LIPID DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION IN COD (GADUS-MORHUA), COMPARING TRIACYLGLYCEROLS, WAX ESTERS AND DIACYLALKYLGLYCEROLS

1. Cod (Gadus morhua) were given purified triacylglycerols (TAG), wax esters (WE) and diacylalkylglycerols (DAG). 2. TAG, WE, DAG, free fatty acids (FFA) and fatty alcohols (FA) were isolated from gut contents, intestinal wall and chylomicra. 3. The lipolytic enzymes hydrolyse TAG, WE and DAG with specificity towards polyenoic acids. The efficiency of hydrolysis is reduced in the order: TAG:WE:DAG. 4. The major part of absorbed FA was oxidized to fatty acids and reesterified to TAG in the intestinal wall. Glyceryl ethers after fatty acid hydrolysis are absorbed and reesterified to DAG. 5. Chylomicra contain mainly TAG, but DAG appears in cod fed DAG.