101
Gangliosides help in synaptic transmission through binding with calcium ions
(Spoeckner et al. 1999).
6.2.2 Cholesterol and Steroids
Cholesterol (C 27 H 46 O) is an organic molecule and biosynthesized in all animal cells.
It is an important part of cellular membranes, bile acids, steroid hormones, and
human brain (Dietschy and Turley 2001). It is essential for normal development of
brain cells (neurons and glia) and also required for synapse and dendrite formation.
Cholesterol deficiency can cause degeneration of the synaptic and dendritic spine,
decrease synaptic plasticity, and failure of neurotransmission (Koudinov and
Koudinova 2005).
Steroids (C 27 H 45 OH) is an organic compound (Cholesterol derived lipophilic)
synthesized by sterol lanosterol or cycloartenol in the animals, plants and fungi
cells. It is the main constituent of some hormones (hormones of the adrenal cortex
and gonadal), bile acids and sterol (Pattenden et al. 2004). Steroids are used as antiinflammatories, anesthetics, anti-biotics, anti-asthmatics, anti-cancer agents and as
contraceptive drugs Lopez et al. 2014).
6.3 Bioactive Molecules from Plants
Plants are known to produce various substances which are indirectly associated with
their growth and reproduction. These substances are known as secondary metabolites. Plant derived biologically active fats and oils are a type of secondary metabolite having complex chemical structures. These plant derived fats and oils have
important ecological functions as they protect plants against harmful microbes and
herbivores. Moreover they are also reported to have herbicidal properties, strong
antioxidant, and antibacterial activity. Most of the plant derived fats and oils are in
the form of fatty alcohols. Fatty alcohols are produced via the process of transesterification. Transesterification is the process in which a fat or oils reacts with an alcohol to form esters or glycerol. Some of the important bioactive plant derived fats and
oils are discussed below.
6.3.1 Perillyl Alcohol
Perillyl alcohol or POH (C 10 H 16 O) is naturally found in essential oil extracted from
lavender, peppermint and caraway, spearmint, cherries, sage, and cranberries plants
(Crowell and Elson 2001). Traditionally, POH used in cleaning and household
products, cosmetics, and fragrance in toiletries (Laszlo 2008). It has biological
6 Fats and Oils as Sources of Bioactive Molecules
Gangliosides help in synaptic transmission through binding with calcium ions
(Spoeckner et al. 1999).
6.2.2 Cholesterol and Steroids
Cholesterol (C 27 H 46 O) is an organic molecule and biosynthesized in all animal cells.
It is an important part of cellular membranes, bile acids, steroid hormones, and
human brain (Dietschy and Turley 2001). It is essential for normal development of
brain cells (neurons and glia) and also required for synapse and dendrite formation.
Cholesterol deficiency can cause degeneration of the synaptic and dendritic spine,
decrease synaptic plasticity, and failure of neurotransmission (Koudinov and
Koudinova 2005).
Steroids (C 27 H 45 OH) is an organic compound (Cholesterol derived lipophilic)
synthesized by sterol lanosterol or cycloartenol in the animals, plants and fungi
cells. It is the main constituent of some hormones (hormones of the adrenal cortex
and gonadal), bile acids and sterol (Pattenden et al. 2004). Steroids are used as antiinflammatories, anesthetics, anti-biotics, anti-asthmatics, anti-cancer agents and as
contraceptive drugs Lopez et al. 2014).
6.3 Bioactive Molecules from Plants
Plants are known to produce various substances which are indirectly associated with
their growth and reproduction. These substances are known as secondary metabolites. Plant derived biologically active fats and oils are a type of secondary metabolite having complex chemical structures. These plant derived fats and oils have
important ecological functions as they protect plants against harmful microbes and
herbivores. Moreover they are also reported to have herbicidal properties, strong
antioxidant, and antibacterial activity. Most of the plant derived fats and oils are in
the form of fatty alcohols. Fatty alcohols are produced via the process of transesterification. Transesterification is the process in which a fat or oils reacts with an alcohol to form esters or glycerol. Some of the important bioactive plant derived fats and
oils are discussed below.
6.3.1 Perillyl Alcohol
Perillyl alcohol or POH (C 10 H 16 O) is naturally found in essential oil extracted from
lavender, peppermint and caraway, spearmint, cherries, sage, and cranberries plants
(Crowell and Elson 2001). Traditionally, POH used in cleaning and household
products, cosmetics, and fragrance in toiletries (Laszlo 2008). It has biological
6 Fats and Oils as Sources of Bioactive Molecules