Category: Lipid science

First discovered in 1928, vaccenic acid is a naturally occurring trans fatty acid found primarily in ruminant fats. Another common name for this beneficial nutrient is asclepic acid, a long-chain fatty acid with unique biochemical properties and potential health implications.

Did you know that fats rich in saturated fatty acids are typically solid at room temperature? This physical state is a direct result of a key characteristic feature of saturated fatty acids in lipids, which is their unique chemical structure defined by having no carbon-carbon double bonds.

Did you know that problems with the metabolism of C24 fatty acids can lead to severe neurological conditions? This very long-chain fatty acid has two prominent forms with distinct names and crucial roles in human health, especially in the brain.

According to the Oklahoma State University Extension, the major constituents of crude palm oil are over 95% triacylglycerides, commonly known as triglycerides. This means the primary class of lipid in palm oil is triglyceride, which gives the oil its physical and functional characteristics.

The vast majority of fats and oils in nature, from vegetable oils to animal fats, exist in a state that is esterified with glycerol. This fundamental chemical process forms the triglycerides that are crucial for energy storage in living organisms.