Abstract: Disclosed are infant formulas and corresponding methods of using them to promote retinal health and vision development in infants. The formulas, which are free of egg phospholipids and comprise fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals, including docosahexaenoic acid and, on a ready-to-feed basis, at least about 50 mcg/liter of lutein, wherein the weight ratio of lutein (mcg) to docosahexaenoic acid (mg) is from about 1:2 to about 10:1. The formulas are also believed to be especially useful in reducing the risk of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants.

Abstract: Disclosed are isolated polynucleotides encoding an omega-3 desaturase and a delta-12 desaturase, the enzymes encoded by the isolated polynucleotides, vectors containing the isolated polynucleotides, transgenic hosts that contain the isolated polynucleotides that express the enzymes encoded thereby, methods for producing the desaturase enzymes, and method of using the enzymes to make polyunsaturated fatty acids. The isolated polynucleotides are derived from a fungus, Saprolegnia diclina (ATCC 56851). In particular, omega-3-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of arachidonic acid (AA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Delta-12 desaturase may be used, for example, in the conversion of oleic acid (OA) to linoleic (LA). EPA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 6 (i.e., “?6-desaturase”). In particular, ?6-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of linoleic acid to ?-linolenic acid and in the conversion of ?-linolenic acid stearidonic acid. The polyunsaturated fatty acids produced by use of the enzyme may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: A method for in vitro determination of the digestibility of proteins in a nutritional product. The method utilized gastric and intestinal enzymes that are standardized for in vitro digestion process that mimics the in vivo digestive process. Further, specificity in digestion is determined by an amino acid profile.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of several genes involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (i.e., “elongases”) and to uses thereof. At least two of these genes are also involved in the elongation of monounsaturated fatty acids. In particular, elongase is utilized in the conversion of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) to dihomogamma linolenic acid (DGLA) and in the conversion of AA to adrenic acid (ADA), or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to ?3-docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). DGLA may be utilized in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), EPA, adrenic acid, ?6-docosapentaenoic acid or ?3-docosapentaenoic acid which may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to isolated nucleic acid sequences or genes involved in polyketide synthase (PKS) biosynthetic pathways. In particular, such pathways are involved in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as, for example, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Specifically, the invention relates to isolating nucleic acid sequences encoding proteins involved in eukaryotic PUFA-PKS systems and to uses of these genes and encoded proteins in PUFA-PKS systems, in heterologous hosts, for the production of PUFAs such as EPA and DHA.