STEREOSPECIFIC ANALYSIS OF MAJOR TRIGLYCERIDE SPECIES IN MONOUNSATURATED FRACTION OF COCOA BUTTER

A stereospecific analysis employing pancreatic lipase, Geotrichum candidum lipase and phospholipase A was applied to the monounsaturated triglyceride fraction of cocoa butter. Diacid triglycerides required additional analyses involving the gas liquid chromatographic determination of the proportions of digly ceride acetates produced by separately acetylating the α,α and α,β-digly cerides obtained from a G. candidum digestion mixture. Results indicated that the major triacid triglyceride in cocoa butter was rac glyceryl-l-palmitate-2-oleate-3-stearate. Approximately 5% of cocoa butter was comprised of triglycerides which were solely or predominantly of one enantiomer, containing oleic acid in the 3 position. © 1969 The American Oil Chemists' Society.