Improving US Regulation of Imported Foods^*

Structural characterization of self-assemblies of new omega-3 lipids: docosahexaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid monoglycerides

“…The new family of omega-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) monoglycerides (MAGs) of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6, n-3), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; 22-5, n-3), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5, n-3) hold potential in the development of carriers for the delivery of drugs and functional foods owning to their unique structural properties and health-promoting effects [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] . Similar to their corresponding long-chain omega-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are typically present in fish oil extracts, particularly EPA and DHA with recommended daily intake 12 of 200-500 mg, these ω-3 amphiphilic lipids have beneficial health effects in various disorders including inflammation 1,2,4,5 , cardiovascular disease (CVD) events 2,[4][5][6] , asthma 2,7-10 , allergic asthma 2,4,10 , hypertension 5 , and cancer 1,3,11 .…”

“…Similar to their corresponding long-chain omega-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are typically present in fish oil extracts, particularly EPA and DHA with recommended daily intake 12 of 200-500 mg, these ω-3 amphiphilic lipids have beneficial health effects in various disorders including inflammation 1,2,4,5 , cardiovascular disease (CVD) events 2,[4][5][6] , asthma 2,7-10 , allergic asthma 2,4,10 , hypertension 5 , and cancer 1,3,11 . They can also be used as cancer chemo-preventive agents 8,9,11 , and radio-enhancers 8,9,11 for radiotherapy of cancer 8,9 . The accumulating evidences on their role in modulating inflammatory events, and their anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects may have implications for the treatment of inflammatory and cancer diseases 1,7,13,14 .…”

“…It was also reported that MAG-DHA, MAG-DPA, and MAG-EPA are safe precursors that are absorbed by the gastrointestinal (GI) tract 10,15 , then metabolized and hydrolyzed to corresponding DHA, DPA and EPA derivatives including resolvins and protectins 1,7,13,14 . These derivatives can be found in blood circulation or other body tissues 6,8,10 and play an important role in mediating pro-inflammatory processes, cell proliferative, and invasion and immune-modulatory effects in numerous diseases 1,7,13,14 .…”

“…The synthesis of MAG-DHA, MAG-DPA, and MAG-EPA is carried out through esterification at the sn-1 position of the glycerol backbone by using as starting materials the following highly purified corresponding ethyl esters: ethyl docosahexaenoate, ethyl docasapentaenoate, and ethyl eicosapentaenoate, respectively 2,8,10 . In addition to these monoglycerides, ω-3 PUFAs are also commercially available in different forms.…”