The component fatty acids of the colostral fat and milk fat of the sow

Summary The fatty acid composition of colostral and milk fat samples representative of the total secretion of the nursing mammae of each of 3 sows was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. In both colostral and milk fats, acids of chain length C 16 and C 18 accounted for more than 90% of the total fatty acids present; colostral fat contained a higher proportion of oleic acid and linoleic acid and less palmitic acid and palmitoleic acid than normal milk fat. Structural studies on milk triglycerides showed that, as in pig depot fat, palmitic acid is preferentially esterified to the secondary alcoholic group (2-position) of the glycerol molecules with the C 18 acids (stearic, oleic and linoleic acids) being present for the most part in the 1- and 3- positions.