The trans-unsaturated acid contents of fats of ruminants and non-ruminants

Abstract

An examination of the depot fats of ruminants showed the presence of substantial amounts (3.5 - 11.2%) of trans-acids. The fats of non-ruminants contained not more than 0.9% of trans-acids, apart from those of certain marsupials, such as the wallaby and the quokka, in which the trans-acid contents varied from 18.1 to 21.0%. From the available evidence it appears that the trans-acids arise mainly from hydrogenation of dietary unsaturated acids by bacteria in the rumen, or in the rumen-like stomach in marsupials.