13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to check 1,3-random, 2-random pattern of fatty acid distribution in olive oil triacylglycerols

The fatty acid distribution between the 1,3- and 2-positions of triglycerides was determined in the olive oil set sampled in the Marche region, by using the 13C NMR method which applies the DEPT pulse sequence. The results confirmed that the oleic and linoleic acids were not randomly distributed at the 2-position of triacylglycerols but were lower for oleic acid and higher for linoleic acid compared to the theoretical values expected for a random distribution. Moreover, the unsaturated acids deviated from the 2-random distribution at different extents according to the acid concentration of triglyceride.