Positional distribution of fatty acids in depot triglycerides of aquatic animals.

Stereospecific triglyceride analyses were performed on fats of the following animals: five aquatic invertebrates, five freshwater fish, six marine fish, three marine birds, two amphibia, two seals, a whale, and a marine turtle. The distribution of faty acids was asymmetrical in most cases. A formula is presented which describes the general tendencies of fatty acid distribution in many animal fats, and some special rules which modify this formula are stated.