Fatty Acid And Lipid Chemistry

This book has a pedigree. It has developed from earlier publications by the author and from his experience over 50 years in reading, writing, thinking, and working with lipids and fatty acids. The earlier publications are: (i) An Introduction to the Chemistry of Fats and Fatty Acids, Chapman and Hall, 1958. (ii) An Introduction to the Chemistry and Biochemistry of Fatty Acids and their Glycerides, Chapman and Hall, 1967. (iii) Lipids in Foods: Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Technology (with F. A. Norris), Pergamon Press, 1983. (iv) The Lipid Handbook (with J. L. Harwood and F. B. Padley), Chapman and Hall, first edition 1986, second edition 1994. (v) A Lipid Glossary (with B. G. Herslof), The Oily Press, Dundee, 1992. (vi) Lecture notes for a course on Fatty Acids and Lipids designed for those entering the oil and fat industry and given on over 20 occasions since 1977. The book is dedicated to the next generation of lipid scientists. The study of lipids now involves many disciplines, all of which require a basic knowledge of the chemical nature and properties of these molecules, which is what this book is about. It is written particularly for those who, with some knowledge of chemistry or biochemistry, need to know more about the nature of lipids and fatty acids.

The advances in lipid biochemistry over the past 25 to 30 years have been dramatic and exciting. The elucidation of the pathways of fatty acid biosynthesis and oxidation, the delineation of the biogenesis of cholesterol from small-molecular weight precursors, the structure proof of simple and complex lipids from plants, animals, and microorganisms, are excellent examples of the spectacular advances made during the golden era of lipid biochemistry. The multifaceted discoveries in these diverse areas of study could be attributed to development of highly sophisticated column chromatographic techniques for separation and purification of simple and complex lipids. The advent of thin-layer chromatography as well as gas liquid chromatography provided an explosive impetus to research developments in this field. Concomitant advances in mass spectrometry allowed an interface with gas-liquid chromatography which spawned even greater insight into the structure of lipids. These eventful days of lipid chemistry nearly 25 years ago led to a relatively quiescent period wherein scientists applied these newly available techniques to investigation of the behavior of isolated (lipid) enzyme systems and to unraveling the intricacies of the metabolic behavior of lipids in the intact cell or whole organisms. Then, in the early 1960s, a decided change in research emphasis developed with the advent of a simple, reproducible procedure for the isolation of cell membranes.

Abstract: An advanced college text for graduate and postdoctural students in health sciences covers most aspects of lipids, ranging from their physical and chemical properties, through their biochemical and metabolic pathways, to their role in nutrition. The 19 text chapters cover: the definition and solubility of lipids; fatty acid characteristics and properties (structures, crystals, films, and soaps; peroxidation, catabolism, and biosynthesis; and essential, unsaturated fatty acids); prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and prostacyclin; eicosanoids; the in vivo digestion, absorption, transport, and metabolism of lipids; triacylglycerol metabolism and adipose tissue metabolism; the biosynthesis of cholesterol and related lipids; the structure and properties of amphiphilic lipids; phosphoglyceride and sphingolipid metabolism; and the nutritional value of lipids. References are given at the end of each chapter, and numerous structures, reactions, and mechanisms are presented throughout the text.

In the preface to the Second edition, we made a prediction that many exciting developments would take place in the coming years that would change the face of a new edition. This has indeed been the case and the current edition reflects these new advances. Our picture of the structure of the fatty acid synthetase has changed dramatically, bringing a new concept in enzymology - the multicatalytic polypeptide chain. This new knowledge owes much to the exploitation of genetic mutants, the use of which is undoubtedly going to extend into many other areas of lipid biochemistry. An understanding of the control of lipid metabolism has also advanced considerably during the last decade and we have tried to reflect that here, although it will be some years before a truly integrated picture can be obtained. For this reason we have continued to deal with the control of particular aspects of lipid metabolism - fatty acids, triacylglycerols, lipoprotein- in the specific chapters but we can foresee the time when a chapter on the overall integration of lipid metabolism will be appropriate and feasible. As a particular example, the exciting new concepts of the control of cholesterol metabolism in specific tissues via the interaction of low density lipoproteins with cell surface receptors have been described in Chapter 6.

Fatty Acids: Chemistry, Synthesis and Applications is a comprehensive source of information about a wide range of industrially important fatty acids. This practical resource provides key insights into the chemistry, synthesis, industrial applications, derivatives, and analysis of fatty acids, and the chemical modifications that transform them for use in products from biodiesel fuels to pharmaceuticals. Written by a team of industry experts, Fatty Acids includes detailed descriptions of fatty acid crystallization, enzymatic synthesis, and microbial production. This book focuses heavily on the chemistry of trans fatty acids, with extensive explanations of their synthesis and measurement. Further, the book addresses advances in the analytical methodology, including mass spectrometry, of fatty acids as well as their derivatives. This book serves as a reference manual to a new generation of lipid scientists and researchers; a useful resource for oleochemical industries; and a valuable teaching aid for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in fields related to the chemistry of oils, fats, and food. Includes recent developments in the synthesis of fatty acid derivatives, as renewable raw materials for the chemical industry Presents efficient synthetic methods for the dietary trans fatty acids in multi-gram scale allowing scientists and researchers to study dietary effects of individual trans fatty acids on human health Addresses uses of fats and fatty acids in foods and nutrition Identifies the roles of fatty acids and derivatives in cosmetic technology

Since we produced Fats and Oils: Chemistry and Technology in 1980, the trend we anticipated to up-date the classical texts of oils and fats has manifested itself. Bailey's famous textbook has been completely revised and a second edition of Bernardini's work has been produced. The present text is an attempt to provide some insight into the current state of the art. Chapter 1 discusses the physical properties of oils and fats with special reference to those properties which can be monitored to give an in dication of the suitability of fats for chocolate production. The physical properties of the fats are often determined by the order in which the fatty acids are attached to the glyceride molecule. Ram Bhati, in the last article he wrote before his death, showed how mass spectrometry and chemical methods could be used to determine the sequence of fatty acids. Ram's essentially practical approach to the problem is exemplified by the section dealing with the experimental details of the techniques. Chapter 3 outlines some of the problems which can arise in industry when the lipid part of a foodstuff undergoes oxidation, whilst in Chapter 4 Patterson describes the major technique, hydrogenation, which is used to circumvent the problems caused by oxidation of the unsaturated fatty acids. In Chapter 4 the essentials of the theory are given to enable the reader to appreciate the design features of the apparatus. Chapter 5 deals with the analysis, mainly chromatographic, of lipids.

Since the publication of the first edition of this successful and popular book in 1970, the subject of lipid biochemistry has evolved greatly and this fifth up-to-date and comprehensive edition includes much new and exciting information. Lipid Biochemistry, fifth edition has been largely re-written in a user-friendly way, with chapters containing special interest topic boxes, summary points and lists of suggested reading, further enhancing the accessibility and readability of this excellent text. Contents include abbreviations and definitions used in the study of lipids, routine analytical methods, fatty acid structure and metabolism, dietary lipids and lipids as energy stores, lipid transport, lipids in cellular structures and the metabolism of structural lipids. The book provides a most comprehensive treatment of the subject, making it essential reading for all those working with or studying lipids. Upper level students of biochemistry, biology, clinical subjects, nutrition and food science will find the contents of this book invaluable as a study aid, as will postgraduates specializing in the topics covered in the book. Professionals working in research in academia and industry, including personnel involved in food and nutrition research, new product formulation, special diet formulation (including nutraceuticals and functional foods) and other clinical aspects will find a vast wealth of information within the book's pages. Michael Gurr was a Visiting Professor in Human Nutrition at the University of Reading, UK and at Oxford Brookes University, UK. John Harwood is a Professor of Biochemistry at the School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, UK. Keith Frayn is a Professor of Human Metabolism at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, UK.