Phospholipids

Phospholipid technology and applications is an essential reference for technologists developing food and cosmetics products, scientists researching phospholipids in biological and food systems, technologists in fats and oils refining, and scientists developing drugs and drug delivery systems and carriers. The major source of phospholipids is the lecithin recovered during degumming of vegetable oils, particularly soybean oil. This crude material finds uses in its own right but can be purified through a series of processes which eventually lead to individual phospholipid classes such as phosphatidylcholines. It is widely accepted that oil and water do not mix but there are several areas in science and technology where these two distinct phases must coexist in stable emulsions. This is achieved by admixture of amphiphilic molecules of which the phospholipids are important natural examples. Today, phospholipids find many uses in the food industry and in other industries which exploit the amphiphilic nature of these compounds. Further, there are now important procedures by which their amphiphilicity can be optimized for different uses. The early chapters in this book are devoted to the more common glycerol-based phospholipids and cover their structure, source, composition, modification by chemical and enzymatic methods, their physical, chemical, and nutritional properties, and their major uses. The final chapter is devoted to another kind of phospholipid, the sphingolipids, in which there is a growing interest.

Employing a multidisciplinary approach to phospholipid research, this work catalogues the current knowledge of this class of molecules and details the general, chemical, physical and structural properties of phospholipid monolayers and bilayers. Phospholipid applications are also covered.

The book discusses the essential chemistry of phospholipids along with an account of the metabolism. The phospholipases and phospholipase A2 is explained since its structure and the mechanism of its action have been investigated in greater detail than any other phospholipid metabolising enzyme. The increasingly important topic of phospholipid exchange proteins is also treated. Furthermore, since the use of biochemically defined mutants shows great promise for the better understanding of phospholipid biosynthesis and function, the book also discusses genetic control of the enzymes involved.

Phospholipids are involved in many intrinsic applications within the cell and are part of all major tissue and concentrated in vital organs that require neuronal interactions. This book contains the program presented at the 8th International Congress of ILPS and includes sessions covering phospholipids metabolism in brain function, choline and galactosphingolipids in health and disease, phospholipids in cardiovascular, liver, and muscle health, and finally, phospholipids in infant nutrition. This book, which contains these current research activities and updates, should stimulate the scientific community to continue working on phospholipids in biochemistry and nutrition.

There is much interest today in the essentiality of choline. The proceedings of the 7th International Congress on Phospholipids updates the nutrition, health, and medical research community on the latest work being done on phospholipids in health and disease. Both review papers and original research are included.

This book addresses the application of nanotechnology to cosmetics. Edited by three respected experts in the field, the book begins with a general overview of the science behind cosmetics and skin care today, and of the status quo of nanotechnology in cosmetics. Subsequent chapters provide detailed information on the different nanoparticles currently used in cosmetics; the production and characterization of nanoparticles and nanocosmetics; and regulatory, safety and commercialization aspects. Given its scope, the book offers an indispensable guide for scientists in academia and industry, technicians and students, as well as a useful resource for decision-makers in the field and consumer organizations. Chapter 6 of this book is available open access under a CC BY 4.0 licence at link.springer.com.

Phospholipids are no longer considered exclusively as the building blocks of biomembranes, but are now regarded to be exceptionally important to cellular signalling.Another conclusion resulting from studies over the past several years is that no single general scheme for the role of phospholipids during cell activation can be drawn as representative of all cells. This book presents a comprehensive view of the recent advances made in certain major research areas within the field of phospholipid metabolism in cellular signalling. Topics discussed within this volume include lipid composition of cellular membranes and their organization in biological systems, the dynamic aspects of phospholipid metabolism and its regulation by extracellular stimuli, and the role of newly discovered glycosyl-phosphatidylinositols in insulin action . The book also discusses two biologically active phospholipids: the sphingolipids, and ether-linked glycerophospholipids (the platelet activating factor). Phospholipid Metabolism in Cellular Signaling is an important research reference that should be considered required reading by all scientists and graduate students working on cell activation (e.g., growth factors, hormones, and oncogenes).