Fatty acid composition and glyceride structure of piglet body fat from different sampling sites

Pigs were slaughtered at 16 weeks of age, and fat samples were obtained from outer and inner shoulder, outer and inner loin, and kidney. Fatty acid composition and glyceride type of distribution were determined. Glyceride structure was determined by pancreatic lipase hydrolysis. There were highly significant differences in fatty acid composition between sites. Fatty acids containing less than 18 carbon atoms were preferentially incorporated in the internal positions of the glycerides. The content of saturated fatty acids and fatty acids containing less than 18 carbon atoms at the 2-position of shoulder and loin glycerides was higher than in kidney glycerides. Differences in glyceride types were noted between sites.