Taxonomic Patterns in the Triglyceride Structure of Natural Fats

Natural fats from different organisms frequently have similar fatty acid composition but different triglyceride structures. These differences often fall into clear‐cut taxonomic patterns when the distribution of fatty acids between the sn‐1, sn‐2‐, and sn‐3‐positions of the glycerol is considered. Such characteristic fatty acid distribution patterns can frequently be used to distinguish commerical fats and oils from different sources, i. e. fish oil from whale oil, or virgin olive oil from the re‐esterified product.