ABSTRACT
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have received a great deal of attention concerning their health benefits. Uptake studies of PUFA indicate that PUFA is a more beneficial component of phospholipids than of triglycerides or ethyl esters [1-3]. When PUFA resided at the secondary position (sn-2 position) of a phospholipid molecule, PUFA is especially effective. Accordingly, tailor-made phospholipids may provide alternative nutritional, medical, and industrial uses. Apparently, the polar head, different species, and binding position of fatty acid moieties play important roles in the expression of biological functions. For example, phospholipids containing DHA at the sn-2 position are known to enhance survivals of tumor-bearing mouse [4] and to promote cell differentiation of erythroleukemia cancer cells [5]. Also, phospholipids containing EPA are known to decrease the weight of adipose tissue among the major organs [6]. Many other health benefits have also been reported on n-3 PUFA-bound phospholipids [7-11].
