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Summary The aim of this work was to study the proximate composition and the bioactive profile of Bifurcaria bifurcata. It contains 73.31 ± 0.69% of moisture, 8.57 ± 0.11 g per 100 g dry weight (d.w.) of protein, 5.81 ± 0.14 g per 100 g d.w. of lipid content and 30.15 ± 0.00 g per 100 g d.w. of ash. The polyunsaturated fatty acids were the most abundant fatty acid (FA), accounting for 2426.56 mg per 100 g which represents 41.77% of the total FA. The methanolic fraction showed high quantity of polyphenols (220.01 ± 0.010 phloroglucinol equivalents g−1 extract), DPPH radical reduction capacity (EC50:58.82 μg mL−1) and oxygen radical absorbent capacity (3151.35 ± 119.33 μmol Trolox equivalents g−1 extract). The highest antimicrobial effect was observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.3 ± 1.5 mm) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (IC50:17.07 μg mL−1) induced by methanolic and dichloromethane fractions, respectively. Dichloromethane fraction revealed the highest antitumor activity on Caco‐2 and HepG‐2 cells. Bifurcaria bifurcata can be a promising source of bioactive compounds and functional ingredients.

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Modelling lipase-catalysed transesterification of fats containing n-3 fatty acids monitored by their solid fat contentTransesterification of fat blends rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), catalysed by a commercial immobilised thermostable lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosa, was carried out batch-wise. Experiments were performed, following central composite rotatable designs (CCRDs) as a function of reaction time, temperature and media formulation. Mixtures of palm stearin, palm kernel oil and a commercial concentrate of triacylglycerols rich in n-3 PUFA ("EPAX 2050TG" in CCRD-1 and "EPAX 4510TG" in CCRD-2) were used. The time-course of transesterification was indirectly followed by the solid fat content (SFC) values of the blend at 10 7C, 20 7C, 30 7C and 35 7C.A decrease in all SFC values of the blends at 10 7C, 20 7C, 30 7C and 357C was observed upon transesterification. The SFC 10 7C and SFC 20 7C of transesterified blends varied between 18 and 48 and SFC 35 7C between 6 and 24. These values fulfil the technological requirements for the production of margarines.Under our conditions, lipid oxidation may be neglected. However, the accumulation up to 8.3% free fatty acids in reaction media is a problem to overcome.The development of response surface models, describing both the final SFC value and the SFC decrease, will allow predicting results for novel proportions of fats and oils and/or a novel combination time-temperature.

The production of triacylglycerols (TAGs) with similar structures to the human milk fat TAGs is only possible using sn‐1,3 regioselective lipases as biocatalysts. The advances on the processes currently performed for the production of human milk fat substitutes (HMFS), namely the biocatalysts used, the best operation conditions, reactor types and operation modes, as well as the major drawbacks of these enzymatic systems, are addressed in this article.

Sea cucumbers are highly marketable as a food product due to their nutritional value. Also, it has been suggested that sea cucumbers possess a wide range of bioactive compounds that can be used in the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, the reproductive biology of Holothuria forskali was performed by evaluating the gonadosomatic index (GI) and histological analyses of the gonadal tubules. The biotechnological potential was assessed through the evaluation of the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumor potential. Finally, the fatty acid profile was also evaluated. These three subjects were chosen to increase the interest and to focus the economic potential of this species rearing, predicting that it can be sold in Europe or export to Asia to be used for human consumption or for the pharmaceutical industry. The GI and the histological analysis of the gonadal tubules revealed that the range from February to March corresponds to the peak of gonads maturation. Furthermore, the methanolic fraction revealed the highest antimicrobial potential against Candida albicans with an IC 50 of 233.2 mg mL À1 . Also, this fraction presented the highest cytotoxic and anti-proliferative activities through the method for measuring cell proliferation method in both cell lines, with an IC 50 of 238.2 and 396.0 mg mL À1 for MCF-7 cells respectively and 260.3 and 218.7 mg mL À1 for HepG-2 cells respectively. Regarding the fatty acid profile, the total fat content was 4.83% and the highest values were obtained for palmitic acid (9.96%), stearic acid (11.23%), eicosapentaenoic acid (10.49%) and arachidonic acid (20.36%).

Structured lipids (SL) are chemically or enzymatically modified oils and fats with respect to their original fatty acid composition or position in acylglycerols. These compounds present improved functional or nutraceutical properties. The present work aimed at the enzymatic synthesis of SL, MLM-type dietary triacylglycerols, that is, those with medium chain fatty acids (M) at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions, and long chain fatty acids (L), in the internal position of the triacylglycerol. Grapeseed oil was selected based on its composition rich in unsaturated fatty acids, principally linoleic acid. This oil was submitted to batch acidolysis with medium chain fatty acids (caprylic or capric) in solvent-free media. Reactions were catalyzed by different immobilized commercial lipases, namely: Lipozyme TL IM ® (Thermomyces lanuginosa lipase), Lipozyme RM IM ® (Rhizomucor miehei lipase) and Novozym 435 ® (Candida antarctica lipase B). The incorporation degree (ID) ranged from 23.62 ± 1.34 to 34.53 ± 0.05 mol%, after 24 h reaction at 45°C, using a molar ratio (MR) fatty acid:oil of 2:1. The best results were obtained using capric acid and Lipozyme RM IM ® lipase (34.53 ± 0.05 mol%). In the experimental design, the influence of MR and temperature on ID were evaluated. ID increased with MR and T and was fitted to a saddle-like surface.