For many years, the surface of cells was viewed as a homogeneous fluid lipid casing. However, it is now understood that the surface of cells is not homogeneous but instead contains domains selectively enriched in particular lipids and proteins. Although it is still not completely clear how these lipid platforms are formed, their existence provides a basis for the organisation of many cell processes. One possibility is that microdomain formation relies on lipid phase separation in the plane of the bilayer -- 'lipid raft' hypothesis. Lipid rafts are compelling since they provide spontaneous organisation for signal transduction as well as intracellular sorting and targeting. What are the functions of these domains? Do they rely on specific interactions and how do they change in response to cell signalling processes? Do they help in the understanding of cell signalling and immune function and how may they be disrupted in disease processes such as neurodegeneration?

Lipids and essential oils have strong antimicrobial properties they kill or inhibit the growth of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses. They are being studied for use in the prevention and treatment of infections, as potential disinfectants, and for their preservative and antimicrobial properties when formulated as pharmaceuticals, in food products, and in cosmetics. Lipids and Essential Oils as Antimicrobial Agents is a comprehensive review of the scientific knowledge in this field. International experts provide summaries on: * the chemical and biological properties of lipids and essential oils * use of lipids and essential oils in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and health foods * antimicrobial effects of lipids * in vivo and in vitro * antimicrobial lipids in milk * antimicrobial lipids of the skin * antibacterial lipids as sanitizers and disinfectants * antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities of essential oils * antimicrobial lipids in milk * antimicrobial lipids of the skin * antibacterial lipids as sanitizers and disinfectants * antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities of essential oils Lipids and Essential Oils as Antimicrobial Agents is an essential guide to this important topic for researchers and advanced students in academia and research working in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food sciences, biochemistry and natural products chemistry, microbiology; and for health care scientists and professionals working in the fields of public health and infectious diseases. It will also be of interest to anyone concerned about health issues and particularly to those who are conscious of the benefits of health food and natural products.

Obesity and diabetes develop as a complex result of genetic, metabolic and environmental factors and are characterized by increased lipogenesis and lipid accumulation in many tissues. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) genes are a critical regulator of lipogenesis and catalyzes the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), mainly oleoyl- (18:1n9) and palmitoleoyl-CoA (16:1n7). These MUFAs are the major fatty acid substrates for the synthesis of triglycerides, cholesterol esters, wax esters and membrane phospholipids. There are 4 SCD isoforms (SCD1-4) in mice and two (hSCD1 and hSCD5) expressed in humans. At first glance, stearoyl-CoA desaturase enzyme would be considered a housekeeping enzyme because it synthesizes oleate a well-known fatty acid that is abundant in many dietary sources. However numerous studies have shown that SCD is a very highly regulated enzyme that features in so many physiological processes ranging from fat differentiation, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, inflammation and cancer. The editor's studies using stearoyl-CoA desaturase knockout (SCD1-/-) mice and studies of other investigators using pharmacological approaches to reduce SCD1 expression in mouse tissues have all established that the expression of SCD1 gene isoform represents a key step in partitioning of lipids between storage and oxidation. High SCD expression favors fat storage leading to obesity while reduced SCD expression favors fat burning and leanness. Although these studies clearly illustrated that SCD1 expression is involved in the development of obesity and insulin resistance, questions remain in the elucidation of the mechanisms involved and role of SCD1. This book includes chapters by leading researchers on SCD Genes in the brain, heart, muscle, liver metabolism, Colitis, and more.

Driven both by real industrial needs and curiosity for fundamental research, edible oil structuring has emerged as a subject of growing interest with applications in real food systems. With contributions from leading research groups around the world, this book provides a comprehensive and concise overview of the field with special emphasis on the updates from the last 5 years. New insights into the mechanism of gelation in mono- and multicomponent gels are discussed for several categories of previously known structuring agents along with the potential food applications of some of these systems. In addition, use of alternative methods to explore structuring properties of hydrophilic biopolymers are presented with illustrative examples. Some new concepts such as bio-based synthesis of supergelators, foamed oleogels and use of innovative dispersion techniques give a broader picture of the current research in edible oil structuring. This book will be of interest to students, academics and scientists involved in the research of edible oil structuring. It will be an important reference as it provides current information on the state-of-the-art of the field.

"Handbook of Chromatography: Analysis of Lipids" provides a valuable review of state-of-the-art applications of chromatographic techniques (TLC, GC, HPLC) and other analytical techniques. Much of this volume is devoted to applications of HPLC (including supercritical fluid chromatography) in the analysis of lipids such as fatty acids, oxygenated fatty acids, enantiomeric acyl- and alkylglycerols, and lipoproteins. The handbook also provides extensive coverage of applications of combinations of various chromatographic techniques used in the analysis of ozonides, anacardic acids, glycerophospholipids, products of lipolysis, artifacts and contaminants in edible fats, acylated proteins, non-caloric lipids, lipophilic vitamins, acyl-Coenzyme A thioesters, dolichols, mycolic acids, technical fats and fat products, and liposomes.
"Handbook of Chromatography: Analysis of Lipids" will be a useful reference for oil chemists, biochemists, fat science technologists, and other scientists involved in lipid research.

Our brain is recognized by all specialists as the most complex entity created in nature. Regarding the extraordinary capacities of its functioning, still incompletely known, the control of the brain by our dietary lipids may seem very improbable to many people. Yet, research has shown that an imbalance in the intake of essential fatty acids is related to conditions as prevalent as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Research on psychological disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, aggressiveness and suicidal behavior are discussed in this text. Several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis are also explored. Several observations prove that not only are omega-3 fatty acids actively involved in maintaining the noble functions of our brain, but other lipids, including cholesterol, liposoluble vitamins (A, D and E) and some carotenoids play roles as well and are presented in this book. Dietary Lipids for Healthy Brain Function focuses on this important research for human health. This book brings readers, doctors, dietitians and nutritionists arguments that could improve brain development in young people, prevent many nervous diseases and slow down the age-related decline of higher brain functions. This book provides helpful information to improve health in the young as well in the old, using practical and personalized recommendations for preventing and treating nervous pathologies. Features: * Focuses on the importance of dietary lipids on the proper brain functioning. * Provides relevant references demonstrating the efficiency of dietary lipids to maintain a healthy brain. * Introduces lipid sources and describes their roles by lipid groups in behavior issues and various chronic nervous diseases.

Extensively revised, reorganized, and expanded, the third edition of the industry standard, The Lipid Handbook reflects many of the changes in lipid science and technology that have occurred in the last decade. All chapters have been rewritten, many by new authors, to match the updated thinking and practice of modern lipid science and bring a fresh perspective to twenty years of tradition. Retaining the general structure of the previous editions, The Lipid Handbook with CD-ROM, Third Edition collates a wide range of information into a single volume. New contributions highlight the latest technologies utilized in today's lipid science such as chromatographic analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. An entirely new chapter is devoted to non-food uses such as lipids as surfactants, cosmetics, and biofuels. Expanded sections illustrate a growing emphasis on lipid metabolism and the nutritional, medical, and agricultural aspects including human dietary requirements and disorders of lipid metabolism. The dictionary section is vastly expanded to cover chemical structure, physical properties, and references to thousands of lipid and lipid related molecules. The handbook now includes a CD-ROM that allows instant access to tabulated and referenced information and can be searched either as the full text or by structure or substructure. Drawing from the best minds in the field, The Lipid Handbook with CD-ROM, Third Edition presents the latest technological developments and the current and future directions and applications of lipid science to the next generation of researchers.