Low erucic acid canola oil does not induce heart triglyceride accumulation in neonatal pigs fed formula

Abstract

Canola oil is not approved for use in infant formula largely because of concerns over possible accumulation of triglyceride in heart as a result of the small amounts of erucic acid (22:1n-9) in the oil. Therefore, the concentration and composition of heart triglyceride were determined in piglets fed from birth for 10 (n = 4-6) or 18 (n = 6) d with formula containing about 50% energy fat as 100% canola oil (0.5% 22:1n-9) or 100% soybean oil, or 26% canola oil or soy oil (blend) with palm, high-oleic sunflower and coconut oil, providing amounts of 16:0 and 18:1 closer to milk, or a mix of soy, high-oleic sunflower and flaxseed oils with C16 and C18 fatty acids similar to canola oil but without 22:1. Biochemical analysis found no differences in heart triglyceride concentrations among the groups at 10 or 18 d. Assessment of heart triglycerides using Oil Red O staining in select treatments confirmed no differences between 10-d-old piglets fed formula with 100% canola oil (n = 4), 100% soy oil (n = 4), or the soy oil blend (n = 2). Levels of 22:1n-9 in heart triglyceride and phospholipid, however, were higher (P<0.01) in piglets fed 100% canola oil or the canola oil blend, with higher levels found in triglycerides compared with phospholipids. The modest accumulation of 22:1n-9 associated with feeding canola oil was not associated with biochemical evidence of heart triglyceride accumulation at 10 and 18 d.

Effects of Environmental Factors on Edible Oil Quality of Organically Grown Camelina sativa

“…N fertilization also increased the oil content of erucic acid (22:1n-9), which may be a matter of concern. High intakes of erucic acid have been associated with cardiac lipidosis in animal studies. ,,, However, the present results show that the content of erucic acid was ≤3% which is well below the maximum allowed level of 5% in edible oils in the European Union. Cruciferae seem to be easily manipulated through plant breeding or biotechnology, , so it is likely that this trait could readily be removed, as it has been with rapeseed (Brassica napus L.).…”

Preparation and characterization of protein isolate and biodiesel from garden cress seed

“…In this respect, [8] reported that erucic acid (C22:1; 3.0 wt%), stearic acid (C18:0; 2.8 wt%), and arachidic acid (C20:0; 2.3 wt%) were among the minor fatty acids found in garden cress oil. The effect of erucic acid has been proven in the transient decrease in platelet counts and increase in platelet size in newborn piglets fed canola oil [9]. Similar findings regarding the effect of erucic acid on platelet counts has been reported in human studies on patients with adrenoleukodystrophy [10].…”

The Minipig as Nonrodent Species in Toxicology—Where Are We Now?

“…64,65 Newborn piglets, birth weight >1 kg, were bottle fed diet formulas from birth containing various concentrations of canola or canola oil blends (eg, canola with bean, soy, palm, sunflower, and coconut oils) showed potential changes associated with blood phospholipid concentrations as well as the possible relationship of heart triglyceride accumulation and myocardial lipidosis. 64,66,67 Indeed, these studies demonstrated that induced erucic acid myocardial lipidosis in newborn domestic piglets was more severe than in weaned pigs. 68 More importantly, these studies confirm that cardiovascular toxicity with erucic acid was better modeled by the pig than the rat and that the domestic piglet was much less prone to oil-induced lipidosis and fibrosis than the rat.…”