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The Production of Conjugated α-Linolenic, γ-Linolenic and Stearidonic Acids by Strains of Bifidobacteria and Propionibacteria

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Lipids

Abstract

Conjugated fatty acids are regularly found in nature and have a history of biogenic activity in animals and humans. A number of these conjugated fatty acids are microbially produced and have been associated with potent anti-carcinogenic, anti-adipogenic, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-diabetogenic activities. Therefore, the identification of novel conjugated fatty acids is highly desirable. In this study, strains of bifidobacteria and propionibacteria previously shown by us and others to display linoleic acid isomerase activity were assessed for their ability to conjugate a range of other unsaturated fatty acids during fermentation. Only four, linoleic, α-linolenic, γ-linolenic and stearidonic acids, were converted to their respective conjugated isomers, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), conjugated α-linolenic acid (CLNA), conjugated γ-linolenic acid (CGLA) and conjugated stearidonic acid (CSA), each of which contained a conjugated double bond at the 9,11 position. Of the strains assayed, Bifidobacterium breve DPC6330 proved the most effective conjugated fatty acid producer, bio-converting 70% of the linoleic acid to CLA, 90% of the α-linolenic acid to CLNA, 17% of the γ-linolenic acid to CGLA, and 28% of the stearidonic acid to CSA at a substrate concentration of 0.3 mg mL−1. In conclusion, strains of bifidobacteria and propionibacteria can bio-convert linoleic, α-linolenic, γ-linolenic and stearidonic acids to their conjugated isomers via the activity of the enzyme linoleic acid isomerase. These conjugated fatty acids may offer the combined health promoting properties of conjugated fatty acids such as CLA and CLNA, along with those of the unsaturated fatty acids from which they are formed.

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Abbreviations

CGLA:

Conjugated γ-linolenic acid

CLA:

Conjugated linoleic acid

CLNA:

Conjugated α-linolenic acid

CSA:

Conjugated stearidonic acid

DAD:

Diode array detector

DMOX:

4,4-Dimethyloxazoline

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid

FAME:

Fatty acid methyl esters

FID:

Flame ionization detector

MRS:

DeMan-Rogosa-Sharpe

GLC:

Gas liquid chromatography

GLC-MS:

Gas liquid chromatography mass spectrometry

GIT:

Gastrointestinal tract

MTAD:

4-Methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione

PUFA:

Polyunsaturated fatty acids

RP-HPLC:

Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Seamus Aherne and Lina Cordeddu for their technical assistance. The assistance with GLC-MS by Mylnefield Lipid Analysis is gratefully acknowledged. A. A. Hennessy is in receipt of a Teagasc Walsh Fellowship. This research was funded by EU project QLK1-2001-02362 and by Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co., Cork, Ireland

    Alan A. Hennessy, Eoin Barrett, R. Paul Ross & Catherine Stanton

  2. National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

    Alan A. Hennessy & Rosaleen Devery

  3. Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, BSI, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

    Eoin Barrett, R. Paul Ross, Gerald F. Fitzgerald & Catherine Stanton

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  1. Alan A. Hennessy
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  2. Eoin Barrett
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  3. R. Paul Ross
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  4. Gerald F. Fitzgerald
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  5. Rosaleen Devery
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  6. Catherine Stanton
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Correspondence to Catherine Stanton.

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Hennessy, A.A., Barrett, E., Paul Ross, R. et al. The Production of Conjugated α-Linolenic, γ-Linolenic and Stearidonic Acids by Strains of Bifidobacteria and Propionibacteria. Lipids 47, 313–327 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-011-3636-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-011-3636-z

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