Question

The maximum concentration of fatty acid present in milk lipid is

• A. 4:0
• B. 12:0
• C. 18:1
• D. 16:0

Hint:

Milk Fat Major Fatty Acids:
Highest Individual Fatty Acid = 18:1 (OLEIC ACID, 25--32%) or 16:0 (Palmitic, 25--30%).
Short-Chain Volatile = 4:0 (Butyric, 3--4%).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Fatty acid distribution in bovine milk fat: oleic acid (18:1, cis-9-octadecenoic acid, 25--32%) and palmitic acid (16:0, 25--30%) represent the two predominant fatty acids in milk lipids.
Key Formula or Approach:
\[ \text{Milk Fatty Acid Percentages: } \mathbf{Oleic \text{ } Acid (18:1, \; 25 - 32\%)} \approx \text{Palmitic Acid (16:0, } 25 - 30\%) \gg \text{Stearic (18:0, } 10 - 12\%) \]

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In the lipid chemistry and triacylglycerol fatty acid profile of bovine milk fat:
- Bovine milk fat contains over 400 individual fatty acids, but two fatty acids dominate the total mass:
1. Oleic Acid (18:1) (C): The predominant monounsaturated fatty acid, typically constituting 25% to 32% (average 28%) of total fatty acids in milk lipid (derived from mammary desaturation of stearic acid and direct dietary uptake).
2. Palmitic Acid (16:0): The predominant saturated fatty acid, constituting 25% to 30% of total fatty acids (synthesized de novo and dietary).
3. Short-chain fatty acids like Butyric acid ($4:0$) represent $3 - 4\%$, and Lauric acid ($12:0$) represents $3 - 4\%$.
- In standard analytical profiles, 18:1 (Oleic acid) represents the maximum individual concentration of fatty acid in milk lipid.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, the maximum concentration of fatty acid present in milk lipid is 18:1, matching option (C).