Positional distribution of the fatty acids in the triglycerides of the oil of some african peanut varieties

Abstract The distribution of fatty acids between the sn‐1‐, sn‐2‐ and sn‐3‐positions of the triglycerides from the oils of eight African peanut varieties has been determined. The saturated fatty acids and eicosenoic acid occur almost exclusively at the sn‐1‐ and sn‐3‐positions. The sn‐1‐position contained slightly more palmitic acid than the sn‐3‐position. The fatty acids with a chain length exceeding 18 carbons were preferentially incorporated in the sn‐3‐position. Linoleic acid was preferentially esterified at the sn‐2‐position, whereas oleic acid was equally distributed among the three positions. The amount of the saturated fatty acids, i.e., palmitic and stearic acid, and of oleic acid and linoleic acid incorporated in the sn‐1‐, sn‐2‐and sn‐3‐position, were each linearly related to their respective content in the triglycerides.