Intermediates Formed during the Digestion of Triglycerides One Figure

Abstract

Lipids recovered from the lumen of the intestines of rats following the feeding of triglyceride were analyzed for monoglyceride by periodic acid before and after isomerization with percholoric acid (this causes a conversion of 2-monoglyceride to 1-monoglyceride), for free fatty acid, and for hydroxyl value. The lipids were also fractionated by the Craig separator and the presence of monoglycerides confirmed by x-ray diffraction patterns and infrared absorption. Appreciable quantities of monoglyceride and diglyceride are formed and accumulate in the lumen of the intestinal tract during the digestion of fat. These glycerides constituted as much as 16 and 36%, respectively, of the total lipids. A portion of the monoglyceride found was of the 2-configuration, and the data indicate that almost all of the monoglycerides formed were initially the 2-isomer. It is likely that the diglycerides formed are of the 1,2-configuration.