Stereospecific analysis of triacylglycerols in mare's milk [Indagine sulla struttura trigliceridica del latte di giumenta]

Fatty acids composition of mare milk triacylglycerols (TGs) was studied at three different lactation stages. Stereospecific analysis of TGs was carried out with Chemical deacylation and enzymatic hydrolysis to determine the fatty acids distribution on the glycerol backbone as the TG structure are of importance when considering the biological functions, the nutritional value as well as the echnological properties of milk lipids. Milk samples showed a high content of EFA, about 25% of the total fatty acid composition. In all considered lipid fraction saturated fatty acids (SFA), especially about 50% to 70% of C8:0 and C10:0, were prevalently esterified at the sn-2 position. Unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) occupied essentially the sn-(1,3) position; on average only 21.2% of C18:3ω3 and 19% of C18:2 were localized at the sn-2 position.