Use
Triglyceride is a naturally occurring ester of a normal
acid (fatty acid) and glycerol. These are the chief
constituents of oils and fats having a general formula
CH2(00CR1) CH(OOCR2) CH2(OOCR3) where R1, R2
and R3 are of different alkyl chains.
The refining processes often yield commercial
products in which the R chain lengths are the same.
Saponification with alkali releases glycerol and alkali
metal salts of fatty acids (soaps). Triglycerides represent
a concentrated source of energy since oxidation provides
more energy than an equivalent weight of protein or
carbohydrate.
The chemical and physical properties depend on the
nature of the fatty acids present. Saturated acids give rise
to fats with a higher melting point, as in butter and lard.
Unsaturation lowers the melting point of fats. Thus,
unsaturated fatty acids are present in large amounts in the
oil of plants, for example, oleic acid in olive oil and
linoleic and linolenic acids in linseed oil.