Triacylglycerol Positional Isomers Research Articles

A GC/MS method for the rapid determination of disaturated triacylglycerol positional isomers

The properties of Triacylglycerols (TAGs) depend on their fatty acid composition and distribution. The presence of saturated fatty acids at the different positions of TAGs is important in determining the melting and tempering profile of many solid and plastic fats. The distribution of fatty acids of a fat can vary depending on its origin and processing. Here we developed a method to determine the composition of positional isomers of disaturated TAGs involved in food formulations using a GC/MS based method that requires no prior purification of the TAG species. The method is based on the different breakages that disaturated TAGs undergo in the MS detector and that permit a rapid determination of the regioisomer distribution of all major TAG species in a crude fat. This approach could facilitate the characterization of a large variety of fats, oils and butter of interest in many food formulations.

Development of Analytical Methods and Nutritional Studies Using Synthetic Fatty Acids and Triacylglycerols.

The metabolism of fatty acids or triacylglycerol (TAG) is affected by their molecular structures. Several methods to separate and quantify TAG isomers in natural fats and oils were developed. For instance, an analytical method of TAG molecular species using a gas chromatograph-flame ionization detector and the analytical method to separate and quantify TAG positional isomers and enantiomers using a high performance liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer were established. Furthermore, using these analytical methods, the relationship between molecular structure and metabolism of fatty acid and TAG were investigated. Using the CO2 breath test in ddY mice revealed that saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid bound to the sn-2 (β) position of TAG were highly catabolized in the presence of calcium, whereas saturated fatty acids bound to the sn-1, 3 (α) position of TAG were not well catabolized. Recently, the distribution of dietary fatty acids in the body were visualized by combining a stable isotope labeling technique with imaging mass spectrometry, which revealed that the administered arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid accumulated as phospholipid in the mouse brain. The methods developed can assess food quality and create new functional foods.

Simultaneous Quantification of Mixed-Acid Triacylglycerol Positional Isomers and Enantiomers in Palm Oil and Lard by Chiral High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometry

Palm oil and lard are edible fats which are rich in palmitic (P) and oleic acids (O). In this study, triacylglycerol (TAG) positional isomers (symmetric and asymmetric isomers) and enantiomers (asymmetric isomers) in palm oil and lard were quantified simultaneously by using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The CHIRALPAK IF-3 column used in our previous study recognized the difference of TAG isomers consisting of P and O in palm oil and lard, separated sn-OPP/sn-PPO/sn-POP and sn-OPO/sn-OOP/sn-POO into each isomer peak, and enabled the quantification of these TAG isomers with good recovery (95–120%). Although sn-POP and sn-OPO were the major TAGs in palm oil and lard, a comparison of the abundance ratios of TAG enantiomers such as sn-PPO/sn-OPP and sn-OOP/sn-POO revealed that there were slightly more TAG enantiomers with O at the sn-1 position and P at the sn-3 position in palm oil and P at the sn-1 position and O at the sn-3 position in lard. These results were consistent with previous reports for the positional distribution of fatty acids of palm oil and lard. This is the first study that has enabled all TAG isomers consisting of P and O in natural oils and fats to be individually quantified by mass spectrometry.

Quantification of Triacylglycerol Molecular Species in Edible Fats and Oils by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector Using Correction Factors.

In the present study, the resolution parameters and correction factors (CFs) of triacylglycerol (TAG) standards were estimated by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) to achieve the precise quantification of the TAG composition in edible fats and oils. Forty seven TAG standards comprising capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and/or linolenic acid were analyzed, and the CFs of these TAGs were obtained against tripentadecanoyl glycerol as the internal standard. The capillary column was Ultra ALLOY+-65 (30 m × 0.25 mm i.d., 0.10 μm thickness) and the column temperature was programmed to rise from 250°C to 360°C at 4°C/min and then hold for 25 min. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values of the TAG standards were > 0.10 mg and > 0.32 mg per 100 mg fat and oil, respectively, except for LnLnLn, and the LOD and LOQ values of LnLnLn were 0.55 mg and 1.84 mg per 100 mg fat and oil, respectively. The CFs of TAG standards decreased with increasing total acyl carbon number and degree of desaturation of TAG molecules. Also, there were no remarkable differences in the CFs between TAG positional isomers such as 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-3-stearoyl-rac-glycerol, 1-stearoyl-2-palmitoyl-3-oleoyl-rac-glycerol, and 1-palmitoyl-2-stearoyl-3-oleoyl-rac-glycerol, which cannot be separated by GC-FID. Furthermore, this method was able to predict the CFs of heterogeneous (AAB- and ABC-type) TAGs from the CFs of homogenous (AAA-, BBB-, and CCC-type) TAGs. In addition, the TAG composition in cocoa butter, palm oil, and canola oil was determined using CFs, and the results were found to be in good agreement with those reported in the literature. Therefore, the GC-FID method using CFs can be successfully used for the quantification of TAG molecular species in natural fats and oils.

Quantification of Triacylglycerol Positional Isomers in Rat Milk.

The absolute amount of triacylglycerol (TAG) positional isomers was analyzed in rat milk fat, a representative of non-ruminant milk fat, using a HPLC-UV-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-MS/MS system equipped with an octacosyl silylation column or polymeric ODS column. TAGs consisting of two oleic acids (O) and one palmitic acid (P) were the most abundant. In particular, β-OPO, a TAG binding P at the β-position (sn-2) and two Os at the α-positions (sn-1/3), was prominent. The β-OPO content decreased over time, while a TAG consisting of two Ps and one capric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid, increased. TAGs consisting of two Ps and one docosahexaenoic acid were present in small amounts and decreased with time. These results indicated that the recombination of fatty acids in TAGs in milk fat occurs in the mother, and is thought to depend on the infant's stage of growth, in response to their nutritional needs. It was also demonstrated that medium-chain fatty acids were mainly located at the α-position (sn-3), while Ps were mainly located at the β-position (sn-2). Therefore, the combination and binding positions of fatty acids of TAG are considered very important in infant nutrition.

Abundances of Triacylglycerol Positional Isomers and Enantiomers Comprised of a Dipalmitoylglycerol Backbone and Short- or Medium-chain Fatty Acids in Bovine Milk Fat.

Bovine milk fat (BMF) is composed of triacylglycerols (TAG) rich in palmitic acid (P), oleic acid (O), and short-chain or medium-chain fatty acids (SCFAs or MCFAs). The composition and binding positions of the fatty acids on the glycerol backbone determine their physical and nutritional properties. SCFAs and MCFAs are known to characteristically bind to the sn-3 position of the TAGs in BMF; however, there are very few non-destructive analyses of TAG enantiomers binding the fatty acids at this position. We previously reported a method to resolve the enantiomers of TAGs, binding both long-chain saturated fatty acid and unsaturated fatty acid at the sn-1 and 3 positions, in palm oil, fish oil, and marine mammal oil using chiral HPLC. Here, we further developed a method to resolve several TAG enantiomers containing a dipalmitoyl (PP) glycerol backbone and one SCFA (or MCFA) in BMF. We revealed that the predominant TAG structure in BMF was homochiral, such as 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-butyroyl-sn-glycerol. This is the first quantitative determination of many TAG enantiomers, which bind to a SCFA or MCFA, in BMF was evaluated simultaneously. Furthermore, the results indicated that the amount ratios of the positional isomers and enantiomers of TAGs consisting of a dipalmitoyl (PP) glycerol backbone and SCFA (or MCFA), resembled the whole TAG structures containing the other diacylglycerol backbones consisting of P, O, myristic acid, and/or stearic acid in BMF.

Differential effects of triacylglycerol positional isomers containing n-3 series highly unsaturated fatty acids on lipid metabolism in C57BL/6J mice

The present study investigated the effects of binding position of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to triacylglycerol (TAG) on lipid metabolism in C57BL/6J mice. Mice were treated with pure TAG positional isomers, including 1,2(2,3)-dipalmitoyl-3(1)-eicosapentaenoyl glycerol, 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-eicosapentaenoyl glycerol, 1,2(2,3)-dipalmitoyl-3(1)-docosahexaenoyl glycerol, and 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl glycerol. Compared to DHA bound to the α-position of TAG, DHA bound to the β-position more effectively inhibited fatty acid synthetic enzymes and cholesterol-metabolism enzymes and thus reduced TAG and cholesterol concentrations in the serum and liver. EPA bound to the α-position of TAG, but not EPA bound to the β-position of TAG, significantly decreased hepatic cholesterol concentrations. Additionally, EPA bound to the α-position of TAG increased the ratio of PGI2 to TXA2 to a higher degree than EPA bound to the β-position. These results suggested that the binding position of EPA and DHA to TAG affected TAG and cholesterol metabolism as well as eicosanoid production in C57BL/6J mice.

油脂の構造と機能～トリアシルグリセロール異性体分析の発展

油脂の構造と機能～トリアシルグリセロール異性体分析の発展

Actual Ratios of Triacylglycerol Positional Isomers and Enantiomers Comprising Saturated Fatty Acids and Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Fishes and Marine Mammals

It has been previously shown that the positional isomers of triacylglycerol (TAG) containing palmitic acid (P) and highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) such as DHA (D) and EPA (E) vary between fishes and marine mammals. However, it has not yet been understood why in marine mammals HUFAs are located only at the α position when two palmitic acid chains combine, and not in fishes. In order to gain further understanding of the biosynthetic pathways involved in the formation of these asymmetric TAGs, we investigated whether the HUFA in the TAG of marine mammals exists predominantly at the sn-1 or sn-3 position. We examined the TAG positional isomers and enantiomers in marine organisms in detail. As a result, while PDP and PEP were not detected, sn-PPD and sn-PPE were found in abundance in marine mammals. For fishes, on the other hand, PDP, PEP, sn-PPD, and sn-PPE were all identified. In the case of TAGs that contain two HUFAs and one palmitic acid, marine mammals were rich in DPD and EPE whereas fishes were rich in sn-PDD and sn-PEE.

Actual Ratio of Triacylglycerol Positional Isomers in Milk and Cheese

Actual ratios of triacylglycerol (TAG) positional isomers in human, rat, and cow milk fat and cow, buffalo, goat, and sheep cheese fat were analyzed using HPLC-UV-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-MS/MS system equipped with an octacosyl silylation column or polymeric ODS column. We substituted cheese fats for milk fats in parts of our study because milks from ruminants, with the exception of cows, are difficult to get in Japan. The actual ratio of β-PPC (the TAG consisting of two palmitic acids (P) and one capric acid (C), with the palmitic acid located at the β position) and β-PCP in human milk was different from those in ruminants, with more than half of the medium-chain fatty acids located at the β position even though other fats possessed it mainly at the α position. Palmitic acid was mainly located at the β position for human milk and rat milk; however, the location in ruminant cheese fat was mainly at the α position. The location of fatty acids is thought to be very important for infant nutrition. Particularly, the location of palmitic acid in case of human milk and of medium-chain fatty acids in case of ruminant milk was very characteristic and is considered to be very important to the fatty acids in milk fat.

Actual ratios of triacylglycerol positional isomers consisting of saturated and highly unsaturated fatty acids in fishes and marine mammals

The distribution of fatty acid species at the (sn-1, 3) position or the (sn-2) position of triacylglycerol (TAG) in natural fats and oils has already been analysed by many researchers and several interesting results have been reported. However, most of these reports only focused on the distribution of fatty acids at the or positions in TAG, and did not take account of the combination of fatty acids in the TAG, i.e., the TAG positional isomers. In this study, the actual ratios of TAG positional isomer pairs, consisting of palmitic acid and highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) such as DHA or EPA, in fish and marine mammals were investigated using a high-performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation-mass spectrometry (HPLC/APCI-MS) system equipped with tandem jointed non-endcapped polymeric ODS columns. The results show that for combinations of DHA or EPA with two palmitic acids in the TAG of marine mammals, binding was almost all at the α position. In contrast, binding of DHA or EPA was mainly at the β position in fish. The preferred DHA and EPA positions in TAG were the same in the same marine mammal or fish. The binding position tendency of HUFA in TAG positional isomers consisting of two HUFAs and one palmitic acid was the same as that for combinations of one HUFA and two palmitic acids. These results were interpreted as showing that the preferred fatty acid species of sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase and 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase in marine mammals are different to those in fish and other animals, or that diacylglycerol acyltransferase in marine mammals favours 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol formed from 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphatidate if HUFA is the reaction substrate.

Rapid Separation of Triacylglycerol Positional Isomers Binding Two Saturated Fatty Acids Using Octacocyl Silylation Column

The rapid separation of a triacylglycerol positional isomer (TAG-PI) pair was examined via high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry using an octacocyl silylation (C28) column. A TAG-PI pair binding two palmitic acids and one fatty acid that structurally differs from palmitic acid was separated at 10°C and 15°C using acetone as the mobile phase. However, the TAG-PI pair binding two unsaturated fatty acids and one saturated fatty acid was not separated by the C28 column. The results indicate that the structures of the two palmitic acids (saturated fatty acids) and the other fatty acid at the α or β position in TAG play an important role in the separation of the TAG-PI pair, and that the structure of the fatty acid needs to be considerably different from that of the palmitic acid, specifically in terms of the chain length or the location of the double bond.

Characterization of Non-endcapped Polymeric ODS Column for the Separation of Triacylglycerol Positional Isomers

The characteristics of a non-endcapped polymeric ODS column for the resolution of triacylglycerol positional isomers (TAG-PI) were examined using a recycle HPLC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry system. A pair of TAG-PI containing saturated fatty acids at least 12 carbons was separated. Except for TAG-PI containing elaidic acid, pairs of TAG-PI containing three unsaturated fatty acids were not separated, even by recycle runs. These results indicate that the resolution of TAG-PI on a non-endcapped polymeric ODS stationary phase is realized by the recognition of the linear structure of the fatty acid and the binding position of the saturated fatty acid in TAG-PI. Chain length was also an important factor for resolution. This method may be a useful and simple for measuring the abundance ratio of TAG-PI containing saturated fatty acids in natural oils.

HPLC Separation of Triacylglycerol Positional Isomers on a Polymeric ODS Column

A polymeric ODS column was applied to the resolution of triacylglycerol positional isomers (TAG-PI), i.e. 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoyl-glycerol (OPO) and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-palmitoyl-rac-glycerol (OOP), with a recycle HPLC system. To investigate the ODS column species and the column temperatures for the resolution of a TAG-PI pair, a mixture of OPO and OOP was subjected to an HPLC system equipped with a non-endcapped polymeric, endcapped monomeric, endcapped intermediate, or non-endcapped monomeric ODS column at three different column temperatures (40, 25, or 10 degrees C). Only the non-endcapped polymeric ODS column achieved the separation of OPO and OOP, and the lowest column temperature (10 degrees C) showed the best resolution for them. The other pair of TAG-PI, a mixture of 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol (POP) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-oleoyl-rac-glycerol (PPO) was also subjected to the system equipped with a non-endcapped polymeric or monomeric ODS column at five different column temperatures (40, 32, 25, 17, and 10 degrees C). Thus, POP and PPO were also separated on only the non-endcapped polymeric ODS column at 25 degrees C. However, no clear peak appeared at 10 degrees C. These results would indicate that the polymeric ODS stationary phase has an ability to recognize the structural differences between TAG-PI pairs. Also, the column temperature is a very important factor for separating the TAG-PI pair, and the optimal temperature would relate to the solubility of TAG-PI in the mobile phase. Furthermore, the recycle HPLC system provided measurements for the separation and analysis of TAG-PI pairs.

Resolution of triacylglycerol positional isomers by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

The ability of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to separate some positionally isomeric disaturated and monounsaturated triacylglycerols (TAGs) as intact species is demonstrated for the first time. Mobile phases of acetonitrile modified with methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, acetone, or dichloromethane were tested for the separation of POP-PPO, PLP-PPL, PEP-PPE, and PDP-PPD (P-palmitic, O-oleic, L-linoleic, E-eicosapentaenoic, D-docosahexaenoic acid residue) on a single RP-HPLC column. The resolution improved with increasing number of double bonds in the acyl residues. While POP and PPO were only partially resolved, PDP and PPD were fully separated with all tested mobile phases, except those containing methanol. Also separated were the four TAGs having the same equivalent carbon number (ECN = 42), PEP, PPE, PDP, and PPD, on a single RP-HPLC column with mobile phase acetonitrile-2-propanol (70:30, v/v) at 0.8 mL/min. In all cases the isomer with the unsaturated acyl residue in either 1- or 3-position was retained more strongly than the respective 2-isomer.

Off-line coupling of non-aqueous reversed-phase and silver ion high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry for the characterization of rice oil triacylglycerol positional isomers

The determination of the triacylglycerol (TAG) profile in real world matrices is rather difficult as these compounds present a complex composition and are characterized by similar physico-chemical properties. This investigation is based on the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) multidimensional determination of the TAG profile in terms of TAG species and positional isomers in a rice oil sample. The off-line bi-dimensional system was attained through the coupling of non-aqueous reversed-phase HPLC and silver ion (Ag)-HPLC. The primary column eluate was fractionated and the fractions of interest were then injected onto the secondary column, allowing the separation of several TAG positional isomers, unresolved in the first dimension. Peak assignment was carried out by combining retention data with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) MS spectra information. The fatty acid distribution along the glycerol backbone, determined by Ag-HPLC, was confirmed through diglyceride ion ratios derived from APCI-MS analysis. Method validation, where both precision and accuracy were measured, was carried out in preliminary applications on standard compounds. The analytical results obtained show that rice oil TAGs follow a distribution which can be considered typical for vegetable oils.

Quantification of the ratio of positional isomer dilinoleoyl-oleoyl glycerols in vegetable oils.

The distribution of fatty acids in a triacylglycerol is of great importance from nutritional, biochemical, quality and technological points of view. The ratio of triacylglycerol positional isomers containing two linoleic acid (18:2) and one oleic acid (18:1) moieties--namely, 1(3),2-dilinoleoyl-3(1)-oleoyl glycerol (LLO) and 1,3-dilinoleoyl-2-oleoyl glycerol (LOL)--were quantified in grape seed, olive, pumpkin seed, soybean, sunflower and wheat germ oils by high-performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/APCI-MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Relative LOL contents (LOL/(LLO+LOL)) of the oils were calculated from the mass abundances of the [LL]+ and [LO]+ diacylglycerol fragment ions ([M+H-RCOOH]+) using a calibration curve. The calibration curve of the relative diacylglycerol mass abundances was measured in SIM mode. The relative LOL contents were found to be relatively consistent for each oil variety. The relative LOL content in grape seed, sunflower, pumpkin seed, soybean and wheat germ oils accounted for 44.2 +/- 2.6, 26.8 +/- 3.2, 16.7 +/- 4.6, 15.9 +/- 2.9 and 13.9 +/- 4.3%, respectively. Only olive oils contained practically 100% of the LLO isomer. These results indicate that the unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic and oleic acids have 'non-random' distribution patterns in various oils.

Dual parallel electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (MS), MS/MS and MS/MS/MS for the analysis of triacylglycerols and triacylglycerol oxidation products

Two mass spectrometers, in parallel, were employed simultaneously for analysis of triacylglycerols in canola oil, for analysis of triolein oxidation products, and for analysis of triacylglycerol positional isomers separated using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was interfaced via an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface to two reversed-phase liquid chromatographic columns in series. An ion trap mass spectrometer was coupled to the same two columns using an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface, with ammonium formate added as electrolyte. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) under these conditions produced abundant ammonium adduct ions from triacylglycerols, which were then fragmented to produce MS/MS spectra and then fragmented further to produce MS/MS/MS spectra. ESI-MS/MS of the ammoniated adduct ions gave product ion mass spectra which were similar to mass spectra obtained by APCI-MS. ESI-MS/MS produced diacylglycerol fragment ions, and additional fragmentation (MS/MS/MS) produced [RCO]+ (acylium) ions, [RCOO + 58]+ ions, and other related ions which allowed assignment of individual acyl chain identities. APCI-MS of triacylglycerol oxidation products produced spectra like those reported previously using APCI-MS. APCI-MS/MS produced ions related to individual fatty acid chains. ESI-MS of triacylglycerol oxidation products produced abundant ammonium adduct ions, even for those molecules which previously produced little or no intact molecular ions under APCI-MS conditions. Fragmentation (MS/MS) of the [M + NH4]+ ions produced results similar to those obtained by APCI-MS. Further fragmentation (MS/MS/MS) of the diacylglycerol fragments of oxidation products provided information on the oxidized individual fatty acyl chains. ESI-MS and APCI-MS were found to be complementary techniques, which together contributed to a better understanding of the identities of the products formed by oxidation of triacylglycerols. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dual parallel electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (MS), MS/MS and MS/MS/MS for the analysis of triacylglycerols and triacylglycerol oxidation products.

Two mass spectrometers, in parallel, were employed simultaneously for analysis of triacylglycerols in canola oil, for analysis of triolein oxidation products, and for analysis of triacylglycerol positional isomers separated using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was interfaced via an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface to two reversed-phase liquid chromatographic columns in series. An ion trap mass spectrometer was coupled to the same two columns using an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface, with ammonium formate added as electrolyte. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) under these conditions produced abundant ammonium adduct ions from triacylglycerols, which were then fragmented to produce MS/MS spectra and then fragmented further to produce MS/MS/MS spectra. ESI-MS/MS of the ammoniated adduct ions gave product ion mass spectra which were similar to mass spectra obtained by APCI-MS. ESI-MS/MS produced diacylglycerol fragment ions, and additional fragmentation (MS/MS/MS) produced [RCO](+) (acylium) ions, [RCOO+58](+) ions, and other related ions which allowed assignment of individual acyl chain identities. APCI-MS of triacylglycerol oxidation products produced spectra like those reported previously using APCI-MS. APCI-MS/MS produced ions related to individual fatty acid chains. ESI-MS of triacylglycerol oxidation products produced abundant ammonium adduct ions, even for those molecules which previously produced little or no intact molecular ions under APCI-MS conditions. Fragmentation (MS/MS) of the [M+NH(4)](+) ions produced results similar to those obtained by APCI-MS. Further fragmentation (MS/MS/MS) of the diacylglycerol fragments of oxidation products provided information on the oxidized individual fatty acyl chains. ESI-MS and APCI-MS were found to be complementary techniques, which together contributed to a better understanding of the identities of the products formed by oxidation of triacylglycerols.

Determining the regioselectivity of immobilized lipases in triacylglycerol acidolysis reactions

AbstractLipase regioselectivity is the ability to distinguish between primary (i.e., sn‐1,3) and secondary (sn‐2) ester functionalities in a triacylglycerol molecule, which is of importance in the manufacture of structured lipids. Unlike existing methods of assessment, which utilize hydrolysis reactions, an alternative technique to assess the regioselectivity of lipases in triacylglycerol transesterification reactions has been developed. An acidolysis reaction is performed between triolein and decanoic, lauric, or stearic acids under conditions that minimize acyl migration, and products are analyzed by silver‐ion complexation liquid chromatography, enabling detection of specific triacylglycerol positional isomers. From the rate of formation of these isomers the relative selectivity of the lipase for sn‐2 and sn‐1,3 ester bonds is determined. With lipases known to lack regioselectivity, the rate of reaction at sn‐2 was similar to that at sn‐1,3 from the start of the reaction. With sn‐1,3 selective lipases, the formation of triacylglycerol isomers with decanoic acid in the secondary position was not detected at any point in the reaction. Regioselectivity as a function of reaction progress was monitored. Two lipases from the genus Pseudomonas exhibited activity toward all positions, but the rate at sn‐2 was much reduced, and no incorporation of decanoic acid into this position was detectable until a high degree of conversion had been achieved.