A fatty acid present in rubber tree latex unleashes new possibilities in medicine

Furan fatty acids, produced by certain plants and bacteria, are known for their beneficial health properties. One of the molecules of this fatty acid family was detected in the lipid fraction of the latex of two genotypes (RRIM501 and PB235) of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) from the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) and Prang Besar (PB, Malaysia) respectively. In order to assess the scope of this resource, researchers studied the presence of this fatty acid in 48 rubber tree genotypes, representing the wide range of rubber trees grown in countries around the world.

The results are clear: furan fatty acid was present in all the lipid fractions analyzed, with concentrations varying from 0.01% to 0.71% (m/m in latex). “To give some kind of idea, this means that 1 kg of latex can contain more than 7 g of this fatty acid, which is relatively high for a molecule with such a great potential added value,” explained Laurent Vaysse, a CIRAD biochemist. The highest levels were recorded in genotypes from the IRCA selection programs in Ivory Coast (IRCA 323), Prang Besar, Malaysia (PB324 and PB235) and the Rubber Research Institute of Vietnam (RRIV2 and RRIV4).

“The study also found a positive correlation between furan fatty acid content and total fatty acid concentration, suggesting that the presence of furan fatty acid increased the total fatty acid pool,” explained Chaisiri Kitpasong, a PhD student at the Universities of Kasetsart and Montpellier, the study’s main author. In addition, close links have been identified between linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid and furan fatty acid, potentially indicating a biosynthetic connection.

“The yield is a function of the fatty acid concentration in the latex and the quantity of latex produced by the tree at each tapping. Several genotypes stand out for their high fatty acid producing potential, with, for example, yields over 2 g per tree, per tapping for genotypes RRIV4 and PB235,” explained Eric Gohet, a CIRAD agronomist. Furthermore, the biochemical markers usually associated with latex yields (sucrose, inorganic phosphorus, thiols and total dry matter) do not appear to directly influence biosynthesis of this fatty acid during latex regeneration.

Finally, "we studied the heritability of this trait and discovered one genotype (PB5/51) to be a particularly desirable parent for genetic improvement of rubber trees to produce greater quantities of furan fatty acid," added Aurélie Daval, a geneticist at CIRAD.

This discovery heralds new applications in industry and research, particularly in the field of bioactive lipids and the socio-economic value of latex co-products. It also highlights the potential of rubber as a source of high value-added innovation beyond traditional rubber production.

A consortium of research institutes based in Montpellier and Thailand is continuing biomedical research into the effects of the molecule on health and increasing muscle mass. “This discovery could have major implications in public health, particularly in the fight against malnutrition, cachexia and sarcopenia,” concluded Erwann Durand, a CIRAD researcher and coordinator of the FuFActive consortium.

This study is part of the HRPP partnership, focusing on rubber cultivation in Southeast Asia, partly at the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Technology of Natural Rubber (LBTNR), hosted by Kasetsart University. 

Reference

Shedding light on the existence of furan fatty acids in latex lipids across a wide diversity of Hevea brasiliensis genotypes. Kitpaosong Chaisiri, Liengprayoon Siriluck, Durand Erwann, Lerksamran Tucksin, Daval Aurélie, Gohet Eric, Tiva Lim Khan, Chetha Phean, Mengchheang Kong, Phearun Phen, Rattana Ung, Chandy Kim, Sokea Pol, Eng Un Kim, Rattanaporn Kittipong, Baréa Bruno, Vaysse Laurent. 2024. Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, 10 (1): 111-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobab.2024.11.005

Other references in the field of health

Preventive nutritional supplementation with furan fatty acid in a DIO mouse model increases muscle mass and reduces metabolic disorders. Dore Laetitia, Durand Erwann, Bonafos Béatrice, Chaiyut Jatuporn, Vaysse Laurent, Liengprayoon Siriluck, Gaillet Sylvie, Pessemesse Laurence, Lambert Karen, Bertrand-Gaday Christelle, Coudray Charles, Sultan Ariane, Casas François, Feillet-Coudray Christine. 2023. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, 164:114945, 10 p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114945

Furan fatty acid extracted from Hevea brasiliensis latex increases muscle mass in mice. Pelletier François, Durand Erwann, Chaiyut Jatuporn, Bronstein Clémence, Pessemesse Laurence, Vaysse Laurent, Liengprayoon Siriluck, Gaillet Sylvie, Brioche Thomas, Bertrand-Gaday Christelle, Coudray Charles, Sultan Ariane, Feillet-Coudray Christine, Casas François. 2023. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, 166:115330, 11 p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115330

Patent

Casas François, Feillet-Coudray Christine, Liengprayoon Siriluck, Durand Erwann, Vaysse Laurent. 2024. Furan fatty acids for enhancing muscle mass. Geneva: WIPO, 69 p. EU registration number: 22306916.2, EU patent no.: EP4385508 A1, International registration no.: PCT/EP2023/085740, International patent no.: WO2024/126642 Al https://data.inpi.fr/brevets/EP4385508