The distribution of fatty acids in the triglycerides of the Artiodactyla (even-toed animals)

The distribution of fatty acids in the triglycerides of a number of Artiodactyla (animals with an even number of toes) has been determined. In confirmation of earlier reports, palmitic acid was found predominantly in the 2-position of the triglycerides of the domestic pig. The same pattern was found to exist in the European and American wild boar and also in two species of peccary. In the other members of this group of animals, the palmitic acid was either approximately randomly distributed among all three positions or the 1- and 3-positions contained more of this acid than did the 2-position. In all species, only small amounts of stearic acid were esterified at the 2-position. Myristic acid, although present in only small amounts, tended to concentrate in the 2-position. No apparent pattern of distribution of the unsaturated acids was noted. The relationship of the distribution of palmitic acid to the origin of the various families of animals is discussed.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

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