Triacylglycerols
These are esters of fatty acids with the alcohol glycerol, which are storage forms of lipids (depot
lipids). Triacylglycerols or also called as triacylglycerides, exist as simple or mixed types
depending on the type of fatty acids that form esters with the glycerol. Both saturated and/or
unsaturated fatty acids can form the ester linkage with the backbone alcohol. Eg. Tripalmitate,
Triolein. - Tristearin is a chief component of beaf lipid
- Butter has short chain fatty acids.
- Unsaturated fatty acids are sensitive to air and oxidized to give rancid smell.
- Triacylglycerols are mainly found in special cells called adipocytes (fat cells), of the mamary gland, abdomen and under skin of animals.
They produce twice as much energy as that of carbohydrates per gram