeled LDL was measured. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) fractional catabolic rates were not altered by Triton treatment and LDL apoB specific radioactivity (cpm/microgram) did not change over time indicating that: a) the Triton blockage of VLDL catabolism was complete, and b) there was no direct secretion of LDL by the liver. These data demonstrate that intake of lard increases the rate of VLDL-triacylglycerol secretion and that nascent VLDL particles from the lard and corn oil diet groups have the same relative triacylglycerol content, whereas palm kernel oil intake increases secretion of VLDL particles which have a reduced triacylglycerol content. These results demonstrate that dietary fat chain length and saturation have specific effects on VLDL secretion rates affecting both particle number and composition.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Hydrolysis of vegetable oils and triglycerides by thermotolerant and zoopathogenic species of Aspergillus from Nigerian palm produce.

The ability of Aspergillus fumigatus Fres. and Aspergillus nidulans (Eidam) Wint obtained from Nigerian palm produce to degrade vegetable oils and triglycerides and the production and activity of their extracellular lipases were studied. Both species readily hydrolysed palm oil and palm kernel oil among others liberating free fatty acids in the process. Good growth with mycelia production of both fungi were also recorded on the triglycerides used as sources of carbon at 37 degrees C with the best results obtained on palmitic and oleic acids, the predominant fatty acids in palm oil. Extracellular lipases were detected in the culture filtrates of both fungi within 48 h of incubation on an oat-meal chaff medium at 37 degrees C. Peak enzyme production occurred within the 10-day incubation period. The lipases of both fungal species were most active at a pH of 5.6 and a temperature of 45 degrees C. The best glyceride for assaying the lipase activities of these fungi was trihexanoin while palm oil was a better vegetable oil than the conventional groundnut oil used for the same purpose. Because of the zoopathogenic nature of these fungi, attention is drawn to the potential health risks which their presence on the palm products where they were obtained pose to the consumers.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1982

Experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits fed cholesterol-free diets.

Rabbits were fed a semipurified, cholesterol-free atherogenic diet containing 40% sucrose, 25% casein, 14% fat, 15% fiber, 5% salt mix and 1% vitamin mix. The fats were corn oil (CO), palm kernel oil (PO), cocoa butter (CB), and coconut oil (CNO). The rabbits were bled at 3, 6, and 9 months and killed at 9 months. Serum lipids of rabbits fed CO were unaffected. Serum cholesterol levels (mg/dl) at 9 months were: CO -- 64; PO -- 436; CB -- 220; and CNO -- 474. HDL-cholesterol (%) was: CO -- 37; PO -- 8.6; CB -- 25.1; and CNO -- 7.0. Average atherosclerosis (arch + thoracic/2) was: CO -- 0.15; PO -- 1.28; CB -- 0.53; and CNO -- 1.60. Cocoa butter (iodine value 33) is significantly less cholesterolemic and atherogenic than palm oil (iodine value 17) or coconut oil (iodine value 6). The difference between the atherogenic effects of cocoa butter and palm oil may lie in the fact that about half of the fatty acids of palm oil are C 16 or shorter, whereas 76% of the fatty acids of cocoa butter are C 18 or longer.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

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↗
PubMed1992

Tropical oils: nutritional and scientific issues.

Individually and in combination with other oils, the tropical oils impart into manufactured foods functional properties that appeal to consumers. The use of and/or labeling in the ingredient lists give the impression that these oils are used extensively in commercially processed foods. The estimated daily intake of tropical oils by adult males is slightly more than one fourth of a tablespoon (3.8 g), 75% of which consists of saturated fatty acids. Dietary fats containing saturated fatty acids at the beta-position tend to raise plasma total and LDL-cholesterol, which, of course, contribute to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Health professionals express concern that consumers who choose foods containing tropical oils unknowingly increase their intake of saturated fatty acids. The saturated fatty acid-rich tropical oils, coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, and palm kernel oil, raise cholesterol levels; studies demonstrating this effect are often confounded by a developing essential fatty acid deficiency. Palm oil, an essential fatty acid-sufficient tropical oil, raises plasma cholesterol only when an excess of cholesterol is presented in the diet. The failure of palm oil to elevate blood cholesterol as predicted by the regression equations developed by Keys et al. and Hegsted et al. might be due to the dominant alpha-position location of its constituent saturated fatty acids. If so, the substitution of interesterified artificial fats for palm oil in food formulations, a recommendation of some health professionals, has the potential of raising cholesterol levels. A second rationale addresses prospective roles minor constituents of palm oil might play in health maintenance. This rationale is founded on the following observations. Dietary palm oil does not raise plasma cholesterol. Single fat studies suggests that oils richer in polyunsaturated fatty acid content tend to decrease thrombus formation. Anomalously, palm oil differs from other of the more saturated fats in tending to decrease thrombus formation. Finally, in studies comparing palm oil with other fats and oils, experimental carcinogenesis is enhanced both by vegetable oils richer in linoleic acid content and by more highly saturated animal fats. The carotenoid constituents of red palm oil are potent dietary anticarcinogens. A second group of antioxidants, the tocotrienols, are present in both palm olein and red palm oil. These vitamin E-active constituents are potent suppressors of cholesterol biosynthesis; emerging data point to their anticarcinogenic and antithrombotic activities. This review does not support claims that foods containing palm oil have no place in a prudent diet.

Animals↗