TRIGLYCERIDE

TRIGLYCERIDES/TRIACYLGLYCEROLS (TAG)

formed from glycerol and fatty acids

+ 3 Fatty Acids (Palmitic acids)

FATTY ACIDS

consist of a hydrocarbon chain with a carboxylic acid at one end.

typically 12 18 carbon atoms

can be saturated and unsaturated

SATURATED FATTY ACIDS

contains only single C-C bonds

closely packed
strong attractions between chains
solids at room temperature

UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS

contain one or more double C=C bonds

can be arranged in cis bonds or trans bonds
nonlinear chains do not allow molecules to pack closely
few interactions between chain, low melting points
liquids at room temperature

SATURATED, MONOUNSATURATED &

POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN SOME OILS & FATS

source:A.S.H. Ong & S.H. Goh