This thesis investigated the effects of omega-3 supplementation (2.0 g/day EPA + 1.0 g/day DHA) for 12 weeks on human skeletal muscle sarcolemmal and mitochondrial membrane fatty acid (FA) composition and whole body energy expenditure in young healthy males. Supplementation resulted in significant incorporation of EPA and DHA into sarcolemmal and mitochondrial membranes, with an increase in total unsaturation of mitochondrial membranes. The incorporation profile of the sarcolemma and mitochondria differed, with the mitochondria mimicking changes in whole muscle. There were no changes in the protein content of mitochondrial and selected proteins involved in energy metabolism, except for a significant increase in the long form of UCP3. Despite changes in membrane FA compositions, there were no changes in whole body substrate oxidation at rest or during exercise. These data demonstrate that omega-3 supplementation for 12 weeks altered the FA composition of sarcolemmal and mitochondrial membranes in human skeletal muscle.

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Incorporation of full-fat flaxseed, and to a lesser extent, canola seed in diets to produce n-3-enriched products has attracted interest in the poultry industry. However, high amounts of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) in oilseeds compromise their nutritive value. The objectives of the current research were to develop enzyme supplements effective in cell wall depolymerization and viscosity reduction, particularly in flaxseed; to evaluate the effects of enzyme addition and feed processing on oil utilization and egg n-3 fatty acid deposition in broiler chickens and laying hens fed oilseed-containing diets; to characterize the NSP hydrolysis products and to investigate the effects of diet type and enzyme addition on growth performance and the incidence of necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens. Results showed that diets containing high levels of flaxseed reduced egg production and shell quality in laying hens, and impaired final body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in broiler chickens. Reducing flaxseed particle size via grinding did not improve the growth performance of broiler chickens, whereas diet pelleting showed more pronounced and beneficial effects in improving the nutritive value of flaxseed, particularly when intact seeds were used. Multicarbohydrase supplementation resulted in a significant depolymerization of cell wall polysaccharides in soybean, canola and flaxseed meals, which was followed by the production of water-soluble NSP hydrolysis products, and the reduction of flax mucilage viscosity in vitro was also evident. Enzyme addition to flaxseed-containing diets improved FCR of broiler chickens and egg production performance of laying hens, and facilitated egg n-3 fatty acid deposition. The C. perfringens challenge caused intestinal NE lesions and increased the mortality of broiler chickens with the highest NE mortality and intestinal C. perfringens counts observed in those fed flaxseed-containing diets. Enzyme supplementation to diets containing high levels of water-soluble NSP (wheat/barley- or wheat/barley/flaxseed-based) facilitated post-disease compensatory growth in pathogen challenged birds. This was accompanied by a numerical reduction of intestinal C. perfringens by 1.4 log10 cfu/g in birds fed the flaxseed-containing diets. Such findings indicated that enzyme addition may be used as a nutritional strategy to reduce the risk of NE development in broiler chickens.

There is growing interest in the potential role of omega-3/fibre-rich seeds in attenuating obesity and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Preliminary data suggests that consumption of white Salvia hispanica L. (Salba®) seeds prolongs satiety and may aid weight loss. This randomized, double-blind, parallel study assessed the efficacy and safety of Salvia hispanica in overweight/obese individuals with T2DM on weight, body composition, glycemic control and other CVD risk factors. Fifty-eight participants consumed a hypocaloric diet including Salvia hispanica or an energy-and-fibre-matched control over 24 weeks. Greater reductions in weight, waist circumference and inflammation occurred in the Salvia hispanica group versus control. There were no significant between-group differences in safety parameters, glycemic control or other CVD risk factors. Salvia hispanica seeds may support weight loss in overweight/obese individuals with T2DM. Further research is needed to determine whether these effects are maintained.

A granola-type, omega-3-rich breakfast cereal prototype was developed using ground flaxseed as the principal source of linolenic acid (1.8% w/w). Other ingredients included rolled oats, yellow sugar, honey, sliced almonds, and canola oil. The focus of the research investigation was to apply and study the addition of an antioxidant (AO) and the use of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) on shelf-life extension of the enriched cereal. Granola samples, both with and without AO (300ppm of 70% mixed tocopherols), were packaged in air, and under the two atmospheres achieved by nitrogen flushing (MA 1) and an oxygen scavenger (MA2). Samples were stored at either 21 or 35°C. / Shelf-life was terminated when products reached a thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value of 4.0 mg malonaldehyde/kg corresponding to a sensory score of 5 (on a hedonic scale of 10). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of Pearl Millet in combination with different levels of flaxseed and natural pigment (Oro Glo 15RTM) on quantity of n-3 fatty acids in eggs, laying performance and yolk pigmentation. In the first experiment, six different diet treatments were used for six weeks, with 24 hens per treatment (three birds per cage, eight cage replicates). Control diet was a corn-soybean meal diet, and diets containing 0, 2, 4, 8 or 12% ground flaxseed in which all the corn was replaced by pearl millet. In the second experiment, the diet treatments consisted of pearl millet and three inclusion levels of ground flaxseed (4%, 6% and 8%) and two levels (0.1% and 0.2%) of natural pigment in a factorial arrangement. The experiment lasted for twelve weeks, with 18 hens per treatment (three birds per cage, six cage replicates). In each of the experiments, all the diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous and to meet or exceed NRC requirements. Body weight of the birds and feed consumption were recorded at weekly (first experiment) and biweekly (second experiment) intervals. Number of eggs and egg mass produced were measured and recorded on a daily basis. At the end of each of the experiments, all the hens were euthanized to determine liver integrity. In both of the experiments, flock performance parameters were not different among treatments. In regard to egg traits, in the second experiment after 8 week of the start of the experiment, birds fed with diets containing 8% flaxseed produced significantly ( P < 0.05) smaller eggs compared to hens fed 4% flaxseed. Yolk pigmentation was lower (P < 0.05) for the eggs produced by hens fed diets containing pearl millet compared with those produced by feeding corn-based diet. However, 0.1% or 0.2% inclusion of the pigment both proved to be suitable to restore yolk pigmentation to marketable levels. No difference was observed among diets in regard to liver haemorrhage. Evaluation of FA profiles indicated that birds fed a diet containing PM as the sole grain source, and low levels of flaxseed (6%) can produce eggs with more than 350 mg/egg of n-3 FA, which is the lower standard to market eggs as "n-3 FA enriched". / Keywords: laying hens, pearl millet, flaxseed, natural pigment, flock performance, eggs, liver haemorrhage.

Omega-3 enriched eggs serve as an important functional food to boost consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) critical for good health. Because omega-3 eggs have the potential for unpleasant aromas and flavours, this research was designed to assess the fatty acid profile and sensory attributes of eggs procured from hens consuming designer diets. In the first study, the use of hemp in hen diets led to significant increases in omega-3 PUFA content and colour intensity of yolks, but did not have adverse effects on the sensory profiles of cooked eggs. Additionally, the level of docosahexaenoic acid was the same in eggs from both the lowest and highest hempseed oil groups. In order to overcome this plateau, the second study assessed diets varying in linoleic acid (LA) content. Although docosapentaenoic acid in the yolk was significantly increased with an increasing dietary LA content, docosahexaenoic acid remained unaffected by dietary treatment. In the third study, a different approach was used to reduce competition between alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and LA. Diets containing two levels of ALA and varying ratios of saturated fatty acids (SFA): LA + oleic acid (OA) were tested. Increasing dietary SFA: LA + OA resulted in marked increases in all n-3 PUFA. The fourth study was designed to assess the interaction between dietary constituents on sensory attributes of eggs, namely omega-3 PUFA from flaxseed oil (FO), and canola meal (CM), which contains precursors to trimethylamine, which may lead to fishy taint. Oceanic flavour significantly increased with inclusion of FO, while egg, creamy and buttery flavours showed a decrease. The pairing of CM and FO resulted in a significant decrease in egg flavour compared to using FO alone. This research has demonstrated that novel ingredients like hemp can be used in laying hen diets to deposit n-3 PUFA into eggs without fear of affecting sensory outcomes. Increasing the SFA: LA + OA ratio in layer diets is most effective in increasing yolk ALA conversion into long-chain PUFA. Lastly, CM should be added to diets with caution when used in conjunction with omega-3 PUFA ingredients due to a reduction in egg flavour.

Diets high in saturated fatty acids are associated with the development of circadian dysregulation, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conversely, unsaturated fatty acids are now known to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce weight gain, and alleviate obesity-induced inflammation. The aforementioned effects of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids have also been identified in the hypothalamus; however, there is a paucity of studies regarding the role of unsaturated fatty acids in circadian rhythms. Therefore, a novel cell model was established to examine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on circadian rhythms in hypothalamic neurons. The mHypoE-37 cell line expresses Bmal1, Per2, and Rev-erbα in a circadian manner. The saturated fatty acid, palmitate, was found to induce circadian dysregulation of the mHypoE-37 neurons, whereas the unsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid, protected against palmitate-induced circadian changes. These studies are the first to identify the potential for unsaturated fatty acids to protect the circadian system.

Diets high in saturated fatty acids are associated with the development of circadian dysregulation, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conversely, unsaturated fatty acids are now known to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce weight gain, and alleviate obesity-induced inflammation. The aforementioned effects of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids have also been identified in the hypothalamus; however, there is a paucity of studies regarding the role of unsaturated fatty acids in circadian rhythms. Therefore, a novel cell model was established to examine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on circadian rhythms in hypothalamic neurons. The mHypoE-37 cell line expresses Bmal1, Per2, and Rev-erbα in a circadian manner. The saturated fatty acid, palmitate, was found to induce circadian dysregulation of the mHypoE-37 neurons, whereas the unsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid, protected against palmitate-induced circadian changes. These studies are the first to identify the potential for unsaturated fatty acids to protect the circadian system.

Incorporation of full-fat flaxseed, and to a lesser extent, canola seed in diets to produce n-3-enriched products has attracted interest in the poultry industry. However, high amounts of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) in oilseeds compromise their nutritive value. The objectives of the current research were to develop enzyme supplements effective in cell wall depolymerization and viscosity reduction, particularly in flaxseed; to evaluate the effects of enzyme addition and feed processing on oil utilization and egg n-3 fatty acid deposition in broiler chickens and laying hens fed oilseed-containing diets; to characterize the NSP hydrolysis products and to investigate the effects of diet type and enzyme addition on growth performance and the incidence of necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens. Results showed that diets containing high levels of flaxseed reduced egg production and shell quality in laying hens, and impaired final body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in broiler chickens. Reducing flaxseed particle size via grinding did not improve the growth performance of broiler chickens, whereas diet pelleting showed more pronounced and beneficial effects in improving the nutritive value of flaxseed, particularly when intact seeds were used. Multicarbohydrase supplementation resulted in a significant depolymerization of cell wall polysaccharides in soybean, canola and flaxseed meals, which was followed by the production of water-soluble NSP hydrolysis products, and the reduction of flax mucilage viscosity in vitro was also evident. Enzyme addition to flaxseed-containing diets improved FCR of broiler chickens and egg production performance of laying hens, and facilitated egg n-3 fatty acid deposition. The C. perfringens challenge caused intestinal NE lesions and increased the mortality of broiler chickens with the highest NE mortality and intestinal C. perfringens counts observed in those fed flaxseed-containing diets. Enzyme supplementation to diets containing high levels of water-soluble NSP (wheat/barley- or wheat/barley/flaxseed-based) facilitated post-disease compensatory growth in pathogen challenged birds. This was accompanied by a numerical reduction of intestinal C. perfringens by 1.4 log10 cfu/g in birds fed the flaxseed-containing diets. Such findings indicated that enzyme addition may be used as a nutritional strategy to reduce the risk of NE development in broiler chickens.