An Estimating Method of Acid Distribution and the Ordered Distribution Hyopothesis in Natural Fat Triglycerides

Abstract

The glyceride type values of a fat can be calculated from its fatty acid distribution, and conversely, the fatty acid distribution can be calculated from its glyceride type values. This calculation was, conducted graphically.From each glyceride type value, a curve named glyceride type isoquant that shows a same glyceride type value can be drawn, and the saturated acid distribution is obtained as intersecting point of four glyceride type isoquants. By means of this glyceride type isoquant method suggested, it was clarified that usual method that has beeh used to estimate the fatty acid distribution of acids by comparing the glyceride composition calculated from an assumed fatty acid distribution with the analyzed. glyceride composition is unreliable. The saturated acid distributions of several fats and the distributions of saturated, monoenoic, and dienoic acids of lard were estimated by this method, indicating unequal distribution of acids in the 1 and 3 positions.The possibility of the ordered distribution hypothesis proposed previously was discussed. Assuming the selectivities with variable degrees in the esterification of the 1 and 2 position, wide range of the acid distribution containing random distribution, 1, 3-random 2-random distribution, and 1-random 2, 3-random distribution is obtained. The saturated acid distributions of many fats may fall in this range of ordered distribution. It is also shown that the presence of a racemic glyceride cannot be a proof of equal distribution of acids in the 1 and 3 positions, because in a special case, unequal distribution leads a racemic glyceride.