Triglycerides/fatty acids are characterized/named by: 1) The length/number of carbons in the side chains and 2) The number of carbon-carbon double bonds in the side chains(the degree of unsaturation).
Saturated fatty acids have carbon chains filled with hydrogen atoms (no C=C double bonds), while unsaturated fatty acids have carbon chains that lack some hydrogens (>1 C=C double bond).
Production of semi-solid cooking margarine from liquid vegetable oil needs to go through hydrogenation to increase the melting point, which increases the molar mass and makes it semi-solid.
Almost all natural unsaturated fatty acids have cis stereochemistry in C=C’s, with small amounts of trans produced in stomachs of ruminating animals by partial enzymatic hydrogenation of polyunsaturated fats.
Saponification of a triglyceride yields fatty acid salts, which contain anions (negative ions) with long carbon chains and both polar and non-polar components.
Hydrogenation is a commercial reaction of fats and oils and is often used in the production of semisolid cooking shortening (margarines) from liquid vegetable oils.
In aqueous environments containing grease/oil, these anions form ball-shaped structures called micelles, which are able to interact with both polar and non-polar molecules and serve as soaps/detergents.
The presence of double bonds (all cis-stereochemistry) lowers the melting point (makes it easier for the fatty acid to melt) because these double bonds cause the molecule to become bent (less attractions between chains).
In foods, fats provide energy (9 kcal/gm), contribute flavor, aroma, and tenderness, provide satiety, carry fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E & K), and provide a source of essential fatty acids.
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction where triglycerides, which are tri-esters, can undergo hydrolysis to yield carboxylic acids and glycerol (1,2,3-Propanetriol).
In certain cases, triglycerides are only partially hydrolyzed (partial hydrolysis) – this happens when only one or two of the fatty acid groups are removed from the triglyceride by hydrolysis.
7-dehydrocholesterol, which functions as a cholesterol precursor in blood serum, gets converted in vivo (epidermal cells) to Vitamin D by the action of sunlight.