Development and application of stable isotope labeling method for natural fats and oils without destroying their structure

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K19733
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 59:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Gotoh Naohiro 東京海洋大学, 学術研究院, 教授 (60323854)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-06-29 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 油脂 / 脂肪酸 / 安定同位体ラベル化 / 体内動態 / 質量分析器

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The main component of fats and oils is triacylglycerol (TAG) consisting of one glycerin molecule and three fatty acids. Although fish oil and perilla oil are known as functional fats and oils, there is no way to confirm whether the fatty acids taken from the oil is really inserted into the tissues of the body. In the present study, we explored the method to exchange two hydrogens binding at α-position carbon of fatty acids in TAG into deuteriums without destroying the TAG structure. This exchange make possible to increase two of molecular weight compared to naturally occurring the same fatty acid. Triolein (TAG) and deuterium labeled methanol were mixed with various basic and acidic catalysts. Mass spectrometry was used to confirm the synthesis. As a result, it was not possible to deuterate the TAG without destroying its structure.

Free Research Field

油脂化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で油脂の主成分であるトリアシルグリセロール（TAG）に結合している脂肪酸の分子量をTAGの構造を破壊することなく重水素で２つ大きくする方法を探索した。結果、試みたすべての合成条件でTAGの分子構造を破壊することなく重水素化することは出来なかった。この方法でTAGの分子量を増やすことが出来れば、例えば健康食品で話題のシソ油由来の脂肪酸が本当に体内に残り、保健機能を発揮しているかを質量分析器を用いて確認できたはずである。このように、イメージだけでなく本当に体内の組織に組み込まれ機能するかを確認する方法は存在せず、完成すれば混とんとした機能性油脂市場に確実な情報を与えることが出来たはずである。