Question

Explain the composition of triglyceride.

Answer 1

Triglyceride is a glyceride, which is formed from a single molecule of glycerol, esterified with three fatty acids. It is mainly present in vegetable oils and animal fat.

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{................................}\ce{O}\\
\phantom{................................}||\\
\phantom{...................}\ce{O}\phantom{.......}\ce{CH2 - O - C - R1}\phantom{..}\\
||\phantom{........}|\\
\phantom{.......}\ce{R2 - C - O - CH} \phantom{.........}\ce{O}\\
\phantom{.....................}|\phantom{...........}||\\
\phantom{..........................}\ce{CH2 - O - C - R3}
\end{array}\]

Structure of triglyceride

The general chemical formula of triglyceride is R₂COO - CH₂CH(-OOCR₁)CH₂ - OOCR₃ , where R₁, R₂, and R₃ are fatty acids. These three fatty acids can be same or different.