Biohydrogenation

Biohydrogenation is a metabolic process occurring in the rumen of ruminant animals, such as cattle and sheep, and also in certain anaerobic bacteria. This process involves the microbial conversion of unsaturated fatty acids, typically those found in dietary plant lipids, into saturated fatty acids. The primary function of biohydrogenation is to detoxify these unsaturated fatty acids, as they can be toxic to the rumen microbes in their native form.

The process is carried out by a consortium of anaerobic bacteria in the rumen. It involves a series of enzymatic steps, where double bonds in the unsaturated fatty acids are reduced by the addition of hydrogen. This saturation process effectively removes the reactive double bonds, rendering the fatty acids less toxic. Dietary unsaturated fatty acids, like linoleic acid and linolenic acid, are thus transformed into their saturated counterparts, such as stearic acid.

Biohydrogenation has significant implications for the fatty acid composition of animal products, including meat and milk. The extent of biohydrogenation can influence the nutritional profile of these products. For instance, it affects the proportion of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a group of fatty acids with potential health benefits, which can be formed as intermediates or byproducts during the biohydrogenation pathway. Understanding biohydrogenation is crucial for manipulating the fatty acid content of ruminant-derived foods for improved nutritional quality.