Effect of fatty acid composition and positional distribution within the triglyceride on selected physical properties of dry-cured ham subcutaneous fat

Abstract

Analysis of fatty acid (FA) positional distribution within the triglyceride (TG) and selected physical properties of dry-cured ham subcutaneous fat (SF) were carried out. The slip point (SP) of the SF was related to the concentration and positional distribution of FA. When C16:0 was in Sn-2, the SP depended on the FA present in Sn-1,3. Hardness was related to the FA concentration in external positions of TG. A significant direct linear correlation between hardness against C18:0, SFA and average chain length (ACL) and inverse against C18:1, C18:2 and PUFA and unsaturation index (UI) in external positions was found. Adhesiveness was related to SFA, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, MUFA, UI and ACL exclusively in Sn-2 position. A different role of FA in Sn-2 and Sn-1,3 positions on SP and texture properties of fat was found.