Oils as a source of bioactive lipids (olive oil, palm oil, fish oil)

Edible oils are essential energy providers in human diets. However, these oils are also a natural source of bioactive compounds and phytonutrients. This chapter will provide an overview of the bioactive lipids from olive, palm, and fish oils. The nutritional and health benefits of these oils are well documented and frequently associated with their minor lipids, which exhibit significant positive effects on human health. Each oil displays a unique set of lipid families, called lipidome, with bioactive lipids belonging to different classes and with diverse structures and functions. Bioactive lipids, such as polar lipids, prenol lipids, or polyunsaturated fatty acids, have been reported to have health benefits and to prevent the onset of several disorders. The knowledge of the bioactive compounds present in these edible oils is used to develop novel biotechnological applications that incorporate these lipids into functional foods, cosmetic or pharmaceutical innovations to improve human health and well-being.