海藻中多不饱和脂肪酸的研究与开发

当今海洋资源的开发与利用已引起世界范围的重视.生活在海洋中的大量藻类蛋白质含量丰富,具有多种生理活性物质,目前业已商品化生产或正在开发的藻类生理活性物质有类胡萝卜素、藻胆素、多不饱和脂肪酸、多糖类、维生素类、甾醇类和用于人类或动物保健的生物活性物质.

Construction and characterization of a normalized cDNA library of Nannochloropsis oculata(Eustigmatophyceae)

We constructed and characterized a normalized cDNA library of Nannochloropsis oculata CS-179,and obtained 905 nonredundant sequences(NRSs) ranging from 431-1 756 bp in length.Among them,496 were very similar to nonredundant ones in the GenBank(E ≤1.0e-05),and 349 ESTs had significant hits with the clusters of eukaryotic orthologous groups(KOG).Bases G and/or C at the third position of codons of 14 amino acid residues suggested a strong bias in the conserved domain of 362 NRSs(>60%).We also identified the unigenes encoding phosphorus and nitrogen transporters,suggesting that N.oculata could efficiently transport and metabolize phosphorus and nitrogen,and recognized the unigenes that involved in biosynthesis and storage of both fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFAs),which will facilitate the demonstration of eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) biosynthesis pathway of N.oculata.In comparison with the original cDNA library,the normalized library significantly increased the efficiencies of random sequencing and rarely expressed genes discovering,and decreased the frequency of abundant gene sequences.

Omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） has been recognized as a major health burden. It is the most important cause of chronic liver disease and a major in- dependent cardiovascular risk factor. Lacking a definite treatment for NAFLD, a specific diet and an increase in physical activity represent the most commonly used therapeutic approaches. In this review, major literature data about the use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty ac- ids （n-3 PUFAs） as a potential treatment of NAFLD have been described, n-3 PUFAs, besides having a beneficial impact on most of the cardio-metabolic risk factors （hy- pertension, hyperlipidemia, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis） by regulating gene transcription factors [i.e., peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor （PPAR） cz, PPARy, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-i, carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein], im- pacts both lipid metabolism and on insulin sensitivity. In addition to an enhancement of hepatic beta oxidation and a decrease of the endogenous lipid production, n-3 PUFAs are able to determine a significant reduction of the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules （tumor necrosis factor-~ and interleukin-6） and of oxygen reac- tive species. Further strengthening the results of the in vitro studies, both animal models and human interven- tion trials, showed a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFAs on the severity of NAFLD as expressed by laboratory pa- rameters and imaging measurements. Despite available results provided encouraging data about the efficacy of n-3 PUFAs as a treatment of NAFLD in humans, well- designed randomized controlled trials of adequate size and duration, with histological endpoints, are needed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of PUFA, as well as other therapies, for the treatment of NAFLD and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients. It is worthwhile to consider that n-3 PUFAs cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be derived from exogenous sources （fish oil, flaxseeds, olive oil） which are typical foods of the Mediterranean diet, known for its beneficial effects in preventing obesity, diabetes and, in turn, cardiovascular events. According to these data, it is important to consider that most of the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFAs can also be obtained by an equilibrate nutrition program.

Can Microalgae Act as Source of Preservatives in Food Chain？

Microalgae are a potential source for various valuable chemicals for commercial applications ranging from nutraceuticals to fuels. This review aims to focus on microalgal as preservative potential to food chain. The main compounds responsible for these properties, like carotenoids, phenolic compounds, antioxidant vitamins, sterols and polyunsaturated fatty acids are discussed because microalgae can be cultivated under controlled conditions to improve their production. We have listed several studies performed in recent years supporting the health benefits that most of these compounds can provide. Therefore, they may represent an excellent source of preservatives in food chain once their safety as a food supplement has been also confirmed.

Nutrient effects of broodstocks on the larvae in Patinopecten yessoensis

Patinopecten yessoensis is a commercial valuable species. This study deals with the effect of nutrient effects of the broodstock(mainly ovaries) on the larvae. Concentrations of total carbohydrate, total protein and total lipid in the gonads of P. yessoensis from three Hatcheries(Hatchery 1, Hatchery 2, and Hatchery 3) were determined before and after spawning. The relationship between the nutrient concentration in ovaries before spawning(BC) and that of larvae(LC) was assessed as well as the change in nutrient levels in ovaries after spawning(DC). Results indicate that the BC of total carbohydrate(7.66%) and total lipid(14.48%) in ovaries were significantly higher than in testes(5.20%, 5.20% respectively), whereas the BC of total protein in the ovaries was lower(61.76%) than in the testes(81.67%). The different gonadal composition suggests the different nutrient demands between male and female broodstocks in breeding season. P atinopecten yessoensis gonads contained a higher proportion of lipids, in comparison to other bivalves, which might be a response to the low ambient water temperatures. Further analysis of fatty acids showed that the concentrations of n-3PUFA, EPA and DHA in larvae(LC) were positively correlated with BC and DC, indicating the significant nutrient influence of broodstocks on the larvae. As these fatty acids are important in metabolism, and have been demonstrated to be influential to the viability of the larvae, larval growth and the settlement, spat growth, and juvenile survival in many bivalves, they could possibly be used as indexes to evaluate, and predict condition of broodstocks and larvae.