Understanding of phospholipids
Phospholipids are lipid compounds containing phosphoric acid, which are commonly found in the cytoplasm and cell membranes of organisms and play a key role in maintaining cell membrane function and thus cell metabolism. Phospholipids can be divided into two categories according to their molecular structure: glycerol phospholipids and neuraminol phospholipids. Glycerol phospholipids mainly include lecithin, cephalin, serine phospholipids, inositol phospholipids, etc. Neuraminidol phospholipids mainly include sphingomyelin, sphingomyelin, etc.
Lecithin is widely found in animals and plants. It is abundant in animal brain tissue, semen, adrenal glands and egg yolk, accounting for 8% to 10% of the dry weight of the egg yolk. Cephalin was first isolated from animal brain tissue and nervous tissue. It is also found in animal hearts, livers and other tissues, often together with lecithin. Animal brain tissue has the most content, accounting for about 4% to 69% of the weight of the brain stem. 5. Cephalin is similar in structure to lecithin, except that aminoethanol is used instead of choline.
Lecithin and cephalin are white waxy solids that easily absorb water and turn into black gelatin. Because their molecules contain a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, they are easily oxidized and change from white to brown or even black. Phospholipids are not resistant to high temperatures and will oxidize and decompose at temperatures above 100°C, forming black precipitates at 280°C. The phospholipid molecule contains both hydrophobic fatty acid carboxyl groups and hydrophilic phosphate ester groups, so it is a good amphoteric surfactant with emulsifier properties that can form a mixed solution of oil and water, which is also a biofilm Chemical basis with unique functions.
Physiological functions of phospholipids and lecithin
1． Important components of biofilm
All membranes in cells are collectively called “biological membranes”, including intracellular membranes and cytoplasmic membranes, which are mainly composed of lipids and proteins. The phospholipids that make up biological membranes are mainly glycerol phospholipids, mainly lecithin and cephalin, and a small amount of sphingomyelin and glycolipids.
Biological membrane is a barrier on the cell surface and a channel for material exchange between the internal and external environment of the cell. Enzymes related to permeability are in the membrane system, and many important chemical reactions are carried out on the cell membrane and inner membrane system. When the body ages, biological membranes are often damaged by free radicals, and phospholipids can often repair this damage, so phospholipids often show anti-aging effects.
2． Promote nerve conduction and improve brain vitality
Phospholipids can improve memory and enhance intelligence. Lecithin is also the main component of amniotic fluid. Its concentration can directly affect the normal development of fetal brain cells and tissues and organs. The development of fetal brain requires 2 to 3 times more lecithin than the development of other tissues.
3． Promote fat metabolism and prevent fatty liver
Choline has an affinity for fat and can promote the transport of fat from the liver through the blood in the form of phospholipids, or improve the utilization of fatty acids themselves in the liver, and prevent abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver. Choline is clinically used to treat cirrhosis, hepatitis and other liver diseases, and has certain effects.
4． Promote the smooth progress of transmethyl metabolism in the body
In the biochemical reactions of the body, the methyl transfer process often occurs, such as the synthesis of creatine, the synthesis of epinephrine, and the formation of bases, etc., which are all inseparable from the methylation process. Choline contains three methyl groups and is one of the important providers of methyl groups in the body, which can promote methyl metabolism in the body.
5． Reduce serum cholesterol, improve blood circulation, and prevent cardiovascular disease
When there is an excess of cholesterol in the body for some reason, it often causes deposition on the inner wall of blood vessels, causing arteriosclerosis, eventually inducing cardiovascular disease and hypertension: Phospholipids (especially lecithin) have emulsifying properties and interact with cholesterol. Remove its deposits on blood vessel walls to prevent arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Phospholipids are also carriers of the nutritional element phosphorus, and hydrolysis products in the body are an important source of phosphorus.
Phospholipids are generally separated from vegetable oil refining processes and are one of the most important by-products of the oil industry. Lecithin can also be extracted from egg yolks. As an emulsifier, phospholipids have the functions of decoating, dispersing, wetting, defoaming, diluting, retaining water, preventing splashing, reducing viscosity, etc., and have been widely used in industries such as food, medicine and cosmetics.
Since the 1970s, European and American countries have used PVC resin phospholipids in health foods. In the United States, the total sales volume of phospholipids and their health products ranks third after multivitamins and vitamin E. Abroad, the annual consumption of phospholipids is estimated to be more than 130,000 tons, and multiple quenching agent products are on the market. There is still a big gap between our country and foreign countries.
