INFORM October 2024

inform October 2024, Vol. 35 (9) • 35

omega-3 fatty acids into the body. The first article I have selected explores the potential application of Antarctic Krill phospholip ids for encapsulating and delivering oxygen sensitive agents. The second article describes the effect of phospholipid rich Krill oil on intestinal health. The third article looks into the cardiovas cular risk-reducing effect between fish and krill oil. The fourth article looks into the effect of Krill oil on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease compared against DHA/EPA phospholipid and EPA/DHA triacylglycerol. A comprehensive study of the colloidal properties, biocompatibility, and synergistic antioxidant actions of Excipient selection is crucial to address the oxidation and solubility challenges of bioactive substances, impacting their safety and efficacy. AKPL, a novel ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) esterified phospholipid derived from Antarctic krill, demonstrates unique antioxidant capabilities and syner gistic effects. It exhibits pronounced surface activity and elec tronegativity at physiological pH, as evidenced by a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 0.15 g/L and ζ-potential of −49.9 mV. In aqueous environments, AKPL self-assembles into liposomal structures, offering high biocompatibility and promoting cell proliferation. Its polyunsaturated bond-rich struc ture provides additional oxidation sites, imparting antioxidant properties superior to other phospholipids like DSPC and DOPC. Additionally, AKPL augments the efficacy of lipophilic antioxidants, such as alpha-tocopherol and curcumin, in aqueous media through both intermolecular and intramolecular interac tions. In sum, AKPL emerges as an innovative unsaturated phos Antarctic krill phospholipids Su, D., et al. , Food Chemistry , 451, 139469, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139469

pholipid, offering new strategies for encapsulating and delivering oxygen-sensitive agents. Phospholipid-rich krill oil promotes intestinal health by strengthening beneficial gut microbial interactions in an infectious colitis model Krill oil (KO) is rich in bioactive ingredients including phos pholipids, omega-3 fatty acids, and astaxanthin. While health benefits and roles of KO in modulating lipid metabolism are well documented, its ability to alleviate symptoms related to infec tious colitis and modulate gut microbial interactions is still largely unknown. Here we used a multi-omics approach, including tran scriptome, microbiome, and metabolome analyses, to understand how KO mediates gut microbial interactions and promotes epithe lial healing in an infectious colitis model. KO reversed the infec tion-induced intestinal hyperplasia to baseline. KO dampened intestinal inflammation via multiple targets, mediating several proinflammatory pathways, including IL17 signaling, and reducing luminal histamine levels. KO supplementation enriched butyrate producing bacteria, including Roseburia and Clostridium , and strengthened beneficial microbial interactions in the gut micro bial community. Supplementation with phospholipid-rich KO also increased microbial phylogenetic diversity. KO enhanced muco sal barrier function by increasing the production of Muc6 and the antimicrobial peptide, Leap2. KO played an active role during epi thelial healing by inhibiting the expression of granzyme K while increasing the expression of a colitis protective factor, Dclk1. Together, our findings demonstrate that KO rich in omega-3 phos pholipids can play a protective role in infectious colitis and should be considered a dietary option for promoting gut health. Liu, F., et al. , Food & Function , 5, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3FO04980A