Food Lipids: Chemistry, Nutrition, and Biotechnology

vascular health is a function not only of the fatty acid composition but of the positional
distribution of the fatty acids along the glycerol backbone. An enhanced understanding
of structure–function relationships of triacylglycerols and cardiovascular
health would provide suitable targets for manipulating the pattern of triacylglycerol
assembly in transgenic plants for the purpose of promoting health. A related example
would entail producing medium chain triacylglycerols, which have value as dietary
supplements for patients requiring medical and nutritional interventions (29). Other
types of structured glyceride conferring nutritional benefit include Salatrim and
Caprenin, which are mixtures of short and long chain fatty acids and contribute fewer
calories to the diet than do conventional food oils (249) (see Chapter 22). Presently,
these reduced-calorie fats are prepared by postproduction, chemical processes.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This contribution was supported by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences of
the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The author is grateful for the technical assistance
of Ms. Dawn M. Hyatt with the manuscript and Mr. Eric A. Mischo with the
figures.
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