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Monoglycerides in contrast to di- and triglycerides are excellent emulsifiers because they contain a hydrophilic and hydrophobic portion. In order to properly formulate monoglycerides into cosmetic products, it is necessary to understand the various phase behavior of monoglycerides. Depending on their fatty acid chain length, monoglycerides in cosmetics may function as emollients, deodorants, preservatives, and/or transdernal agents. Distilled monoglycerides are more effective than nondistilled commercial monoglycerides because they facilitate formation of smaller droplets within the emulsion. Distilled monoglycerides were made commercially available to the food industry in 1960. Various problems arose when the distilled monoglycerides were handled in the same manner as the mixtures of mono-, di-, and triglycerides. Neutralization of small amounts of free fatty acid present in the monoglyceride preparation can be carried out by adding an equivalent amount of sodium hydroxide. Preparation of a coemulsified blend can be effected by mixing water, powdered soap, and molten monoglyceride and applying vigorous agitation.

Considerable attention has been focused in the effects of dietary parameters on carcinogenesis (Carroll & Khor, 1975). While total fat intake has been implicated in some types of cancer (i.g. breast, colon), not all studies support a positive association. Some epidemlologic studies in Western populations (Stemmerman et al, 1984; Willett et al, 1987) or even animal studies, have failed to show such correlations. It is clear however in animal experiments (Roebuck et al, 1981; Naus et al, 1983) that high fat intake was shown to increase carcinogenesis response. Kritchevsky et al, 1984 maintains that it is the total caloric intake which is important in the promotion of tumors rather than dietary fat per se. The issue while not resolved will be less confusing if the diet is described in terms of specific fats, rather than simply dietary fat.

Nonpolar and polar lipids extracted from denervated rat gastrocnemius, plantaris, and soleus muscles were measured 7-9 days after unilateral sciatic nerve transection. The contralateral muscle (CCON) was used to obtain control lipid levels. After denervation changes in lipid concentrations were found in all three muscles. These alterations in lipid levels were generally in same direction but not to the same extent. The change in total nonpolar lipids (NL) was an increase in soleus greater than gastrocnemius greater than plantaris concentration. This change in lipid concentration was more apparent than real since the wet weight of muscle was decreased after denervation. Since polar lipid (PL) concentrations were not increased under these conditions of muscle weight loss, an actual decrease of polar lipids after denervation may be inferred. In contrast to the other two muscles, a marked difference was noted for polar lipids of denervated gastrocnemius muscle. An unidentified spot near the origin was detected. This area is the location of a nerve sprouting factor(s). The compound(s) was not detectable for the other two muscles. When the gastrocnemius from an unoperated animal rather than a CCON muscle was used as a benchmark, slight increases were found for total nonpolar, polar, and plasmalogen fractions following denervation. The changes for individual lipid fractions were less definable, except for the significant increase for the unknown polar compound near the origin. This spot was noted in extracts from CCON and DEN muscles but not in untouched control muscle. The CCON gastrocnemius muscle is therefore a poor control for determining effects of denervation on lipid levels and perhaps other biochemical parameters as well.

Now that energy has become a world problem, cheap, effective chemical preservation is critical. This discussion forwards a new concept in food preservation. The concept is based on a 'systems' approach, using three common foodstuffs: monolaurin, food-grade phenolics and chelator, three multifunctional food materials, whose history as potential preservatives is reviewed. Although monolaurin (Lauricidin) is a Generally Recognized As Safe chemical, its use as part of a 'preservative system' is new. Comparisons of its germicidal activity by investigators have shown it to be more effective than proprionates, benzoates and even sorbic acid. The common antioxidants, tert-butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) or tert-butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) have been shown since 1967 to affect a number of different microorganisms, including viruses. The chelator ethylenediamineacetate (EDT A) has weak biocidal activity on its own but can potentiate the effect of the first two biocidal agents, particularly against gram-negative bacteria. The three common food chemicals therefore become part of a 'preservative system'. The amount and ratio of one to the other is determined by the specific need for microbiological protection.

Charring procedures used to quantitate lipids indicate limited general application because colorimetric values are higher for lipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids as compared to those containing saturated fatty acids. In order to determine the limitations of the procedure for biological samples, model triglycerides containing different concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids and mixtures of trilinolein and tristearin were used to determine the appropriate correction factor (K) (i.e., the ratio of 100 μg lipid/100 μg external standard) needed to be used in a formula for quantitating lipids by this procedure. The results from these experiments suggest that a single K value is applicable to triglycerides containing 0–66% polyunsaturated fatty acids. Since lipids from most plant sources contain a maximum of 66% polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipids from animal sources contain only 30% polyunsaturated fatty acids, the use of a single correction factor is applicable to all neutral lipid...

This report confirmed earlier studies by other workers which suggested that collateral nerve sprouting in mammalian skeletal muscle is induced by factors released from denervated or atrophic muscle fibers. Crude lipid extracts of denervated but not of normal muscle were found to bring about histological evidence of significantly increased collateral nerve outgrowth when injected into normal muscles. Additional experiments indicated that separated non-polar and polar lipid fractions of muscle were less active. The injection of a chemically pure lipid, monlaurin, also caused significant sprouting.

A new family of surfactants, aminimides, has been screened forin vitro antimicrobial activity. These compounds are active against both bacteria and yeast, activity being a function of chain length. Maximum activity for acetimide and acrylimide amine derivatives was extablished with chain lengths of C14–C16. Homologous compounds with lower or higher chain lengths were less active. While showing low antimicrobial activity against gram negative bacteria, mixtures containing C12 and C16 gave good activity against gram negative strains without losing gram positive activity. Aminimides gave low acute LD50’s (200–400 mg/kg) when tested in mice by intraperitoneal injection.

A study was conducted to determine the effects of sorbic acid and several derivatives of fatty acids (amides, aminimides, and monoglycerides) upon toxigenic cultures of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. A synthetic medium was inoculated with spores, incubated for 48 h at 27°C, and then supplemented with sorbic acid and fatty acid derivatives. Cultures were then incubated for an additional 5 days. Aflatoxins were extracted, separated, and quantitated. Mycelial mats were dried, weighed, and analyzed for lipid and mineral content. Cerulenin (8 μg/ml) was the most effective fatty acid derivative examined, reducing mycelial growth by 37% and completely inhibiting extracellular accumulation of aflatoxins. Other derivatives, in decreasing order of effectiveness, included M-20 (an aminimide), lauribic, and lauricidin. Mycelia grown in the presence of fatty acid derivatives contained less phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl serine, cholesterol, and triglycerides, but more cardiolipin, phosphatidyl choline, free fatty acids, fatty acid esters, and diglycerides. Levels of monoglycerides and cholesterol esters remained essentially unchanged. Inhibition by sorbic acid was nonspecific, affecting both mycelial growth and extracellular aflatoxin accumulation to approximately the same extent. Utilization of fatty acid derivatives for determining mechanisms of aflatoxin accumulation and lipid biosynthesis appears promising.

A sterile agar-meat was acidified with lactic acid and seeded with Staphylococcus aureus. Monolaurin (Lauricidin®), which is a GRAS emulsifier, caused both static and cidal effects on S. aureus 196E. When compared to potassium sorbate, Lauricidin® was slightly more active. The combination of sorbic acid and Lauricidin® (Lauribic™) gave a greater inhibitory effect than either of the substances alone. Inhibitory effects were greater on “anaerobic” than “aerobic” growth. These results indicate that monoglyceride emulsifiers like Lauricidin® alone or in combinations with other preservatives can be used in foods to create environments which are hostile to microorganisms.

The LD50 oral ingestion values for the common commercial fatty acids are in the range which are considered nontoxic; 24 hour primary skin irritation is considered positive for octanoic acid but negative for decanoic acid and upwards; 4 hour skin corrosivity is considered positive for decanoic acid and lower, negative for lauric acid and higher; eye irritation is considered positive for lauric acid and lower, negative for myristic acid and higher. Among the fatty acid derivatives that have well recognized bacteriocidal and fungicidal properties are undecanoic acid and its salts, sodium and zinc particularly, (athlete’s foot fungus), fatty amine quaternary salts, (general bacteriocide properties), fatty amide derivatives, and sodium salts of common fatty acids. The highly purified monoglyceride prepared from high C-12 fatty acid has unprecedented activity and sanitizing properties.

Crude lipids extracted from Naja naja were separated by column, thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography. Cholesterol was found to be the chief neutral lipid (10 per cent of total). Phosphatidyl choline (lecithin) represented 83 per cent of the total and was the only phospholipid detected. The fatty acid content of neutral lipids represented saturated acids, while the phospholipids had a predominance of unsaturated fatty acids.

SummaryMouse brains were extracted with a variety of solutions composed of inorganic salts, organic solvents, or mixtures of each. During these experiments, it was noted that a differential effect of certain salts and solvents on isozyme patterns could be demonstrated. These effects of isozyme systems [lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and nonspecific esterase] could best be explained on the basis of lipid-enzyme complexes. Circumstantial evidence is provided for viewing LDH as a lipoprotein catalyst.

Following the intravenous injection of a single dose of acetate-C 14 to women during early pregnancy, only negligible amounts of isotope could be detected in fetal brain cholesterol, but a significant incorporation of C 14 occurred in cholesterol isolated from the corpus luteum of pregnancy, fetal liver, and fetal adrenals. Neither cholesterol-C 14 synthesized in the fetal liver nor maternal plasma cholesterol-H 3 of dietary origin was taken up by the fetal brain in appreciable amounts. When glucose-C 14 was injected in the mother, the isotope was found in cholesterol isolated from the fetal brain and other fetal tissues but only negligible amounts were found in maternal tissues. The preferential utilization of glucose for the synthesis of fetal brain cholesterol emphasizes the significance of the "blood-brain barrier" which controls the movement of substances into and out of central nervous system tissue.

The structural relationships of 30 straight-chain fatty acids and derivatives and their bactericidal properties were studied with 8 gram-negative and 12 grampositive organisms. Chain length, unsaturation ( cis, trans ), and functional group were all variables considered in this study. Our data indicate that C 12 (lauric acid) is the most inhibitory saturated fatty acid against gram-positive organisms. Monoenoic acid (C 18:1 ) was more inhibitory than saturated fatty acid, but was less active than dienoic derivatives (C 18:2 ). Other unsaturated compounds were less active than C 18:2 . Alcohols and glyceryl esters were active only against gram-positive organisms. In general, esterification of the carboxyl group led to a compound which was less active; monoglycerides were the sole exception. Amine derivatives, contrary to results with fatty acids, esters, and amides, showed activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.

SummaryThe amount of cholesterol in brain tissue of male mice (5–10 weeks old) can be lowered by intraperitoneal injection of small amounts of Ritalin. Maximum effect occurs twenty-four hours after the initial dosage. Adjustment to normal levels occurs in the ensuing 48 and 72 hour periods. It is hypothesized that the stimulating effect of analeptics is related to brain sterol metabolism.

A broth dilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration of a series of fatty acid esters of polyhydric alcohols against gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. Gram-negative organisms were not affected. Gram-positive organisms were inhibited as follows. Of the monoglycerol esters, monoglycerol laurate was the most active. Esters of polyglycerols (tri-, hexa-, and decaglycerol esters) were generally active when the fatty acid had chain lengths of 8 to 12 carbon atoms. Sucrose esters, when active, except for laurate, are more active than the free fatty acid. The spectrum of antimicrobial action of esters of polyhydric alcohols is narrower when compared with the free acids.

In order further to understand factors affecting cholesterol metabolism in adult animals, we have studied the effect of a central nervous system stimulant, methylphenidate (Ritalin), on brain cholesterol metabolism. Structurally, this compound is related to compounds having a hypocholesterolemic effect (1,2,3), and also acts as a central nervous system stimulant(4). A preliminary report of these experiments has been published (5). The present paper is a more complete study of the effect of this drug on acetate incorporation into brain cholesterol.Experimental. Radioactive precursors. Acetate-2-3H (10 mC/m-mole); acetate-l-14C (2.8 mC/m-mole); acetate-2-14C (1.5 mC/m-mole) were used simultaneously in these studies. Radioactive nutrients were dissolved in physiological saline, with benzyl alcohol (0.9%) added as a preservative. The resultant solutions were injected intraperitoneally.The drug (methylphenidate) Ritalin, donated by Ciba Pharmaceutical Co. (H. Sheppard), was prepared as a 1% solution in saline....

Multibore columns were constructed and found to have a high capacity, give sharp resolution, with less adsorbent and smaller amounts of eluting solvent. A separation requiring 12 hr on a straight column can be accomplished in one-third less time on a multibore column. This factor, added to the superiority of fractionations on multibore columns, has proved to be of great benefit in routine analysis.

The newest member of the aminimide family of surfactants was screened for antimicrobial activity. The present report supports past conclusions that chain lengths of C14 or C16 gave maximum activity to the aminimide derivative. When a number of hexadecane compounds with different polar groups were compared, the aminimide exhibited wide spectrum antimicrobial activity. Although the functional group was important, the length and character of the acyl chain also help to determine antimicrobial activity. A new amide antibiotic, Cerulenin, with a 4-keto-2-enyl chain, was more active than the unsaturated isomer. Thus, both the functional grup as well as the chain length contribute to biocidal activity.

Dietary lipids, in particular unsaturated fat, promote the development of many experimental tumors. However, no mechanisms to fully explain these effects have been elucidated. Recent reports, which we summarize here, suggest a role for gap junction-mediated intercellular communication in the process of tumor promotion. We also review tumor-promoting effects of dietary fat on experimental, particularly mammary, carcinogenesis. Our main focus is to review recent data examining the inhibitory effects of unsaturated fatty acids on metabolic cooperation in Chinese hamster V79 cells. These data suggest that inhibition of junctional communication may be involved mechanistically in the promotion of tumors by high levels of dietary unsaturated fat. Finally, potential mechanisms by which unsaturated fatty acids inhibit metabolic cooperation are examined.

Aminimides are a new class of surface active agents which have antimicrobial activity. These bipolar compounds have activity against both gran-positive and yeast organisms. Their activity against gram-negative organisms is low or absent. The acyl derivatives tested showed maximum activity at chain lengths of C14 and C16. Fatty acid derivatives, shorter ( C16), were less active. Unsaturation was an important factor contributing to aminimide activity. Their low toxicity and wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity make aminimides ideal candidates for further investigation.

Monolaurin alone and monolaurin with tert-butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), methylparaben, or sorbic acid were tested for in vitro virucidal activity against 14 human RNA and DNA enveloped viruses in cell culture. At concentrations of 1% additive in the reaction mixture for 1 h at 23°C, all viruses were reduced in infectivity by >99.9%. Monolaurin with BHA was the most effective virucidal agent in that it removed all measurable infectivity from all of the viruses tested. The compounds acted similarly on all the viruses and reduced infectivity by disintegrating the virus envelope.

A new family of surfactants, aminimides, has been screened forin vitro antimicrobial activity. These compounds are active against both bacteria and yeast, activity being a function of chain length. Maximum activity for acetimide and acrylimide amine derivatives was extablished with chain lengths of C14–C16. Homologous compounds with lower or higher chain lengths were less active. While showing low antimicrobial activity against gram negative bacteria, mixtures containing C12 and C16 gave good activity against gram negative strains without losing gram positive activity. Aminimides gave low acute LD50’s (200–400 mg/kg) when tested in mice by intraperitoneal injection.

Twenty-four-hour urine was collected from normal and dystrophic mice and hamsters for catecholamine determinations. A new method of analysis was used whereby 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (E) were measured simultaneously. The procedure is based on a combination of liquid-solid extraction, cation exchange chromatography, and controlled potential electrochemistry. The results of these experiments indicated that while DA levels were similar in both normal and pathological animal urine, DOPA levels decreased slightly in the dystrophic mouse but not the hamster, and NE and E levels in dystrophic groups were two and four times greater than normal in both species. The data supports the concept of biochemical alterations in tissue other than muscle. While not necessarily supportive to catecholamine abnormality as the primary cause of muscular dystrophy, the present data cast doubt that this disease is a primary muscle disease.

Aminimides, a new class of surfactants, have been screened for in vitro antimicrobial activity. Greatest activity against gram (+) and yeast organisms is achieved when a chain length of C16 is reached. This generalization is true whether or not the chain length is joined to the imide or amine group. The type of functional group associated with the surfactant is less important than chain length. Gram (-) organisms do not fit this generalization, since shorter (

To the Editor.— Because my research findings have become a focal point of controversy in the choice of liquid soapvbar soap,1I feel compelled to present further information for the followers of this saga. Contrary to the insinuation by Dr Heinze, the results of our research were presented at a national meeting (American Oil Chemists Society, April 1983) and received an "Outstanding Paper Presentation" award; a brief synopsis of the work was published (Am Clin Prod Rev1983; 2:19); and a full report was published (J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol1984; 5:1-14). Dr Heinze has ignored statements and findings that support our conclusions that bar soaps may be reservoirs for contaminants. Even when he quoted a paper,2he used only that data that supported his viewpoint. What he failed to mention is that the study in question had major flaws: (1) only select portions of the

The newest member of the aminimide family of surfactants was screened for antimicrobial activity. The present report supports past conclusions that chain lengths of C14 or C16 gave maximum activity to the aminimide derivative. When a number of hexadecane compounds with different polar groups were compared, the aminimide exhibited wide spectrum antimicrobial activity. Although the functional group was important, the length and character of the acyl chain also help to determine antimicrobial activity. A new amide antibiotic, Cerulenin, with a 4-keto-2-enyl chain, was more active than the unsaturated isomer. Thus, both the functional grup as well as the chain length contribute to biocidal activity.

Aminimides, a new class of surfactants, have been screened for in vitro antimicrobial activity. Greatest activity against gram (+) and yeast organisms is achieved when a chain length of C16 is reached. This generalization is true whether or not the chain length is joined to the imide or amine group. The type of functional group associated with the surfactant is less important than chain length. Gram (-) organisms do not fit this generalization, since shorter (

SummaryThe effect of a single injection of methylphenidate (Ritalin, 4 mg/kg) on precursor ([2-3H]acetate and [U-14C]glucose) incorporation into brain cholesterol was studied. The drug caused a steady decrease in the concentration of brain cholesterol during the 24-hr period examined. Incorporation studies during this time with [U-14C]glucose indicated higher than normal incorporation for all time periods studied. The most significant incorporation increases took place 2 and 4 hr after drug injection. Experiments using [2-3H]acetate as the sterol precursor gave incorporation values which tended (not significantly) to be lower than control values at 2 and 4 h. The values after 12 hr were less than normal, while the 24-hr group indicated an increase to or slightly higher than normal values.These data suggest that the pharmacological effect of methylphenidate may be due to lowering of brain cholesterol levels directly or on some more basic metabolic process leading to a decreased level of membrane sterols.

SummaryThree genetic groups of mice (DyDy, Dydy, and dydy) were studied at intervals of 6–14 wk. TCA intermediates were extracted, separated, and measured. Data indicate that mice with genetically induced muscular dystrophy (Strain 129) show alteration in several body tissues as well as in muscle itself. Of particular interest were changes measured in the brain of dystrophic mice. Support, but not proof, is given to the neurogenic concept of mouse muscular dystrophy.

Isozyme patterns of cholinesterase (ChE) from heart, tongue, and skeletal muscle of normal and dystrophic hamsters are presented. Two principal bands, bands 1 and 2, were evaluated. Band 1 migrates faster towards the anode than does band 2. While bands 1 and 2 stain for AChE and were found in control muscles, only band 2 was stained by a pseudocholinesterase (BuChE) and was decreased in samples from dystrophic hamsters. The decrease in BuChE was most pronounced in dystrophic heart muscle. The low level of BuChE measured for dystrophic animal tissue was similar to isozyme patterns found in embryonic tissue and in denervated muscle. BuChE obtained by acrylamide gel electrophoresis along with 16S AchE appears to be a useful biochemical marker of nerve-muscle interactions.